PODCAST · religion
Towards Understanding
by Positive Media
Towards Understanding is a full-length feature interview radio program hosted by Clayton Bjelan. The show contains a mix of interviews based around the understanding and living out of Christian faith and those just doing remarkable things in our world. It focuses on three key groups of people - The Known, The Overcomer and The Unknown.89.9 | TheLight | PositiveMedia | LightFM | Melbourne
Episodes
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Daniella Kafouris | What happens when your 3 year old gets cancer?
How do you keep going when the life you know disappears overnight? Daniella Kafouris joins Clayton to share the devastating moment her three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer and the journey that followed. Together they explore fear, uncertainty, faith and resilience, reflecting on how…
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Anthony D'Ambrosio | Why Do Stories of Sacrifice Still Matter?
What makes a story endure long after the people who lived it are gone? Anthony D'Ambrosio joins Clayton to discuss the extraordinary life of Maximilian Kolbe, the Franciscan priest who gave his life for another prisoner in Auschwitz, and why stories of courage, sacrifice and compassion continue…
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Rosie Kendall | Bringing Hope to People Facing Financial Hardship
Financial hardship affects far more than a bank account. Rosie Kendall joins Clayton to discuss the personal impact of debt, financial stress and economic uncertainty, and why hope, dignity and community are essential ingredients in helping people rebuild their lives. Together they explore the…
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Professor Henry Brodaty AO | Living Well with Dementia
Dementia affects hundreds of thousands of Australians and touches the lives of countless families, yet many misconceptions remain about what it is and how best to respond. Professor Henry Brodaty AO joins Clayton to discuss the latest understanding of dementia, the importance of early…
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Gennelle Guzman-McMillan | The Last Survivor
As the world marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Clayton revisits his conversation with Gennelle Guzman-McMillan, the last known survivor to be rescued from the rubble of the World Trade Center. Trapped for more than 27 hours beneath the collapsed towers, Gennelle shares her...
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Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks | Behind the World's Most Powerful Leaders
Who are the people trusted to advise presidents, prime ministers and global leaders? Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks joins Clayton to share insights from conversations with chiefs of staff to some of the world's most influential decision-makers, exploring leadership, influence, trust and what happens...
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Rebecca Challoner - Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Many people experience rejection, but for some, even minor criticism or perceived disapproval can feel overwhelming. Rebecca Challoner joins Clayton to explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), discussing its impact on relationships, self-worth and everyday life, and how greater understanding...
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Daniel Sih : Wise AI
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work, learn and live, but how do we use these powerful tools wisely? Daniel Sih joins Clayton to explore the opportunities and challenges of AI, the importance of human wisdom and discernment, and how we can embrace innovation without losing…
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Vaneetha Rendall Risner | Walking with God through Divorce
What happens when life repeatedly takes turns you never wanted and never expected? Vaneetha Rendall Risner joins Clayton to share her journey through disability, grief, loss and an unwanted divorce, reflecting on how faith can survive even the most painful seasons. Together they explore...
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Martyn Scrimshaw | Meeting People in Life's Defining Moments
Airports are places of reunions, farewells, celebrations and crises, where some of life's most significant moments unfold. Martyn Scrimshaw joins Clayton to share what years of chaplaincy at Melbourne Airport have taught him about people, resilience and the power of being present in moments of...
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Nathan Holland | What We Can Learn from the Persecuted Church
One in seven Christians around the world experiences persecution for their faith, yet many Australian Christians know little about what life is like for believers living under pressure. Nathan Holland joins Clayton to explore the stories behind the 2026 World Watch List, including the growing...
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Susan McLean | Growing Up Digital
The internet has opened up incredible opportunities for young people, but it has also introduced new challenges for parents and families. Susan McLean joins Clayton to discuss the realities of growing up in a digital world, exploring online safety, social media, cyberbullying and the practical...
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Ian Reilly | Culture, Context and Life Change
Sometimes the experiences that shape us most are the ones we never planned. Ian Reilly joins Clayton to reflect on how a teaching opportunity in Samoa transformed his understanding of culture, community and compassion, influencing the course of his life and career in ways he never expected....
