This podcast is hosted by Rayne Aldridge, Rachel Tovey, Mika Hervel, and Matthew Bartlett. We are students (and a chaplain) at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. We interview academics, activists, pastors, and public figures about their fields of knowledge and what brings them hope.
Thanks to everyone who has made the podcast possible. Music: Toby Sussex. Logo: Adam De Jong. Production, editing, and show notes: Matthew Bartlett and Rayne Aldridge. This podcast is associated with the Christian chaplaincy at VUW
Questions? Suggestions? aldridrayn@myvuw.ac.nz
In this episode, Mika and friend-of-the-podcast Justine Lee interview Peter Fraser. Peter (Ngāti Hauiti ki Rangitikei) is an economist, academic, and sandblaster from the Hutt Valley. The conversation delves into the shape of the New Zealand economy, the dairy industry, climate change, Maori economic development, and the future of New Zealand. Peter shares his personal journey from growing up in Wellington, working for the government and different departments, to eventually reinventing himself as the "sand blasting economist". Fraser also discusses his viewpoints on New Zealand's economic policies, the impact of the dairy industry on the environment and economy, and the challenges of making significant changes in these areas due to political and economic constraints. He touches upon his experiences in local politics and his candid thoughts about the future challenges facing New Zealand and the world at large, especially in the context of climate change and sustainable practices.
Show notes
In this episode, Mika, Rayne, and friend of the podcast Mary Hutchinson chat with theologian Dr. Bethany Sollereder. Bethany is a lecturer in science and religion at the University of Edinburgh, and specialises in theology concerning evolution and the problem of suffering. We chat with Bethany about the intersections between science and religion, the morality of pain, and various theologies of suffering within the Christian tradition. Bethany offers us profound thoughts about suffering and the hope that God’s kingdom continues to come on earth as in heaven.
Show notes
In this episode, Rachel and Rayne chat with their former Religious Studies tutor, Cam Graham. Cam recently finished his Masters in Religious Studies, focusing on Christains in leadership within the public sphere. Rachel, Rayne, and Cam talk about the awkwardness of being religious in the public space, religion and deliberative democracy, and dynamics between the secular and the religious within public and political spheres.
In this episode, Mika and Matthew chat with Dr. Emily Beausoleil, a lecturer in Political Science at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. Matt, Mika, and Emily discuss deliberative democracy, post-colonial theory, decolonisation, theatre as activism, and how to be an active and engaged citizen. Emily offers hope for civic and political transformation through connection, listening, and political engagement.
In this episode, Mika and Rayne talk with Dr. Jim McAloon. Jim is a prolific author and a professor of history at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Mika, Rayne and Jim chat about New Zealand’s economic and political history, the history of the labour movement, and Christianity in the political sphere. Jim offers critical reflections on the church, its various attempts at political involvement, and where he finds hope in it all.
Show notes
In this episode, Matthew chats with Rev. Dr. Rebecca Dudley, an International Humanitarian Law Advisor at NZ Red Cross. Rebecca trained in theology and international humanitarian law and previously worked for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. She works on ending gender violence, with a focus on migrant women. Matthew and Rebecca talk about law, human rights, Corrymeela Community, and how imagination, story, and creativity can create social change. Content warning: suicide is discussed briefly.
Show notes
This episode is a conversation between Rachel, Rayne, and Kelly Stone. Kelly is a doctoral student at PBSP-Sandford consortium, doing her Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Kelly, Rayne, and Rachel drink two bottles of 27 seconds wine while discussing community, interpersonal connection, L’Arche, mental health, and whether New Zealand is its own continent.
Content warning: this episode includes discussions about suicide and suicidal ideation.
In this wide-ranging interview, Rayne and Mika talk with Dr Chris Marshall. Chris was the first holder of the Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice in the School of Government at Victoria University / Te Herenga Waka, and has taught theology and New Testament studies there and at Laidlaw College. They discuss restorative justice in the criminal justice system and its Christian and indigenous roots; what justice is in the Biblical portrayal; how to make sense of guilt, shame, punishment and forgiveness; why St Paul deserves reconsideration as a radical thinker; and where Chris finds hope in all of this.
Show notes
Mika and Rayne talk to Shanti Mathias about cycling, journalism, political engagement, and how to engage in media in the most helpful way. Shanti works as a journalist for The Spinoff and spends her days writing, making ice cream, biking and reading poetry. Shanti shares about what gives her hope for the future and where she sees transformation in her work and life.
What can be done about the climate crisis? Can individuals make a real difference to climate change? What changes should the government make? Rayne and Mika chat with Emeritus Professor Dr. Jonathan Boston ONZM about his work in climate change research and policy. Jonathan discusses the increasing threat of the climate crisis, explains how he maintains a realistic outlook, and shares about his faith and where he finds hope.
