Down to Earth Conversations

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Monday May 09, 2022

48. Carey Thomas - Education, White Fragility, and Becoming Pākehā

Monday May 09, 2022

Carey Thomas is a teacher who has an interest in helping change the education system to reflect our bicultural nature as a country. She has recently finished a Masters Thesis looking at what it means to be a Pākehā engaging with te āo Māori (the world of Māori) and what are the barriers that get in the way of that. She particularly looked at past moments in her own life where she felt a resistance to engage and explored why that was.

We discuss Carey's passion for kids, for teaching, and for change. We talk about the failings of the education system in providing for all kids, and what are some of the things that are stopping us from moving ahead well. What talk about the term Pākehā and the misconceptions around it. And we hear her thoughts about why it can be so confronting for Pākehā to engage with things Māori, or even confront racism, also discussing where Carey sees hope that things could actually change.

Connect with Carey on Instagram at instagram.com/becoming_pakeha/

Resources Carey recommends on the topic include:

This Pākehā Life: an unsettled memoir - Alison Jones
A Typology of Pākehā Whiteness in Education - Georgina Turai Stewart
Colonising Myths, Maori Realities - Ani Mikare
Being Pākehā Now - Michael King
White Fragility - Robyn DiAngelo

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Apr 25, 2022

47. Craig Watson - Earthquake Recovery, Diverse Church, and Being Gay and Christian in Aotearoa

Monday Apr 25, 2022

Craig Watson has worked in project management for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the 2012 London Olympics, and also the Christchurch Earthquake Recovery. We talk about all of that and about how his love of people sits first and foremost in his projects. This is a man who really does care.

Craig also shares some of his journey of being gay and Christian, from being raised in the church and fighting with his attractions, to his acceptance of who he is and his desire for safe spaces and belonging for others in the same boat. He shares about Diverse Church NZ - a network for gay Christians in New Zealand that Craig founded.

This episode doesn't argue theology or try to convince you of a theological position. It's simply a chance to stop, put preconceptions aside, and listen to Craig's experience.

Find Diverse Church at diversechurch.co.nz or on Facebook

If you would like to explore this topic theologically, check out the resources on Diverse Church's website.

A couple of other valuable books on the subject are Matthew Vines - God and the Gay Christian, and episode 41 guest Jeff Chu's - Does Jesus Really Love Me?

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Apr 11, 2022

46. Gen Mora - OCD, Eating Disorders, and Voices of Hope

Monday Apr 11, 2022

Gen Mora is a survivor. She has battled with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, eating disorders, and anxiety, but is now living a vibrant and happy life where she looks to help others who are fighting their own battles. Along with her good friend Jazz Thornton, Gen founded Voices of Hope - a not for profit that advocates for, and encourages, those who are fighting to be mentally well.

Gen shares about her struggles, her journey to wellness, and how that led to starting Voices of Hope.

Please note that, given Gen's experience and work, there are references to a range of mental health struggles and traumas, including discussions around OCD, eating disorders, hospitalisation, and anxiety, as well as the mention of suicide. If you need to hit pause or stop on this episode for your own wellbeing, please do so - and if you are in a place where seeking help would be beneficial, please talk to someone in your support network, or check out available helplines on Voices of Hope's website.

That said, this is, unsurprisingly, a very hope filled conversation.

Find Gen on Instagram or Facebook

Connect with Voices of Hope at thevoicesofhope.org or find them on Instagram or Facebook

Or check out Love Your Kite at loveyourkite.com or on Instagram

And find a list of helplines Voices of Hope's website

If you'd like to support our business (which supports the podcast) while also supporting Voices of Hope, or if you just want to see how we support them, check out sugarlips.co.nz

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Mar 28, 2022

45. Matt Renata - Belonging, Indigenous Theology, and Ihumātao

Monday Mar 28, 2022

Matt Renata has been a youth worker for many years and is now studying Christian theology through an indigenous lens - specifically a Māori and Pasifika lens. We talk about his years working with youth - how and why he got into it and what he learned about himself along the way. We talk about his exploration of his whakapapa (ancestry), and what a difference that has made to his life. And we dive into his theological study and hear about what he's studying and why it is bringing him so much life.

We also talk about Matt's involvement at Ihumātao - an area of land in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) that was set for development despite local Māori having ancestral claim to the land. Last year a number of people, including Matt, headed to Ihumātao to protest the development and ask the government to step in. Matt fills us in on some of the background of Ihumātao and why it was so important, and what his involvement was during the weeks of protest.

