PODCAST · religion
Segmented stories podcast
Religion: it’s at the centre of world affairs, but profound questions still remain. Why are you here? What happens when you die? Does God matter? God Forbid seeks the answers.
Episodes
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Music builds bridge of dreams between India and Australia
The recent visit of India’s president Ram Nath Kovind was an historic event - the first ever state visit to Australia by an Indian President. Highlighting the reality that India, like China, is one of the coming world superpowers. But it seems Australia’s relationship with India rarely gets…
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The hottest (and holiest) issues of 2018
We live in a world of hot takes that are here today and gone tomorrow, but some issues have been baking all year. It’s time to round out 2018 with a final ‘holy hot potatoes’. Our God Forbid panel juggles the burning issues in news and religion.
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Soweto Gospel Choir singing songs of hope
Church songs are at the heart of the world-famous Soweto Gospel Choir, formed in 2002. Taking its name from the Johannesburg township of Soweto, most of the choir's songs are the gospel tunes sung every week in churches throughout South Africa — a unique combination of Protestant hymns and…
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African-Australians keep the faith
Since its introduction to Ethiopia in the first century, Christianity has grown across Africa over 2,000 years creating immense and resilient communities of faith. The God Forbid panel examines African Christianity, and how African Australians are helping to grow their own congregations down…
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The Flowers of War
Chris Latham's 'Flowers of War' project has sought to measure the cultural cost of WWI.
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Sacred soldiers: Remembering World War I
The first Remembrance Day services were explicitly Christian, but as Australia has become more religiously diverse the Anzac legend has taken on the qualities of a secular, civic religion.
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Manika Kaur's devotional songs
Melbourne-born Manika Kaur has over 10 million views on Youtube. She sings kirtans, or devotionals songs, and gives away the proceeds through her foundation Kiratan For Causes, which raises funds for education projects in India’s Punjab.
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The business of charity
Charity is a virtue that’s almost universally applauded, but institutionalised not-for-profits aren’t nearly as uncontroversial. Is it really a virtue if you can write it off as a tax deduction? Should churches pay income tax? Do the wealthy have too much control over which projects receive...
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Artificial intelligence: Activating humanity's god mode
The heyday of World of Warcraft saw online players interacting together and forming guilds. Today, artificial intelligence is sophisticated enough that computers are beginning to fill that role instead. Join Kumi Taguchi as she explores AI, gaming and the religious experience.
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Eric Whitacre's virtual choir
Grammy-winning conductor Eric Whitacre is one of the world's most popular composers. His Virtual Choir 4.0 was released a couple of years ago. The choir is comprises more than 8000 videos with almost 6000 singers from 101 countries.
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Dhapanbal Yunupingu
Dhapanbal Yunupingu is young Indigenous musician on the rise. One of six daughters of the former lead singer of Yothu Yindi, Dr Yunupingu, Dhapanbal is making a mark on Australia's music scene in her own right. She's become the first Yolngu woman from her home community in Yirrkala in North East...
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NAIDOC Week: The women who inspire us
Women in Christian leadership is a controversial topic in many churches, but for Indigenous Christians, women have been vital to the wellbeing of their communities. James Carleton speaks with three generations of female Aboriginal leaders from across the country. Although they come from different...
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The Japanese paradox
Ritual is big in Japan, but faith isn’t. It’s the only country where you can be born Shinto, marry Christian and die Buddhist, but up to 80 per cent of Japanese people say they’re not religious. What gives? James Carleton and guest host Kumi Taguchi from Compass explore the rich spirituality of…
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The Taiko drummer
Taiko drumming: It's been called the heartbeat of Japan. With a history going back more than 1000 years, today Taiko drumming is still associated with ceremonies in Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as being the drum of choice at every matsuri or Japanese festival. One man who has…
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Yoga's rock star
The American chant artist Krishna Das is yoga’s rock star. With 15 albums and a Grammy nomination, he’s the best-selling western chant artist of all time. It's ironic given that he had already turned down a rock star lifestyle back in the 1970s.
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Does religion make you happier?
