Chris Clarke is the CEO of the Wilberforce Foundation, having previously worked in leadership in the health sector, followed by leading World Vision NZ.

Chris and I begin by talking about his own journey, through business, into the health sector, and then into the world of non-profits, including his time with World Vision NZ. We talk about why he got into that work, and what he learned from those times.

We then discuss the study the Wilberforce Foundation commissioned into faith and belief in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We talk about some of the interesting results from the survey, and what they are telling the church about who we are and who we could be. There are some encouraging things, some very troubling things, and some things that should make the church sit up and notice, realising that change simply has to happen if the church is going to have anything to say to people in this country into the future.

Chris is an outstanding human, with a big heart, and a big dose of humility.

Check out the faith and belief study at faithandbeliefstudynz.org

Find the Wilberforce Foundation at wilberforce.org.nz or on Facebook

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic or facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic or @commoners_communion

A content warning right from the beginning here...the episode contains discussion around self-harm a.k.a. non-suicidal self injury (NSSI), and suicide is therefore also mentioned. So please take all the precautions you need to keep yourself safe, and skip the episode if you need to. Please also access support if you need to. You can find a large range of support services at thevoicesofhope.org/pages/find-a-helpline

Dr Kirsty Moore is a doctor of psychology, with lived experience of NSSI. She works across a range of roles, but holds a special passion for educating parents, teachers, and others who work with our young people, about NSSI and the ways to support people who are self harming, which she does voluntarily. We talk about how Kirsty got into psychology, how she became focussed on NSSI, including hearing some of her story, and how she uses this knowledge and experience for the good of others.

We talk about NSSI, some of the stereotypes that aren't so helpful, some of the common motivations, and why it's important to have thought about how you might support someone who is self harming.

Find Kirsty on Instagram, or if you are interested in having Dr Kirsty speak to your group, contact her at Kirsty@drkirstycoaching.co.nz

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic or facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic or @commoners_communion

Back on Episode 33 we talked about James' time working with refugees in Ngaru, and then what he was up to in the Australian outback. This time we talk to him about his involvement in the formation of the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages that began before easter and are continuing around the world. We talk about how and why they started, how it's going, and what they are hoping to accomplish. We talk about the importance of the involvement of Palestinian Christians in the movement, and how people around the world are joining in.

It's a great reminder that we can all do something, even if it feels like not much, and that that small thing when put together with the small things of others, can make a difference in the world.

Find Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages at gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com or on Instagram or Facebook

Follow Aotearoa Christians for Peace in Palestine on Instagram or Facebook

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: downtoearth.conversations@gmail.com