Towards Understanding podcast

33:02

Dr. Ming Wang, a Chinese immigrant who defies all odds to become a world-renowned eye surgeon in the United States joins Clayton to talk about the so called 'Cultural Revolution' in the 1960's & 70's that destroyed Dr Wang's childhood education. He shares about his journey to America, his development of ground breaking eye technology that he gifted to the world (now worth $5billion). And shares how his Christian faith guides his life, but also his work as one of, if not the, leading eye surgeon in the world. Dr Wang's story is told in the recently released movie, Sight . “ I am overwhelmed that a movie is being made about my life. Living through the many dramatic events that I experienced, I never expected them to be told to the world, especially in such a poignant way. I hope this movie might pave the way to inspire more untold stories to be heard and to inspire others to persevere and follow their dreams, ” said Dr. Ming Wang. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Bill Sutcliffe – Author of Driven 34:44

5 days ago34:44

34:44

Bill Sutcliffe shares with Clayton a story of overcoming unimaginable abuse as a child (on multiple levels) to a moment of forgiveness that changed his world. Hear Bill's story as he shares about his world changing relationship with Jesus and the subsequent life changing moments he has been able to give to prisoners and those who have been abused themselves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Sheila Gregoire - Author of She Deserves Better 34:34

8 days ago34:34

34:34

Sheila Wray Gregoire is the author of eleven books including She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up, the host of the Bare Marriage podcast, and the founder of To Love Honor and Vacuum . An award-winning writer, Sheila calls the church to more than just pat answers by conducting original research to find out what advice works–and what really doesn’t. She Deserves Better is an evidence-based book grounded on surveys of over 28,000 women to offer mums a fresh, freeing, and biblically grounded message of sexuality and self-worth for their daughters that is less about the don'ts and more about the dos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Dave Fishwick - Bank of Dave 18:42

12 days ago18:42

18:42

Dave Fishwick is the 'Dave' behind the UK movie, Bank of Dave . He chats to Clayton about being driven by the need to help others and is constantly seeking ways to make the lives of those around him, better. He shares with Clayton, his journey of being a working-class man from the small English town of Burnley in Northern England and fighting the elite London banking establishment to establish a local community bank. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Jo Hood - Founder/CEO of mainly music 28:05

15 days ago28:05

28:05

Jo Hood is the Founder/CEO of mainly music. Originally starting in New Zealand in 1990, mainly music is now also in Australia and the UK, plus a handful of groups in other countries. In 2025, mainly music celebrates 35 years in NZ, 25 years in Australia, and 20 years in the UK, since the first group was established in each location. Tens of thousands of families over this time have enjoyed many moments together, singing, dancing, moving, laughing, learning, eating great cake, and most of all, realising they have been welcomed into a joy-filled community of belonging. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Victoria Sinis - From OnlyFans to Creating Gems 29:40

18 days ago29:40

29:40

Victoria Sinis once used her skills to market OnlyFans creators, she now uses them as a speaker, strategist, and founder of Creating Gems, to equips counter-cultural voices, nonprofits, and advocates to grow with integrity online. With a background in marketing and lived experience in the adult content industry, Victoria now uses storytelling to challenge harmful narratives, educate on digital exploitation, and empower others to reclaim their worth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Don Spencer – Play School Legend 19:28

19 days ago19:28

19:28

Don Spence an Australian singer-songwriter, musician, and former children's television presenter, known the best for his long tenure as a host on Play School. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Max Lucado: Author, Pastor and Missionary 9:05

25 days ago9:05

9:05

Author, missionary, pastor and sometimes-actor Max Lucado chatted with Clayton about his motivations and creative processes. With over 100 books published internationally, Lucado is a passionate and inspired author. He discusses his creativity and love for writing, and the joy that the practice elicits within him. Showing no signs of slowing down, the full-time pastor revels in his busy and inspired lifestyle: “I love what I do. As long as the Lord gives me good health and ideas, I’m going to keep doing what I do.”" See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Boxer Nigel Benn’s addiction to adultery 17:45

26 days ago17:45

17:45

Boxing champion Nigel Benn opened up to Clayton Bjelan about the misguided path he led during his boxing career. “I just thought it was great at the time because I’d come from nothing. I’d gone straight to the top of the food train.” With the overwhelming changes to his everyday life, Nigel found himself surrounded by a different crowd of people, got into drugs, and became addicted to adultery. Unable to break this damaging cycle, Nigel found courage in himself to tell his wife of the 16 years’ worth of affairs. Listen in to hear what the turning point was for him in his life to learn to forgive himself and how his wife came to forgive him for the adultery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Martine Wilson – Generosity Path 28:31

