The Spirit Of Things - Program Podcast

How do you find stillness when the world seems out of joint? Today, we meet seekers of a peaceful inner life — mega stars of chant, Deva Premal and Miten; and proud Aboriginal man Levi-McKenzie-Kirkbright.

How can communities change for the better? And does art have a role in countering discrimination? We speak with Muslim chaplain Ahmed Kilani, a year on from the Christchurch massacre, and James Bennett, curator of the Islamic art exhibition No god but God in South Australia.

As Brexit reshapes the Irish border, poet and theologian Pádraig Ó Tuama reflects on the role of storytelling in fractured societies.

Join Meredith Lake as she celebrates International Women's Day with two women who beat the odds. Lisa Jackson Pulver was once a runaway teen. Today, she is a leading figure in the field of Indigenous health and education; and Kamala Sharma Wing went from being the only female - and Hindu - in her trainee cohort to becoming a Lieutenant in the Navy. They share their stories with Meredith.

What can visual culture tell us about the unseen? Today, we reach back into the supernatural history of Japanese art and take a look at how recent depictions of priests in popular culture have reflected – and challenged – our attitudes towards Catholicism.

With Easter looming on the horizon, Meredith Lake takes a look at the gifts and costs of compassion with the Reverend Bill Crews, who is the subject of a new documentary.

How much do you know about Sikhism? The religion has experienced exponential growth in the past decade, and is currently Australia's fifth largest faith group. Meet Sikh volunteer Sukhwinder Kaur, who helped prepare a thousand meals a day for bushfire victims, farmer Molly Johal whose ancestors have been in Australia since the 19th century, and find out what happens at a Gurdwara — a Sikh place of worship.

It's an ancient question that still fascinates us today — where do we go after we die? From Heaven and Hell, to Nirvana and Rebirth, join Meredith Lake as she explores the ways in which people have imagined the afterlife.

In Gumbayngirr country – on the mid north coast of NSW – Michael Jarrett and his community are revitalising their language. Then join Meredith Lake for a bushwalk at West Head, north of Sydney, to check out some Indigenous rock carvings. She is joined by tour guide and Guringai man Uncle Laurie Bimson.

So much of the religious diversity in this land is created by immigration. But what does migration – leaving, or even losing one's homeland – mean for a person's faith? What happens to their beliefs as they make Australia home?

What happens when stories of your homeland are shrouded in secrecy and pain? Author Aatish Taseer is the son of an Indian Sikh and a Pakistani Muslim, whose search for his roots led him to Varanasi, the ‘spiritual capital of India’. And the mother and son duo behind Counting and Cracking reveal how the play helped them understand Sri Lanka's past.

Former fast-bowler Henry Olonga was forced to leave behind his career and country after he protested against the late Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe. So what gave shape to his convictions and values? And we hear how Kenyan-Australian academic Kathomi Gatwiri reclaimed her African identity after leaving religion.

Even if you find religion hard to stomach, you'll love cooking with Jeong Kwan, a Korean Buddhist nun who once starred in the Netflix series, Chef's Table.

Three women share how the ocean shapes their faith, and brings them closer to God.

A music special with Father Rob Galea, a Maltese-Australian Catholic priest and musician whose incredible story may soon be heading to Hollywood. And, the Ballarat-based gospel and world music group, Sweet Mona’s Choir.

How did the 2000-year-old conversion story of St Paul in the Bible inspire bestselling Australian author Christos Tsiolkas? We also meet popular children's author Susannah McFarlane, who had her own 'Damascus road' experience in her fifties.

During this time of year, we hear a lot about "peace and goodwill to all." But how exactly do you put peace into practice? How is peacemaking a part of living out one's faith? And what does peace on earth and with the earth look like?

How are you feeling about the impending end of the year? Maybe you’re waiting for Christmas, or maybe for some rest; a chance to recharge and pay more attention to your inner life. In this episode, two meditators from different faith traditions share how they slow down, find peace – and even encounter the divine.

When was the last time you heard a ghost story? Over 130 years ago, philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche penned his famous statement — “God is dead”. But perhaps the ghost still lingers. Could this be true, even in secular Australia?

What if you found out that you only had a short time left to live? — What would you do? Rush through your bucket list? Get your affairs in order? Devote all your time to family and friends? Or would you have a more spiritual response? In this episode, Meredith Lake explores the important role that faith traditions play in later life care.