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PODCAST

Towards Understanding

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

religion & spirituality christianity

All Episodes

24:53

Louise Wilkinson: Author or Loved. Saved. Healed.

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/23

Louise shares openly with Clayton about her early life of trauma and the impact it has had on her relationships and faith life. Louise hopes that by sharing her story others will have an opportunity to have hope and courage to take the next steps needed for their recovery. Louise has written a book about her story, Loved. Saved. Healed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

35:35

Peter Irvine: Founder of Gloria Jean's

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/19

Peter Irvine, started Gloria Jean’s Coffees after helping launch McDonalds into Australia. And yet all of that comes from his deep desire to live out his Christian faith in the area of work he has been given - that of business. Peter shares with Clayton stories and his desire to help other business owners to truly live out faith and the positive outcome of a faith driven business in the marketplace,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

41:06

Rachel Gilson: 'Parenting without Panic'

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/16

Author Rachel Gilson share's her story of confusion and clarity around her own sexuality and her Christian faith. She has recently written the book 'Parenting without Panic' to help parents teach their children proactively and positively about God’s beautiful design for human sexuality, gender and relationships. Rachel shares with Clayton some of the work in her book around a Christian framework for sexual ethics and healthy conversations around LGBT+ conversations.See omnystudio.com/listener

en-US

49:38

Andy Crouch: Partner for theology and culture at Praxis

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/12

Author, speaker, thought leader, Andy Crouch is partner for theology and culture atPraxis, a venture-building ecosystem advancing redemptive entrepreneurship. His writing explores faith, culture, and the image of God in the domains of technology, power, leadership, and the arts. he spoke to Clayton on a recent visit to Australia about the idea of what redemption looks like in our society and Christian faith today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

27:29

Katherine Thompson: Author of "The Discipline of...

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/09

Katherine Thompson asks the question is there benefit to deep suffering? Katherine works in the area of mental health as a therapist, lecturer, author and researcher. And also personally knows the impact of long term serious physical pain. Katherine has published in the areas of youth mental health, Christ-centered mindfulness, and cross-cultural mission and chats to Clayton about her book, The Discipline of Suffering.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

42:29

Gloria Anderson: From One Survivor To Another.

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/05

In July 2011 Gloria Anderson was abducted from her home in Melbourne by a boarder she had allowed to stay in a granny flat on her property. During this time, Gloria was mocked for her faith, and she endured severe physical torture while praying constantly. After escaping, she now dedicates herself to advocating for legal reform and helping others who have experienced similar traumatic events. She helps provide much needed practical items such as clothes, toiletries etc to those who have just gone

en-US

35:04

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing: Author, Speaker and Theologian

Towards Understanding ·

2025/11/02

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing is an international author, speaker and theologian who addresses the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith. Amy chats with Clayton about why we can trust the Bible, where to start if you are exploring Christianity, where to start if you want to best share your Christian faith and why she is so passionate about female leadership in Christian conversations around faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

46:26

Petr Jašek: global ambassador for The Voice of the...

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/29

Petr Jašek, a Christian humanitarian worker and Czech national, spent 445 days in a Sudanese prison. After being falsely accused and convicted of espionage and treason, among other charges, he was sentenced to life in prison before eventually being pardoned by Sudan's president. Petr tells his story of being in a jail cell with ISIS members who made his time hell on earth. Petr is now the global ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

31:22

Rebecca McLaughlin is the author of Confronting...

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/26

Rebecca McLaughlin is the author of Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the Worlds largest religion. If Christianity is really true - it should be able to stand up to some tough questions. Rebecca discusses some of the most common and curly questions of Christianity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

36:02

Simon Smart: 'End of Men' in society and faith.

