UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

Our guest today is Embrace Grace founder Amy Ford. In her teens Amy fell pregnant unexpectedly and, as happens for many young women in the church, was met with judgement, shame and rejection. Her goal since, has been to equip churches to support women in choosing life at such a crucial time in their lives, and see the church as the first place women turn to and not run from. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Do you ever feel stuck? You’re a Christian who loves Jesus, you believe God has a good plan for your life, and yet you feel like something has stalled. Today we’re welcoming back minister and host and author of the Heal with God podcast and book Heather O’Brien.   After years of struggling with depression and leaning into Scripture and prayer, Heather began hearing God’s voice and developing step-by-step tools to help Christians become unstuck – dealing with fear, procrastination, anger, a number of symptoms – that hold us back from living well. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is a photojournalist with Compassion International. For more than 20 years, Edwin Estioko has documented children and families living through poverty, disaster and recovery in the Philippines - one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. His work takes him into communities after typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other crises, often after the initial headlines have moved on. Edwin recently returned from Mindanao, documenting the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated communities across the southern islands of the Philippines. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

This episode relates to end-of-life care. In his memoir ‘As She Chose’, guest Oliver Christen tells the story of his 86-year-old mum and her choice to, in his words, “consciously end a life well lived”. He explores end of life choices through his journey as a son supporting his dying mum. Who, when she can no longer live independently, choices an alternative to a prolonged decline of medications, hospital routines, and lost agency. If the themes of this episode could cause you distress, help is available via Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

As July starts, so too does a commitment by many to embrace Dry July. In today’s episode we’re dipping into the archives for a chat with sobriety advocate and wellness coach Justine Santowiak. In 2012 she almost lost her life when her alcohol addiction became too much, entering rehab and forever cutting ties with the substance the controlled her. Justine found a way forward and wants the same for fellow addicts. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

How do you become, and have, a quality friend? Why are adult friendships exhausting sometimes, and could we be better off talking to A.I.? Our guest today is Sheridan Voysey. Author, broadcaster and founder of Friendship Lab, a platform empowering people with the resources they need to make friendships thrive and invest in one of our most neglected relationships. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is former Standford lecturer, author and entrepreneur Nir Eyal. His latest book, 'Beyond Belief', looks at the science behind motivation and achievement, how prayer and ritual effect belief and when quitting is the best option. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is adoptive mum and founder of Forever Projects Anna Dombkins. Together with her husband Mark, Anna moved to Tanzania and adopted three babies in need of urgent care. Anna’s book 'Home Forever' tells the story of why they left Australia to grow their family, the reality of having six kids now and why she wants adoption to happen less. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Today, we’re jumping into end time theology about the return of Christ and getting a dose of Bible school with Christian author, speaker and founder of Messenger International, John Bevere. John admits to avoiding the potentially controversial subject for 40 years, but his new book 'The King is Coming' covers what he thinks is a pressing need for people to prepare for the return of Christ and understand their role leading up to it. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

