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UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

Hope 103.2

UNDISTRACTED is a place where life isn’t just lived, but crafted. On UNDISTRACTED we explore the lives and expertise of our guests to help us become better at building our lives with intention.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

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26 episodes
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Avg 29 min
English

Episodes 26

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Wednesday · 25 min
"My 'Why Don't We' identity was all I had." - Jonah Marais S17E10
Jonah Marais rose to fame as one-fifth of pop group Why Don’t We, building a global fanbase before legal issues forced the band into hiatus in 2022. Since then, he’s been redefining his identity beyond the group and found a faith that's alerted his artistic ambition. Jonah will bring The Dreamer Tour to Australia in November. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
October 8 · 27 min
"Blindness wasn't going to define me," - Matt Formston S17E09
Australian Para-Athlete Matt Formston lost 95 percent of his vision at just five years old. Determined not to let his disability define him, he went on to become a champion cyclist and surfer, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2025 and now leads and trains global executive business teams. His memoir 'Why Not?' is a cure for the limited thinking that holds many of us back. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 30 · 28 min
"Marriage and kids aren't needed to have a fulfilling life." - Sheree Joseph S17E08
By 2030, it’s estimated 45 percent of women will be single and child free. It a contrast to previous generations where marriage and kids was the expected norm, but for many reasons a lot of women aren’t in the relationships they were brought up to assume were guaranteed. Sydney author Sheree Joseph wants a husband and family, but an ill-timed breakup and medical diagnosis has so far sent her life in a different direction. Her memoir 'Juicy' offers a warm, hilarious and honest account of what it’s like to be single and child free when your stage of life dictates otherwise, and why we need to redefine what it means to have a thriving, happy life and celebrate the singles. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 23 · 26 min
Rachel Khoo: "The Little Paris Kitchen brought the world to my door," - S17E07
British cook Rachel Khoo is known to Australians fans for her work on 'The Great Australian Bakeoff', but many years before she appeared on our screens it was cooking out of a small kitchen in her Parisan flat that gave Rachel her first TV role. 'The Little Paris Kitchen' became a hit BBC series and now a memoir of the same name. Rachel speaks to us about the effect of food on culture, knowing which ideas to chase and why the story of this little kitchen took 5 years to tell. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 16 · 31 min
"God doesn't abandon us when life gets messy," - S17E06 Clare Bruce
Our guest today is author and former Hope 103.2 journalist Clare Bruce. In memoir 'Sinner, Saint, Servant', Clare tells the story of Troy White. A onetime policeman, pastor and military chaplain who struggled with PSTD, anxiety and depression, and a growing alcohol addiction his admirers had little awareness of. Clare talks about how to have faith in tandem with struggle, the pressure on ministry leaders, and goes into the world of a writer going from idea to execution and the delicacy of handling someone else’s life story. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
September 7 · 29 min
"Gendered violence can't be addressed if survivors are silenced," - Jennifer Robinson S17E05
After the #MeToo movement emboldened victims to speak up about gendered violence, survivors found themselves silenced by defamation laws being used to stop them sharing their experiences. In Silenced, International human rights lawyer and co-author of How Many More Women? Jennifer Robinson shows us how the legal system is used to discredit and financially ruin survivors and journalists reporting on their stories. Jennifer draws on her experience representing Hollywood actress Amber Heard in one of the most high-profile defamation battles in recent history, showing the personal cost of these cases on women like Amber, and locally, former Australian political staffer Brittany Higgins among many guests. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 20 · 28 min
"Preventing abortions starts with choosing grace," - Amy Ford S17E04
Our guest today is Embrace Grace founder Amy Ford. In her teens Amy fell pregnant unexpectedly and, as happens for many young women in the church, was met with judgement, shame and rejection. Her goal since, has been to equip churches to support women in choosing life at such a crucial time in their lives, and see the church as the first place women turn to and not run from. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 11 · 33 min
"Feeling stuck is sign healing with God is needed," - Heather O'Brien S17E03
Do you ever feel stuck? You’re a Christian who loves Jesus, you believe God has a good plan for your life, and yet you feel like something has stalled. Today we’re welcoming back minister and host and author of the Heal with God podcast and book Heather O’Brien. After years of struggling with depression and leaning into Scripture and prayer, Heather began hearing God’s voice and developing step-by-step tools to help Christians become unstuck – dealing with fear, procrastination, anger, a number of symptoms – that hold us back from living well. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 5 · 27 min
"Joy in poverty proves wealth isn't all material." - Edwin Estioko S17E02
Our guest today is a photojournalist with Compassion International. For more than 20 years, Edwin Estioko has documented children and families living through poverty, disaster and recovery in the Philippines - one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. His work takes him into communities after typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other crises, often after the initial headlines have moved on. Edwin recently returned from Mindanao, documenting the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated communities across the southern islands of the Philippines. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 8 · 31 min
