A Broken Hallelujah Andrew Gardener

In episode 3 of Season 2, I have the great honour of speaking to Kate Cameron Reid who recently lost her husband to an aggressive form of cancer and is now raising her two children as a single mother. Kate's resilience, love, and hope in the midst of great suffering is truly inspiring. In this wide ranging chat, we cover such topics as the importance of sacred spaces for healing, the role of meditation in the processing of suffering, and the power there is in a faith rooted in the practical and prophetic. We also speak about how she has helped guide her children in the processing of their father's passing, and how they keep alive his love and presence in the aftermath of his death. May Kate's inspiring way of life bring hope and fresh joy to your own. 

In our second episode of season 2 we interview Dave Gotts on his journey of losing both his son and his wife to cancer. Dave speaks candidly about his wrestling with the question of whether God is truly good or not, and how he struggled deeply with a sense of trust in God's intentions and love as he faced the abject pain of watching his family suffer. Dave also connects us to his work with children with disabilities through his organisation International China Concern and how he has learnt so much about the nature of God's heart from those so often rejected by society. Through such a devastating season of life, Dave's insights give us hope, inspiration, and strength. 

In our premiere episode of Season 2, we speak to activist, author and incarnational sojourner Shane Claiborne on a life given over to living with some of the most marginalised and impoverished people in the world. Shane speaks about his time working in Calcutta with Mother Teresa, his passion for non-violence, his work with those on death row, and why he has made it his focus to speak up against gun violence in the US. Shane speaks candidly about his experience of walking with those who are constantly living in suffering and how faith plays a central role in being able to both relate and learn from those on the margins. 

In our 13th episode we speak with Misty Prinsen, a foster mother and family advocate based in Auckland New Zealand. A few years ago Misty discovered she was carrying a severely disabled child and doctors recommended a termination of her pregnancy. The suggestion led her into a complete re-evaluation of her concept of the value of life, children, and her faith. Misty speaks candidly and openly about an important and critical topic, wrestling with the realities of raising a child with special needs and the balance of believing for a miracle while accepting God's will regardless of the outcome. We are so grateful for her honesty and vulnerability, and know after listening you will be challenged to reconsider whether you might be drawing the boundaries of you own family too small.

In this episode I have the great privilege of speaking with Mohammed Salah, an Egyptian who fled the Muslim Brotherhood and sought asylum as a refugee in Hong Kong. Our conversation spans the story of the Arab Spring uprising, his previous life working in the Pharmaceutical industry, the persecution and abuse that came on him during the revolution, his need to flee his country and home, and the challenges of beginning a completely new life in a foreign country. Mohammed shares openly about his Islamic upbringing, the pain of seeing his family persecuted, his commitment to integrity, the heartbreak of leaving behind his home, and yet the new hope he has discovered in his recently found Christian faith. Mohammed's story might be personal to him, but it also represents hundreds of thousands of similar stories of Asylum Seekers around the world at this time, making our conversation relevant for all of us as we consider how best to embrace the broken communities of our cities.

On our 11th episode we speak to Andy Squyres on song writing, faith, honesty, suffering and hope. Andy is a pastor and musician based in Charlotte North Carolina who writes incredibly powerful, open, raw, and honest music for those of faith seeking to find a language to their real and human experiences. Our conversation spans such diverse topics as what is currently missing from the American evangelical church, what suffering is truly like, how the murder of a friend became the basis of his first record, why his lyrics are intentionally raw and thought-provoking, and his thoughts on what the world needs from creatives in this time. You can find out more about Andy and his music on his instagram: @andysquyres