Insight with Karl Faase

Olive Tree Media
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Hosted by Karl Faase, Insight delves into the big themes of life, faith, and culture through the power of story. Each conversation opens a window into the experiences of everyday people, leaders, thinkers, and creatives who have navigated life’s challenges and found hope along the way. Rooted in a Christian worldview but open to all, Insight aims to spark thoughtful reflection and encourage deeper engagement with the world around us.

  1. 1d ago

    Dani Treweek: Rethinking Singleness and What the Church Gets Wrong

    In many of our churches, there's an unspoken script: grow up, find someone, get married, have kids. And if that doesn't happen - or hasn't happened yet - it can leave people quietly wondering: Is there something wrong with me? Is this just a waiting room? Dr Dani Treweek has spent over a decade thinking, writing, and living these questions. In this episode of Insight with Karl Faase, she shares her journey of growing up in Sydney's eastern suburbs, studying at Moore Theological College, and completing a PhD that became the book The Meaning of Singleness. Along the way, she's wrestled personally and academically with what it truly means to be single in the Christian life. Whether you're single, married, widowed, divorced, or leading a church community, this conversation has something important to offer. As Dani shares, the Bible's vision for singleness is far more expansive and far more hopeful than most of us have been taught.   Key Moments and Takeaways: - The "disenfranchised grief" of singleness - mourning something you've never had - The moment in a Moore College ethics lecture that changed how Dani read the Bible - What Jesus's words in Matthew 22 reveal about the eternal significance of singleness - How the Reformation accidentally devalued singleness in Protestant churches - The problems with dating apps and the deeper disembodiment crisis behind them - What Paul actually means (and doesn't mean) by the so-called "gift of singleness" - Why the church needs its single members as much as single members need the church    Resources mentioned: The Meaning of Singleness — Dani Treweek (IVP Academic) Single Ever After — Dani Treweek (IVP) Cross Related Ministry "On Sitting Alone in Church" — article by Dani Treweek    Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 7m

  2. Jun 24

    Simon Smart: Boys, Bullying and the Manosphere

    What does it take to raise a good man in a culture that can't decide whether masculinity is a problem to be solved or a strength to be celebrated? In this episode of Insight, Karl Faase sits down with Simon Smart - a teacher, writer and Director of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX). This is a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation about boys, bullying, fatherlessness, the manosphere, and what it actually means to be a good man. Drawing on his own brutal boarding-school years and his book The End of Men, Simon makes the case for a richer, more compassionate model of masculinity - one rooted in the example of Jesus. Simon Smart is a teacher, writer and the Director of the Centre for Public Christianity (CPX), a media organisation working to promote a thoughtful, generous understanding of the Christian faith in Australian public life. Before CPX, Simon spent a decade teaching English and history in boys' schools, an experience that, alongside his own childhood in a tough country boarding environment, shaped his recent book The End of Men. He lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with his wife and two adult children, and is, in his own words, "an average but enthusiastic surfer."   Key Moments and Takeaways: Simon's education in masculinity and the moment everything shifted. His slow road to faith. An unplanned path to CPX. The case for writing The End of Men. Untangling "toxic masculinity." Fatherlessness and the algorithm. What actually makes a good man.   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 11m

