Filthy Hope | Faith. No Filter.

Filthy Hope
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The Podcast that talks Faith. No Filter. Got questions about God you don’t feel like you can ask in church? Drawn to Jesus, but disconnected from the polished, clean-cut side of religion? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. This is Filthy Hope. A safe space for conversations about Jesus, life, and the grey areas in-between. Join Rev. Ness, Rev. Jon, and our guests as we explore tough and taboo topics, like doubt, hardship, trauma, shame, and finding hope through it all.

  1. Church vs Faith: finding the right home for your beliefs

    14h ago

    Church vs Faith: finding the right home for your beliefs

    What happens when the church you love starts squashing your faith? 0:00 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 4:20 – The badge of brokenness 8:40 – Burden of the listener 13:00 – Reading the forbidden book 17:20 – Rejecting an unkind God 21:40 – Why history points to Jesus 26:00 – Nuns, missionaries, and reality 30:20 – From pastoral carer to deacon 34:40 – A quiet calling 37:40 – A sneaking suspicion of hope In this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries continue their deep dive with Sara, a woman with a "universe-sized brain" and a heart for the hurting. Sarah opens up about her "invisible badge", a natural gift for pastoral care that draws out the rawest stories from strangers everywhere she goes, from chemists and museums. They explore the tension of living with an intellectual faith while navigating a mental health journey that derailed her academic career. The conversation turns radically honest as Sara describes her decision to walk away from a church whose teachings clashed with her beliefs, including predestination, the exclusion of women from leadership and the church's stance on same-sex marriage. From rejecting a God who "only chooses some" to embracing an inclusive call to the diaconate, Sara reflects on what it means to choose faith not from certainty but from something more honest: the decision to keep believing even when the questions don't go away. #FilthyHope #ChristianPodcast #ChurchHurt #PastoralCare #FaithDeconstruction #FaithAndDoubt #WomenInMinistry #SameSexMarriage #UnitingChurch #CalledToMinistry #FaithNoFilter

    41 min
  2. Mental health & faith: living with bipolar, OCD & hope

    Jun 8

    Mental health & faith: living with bipolar, OCD & hope

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of mental illness, OCD, bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation and hospitalisation. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, Lifeline is available in Australia 24/7 on 13 11 14, or reach out to Uniting Heart and Soul for counselling support. What do you hold onto when your own mind is the hardest place to live? 0:00 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 3:56 – Broken pieces and divine glue 7:08 – Growing up with mental illness 10:19 – Beyond the "neatness" OCD myth 14:55 – TW: self-harm & suicidal ideation 17:40 – A "grippy sock" vacation 20:57 – Bipolar & the dangerous charm of mania 23:38 – Relearning the definition of joy 25:43 – Bible-bashing myself 31:41 – The God who doesn't change In this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries sit down with Sara Wienand, a museum educator, pastoral ministry leader and ancient languages scholar,  to explore the complex intersection of mental health and faith. Sarah shares her journey, from growing up with OCD, eventually leading to a psychiatric ward stay and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She speaks candidly about the reality of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and the essential role of medication in her spiritual and daily life. With honesty and warmth, Sara describes what it is like to live inside a mind that never fully quiets: the exhausting logic of OCD, the seductive pull of hypomanic highs, and the devastating weight of depressive lows. And through it all, a God she describes as the glue holding her broken pieces together. #FilthyHope #MentalHealth #BipolarDisorder #OCD #FaithAndMentalHealth #ChristianPodcast #MedicationAndFaith #GritWithGrace #HopeInTheDark #FaithNoFilter

    33 min
  3. Beyond tolerance: navigating neurodiversity in the church

    Jun 1

    Beyond tolerance: navigating neurodiversity in the church

    What happens when the "perfect student" is actually drowning?  0:00 – Trailer 0:42 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 4:20 – Secret signs of ADHD in kids 8:36 – Beyond the bell curve: defining "normal" 12:44 – School “discipline” and neurodiversity 17:43 – Meds & masking: why girls fall under the radar 21:33 – Are churches safe for neurodiversity? 25:36 – Traditions of misjudgement 28:52 – Who is responsible for inclusion? 33:56 – “I see you” and the culture of true belonging 36:13 – Closing thoughts on hope and radical kindness In this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries continue their conversation with Lynda Humphries, this time diving into neurodiversity: what it actually means, why ADHD has been so misunderstood, and what genuine inclusion looks like in schools, workplaces, and faith communities. Lynda shares her family’s personal journey with ADHD, unpacking why girls so often go undiagnosed, what educators can do differently, and why the church needs to move well beyond tolerance. They argue that the burden of adjustment shouldn't fall on those who are already struggling, but on those in the "easier space" to create a culture where everyone can truly belong.#FilthyHope #ChristianPodcast #Neurodiversity #ADHD #InclusionMatters #ChurchAndNeurodiversity #ChurchCulture #FaithAndMentalHealth #BeyondTolerance #FaithNoFilter

