Sunday Sanctuary with Petra Bagust

Addiction is such a huge topic which can't be covered properly in one episode, so this episode of Sunday Sanctuary is primarily for those in the orbit of people struggling with addiction. How can we support those who we know are struggling? Do we need to seek support for ourselves?
To start off, Producer Sam hit the streets to talk to everyday people about their experiences with addiction. Later on, Petra Bagust talks to Rev. Petra Zaleski, an Anglican priest and spiritual care practitioner. Petra has a graduate diploma in addictions and mental health as well as lived experience with alcoholism.
Come for the compassionate support for loving those in the grips of addiction and stay for the 'sacred text' from the film The Outrun as well as music from James Brown and Lily Allen.
Sacred Text:
- Scene from the 2024 film The Outrun
Music:
You are the Gold by Terrible Sons (intro song)
Space is the Place by Ezra Collective
Caja de la Sala by Kruangbin
King Heroin by James Brown
NIUEANS OF ARIKI STREET - HOME- 01 by Hanisi Garue
Walk Alone to Hear Thoughts of Your Own by Laura Misch
Eveyone's At It by Lily Allen
memory as miniatures by Rachika Nayar

Changing your mind about what you want for dinner is easy. Changing your mind about what you think about someone, how you vote, or what you believe, is not. In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra talks with friend of the show Spanky Moore and producer Sam talks to Jesuit priest Father Michael Smith in search of some guidance through the process of re-evaluating our opinions.
Music:
Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong by Gene Harris
Bean by Orions Belte
I Might be Wrong by Radiohead
Pine Trees by Mary Lattimore
Can I Change my Mind by Tyrone Davis
Zionsville by Khruangbin

This episode originally came out in 2024
Holding a grudge is a tantalising temptation. Especially when someone has clearly wronged us. After all, they deserve to be held accountable for what they did, right?
In this episode, Petra and her guests explore what the big fuss is with forgiveness. And we’re not just talking about the earth-shattering acts of forgiveness, but garden variety forgiveness that can be weaved into our everyday life as we inevitably bump into the people around us.
Petra talks to counsellor and podcaster, Charlotte Cummings about the emotional world of forgiveness, and Rev Dr Malcolm Gordon about the nuts and bolt of the forgiveness process.
So if you’ve got a grudge that won’t budge, you’ve come to the right place.
Sacred Text:
Excerpt from The Book of Forgiving by Desmond and Mpho tutu.
Rev Malcolm Gordon's Podcast Series:
A Field Guide to Forgiveness
Featured Music:
The Light by The Album Leaf
I'm Not Sorry by Morrissey
Brother by The Brilliance

The role of fathers in our lives can be a mixed bag. There are, of course, tremendous examples of good fatherhood around and yet the brokenness of absent or abusive fathers casts a long shadow.
So what does that mean for our view of God, who is so often referred to as father?
Petra's first guest is John Cowan, a broadcaster, parenting coach, father and grandfather who's spent decades examining family dynamics and can happily provide a bit of encouragement to dads listening.
Sam Bloore also joins us with his thoughts on God as father, and how different framing of the devine can give fresh vitality to our unique spiritual journeys.
Music:
You are the Gold by Terrible Sons (theme music)
My Old Man by Mac DeMarco
Old Man by Neil Young
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses

ADHD can make it harder to engage in many spiritual practices that we've been told we should do. What happens, though, when we embrace a more inclusive way of pursuing God? In this episode,
Petra's first guest is Mark Pierson, a worship curator. He has spent decades designing spaces for people to engage in worship that looks very different to a typical church service.
Later in the episode, Petra talks to Laidlaw College's Academic Dean, Rev Dr Maja Whitaker, about the research she began after some students came to her and said "hey, this spiritual formation course you're teaching isn't working for us, and here's why..." Maja's work since has lead to a book that will be coming out in November, so keep your ear to the ground for that one.
Music:
You are the Gold by Terrible Sons
Innerspace by The Apples in Stereo
Lalo o le Mauga by SANGUINE
I'm Only Sleeping by The Beatles
Free by Florence + The Machine
Low Tides by Christoph El Truento