29 days ago28:31

28:31

Martine is a Director for Generosity Path and believes generosity could solve the world’s problems! She is passionate about supporting churches, ministries and business groups to disciple believers into radical and joyful generosity as a natural response to Jesus' radical generosity to us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Steve Lawrence - leading in life, footy, family and community 22:20

5 weeks ago22:20

22:20

Clayton chatted with Steve Lawrence about leading in life, character, footy, family and community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Jason T. Smith - Author of Unlikely 42:59

5 weeks ago42:59

42:59

Jason is an accomplished physiotherapist, dynamic entrepreneur, and award-winning leadership expert in high demand. He was the CEO of Australia's largest physiotherapy network at the time, Back In Motion Health Group. He has written three books and chatted to Clayton about his latest book, Unlikely . Jason shares how is life as a businessman is intertwined with God's purposes for him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles 17:56

6 weeks ago17:56

17:56

Detective Senior Sergeant Ron Iddles As Victoria’s most experienced homicide detective, Ron Iddles investigated around 300 murders spanning 25 years. He became known for his tough but fair approach to solving serious crimes, even coming under fire when he used a crime scene photo of Jill Meagher while talking about community safety. Here he reflects on his involvement in a number of high-profile cases and his role as Police Association Secretary. Tune in to hear more about Ron’s life and the impact his job has had on his family over the years. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Katherine Kirkwood - Stable One CEO 29:13

6 weeks ago29:13

29:13

Katherine Kirkwood - Stable One CEO Katherine Kirwood is the CEO of Stable One. Hear how this creative concept might just be a key to helping solve homelessness and connecting Churches together like never before. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Nicky Gumbel – Alpha Program 17:35

7 weeks ago17:35

17:35

Nicky Gumbel – Alpha Program Nicky Gumbel chatted with Clayton about everything to do with the Alpha program (the program that allows you to ask those ‘big’ questions about life). Nicky talked about the amount of countries and languages that the Alpha program is in, the strangest place that the Alpha program has run (doubt you will guess it!) and why Bear Grylls is involved in the Alpha program. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Sam Childers - The Machine Gun Preacher 9:46

15 weeks ago9:46

9:46

Whether you saw the Hollywood film about Sam’s story or not, make sure you listen as Sam talks about his life story: from being a drug dealer and incredibly violent man, his life-changes as he became a Christian and then his decision to fight against the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) to free children in South Sudan, who had been kidnapped to be part of the army. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Andy Bannister - Author of How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot 32:52

15 weeks ago32:52

32:52

Andy is the Director of Solas and author of the book 'How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot'. Andy chatted with Clayton about asking good questions as a basis of any conversations about faith... and he suggests ways to answer tricky questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Renée Bondi – Quadriplegic 31:42

16 weeks ago31:42

31:42

Renée Bondi was engaged to be married and had a beautiful singing voice, a thriving career as a music teacher, and a loving family. But then one night a bizarre accident shattered her spine and left her quadriplegic - waking up and suddenly diving off her bed. Her life changed forever. Unwilling to accept that her life was over, Renée searched her heart and asked God for help. Renée shared with Clayton how she leaned on God during this time. She shares how she copes with the constant living in a wheelchair. Find out more about Renée at Catholic Speakers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Ben Fielding - 'First Hymn' Single Release 29:44

17 weeks ago29:44

29:44

Along with Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding has released a new single, 'First Hymn' which is a reworking of the world’s oldest Christian hymn discovered with lyrics and musical notation. The song launch comes ahead of the release of a documentary, ‘The First Hymn’, produced by Undeceptions, which tracks the discovery of the old hymn on papyrus in the sands of an ancient Egyptian city, and the process of giving it back to the world. Ben joined Clayton to chat more about this amazing project! Listen in to also hear 'The First Hymn' as Ben and Clayton speak. Ben Fielding is a GRAMMY award winning, multi-platinum, Australian songwriter and artist. A prolific song-writer, Ben has written many of the most sung and loved modern hymns across the Church globally. He is the only songwriter to have four songs reach #1 on CCLI as the most sung songs in the global Church: Goodness of God, What A Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am and Mighty to Save. Ben also wrote the certified Gold This I Believe (The Creed) which, like The First Hymn, is the translation of an ancient text into a modern worship song. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Dr Beryl D’Souza 27:08