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Adriel Booker | Learning to Live in the In-Between
What happens after the initial shock begins to fade after a crisis, but life still doesn't feel normal again? Adriel Booker joins Clayton to discuss the often-overlooked season between crisis and recovery, exploring grief, change, uncertainty and the challenge of finding hope when the future…
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Shelby Abbott : Author of "Why We're Feeling Lonely (and What We Can Do About It)"
Clayton spoke to Shelby Abbott is an author and campus minister. Shelby spoke about his book, Why We're Feeling Lonely (and What We Can Do About It, which explores common causes of loneliness among young adults, specifically about digital isolation, porn & casual sex, increased anger & tribalism...
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Kristin Kobes Du Mez | When Faith and Culture Shape Each Other
How do culture, politics and faith influence one another? Historian, and author of 'Jesus and John Wayne', Kristin Kobes Du Mez joins Clayton to explore the forces that shape religious communities, the relationship between belief and cultural identity, and what history can teach us about the...
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Anna Dombkins | What Does It Mean to Find Home Forever?
What does it mean to truly belong? Anna Dombkins joins Clayton to explore adoption, family and the life-changing impact of giving children a place to call home. Drawing on her family's own adoption journey, Anna reflects on the joys and challenges of building a family across cultures, while also...
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Peter Williams | Faith, Justice and the Fight Against Modern Slavery
Modern slavery can feel like a problem from another era, yet millions of people around the world remain trapped in trafficking, forced labour and exploitation. Peter Williams joins Clayton to discuss the realities of modern slavery today, the work being done to protect vulnerable people, and why...
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Violetta & Ivan Petrosyan - Outcast in every country
In a crumbling Soviet Union, the Petrosyan family finds themselves as outcasts - wherever they go. Hear Violetta & Ivan talk with Clayton about how their Armenian heritage marked them out for discrimination, first in their home country of Azerbaijan and then in Russia. After finding their eternal...
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Maureen Martin - Author - A Trek of Faith
Maureen Martin shares with Clayton how the bedrock of her faith enabled her to face the challenges, including (in a 6 month period) the death of her son & her husband's horse-riding accident that resulted in brain damage. Her story encourages us that no matter what life throws at you, there can…
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Dave Adamson: AKA Aussie Dave, Speaker and Author
CHECK: Dave Adamson is a speaker, author, and digital ministry leader who has spent more than two decades helping churches communicate clearly, disciple people effectively, and reach beyond their walls through digital platforms. After nearly a decade as a TV reporter with Channel TEN in…
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Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow - Mary's Meals
Support the podcast and help keep these conversations going: https://donate.thelight.com.au/ Magnus is the founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals International, a global charity providing daily meals to over 3 million of the world’s poorest children in their place of education. His journey began in 1992...
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Robert Rogers - Trusting God despite losing his entire family in a freak flash flood
Clayton spoke to Robert Rogers. In 2003, Robert experienced a deep tragedy. After 8 years as a father, nearly 12 years as a husband, Robert's life completely changed one night on his family's way home from a wedding in which he and the family got caught out in a wild flash flood. Sadly Robert was...
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Hilda John -empowering and supporting disadvantaged communities
Clayton chatted with Hilda John, who has been serving vulnerable communities through DAIA (Development Association for Integrated Activity) since its inception in 2002. With a professional background as a civil engineer in India, she stepped away from a successful technical career to pursue her...
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Lauren Novak - Meltdown: Why becoming a Mum makes you angry
Clayton chatted to Lauren Novak (an award-winning journalist) specialising in coverage of education, parenting, family violence and child safety. But, it was her personal journey of understanding why motherhood causes havoc with your life that led her to write the book Meltdown: Why motherhood...
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Bay Turner: Singer, Songwriter.
Clayton chatted to singer, songwriter Bay Turner, whose love for music was first ignited by a gas station mixtape he’d listen to from the passenger seat to and from his dad’s house. Turner’s parents divorced when he was an infant, and when his father moved out to the Texas Hill Country, his...
