Deeper Questions Third Space

Episode 18: “Whatever happened to New Atheism?" (Season Finale)

Around the mid 2000s atheism became sexy. It was everywhere. Headlined by Richard Dawkins and the other ‘four horsemen’ of New Atheism; Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and Daniel Dennett. They -and many other public atheists- were dominating best seller lists, YouTube algorithms and making news with their witty and swashbuckling commentary. But it seems like those days have moved on pretty quick. We only really hear about Richard Dawkins now when he’s being cancelled, and atheism hasn’t really risen at all when you look at the numbers. So what happened to New Atheism, and what could be taking its place?

Well, for our final episode of season 1, we’re delighted to have Justin Brierley joining us from the UK. Thanks to his popular Unbelievable? Radio show which brought (and still brings) prominent Christians and sceptics together for dialogue, he was able to have a ringside seat to many of the proponents and arguments of New Atheism. His new book ‘The surprising rebirth of the belief in God’ covers the downfall of the movement along with the cultural shift that seems to be happening. You can also listen to the podcast docu-series with the same title, you won't regret it.

Other References:
The God Delusion by Richard DawkinsReason, Faith, and Revolution: Reflections on the God Debate by Terry Eagleton'Dear Muslima' controversyFaith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Sean O'HaganThe Rest is History PodcastAC Grayling and Tom Holland Conversation on Unbelievable?The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity by Douglas MurrayThe Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World by Iain McGilchristThe...

Episode 17: “How do we find our voice?"

Deeper Questions is a show that seeks to explore a vast array of topics and experiences in the spirit of curiosity and listening. This exploration will sometimes include heavy and uncomfortable themes that may shake us up and affect us in important ways, but they may also change us for the better. For this episode we have a very special guest joining us - the one and only Grace Tame. We spend the episode zigging and zagging through some of her experiences and reflections on life. I find her voice refreshing and something that can help us find ours in the midst of adversity and trials. Very thankful for her honesty and openness here.

Since being announced Australian of the Year in January 2021, Grace has become a household name as a brave and passionate advocate for a number of important social causes, but especially for the systemic change to prevent child sexual abuse. The Grace Tame Foundation works with government, not-for-profits, legal experts and educators to improve protections in legislation and to inform and educate people in our communities about sexual abuse and survivor issues. She’s also written a memoir The Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner, which we discuss at length here.

*Warning: This episode contains references to the sexual abuse and assault of minors, trauma, and other graphic content which some listeners may find distressing. Resources are available below if you’d like to talk to someone.

Survivor Resources:1800 RESPECT - 1800 737 732BraveheartsGrace Tame Foundation
Other References:Silver Bullet PodcastGrace's commissioned piece for John CleeseGeorgia M. Winters & Elizabeth L. Jeglic (2016): Stages of Sexual Grooming:Recognizing Potentially Predatory Behaviors of Child Molesters, Deviant BehaviorReview of ‘The Game’ on the Podcast “If Books Could Kill”Grace’s article on CrikeySpotlight movie (2015)
Got questions?

You can shoot Aaron or Amy an email about anything by contacting us at deeperquestions@thirdspace.org.au - We'd love to hear your brutally honest or delightfully encouraging thoughts on the show and the topics that come up each week. There's a good chance we have...

Episode 16: "What does healthy masculinity look like?" with Al Stewart

The last 50-60 years have brought unprecedented change when it comes to understanding, and re-writing our understanding, of gender roles in society. Today’s episode is not so much going to look at all the aspects of gender we could cover, but we want to zero in on manhood and masculinity. Being a man has always brought a range of advantages and power dynamics that we’re coming to understand more and more, but there also challenges that we’d do well to try and dig into as well.

Today we have Al Stewart who has recently written a book on masculinity, called The Manual: Getting Masculinity Right. I’m privileged to call him a friend and someone that I’ve admired and worked alongside over my time with Third Space and City Bible Forum. He’s currently the director of the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, and has extensive experience in Christian ministry. We don’t tend to get pastors on this show much, but he’s learnt a lot about blokes over the last few decades, and has plenty of great insights.

Other References:
Bridge Street Fellowship is the Sydney chapter of our National Men's Fellowship"Middle-aged men are among the loneliest in Australia. What could help to change that?" by Nick Baker and Isabelle Summerson for ABC Australia (13/7/23)Jordan Peterson’s ‘letter’ to the churchesThe New Manhood: Love, Freedom, Spirit and the New Masculinity by Steve BiddulphThe Men We Need: God's Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up by Brant HansenThe Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcey"The growing need for ‘lazy time’ amongst Aussie men" by McCrindle Research (2016) Additional infographic by McCrindlea...

