life. together. unscripted

10/09/2021

Kat, an editorial lifestyle photographer, podcaster, speaker, author, and online educator behind The Refined Women. She discusses how the American church is a house divided, how to be wise in approaching conversation around things that trigger us, especially surrounding s*xuality and ma********on.

We can still critique the church while recognising it as the bride of Christ. Conversations should be grounded in attempting to become better at showing God’s character to the world, and to become more like Jesus. The church should want feedback and be willing to admit where it has gone wrong.

Jesus was scandalous in his time. He called out the religious elite and moved toward the oppressed and those rejected by the church. We should seek to show the love of God, and that the world will be transformed by his love. Yet, to be able to love our neighbors we must first learn to love ourselves the way God made us.

10/09/2021

Sarah grew up in a progressive Christian family and has been in full-time ministry for sixteen years, and has spoken all around the world. Though she’ll be leaving the ministry soon. Growing up, there was no expectation for her to be Christian, so she had a chance to find her faith on her own. She discusses her experience as a Christian, her ministry, and some fascinating historical facts such as how every 500 years, there is a new wave within the church. In fact, 500 years ago, we had the reformation, and it seems now that God is moving again.

We need to define what is a church and what is culture. When we marry our faith to government, success, or anything other than God, we fall short. We need to remind people, especially the marginalized, about the love of God. We also have to know that we can never have all the answers, and learn to stop reading the Bible as a full instruction book for our theology. We have to live every day for the betterment of others.

29/06/2021

Geneviève, a French-Québécoise native, details her Québécoise childhood in the 80s, and childhood trauma. She describes what she thought was a quiet, suburban childhood in a blue-collar neighborhood. Her dad, a milkman, and her mother a bank-teller, who dreamt of being a primary school teacher. Still, at the age of 9, her father left, and she rarely saw him again. She also learned eventually that her father had done many illegal things to the family, without her knowledge. Still, she believes she had a good childhood and is very grateful to her mother Suzanne LaBadie, a devout Catholic, who was always praying and did her best to raise her kids on her own, with a step-dad later joining the family.

Since her father left and having grown up poor, she searched for worldly things and relationships to validate her hurt, and became a s*x addict who was angry with men. In searching for healing, at the age of 16, she had her first boyfriend and her first s*xual experience. Over time, she had many promiscuous encounters with men and women, having had long relationships with women too. For a while, Geneviève thought she was bis*xual. From the age of 27, she spent 8 years as a pr******te. Prostitution is not a choice, and though legal, being s*xually violated is not a job. It must be talked about.

After exiting prostitution for good, she had three children with an Asian man. She understands God as her perfect father and has lived in Australia for twenty years, dealing with her trauma through art and research. In terms of childhood safety, it’s important to teach kids to deal with their emotions. That is, to talk about their feelings when they are young and to not tell them to ‘not cry’. Conversations about childhood trauma need to be had and addressed.

11/06/2021

Episode #30 - The Throwdown Episode

Dom reunites with his old band members from Throwdown in this special episode of LTU. The band reminisces over their favourite and last shows with Throwdown, some crazy experiences (like stabbing, guns, and how Matt went to jail on tour) and what they’ve been up to in the past fifteen years.

In the decades since Dom left the band, he has gotten married, had a kid, moved to Geelong in Australia, and became a church creative director at City on a Hill.

Keith dabbles in metal-Esque music, but his main work is in user interface design.

Matt moved to Washington state, has a five-year-old son, is in the process of building a house, and works in marketing for a motorcycle accessory company as he has for fourteen years.

Tommy has recently picked up the guitar during COVID after a fifteen-year hiatus and now seeks to be the Tedashii 69 of hardcore music on Soundcloud. He also has a few kids and is working on an organic plant-based café as he pursues a plant-based lifestyle.

Ben hasn’t aged in 25 years and has worked in the fitness industry. He moved to Toronto with his now-ex-wife and kids in 2008, though has had a gnarly divorce a few years ago and is left raising the kids on his own.

