Towards Understanding

Positive Media

Towards Understanding is a full-length feature interview radio program hosted by Clayton Bjelan. The show contains a mix of interviews based around the understanding and living out of Christian faith and those just doing remarkable things in our world. It focuses on three key groups of people - The Known, The Overcomer and The Unknown.

89.9 | TheLight | PositiveMedia | LightFM | Melbourne

read less

Religion & SpiritualityReligion & Spirituality

Start Here

Stuart Cameron - Li Ai Oh - The Hon. Mark Speakman

Stuart Cameron - Li Ai Oh - The Hon. Mark Speakman

In light of the tragic and disturbing recent events in Australia and with ongoing global events, Towards Understanding has put together a special edition of the program to encourage people to pursue peace in this time, and to pray. Details of our three guests are below. In addition to this special, a website (PrayAustralia.org) has been set up by Christian Media and Arts Australia, which contains prayer points you can use. If you are struggling, we encourage you to reach out to LifeLine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

Stuart Cameron - Li Ai Oh - The Hon. Mark Speakman

Stuart Cameron - Li Ai Oh - The Hon. Mark Speakman

In light of the tragic and disturbing recent events in Australia and with ongoing global events, Towards Understanding has put together a special edition of the program to encourage people to pursue peace in this time, and to pray. Details of our three guests are below. In addition to this special, a website (PrayAustralia.org) has been set up by Christian Media and Arts Australia, which contains prayer points you can use. If you are struggling, we encourage you to reach out to LifeLine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susannah McFarlane & Robin Leuba – authors of Heartlines

Susannah McFarlane & Robin Leuba – authors of Heartlines

Continuing with the Mother’s Day theme, a daughter reunites with her birth mother 49 years after being given up for adoption… Clayton chats to BOTH mother Robin and daughter Susannah about this heartrending and heart endearing story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Smallbone - Unsung Hero

Helen Smallbone - Unsung Hero

This Mother's Day Weekend, Clayton had an extra special guest to join him on the program. Helen Smallbone (mother of Rebecca St James and Luke and Joel Smallbone [of For King and Country]). The movie, Unsung Hero, being released shortly is the remarkable true story of Helen and how her faith inspires her husband and children to hold on to theirs as they left Australia broke and started a new life in Christian music in the states. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frans Cronje – Film Maker

Frans Cronje – Film Maker

Frans Cronje is the brother of former South African Cricket Captain Hansie Cronje. Frans spoke to Clayton about the movie that he has made about his brother’s turbulent and yet impactful life which was tragically cut short. Fran talked about Hansie’s own journey to forgive himself about betraying the trust the South African people had place in him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Gray - Director of After Death

Stephen Gray - Director of After Death

After Death is premiering in Australian cinemas on 15 May and Clayton had a chat to Stephen Gray, the director and creator of the movie. The documentary is based on multiple accounts of people's experience of dying and coming back to life. Clayton and Stephen talk about the similarities each person experienced in their 'out of body' journey and what impact it might have on us who haven't had that experience.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sam Allberry – Author of ‘Why does God care who I sleep with?’

Sam Allberry – Author of ‘Why does God care who I sleep with?’

Sam is a pastor, apologist, author and speaker and while chatting to Clayton, answered questions around sexuality, faith and Western Culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lauren & Georgia - Big Kids' Table

Lauren & Georgia - Big Kids' Table

Clayton chatted to Lauren Foster and Georgia Nicholas, who are the co-founders and co-directors of Big Kids' Table, which exists to be an informative, loving perspective and to create safe, honest conversations about identity and sexuality for youth and young adults. They do this within a framework of conversation of a Christian worldview. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ja'Marc Davis - from number 1 hit to prison…and God’s personal redemption

