Messages Of Hope

Family life can be tricky at the best of times, let alone through a crisis. It can be a struggle, especially when you just can’t get along. Things aren’t always so great, and no family is perfect. Rob Schubert shares how great things can happen through imperfect families.

‘I'm always thinking about lots of different things and even reflecting back as a teenager, I worked really, really hard to make sure I did well, which caused a lot of stress and definitely anxiety. So yeah, there's kind of pros and cons to something like ADHD.’There is a growing number of Australians being diagnosed with ADHD, many of them adults. Today we explore ADHD to gain a better understanding of what it is and how itcan impact a person’s life. Hear Clare’s story of understanding herself, her brain and how it has affected her relationships and her faith.

‘I remember just driving around the neighbourhood, relentless, looking for Mum. This would've been seven or eight hours and by this stage; I was in tears. I'm just thinking, "Where could she be? Please, God, be with her.”’Where do you find hope when an illness like dementia changes the relationship you have with your parents?Hear Matt’s story as he shares the struggles and challenges of being the child of ageing parents.

‘There is something really special when you are in a crowd and they pick you out. That to me is the most special thing. Like, they might be upset, but they'll come to you because you are Nana’. Over the decades, the role of grandparents has changed. Today, more grandparents are taking up the role of helping to raise their grandchildren in a complex and busy world. But there’s also some beautiful blessings in being a grandparent. In this episode, Tania talks with Julie, an educator in parenting, about the joys and challenges of being a grandparent.

With many people now living longer, there is an ever-growing demand for aged care support. How do families negotiate the transition into aged care? Richard talks with Annette who’s worked in aged care for over 30 years and shares encouraging insights for families facing the move into aged care. 

‘Some people find it hard to understand what is so good about “Good Friday” with this ugly story of an innocent man dying on a cross – but it is this completed work of the Christ and his cross that make this a good day – good for us – that we would know peace with God.’Bishop Paul Smith shares an Easter reflection on who Jesus really is and how he can offer us redemption and peace.

Hot and thirsty Do you have a past you want to forget? Trying to ignore it by covering the pain with something else sometimes seems to be the only way, but the guilt and shame stick around. Noel Due shares some stories that show there is hope and a way to find peace. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Hot-And-Thirsty-PODCAST.mp3 Read the script Order the booklet The post Hot and thirsty appeared first on Messages of hope.

When waters rise ‘Life doesn't stop for anything even a natural disaster. You can become pretty naive to think that it won't happen to you. And when it did actually happen, the devastation was beyond our comprehension at the time. And we've been dealing with that for the last two years.’ When the levee broke, Alex’s farm was inundated. Hear Alex’s story of faith and resilience as she faced the devastating impact of floods and unimaginable challenges. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/When-Waters-Rise-PODCAST.mp3 Read the script Order the booklet The post When waters rise appeared first on Messages of hope.

Good grief 'I’ve had a fair bit to do with grief in my life – enough to know that one size does not fit all. My grief, and how I grieve, is not the same as yours.' How do you deal with grief? We all experience grief in different ways and for varying lengths of time. It’s not an experience we look forward to because it’s hard. But is there another side to grief that we often miss? Something that can make the grief more bearable? Listen to Tim Klein, a funeral director and a pastor, who has seen all kinds of grief. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Good-Grief-PODCAST.mp3 Order the booklet The post Good Grief appeared first on Messages of hope.

Finding hope in your grief ‘My best friend was diagnosed with cancer. We heard on a Wednesday there's nothing that can be done. He was dead by Friday. That was a bit of a smack in the head!’ Experiencing the grief of losing someone close to you can really shake you up and make you question where God is through all of this. Listen as Steve shares what sustains him amid grief and tough times. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Finding-Hope-in-your-grief-Podcast.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet Click here for more on coping with grief and loss The post Finding hope in your grief appeared first on Messages of hope.

