3 December 2024

Introducing TMA's new podcast
EVERYDAY SAINTS

Deeper stories of faith from Melbourne and beyond, hosted by the journalists behind The Melbourne Anglican magazine.  

Listen to the latest episode below or click the button below to listen to all our past episodes.

Episode #11 – Alexandra Amerides

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As a child, opera singer Alexandra Amerides used to go with their grandparents to Greek Orthodox church services, where they quickly noticed one thing.

All the men sat on one side, singing chants and participating in the liturgy while the women sat quietly on the other side.

For someone trans and non-binary, this was a system that just didn’t work.

Alexandra talks to Everyday Saints host Maya Pilbrow about performance, pronouns and their journey to finding a spiritual home in the Anglican Church.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #10 – Natalie Dixon-Monu

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Natalie Dixon-Monu felt like she’d just gotten her life back, when God called her to ordination. During her troubled teenage years in a violent Christian home, feeling the falseness of her church, the Reverend Dixon-Monu was drawn to the words of the Bible. Here she speaks with Everyday Saints host Jenan Taylor about how her faith – and her experiences – have helped her help people who many would give up on. In her current role, Ms Dixon-Monu coordinates Boroondara Community Outreach, a ministry supporting people with a mental health condition, or who are socially isolated, live with dignity in the community. Podcast host Jenan Taylor has been struck by Ms Dixon-Monu’s perspective on what matters, and how to live a good life.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #09 - Shanti Michael

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Shanti Michael is a musical director for a group named Chorus Ecclesiae, which performs Gregorian chanting and sacred polyphony in Victorian churches. She has worked and studied in the US, worked for the Catholic church in Malaysia and now resides in Australia. She spoke with host Kirralee Nicolle about growing up Malaysian, her faith and its family emphasis and the beauty of acceptance across religious bounds. Her story is one of creative journeys, loss and experiencing faith alongside those you love.Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #08 – Jan Shattock

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Jan Shattock’s faith has been a feature of her life for many decades. As a teacher, lay minister, mission worker, ESL teacher and mum, her faith has sustained her through some unexpected trials, including a sudden and frightening diagnosis. She is a parishioner at St Thomas’ Burwood, and has served the Melbourne diocese and the non-English speaking community in a variety of ways. Host Kirralee Nicolle got to hear a little about what keeps her going in the ups and downs of life.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #07 - Dr Li Wan

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In this episode, Dr Li Wan tells Kirralee Nicolle his story of coming to faith through prayer and provision. He details a journey of growing in humility as God demonstrated his faithfulness to Li through his medical research work. From China to Melbourne, Li has worked in intensive care medicine, emergency medicine and now general practice. He also serves as examiner and fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a lay Mandarin preacher and warden at St James Anglican Church in Ivanhoe, and a stage actor. He’s also a father and husband. We hope this episode brings you encouragement, wherever you are in your journey of faith.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #06 - Lauren Raiter

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Lauren is from Melbourne and grew up in a mission-focused family who wanted to see people know God’s love.

In chatting with Lauren we see how she went from studying to be a paramedic to studying at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and pursuing overseas mission.

During this year she will be spending time at Church Missionary Society’s mission training centre St Andrew’s Hall with hopes to head to western Europe on mission.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #05 - Ben Howes

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This episode features Ben Howes, someone who is passionate about the health of the environment, faith and caring for both creation and those around us.

Ben is the National Programs and Volunteer Coordinator for the Jane Goodall Foundation, a children and youth ministry worker, musician and lover of the outdoors. He studied his bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Melbourne, and has an ongoing passion for the intersection of education, conservation and advocacy work across the Asia Pacific region.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #04 - Anne Pattel-Gray

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Professor Anne Pattel-Gray was recently appointed Professor of Indigenous Studies and inaugural Head of the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity.

In 1995, she was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded a PhD at the University of Sydney, published as The Great White Flood: Racism in Australia. She has previously held Visiting Professorships at Gurukul Theological Seminary, Harvard University and Otago University.

She is not only a very renowned academic, she’s an activist, a consultant and a celebrated Aboriginal leader.

This episode deals with some very important, but at times very heavy topics. If you have experienced racial discrimination, this may trigger traumatic memories for you, so please proceed with care.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #03 - Leif Camp

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Leif Camp is a Lutheran minister from the United States who has lived and worked in Russia for over 25 years.

Before that, he taught English and literature at a university, and was the frontman of several successful rock bands in Chicago.

The Mark Twain piece Leif refers to in the episode can be found here: www.americanyawp.com/reader/19-american-empire/mark-twain-the-war-prayer-ca-1904-5/.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #02 - Kate Boyd

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In this episode, Kirralee Nicolle speaks to Texan Instagram personality Kate Boyd. Kate Boyd is an Author, Bible teacher, and host of the Happy & Holy podcast.

She has travelled the world to interview and tell the stories of believers on mission, and inspired by those encounters, she creates spaces to facilitate wholehearted discipleship in the church at home.

She is studying theology with an emphasis in biblical studies at Perkins School of Theology.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Episode #01 - Professor Peter Sherlock

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For the first episode, Everyday Saints host Kirralee Nicolle sits down with Professor Peter Sherlock, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Divinity.

Peter is a respected academic, having studied at both Oxford and Melbourne University – completing his doctoral studies in the English Reformation.

An avid musician and performer, you can find Peter sharing his gifts and passion for music at St Paul’s Cathedral most nights.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow.

Graphics by Julian Karajic.

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Growing Christian Communities Redefining Church Planting

Preventing Violence Against Women – Our Commitment to Action

How clergy can better serve their communities

Covid Economics: what comes next?

How churches can maintain a sense of community during the coronavirus pandemic

Christos Tsiolkas talks ‘Damascus’ with theologians

Growing Christian Communities

An Inside Job: True Confessions of a Prison Chaplain

Palestinian Christian Areej Masoud speaks at Melbourne Synod

What is Messy Church?

Training Leaders in a Digital Age

St Paul’s Cathedral Weekly Mandarin Service

An introduction to Justin Duckworth, Bishop of Wellington

Fighting Crime’s Vicious Cycle