Colin Buchanan ministers directly to our ministry kids addressing 7 of the top themes that came up from our survey. Honestly - this one is best seen on the video version because - well - Colin is in full view with all of the expressions, animations, and actions that is truly Colin. The link for the video version can be found here. It's a bit of a long episode - skip to the sections if that makes it easier: 4:06 Playing the Google AutoComplete Challenge with Colin 12:02 Playing V...

Anna Cox who serves with Reach Australia and Michael Jensen (podcast co-host of With All Due Respect) are siblings who share their perspective growing up within the evangelical Christian Anglican community in Sydney. While Anna and Michael shared the same upbringing, they reflect on how differing personalities can shape one’s response to the ministry family experience. They also share what it was like to grow up surrounded by theological students, their fondest memories of faith communi...

Join me, Valerie Ling, for part 2, as I sit down with Barnabas Piper, author, pastor and son of theologian John Piper, for a candid and helpful conversation about being a pastor's kid. Barnabas shares his personal story of navigating life as a pastor's kid, where the blend of public scrutiny and private faith creates a unique tension of identity and independence. Get the full report of our survey findings here "Pastors' kids are often burdened by others' expectations, but there is a wonder...

Join me, Valerie Ling, as I sit down with Barnabas Piper, author, pastor and son of theologian John Piper, for a candid and helpful conversation about being a pastor's kid. Barnabas shares his personal story of navigating life as a pastor's kid, where the blend of public scrutiny and private faith creates a unique tension of identity and independence. Get the full report of our survey findings here "Pastors' kids are often burdened by others' expectations, but there is a wonderful so...

In this conversation, I speak with Collett Smart - psychologist, author and speaker in child and adoelscent mental health. Collett hosts the Raising Teens Podcast and is the author of "They'll be okay. 15 Conversations To Help Your Child Through troubled Times " We delve into the complexities of adolescent mental health, particularly within the context of ministry families. We discuss the importance of understanding the adolescent brain, the impact of technology on mental health, and how pare...

In this conversation, Collett Smart discuss the challenges and nuances of parenting in ministry, particularly focusing on the unique struggles faced by ministry kids. We explore themes of faith, identity, the importance of open communication, and the need for space and privacy for children. The discussion looks at the significance of relationships, understanding, and grace in navigating the complexities of raising children in a ministry context. Get the full report of our survey findings her...

Growing up in the unique world of ministry life can shapes a child's perspective in unique ways. Marsden Sampson knows this journey intimately, being both a pastor's kid and a missionary kid. He recounts his story of traversing cultural landscapes from Australia to Kenya and back, and how these transitions shaped his understanding of belonging, loneliness, and identity. Marsden's candid reflections illuminate the less-discussed emotional landscape faced by children in ministry settings. To d...

How can you make church environments inclusive for neurodivergent children, especially those in ministry families serving abroad? Tanya Crossman brings part 2 to her interview with me and shares her lived, and expert insights on this critical topic. Creating a welcoming space for all children in church is more than just a nicety—it's a necessity. Listen as we explore the importance of recognizing each child's individuality, from addressing them by name to understanding their unique interest...

Discover the hidden challenges and strengths of Third Culture Kids (TCKs), who grow up outside of their passport country, and how their unique experiences shapes their lives in unexpected ways. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Tanya Crossman, a leading expert on third culture kids (TCKs), who shares her own transformative experiences and groundbreaking research. From her insightful books "Thongs or Flip-Flops" and "Misunderstood" to her pivotal role at TCK Training, Tanya b...

In this episode, we sit down with the psychologists who designed and analyzed the Ministry Kids Wellbeing Survey to uncover the key insights and findings that stood out to them. From surprising trends to eye-opening revelations, they share what the kids themselves told us, and what we discovered about the unique challenges and experiences faced by ministry kids. Whether you're a parent, part of a faith community who wants to support ministry kids, or simply curious about the well-being of chi...

