Shows
Did We Just Become Milfs?Ep. 62 Birth Without Fear! — Hypnobirthing & Mindful Prep with Doula Taylor Walker SinningYou know we’re all about making birth and postpartum feel a little less overwhelming — and today’s guest, Taylor Walker Sinning, is seriously a breath of fresh air. She’s a doula, a mom of two, and basically the ultimate hype woman for mom's.We’re getting into everything we wish we knew before giving birth:– What doulas actually do (and why they’re not the same as midwives)– How hypnobirthing can help you feel calm and confident going into labor– When to hire a doula (and who it’s really for)– Real tips for prepping...2025-05-0653 min
The Lydia ProjectEpisode 93 - Alison MuchiraAlison Muchira's story includes her journey from trusting Jesus as a young girl in Kenya to life in church ministry alongside her husband, Isaac. She shares about the ups and downs of ministry, church planting, moving cities, raising and schooling children, and letting go. Alison supports her husband in church ministry in a small seaside town in Kenya where Alison serves in the roles of women's and children's ministry.
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Alison Muchira lives with her husband in Niani, Kenya where they are the leaders of a young church plant, Mamlaka Hill Chapel, Niani. Alison has homeschooled t...2022-09-1546 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 91: Tori WalkerCo-host and founder of The Lydia Project, Tori Walker, is our guest today! In this episode, Tori chats with Taryn about her journey to faith - which began when she was invited to a local youth group - and the road the Lord has led her on since then.
Tori lives in Brisbane and is a member of Ann St Presbyterian Church. She has studied at theological college and has worked as a pastor with school students and uni students. For some of her week, Tori runs a business that consults with the construction industry regarding energy ef...2022-06-2938 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 89: Nina HamptonNina Hampton chats to Taryn about her battle with cancer and her story of faith. In this chat, Nina shares how her cancer journey led her to not only begin to better understand the connection between mind and body, but also to trust Jesus with every moment of her life. Nina's journey has led her to start a personal Instagram account (@faith_love_and_breastcancer ) where she shares her story with others.
Nina is a wife and mum passionate about working with and teaching children. She and her husband Nick serve in their church as bible study l...2022-05-3046 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 87 - Part Two : DutchyIn this episode, the second of a two-part series, Dutchy shares how God brought her through the effects of a stroke at the age of 29 and how He grew her during this time. She also touches on the importance of serving in the church through your particular gifts and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone for the sake of others.
Dutchy is a single young woman, she works as a nurse and is currently working on renovating her house. She has a great passion for music, particularly drumming and guitar. She serves as a dru...2022-04-0159 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 86 - Part One : DutchyIn our first two-part episode, our guest, Dutchy, shares about God's goodness through significant childhood abuse and mental health struggles. In part two, Dutchy's story continues with another unexpected crisis that inadvertently answered her prayer for patience.
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Dutchy is a single young woman who works as a nurse. She is also currently studying further and working on renovating her house. She has a great passion for music, particularly drumming and guitar. She is part of the Mitchelton Presbyterian Church family, where she serves as a drummer and as a leader of a women's breakfast bible s...2022-03-1852 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 86 - Part One : Dutchy HollandIn our first two-part episode, our guest, Dutchy Holland, shares about God's goodness through significant childhood abuse and mental health struggles. In part two, Dutchy's story continues with another unexpected crisis that inadvertently answered a prayer for patience.
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Dutchy is a single young woman who works as a nurse. She is also currently studying further and working on renovating her house. She has a great passion for music, particularly drumming and guitar. She is part of the Mitchelton Presbyterian Church family, where she serves as a drummer and as a leader of a women's breakfast b...2022-03-1451 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 85: Karl GriceIn this episode, Taryn chats to the man behind our Book Club partner, The Wandering Bookseller. Karl shares about his love for books and how The Wandering Bookseller came to be. He also speaks about his struggle with anxiety and God's hand in helping him deeply grasp his love and forgiveness. Karl and The Wandering Bookseller are again offering 15% off all The Lydia Project book club books for 2022.
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Karl Grice has been matching books with people – and people with books – since the turn of the century. He started The Wandering Bookseller to provide hand-p...2022-02-2743 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 84: Jan and ChrissyJan and Chrissy began meeting together when Chrissy began a traineeship at her local church. Their one-to-one disciplining relationship developed over the course of the year, bringing them both much joy, encouragement, and growth. In this episode, Taryn chats with Jan and Chrissy about the value of mentoring relationships among women and how they grew both relationally and spiritually in their 5 years of meeting together regularly.
