Sunday Sanctuary with Petra Bagust

There is a special sort of unsettled feeling reserved for moving to a new place, even if it's just across town. The destabilisation that so often comes with a new locale can linger for a while as we re-establish where home is for us. Although, sometimes the place we consider home stays the same while we move. Either way, this tricky feeling can be a tough one to navigate. Come on a journey with your host Petra Bagust, as she talks to producer Josh about his childhood, which was spent between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Thailand. Hear one man's story of his father's move from Taiwan to the USA in the '60s, and finally, our Community Life segment is released out into the wild, as producer Sam heads to Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland's Cornwall Park! Sacred Text Stay True Featured Music Hell Hole Bounty International FlightSummer's EndSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you faced disappointment? When you look back at that time, did it seem like the feeling sat with you for a long time? Disappointment is one of those feelings most of us would love to move along from as soon as possible. What if, however, there is a different way of looking at disappointment, and maybe even some good to be found within.... Join Petra Bagust on this special episode as our Atlas of the Heart segment with Grace McArthur returns for the first time in 2024! Petra also heads to the Life FM studio in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland to talk with Sela Alo about his view on disappointment. Sacred Texts Atlas of the Heart (My So Called Lungs (18:53 - 21:13) Featured Music Let Down Money or the Bag Rivers That You Cannot SeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all heard the saying that comparison is the thief of joy. But have you ever thought about how many different areas of our lives it applies to? We can spend so much of our time worrying that we aren't keeping up or meeting some unspoken expectations. So how do we learn to run our own race? In this episode, Petra Bagust talks to two wonderful guests (who are also good friends in real life), counsellor Charlotte Cummings and Baptist Pastor James Beck. Sacred Texts Baby Race There's a Hole in the Sidewalk Featured Music Let Me Get There Stressed Out See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wouldn't it be nice to just have all the answers? We're sure you've had moments of wishing it was possible to skip all of the tension and uncertainty, replacing it with sure-footed confidence. Unfortunately, that is not the reality we live in. There is, however, much to gain and learn from embracing the mystery of life. You might even find some hope. In this episode, Petra Bagust is joined by development coach Nikki Bray and Rev. Spanky Moore, who share their insights and experiences with learning to embrace mystery. Sacred Texts From Here to TherehereThe Welcoming Prayer Featured Music New WandersMysterious WaysIf the Sun Is ShiningLe MoulinAmélie The article from The May Magazine that Petra mentions at the beginning of the episode can be found here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Isn't it so true that as we journey through this thing called life that we are often experiencing both highs and lows at the very same time, usually colliding into each other? Like going home for a holiday but then falling sick while there, or celebrating a child's wedding but also grieving the season change, or as shared by one of you - throwing up while hiking and feeling awful but also enjoying the incredible view. In this episode, Petra Bagust speaks with Hana Seddon of The Salvation Army and author of Beholding, Strahan Coleman, about their experiences of navigating the duality of life's highs and lows. Sacred Texts My Inner SkyAre You Mental?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first episode of Sunday Sanctuary for the year, we ask the question - what on earth are we alive for? Is there such a thing as a 'calling'? If so, how do we find out what it is for ourselves? Join Petra Bagust and she explores this with two friends of the show, Te Karere Scarborough (co-principal of the newly-opened Te Wānanga Ihorangi) and Frank Ritchie (broadcaster and media chaplain), hearing their personal experiences and thoughts on the subject of purpose. And as per our Sunday Sanctuary rhythm, we kick off these conversations with 'sacred texts' - UpLet Your Life SpeakSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

T'was the day before Christmas, and all through the house Many a creature was stirring, even the mouse The jobs were all done in a hurry, but also with care In the hope that some peace soon would be there In the evening, with all now safely snug in their beds As hopes for some joy and wonder danced in their heads. On this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, we decided to keep it simple. Petra's guest this episode is one of our favourite reverends, Spanky Moore. He very graciously shares about what his year has been like, and how in the midst of it all he has still been able to find moments of wonder, joy, and peace. Whether you hear this episode on Christmas Eve or come to it in the new year, we hope that it might inspire some ways for you to find the wonder and joy present in your life as it is. All of us on the Sunday Sanctuary team would like to say a massive kia ora to everyone who has listened this year! We put a lot of love into this show and we love to hear about what it means to you. If you'd like to tell us about what part Sunday Sanctuary has played in your life this last year and/or what parts of the show you