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Neil Walshe - What if Pokies had losing sounds?!
Neil Walshe is a creative director in advertising and creator of the Losing Sound. Neil chatted to Clayton about his desire to see the addiction to pokies in Australia reduce. Australia has 20% of the worlds pokies while having less than 1% of the worlds population. Neil is now urging the...
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Kareena Shaw - One night to help 1000s
Kareena Shaw was a registered nurse for 20 years when she first heard Dr Andrew Browning AM speak about the plight of new mothers in Ethiopia living with obstetric fistula. Kareena felt compelled to volunteer, to which Dr Browning replied that he really needed midwives. As simple as that, Kareena...
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Sheridan Voysey - The Friendship Revolution
Sheridan Voysey chatted to Clayton about establishing and running the Friendship Lab's mission is to empower adults with the wisdom and skills to make their friendships thrive and its dream is to see every adult have at least three '2am friends'. This is a chat everyone needs to hear. See...
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Safina Stewart - Reconciliation Week
Common Grace speaks and acts for justice in multiple areas across Australian society. Ahead of Reconciliation week Clayton spoke to Common Grace's Safina Stewart is a proud Wuthathi and Mabuiag Island woman who grew up cross culturally in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Safina is...
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David Bussau - An entrepreneur offering a hand up, not just a handout
Clayton spoke with NZ/Australian entrepreneur David Bussau who gave a $50 loan to a struggling farmer named Ketut 50 years ago, who was facing the unimaginable. His crops had failed, and with no way to repay his land lease, he was forced to hand over his eldest child to the landowner as…
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Kari Hoffmann - Tradegy & Miracles (the true story of her boy being thrown off a 39 story balcony at a shopping mall)
Kari Hoffmann is the mother of Landen Hoffmann, the young boy who survived a 39 foot fall from a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America in 2019 (he had been thrown off by a stranger). A story that made headlines around the world. In the midst of that unimaginable moment, Kari turned to her...
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Timothy Wainwright - Aussie leading Global Fire Safety
Timothy Wainwright, based in Sydney, NSW, is a seasoned fire and emergency management professional with over 30 years of experience. As the Executive Director of Operation Fire Support, he leads global initiatives to enhance community safety through innovative fire prevention strategies. Timothy...
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Daniel Reynaud - 110 years since the Gallipoli campaign of 1915
Daniel Reynaud is Emeritus Professor of History at Avondale University. He was the inaugural Visiting Historian at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney and is recognised as an authority on Anzac social history, including cinema, spirituality and food. Reynaud is the author and co-presenter of eight...
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Paul Singer - A bright future for the next generations of defence
Paul Singer was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Soldier On in 2025. As a veteran and having worked closely with the Defence community, Paul is passionate about the values of service, resilience, and community that Soldier On embodies. He is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families...
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Dr Dick Tibbits - Forgiveness & why it is good for your health!
Dick Tibbits is a licensed professional mental health counsellor, a hospital administrator and a professional sports coach, who is currently a performance coach to some of the world’s elite motorsports racers. Following a devastating job loss, Tibbits suffered the impact of deep resentment –...
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Amy Brown - Faith on Trial: How God Met Me in the Storm
Amy Brown, former head of Investment NSW, explained to Clayton how she found herself at the centre of what can best be described as a political firestorm, involving an intense public inquiry and an avalanche of media coverage and speculation. As a leader who has always been very open about her...
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Lei Cheng - Political Prisoner in China
Cheng Lei is a Chinese Australian journalist working for Sky News. In 2020 while Australia-China relations hit bottom, she was incarcerated for over three years by the Chinese government on charges of leaking state secrets. Diplomatic efforts led to her release in October, 2023. Lei spoke with...
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Chris Cipollone - How to Love in todays culture
Chris Cipollone has a passion for bringing a deep and authentic faith to the everyday experiences of life. Originally training as a teacher, Chris went on to spend over a decade as a church pastor in Sydney, Australia. He is Founding Director of Life To The Full, a not-for-profit organisation…
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Professor John Lennox - Can science and God mix?
