Open House With Stephen O'doherty

What does it mean to be spiritual? Can you also be religious? Just how do Australians see themselves and their connection to faith, community and church? New research released at an important summitt sheds light on those questions about our inner life. The research also examined the reality of our world and how we would like it to be.

Listen: Julie Edwards in conversation with Stephen O'Doherty. James (not his real name) was a teenager when he was subjected to isolation in detention. For …

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutes serious international crimes, including genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. What should we make of US National Security Advisor John Bolton's condemnation of the ICC? Dr Carrie McDougall, has first-hand experience of dealing with the ICC and believes it is important to have an independent international body to deal such serious issues.

Dr Peter White from the University of New South Wales reasoned that the DNA of the hardy pest just might provide a weapon to halt their destructive impact on the environment. Dr White was shocked to discover that no one has ever mapped the DNA of the cane toad - so he decided to fix that.

Listen: Meredith Lake in conversation with Stephen O'Doherty. The ship commanded by Captain James Cook, the Endeavour, is an important material object in …

Around the world scientists and ordinary citizens are mourning the destruction of millions of priceless scientific and cultural items in the catastrophic fire at the 200 year old National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. Expert Australian conservator, Professor Robyn Sloggett (AM), says the deep sadness we feel about the loss of this enormous collection is because humans have intense affection for the past as it is such a part of how we make sense of who we are.

Listen: Andrea Carson in conversation with Stephen O'Doherty. New research from the University of Melbourne has found that conservative voters generally …

Women leaders from across the denominations of Australia’s churches and Christian organisations came together late last month for an historic visit to Canberra. They were advocating for policies of justice and care for the world’s poor. Sue Irwin, Senior Pastor, The Grainery Church, spoke with Stephen O'Doherty on Open House.

Listen: David O'Loughlin in conversation with Stephen O'Doherty. Under the theme ‘all politics is local’, the Australian Local Government …

President Ronald Reagan chose Peggy Grande to work at his side for 10 years, and together they created a powerful partnership. Serving as his post-presidency Executive Assistant, Peggy had a front row seat to history and got to know Ronald Reagan the man, not just the president.

A report by ACOSS and Jobs Australia has found that getting a job while on Newstart is harder than people think. ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie, says the jobseekers on Newstart are often victims of serious and long standing policy failures. ACOSS and Jobs Australia are calling for government to invest in quality employment assistance for the long-term unemployed and for a safety net the supports rather than punishes people.

Dr Denis Alexander from Cambridge University, is a neuroscientist who believes passionately in both the biblical doctrine of creation and the coherence of evolutionary theory. He was recently in Australia to deliver the 2018 New College Lectures, "Genetics: God and the Future of Humanity.” 

How to find meaning and purpose in work, paid or unpaid. Clear thinking about work is a key to flourishing as a Christian in the workplace. Our conversation with Kara Martin, author of Workship.

On the second anniversary if the death of her brother, Latoya Hohepa and Common Grace's Brooke Prentis join Open House to call on people to pray over aboriginal deaths in custody.

Listen: Dr Michelle Carmody in conversation with Stephen O'Doherty. Venezuela has been experiencing an incredible cycle of inflation – currently around …

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has used its 2018-19 Social Justice Statement to express deep concern about Australia’s alarming growth in homelessness and insecure housing. On Open House Executive officer of the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, John Ferguson, laid out some of the issues.

Professor Simon Tormey told Open House that populist political movements of both the right and left are changing politics around the world. The latest example is the Swedish election where the right-wing, anti-immigration, Swedish Democrats (SD) enjoyed a growing popularity - despite their neo-Nazi origins.

How should Christians approach their calling? As image-bearers of a creative and loving God our role is to give the world a better name. That's according to author, pastor and theologian Brian Harris. Listen to his conversation with Stephen O'Doherty.

Aboriginal Elder Aunty Jean Phillips ,Common Grace aboriginal spokesperson Brooke Prentice and Common Grace CEO, Scott Sanders, join Stephen O'Doherty for an extended conversation about what justice for Australia's first peoples might look like and the role of churches in that long journey.

President of the Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation, Brian Tessman,told Open House that the retail giants are profiting from milk production to the detriment of dairy farmers, leaving many farmers struggling to feed their stock and keep their farms profitable. He says a ten cent per litre Drought Levy the organisation is proposing is an important way to help dairy farmers suffering drought and low farmgate prices.