Sparrows and Wildflowers: Recent Episodes
Rachel Simpson
Everyone has a story to tell. Sparrows and Wildflowers is a series of conversations with very different individuals of Christian faith.
This episode is with fellow Podcaster, Samantha Freestone. Samantha speaks about her career in the NGO and mental health sectors, growing in her journey of faith and her convictions, as well as giving insight into the podcast industry and why she does what she does. Continue reading →
In this episode Jon Halabi shares his incredible journey from childhood hardship, to professional boxing, to becoming a business owner; and his decade long battle with drug addiction that ended when he encountered Jesus Christ. Continue reading →
Episode Forty is with Sharna Lovell, Founder of Arts Chaplaincy International. Sharna speaks about growing up as the child of missionaries in Malaysia, transitioning back to life in Australia, and her chaplaincy and community services work across vastly different areas of society - from the homeless population, to the fashion industry and the UN. Continue reading →
Be inspired by this insight into the journey of Margaret Stunt. Margaret shares about coming through extreme hardships - including abuse, cancer and divorce, she speaks about discovering a relationship with Jesus Christ and the series of miracles, events and adventures that her led her to the very full life she lives at age 68. Continue reading →
In this episode I chat to Australian speaker, author, historian, and public advocate for the Christian Faith - Dr John Dickson. Continue reading →
This episode is a conversation with Andrew Affleck. We talk about Alzheimer's disease, walking away from God (and returning), growing up, donating your brain to science, starting a not-for-profit and even more. Continue reading →
David shares with us about his upbringing on the central coast, wrestling with science and faith, hardships, politics, his journey being a gay Christian, his role at the Sydney Alliance and what it looks like to live like Jesus. Continue reading →
Hear Jyoti speak about her careers in science and education, her journeys in Hinduism and Christianity, demystifying spirituality, navigating disappointment, and much more, all in this episode. Continue reading →
In this episode we chat to Caz Bamford about growing up in South Africa and the UK, working in the Music and Television industries, managing people, dealing with hardship, her journey of faith and much more. Continue reading →
This episode we chat to Josh Hawkins of 'hi josh'. As well as being a young adults pastor in the Anglican church, Josh spends his time making hilarious video content. We chat about going viral, the nature of comedy and looking more like Jesus. Continue reading →
We get to hear from Muay Thai fighter + trainer, and TV producer and script writer - Jessica Yount. Jess shares about growing up in the American mid-west, her journey to faith in Jesus, her involvement in boxing and martial arts, hardship, culture and her career so far in media. Continue reading →
Hear the Christmas story, as read from the account recorded in the book of Matthew, in the Amplified translation of the Bible. Continue reading →
Michael is the author of 4 best-selling books and features regularly as a commentator on TV and radio, speaking on topics across business and culture. He has presented to over 300,000 people, across 5 continents and has shared the stage with the likes of Bill Gates, Whoopi Goldberg and Larry King. We get to hear about his faith, family, his early years in Wollongong and how his career progressed to where it is today. Continue reading →
In this episode we chat to Anglican Minister - Shane Dirks. Shane speaks about growing up in Western Sydney, his passion for cycling and achievement at the Oceania Games, his career in sales and his journey to faith in Jesus. Continue reading →
Jason Faulkner shares about music, business, ministry, healing, restoration and his own journey to discovering faith in Jesus. Continue reading →
Episode Twenty-Seven marks the one year anniversary of the Sparrows and Wildflowers Podcast. Thank you to all the interviewees, everyone who has been involved and to all the listeners. Continue reading →
Tadiwa shares about growing up in Zimbabwe and coming to Australia in her late teens. We talk about family, Church, hardship, drug use and career. Tadiwa speaks about her journey towards faith in Jesus, rediscovering her value, and her dreams to help bring that same hope to other women. Continue reading →
Sylvie speaks about growing up in East Germany, her memories of after the Berlin Wall came down; she shares about tragic loss in her family, her travels around the world and her long journey into faith in Jesus. Continue reading →
In this episode we chat to fitness industry professional Mary Bacon, about growing up in Macedonia, family, career, faith and her holistic approach to well being. Continue reading →
Pastor, Father, Teacher, Writer and Speaker Chris Cipollone tells his inspiring story. Sharing openly and insightfully about his career, faith, family and life journey, with an insightful and raw focus on mental illness. Continue reading →
In this episode I chat to Chef and author of cook books 'Naked Food' and 'Our Delicious Adventure', Jane Grover. Jane talks about food, faith and family. Continue reading →
Born in Sri Lanka, Lalita Stables grew up in Zambia before moving to South Africa and eventually to Australia. She shares her incredible journey of growing up in different cultural and political environments, being involved in musical theatre, the corporate IT world, charity and of her faith in Jesus. Continue reading →
In this episode we chat to Dan Yee, co-founder of Salvage Specialty Coffee in Artarmon and Artificer Specialty Coffee Bar and Roastery in Surry Hills. Dan shares about his career journey - staring out as an electrician, he talks about his faith in Jesus, understanding grace and much more. Continue reading →