John Lennox is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow in Mathematics and the Philosophy of Science at Green Templeton College. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Said Business School. He is particularly interested in the interface of science,...
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Nikki Lee - Alagille Syndrome, resilience & God’s grace
Nikki Lee is a 33-year-old Aussie living with multiple medical conditions and disabilities (including Alagille Syndrome) – surviving a liver transplant twenty years ago – she is passionate about sharing God’s story through her life. She is the author of Alagille Girl, a memoir about resilience,...
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Justine Toh - Addicted to Achievement
Justine Toh is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. She has a PhD in Cultural Studies from Macquarie University. Justine is the author of the book Achievement Addiction, where she aims to answer the question of "why do we constantly strive for our significance - and could...
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Kate - Providing dignity for the lowest of the low
This International Women's Day, Clayton chats to a very special guest, Kate, who works for Dignity Freedom Network (DFN). DFN raises awareness and support for women's ministry in South Asia. Kate is always seeking opportunities to ‘be a voice for those who have no voice’ and share how these...
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Josh Reid: A mission to help churches start disability ministry
Josh Reid is National Director of Jesus Club Community - an organisation that helps local churches start their own ministry with adults with intellectual disabilities through their flagship program, Jesus Club.Here how Jesus Club operates, the opportunity for your local community and the impact...
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Matt Colwell: Aussie Rap Icon 360, Fame, Addiction and Faith.
Clayton invited a very unique guest into the studio to interview this week. The rapper known as 360 has cemented himself as one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved rappers since breaking onto the scene in the early 2010s. More recently he has done a 180 on his life and boldly proclaiming his...
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Greg Sheridan: How Christians Can Succeed Today
Greg Sheridan is one of Australia's best-known journalists. How Christians Can Succeed Today is his ninth book. He chatted to Clayton about the book, which is about rediscovering the radical, transcendent and downright weird message of Jesus, being the third title in Greg's bestselling trilogy...
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Kathleen Folbigg: Wrongfully convicted of murdering her four infant children
Kathleen Folbigg was wrongfully convicted in 2003 of murdering her four infant children. She was pardoned in 2023 after twenty years in prison, following a long campaign for justice by her supporters, she had her convictions overturned on appeal a few months later. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
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Peggy Callahan: Producer & co-director of the film Mission: Joy.
Peggy Callahan is the producer & co-director of the film Mission: Joy. She explained how His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Tutu give them unprecedented access to their unlikely friendship as they shared different religions and found (neuroscience-backed wisdom) to help each of us live…
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Edwin Keshish-Abnous: Director of Heart4Iran
Edwin Keshish-Abnous is an Iranian-born theologian and media leader, currently serving as Executive Director of Heart4Iran at 24/7 satellite Christian TV. Not only does it provide free studio production to hundreds of partners, but it also provides free broadcast, free in-country follow-up, and...
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Dani Treweek: The Meaning of Singleness
Dani Treweek, who has grappled with a theology of singleness for the past 16 years, spoke to Clayton about the fact that it is frustrating that both society and the contemporary evangelical church see singleness as a state of lacking and deficiency, grounded in what it is not. Dani is the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Towards Understanding is a full-length feature interview radio program hosted by Clayton Bjelan. The show contains a mix of interviews based around the understanding and living out of Christian faith and those just doing remarkable things in our world. It focuses on three key groups of people - The Known, The Overcomer and The Unknown.89.9 | TheLight | PositiveMedia | LightFM | Melbourne
HOSTED BY
Positive Media
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How many episodes does Towards Understanding have?
Towards Understanding currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Towards Understanding about?
Towards Understanding is a full-length feature interview radio program hosted by Clayton Bjelan. The show contains a mix of interviews based around the understanding and living out of Christian faith and those just doing remarkable things in our world. It focuses on three key groups of people - The...
How often does Towards Understanding release new episodes?
Towards Understanding has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Towards Understanding?
You can listen to Towards Understanding on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Towards Understanding?
Towards Understanding is created and hosted by Positive Media.
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