  3. Jun 17

    Rod Best: Forgiveness Isn't Enough When It Comes To Protecting Children

    What happens when the church's greatest virtue becomes its greatest blind spot? In one of the most important conversations on faith and institutional responsibility you'll hear, Karl Faase sits down with Roderick Best - a Sydney lawyer who spent decades at the coalface of child protection, and ultimately served as Senior Solicitor for Australia's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Rod brings rare insight: the legal mind and perspective of someone who shaped national reform, and the honest thoughts of a committed Christian wrestling with what the church got wrong. This is not an easy conversation at times, but it's a necessary one. Roderick Best is a Sydney-based lawyer with over four decades of experience across private practice and government. He served as the longest-tenured senior child protection lawyer in New South Wales before being appointed Senior Solicitor to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (est. 2013) — one of the most significant public inquiries in Australian history.  A note before you listen: This conversation touches on child sexual abuse and the findings of Australia's Royal Commission. Rod speaks with care and without graphic detail, but if this is a sensitive topic for you, please be aware before listening. Key Moments and Takeaways The Royal Commission was deliberately scoped to institutional abuse — roughly 20% of all child abuse — because it was actionable. Family-based abuse, the larger problem, is far harder to legislate. Rod was not surprised by the scale of abuse uncovered — but was surprised by the diversity across denominations, and by research showing celibacy made no statistical difference to abuse rates. The key risk factor wasn't theology — it was vulnerability. Institutions working with the most vulnerable children had the highest rates of abuse. The church's instinct to "move people on" rather than report was compounded by disbelief, reputational concern, and over-powerful old-boy networks in church governance. Professor Patrick Parkinson identified the core theological error: the church drew the wrong line on forgiveness, treating it as a substitute for accountability rather than something that must coexist with structural safeguards. Rod's framework for the failure is theological: the church forgot it was operating in a post-Fall world. Forgiveness doesn't reset human nature — it requires structures that account for ongoing human frailty. Working with Children checks, introduced in the lead-up to the Commission, are already showing statistical results — particularly in reducing institutional sexual abuse. The biggest ongoing child protection issue isn't sexual abuse — it's poverty and neglect, which remain largely unaddressed. Rod still fields questions from former colleagues who say they "never understood why you go to church." Reputational damage is real and ongoing. The church's greatest asset in a fragmented, anxious society is community — but it must normalize belonging and be seen as a safe, ordinary place for ordinary people. Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    57 min

  4. Jun 10

    Simon Hood: The Recurring Question: "Will You Trust Me?"

    This episode features Simon Hood, a passionate advocate for children's ministry and faith-based creativity, sharing his journey from a puppeteer in Hornsby to a global influencer in children's evangelism. However, alongside growing a global ministry, he and his wife travelled a long road through infertility, IVF, international adoption, and living through the joys and challenges of neurodiversity.  During some of the most painful years, Simon felt God continue to ask him: "Will you trust me, even when you don't know what I am doing?" This conversation is powerful, emotional, and a helpful reminder about how to show up for people who are in grief and difficulty.  Simon Hood is the founding director of Logosdor - a global ministry serving kids worldwide. He is a professional puppeteer and creative innovator in sharing the gospel with kids through media.    Key Moments and Takeaways: - The power of creative evangelism through puppetry and media - Personal journey through infertility, adoption, and international ministry - Navigating neurodiversity, mental health, and faith in family life - The importance of movement thinking and multiplying Kingdom work - Lessons on trust, lament, and resilience in suffering   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 14m

  5. Jun 3

    Louise Baur: Being a Christian in the Workplace is a Significant Call

    Professor Louise Baur has spent decades helping children and families navigate the complex realities of obesity, body image, and health. In this episode of Insight, host Karl Faase explores the deeply personal and often misunderstood challenges surrounding childhood obesity - from biology and mental health to social media pressure and stigma. As both a leading pediatrician and a Christian, Louise shares how her faith shapes the way she approaches medicine, compassion, and care for vulnerable families. Together, Karl and Louise unpack the growing global obesity crisis, the impact of shame and judgment, and why Christians should lead with grace, empathy, and understanding when discussing health and body image. They also explore the rise of medications like Ozempic and the cultural pressures young people face online today. Louise also reflects on her calling to paediatric medicine, sharing how her Christian faith shapes the way she lives, works, and engages in both the workplace and the public square. This is a thoughtful and compassionate conversation about health, identity, faith, and what it means to truly care for others.   Key Moments and Takeaways The biological and environmental factors contributing to obesity across the globe The psychological and health impacts of high body weight in children The influence of social media on body image and eating disorders The importance of compassionate, stigma-free support for families The potential and challenges of medications like Ozempic and bariatric surgery The role of faith and how Christians can advocate for body positivity and health Louise's story of faith and the challenge of not being able to start a family  The role of Louise's Christian faith in her work  The future and next steps   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 5m

