Counsel Culture Conversations

Friends, welcome to 2023! - In this first episode for the year we talk with specialist nutritionist and food expert Kim Menzies about a fascinating and important area to us all - the gut, our brain, food and mood. Specifically, looking at our relationship with food, how it can impact our mental and emotional health and also the much talked about microbiome and its important role in our gut and overall health.Kim brings a refreshing and commonsense approach to what can be a confusing and information overloaded topic to help take some of the pressure off , bringing helpful advice and practical tips that you can put in place to enhance your well being. If you would like to connect with Kim you can contact her at:kim@whatsyourgutfeeling.com.au

How are Men Doing? - In this episode, Nicholas has a encouraging and wide ranging conversation about men with the men who founded and host the Momentum Podcast for Men. The Momentum Podcast team Tim Long and Des Kennedy join us to talk about men, faith and life and the success of the Momentum Mens Podcast.To find out more about Momentum Podcast and Ministry visit:https://momentumaustralia.org/

In our latest episode of Counsel Culture Conversations, Nicholas speaks with special guest Dr Glenn Williams. Glenn is a leader of leaders, organisational psychologist and former CEO of Focus on the Family Australia and International. For over 10 years Glenn has also served as a leader of the Halftime ministry and is passionate about helping people transition well in the mid-life season. Understanding the importance of transitions and in particular in mid-life, is of great importance and benefit to us.  As we approach and move into mid-life we have usually grown through intentionality and life's experiences to know ourselves better, we know who we are. We notice our priorities start to change and what is now important (or no longer important) to us. We often reflect back on the past years and think about the future as we move into the 'second half'. One we want to be of significance. We soon learn transitions are messy and there are not many guides or sign posts along the way which can tempt us to give up or get stuck in the 'messy middle'.We hope this conversation is a signpost and that it can point you toward some wise guides, or atleast to ask some powerful questions that serve to raise awareness of the elements of the process that are important.  May your second half be blessed.

Welcome to How Do You Talk to Someone When, our second Special Episode from Counsel Culture Podcasts. We will be navigating our way through each of these episodes, covering topics relevant to situations we all find ourselves in regularly. Some of these situations can be difficult to know how to handle, and we may struggle to know what to say. Perhaps you may have come away from conversations and wish you could take back something you said. Or perhaps you find yourself just avoiding the tougher topics of conversation? In this episode we’re asking the question: “How do you talk to someone when…..they are dealing with depression?”It’s estimated that over 20 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression. Beyond Blue reports that One in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime, and alarmingly, More than nine people die each day in Australia by suicide. Many around us are dealing with depression and we would never know. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health. In this episode, we’ll be hearing from a few different people, and I thank them for their bravery and openness in talking us through their experience and sharing their wisdom. Mike, who loved and cared for someone with depression for many years. Chris Cipollone, who has lived with depression himself for a lot of his life and who’s been a pastor, a speaker and an author on the subject. And then Professor Karen E. Mason, who is an expert in the theory and practice of integrating Christian faith, depression and suicide prevention. Links mentioned in this episode: LIFELINE: lifeline.org.au or call 13 11 14https://counselculture.org.auChris Cipollone: http://www.chriscipollone.comProfessor Karen E. Mason: https://www.koorong.com/product/preventing-suicide-a-handbook-for-pastors-chaplains-and-pastoral_9780830896479andhttps://www.amazon.com.au/Preaching-Hope-Darkness-Pastors-Addressing-ebook/dp/B08LR2BG2L

Anxiety is a hot topic. It’s also prevalent.  It’s estimated that  1/4 of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime. Its impact can be crippling and all of us at some stage, particularly in the past 2 years, will have experienced anxiety.In this episode, we talk to 3 people who have experienced anxiety for most of their adult life. They share their experiences - what has helped, what hasn't helped, and how they make sense of their anxiety in the light of their Christian faith. We also role play a counselling session which provides us with practical tips on how do you talk to someone who is struggling with anxiety. 

Welcome to an UNCUT conversation from our How Do You Talk to Someone When, our second series from Counsel Culture Podcasts. We will be navigating our way through each of these episodes, covering topics relevant to situations we all find ourselves in regularly. Some of these situations can be difficult to know how to handle, and we may struggle to know what to say. Perhaps you may have come away from conversations and wish you could take back something you said. Or perhaps you find yourself just avoiding the tougher topics of conversation? In this episode we’re asking the question: “How do you talk to someone when…..they are dealing with depression?”It’s estimated that over 20 million Australians are living with anxiety or depression. Beyond Blue reports that One in seven Australians will experience depression in their lifetime, and alarmingly, More than nine people die each day in Australia by suicide. Many around us are dealing with depression and we would never know. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health. This UNCUT Conversation is with Chris  Cipollone. He has served as a pastor in Sydney for over a decade and  has also been living with depression for a similar amount of time. He’s written a book, which I highly recommend: ‘Down Not Out: Depression, Anxiety and the Difference Jesus Makes' which explores how an identity in Christ impacts our thoughts, feelings and attitudes towards mental health.

