Most of us think we're pretty good at listening. From kids asked to "whakarongo mai" at school, to a one-on-one catch up with a friend, listening can't be that hard, can it? But what changes when the person speaking feels truly heard or understood? And what similarities are there between listening to others, and listening to God?

In this episode, Petra talks to sexologist and relationship coach Meg Cowan about how we can better listen to others. Later on, fan favourite Rev. Spanky Moore returns to share what he has noticed in the years he's spent listening to God, and helping others to do the same. Rev. Frank Ritchie brings a fantastic reflection of Communion, we hear your thoghts during Community Life, and there's top notch waiata/music as always.

Sacred Texts:

- Francis Bebey and the Pygmy Flute

Music:

1. Emotional Intelligence by Chaos in the CBD (played to start Meg's interview)
2. Space 7 by Nala Sinephro (played to end Meg's interview)
3. Man I Need by Olivia Dean
4. Rivers That You Cannot See by North Americans (played during communion)
5. Live for Each Other by Cut Off Your Hands
6. Homeless Wanderer by Emahoy Tsege Maryam Gebru (played at the end)

Bird sound effect: Various_birds_bush_NewZealand_4channel_front.flac by Phistomefel -- https://freesound.org/s/326546/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Kia ora e te whānau! Petra and producer Sam jump in to say hi after their hiatus. Come for the updates on what they've been up to and the impromtu spelling bee, stay for the wisdom from Nick Cave and Nigel Latta. The first full episode of Sunday Sanctuary will be out on October 19th.

Here is Nick Cave's letter

Here is a link to buy Nigel's book

Songs:

Pray for Me by SAULT (played to end the episode)

While Sunday Sanctuary is on a break, we want to share episodes from podcasts that we think you'll really like. This week: Makers & Mystics.

This episode is from season 13 of Makers and Mystics, "the podcast for the art-driven, spiritually adventurous seekers of truth and lovers of life." In this episode, Stephen Roach and his guest, John Heers, discuss viewing "hospitality as revolution". Big thanks to Stephen for letting us share this episode. If you like what you hear, you can find Makers & Mystics wherever you listen to podcasts.

Makers & Mystics website

Makers & Mystics Instagram