    38 min
  4. Called to education: bullying, empathy & raising better humans

    May 25

    Called to education: bullying, empathy & raising better humans

    Can the kid who was bullied become the educator who changes the system? 0:00 – Trailer 0:42 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 3:45 – Growing up resisting the call to teach 6:46 – The reality of Year 6 bullying 9:50 – Bullying, meanness, and fitting in 12:53 – Investigating the "why" of kids’ behavior 15:56 – Understanding the amygdala hijack 18:58 – Restorative discipline in the classroom 22:00 – Does faith fix everything? 25:02 – Not just a job, but a calling 28:04 – Masking depression and finding truth In this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries sit down with Lynda Humphrey, an educator with over 30 years of experience and a Master's in wellbeing and leadership. Lynda opens up about being severely bullied in Year 6, an experience that made her view leadership as dangerous and caused her to avoid it for years, and how she eventually reclaimed her voice to lead with empathy. With warmth and candour, Lynda shares her philosophy on education: that discipline without understanding misses the point, that empathy is a skill that must be taught, and that the "why" behind a child's behaviour almost always tells a more important story than the behaviour itself. She also reflects on her own battle with clinical depression, and how faith, therapy, and practical tools helped her find her way through. #FilthyHope #ChristianPodcast #Education #Bullying #EmpathyInEducation #FaithAndLeadership #MentalHealthAwareness #RestorativeJustice #TeacherLife #OvercomingBullying #FaithNoFilter

    28 min
  5. Future of the Church: action needed to prepare for tomorrow

    May 18

    Future of the Church: action needed to prepare for tomorrow

    What does the church need to let go of to survive the future? 0:00 – Trailer 0:42 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 5:40 – The “gift” of declining numbers 9:26 – Dying to resurrect: a new church 12:54 – The danger of predictable faith 15:11 – The loudest noise is an empty church 19:30 – Honouring legacy without repeating it 22:54 – Building community outside the building 23:43 – Housing crisis: activating church assets 29:28 – Practical justice: more than just prayers 34:11 – The punk ethos: planting future churches In this episode of Filthy Hope, Ness and John sit down with Moderator-elect Reverend Pablo Nunez to discuss the radical shifts needed in the Uniting Church. Pablo argues that Australia is moving into a "pre-Christian" era, where traditional church structures no longer make sense to a generation with no memory of Sunday school. He challenges the church to move away from political entanglements and predictable comfort to become a prophetic voice once again. From turning empty church houses into youth rental communities to moving beyond religious platitudes when meeting physical needs, this conversation is an unflinching look at institutional survival vs. missional purpose. Pablo calls for a "punk ethos" that values authenticity and action over perfect notes and empty pews, urging the church to "go out swinging" in its pursuit of hope. #FilthyHope #FaithNoFilter #ChristianPodcast #UnitingChurch #ChurchGrowth #Justice #PropheticVoice #ModernFaith #HousingCrisis

    36 min
  6. A life of calling: faith, uncertainty & following God across the globe

    May 11

    A life of calling: faith, uncertainty & following God across the globe

    What happens when God calls you somewhere you never planned to go? 0:00 – Trailer 0:42 – Intro: Faith. No filter. 1:26 – Rev Pablo Nunez: The Moderator-Elect 3:00 – Uruguay: the most secular country in the Americas 6:33 – My “boring” christian sister 11:44 – Drugs, psychedelics, and a kitchen floor revelation 16:53 – The absurdist call to Australia 22:08 – My partner in mission 24:54 – 21 days to leave Australia 27:53 – Moving to the margins of Adelaide 32:27 – Changing the institution from within In this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries sit down with Reverend Pablo Nunez, the Moderator-elect of the Uniting Church (NSW/ACT). Pablo shares his journey from a secular upbringing in Uruguay to a life-altering encounter with grace following a period of rebellion and drug use. He reflects on the "whisper" that led him to Australia as a missionary and the brutal 10-month visa battle that tested his family's faith and sense of home. The conversation dives into the reality of ministry, from working with the homeless in Adelaide to the challenge of stepping into high-level leadership during a pandemic. Pablo explores what it means to "toughen up without losing tenderness," offering a raw perspective on institutional change, the necessity of practical faith, and the radical, undeserved goodness of God. #FilthyHope #FaithNoFilter #ChristianPodcast #UnitingChurch #UruguayToAustralia #RadicalGrace #ChurchLeadership #MissionaryLife #Homelessness #MigrationtoAustralia #FaithJourney