Marc has been opening gigs since 2001, formed a hardcore punk band called The Eulogy in 2012, and moved in with his girlfriend and her kids.

02/06/2021

Tessa Rickard, a nutritionist, mostly works with people with digestive issues and women with Hashimoto’s and teaches them what to eat and how to eat for their bodies. She discusses her work, thyroid conditions, her son’s dyslexia, physical health, the danger of snacking, and the way the church has dealt with health and weight issues.

Dyslexic children have their strengths. For example, her son is overwhelmed by written work but excels in creative and artistic work. When you understand the interests of dyslexic children and pursue them, you will find that they have their strengths and can excel. In terms of health, it’s important to find a good community and a good doctor, getting tested regularly, and eating right for our body. One shouldn’t discriminate on weight but focus on how a person feels about their weight. If we focus on how we feel, we avoid scales and learn to love ourselves. Taking care of our bodies is a spiritual issue.

24/05/2021

Amanda, former Events Manager at World Vision, Australia Red Cross, and Many Rooms, speaks of the centrality of prayer to the Christian life, her rough upbringing, faith in suffering, and mercy ministry.

Whilst raised in a Christian home, her dad left Amanda’s mum to take care of four kids on her own. Despite the circumstances, she made the emotional well-being of her kids central and did her best to provide for her kids and nourish their faith. Because of her past, and with the compassionate heart God gave her, Amanda served in World Vision for almost a decade, and even now continues to work in mercy ministry. She encourages us to use our skills and resources to advance God’s kingdom, but first we must focus on our personal relationship with Jesus, then look after our family, then our sphere of influence, and then the world.

18/05/2021

Candice Colgan is an Australian lawyer who works in the UK public service. She runs a company that specialises in trauma recovery. Through her coaching program she empowers people who have been through traumatic events, including those who have been hurt by the church, to come out more whole and stronger than before

She discusses the social and pastoral implications of a shame culture where ‘bad things’ aren’t talked about and everyone says they’re fine. She also discusses marriage and post-natal depression.

In trauma recovery, it’s crucial to feel seen, safe, and loved. It’s a slow journey in walking with them as they learn to love themselves again, and heal holistically (mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually). Even amongst those who are not Christian, belief in a higher power and listening to someone pray for them is liberating and hope-giving.

12/05/2021

LTU Alumni - Andy Lara Episode 3

When he's not busy doing creative consulting work and advancing the Kingdom, you can find him doing awesome music videos like this one 🔥

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7V5tFOvsTI&t=76s

Taken From the upcoming album "You're Not Broken. I Am" out March 27th, 2020 on Wiretap Records (US) and Disconnect Disconnect Records (UK/EU). Produced by B...

12/05/2021

LTU Alumni - Tommy Green Episode 14

"I literally feel like I've been the worst person on the planet, and he chose me"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1N3yVfuMTo

12/05/2021

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12/05/2021

Check out Tegan Philip in action 👏
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqmyuHnELXI

12/05/2021

"When did your faith go from private to public?" - Tegan Philip

10/05/2021

Tegan Philip is a retired Australian Netball player for the Melbourne V***ns. She discusses the life of a female athlete and the role her faith plays.
She discusses how mental and physical strength are crucial to her performance, and how she doesn’t care that these are traditionally masculine attributes. She discusses the importance of work-life balance, and what the life of an elite athlete looks like.

Tegan looks for opportunities to share her faith and acknowledge God’s grace to her in putting her in her position. She finds it difficult, and knows she can do more, but finds comfort in posting verses on Instagram, not to reach her many followers but to have a few to say ‘amen, I really needed to hear that.’ She finds comfort in her Christian friends and family that help keep her accountable. During COVID, Tegan has found comfort in joining online church and attending more services than she would usually be able to attend.

09/05/2021

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08/05/2021

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07/05/2021

Check out Titane Laurent website for more information about her work!

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07/05/2021

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06/05/2021

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