Jan Wilson has been a Christian for about 35 years after discovering Jesus as an atheist in her mid-thirties. Jan has four adult children and 2 grandchildren. When she is not h...2022-02-1442 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 83: Growing Together - Book ClubGrowing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa B Kruger is a gem of a book. Listen as Tori and Taryn unpack the value of this book for women of all ages. If you have ever considered one-to-one mentoring relationships as something you may be interested in AND if it's the last thing you have ever wanted to do, this is a book worth reading. Available from The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount using the code LYDIA15. Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.po...2022-01-2929 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 82: Introducing 2022This year is to be one with a focus on relationships - women to women, across the sexes, within the church, with our communities and as Christians in an increasingly hostile world. Join us this year as we chat with Christian women about their personal stories of Christ at work.
The episode that follows this one will be Tori and Taryn discussing the book Growing Together: Taking Mentoring from Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger. Still available from The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount. Following that episode, we will chat with two women who have h...2022-01-1508 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 81 : Jo HobbsJoanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.
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Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.
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...2021-12-2931 minThe Lydia ProjectTLP Book Club - 04 - Book Chat about Need to KnowEPISODE NOTES:
Whether you are a new Christian, or have been for a while and feel in need of a refresher, "Need to Know” will give you the essentials—what you really need to know if you’re going to follow Jesus.
Host Tori Walker chats with Gary Millar about his work at the Queensland Theological College, as well as his most recent book, “Need to Know”. This practical and easy-to-read book shows readers how letting the fundamental truths of the gospel take root in our hearts changes everything about the way we see God, ourselves a...2021-12-0934 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 80 : Brooke PrentisAs an Aboriginal Christian Leader who is a descendant of the Waka Waka peoples, Brooke Prentis uses her talents and experience to lead Common Grace, a movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice. Tori Walker talks with Brooke about her family background, how she came to know Christ at uni, and why she is so passionate about the work she leads at Common Grace.
Brooke Prentis is CEO of Common Grace, a movement of people pursuing Jesus and justice. Brooke is an Aboriginal Christian Leader who is a descendant of the Waka Waka peoples. Brooke is a wr...2021-11-2744 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 79 : Sarah BaloghWhat does it actually mean to disciple someone? What is ministry supervision? And why should every ministry have it? These are some of the questions that Sarah Balogh answers in her chat with Taryn today on The Lydia Project. Sarah has a psychology practice in the Blue Mountains in Sydney, which she loves, but she also loves discipling women, caring for people in ministry in her role as a ministry supervisor, enjoying her family and supporting her husband in his role as the CEO of the Gospel Coalition, Australia.
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Wh...2021-10-2942 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 78: Jo GibbsHost Tori interviews Jo Gibbs on what the crosscultural life is like and how chronic fatigue affected that. Jo talks about the ministry roles that she has been in as well as how she came to understand who Christ is and what He had done for her.
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Host Tori interviews Jo Gibbs on what the crosscultural life is like and how chronic fatigue affected that. Jo talks about the ministry roles that she has been in as well as how she came to understand who Christ is and what He...2021-10-1446 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 77: Linda PooleLinda Poole chats to Taryn about finding joy in Jesus and longing to be someone who chooses gratitude and thankfulness even when times are hard. Linda speaks about her years in cross-cultural mission where she and her family served as part of a hospital mission in South Sudan. She speaks of the transition back to Australia and the struggle that was. She also speaks to how God is growing her today in her ministry to her children, her church and as a facilitator for Pioneers, Australia.
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Linda Poole chats to...2021-09-2944 minThe Lydia ProjectTLP Book Club - 03 - Book Chat about In His ImageEPISODE NOTES:
"Sometimes we ask What is God's will for my life? when we should really be asking Who should I be? The Bible has an answer: Be like the very image of God."
Hosts, Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes chat about Jen Wilkin's book In His Image. Jen Wilkin is an American speaker, writer, and teacher of women's Bible studies with 20 years of experience in ministry. Her book, In His Image, explores ten characteristics of who God is - holy, loving, just, good, merciful, gracious, faithful, patient, truthful, and wise.
Tori and Tary...2021-09-1535 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 76: Jill McAlpine
Jill McAlpine knows what deep emotional pain looks like - she has seen it in her practice as a Clinical Psychologist and she has felt it herself, acutely, through church-based ministry and the terminal illness diagnosis of her husband, Stephen. In this episode, Jill shares with Taryn her gratitude for the pain, hurt, sorrow and grief because of how God has shaped her and her husband through some of the more difficult moments in life and ministry.
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Jill belongs to God, first and foremost. She is grateful for his gift...2021-08-291h 02The Lydia ProjectEpisode 75: Marion BirchleyHost Tori Walker chats with Marion Birchley about life and student work in PNG.
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Host Tori Walker chats with Marion Birchley about life and student work in PNG.
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Marion lives and works with her husband Keith in Papua New Guinea. She has three adult children and one granddaughter. She enjoys serving and growing in her knowledge of God through involvement with different churches in children, youth and women's ministry.