Find Matt on Instagram

To understand more about Ihumātao see Pania Newton's TedX Auckland talk on YouTube

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Monday Mar 14, 2022

44. Olivia Shivas - Disability, Media, and What’s Wrong With You

Monday Mar 14, 2022

Olivia Shivas is a journalist, podcaster and disability advocate. Working for Stuff, Olivia's own experience of disability has shaped her passions and areas of focus in her media role, including the podcast she co-hosted in 2021 about disability that won her an award. During the conversation we also touch on faith, and her roles with various trusts and charities, including her voluntary role as a dj for radio lollipop at Starship Children's Hospital.

Check out the What's Wrong With You? podcast on Stuff or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Read articles by Olivia's at stuff.co.nz/authors/olivia-shivas.

And why not follow her on Instagram?

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Monday Feb 28, 2022

43. Steven Moe - Law, Seeds, and Maximum Impact

Monday Feb 28, 2022

In this episode I had the privilege of sitting down with lawyer, writer and podcaster Steven Moe. Steven is someone whose life reflects his desire to see change in the world. He loves to support other change makers, as well as role modelling fresh ways of approaching situations.

We talk about his podcast, The Seeds, and he shares how and why it came about. We also explore how he functions as a lawyer who wants to do good in the world. We talk about the ways businesses can structure themselves to have a positive impact on the world, and about being stewards who pass on to the next generations something worth having. We discuss Steven's writing and why he serves on boards and advisory groups and how he does all of that while having a family. There's a bit of everything in this kōrero!

Check out The Seeds at theseeds.nz for podcast links as well as articles and other bits and pieces.

Follow The Seeds on Facebook or Instagram

And download a copy of Steven's latest book: Laying Foundations for Reimagining Business for free at theseeds.nz

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Dec 13, 2021

42. Charlotte Cummings Takes Over - Imperfect Parenting, Mental Health, and Finding the Good

Monday Dec 13, 2021

Counsellor, mum, and all around good sort Charlotte Cummings takes over the episode putting Andy in the hot seat. She asks Andy about his journey with redundancy, parenting challenges and joys, his experience of depression and anxiety and subsequent experience of counselling, and where he sees the podcast going in the future.

Connect with Charlotte at charlottecummings.com

To give a little to support the podcast head to givealittle.co.nz

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Nov 29, 2021

41. Jeff Chu - Sexuality, Love for the Hateful, and Wholehearted Faith

Monday Nov 29, 2021

Jeff Chu is a New York Times best selling author, a reporter, and an editor. He is the co-curator and co-host of Evolving Faith - a conference, community, and now a podcast. And he's the teacher in residence at Crosspointe Church.

We talk about how he became a writer, what he loves about journalism, and his book "Does Jesus Really Love Me? A gay Christian's pilgrimage in search of God in America." We discuss how to honour those people who don't hold space for you, or even wish you harm. And we talk about his latest offering, "Wholehearted Faith", and what makes it unique.

Find Jeff on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Check out Evolving Faith on Facebook or Instagram, or check out the Evolving Faith Podcast on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Music by Strahan:

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Monday Nov 15, 2021

40. Petra Bagust - Media Moments, Napalese Tears, and the Beauty of Discomfort

Monday Nov 15, 2021

Since debuting on national television on IceTV in the mid-nineties, Petra Bagust has been a staple of New Zealand television and radio. She has brought us many iconic moments, including hosting breakfast after the tragedy of the fatal Christchurch earthquake.

Throughout her media career Petra has always managed to find ways alongside her paid roles to make meaningful contributions to society, to bring awareness or aid in raising funds for good causes, or to champion things dear to her heart. More recently Petra has found herself working alongside episode 4 guest, Frank Ritchie, as a media chaplain - providing support to the media of Aotearoa. And let's not forget she's a wife and mum and all that goes with that.

We talk about her media career and the different twists and turns that it has taken. How she's used the platform she was given for good. Some of the experiences she's had while supporting charities and causes, including a memorable moment in Nepal. Her move into media chaplaincy. Her journey learning te reo Māori and what a difference that has made for her life, despite the challenge. And she gives us a peek into her own upcoming podcast, due for release in March 2022.

Find Petra at petra.nz or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or just head to her link tree for all the links.

At petra.nz you can also sign up to the Grey Areas newsletter for news about it's launch and other developments.

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