Called to serve Do you ever feel inspired to make a difference but feel too small and insignificant? ‘I sometimes find I get a bit overwhelmed when I start looking at how many different ways that we could be helping and serving. Don't underestimate the power of being friends with someone, being a neighbour to someone, visiting someone who doesn't get out of the house very often. It might be your grandma. The needs could be closer to you than you think.  Making a difference for one person is making a difference.’ Listen as Eloise, a young person inspired to make a difference in the world, talks about the call to serve others. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Called-to-Serve-PODCAST.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet The post Called to se

Single but not lonely 'I call it the society blueprint. You finish school, you get a job, you get a partner, you buy a house, children, retire. So, if you don't fit the blueprint, where do you fit in society?' Emma is constantly faced with questions around her single life. She's also been given plenty of unwanted advice! Listen as Emma shares how she navigates society's expectations as a single person, and the hope she discovered in embracing being single. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Single-but-Not-Lonely-Podcast-w-preamble.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet The post Single but not Lonely appeared first on Messages of hope.

A Ladder & a Torch 'I got introduced to alcohol at 16 and I found this wonderful feeling of release. I could be somebody that I always wanted to be. It became my friend.' There are many tragic stories about the abuse of alcohol, but how does it start, and how can it change? Listen to Darryl’s story of long-term alcohol addiction and how he found transformation and hope in a higher power. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/A-Ladder-and-A-Torch-Podcast_UPDATED-2025.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet Click here for more on coping with addiction The post A Ladder and a Torch appeared first on Messages of hope.

Carrying Hope ‘Us Australians are a generous bunch, often willing to support an important cause that might bring hope in a time of need. But when it comes to financial giving, we don't always get to hear the impact that our donations really have.’ Ever wondered what really happens with humanitarian aid overseas? Listen as Sophie Gebreyes, from Lutheran World Federation, shares about Ethiopia’s country program and how generous Australians are making a world of difference in the lives of people in struggling communities. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Carrying-Hope-PODCAST.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet Click here for more on natural disasters The post Carrying Hope appeared first on Messages of hope.

Dealing with Stress Life seems to be going 100 miles an hour. People all around us seem to be suffering from burnout and stress. This isn’t something new. But what is it that causes us to feel like it’s all just getting too much? Listen to Ali and Celia chat about what gets us stressed, how we react to it, what helps us when the crisis hits and managing in the longer term. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Dealing-With-Stress-Podcast.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet Click here for more on coping with stress The post Dealing with Stress appeared first on Messages of hope.

Enduring Love When love is supposed to be forever, how does it survive through illness and death? ‘There'll be swings and roundabouts. You'll be, oh, you're going fine, you know, and then suddenly you won't.’ Listen to the enduring love story of Cheryl and Trevor. Hear Cheryl share the challenge of working through Trevor’s illness and how she found hope through the loss of a life-time love. Listen to the program https://www.messagesofhope.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Enduring-Love-PODCAST.mp3 Read the script Download the booklet Click here for more on grief and loss The post Enduring Love appeared first on Messages of hope.

“It was kind of fun in the early years when he'd be gone for eight weeks at a time and he'd come back and it'd be like a new boyfriend every eight weeks. But it became tiring after a while and we realized that, if you actually expect the fresh and new each time that you're going to get disappointed.” Listen as Luke and Jo share their story of separation and what they’ve learned about their relationship and keeping the family together. The post Life Together When Apart appeared first on Messages of hope.

What do you do when you’re away from home and you receive a phone call that there is a bushfire in your area? Listen to Richard share how bushfires affected his family and the community he grew up in. How do you pick up the pieces after the devastation of a raging bushfire? Or any devastating tragedy? The post Comfort for Tragedy appeared first on Messages of hope.

Many farmers around Australia are experiencing a tough time because of drought. Even with all the best risk management and forward planning, we still can’t control the weather. You may not be a farmer but we all have things we can’t control. Losing a job, poor health, a death in the family. Listen as Richard chats with Tim, a farmer from the Mallee of South Australia. In times of drought where does he find hope? The post A Farmers Life appeared first on Messages of hope.

Have you ever felt unloved and not worth fighting for? Listen as Sophie shares how she moved from feeling unworthy and unloveable to feeling connected and loved. The post Worth Fighting For appeared first on Messages of hope.