In this kick-off episode, we dive into the heart of the Ministry Kids Wellbeing Survey to explore the main findings and what they reveal about the lives of children in ministry families. We unpack key themes that emerged from the survey, shedding light on the unique experiences and challenges ministry children face. To get a copy of the full report head here Send us a text Podcast Disclaimer: Please be aware that the opinions and viewpoints shared on this podcast are personal to me a...

What a joy and privilege to finish our very first season of the podcast with Christopher Ash - author of Zeal Without Burnout and The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read But Is Too Embarrassed To Ask. Christopher shares his own journey through burnout and what led to his publications in this area. Christopher shares his personal pearls of wisdom for pastors: the importance of grounding motivation in the promises of the Lord rather than worldly metrics of success, combatting lo...

As our season draws to a close, I began to contemplate leadership in a wider context, beyond just Australia and parish settings, I was drawn to explore international issues of leadership in gospel work. Jay Matenga, is Director of the Global Witness Dept. and the Mission Commission for the World Evangelical Alliance and Executive Officer for Missions Interlink NZ. Jay Matenga, was raised with indigenous values in a predominantly Eurocentric society. Our conversation will explore Jay’s lea...

As our season draws to a close, I began to contemplate leadership in a wider context, beyond just Australia and parish settings, I was drawn to explore international issues of leadership in gospel work. Marion Knell is a seasoned cross-cultural consultant and trainer with an extensive history spanning nearly three decades. Her expertise stretches across a multitude of sectors, but at its core, Marion's passion lies in fostering resilience and longevity in the lives of cross-cultural workers...

As our season draws to a close, I began to contemplate leadership in a wider context, beyond just Australia and parish settings, I was drawn to explore international issues of leadership in gospel work. Dive into the complexities of cross-cultural ministry with our guest, Harry Hoffman, a prominent figure in the Missions Member Care Network. With over two decades of experience in cross-cultural ministry and navigating the profound emotional impact of arrests, interrogation, and person...

As our season draws to a close, I began to contemplate leadership in a wider context, beyond just Australia and parish settings, I was drawn to explore international issues of leadership in gospel work. Our guest, Timothy Captain from Flourish San Diego, brings his unique insight derived from his PhD thesis, the Holistic Pastoral Well-being Assessment. Timothy provides a comprehensive understanding of pastoral well-being, examining it from spiritual, psychological, physical, social, and eco...

As our season draws to a close, I began to contemplate leadership in a wider context, beyond just Australia and parish settings, I was drawn to explore international issues of leadership in gospel work. In this episode we are joined by A.J. Mathieu president of The Malphurs Group. A.J. Mathieu has over 25 years of experience as a business owner, 5 years as an elected official serving local and regional constituencies in north Texas, and joined The Malphurs Group in 2014. He co-...

Heads up! We are almost at the end of our season! Having dived in with guests from Australia, I started to think about what the missions and international scene would be able to say to us. So you will find the next episodes, until we finish, pushes out the perspective and conversation to an international space. Send us a text Podcast Disclaimer: Please be aware that the opinions and viewpoints shared on this podcast are personal to me and my guests, and do not represent the stance of a...

Join Dr. Chelsea Gill from Bond Business School as we explore the topic of reflective retreats. Chelsea, with her deep insights into clergy retreats, examines the role of attention restoration theory in counteracting mental and emotional exhaustion. We discuss two core types of clergy retreats, educational and reflective, and their structures. Chelsea explains attentional fatigue common among clergy and offers solutions to restore mental energy. Our conversation dives into the elements makin...

We are joined by Sam Sterland, Senior Researcher with the National Church Life Survey and we look at the latest findings from the NCLS and how it matches/sheds light on what our (much smaller!) survey found in the clergy wellbeing space. What does church health have to do with clergy wellbeing? Have we made any progress in leadership sustainability, and what are the key insights we glean from both our findings. Download my research report and reflections Watch the video version of thi...