Nick shares about his journey through partying, New Age religion, Buddhism and Atheism before becoming a Christian. He also speaks about the sorrow of losing his Dad, his career path, his involvement in Church and more. Continue reading →
Hear Josie's incredible story of trial and triumph as she shares about life, faith, domestic violence, her cancer diagnosis and much more. Continue reading →
Angelyn speaks about moving to Australia, her careers starting as a flight attendant, working in high-end retail and eventually for a private college. She shares her journey to knowing Jesus and about healing from sexual abuse (the identity of the individual involved has not been disclosed). Continue reading →
Andrew shares about his Filipino heritage, growing up in southern Sydney, finding Jesus when he met his wife and also about his career journey. Continue reading →
I had the honour of interviewing Helen Davies. Helen has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but this in no way overshadows the incredible Christ-focused life that she leads. Hear her share candidly on family, owning a Christian bookshop, ministering overseas and so much more. Continue reading →
I chat to Kenn Iskov about his amazingly full life journey so far. We talk about growing up on a dairy farm, living in PNG, the Middle East and the USA. We also chat about his many careers including everything from engineering to limousine driving. Kenn has helped start many Churches and has done extensive Christian ministry, study and training across vastly different contexts. Continue reading →
Artist and travelling minister Nicola Gibb shares about representing Australia in the sport of diving at age 11, before encountering a serious injury. She talks about discovering her gifts as a painter in her 40's, working for a charity, being a female preacher, her journey of physical, emotional and spiritual healing with Jesus and much more. Continue reading →
Radio host, presenter, actress, singer and mum Emma Mullings speaks really candidly about her incredible life journey so far. She shares about losing her mum as a child, being angry at God for many years before eventually returning to faith, her career in the media, her journey through depression, and so much more. Continue reading →
Helen shares her experiences growing up in the Mid-West USA as a Korean American, moving to NYC for college and being there when the GFC hit. She talks about her current role as director of not-for-profit organisation 'Hope For Sydney' and the significance of meeting the practical needs of vulnerable groups in society as part of the Christian faith. Continue reading →
Our guest for episode ten is Patrick Langrell: Director of Campus Ministry, Lecturer in Philosophy and Theology, and Officer for Engagement and Public Affairs at the Institute for Ethics and Society, at the University of Notre Dame. Patrick talks about his Catholic faith, surfing, World Youth Day, and about the need for respectful and in-depth public discourse on important issues. Continue reading →
This episode holds the record for the most laughs and the most tears. Listen in to Aggie's incredible story of hurt, addiction, financial and sporting successes and a supernatural encounter with Jesus. Aggie also opens up about Tongan culture, her studies and youth work in schools. Continue reading →
Justin Fung is an executive counsel in employment law, he is passionate about connecting Jesus with corporate culture and talks to us about the City Regenerate Ministry. We also chat about growing up in Sydney's lower north shore, his journey from growing up in a non-religious home to having a strong faith, his experience at Redfern legal centre and much more. Continue reading →
This episode I chat to photographer and radio journalist Elize Strydom. We chat about working in the media, dealing with anxiety, growing up in the country and wrestling with hard questions in faith. Continue reading →
Justin Moffatt is the Senior Minister of Churchill Anglican, which is the umbrella name for St Phillips York St and The Garrison Church at The Rocks in Sydney. We talk about growing up knowing the ‘heavy hand’ of God and discovering the the lighter side in Uni, his years working as a Sydney taxi driver, doing ministry in the USA and more. Continue reading →
This Christmas special is three brilliantly funny and very profound Christmas monologues, written and performed by Catherine Bradshaw. Continue reading →
Andrew is a young graduate lawyer, working in environmental law. He talks about growing up in Sydney and being fortunate enough to have a big backyard and loving exploring the environment from early age. We talk about voluntourism versus actually making a difference overseas, and recognising the need to help out back home. Andrew shares really honestly about how a few years ago he wasn’t searching for God, and was even pretty cynical about Christianity, in contrast to now having incredible joy in knowing Jesus. Continue reading →
Sister Mary Rachel joined the Dominican sisters when she was just 20 years old in her home state of Pennsylvania, USA. Now serving with other young Dominican Sisters in Sydney’s western suburbs, Sister Mary Rachel tells us candidly about her choice to be a sister, the importance of the vows, what day to day looks like and much more. Continue reading →
Our second interviewee is Gary Raymond, a member of the Salvation Army. In his career in the police force, Gary spent 10 years in police rescue, followed by 10 years as a detective. This is a candid discussion about his life, police work and faith. (Warning: strong themes). Continue reading →
Our 1st episode is a conversation with Catherine Bradshaw. We talk about growing up in the 70's and what's changed for kids these days, career, education and the pursuit of knowledge, feminism, articulating faith in the 21st Century, the role of online activism in the refugee debate, her diagnosis with MS, and much more. Continue reading →