UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

Julia Baird is a Sydney-based author and journalist. She co-hosts 'The Drum' on ABC TV and writes columns for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Harper's Bazaar. She is a former senior editor of Newsweek in New York and op-ed contributor for the New York Times and the Philadelphia Enquirer. Her first book, Media Tarts, was based on her PhD in History about the portrayal of female politicians. Victoria, her biography of Queen Victoria, was published to critical acclaim in 2016 and, during the pandemic, her third book Phosphorescence became a multi-award-winning international bestseller with its timely message about finding light in the darkness. Three years on, Julia brings us 'Bright Shining', a study of grace and its power to change everything. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're joined by futurist, pastor and author Erwin McManus. In the business world he’s known as a mentor, fashion designer and filmmaker, and in his hometown of Los Angeles he’s the lead pastor and visionary behind Mosaic. Erwin is a profound thinker, and he’s returned to talk to us about the impact our mind has on our personal fulfilment, performance and joy. His new book 'Mind Shift: It Doesn’t Take a Genius to Think Like One', helps light the pathway forward with principles Erwin’s learned from the life of Jesus.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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robert Fergusson has been a teaching pastor for over 30 years. He’s an internationally recognized Hillsong Church preacher, and author of three books including 'Are you Getting This?', 'Making Connections That Work', and his latest, 'Jesus And'. In this conversation Robert gives us the questions to ask to find our purpose, explains the value of the ordinary and unpacks Jesus’ interest in 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rabbi Sobel is the spiritual advisor to the worldwide hit TV series 'The Chosen' which dramatises the life of Jesus and his disciples. His new book 'Signs and Secrets of the Messiah: A Fresh Look at the Miracles of Jesus' reexamines Scripture, biblical culture and ancient texts to help readers better understand the intention behind God's miracles.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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Creator of @millennial.therapist Sara Kuburic is an existential psychotherapist. She was born in Yugoslavia and raised in Canada and is passionate about helping people seeking change to live authentic, free, and meaningful lives. Her interest in psychology came from her personal experience living through wars, navigating complex relationships, and continually learning what it means to be human.In her first book, 'It’s On Me' Sara helps us identify self-loss: that feeling of being estranged or disconnected from your true Self – so we answer the big questions about who we are, and how to live accordingly. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest Charlotte Ree is an author and home cook. When the world turned upside in 2020, Charlotte was 29, newly divorced and unexpectedly thrust into lockdown with loneliness, confusion and a wobbly sense of identity after her 10-year relationship. In her “bittersweet” memoir 'Heartbake' Charlotte combines her story of love lost, won and lost again with the recipes that helped her rediscover herself, her community and the life she really wanted.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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simone Amelia Jordan, Australia’s most successful hip-hop journalist, shares her journey from feeling like an outsider to finding her voice through music. She discusses her memoir, navigating a male-dominated industry, and the importance of supportive women in her life. She also opens up about challenges she faced, including sexual grooming and abuses of power in the industry.

NEEDTOBREATHE's newest member Tyler Burkum talks about the evolution of the band's identity through their new album 'CAVES', creating a healthy creative culture and how to allow people to be themselves.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 23, Nashville-based artist Riley Clemmons has already spent a decade in the industry after being discovered at a school pageant. Riley sat down with Laura ahead of the release of her new album ‘Church Pew’ to unpack the peak of her identity crisis, her process of self-discovery alongside faith and how she feels about starting so young. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Justine Whitchurch is a sobriety advocate, Health and Fitness Coach and writer who almost lost her life in 2012 when her alcohol addiction became too much. With a music career, kids and relationship in the wings, entering rehab was do or die for Justine and now she’s set on helping others break cycles of addiction.  Read more of Justine's story in her book, 'Sobriety Delivered Everything Alcohol Promised'.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.