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/22

Simon is Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity. A former English and History teacher, Simon has a Masters in Christian Studies. He talks about whether it is the 'End of Men' in society and faith. Simon provides a thought provoking and articulate argument to continue good healthy conversation around this topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

31:23

Julie Goodwin: Australia’s first MasterChef

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/19

Since becoming Australia’s first MasterChef in 2009, Julie Goodwin has become a household name. She has had many roles since then including radio and tv host, writer and speaker and also advocate for conversations around mental health. Julie shares openly with Clayton about her journey with mental health and the opportunity she sees in sharing her story. Julie has recently released the book Your Time Starts Now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

32:08

Wissam Nasrallah: COO at Thimar

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/15

Based in Lebanon, Wissam Nasrallah is COO at Thimar – a partner of Baptist World Aid Australia, who is working with local communities and churches to help the poorest of the poor and the huge number of refugees coming into Lebanon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

26:46

Clare Steele: CEO of Compassion Australia

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/12

Clare has worked for over a decade in Christian ministry, focusing on strategic leadership that enables churches to better serve their communities. As Compassion Australia CEO, she is excited to see churches and Christians around the world empowered to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. In light of The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty this week, Clare chatted to Clayton about the role of the Church in justice and exploring how Christians can actively participate in

en-US

34:13

Georgia Morris: Unfailing Love

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/08

InUnfailing Love, Georgia Morris shares hard-won truths of her dependence on God to fight her battles. Those who have family members or friends suffering with mental illness or going through trying times in a family relationship will be encouraged by this story of a woman who learned that God was faithful to carry her through. Georgia's husband began exhibiting unusual symptoms of behaviour on their honeymoon. She shares how he controlled every aspect of her life, cut her off from her family and

en-US

36:08

Melissa Lipsett: CEO of Baptist World Aid.

Towards Understanding ·

2025/10/05

Melissa Lipsett is the CEO of Baptist World Aid. She believes leadership matters, and so does the call of God on our lives. She is an outspoken advocate for the poor, for inspiring not just international action but also local action. Melissa also holds dearly to the importance of hearing women’s voices and empowering them to use their God given gifts and graces for the sake of our world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

18:19

Richard King: Author, critic and lecturer.

Towards Understanding ·

2025/09/30

Clayton chatted with author, critic and lecturer, Richard King, who talked about his newest book, 'Here Be Monsters: Is Technology Reducing Our Humanity?'. He spoke deeply about the fact that we are in the midst of a technological revolution and is this, therefore, changing what it means to be human? Richard challenged us, as modern societies, that we need to develop a more critical attitude to new and emerging technologies. We need, he suggests, to rethink our relationship to our tools from both

en-US

36:03

Philip Yancey: Recently diagnosed with Parkinsons...

Towards Understanding ·

2025/09/30

Philip Yancey is a familiar name in Christian households. Known for his many books, Philip spoke openly and honestly to Clayton about his recent diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease and how he still trusts a good and loving God who often chooses to reveal those qualities through his followers on earth. He has written many words on suffering and is now being called to put them into practice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

44:57

David Cross - Rescuing kids from Thailand to Australia

Towards Understanding ·

2025/09/17

David is passionate about the rescue and long-term wellbeing of children. In January 2010 David and his wife Andrea, along with their children, moved to Thailand where David served with ZOE for over 11 years. During this time David worked to prevent the trafficking and exploitation of children (as well as being involved in rescues). David now heads up the ZOE Foundation Australia and has some radical, creative and unique solutions to solve the issues for the most vulnerable foster care children in

en-US

30:33

Heather Packett - Ark Australia

Towards Understanding ·

2025/09/15

A collective of faith-based organisations have joined together to create the Christian Foster Care Network, and to bring the issue of foster care into focus during that week.Heather Packett's organisation, ARK is a part of this network. Heather shares why you should be involved in Foster Care - and the support Ark is providing to carers. For videos and resources for churches to use to highlight foster care and have a website dedicated to Foster Care Sunday check out www.fostercaresunday.comSee

en-US

25:25

Wayne Alcorn - Healing the Scars of a Fatherless Life

Towards Understanding ·

2025/09/11

On Father's Day, Clayton spoke to Wayne Alcorn, the author of "My Father's Son", and head of the ACC church in Australia. Wayne explained he has seen God's love heal and transform men’s lives – his father’s, his own and the countless men across Australia he has talked to and helped heal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

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