  6. May 27

    David Bennett: Truth Is Not A Concept, It's A Person Named Jesus

    How does a gay man find faith in Jesus? David Bennett's story is a must listen to. In this episode of Insight, Karl hears David share his story, which journeys from coming out as gay when he is a teenager in a Sydney private school - to studying and living in Oxford.  The turning point of the story is when David meets someone in a pub who doesn't try to convince him that Jesus is the truth, but instead, embodies the compassion, presence and love of God.  As she prays for him, something life-changing happens as David experiences the love of God not as words - but as an encounter.  David Bennett is a now a Christian, a theologian, and a writer who works at Oxford University. He also identifies as gay - a reality that once felt completely incompatible with his faith. His story isn’t a simple one, and it doesn’t offer easy answers - but it does invite us into a deeper conversation about belonging, and the cost and beauty of following Christ.   Key Moments and Takeaways - Faith Through Doubt: Explore how genuine faith is built through questioning and vulnerability. - The Power of Presence: Discover the impact of empathy and presence in conveying love. - Redemptive Suffering: Understand how hardship and rejection play a role in transformation. - Trust in Scripture: Learn the importance of surrendering control and trusting divine authority. - Identity in Divine Love: See how rooting identity in love offers stability beyond societal labels.   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    58 min

  7. May 20

    Tim Kirk: From Theologian to Award-Winning Winemaker

    What does theology have to do with winemaking? In this fascinating conversation, Tim Kirk from Clonakilla Wines shares how faith, creativity, craftsmanship and the landscape itself all shape the wines he creates. From the cool climate to the spiritual symbolism of wine throughout the Bible, Tim offers a unique perspective on what makes great wine truly memorable. Karl unpacks his story, his faith, his perspective on ministry and how he returned to the family business of making wine. Tim has such a passion for wine and understanding creativity as an expression of our faith - you'll love this conversation.    Key Moments and Takeaways: How landscape and terroir shape flavour The story behind Clonakilla Wines Why craftsmanship matters in winemaking His journey from theology to wine The spiritual significance of wine and creation Building a reputation for quality and excellence   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 1m

  8. May 13

    Greg Low: Finding Light In The Darkest Places

    Most people only see the surface of a life filled with trauma, adventure, and profound faith. Greg Low’s story reveals how even in the darkest moments - plane crashes, the loss of his mother, and dangerous war zones - there's a remarkable thread of hope, purpose, and discovery. In this episode of Insight, Greg shares stories from decades of filming in the world's most volatile regions - from Rwanda to Somalia, Ethiopia to Mozambique - and how he’s confronted death firsthand more times than he can count. Greg’s courageous stories aren't just about danger; they’re about finding good in the chaos and God’s presence in unexpected places. Karl's guest, Greg Low, is an accomplished cameraman and author, whose career spans filming across war zones, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises around the globe. His experiences have shaped a life dedicated to capturing truth and living it with faith, despite the chaos. His story is a reminder that light and hope can be found in the darkest places!  Buy Greg's book here: https://www.gdu.com.au/book   Key Moments and Takeaways: - Greg's early career in media and how he transitioned from student to cameraman for major political moments in Australia. - Experiences filming in war zones like Rwanda, Somalia, and Ethiopia, including close encounters with danger and death. - The story of losing his mother and how that tragedy shaped his faith and outlook on life. - Greg’s reflections on faith, how God met him through a Supertramp song, and his evolving relationship with spirituality. - Personal stories of family, adoption, and balancing a life of danger with raising children.   Find Out More Olive Tree Media: www.olivetreemedia.com.au Watch+ Platform: www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch Daily Nudge: www.dailynudge.org    Special Thanks To Excelsia University College Christian Finance  Vision Christian Media

    1h 7m
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Hosted by Karl Faase, Insight delves into the big themes of life, faith, and culture through the power of story. Each conversation opens a window into the experiences of everyday people, leaders, thinkers, and creatives who have navigated life’s challenges and found hope along the way. Rooted in a Christian worldview but open to all, Insight aims to spark thoughtful reflection and encourage deeper engagement with the world around us.

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  • Creator
    Olive Tree Media
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Insight with Karl Faase

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