Some people say religion makes their lives better, but does that mean they’re happier? If you could be happy some other way, would you bother with the religion? Whether you believe happiness is part of the journey or that it's the destination, James Carleton traverses the highs and lows of human...
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Does good spiritual health equal good mental health?
If you believe God is in control of all things, experiencing anxiety and depression can be a shock to the system. This week, James Carleton speaks to an Anglican minister and a Muslim slam poet – both of whom navigated these choppy waters firsthand.
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Morocco's musical medicine of the mind
In Australia, mental health issues are primarily dealt with by health and welfare services, but in many countries, religion and mythology can also play a part. The city of Fez in Morocco is home to the 300-year-old Hamadcha Brotherhood of Sufi Muslim mystics. They perform hypnotic ritual music...
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The Dalai Lama's musician of choice
Tenzin Choegyal has played with some of the world's most famous Buddhist musicians, including Philip Glass, Patti Smith and Laurie Anderson. He also opens for the Dalai Lama when he tours Australia. After completing work on the upcoming documentary film titled, The Last Dalai Lama? Tenzin speaks…
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Who was the Buddha anyway?
Buddhists around the world celebrate the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha all on the same holy day – Vesak. Aspects of Buddhism are popular in the West, with mindfulness and meditation courses being taken by all kinds of people, from suburbanites to CEOs. But is that the full picture?...
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Songs of the Sephardim
The songs of the Sephardim, the Spanish Jewish tradition that developed after the Jews were expelled from Spain in 1492, have survived more than 500 years of dispersal and exile. The language of the songs is Ladino, a mixture of early Spanish and Hebrew. Yasmin Levy is one of the world's finest…
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Israel: Orthodox and Reform
As Israel marks its 70th birthday, Palestine mourns Nakba – the catastrophe. This week Jews celebrate the gift of the Torah during Shavuot. Israel was founded as a Jewish state, but does every expression of Judaism feel equally at home? In a difficult week, James Carleton grasps the nettle and...
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Meet Stan Fortuna, the rapping priest
He’s a Catholic priest, and a founding member of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in the South Bronx. But Fr Stan Fortuna is best known worldwide as ‘the rapping priest’.
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Is there another schism forming in the Catholic Church?
Is the Pope a Catholic? Some believers aren’t quite sure. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has become one of the most controversial pontiffs in hundreds of years. Will the church veer into theological liberalism, or stick with tradition? Or will Francis forge his own path?
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A Christian and an atheist walk into a bar...
It’s no joke: For people of every faith – or none – whether you take alcohol or drugs is a big deal. But the rules vary wildly, even within a tradition. Some Christians include alcohol as a core part of their most sacred ritual, but other Christians forbid its use altogether. How come? James...
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The Christian origins of the Serenity Prayer
The famous Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote what came to be known as the Serenity Prayer in the 1930s. Since then its taken on a life of its own, including widespread use in 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
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Sikh rapper keeping it fresh
L-FRESH the Lion is a young member of one of the youngest world faiths. Based in Sydney's west, he has released two albums of Sikh-inspired hip hop. His second album 'Become' was released in 2016, marking him as a musician of faith with a growing global reputation.
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London Klezmer Quartet put their shtetl to the metal
Jewish Klezmer music finds its origins in the shtetls or villages of Eastern Europe in the 18th century. It was developed by Orthodox Jews known as Hasidim, but is now enjoyed the world over. Although now untethered from its Hasidic roots, Klezmer maintains its spiritual foundation.
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The gift of a second chance
Oops! You’ve done wrong, and now you cannot pass Go, and you do not collect $200. We generally agree that to err is human, and to forgive is divine – but is forgiveness always possible? On the intersection of Passover and Easter, James Carleton explores what Jews and Christians think about the…
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The songs of Gawurra
Stanley Gawurra Gaykamungu is a singer-songwriter known simply as Gawurra. He's a Yolngu man from north-east Arnhem Land. His debut album is Vine of Love – which is based on the song line, or dreaming track – which is the path followed by the Yolngu creator being during the dream time.