18 weeks ago27:08

27:08

Dr Beryl D’Souza is the key Indian leader for Dignity Freedom Network (DFN) and she chatted with Clayton about their work in India with those in abject poverty (specific focus on anti-trafficking). Dr Beryl is an Indian national and explained how the work of DFN seeing lives transformed as women and girls discover their value and worth and are set on a path to freedom and hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Peter Goldsworthy - The Cancer Finishing School 23:08

18 weeks ago23:08

23:08

Dr Peter Goldsworthy chatted to Clayton about his book, The Cancer Finishing School and explains that he uses a heavy dose of gallows humour to come to terms with his new reality of an incurable cancer. He has a fascinating story of looking at cancer from a doctor's perspective and then as the individual involved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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J. Warner Wallace 42:58

19 weeks ago42:58

42:58

J. Warner Wallace is a Cold-Case Detective, Author, Speaker, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary. Clayton chatted with Jim about his recently updated book, Cold-Case Christianity, in which he shares his story of being a devout atheist who couldn't imagine believing in the Christian faith-until he applied the same step-by-step investigative process he utilised in his work as a homicide detective to the case for Christianity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Graham Jenke - honorary member of the Redback Motorcycle Club 23:24

19 weeks ago23:24

23:24

In 2008, Lutheran pastor Graham Jenke met a group of bikers in a South Australian Hotel. He’s now spent over a decade sharing the gospel as an honorary member of the Redback Motorcycle Club. He shares his story with Clayton. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Investigator V – International Justic Mission 31:42

21 weeks ago31:42

31:42

This week, Clayton chats to a man whose name we can’t even use… Working for the International Justice Mission… “Investigator V” spends years building cases against slave traffickers to enable governments around the world to provide true justice to those without a voice… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Ray Comfort - Author of Why Jesus? 34:26

21 weeks ago34:26

34:26

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Josh McDowell - Author of Set Free to Choose Right 18:07

22 weeks ago18:07

18:07

Josh McDowell joins Clayton. He has authored 150 books in 128 languages, his latest is about equipping our kids to make great moral choices for life – Set Free To Choose Right. “Every Christian kid I meet will tell me what is right and what is wrong…but what almost none of them can tell me is, why is it right or why is it wrong.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Ittay Flescher - The Holy and the Broken 39:33

22 weeks ago39:33

39:33

Clayton welcomed Ittay Flescher into the studio during a recent visit to Melbourne. Ittay is the Education Director at Kids4Peace Jerusalem, an interfaith movement for Israelis and Palestinians, which is a program of Seeds of Peace. He is also the Jerusalem correspondent for Melbourne’s Jewish Independent and co-host of the podcast From the Yarra River to the Mediterranean Sea. For more resources on how those in Australia & NZ can promote peace check out ittay.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Bonnie Hancock - Athlete & author of The Girl who Touched the Stars 28:07

23 weeks ago28:07

28:07

Bonnie Hancock completed a gruelling 12,700-kilometre journey around Australia solo in a surf ski, becoming the fastest ever paddler to circumnavigate the continent, the first Australian woman to circumnavigate the continent by paddle, and the youngest person to do so. She chatted with Clayton about how shark & croc encounters and the resilience needed in a team to achieve a feat such as this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Peggy Grande - EA to Ronald Reagan 18:15

24 weeks ago18:15

18:15

What is it like sitting outside the office of a US President? Peggy Grande , EA to Ronald Reagan, joins Clayton to talk all things politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Sean Turnell - An Unlikely Prisoner 43:54

24 weeks ago43:54

43:54

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

1
Helen Thorne–Allenson - Purity in a Porn–Saturated Culture 29:56

7 weeks ago29:56

29:56

Helen Thorne–Allenson - Purity in a Porn–Saturated Culture Helen Thorne-Allenson is the Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She is an experienced speaker and writer whose recent books include Mental Health and Your Church , Hope in an Anxious World and 5 Things to Pray for a Suffering Friend . Clayton and Helen talked about Helen's new book ‘ Purity in a Porn-Saturated Culture ’, specifically having conversations around young females’ usage of porn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Andrew Marin - Bridging the Social Divide 25:50

9 weeks ago25:50

25:50

Andrew Marin - Bridging the Social Divide Andrew, author of Love is an Orientation , is advocates bridge building opposing world views, from the LGBTI community to the Middle East conflicts “Building a bridge is about bringing opposing world views together to figure out what it means to facilitate a new medium of engagement.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Michael Emmett - Author of Sins of the Father 39:24