CEO of Hope Economy - formerly CAP Money - Rosie Kendall explores the connection between our money and our identity, and how our spending can be better aligned with our values. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is Bible teacher and 'New York Times' bestselling author Jennie Allen. She's with us to help uncover 'The Lies We Don't Know We Believe' and what truth to replace them with.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today isn’t an academic, he’s not a public figure, he’s a Sydney truckie and former Navy-man whose lived experience of professional collapse, personal trauma and discovery of Christian faith inspired him to write ‘Mistakes a Like Fertiliser’, a journey into some of history’s biggest mishaps, and how mistakes can grow us not break us. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Today we’re going back into the archives to a chat I had with John Mark Comer about 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry'. Released in early 2020 the book pre-empted what became a time of serious reflection about what we filled our days with and how rushed modern life had become. 6 years on the “hurry sickness” John spoke about I would say is even more prevalent, combined with an anxious desire to build security in an uncertain world. John’s ideas – expanded on in his last book 'Practicing the Way' – are grounded in his Christian faith and help us “come to quiet” he says and find the peace we need. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is filmmaker Andrew Erwin. Together with his brother Jon, Andrew has been a part of some of the biggest faith films of the last decade including 'Jesus Revolution', 'I Still Believe' and 'Ordinary Angels'. His latest project, 'I Can Only Imagine 2', is the sequel to the 2018 hit that follows the true story of Christian band MercyMe and the family trauma singer Bart Millard faced alongside their career success. In this conversation, Andrew explains why 'Gilmore Girls' alumni Milo Ventimiglia had to be part of the film, the failures of Christian filming and why the cast want to go to space. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Author of 'Why Are All My Boyfriends Fictional', Jessica Kate joins Laura to talk about bad flirting, red flags in Christian dating and how - whether for a season or for life - you can find joy in singleness. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John on 'The Chosen', the global hit series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The next season is one the biggest as they face the crucifixion of Christ and in this episode, George not only talks about that, but about how a local Sydney boy got this gig, pressure to be a religious icon and how his spirituality has evolved during filming.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today, Sita Walker is a high school literature teacher and award-winning writer, whose 20 years’ experience in education frame her debut novel 'In a Common Hour' - The story of a single lunch time that unravels a school community. It prompts discussion about masculinity, truth and difference, and how we shape the world with our words. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Have you ever woken form a dream and wondered if it meant anything? Was it just your brain processing life, or was God speaking to you? And if He was, what was He trying to say through what you saw? Paige Collins is usually a publicist and filmmaker, but she’s added author to the list with Awaken, a dream journal that explores scriptural dream symbolism, how dreams affect our waking hours, the ones that have defined her career and why God would talk to us while we sleep. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

In this episode, Christian educator and identity coach Dr. Eric Moyer explains how our view of God affects our sense of identity, and why he sees a problem with the cultural idea that we can "be who want to be". Pre-order 'Redeeming Identity' and get a 15% discount: https://redeemingidentity.com/product/redeeming-identity-book/ Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Our guest today is Dean Keaney. Together with his wife Becky, Dean moved from Ohio in the late 70’s to establish the Australian arm of Christiann aid organisation Open Doors. He was inspired by the organisations founder Brother Andrew who distributed countless Bibles throughout the communist countries of Europe, and spent 47 years helping persecuted Christians in Asia, the Middle East and many locations across the globe. Dean’s book, Who Me Lord? Tracks his journey and how ill-equipped he felt for such a life. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Newcastle writer and filmmaker Kyle Portbury helps bring epic Biblical musical David to life, detailing how an international team made it happen, how AI is affecting creativity and why he's willing to wait for big breaks. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women has been adapted for film nearly 10 times since it was published in 1868. This year, it’s got a reimagined Christmas twist in A Little Women’s Christmas under the direction of feel-good romance genre icon Brian Bird. Behind the scenes of projects like Touched by Angel, The Case for Christ and Hallmark phenomenon When Calls the Heart, Brian wants to tell stories that inspire but also address real human challenges. In this conversation Brian talks about the roots of family division, mixing realism with cheesy ideals, and how Aussie Dean Geyer ended up in the movie. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Join us for this special episode of UNDISTRACTED recorded live at Hopen-Day 2025, with Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, Simon Smart.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Dame Quentin Bryce is a trailblazer, feminist, reformer, and Australia’s first female Governor-General. Our guest Juliet Rieden, the author of Quentin Bryce: The Authorised Biography, unpacks not just Quentin’s career achievements, but the values and practices that define her intentions and made her resilient. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