like best, we'd be very thankful. Feel free to message us on Instagram, we're @sundaysanctuarynz. Your thoughts will come in really handy as we talk about what Sunday Sanctuary looks like in 2024. Mā te wā, Petra, Steph, Josh, and Sam Awe The moment of awe in this episode was inspired by this article from Sports History Weekly. There is also a documentary on the Lithuanian basketball team called The Other Dream Team, released in 2012. Sacred texts: The book of John, chapter 1, verses 1 - 5 Rev. Spanky Moore referenced quotes from two rabbis: 1) "Never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me." - Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, from his book I Asked for Wonder: A Spiritual Anthology 2) "Some years back I hit a skid in my personal life. Though I knew objectively that I had much to be grateful for, it was hard to acknowledge a sense of gratitude. It was difficult to notice the positive that was out there beyond the slog of getting through every day. But now and then, I’d feel the impulse to take out my phone and capture a slice of beauty. These fleeting glimpses of splendor broke through my horizon of pain and lifted me up…." - Rabbi Hara Person, from a meditation written for The Center for Action and Contemplation One final thing. If you're needing a playlist of Christmas music, we've put together A Sunday Sanctuary Christmas on Spotify. Enjoy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have something in our lives that seems to be taking it's sweet time to arrive or happen. What are you waiting for? You could be waiting for any number of things, but on this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra explores what is to be found within the time of "not yet." Petra is joined first by Matt Renata, a youth worker and tauira (student) of indigenous theology. Matt shares part of his and his wife Rachel's six year journey towards pregnancy and some of the lessons he has learnt along the way. Then, Grace McArthur joins Petra live in studio! Long-time listeners might remember that the last time this happened was back when Sunday Sanctuary was on Today FM. The wait was worthwhile, though, as Grace comes armed with some wisdom from Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart about how to wait well. Strahan Coleman is Petra's final guest on this episode. As someone who has lived with chronic health issues for the last 10 years, Strahan knows a thing or two about waiting. He also makes some interesting observations about the role of artists in times when it feels like the world is falling apart. Thank you for hanging with us during our short break. We appreciate you listening and we hope this episode was worth the wait! Awe The Awe piece in this episode comes from TikTok user DogDogCatCatNoodle. Sacred texts hereYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia ora whanau! We're just jumping in here with a short update about Sunday Sanctuary. Don't worry! The show isn't stopping, we're just taking a week off. As it happens, the combination of a large workload and sickness can be really punishing, especially for a small team such as ours. As a result, we've decided not to put out a normal episode this Sunday. And no, the irony is not lost on us that we are taking the week off just after releasing an episode on burnout..... We didn't want to leave you without anything to reflect on however. We were recently introduced to this great poem by Thomas Merton and a reflection on that poem by a US based pastor named James Lawrence. Listen through the short update to where Petra reads the poem and the reflection. You can read James' original blog post here. Thanks for sticking with us and we will be back in a few weeks! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much is left in your 'tank'? Do you feel as though you are beginning to move towards being overwhelmed or have you in fact burnt out? No matter how you are feeling, welcome. Yes, that includes you, the person who somehow still feels full of beans! What is your secret? In this episode, Petra speaks with singer/songwriter Lydia Cole. Lydia shares the story of her journey from making a living as a musician in Berlin toher ongoing journey of recovering from burnout back home, here in Tāmaki Makaurau. We then hear from Brad Carr, who used to lead Gracecity Church in Auckland before burning out four years ago. He kindly shares many of the lessons learnt and experiences had since. Producer Sam flew home to Dunedin for this episode and took the opportunity to interview his dad. He provides an interesting perspective as someone who is knowingly teetering on the edge of burnout while working within a system well known for being high pressure. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The Awe piece in this episode comes Episode 1 of the Netflix series called Connected, hosted by Latif Nasser. Sacred texts The Sacred Spotifylive versionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How's your day been today? No really, has it gone well or has today just not been your day? If today has just not been going the way you'd like, this episode is for you. Nacho Day (try saying it like not your day) is all about those frustrating and disheartening days where the world might not be ending, but that leave you in a bad mood. In this episode, Petra visits Sophie Gray of Destitute Gourmet and the two of them make nachos together in Sophie's kitchen. The recipe they follow is one that Sophie put together specifically for families who receive food from the Good Works Trust Food Bank, where Sophie is the General Manager. The Sunday Sanctuary team loves it when Hollywood releases a movie which perfectly fits the topic of an upcoming episode. To kick off her conversation with Rev Frank Ritchie, Petra plays him a section of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Frank lets Petra in on what he does for himself on bad days and how prayer plays a part in how he shows himself some grace. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The moment of awe in this episode comes from Professor Boaz Keysar's work on The Foreign-Language Effect. Watch a short video about it here or read an article about it here Sacred texts Sophie Gray's nachos recipe - here is an earlier version of it Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Watch the clip here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you see yourself as a creative person? Sure, not everyone can be a musician or a sculptor but I wonder if your answer would change if you considered all of the things you do that aren't typically thought of as 'art'. No matter how we choose to express ourselves creatively, it says something about who we are. In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, you'll meet three people who's creative practices intersect with their spirituality in different ways. First, Petra talks to musician Holly Arrowsmith. She very generously shares for the first time about how her sense of spirituality and her faith has changed over the last 10 years, and what that means for her music. Producer Sam is out on assignment once again, this time to visit icon writer Michael Pervan. At the Studio of St John the Baptist on Auckland's North Shore, discover how rabbit skin glue and plaster of Paris combine to help make the distinctive seen in churches worldwide. Lastly Petra talks with internationally award winning graffiti and street artist (or "imagineer", Janine Williams. Alongside husband Charles, she has an incredible story of following her passion from tagging fences as a teen to being paid to create works visible all over Tāmaki Makaurau. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The moment of awe in this episode is part of 'Speaking Whale', an episode of Erica Heilman's podcast Rumble Strip. Huge thanks to Erica for letting us share it! Listen to the full interview here. Sacred texts The Creative Act: A Way of Being Give yourself permission to be creative hereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The drive for perfection can be such a blessing and a curse, can't it? What seems like trying for the best can actually end up destroying our enjoyment of the process, not to mention how it feels when our self imposed standards aren't met! And as we discover, the longing for perfection typically comes from a much deeper place... In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Grace McArthur sets the scene with a look at Brené Brown's definition of perfectionism from her book, Atlas of the Heart. Grace also unpacks how she fought her want for perfection in her art. Petra is joined once again by counsellor Shirley Pastiroff. With a little help from Ted Lasso, they talk through where perfectionistic tendencies come from and what the first step is to addressing the impact it can have. Nic Manders, music producer to the stars (Six60, TEEKS, Dave Dobbyn and more) joins Petra to round out the episode by sharing his personal journey with perfectionism. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The awe piece in this episode comes from City of the Future: Singapore by National Geographic. Watch it here. Sacred texts Ted LassoSo long, FarewellOne See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's officially Spring! The designated season of daffodils, lambs, and new beginnings...or is it? Join Petra as she explores that squishy period of time where one part of life ends and another starts. As it turns out, new beginnings can happen at any time! Petra is joined by Mustafa Derbashi MNZM, who came to Aotearoa as a refugee and with a calling in his heart to help others, just as soon as he learnt English... Salvation Army Captain Hana Seddon talks with Petra about backing herself during times of transition, no matter what others might think. Grace McArthur also stops by to bring some more wisdom from Brené Brown's Atlas of the Heart, this time looking at the emotion of excitement. Producer Josh provides this episode's moment of awe and talks to Petra about his brand new baby! Lastly, producer Sam pays a visit to his friend Millie at the farm she works on. Come for the cute animals noises and stay for her reflections on relocating from Taihape to Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The awe piece in this episode came from Professor Edward Tronick's 'Still Face' experiment at the University of Massachusetts. Watch the full video here Sacred Text Inside Out (Disney, 2015). Watch the full scene See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Times of grieving can be so difficult to face and unpredictable in how they present. A question that's also been on our minds for a while is 'have you ever felt the expectation to finish grieving once the funeral is over?' On this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, we look into the rituals and rites of passage that can be held to mark the passing of a loved one. What we hope is that you will see how much freedom there is to decide what you do to remember those you have lost, all in your own time. Join Petra as she talks to her friend (and boss) Phil Guyan, who beautifully shares all the ways in which he remembered, and continues to remember his dad, Neil. Producer Sam drops past Auckland's Threshold Choir, the Cadence Singers, to learn about their work. Lastly, Petra speaks with former hospital chaplain Heike Pomare, from Ōtepoti/Dunedin, about the role of being a 'grief holder'. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. Awe The awe piece in this episode was written by Sam who took inspiration from the video by Listening In, titled The Music that links Dumbledore's death to Bach and Radiohead. Watch it here. Sacred texts Grey Areas with Petra BagustInevitable GriefMy Inner SkyThe Crab/WaterbabySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's your attitude towards gratitude? For some it flows easily, which for those of us who find gratitude more difficult to summon can be a bit frustrating! No matter how you feel about gratitude, join Petra as she dives into the role it can play in our lives and the surprising things it can bring forth. Petra is joined firstly by her longtime friend, mental health advocate, speaker, and musician, Julia Grace, to hear about the (very passive aggressive) journey Julia went on with her gratitude journal. Grace McArthur returns to dive back into Brené Brown's 'Atlas of the Heart'. Finally, spoken word poet and youth worker, Dietrich Soakai, dials in from Ōtautahi Christchurch to share his journey of coming to embrace gratitude during a time of heartbreak. If you enjoyed this episode, we'd love it if you left us a 5 star rating. Feel free to write a short review if you feel so inclined! As always though, the most helpful thing you can do is spread the word among friends and whānau! If you'd like to join us on Instagram, our handle is @sundaysanctuarynz. This week's awe piece came from the article 'Scientists Found Ripples in Space and Time. And You Have to Buy Groceries.' It was published in The Atlantic on June 29th and written by Adam Frank. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/06/universe-gravitational-waves-nanograv-discovery/674570/ Sacred texts: Clip from 'Inside Amy Schumer' - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=484520277113949 Quote by Maya Angelou was found on goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/132587-the-ship-of-my-life-may-or-may-not-be See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever looked past your reflection in the mirror and been able to see your body as truly part of who you are? Do you consider your physical body to be spiritual? Join Petra Bagust on this episode as she untangles the disconnect between our mind, body, and spirit. Petra talks to Sam Bloore about the ancient Greek philosophy that lies at the root of this problem. Rev. Jay Ruka (author of Huia Come Home) dials in to talk about the Māori concept of Te Whare Tapa Wha. Finally, Petra pays a visit to journalist, editor, and disability advocate Olivia Shivas to learn about how she relates to her body as a wheelchair user. The TED Talk used for the moment of Awe can be found here: https://www.ted.com/talks/heather_barnett_what_humans_can_learn_from_semi_intelligent_slime Sacred texts: See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us for a contemplative exploration as we delve into the spiritual practice of silence. Paradoxical, isn't it? Yet, we hope that by the end of this episode, you'll find yourself better prepared to try and perhaps even introduce the art of quieting your mind to your everyday life. In this episode, Petra talks to spiritual director Rev Rachel Kitchens, about the difficulty of seeking moments of silence amidst the bustling world we live in. Later on, Petra welcomes back friend of the show, Rev Spanky Moore, to kōrero about the challenges and rewards that come from stilling your mind and body. Don't miss Spanky's legendary story about a pesky family of birds he encountered on a silent retreat. The moment of awe in this episode was adapted from AsapSCIENCE's video The Loudest vs Quietest Room In The World - Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqt60LqaEBU&ab_channel=AsapSCIENCE First sacred text - Silence is Golden by The Beths. Here's the music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ZxW1r1Zc8&ab_channel=TheBeths Second sacred text - The Summer Day by Mary Oliver. Listen to the poem here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBPHUE961zI&ab_channel=The92ndStreetY%2CNewYork Third sacred text - quote by Thomas Merton from his book Come to the Mountain: New Ways and Living Traditions in the Monastic Life Fourth sacred text - quote by Richard Rohr from his book Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brave conversations are not easy to have! They so often seem like they will require more from us than we can give. How can we approach these discussions well? What does a positive outcome look like? In this episode, Petra Bagust digs into the world of brave conversations and healthy confrontation. She’s joined by counsellor and author of the book ‘Mindful Parenting’, Shirley Pastiroff, who offers tools to use when approaching these interactions. Next, Rev. Frank Ritchie offers some insight into how brave conversations intersect with his faith and what he has found as a chaplain to those facing similar situations of their own. The ‘sacred texts’ used in this episode are the song Found Out by This is the Kit and a portion of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, season four, episode 19. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TW: Suicidal ideation In this episode, Petra Bagust explores loneliness and our need to belong. What is our loneliness telling us? She is joined by community leader David Letele (aka Brown Buttanbean), who opens up about the lowest point in his life, and CEO of Wilberforce Foundation Chris Clarke, who expands on the idea that loneliness is an emotion driving us to action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.