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The Church Missionary Socie...2021-08-1435 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 74: Kate MotaungWhen Kate became serious about her Christian faith, she chose to explore mission work abroad. Little did she realise that a 5-month mission trip would turn into a lifelong ministry that involved a cross-cultural marriage, three children, and a venture into authoring books and supporting other Christian women in their writing. Grief, heartache, and much uncertainty are just some of the things that Kate shares with Taryn. Listen as they chat about her journey and God’s incredible compassion and care as Kate trusts Him and learns from those around her.
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2021-07-2936 minThe Lydia ProjectTLP Book Club - 02 - Author Interview with Catherine ParksEPISODE NOTES:
Host Tori Walker interviews Catherine Parks, who is one of the Contributors to the book “Beautifully Distinct”. Beautifully Distinct aims to help Christian women engage with our culture by being beautifully distinct.
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Catherine Parks grew up with a love for reading biographies. Now she is the author of Empowered, Strong and Real: The Surprising Secret to Deeper Relationships as well as a contributing author to the book, Beautifully Distinct. She lives in Nashville, with her husband, and two children, where she attends a church and helps to lead th...2021-07-2741 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 73: Catriona PineHost Tori Walker spends a morning with Catriona Pine on her Brisbane balcony chatting candidly about her faith, her friends, her love of stories, and her work with kids with complex special needs.
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Host Tori Walker spends a morning with Catriona Pine on her Brisbane balcony chatting candidly about her faith, her friends, her love of stories, and her work with kids with complex special needs.
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Catriona is a beautiful, warm individual who uses her gifts to love her family, her church family, and t...2021-07-1434 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 72 - Alison EloffAlison Eloff has worked in ministry with women for 35 years in various capacities, including church planting, student ministry, curacy and ministry to women at St James Church in Cape Town. In this interview, Alison chats to Taryn about how God brought her to faith at the tender age of 11, when a friend persistently shared gospel tracts with her, despite Alison’s lack of interest or any kind of family interest in Christian things. She shares about working through coming from a broken home, why she chooses to minister to women, and much more. Alison’s years in ministry enables her...2021-06-2934 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 71: Tenielle NedaHost Tori Walker catches up with singer-songwriter Tenielle Neda about people who have encouraged her in her faith, her latest album “What is My Hope?”, and the real story behind making beautiful music videos.
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Host Tori Walker catches up with singer-songwriter Tenielle Neda about people who have encouraged her in her faith, her latest album “What is My Hope?”, and the real story behind making beautiful music videos.
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Tenielle drives big trains! She lives with her husband and two boys in the red sands of Kar...2021-06-1430 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 70: Kim BellPositive peer pressure was a factor in Kim Bell’s coming to trust in Jesus for her salvation. Listen to Kim and Taryn chat about how Kim came to faith, her love for teaching children the Bible, and how God has shaped and grown the ministry that brought her and her husband, Rory, to England where they produce both print and online Sunday School teaching materials.
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Positive peer pressure was a factor in Kim Bell’s coming to trust in Jesus for her salvation. Listen to Kim and Taryn chat a...2021-05-2936 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 69: Jo van der AvoortHost Tori Walker chats via Zoom with Jo van der Avoort about mothering and ministry in times of pandemic lockdowns and distancing.
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Host Tori Walker chats via Zoom with Jo van der Avoort about mothering and ministry in times of pandemic lockdowns and distancing.
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Jo moved to Durban, South Africa because of two men - Jesus and Ryan. Her studies are a heady mix of Medical Sciences, English Literature, Education, and Theology. She grew up taking the glittering beaches and waterways of Sydney for g...2021-05-1441 minThe Lydia ProjectTLP Book Club - 01 - Author Interview with Mark VroegopThe Lydia Project's first book club episode is here! Listen in as Tori chats to Mark Vroegop - author of our first book club book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy - about the devastating loss of his daughter to stillbirth and how he came to learn to embrace the grace of lament.
In the book, Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament, Mark explains how lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God’s goodness.
Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God—but it is a neg...2021-05-0929 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 68: KatieKatie and her family have been living in Eastern Europe for nearly ten years as cross-cultural gospel workers. In her chat with Tori Walker, she shares about life in a different culture, the different types of work that she and her husband have been involved in, as well as the ins and outs of being on a possibly extended home assignment.
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Katie and her family have been living in Eastern Europe for nearly ten years as cross-cultural gospel workers. In her chat with Tori Walker, she shares about life in a...2021-04-2927 minThe Lydia ProjectTLP Book Club - 00 - Introducing Book ClubDo you ever find yourself wanting to read more edifying books that will help you grow in your Christian walk, but not quite getting around to it? Life is busy and sometimes good intentions get, well, as dusty as that book on the nightstand!
