For the first episode of 2024, I am honoured to be speaking to Sean Turnell. Sean is an Australian economist but has spent much of his career in Myanmar. Most recently, he was the economic advisor to Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the former leader of Myanmar. In 2021, following a military coup which overthrew Suu Kyi and the democratically elected government, Sean was arrested and illegally imprisoned by the junta. He wouldn’t see freedom for another 650 days. Resources:  Book - An Unlikely Prisoner ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final episode of 2023, we’re doing something a little different. Throughout the last 62 episodes, we have heard some of the most incredible, heartbreaking, hopeful stories from people all over the world. How they have suffered, how they have found hope – and how God worked through it all. Today, I’m talking to Dr Katherine Thompson - researcher, mental health social worker and author. Katherine's new book The Discipline of Suffering is an amalgamation of her personal and professional journeys with suffering and shares some ways to use our pain for good.  Resources:  Book - The Discipline of Suffering Website - drkatherine.com.au ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Box is a Walkley Award-winning journalist and bestselling author. Dan’s most recent book The Man Who Wasn’t There tells the story of Zak Grieve – an Indigenous man who was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he wasn’t even there for. As Dan set out to prove Zak’s innocence, the resulting friendship and connection between Zak and Dan had a profound effect on them both. Resources:  Book - The Man Who Wasn't There – Ultimo Press Updates on Zak Grieve's case: ABC News ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rev. Kiran Skariah, better known as PastorSKAR is an ordained pastor, who spent almost a decade on staff at his church in Sydney – running the youth ministry. Now, he’s taken that youth ministry global. Today, Pastor Skar spends his days online gaming, with a twist. He uses his platform to tell hundreds of thousands of teens and young adults from all over the world – about Jesus.  Resources:  PastorSKAR - Twitch  PastorSKAR - Website PastorSKAR - YouTube PastorSKAR - Facebook PastorSKAR - Instagram ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chee Seng Fah is the senior pastor of Clayton Church of Christ in Melbourne. He was born in Malaysia and his family migrated to Australia in 1988 – and he has remained in the one church for the past 35 years. Incredible. Chee’s life has not been without pain and turmoil. He’s been through a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and more recently, the sudden death of his wife Wei Lyn from a brain hemorrhage. ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susannah McFarlane is an award winning author, creator, publisher of over 80 books. She’s behind some of Australia’s most successful children’s series including Zac Power, Go Girls and EJ12 Girl Hero. Susannah is also the Head of Publishing at Bible Society Australia – and her own story of how she met Jesus, is a quite remarkable one, stemming from a reunion with her birth mother in adulthood. Resources:  Susannah's website - susannahmcfarlane.com The Year I Met My Other Mother (Booktopia) - booktopia.com.au The Year I Met My Other Mother (Amazon) - amazon.com.au ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Safina Stewart is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – a Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman. She also has profound Christian faith.   As the Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator for Common Grace, Safina is passionate about justice, education and faith – and joined the podcast ahead of the Voice to Parliament referendum to share her experiences of being an Aboriginal Christian in modern Australia. Resources:  Safina's art - artbysafina.com.au Common Grace Website - commongrace.org.au ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Gore is no stranger to a microphone. With more than 20 years leadership experience, he’s shared passionately about his work with countless people. He’s the previous CEO of Open Doors Australia – who work with and advocate for persecuted Christians all over the world. His latest venture is changing the way we give to charities and not-for-profits. Charitabl is Australia’s first app-based giving platform – a one stop shop for generosity and donations. Further information:  Charitabl: Download the Charitabl. App ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tori Hope Peterson is a wife, a foster mom, adoptive mom, and biological mom - who found Jesus as a teenager after moving through 12 foster homes. She is the bestselling author of Fostered and sought out speaker, inspiring audiences to be resilient, suffer well, and change the world with what they have, right where they are, by loving the people in front of them.  Further information: Tori's Website: Tori Hope Petersen Tori's Instagram: Tori Hope Petersen (@torihopepetersen) ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On episode 55 of Finding Hope, I’m so excited to have a bit of a full circle moment. My very first episode was with a woman called Merryl Mackenzie – who shared of her many years experience working on Mercy Ships – providing life-saving surgeries to those in need in Africa. Today, I interviewed Jess Mepstead who has served as a dietician on Mercy Ships, and is now studying to become a doctor – with the hope of one day returning to the ship as a surgeon. But her journey has not been without roadblocks. Further information: Mercy Ships Australia - https://mercyships.org.au/ ---  If you or someone you know would like to be interviewed for the podcast, Georgia would love to hear from you. Leave a comment on the Finding Hope page at hopepodcasts.com.au.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.