Show notes* Rod Donald (1957–2005) * NZ emissions reduction plan * The Apostles’ Creed * Lake Onslow pumped storage option (MBIE) * Extinction Rebellion NZ * Faith in Democracy: Framing a Politics of Deep Diversity, 2021, Jonathan Chaplin
What does it mean to be Tangata Tiriti? What is the difference between the Treaty and Te Tiriti? How can immigrants engage with Te Tiriti? Mika and Rachel chat with Etienne Wain, a Ph.D. student and law tutor here at Te Herenga Waka. Etienne's Ph.D. considers what rights and responsibilities are associated with being Tangata Tiriti/People of the Treaty.
Definitions
(Please note that these are Etienne’s own definitions, compiled for this episode, and are not authoritative definitions. Others, especially tangata whenua, will have more authority to define these terms.)
Show notes
Matthew talks with Cambell Prince, a 'technology missionary' leading a software team in Thailand. Cambell quit an enjoyable and fulfilling career in electronic engineering in New Zealand and found himself working with minority language communities creating written forms of their languages. Cambell and Matthew discuss Christian missions, minority language translation, navigating cultural differences, humane and community-centred software development, artificial intelligence, leadership, and perhaps most interestingly, how to hear from God.
Show notes* Wycliffe Bible Translators NZ * Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course * Paratext – scripture translation software * SIL International * Semantic Domains * Graphite – a 'smart font' system developed to handle the complexities of lesser-known languages of the world * Keyman – type to the world in your language * The Beautiful City of Software | Marc Durdin's Blog (13 May 2014)
If you'd like to support Cambell’s work, go to https://inthefish.com/servants/princec
In the second half of this conversation, Mika and Rayne continue talking with Rev. Dr. Karen Kemp. They discuss good Christian leadership, and what challenges Christian leaders must face today. Karen offers hope, wisdom, and a long list of book recommendations. Rev. Dr. Karen Kemp is a lecturer and coach at Laidlaw College, and the previous Dean of St. John’s Theological College.
Show notes
What is conflict transformation? How can individuals and Christian communities deal with conflict well? How do structural issues contribute to interpersonal conflict? How can we practice peace and reconciliation in everyday life? Mika and Rayne chat with Rev. Dr. Karen Kemp, a lecturer and coach at Laidlaw Collage, and the previous Dean of St. John’s Theological Collage. We talk about conflict transformation, peace and reconciliation, and how to live well together. This is the first episode of a two-part interview.
Show notes
In this episode, Rachel and guest host Anna chat with Craig Greenfield. Craig is an author, activist, and founder and leader of the Alongsiders movement. Craig, Rachel, and Anna chat about justice, intercultural friendship, and the ties between colonialism, imperialism, and Christian mission. Craig tells interesting stories about his life and work in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and reflects on the hope of interconnectedness and community.
Show notes
In this episode, Rayne and guest host Etienne chat with Rev. Dr. Rangi Nicholson. Rangi is an Anglican priest and academic who focuses on language revitalisation and Te Tiriti. Rangi, Etienne, and Rayne chat about bi-nationalism, language revitalisation, the beautiful and horrible history of the Church, and honouring the covenant friendship of Te Tiriti O Waitangi. In this generous conversation, Rangi offers encouragement to young people and hope for the future of Aotearoa.
Show notes
In this episode, Rachel and Matthew interview Michael Toy, a teaching fellow at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Michael’s doctorate focuses on experiences of minority Christians' engagement with technology. Rachel and Matt chat with Michael about faith, misinformation, digital religion, and the role of technology in loving our neighbours. Michael thoughtfully highlights hope in paying attention to God’s Kingdom breaking into our world.
Show notes
How can education create active citizens? Does digitality impact education? Are single-sex schools bad? What is liberation theology? Mika and Matthew chat with Dr. Bronwyn Wood, a senior lecturer in the School of Education at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. In this conversation, Bronwyn highlights hope in the role of cooperation and relationship between adults and young people to create civic engagement and real social change.
Show notes
Many thanks to everyone makes this podcast possible. Music by Toby Sussex. Logo by Adam De Jong. Production, editing, and show notes by Matthew Bartlett and Rayne Aldridge. This podcast is associated with Chaplaincy VUW.
What is Marxism? Is Capitalism really that bad? Does communism have anything to say about the climate struggle? Can we really hope for a transformed communist future? Rayne and Mika chat with their favourite lecturer, Associate Professor Dr. Chamsy el-Ojeili. Chamsy is a sociologist and lecturer in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at Te Herenaga Waka - Victoria University Wellington. Mika, Rayne, and Chamsy chat about capitalism, ecosocialism, and what Marxism says about our contemporary struggles. Chamsy offers honesty and hope in being both a Christian and a communist.