If that is you, you're not alone. In fact, Tori found that she was needing just that little extra motivation to include more good Christian books in her reading this year. Books that can challenge us, grow us and point us to Christ. And so, The Lydia Project Book Club edition was born! 2021-04-2720 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 67: Polly SmithNot all cross-cultural workers can be where they want to be in this COVID-era. Host Tori Walker chats with “Polly” about what it’s like living in limbo with her family, and what we can pray for her and other missionaries/cross-cultural workers like her at the moment.
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Not all cross-cultural workers can be where they want to be in this COVID-era. Host Tori Walker chats with “Polly” about what it’s like living in limbo with her family, and what we can pray for her and other missionaries/cross-cultural w...2021-04-1433 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 66: Rebekah HemelaarFor street evangelist, Rebekah Hemelaar, lockdown meant that opportunities to engage with people on the streets evaporated. But thanks to some out-of-the-box thinking, the evangelism team found a new and exciting way to share the gospel with others. In this episode, Rebekah talks to Taryn about how the team stumbled across online evangelism and how those initial conversations have grown into a thriving community of young converts and new trainees. Listen in as Rebekah shares some wonderful stories of people coming to faith online and gives advice on how to evangelise in different contexts.
EPISODE NO...2021-03-3051 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 65: Marian GuthrieMarian Guthrie is both a mama to her three children, and also a MAMA - a Mature Aged Ministry Apprentice. In this conversation with host Tori Walker, Marian talks about what led her to being a MAMA and studying at Moore Theological College, the effects of feminism in her life, and ministry through COVID times.
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Marian Guthrie is both a mama to her three children, and also a MAMA - a Mature Aged Ministry Apprentice. In this conversation with host Tori Walker, Marian talks about what led her to being a MAMA...2021-03-1430 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 64: Patricia WeerakoonPatricia Weerakoon is podcast gold! Despite the distance and occasional poor sound quality of a zoom interview, Patricia’s infectious enthusiasm for sex and Jesus shines through in this conversation with Tori Walker. They talk about her conversion through British missionaries in Sri Lanka; her work as a doctor specialising in sexual health; and her more recent speciality of being Australia’s favourite Christian sexologist.
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Patricia Weerakoon is an evangelical Christian medical doctor from Sri Lanka. She is also an academic, sexologist and writer. She retired in 2012 after a career as the dir...2021-02-2728 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 63: Alexa FebruaryAlexa February is our guest today. She has her PhD in Education; she’s a teacher; a dancer; an advocate for healthy living and eating; a Hashimoto's survivor and a mum to three little boys. Tragically, she lost her first two sons at birth. The trauma and sadness of this has brought Alexa through the fire, so to speak. In this interview, Alexa shares the journey of her pain and how she came to trust and revere God more through it all. She also shares helpful insight into how to care for someone who is grieving in a way th...2021-02-1551 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 62: Christina RetiefBeing shot at point-blank range in her stomach shortly after her wedding was not how Christina expected to start married life. But tragedy was not something that Christina was unfamiliar with. Nor was she unfamiliar with God’s incredible grace. Her story of coming to faith in Christ from a background of death, divorce and the traumatic stillbirth of her first child is one that highlights again and again God’s grace to us all. Listen to Christina and Taryn chat about Christina’s deep and joyful love of Christ and His work in and through her.
E...2021-01-291h 05The Lydia ProjectEpisode 61: Sophie RentonWhere do unbelievers get their greatest source of information on Christians and Christianity from? What are the main issue blockers stopping unbelievers from investigating having a faith in Christ? How do unbelievers view the person of Jesus Christ? Host Tori Walker talks with Sophie Renton from McRindle Research about the work she did on the “Faith and Belief in Australia” study and the impact she hopes it will have for Christians today.
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Where do unbelievers get their greatest source of information on Christians and Christianity from? What are the main issue...2021-01-1424 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 60: Caroline ClarkCaroline Clark was nursing a bit of a hangover when she decided it was time to explore some healthier alternatives. And so that night she walked into a church, and before the evening was up she had signed up for a weekend at Katoomba doing some bushwalking and listening to some Christian talks.
Caroline has a delightful appreciation of all the ways that God is at work in this world, from his great act of salvation through Christ, through to the “ministry of presence” - just turning up! In this conversation with host Tori Walker, Caroline shares about he...2020-12-2932 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 59: Libby HansonFor 33 years, Libby cared for her son Scotty who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In this episode, Libby shares about the faithfulness of the body of Christ as they were supported as a family through many difficult years. Scotty passed away in July 2019, but he leaves behind a legacy of a young man who shared the gospel wherever and whenever he could. Listen as Libby speaks of about Scotty’s extraordinary faith and how God continues to teach her new things.