Ja'Marc Davis - from number 1 hit to prison…and God’s personal redemption

Clayton chats to Ja’Marc, a man who has scaled the highest of highs in Christian music, with a number one hit, and the lowest of lows, after being literally taken from stage to prison, because of his shady past. He’s promised to be open and honest, and he’s never tried blaming anyone else for what he did. Clayton asks the question about what we can learn about God’s personal redemption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Fergusson - Author of Jesus &

Robert Fergusson - Author of Jesus &

Robert released a new book last year, called 'Jesus &'. He chatted with Clayton about how the book takes readers on a journey through the book of Luke to discover the beauty and transformative power of an authentic encounter with Jesus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kayla Stoecklein - author of ‘Fear Gone Wild’

Kayla Stoecklein - author of ‘Fear Gone Wild’

Kayla lost her husband to mental health a number of years ago and is a single mum of three boys. She is an advocate for those confronting mental illness and gives firsthand advice on what to say and what not to say to those who are struggling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kamal Weerakoon, co-author of 'The Gender Revolution'

Kamal Weerakoon, co-author of 'The Gender Revolution'

Kamal Weerakoon, co-author of 'The Gender Revolution' chatted with Clayton about how in this current climate, Kamal helps listeners navigate conversations around transgender ideology and faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Sorbo - Actor, Producer and Director

Kevin Sorbo - Actor, Producer and Director

Known for his role as Hercules, Kevin Sorbo chatted to Clayton about Hollywood, faith and his career. He shares about his exclusion from Hollywood because of his Christian beliefs and how he has used that to create his own studio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Camille Cates - Moving Forward after Abortion

Camille Cates - Moving Forward after Abortion

With nearly three decades experience of counselling women, Camille Cates talks to Clayton about her book, which answers some of the deepest questions women have following an abortion. She explains that she helps women find the comfort and healing that can only come from God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frida Umuhoza - Rwandan Genocide survivor

Frida Umuhoza - Rwandan Genocide survivor

Clayton’s spoke with Frida Umuhoza who is the only survivor in her family of the Rwandan genocide. She has written ‘Chosen to Die, Destined to Live’ about her journey. In this interview, she shared with Clayton the dark horrors of the genocide, the moments of hope, her journey of salvation, healing and transformation through forgiveness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick Warren - Finishing the Task

Rick Warren - Finishing the Task

Rick Warren is author of the hugely influential 'A Purpose Driven Life', was Pastor at Saddleback church for decades and is now the Executive Director of Finishing the Task. Rick explains to Clayton that FTT is a global movement of denominations, organisations, churches, and individuals working together on the Great Commission goals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karen Bieman - Founder of Not my Closet

Karen Bieman - Founder of Not my Closet

Karen Bieman, a registered counsellor from Notmycloset.com shares her story about her, more specifically how she found out the person she married was gay and how she learnt to deal that and support people going through the same thing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nik Wallenda - Tightrope Daredevil

Nik Wallenda - Tightrope Daredevil

Nik Wallenda has become one of the most decorated aerialists in history, earning 13 Guinness World records and a plethora of other awards. He talked to Clayton about his achievements and how his faith has impacted his decision to be a tightrope daredevil!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrian Plass – Writer and Performer

Adrian Plass – Writer and Performer

Clayton was excited to chat to the most influential writer in his life. Adrian Plass uses humour, tears and a cutting wit to equally encourage and chasten the church.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ann Reardon - YouTube Influencer

Ann Reardon - YouTube Influencer

Ann Reardon, host of the 5 million plus subscriber "How to Cook That" YouTube channel, chatted with Clayton about her views on the internet from a faith (and Mum) perspective. How do we best live with purpose in our current technological environment? And how does a dietician and former youth worker end up a YouTube megastar?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Strobel – The Case For Christ

Lee Strobel – The Case For Christ

Clayton chats to journalist and former atheist, Lee Strobel, whose story is told in the film “The Case For Christ”. He explains his journey of trying to prove his Christian wife wrong, until suddenly all the evidence pointed him to Jesus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.