9 weeks ago39:24

39:24

Michael Emmett - Author of Sins of the Father Michael Emmett found his name in the headlines when he was caught for a drug bust in 1993. It was one of the UK's biggest at the time. While in prison, with his father in the same cell, he happened to find God, hope and, with those, a new lease of life. A transformed and loving family man, Michael is sowing seeds of hope and charity around the world. He hopes sharing his story of desperation will encourage others to step into the light and a journey of health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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John Boyers - Manchester United Chaplain 34:14

10 weeks ago34:14

34:14

What’s it like being chaplain to the most famous sporting club in the world, Manchester United? John Boyers chats to Clayton about this. “David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, I knew them when they were nobody’s.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Todd Burpo – Author of Heaven is for Real 13:20

10 weeks ago13:20

13:20

Todd tells the story of his son who was in emergency surgery at four years of age and travelled to heaven! Listen as Todd shares about his scepticism at first and tells us some of the stories that his son Colton revealed from his trip (meeting family members who past long before he was born and even a sister he had never been told about who was lost in the womb!)." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Kate Fisher, Founder of Milkshakes for Marleigh 22:12

10 weeks ago22:12

22:12

Inspired by her daughter, Marleigh, Kate is the host and producer of The Milkshakes for Marleigh Podcast where she tells the survival stories of blood product recipients. This is her creative solution to the social problem that not enough people donate blood. Marleigh became unwell at the age of three and was eventually diagnosed with Seronegative Paediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis, which is a life-threatening condition with no cure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Damien May from Destiny Rescue 22:57

11 weeks ago22:57

22:57

Damien May from Destiny Rescue Clayton chatted with Damien May from Destiny Rescue… he literally saves children, who have been sold into slavery around our world. Hear his story of dramatic adventure and how his faith drives him! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Dr Andrew Browning - A Doctor in Africa 30:55

11 weeks ago30:55

30:55

Dr Andrew Browning is an Australian trained obstetrician who has spent his entire professional career volunteering in Africa as a medical missionary specialising in obstetric fistula surgery. Andrew is now the Medical Director for the Barbara May Foundation and joined Clayton to talk about his book, A Doctor in Africa. Andrew shares with Clayton, the obstacles he has overcome working in remote, harsh and vastly under-resourced regions, and has compelling stories of the women whose lives he has transformed forever through fistula surgery and access to free maternal healthcare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Michael Franzese - From Mobster to Minister 30:43

12 weeks ago30:43

30:43

Clayton chatted with Michael Franzese, former mob boss for the Colombo crime family in New York, before an encounter with Jesus changed his life. “I don’t know of anybody that reached the level that I reached in that life, and publicly walked away…” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Rebecca St James and Cubbie Fink - Lasting Ever 35:36

12 weeks ago35:36

35:36

The 2024 Dove-award winning film “Unsung Hero” depicted the early years of Rebecca St James family life and music career. Lasting Ever brings fans up to date on Rebecca’s current life and introduces readers to her husband Cubbie Fink’s personal story. Now in their second decade of marriage, the couple join Clayton to unpack the highs and lows of their shared and individual journeys. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Ian McCormack 16:34

13 weeks ago16:34

16:34

Ian McCormack Ian was night diving off the island of Mauritius when he was stung by 5 Box Jellyfish, which are among the most venomous creatures in the world. Ian shares with Clayton how he made it to the hospital but then died. He came back to life more than 15 minutes later and had a dramatic encounter with both Hell and Heaven and an encounter with God that transformed his life forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Jodi Rodgers of Birds and Bees 26:04

13 weeks ago26:04

26:04

You might recognise Jodi as the relationship specialist on the Emmy award winning TV show Love on the Spectrum (featured on ABC & Netflix). She has 30 years working within the education, disability and sexuality fields. Jodi has recently published a book internationally sharing stories from her experience working with the autistic community, called Unique - What Autism Can Teach Us about Difference, Connection and Belonging. Jodi share practical insight into how to interact with those in the neurodiverse community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Jeffrey Archer - Prison, Politics & World-famous Author 12:23

14 weeks ago12:23

12:23

Jeffrey spoke to Clayton about his life, writing style, tips for budding authors and where he always writes the first draft of a book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Towards Understanding

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Valerie Browning - Author - Maalika 20:54

14 weeks ago20:54

20:54

Valerie Browning AM is an Australian nurse and Ethiopiaid's long-time project partner, She shares her extraordinary life in her gripping biography, "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads of Africa". After volunteering to help the victims of Ethiopia's famine in 1973, little did she know that her life - and the lives of countless people in Afar - were about to change forever. She co-founded the Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA) and has dedicated her life for the human rights of people in one of the most remote and isolated regions of Ethiopia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

Towards Understanding

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Dr James Tour 33:24

14 weeks ago33:24