"Consciously facing death empowers us to better live." - Oliver Christen S16E10
This episode relates to end-of-life care. In his memoir ‘As She Chose’, guest Oliver Christen tells the story of his 86-year-old mum and her choice to, in his words, “consciously end a life well lived”. He explores end of life choices through his journey as a son supporting his dying mum. Who, when she can no longer live independently, choices an alternative to a prolonged decline of medications, hospital routines, and lost agency. If the themes of this episode could cause you distress, help is available via Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 1 · 29 min
"Alcohol addiction stopped me knowing who I really was." - Justine Santowiak S16E09
As July starts, so too does a commitment by many to embrace Dry July. In today’s episode we’re dipping into the archives for a chat with sobriety advocate and wellness coach Justine Santowiak. In 2012 she almost lost her life when her alcohol addiction became too much, entering rehab and forever cutting ties with the substance the controlled her. Justine found a way forward and wants the same for fellow addicts. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28 · 35 min
"How to make friends is one of the lost skills of the lonely generation." - Sheridan Voysey S16E07
How do you become, and have, a quality friend? Why are adult friendships exhausting sometimes, and could we be better off talking to A.I.? Our guest today is Sheridan Voysey. Author, broadcaster and founder of Friendship Lab, a platform empowering people with the resources they need to make friendships thrive and invest in one of our most neglected relationships. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 6 · 27 min
"Letting ourselves quit can expand our potential." - Nir Eyal S16E06
Our guest today is former Standford lecturer, author and entrepreneur Nir Eyal. His latest book, 'Beyond Belief', looks at the science behind motivation and achievement, how prayer and ritual effect belief and when quitting is the best option. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 29 · 22 min
"We adopted three but couldn't stop thinking about the 50 left behind." - Anna Dombkins S16E05
Our guest today is adoptive mum and founder of Forever Projects Anna Dombkins. Together with her husband Mark, Anna moved to Tanzania and adopted three babies in need of urgent care. Anna’s book 'Home Forever' tells the story of why they left Australia to grow their family, the reality of having six kids now and why she wants adoption to happen less. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 23 · 28 min
"End times preparedness begins with devotion to Jesus." - John Bevere S16E04
Today, we’re jumping into end time theology about the return of Christ and getting a dose of Bible school with Christian author, speaker and founder of Messenger International, John Bevere. John admits to avoiding the potentially controversial subject for 40 years, but his new book 'The King is Coming' covers what he thinks is a pressing need for people to prepare for the return of Christ and understand their role leading up to it. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 15 · 26 min
"Money struggles are strongly connected to our values." - Rosie Kendall - S16E03
CEO of Hope Economy - formerly CAP Money - Rosie Kendall explores the connection between our money and our identity, and how our spending can be better aligned with our values. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
April 8 · 25 min
"The lies you don't know you believe erode your life." - Jennie Allen S16E02
Our guest today is Bible teacher and 'New York Times' bestselling author Jennie Allen. She's with us to help uncover 'The Lies We Don't Know We Believe' and what truth to replace them with. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 31 · 23 min
"Mistakes don't have to be the end of the road." - Tyson Roberts S16E01
Our guest today isn’t an academic, he’s not a public figure, he’s a Sydney truckie and former Navy-man whose lived experience of professional collapse, personal trauma and discovery of Christian faith inspired him to write ‘Mistakes a Like Fertiliser’, a journey into some of history’s biggest mishaps, and how mistakes can grow us not break us. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 11 · 35 min
John Mark Comer: "Coming to quiet is one of the greatest skills we can learn." - S15E11
Today we’re going back into the archives to a chat I had with John Mark Comer about 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry'. Released in early 2020 the book pre-empted what became a time of serious reflection about what we filled our days with and how rushed modern life had become. 6 years on the “hurry sickness” John spoke about I would say is even more prevalent, combined with an anxious desire to build security in an uncertain world. John’s ideas – expanded on in his last book 'Practicing the Way' – are grounded in his Christian faith and help us “come to quiet” he says and find the peace we need. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March 3 · 27 min
"Showing authentic struggle makes faith-films more appealing." - Andrew Erwin S15E10
Our guest today is filmmaker Andrew Erwin. Together with his brother Jon, Andrew has been a part of some of the biggest faith films of the last decade including 'Jesus Revolution', 'I Still Believe' and 'Ordinary Angels'. His latest project, 'I Can Only Imagine 2', is the sequel to the 2018 hit that follows the true story of Christian band MercyMe and the family trauma singer Bart Millard faced alongside their career success. In this conversation, Andrew explains why 'Gilmore Girls' alumni Milo Ventimiglia had to be part of the film, the failures of Christian filming and why the cast want to go to space. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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