Show notes
Definitions…
Bourgeoisie: a social class comprised of people who own the means of production (factories, land, raw materials, machinery, etc) and therefore own most of society's capital and wealth. The interests of the bourgeoises (aka ruling or capitalist class) are centred on increasing profits.
Proletariat: a social class comprised of workers without access to the means of production, and therefore are dependent on exchanging labour power for a wage. Marx believed the working class is fundamentally exploited and oppressed to produce profits for the capitalist class, and will ultimately overthrow the bourgeoisie creating a classless society.
Gramsci: Antonio Gramsci was an Italian Marxist thinker, 1891–1937. He moved beyond the classic Marxist materialist approach to consider the place of ideas, culture, morality, feelings, and values in shaping collective will and influencing social reform.
Fukuyama: Francis Fukuyama wrote The End of History and the Last Man in 1992. He believed liberalism had won the struggle for power through the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. He claimed that history has ended with global, liberal, democratic capitalism as the final form of economic, social, and political governance.
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This podcast is associated with Chaplaincy VUW. Feedback to aldridrayn@myvuw.ac.nz
In this episode of the Happy Revolution, Matt and Rayne chat with Brittany Hoback as she finishes Ph.D. in Linguistics here at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Brittany’s Ph.D. work partners with her family and community in Vanuatu to create a writing system for their oral language. Rayne, Matthew, and Brittany chat about how to write a language, culture, structural violence, faith, and the agency of the individual. Brittany’s deep insight offers hope in the face of structural oppression.
Show notes
Many thanks to everyone who makes this podcast possible. Music by Toby Sussex. Logo by Adam De Jong. Production, editing, and show notes by Matthew Bartlett and Rayne Aldridge. This podcast is associated with Chaplaincy VUW. Send questions / comments / feedback to Rayne: aldridrayn@myvuw.ac.nz
In this episode, Mika and Rachel speak with Rev. Māmari Stephens, Reader in Law. Māmari is a priest in the Anglican Church and an associate professor in the Law School at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Mika, Rachel, and Māmari chat about the three tikanga model of the Anglican Church, feminism in the Law, and some of the problems with the welfare system. Māmari offers thoughtful critique and nuanced wisdom about the Church and the Law and reflects on where she draws hope from in her life and work.
Show notes * mana definitions * Whatarangi Winiata (National Library of New Zealand) * Jenny Te Paa Daniel * Imago dei definition * Grant Morris, Law Alive: The New Legal System in Context (2019) * Tikanga Māori to be taught in law degree courses, Te Ao Maori News (March 2022) * Peter Ellis: Supreme Court decision reaffirms tikanga relevance to legal framework, RNZ News (October 2022) * wānanga definitions * rāhui definitions * Annette Sykes * Lex Aotearoa: An Heroic Attempt to Map the Māori Dimension in Modern New Zealand Law, Justice Sir Joseph Williams * Natalie Coates * Feminist Judgments of Aotearoa New Zealand: Te Rino: A Two-Stranded Rope, edited by Elisabeth McDonald, Rhonda Powell, Mamari Stephens & Rosemary Hunter (2017) * Stacey Morrison: Mana wāhine embedded in Māori world view, NZ Herald (September 2018) * whaikōrero definitions * Universal Basic Income policy, The Opportunities Party * The Big Kahuna: Turning Tax and Welfare on Its Head in New Zealand, Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie (2011) * DPB - Domestic Purposes Benefit * The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S Lewis
Many thanks to everyone makes this podcast possible. Music by Toby Sussex. Logo by Adam De Jong. Production, editing, and show notes by Matthew Bartlett and Rayne Aldridge. This podcast is associated with Chaplaincy VUW.
Welcome to The Happy Revolution Podcast! This podcast is hosted by Rayne Aldridge, Rachel Tovey, Mika Hervel, and Matthew Bartlett. We are students (and a chaplain) at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. We interview our lecturers, as well as other academics, activists, pastors, and public figures, about their fields of knowledge and what brings them hope. We hope you enjoy these conversations as much as we enjoyed having them!
Many thanks to all the people who worked to make this podcast possible. Our music is by Toby Sussex and our logo is by Adam De Jong. Production, editing, and show notes are done by Matthew Bartlett and Rayne Aldridge. This podcast is associated with the Christian chaplaincy at VUW.
Episodes will be released roughly weekly.
Any questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes? Email Rayne at aldridrayn@myvuw.ac.nz