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Libby Hanson is married to Gary. They have two adult daughters an...2020-12-1446 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 58: Kerryn BairdIn this episode, Kerryn Baird shares how she and her husband - former NSW Premier, Mike Baird - went from seminary in the USA to politics in Australia. Kerryn chats to Taryn about living as a Christian in the political sphere, battling alongside their eldest daughter as she faced anorexia, and her passion for championing organisations that work to uplift women and children, including Collective Shout.*
Kerryn is wife to Mike and mum to Laura, Cate and Luke. She came to faith in Jesus when she was a young teenager, while working through confirmation classes with her pastor i...2020-11-291h 38The Lydia ProjectEpisode 57: Samantha FreestoneThe podcaster gets podcasted! Samantha Freestone hosts a podcast called “Some Answers”. After approaching Tori Walker for an interview on her podcast, she was kind enough to agree to be interviewed for The Lydia Project, and share some of her answers to our questions. In this conversation, Tori talks about Sam’s evolving and growing relationship with God, working through anger issues, burnout, self-care and trust in Jesus.
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Samantha is based in Sydney, is a pastors wife, a mother of two and a ward clerk on a Mental Ward. She also host a podc...2020-11-1434 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 56: Ann AustinWhen Ann’s young husband died suddenly of a cardiac arrest, her world was understandably rocked. In today’s episode, Ann Austin talks to Taryn Hayes about what she means by a startling statement that she often makes when reflecting on that time. She talks also of her years as a missionary in Kenya and South Africa, as well as her current journey of caring for her husband, Tom, during a difficult cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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Ann Austin counts herself a homemaker, a Bible study leader, and a women’s mentor. But, she has a...2020-10-2958 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 55: Chris O'GormanChris O, as she is affectionately known by many, is someone who is passionate about her love for Jesus, and she is super enthusiastic about seeing young people move closer to trusting in Jesus. In this face-to-face conversation, host Tori Walker finds out how playing volleyball led Chris to ask those deep philosophical questions that ended with her trusting in Jesus for her salvation. Chris talks about the significant role that Scripture Union has played in her life, and her work as a school chaplain, both the formal aspects and the ‘creative loitering’ that she engages in.
2020-10-1440 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 54: Barbara ReaochBarbara Reaoch chats to Taryn Hayes about her new Christmas family devotional A Better Than Anything Christmas and how she came to be a writing grandma. Barbara also shares her journey to faith in Jesus, her involvement in Bible Study Fellowship including years as a missionary in Cape Town and as the Children's Director in Texas.
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Barbara and her husband lived in Michigan before moving to Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life s...2020-09-2948 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 53: A Life Well LivedIn this episode, the main feature is from the GROW Women's Conference in Brisbane when Tori interviewed three Christian women about living their lives in the light of the gospel. Recorded live at the 2019 GROW Conference, this episode is shorter than most. However, keep listening, because after the GROW interview, Tori shares some exciting news about the podcast platform and she introduces listeners to Katie - The Lydia Project's very own podcast assistant who has been working hard behind the scenes helping to keep this podcast chugging along.
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In th...2020-09-1431 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 52: Claire Smith
Claire Smith is a New Testament scholar, women’s Bible teacher, and the author of God’s Good Design: What the Bible really says about Men and Women. Listen as Claire talks to Tori Walker about these topics as well as the value of other aspects of ministry.
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Claire Smith is married to Rob, and attends St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, Sydney. They have a married son. Claire is a New Testament scholar, women’s Bible teacher, and the author of God’s Good Design: What the Bible really says about Me...2020-08-2929 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 51: Carolyn Russell
Dr Carolyn Russell's expertise and experience in mental health care makes this episode especially informative and encouraging. Listen as she shares with Taryn Hayes about faith, family and her pathway into medicine and ministry.
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Dr Carolyn Russell is a medical doctor and qualified counsellor who spends much of her time either in counselling or in teaching others about mental health and counselling. Carolyn is married and has three children that are all grown up and independent. She recently became a grandmother and loves to spend her time sewing and kayaking or s...2020-08-141h 15The Lydia ProjectEpisode 50: Sally Smith
Host Tori Walker recently travelled to China and took the opportunity to catch up with Sally* about her life and work over the last 20 years in a large city in China. Sally and her husband are involved in leadership development with a Christian organisation, and they have many opportunities to share their faith in Jesus and encourage Chinese Christians to grow in leading others to Christ and growing in maturity in Him.
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Sally Smith* lives and works in China as a life coach and a missionary. She works with her...2020-07-2938 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 49: Kim Gibson
Kim Gibson's journey with ovarian cancer has taught her many things about God and herself. Listen as she speaks with Taryn Hayes about her journey to faith, student ministry, cancer, books and much more.