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Indigenous Christianity: It’s not black and white
Jesus said for his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, but it feels like something went wrong. James Carleton speaks to Aboriginal Christians Brooke Prentis and Kathleen Butler to find out if it’s possible to untangle the conversion from the coercion, and to see how – far from…
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The Bob Dylan of the Middle East
In January 2011 music, religion and politics collided in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as the Arab Spring protests gathered pace. One man at the forefront of the protests was Ramy Essam.
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Who can claim credit for the Enlightenment?
Sure, the Enlightenment was good, but it wasn’t everything. At least, that’s what these thinkers say. In this episode James Carleton hears about the past, present and future of western democracy.
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Black Voices sing out
Founded in Birmingham by Carol Pemberton, Black Voices brings a distinctively British gospel sound to the table, mixing African and Caribbean influences, including reggae, into their songs.
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Is God a feminist?
Feminism can be seen as an F-word in communities of faith, and given what’s said about women in many holy texts, feminists can be just as sceptical of religion. James Carleton speaks with two religious feminists who say faith can and does liberate women – but only if they can take positions of...
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Bluegrass Buddhism
When you convert religions, does your taste in music have to change too?
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Conversion: Think different
The classic slogan from Apple aimed to convert Windows users to a different operating system, but don’t worry, we’re not trying to sell you anything—we’re talking changing religion.
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The enduring poetry of Rumi
Rumi’s poetic search for spiritual truth has united people all of all persuasions, including Australia. So why does his work endure?
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Iran: Revolution, religion and reform
It’s only been 39 years since Iran went from Shah to sharia. Replacing 2500 years of Persian monarchy with a new Islamic republic isn’t exactly simple – so where to from here?
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Labyrinth meditation
Birdsong and music, a labyrinth and the healing properties of natural sound. They’re all part of the mix as we meet composer Corrina Bonshek.
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Finding the holy in Hollywood
As dark and dystopian shows ride a wave of popularity, the sexual abuse crisis engulfs the media industry. Is there any part of popular media which can be redeemed?
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Nell and the Rituals of Popular Culture
She’s known simply as Nell, and she's a Sydney-based visual artist, and AC/DC-loving Buddhist whose work is a search for meaning through the rituals and iconography of popular culture.
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Rock's creation myth
Creation myths aren’t confined to religion. Rock music has its own foundational myth - the musician selling their soul at a crossroads at midnight. It’s a motif that runs from early blues singers to rock giants like the Stones and Led Zeppelin.
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The myths that make us
From Homer’s Odyssey to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, the hero myth is ubiquitous. Sacred stories are fundamental to the major religions, too. So, how relevant are these ancient myths in modern society?
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Luther’s Music
Imagine a world without the sublime music of Bach? It was Luther's influence on church music that gave us this composer's works of art.
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Reformation, globalisation and going viral
The Reformation was a seismic event that changed Christianity, politics and even modern day music.
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David Bridie and 'a Bit na Ta'
Musician David Bridie’s latest project, ‘a Bit na Ta’, reveals the musical and ceremonial life of the indigenous Tolai people of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. The Tolai have long nurtured their own spiritual connections with the environment.
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Why the environment matters to people of faith
Former prime minister Tony Abbott says climate change activism is like a post-Christian religion, but is he right according to his own Catholic faith? Join our guests for a lively conversation about the role religion plays in environmental activism.
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George Gittoes: Blood Mystic
Australian artist and director George Gittoes believes that you can change society through art. And he says humans are spiritual beings who should stop killing each other.
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"Thanks be unto God who gave us the victory" - the ethics of war and torture.
War? This week a Guardian Essential poll revealed most Australians fear war between the United States and North Korea.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Religion: it’s at the centre of world affairs, but profound questions still remain. Why are you here? What happens when you die? Does God matter? God Forbid seeks the answers.
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How many episodes does Segmented stories podcast have?
Segmented stories podcast currently has 202 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Segmented stories podcast about?
Religion: it’s at the centre of world affairs, but profound questions still remain. Why are you here? What happens when you die? Does God matter? God Forbid seeks the answers.
How often does Segmented stories podcast release new episodes?
Segmented stories podcast publishes regularly with 202 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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