For more than 20 years, Matt Crocker toured with Hillsong UNITED writing many of the songs they became known for. With 'Interlude' he steps out as a solo artist continuing his love for worship in a new way and in a new country. Matt talks with Laura about trusting God in transitions, his non-negotiable "sure things" and how he almost became a farmer. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Love on the Spectrum cast-member Ronan Soussa is not only known for his warmth and humour on the show but also for his advocacy as an ambassador for the Autism Community Network. In this conversation, Ronan opens up about life with autism, what inclusion really looks like, and how important it is to create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Journalist and author Greg Sheridan talks about How Christians Can Succeed Today. Greg takes us on a journey back to the world of the early church and draws out lessons for Christians navigating life in our modern world. From the resilience of the first Christians, to the wisdom of St Augustine, to what it means to hold onto faith in a society searching for meaning, Greg shares how the message of Jesus still speaks with power and hope today. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Heather O’Brien is a prophetic healing coach, deliverance minister, author and host of the Heal with God podcast who turned her own long journey out of anxiety and depression into a practical, faith-centered road map for others. After years of struggling with depression and leaning into Scripture and prayer, she began hearing God’s voice and developing step-by-step tools - later shaping those tools into her book No Fear Allowed and a course to help Christians move from symptom management to lasting freedom through Bible, worship, prayer and community. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

If you could take a pill that would cure you of life’s ails: loneliness, addiction, worry, would you? Aussie businessman and author of 'No Other Success' Jim Penman is best known as the founder of Jims Group, a franchising company that specializes in everything from lawn mowing, to cleaning and pet grooming. Over 36 years in business, Jims learned a lot about the ideal of success, and importantly, why he subscribes to a life that puts family and faith first. He’s also been focused on researching how to “cure” in some sense the downsides of the human condition. Jim spoke to Laura about what he think’s making our heart unwell, and why he wants us to rethink success. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Bethel Music's Paul and Hannah McClure talk about the heart behind their latest album, After God’s Heart. The McClures share openly about life as pastors’ kids, moving to Redding more than a decade ago, and how worship has shaped both their family and their faith. Paul reflects on his journey from living with an “orphan mindset” to discovering God as a good Father, while Hannah describes the daily choice to surrender and lean on the Holy Spirit. Together they speak honestly about disappointment, comparison, and the challenges of parenting, as well as the joy of creating songs that remind them of God’s faithfulness. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

After over four decades in pastoral ministry, Max Lucado has found himself returning to the same three tools in counselling, conversation and sermons. Tools he believes can help anyone navigate their mental and spiritual wellbeing. Max unpacks them in his latest book, 'Tame Your Thoughts' and considers their spiritual implications.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Today, we chat with Jessica Seaborn, Sydney-based author and former journalist, about her new book 'Isn't it Great We Both Hate the Same Things' exploring the challenges and rewards of adult friendship—why making friends later in life is harder, but so deeply necessary. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Historian, author and theologian John Dickson joins us to talk about The First Hymn—a new documentary uncovering the oldest known Christian song. Combining his love of ancient history and music, John explores how this 1,800-year-old hymn was rediscovered, reimagined, and returned to the church in a new way.

DawnChere leads Vous Church in Miami alongside her husband Rich. In her debut book, 'Slow Burn' DawnChere explores the slow refining journey of surrender that can come in waiting, and what she learned through 8 years of infertility.  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Flying doctor and pediatrician Elizabeth Green talks about her years in rural and remote care and why she wrote 'NoTime for Makeup'. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Jamila Risvi was 31 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Confiding in friend Rosie Waterland, who’d suffered PTSD and depression for years, the friends found the way they were supported in their illness varied greatly because of a perceived distinction between mental and physical illness. In their book 'Broken Brains', Jamila and Rosie walk us through their diagnoses and the nuances of the medical system, while revealing the effects of illness on our family and identity. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Dr. Nick Hall talks about 'The Stress Recovery Effect' and how training our bodies to deal with stress is key to health and wellbeing. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Levi Lusko has been a pastor since he was 20, but when his life spiraled at 38 it reset his approach to ministry and informed his latest book Blessed Are the Spiraling. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Hosting Sober Awkward, a comedy podcast following two former party animals as they navigate life without booze, Victoria’s laid out her life again in Mumming. Tackling our perceptions of perfect parenting, the book lets you know you’re not the one “locking the door and crying alone on the toilet” or failing to get forms in on time and “excrete bliss balls”. The trigger for Victoria that her parenting needed work came when screaming at her three kids became too normal.   Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