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Kim Gibson grew up on a farm in country New South Wales. For the past eight years she has been working in university ministry with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES). At present and for the past four years, her work has been at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Kim is married to Richard, Principal o...2020-07-1451 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 48: Sue Abbott
Host Tori Walker met with Sue Abbott while she travelled with her husband to run the Everyday Evangelism course in Brisbane. Tori and Sue chat about evangelism and how Sue is spending her retirement years. Listen in as Tori gleans some of Sue's wisdom gathered over many years of serving Jesus in different contexts.
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Sue Abbott is married to Stephen, and has three adult children. She has happily supported her husband through his theological study and his work in Sydney Anglican Churches. She delights in hospitality ministry, and i...2020-06-2930 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 47: Jennifer Mary
Voice work, a psychotic episode, MTS, biblical peacemaking - these are just a few of the topics discussed in episode 47. Jennifer Mary shares how the truth of God’s Word and promises brought her through some of the darkest times in her life and how she has the joy of sharing the truth with her family and through her ministry.
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According to Jennifer Mary, her earliest memories include spending countless hours speaking into a tape recorder for the sheer joy of hearing her own voice! It is no surprise that...2020-06-141h 02The Lydia ProjectEpisode 46: Sophie De Witt
When Sophie De Witt first encountered the gospel of Jesus, she found it strange and unnerving. Despite her initial resistance to what she had deemed intellectually ridiculous - something that would have been reinforced in daily lectures by her uni professor, renowned atheist, Richard Dawkins - Sophie became less convinced of her own position as she encountered more evidence for the truth of the Bible. It was God working through friends and evangelists like Rico Tice and John Chapman that led her to finally put her trust in Jesus. Listen to her story here as she speaks t...2020-05-2957 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 45: Mother’s Day with Tori & TarynEPISODE NOTES
As Mother’s Day was approaching this year, Taryn and I had the idea that we could ask our kids some questions about us as mothers and then have a brief chat about Mother’s Day, motherhood and a few associated topics. As we were thinking and chatting about this, we kept deciding not to do it because it just felt a bit awkward to talk about our own roles as mothers and then ask our kids about it. And then we decided to do it, because as podcast listeners we really enjoyed being able to get...2020-05-0848 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 44: Karola & Emmeline Williams
In this special Mother’s Day episode, Taryn has the pleasure of interviewing Karola Williams and her 18-year-old daughter, Emmeline. They talk about how they became Christians, the importance of one-to-one discipleship, and how both Karola and Emmeline have grown in their understanding and love of Jesus. Hearing from Emmeline about some of her mum's habits that have left a profound impression on her is both inspiring and encouraging.
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Christian families – worldwide – can look different, one from another – and that’s totally okay. And yet, there is a common mandate and t...2020-05-0444 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 43: Karen Fowler
Karen Fowler talks to Tori Walker about deeply tragic and personal events, including a divorce and the death of her son. But hers is a story of hope. Her faith has given her strength to process and trust in God’s sovereign care. Karen will help you fall in love with her gorgeous kids as she talks about them. Listen as she shares the grief that she and her husband experienced, as well as the robust faith in God’s goodness that has continued to grow in them both.
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Karen...2020-04-2952 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 42: Hayley TubmanWhat does living each day in the light of the gospel mean? How does that impact our daily decisions? Hayley Tubman talks with Taryn Hayes about how she came to be a Christian; her work in student and women’s ministry, and how she longs to have the gospel inform her daily decisions. Listen as Hayley shares some of her thoughts around what it means to be a part of a church as a Christian woman and how much her church youth group influenced her as a young teen to stand firm for the gospel in a hostile school en...2020-04-1031 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 41: Liz PrestonHow big an issue is abortion in our society? Who does it affect and how do they deal with it? Liz Preston has devoted her life’s work to thinking about this topic and helping women facing unplanned and crisis pregnancies. In this episode, she talks with Tori Walker about how she and her husband got involved in this work, the type of counselling and support that Priceless House is involved in, and shares some of the stories of the men and women she has helped.
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Liz Preston and her husband Graham...2020-03-1639 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 40: Karen NelsonKaren is the co-founder and CEO of the ISeeU Trust. Listen as she shares how growing up in Apartheid South Africa led her to long to help marginalised young women succeed in a world that is hostile to their circumstances. Karen's gratitude to the saving grace of God leads her to share her joy in caring for others, whether her own family, the many couples that she and her husband, Hugo, have taken through premarital counselling, or the young women she and her Trust partner, Haley, have mentored over the past few years.
EPISODE NOTES:...2020-01-141h 05The Lydia ProjectEpisode 39: Hannah BeggRecorded at a live event, Hannah Begg shares with women in North Brisbane, Queensland about her genuine struggles with God over the deep darkness in this world. Interviewed by Nicky Wilton, Hannah explains how she grappled with heavy questions around the brokenness of our world and how she came to the conclusion that the gospel profoundly answered her deepest questions and struggles, allowing her to find comfort in God's anger.