Episode 15: "Can trees save the world?"

When people think of climate change I imagine they think of the smog and smoke pouring into the atmosphere as we burn fossil fuels to power our cities, cars, and lifestyles. And you would be right. But perhaps an understated accelerant is the loss of vast forest ecosystems which are often destroyed for agriculture, housing development, and the forestry industry. Not only are trees a vital source of oxygen that ensures we can breathe the breath of life, but they are also one of our most powerful defences against climate change. The original carbon capture technology immaculately designed by the first agronomist.

Speaking of agronomists, today we have Tony Rinaudo joining us. Also known as 'The Forestmaker'. Tony works for World Vision and has been a force in the climate change story. He worked in Niger for a couple of decades helping farmers with work with nature to restore native forest land, and to grow enough food to support their local communities. His focus has been in Africa, but his work is going global, thanks to a strategy called ‘Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration’ which well get to. In 2018 he won the Right Livelihood Award (Alternate Nobel Prize) "for demonstrating on a large scale how drylands can be greened at minimal cost, improving the livelihoods of millions of people".

Other References:
The Forest Maker (documentary) directed by Volker SchlöndorffThe Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis by Tony RinaudoRichard Saint Barbe BakerISCAST - the Institute for the Study of Christianity in an Age of Science and TechnologyI Want to Fix Ears: Inside the Cochlear Implant Story by Graham Milbourne ClarkPermaculture: A Designer's Manual by Bill MollisonCall of the Reed Warbler: A New Agriculture, A New Earth by Charles Massy"Gardens of Eden: the Church Forests of Ethiopia – a photo essay" by Kieran Dodds in the Guardian (8th November 2021)

Got questions?
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Episode 14: "Who am I?"

We know more about ourselves than ever before, we can get a DNA sample to 23 and me and discover extensive information about our biological family and our own physical characteristics. We can develop an online persona for a cluster of social media platforms and present ourselves any way we want. But how can we know who we really are?

Dr Christopher Watkin is an Associate Professor in French Studies at Monash University, where he holds an ARC Future Fellowship. Chris writes books and journal articles, teaches, makes YouTube videos and is the author of the recent Australian Christian Book of the Year Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture.

References:
A Secular Age by Charles TaylorThe Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl TruemanHabits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life by Robert BellahThe First and Second Treatises of Government by John LockeThe Political Theory of Possessive Individualism: Hobbes to Locke by C. B. McPhersonSaint Paul: The Foundation of Universalism by Alain BadiouInventing the Individual: The Origins of Western Liberalism by Larry SiedentopConfessions by St AugustineOneself as Another by Paul RicoeurPsalm 139
Got...

Episode 13: "What's your favourite drink (and why is it single malt whisky)?"

Sometimes on Deeper Questions there’ll be niche, and then there’ll be next level niche like today. Digging into a topic that is ridiculously particular and concentrated where you might come in knowing absolutely nothing of what we’re talking about. Well if that’s you today then don’t worry! I think we manage to handle it in a way that caters to people with no prior knowledge, people that associate whisky with ‘that unnatural burning sensation in my throat and chest’ - as well as some juicy bits for those who have a decent top shelf when it comes to whisky.

Today we have Jane Overeem, the co-owner of Overeem distillery, as well as Bec Polmear, the co-founder at Waubs Harbour Distillery. Both distilleries have been recognised on the world stage with Overeem taking home awards from the World Whiskies awards in 2019, and a gold medal in 2023 for their Port Cask. Waubs Harbour are new to the scene and have been recognised almost immediately, winning a master medal and two gold medals at the World Whisky masters 2023.

Other References:

"India's whisky consumption rises by 200pc in 10 years" by Sunil Badami for ABC (12th May 2023)"On the rocks: The untold story of the Nant Whisky scandal" by Josh Robertson for ABC (10th March 2019)"Whiskies from Van Diemen’s Land: Waubs Harbour vs Overeem vs Callington Mill's Dark Secret" by AW in Time and Tide (June 24th 2023)The World Atlas of Whisky by Dave BroomTasmanian Whisky: The Devil's Share by Bernard LloydDrinks Adventures Podcast
Got questions?

You can shoot Aaron or Amy an email about anything by contact us at deeperquestions@thirdspace.org.au - We'd love to hear your brutally honest or delightfully encouraging thoughts on the show and the topics that come up each week. There's a good chance we have stuff on our website at Third Space too.

Feel free to suggest potential guests or topics as well. No doubt there are heaps of important ideas and stories out there worth hearing!

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