The last two years have been some of most significant for Australian singer and Hillsong alumni TAYA, as she officially leaves the church, releases her second solo album, has a baby, relocates to the US and prepares for her first headline tour. Add to that a skin cancer diagnosis and living out of suitcases for 5 months with baby Beau in tow, and understandably TAYA wanted to come back to basics with The Reminder – a conscious reflection on the unchanging faithfulness of God. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Husband and wife couple Rebecca St. James and Cubbie Fink talk about 'Lasting Ever' and how to date in a world ditching Christian ideals and the heartbreak - and healing - that came after "I do".  Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Is critical reasoning crushing our souls ability to thrive? Are we so informed we’re missing the benefits of embracing mystery and wonder? This week's guest is Christian counsellor and author John Eldredge. Known for his 'Wild at Heart' series which just reached 7 million sales globally, John’s latest release 'Experience Jesus, Really' pulls us back to the basics of human existence and questions the place of the sacred and mystical in our modern left-brain world. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Songwriter and worship leader Ben Fielding speaks about reimagining the oldest hymn for 'The First Hymn' project and, after years of change in the pentecostal church, what makes the new era of Christian song writing distinct. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Have you ever experienced a dark night of the soul? A sense that God has left you, that you’re alone feeling heavy with sorrow or grief. Aubrey Sampson wrote 'What We Find in the Dark' after the death of two of the people closest to her. In this conversation she helps us deal with being angry at God but also wanting to trust him, the inauthenticity of joy and whether or not learning from loss ever makes it worth it. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Songwriter and pastor Darlene Zschech reflects on 30 years of writing songs for the church and way pastoring has influenced her relationship to God. Through the process of creating her devotional series 'Testament' Darlene also speaks about the grief and joy stepping back in time has brought her. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Are you familiar with the Bible verse that tells us to number our days? Essentially to have a consciousness of time and be wise with how we spend what we’re given. Author of 'Today is a Verb' Carol McLeod returns to the pod this week to talk about the actions we bring to our days and why we need to be more attentive to them. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Today's guest is Californian author and mum of four Great Eskridge. After dealing with her husband’s porn addiction, Greta wanted to have better conversations about pornography with her kids. Her book 'It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Porn' makes those conversation easier and provides a framework for healthy sexual relationships.  This conversation is an unfiltered one about what motivates the consumption of pornographic material, how it affects intimate relationships off screen, enjoying sex without shame and how to talk to your kids about porn without stigmatizing sex. There is reference to sexual violence and abuse, if that’s something that’s affected you call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Erwin McManus is an author, speaker, pastor, coach and world-renowned communicator. He’s been on the pod a number of times and is back to talk about communication frequencies. Have you ever felt misunderstood? Like your words were being twisted or that there are people who you just don’t get, you don’t resonate with. Erwin’s book 'The Seven Frequencies of Communication' looks at the core ways we interpret the world, how we listen to others and the way communication effects the condition of our lives.   Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Dr. Jo Brown is an elite performance physiotherapist and coach with over 20 years of experience enhancing athletic performance across multiple sports. She has worked with high-profile athletes including American sprinter Noah Lyles, the Australian Swim Team and the 2022 Jamaican Bobsleigh team building on the legacy of Cool Runnings. Dr. Brown’s book, 'See Your Elephant', explores the mindset shifts necessary for high performance and, for us non-athletes, helps us uncover and address what holds us back from achieving the greatness unique to our calling. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Julie Sheehan spent 30 years in the New Age movement. While living the high life as a journalist for some of Australia’s biggest publications, Julie became trapped in what she calls “spiritual darkness and deception”. She led psychic readings, was an astrologer and delved into numerous self-help guides and practices to rid her of a deep feeling of brokenness and trauma. Her book ‘LOVE’ talks about the moment of desperation that led her Jesus, and the profound love she discovered there that for the last 9 years has helped her recover from her New Age past. In this conversation Julie talks about the reality of demonic spiritual experiences, why New Age philosophy is appealing, and how trauma influences our spiritual search. Let’s welcome Julie to the show. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.