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Hannah Begg is a young woman in her 20s. Until recently she worked as an occupational therapist in Brisbane. She now w...2020-01-0320 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 38: Sue DukeSue Duke counts herself blessed that her youth was saturated in Jesus through the faithful teaching and relationships of others, allowing her to grow in her understanding and love of Christ year on year. In this episode, Sue shares honestly about the fears she has as she faces a year of challenges that includes caring for an elderly mum and her family who have all experienced great trauma in the past 18 months. She also shares stories of trusting God even in the midst of personal weakness.
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While Sue counts raising her chi...2019-11-2628 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 37: Amanda StokerAmanda Stoker entered Federal politics in 2018 and works hard to give voice to her convictions. In this episode, she talks with host Tori Walker about her faith in Christ, freedom of speech, the role of families and the democratic process in Australia.
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Amanda Stoker didn’t start out her career as a lawyer with the view to become a Member of the Australian Parliament. Yet, it was with a growing concern for her country that brought Amanda to make the decision that sees her representing Queensland in the Australian Senate today.
...2019-10-2441 min
The SheFactor PodcastWeddings, Houses, and Puppies — Oh My! Featuring Blogger & Influencer Emma WalkerAt only 22, Emma Walker is navigating transition like a pro -- moving to Oklahoma with her fiance, planning the wedding of her dreams, running her extremely successful blog on fashion. But with transition comes challenges, like Emma's battle with anxiety and added pressure. She joins Tori on the podcast to talk about how she’s handled the transition from being in school to being an independent blogger and the exciting point she's at in her life. With a wedding and a new house on the horizon, she talks about how she’s balancing these things with her social media pres...2019-10-1552 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 36: Kristie Anyabwile
From miscarriage to mentorship: Kristie shares how losing her first child in miscarriage led her and her husband to the foot of the cross. Kristie's work in church ministry, alongside her husband, Thabiti, has equipped her with life experience and biblical knowledge that has her passionate about the Bible and passionate about mentoring. She is particularly encouraged when women mentor other women in a way that leads them to a deeper relationship with God and a better understanding of His word. This passion has also led her to publish a devotional on Psalm 119 written solely by women o...2019-09-1855 min
Some AnswersEp. 127- Tori Walker
This interview is with Tori Walker. Listen as we talk about her growing up in Mosmon, becoming a Christian, meeting her husband, becoming involved in school and uni evangelism, creating The Lydia Project Podcast and so much more.
2019-08-3100 minSomeAnswersEp. 127- Tori WalkerThis interview is with Tori Walker. Listen as we talk about her growing up in Mosmon, becoming a Christian, meeting her husband, becoming involved in school and uni evangelism, creating The Lydia Project Podcast and so much more.2019-08-3100 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 35: Jen Logan
Why should Christians care about art? Does God care about art? How can art be used to express Christian truth to today's post-Christian Western society? Join Tori Walker in conversation with Jen Logan to hear her fascinating answers to these questions.
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Jen Logan came to Christ in her early 20s. She trained and worked in the area of social work in Australia before moving to England. There she studied at the London School of Theology and King’s College London. One of Jen’s main focuses this year is as dir...2019-08-2138 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 34: Kerry Newill
Trauma, Counselling and Youth Ministry - Kerry explores how all three of these topics, centred around God's Word, have shaped her understanding of God and how we live our lives in response to Him. In this way, Kerry has found herself better equipped to teach the Bible, to counsel others and to serve in a youth ministry that builds deep relationships and teaches teens exegetic skills in reading and understanding the Bible.
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Kerry was born in Cape Town, South Africa to her parents, Rog and Les Palmer. They served in...2019-08-0536 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 33: Taryn HayesImmigration guilt, homeschooling, a difficult diagnosis, writing a novel - these are some of the things that Taryn Hayes shares with Tori Walker, host of The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women. Join Tori as she welcomes Taryn to her dining room table to chat about living in the light of the gospel. Keep listening to hear the easter egg at the end!
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Taryn and her family moved to Brisbane, Australia from Cape Town, South Africa in 2017, due to her husband's job transfer. Taryn's day job consists of homeschooling th...2019-06-2859 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 32: Kylie ButlerKylie talks with Tori about ministry in the form of pastoring and coaching. She explains the difference between coaching and counselling. Her passion is to help Christian leaders take the next step.
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Kylie has served as pastor, leader and coach with many organisations. Kylie’s passion is to help Christian leaders take the next step. She is a Professional Certified Coach and has a Cert IV in Business Coaching, a Diploma in Christian Leadership Coaching and she has studied Business at Monash University, Theology at ACOM and her Masters (in Church Prac...2019-03-1532 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 31: Keith and Sarah Condie2019-02-2832 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 30: Tracey McHughMel Kutosov talks with Tracey McHugh about her new life in Christ. Listen in to hear how God used the visiting Jehovah's Witnesses and Beach Mission visits to bring her to faith in Christ. Tracey lives in Brisbane with her husband and kids.