    37 min
  7. My father’s final decision: diagnosis & Voluntary Assisted Dying

    May 4

    My father’s final decision: diagnosis & Voluntary Assisted Dying

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses terminal illness, death, and voluntary assisted dying. Please take care while listening. If you need support, Lifeline is available in Australia 24/7: 13 11 14.Can you ever truly prepare for the exact moment someone you love will die? 0:00 – Trailer 0:38 – Intro: Faith. No Filter. 2:34 – The life of Warrick “Wonka” Dawson 7:52 – The brutal speed of motor neurone disease (MND) 15:28 – Watching the nerves “fire” 16:41 – Scheduling a Wednesday to die 19:01 – Humor as a pressure valve 23:49 – The strict criteria for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) 33:51 – One last sunny breakfast 39:18 – The clinical “lights off” moment 48:59 – Re-packing the backpack of grief In this episode of Filthy Hope, Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries sit down with Sascha Dawson to unpack the reality of losing his father, Warrick, to motor neurone disease – and the deeply complex decision to pursue voluntary assisted dying (VAD). From the trauma of the initial clinical diagnosis to the surreal nature of a final sunny breakfast, Sascha explores what it means to maintain agency in the face of the horrific.  The conversation dives into the messy reality of grief: how it starts long before the end and why professional counseling is essential to "unpack the backpack" of trauma. Sascha and Ness reflect on the jarring cognitive dissonance of a scheduled death and the transition from "lights on" to "lights off." This episode is a "grit with grace" exploration of end-of-life choices, family culture, and the long road to finding a new normal after the unthinkable. #FilthyHope #FaithNoFilter #ChristianPodcast #VAD #AssistedDying #MND #GriefJourney #RadicalHonesty #EndofLife #TraumaRecovery #GritWithGrace

    1 hr
  8. Becoming myself: anxiety, rehab & rebuilding self-worth

    Apr 27

    Becoming myself: anxiety, rehab & rebuilding self-worth

    Can a life of privilege protect you from a "rock bottom" breakdown?0:00 – Trailer0:38 – Intro: Faith. No Filter.3:08 – Growing up on Sydney’s North Shore7:03 – Leadership, cadets, and early identity10:28 – The trap of corporate conformity13:03 – Sexuality and coming out post AIDs epidemic18:18 – Internal battles: anxiety and self-hatred23:23 – Hitting rock bottom27:03 – Rehab and learning humility31:08 – Faith as an “unreceived gift”31:48 – The moment the weight liftedIn this episode of Filthy Hope, hosts Rev Ness Williams-Henke and Rev Jon Humphries sit down with Sascha Dawson to share a deeply honest story of identity, anxiety, and rebuilding self-worth. From growing up on Sydney’s North Shore to coming out in a time marked by stigma and fear, Sascha reflects on the internal battles that shaped his early life and the pressure to conform to expectations that never quite fit.This episode explores rock bottom moments, the role of rehab and humility in recovery, and a powerful turning point where the weight of anxiety unexpectedly lifted. It is a vulnerable and hopeful conversation about post-traumatic growth, learning to like yourself, and the ongoing journey of becoming who you truly are. We apologies for the lower audio quality in this episode as we faced technical difficulties. #FilthyHope #FaithNoFilter #ChristianPodcast #MentalHealth #SelfWorth #ComingOut #LGBTQStories #AnxietyRecovery #RehabRecovery #FaithAndLife #PostTraumaticGrowth

    36 min
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About

The Podcast that talks Faith. No Filter. Got questions about God you don’t feel like you can ask in church? Drawn to Jesus, but disconnected from the polished, clean-cut side of religion? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place. This is Filthy Hope. A safe space for conversations about Jesus, life, and the grey areas in-between. Join Rev. Ness, Rev. Jon, and our guests as we explore tough and taboo topics, like doubt, hardship, trauma, shame, and finding hope through it all.

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