The 3rd of three UNCUT Conversations with different people who's story, hardship, wisdom and faith contribute to Episode 1 of the 'How do you talk to Someone When' Podcast. This is our full conversation with Guan Un. A computer programmer by day and a writer by night! He’s also a husband and dad to 2 kids and lives in Sydney’s Inner West.  He’s written a book called Anxiety & Me - Biblical Thoughts to Help Anxious Believers.This inspiring Conversation will serve to help sufferers of anxiety and also carers and loved ones who want to faithfully walk alongside them. https://www.koorong.com/product/anxiety-and-me-brief-biblical-thoughts-to-help_9781925424683

The 2nd of three UNCUT Conversations with different people who's story, hardship, wisdom and faith contribute to Episode 1 of the 'How do you talk to Someone When' Podcast. This is our full conversation with Nikki Thompson. She's an author, a wife and a mother of 3 and lives up in Queensland. Her book Fight, Flight and Faith hit the shelves this year. It follows her experience of developing anxiety following the tragic death of her brother. This is a beautiful conversation and  Nikki offers much wisdom and encouragement for those who fear that they have failed themselves, others, and God.This inspiring Conversation will serve to help sufferers of anxiety and also carers and loved ones who want to faithfully walk alongside them. https://www.koorong.com/product/fight-flight-and-faith-nikki-florence-thompson_9780645322033

The 1st of three UNCUT Converations with different people who's story, hardship, wisdom and faith contribute to Episode 1 of the 'How do you talk to Someone When' Podcast. In this Converstion with Pastor Steve Bernard he shares his story and journey with anxiety as a self confessed overthinker and someone who has learnt to now be curious with his feelings, thoughts and even with anxiety itself. This inspiring Conversation will serve to help sufferers of anxiety and also carers and loved ones who want to faithfully walk alongside them. 

Anxiety is a hot topic. It’s also prevalent.  It’s estimated that  1/4 of Australians will experience an anxiety condition in their lifetime. Its impact can be crippling and all of us at some stage, particularly in the past 2 years, will have experienced anxiety.In this episode, we talk to 3 people who have experienced anxiety for most of their adult life. They share their experiences - what has helped, what hasn't helped, and how they make sense of their anxiety in the light of their Christian faith. We also role play a counselling session which provides us with practical tips on how do you talk to someone who is struggling with anxiety. 

A new podcast is coming! How Do You Talk to Someone When is another great podcast brought to you by Counsel Culture. Search for it in your podcast app and then SUBSCRIBE so that you receive each new episode as it drops. Find AIFC on Social Media and follow us for regular updates. 

In the final episode for 2021 the Counsel Culture Panel explore an ancient practice and one of the most important yet strangely misunderstood areas of our lives. Sabbath, Rest and Play.  Join the panel as they explore this wonderful practice in the context of two of the most challenging years we have been through in our lifetimes. The blessings and benefits of Sabbath rest are many including; our relationship with God and others, our mental, emotional and spiritual health and living our lives well and purposefully, including through our rest and play. We invite you to join us in making a plan for your upcoming Sabbath, Rest and Play!We would also like to express our sincere thanks to you for being a part of the Counsel Culture Community in our inaugural year . Thank you for for listening and investing in your growth and also for sharing the Podacst with people in your circle. We do appreciate it and trust it has added value to your life in some way and we look forward to continuing the journey with you next year. Until then!Nicholas, Max and Shivon:)

In this episode the Counsel Culture panel gather around the Christmas table to help you navigate some of the more sensitive and even divisive issues we may be facing in our relationships and families. We are cracking open the Bons Bons on some of these issues to help you and your family navigate them in a healthy and fun way so that the focus and blessing of Christmas is on what unites us in Christ, preserving and building reationships, being peacemakers not peacekeepers. This episode will be followed by the final episode for the year, episode 12, where we look at the importance and benefit of Sabbath, Rest and Play! 

In this final episode of the Under Pressure Series we explore Faith Under Pressure. Rev. Dr Graham Hill joins the Counsel Culture Podcast to share some of his personal journey during 2020/2021 as a follower of Christ, Pastor, Husband and Father. These times have had distinct impacts on people's faith and our expression of faith in positive and negative ways. Graham shares his insights and observations of staying faithful in hard times, grieving our losses through lament and the importance of remembering in the context of the history of the Church and God's bigger plans. We would like to thank all our listeners and friends of the Counsel Culture Podcast for walking with us in this Under Pressure series with us and for sharing it with your family, friends and circle of influence. We trust it has been a blessing to you in this time of transition. 

Financial expert Darren Laudenbach joins the Counsel Culture Podcast to share his experiences and expertise to help you relate to money in a way that is unique to you, grounded in biblical principles and practical wisdom. At a time of complexity and change Darren provides timeless tools and steps that will help you build and cultivate a healthy attitude and sustainable practices to achieve financial peace.Resources mentioned in the Podcast:https://www.godsmoneymatters.com/God, Money and Mehttps://pauldejongnz.com/products/god-money-me-book

The Counsel Culture Panel continue the Under Pressure Series with Relationships & Community Under Pressure. Hearing from people in the CC community who share some of their relational pressures and struggles that are unique to these times of disorientation, dislocation and disconnection.  Whether we are young, middle aged, older, single, couples or housesharing the panel explore how and why we experience relational pressures similarly and differently through our windows of tolerance, a healthy stocktake of self and relationships and the benefits of going back to our mission control as a base of healthy relationships albeit .....under pressure.  

In this Episode Nicholas talks with parenting expert, author and teacher Mel Hayde, about some important parenting themes and practices at this time of stress and pressure for parents. The Counsel Culture panel then unpack this important topic further to encourage parents who are doing the best they can right now, explore foundations of parenting, the three C's of screens and technology and one area you may not have thought about, the importance of play! To find out more about Mel Hayde and the Toddler to Teen book please follow the Facebook link below or email Mel. Also be sure to take advantage of the special offer of $15 incl P&H for Counsel Culture listeners. Normally $25 RRPwww.https://ToddlerToTeen/Facebookmelishayde@gmail.com

Introducing a five part series called Under Pressure.  We draw from CS Lewis’ “Learning In Wartime” to help us understand the impact living through a global pandemic is having on us today. Why now is a good time to learn and grow? What stops us from learning and growing during such a time? What actions can we put in place to live well through it?