2018-12-2817 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 29: Simone RichardsonSimone Richardson, Tori Walker
2018-11-2327 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 28: Joni LeimgruberJoni Leimgruber, Tori Walker
2018-09-1327 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 27: Natasha MooreNatasha Moore, Tori Walker
2018-08-2434 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 26: Robyn BainRobyn Bain, Tori Walker
2018-08-0344 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 25: Kathy ThurstonKathy Thurston: Church2Church “How Can we Help You?”
2018-07-1242 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 24: Annabelle SmithAnabelle
2018-06-2632 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 23: Kasia SlawskaKasia Slawska
2018-04-0531 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 22: Kathy and LindaKathy and Linda have been friends for a long time, and both live in Brisbane.
2018-02-2223 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 21: Elise CoghillLouise Campbell interviews Elise Coghill about some significant events that happened in her life and faith in 2017.
2018-01-0216 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 20: Jennifer PhillipsTori Walker, Jennifer Phillips
2017-12-2033 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 19: Club MangoFor many years, Tori Walker belonged to a prayer group of women who would keep each other accountable in prayer. Over the years, they have moved states and places, but continue to pray for one another. This episode of The Lydia Project sees the group reunited. Tori asks the group to share their memories of prayers asked and answered while together on a car trip. Lots of laughter and loving memories, with insightful thoughts around the value and place of prayer.
2017-11-1722 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 18: Wendy Allan2017-10-1315 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 17: Clare Deeves2017-09-0535 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 16: Simone RichardsonTori Walker chats with Simone Richardson about how she came to trust Jesus and the many passions through which she enjoys expressing her delight in Jesus. Simone lives in Cairns with her husband, Andrew, three sons and two dogs. She works as a music teacher and in her spare time learns the viola and immerses herself in whichever writing project is her current obsession. In recent years she has penned the lyrics of congregational songs like Never Alone and Grace Awaiting Me.2017-08-2936 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 15: Katie FletcherKatie Fletcher faced the unexpected: a divorce and life as a single mum of two children. Tori talks with Katie about how she has walked the journey of living for God in the wake of divorce.2017-08-0730 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 14: Michelle GoldsworthyTori talks with Michelle about joy even in the midst of extreme medical issues. Michelle shares how her father, Graeme Goldsworthy's theological writings impacted her own life as she grappled with theological truths.2017-07-2439 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 13: Margaret MurrayMargaret and Tori chat about Margaret's work as an artist on Lord Howe Island.2017-05-1822 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 12: Julie SparkmanUnhitching from the Crazy Train
2017-04-1339 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 11: Michelle PhilpMichelle Philp chats with Tori Walker about being a Titus 2 woman.2017-04-0634 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 10: Alison RogersonAlison Rogerson chats with Tori Walker about how she came to trust Jesus, disciple young girls and living as a Christian woman and mum in Melbourne.2017-03-1623 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 09: Chris Keithhttps://www.cwci.org.au/about.php
2017-02-1640 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 08: Melinda Tankard Reisthttps://www.collectiveshout.org/
2017-02-0225 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 07: Lola AndersonLouise Campbell talks to Lola Anderson about Hope and Joy through many ups and downs at Mitchelton Presbyterian Church's annual Summer Sweets storytelling event.2017-01-0115 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 06: Belinda WhitfieldTori Walker catches up with Belinda Whitfield about One to One Bible Reading.2016-12-0425 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 05: Heather KellyTori Walker talks to Heather Kelly about serving God in Africa. First published November 10, 20162016-11-1030 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 04: Becky KhanTori Walker chats to Becky Khan about busyness, ministry, grief, health and inner city ministry.2016-10-2038 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 03: Anne WoodcockTori Walker talks with Anne Woodcock about how she came to be an author and editor at the Good Book Company. Anne is active in teaching the Bible to internationals, women and children. She shares what she has learned about these experiences in this episode of The Lydia Project. Anne is married to Pete and they have two children.2016-09-3026 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 02: Kylie UrlichsTori Walker talks to Kylie Urlichs about home, forgiveness, perfection and autism.
First published: 15/09/20162016-09-1538 minThe Lydia ProjectEpisode 01: Emma FooksTori Walker kicks off The Lydia Project chatting with Emma Fooks about life as a Christian woman in Australia. For Emma, this includes serving in church alongside her pastor husband, Linden and raising children with all the ups and downs that goes with that. Together, Tori and Emma explore what causes "Cranky June", teaching Religious Instruction at schools, and the struggles that concerns around fertility raise.
First published August 20162016-08-0126 min