King Herod – A Legacy of Blood and Stone
He is one of the most reviled and hated men in history. He was the king of the Holy Land during the time of Jesus and is best known for ordering the massacre in Bethlehem of all male children under 2 years old. His name? Herod the Great.
The Coles Story: From Corner Store to Supermarket Giant
The value of the global trade of goods in the world today is approximately 30 trillion US dollars. That’s 83 billion dollars per day of goods transported worldwide across land, air and sea. However, trade is nothing new; in ancient times, trade began as a barter system in which people exchanged one object for another. Eventually it moved to markets, then shops and now we have supermarkets with around 40,000 items in the store. How did this happen? Join Gary Kent as he explores the story of Sir George James Coles—a businessman and a philanthropist who chose to make a difference and started one of the biggest supermarket chains in Australia.
Sacred Sites of the Ancient World
Virtually all ancient civilisations considered the celestial bodies and their movements of great importance, even incorporating astronomical events into the design of their sacred temples and monuments. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Mesopotamians, Chinese, Incas, Mayans and Aztecs worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. They built splendid sacred monuments that reflected astronomical events associated with the movement of the planets and stars. They were revered as gods to be worshipped and considered vital to people’s day-to-day lives. These ancient people believed the stars carried an important message for humanity. Interestingly, these majestic stars do have a message for us today. Join Gary on a journey to some of the most magnificent sacred sites in the ancient world to discover the message of the stars – a message that will hold you spellbound.
Lennie the Legend – An Epic Journey to the Bridge of Dreams
In 1932, Lennie Gwyther was nine years old when he and his horse Ginger Mick embarked on a 1000-kilometre journey to Sydney to see the newly constructed harbour bridge. At the time, Australia was in the throes of economic depression, and Lennie’s journey resonated with many Australians. At the end of his journey, Lennie was dubbed a legend and given a hero’s welcome in both Sydney and his native town of Leongatha. Join us as we follow in the footsteps of Lennie Gwyther and his incredible journey.
Defeat of Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa and the area which fell under it became the site of some of the largest and most brutal battles, deadliest atrocities, terrible loss of life, and horrific conditions for Soviets and Germans alike – all of which influenced the course of World War 2. The defeat of Operation Barbarossa led to the end of that war and all the pain, suffering and horrific conditions that accompanied it. In this program we investigate its connection with a young Australian engineer and consider the insights Operation Barbarossa provides into the Universal War, the War behind all wars that is still raging today and involves all of us, yes, even you and me.
Record Breakers – Nevill & Bubsie – First Drive Around Australia
In August 1925, two young adventurous missionaries set off from Perth, Western Australia, in their small Citroën with a plan to drive to Darwin, selling books and collecting donations along the way. If they made it that far, they would be the first motorists to complete that journey. But adventure took on a life of its own and, by the end of the year, Nevill Westwood and the little car ‘Bubsie’ had driven into the history books and completed the first journey around Australia.
Foods that Heal the Brain
Did you know that the foods we eat daily determine our brain’s health and well-being? And here’s what’s important. There are superfoods and lifestyle choices that can heal our brains. It’s a question that lurks in our minds. Could the foods we eat really affect our ability to concentrate, focus, learn, and remember? Can the foods we eat really harm our brains? Every day, when we choose foods to eat, do we ask ourselves, “Is this food good for my brain, my body, and my well-being?”
Well, nutritionists tell us that parts of the brain linked to learning, memory, and mental health are smaller in people who have lots of fast foods, hamburgers, fries, potato chips, and soft drinks in their diet. However, their research shows that berries, whole grains, nuts, and green leafy vegetables preserve brain function and slow mental decline. So, what does this mean for us? There is a lot of discussion today about healthy food choices, plant-based options, and food for our well-being. How do we determine the best foods for our brains and our health?
Join Gary as he and a nutritional neuroscientist discuss the impact of food on our brains, the best foods for our brains and the foods that harm our brains.
Samuel Marsden – New Zealand’s Gamechanger
Born the son of a humble blacksmith in Yorkshire, England, Samuel Marsden rose to become one of the most prominent, influential — and at times controversial — figures in early colonial Australia. But who was this remarkably versatile man? A chaplain, magistrate, farmer, and a pioneer of the Australian wool industry, Marsden’s legacy stretches far beyond the pulpit.
His influence wasn’t limited to Australia. In the early 1800s, at the invitation of a prominent Māori chief, Marsden sailed to New Zealand’s North Island, where he established the first mission station. There, he introduced both Christianity and agricultural practices to the Māori people, while also working to curb the sale of muskets and the trade in tattooed heads.
Join us as we retrace the footsteps of Samuel Marsden and explore the legacy of a man whose vision and convictions shaped the course of history in both Australia and New Zealand.
Charlotte Elliot – A Journey of Faith and Redemption
Charlotte Elliot’s story is one of resilience, faith, and grace. Born in 1789 in England, she faced lifelong physical and emotional struggles that left her questioning her worth before God. A turning point came when Dr. Cesar Malan visited her and encouraged her to come to God just as she was. This profound moment inspired her to write the hymn Just As I Am in 1835—a reflection of her personal journey of surrender and faith. The hymn’s simple yet powerful message of approaching God without pretence has touched millions. It influenced figures like C.S. Lewis, who found comfort in its words during his spiritual journey, and Billy Graham, who regularly used it in his evangelistic altar calls. Just As I Am endures as a timeless reminder of God’s unconditional love and grace—welcoming all who come to Him, just as they are.
Martin Luther – Man of the Millennium
Over 500 years ago, a young German monk named Martin Luther challenged the power and authority of the most powerful empire on earth. He set in motion a train of revolution, war and conflict that would reshape Western civilisation and lift it out of the Dark Ages.
In the university town of Wittenberg, not all that far from the Rhine River, the young Martin Luther strides down the busy street to Wittenberg’s Castle church, the most prominent and important building in the town. On the church door, he nails a sheet of paper with a list of 95 theses that challenge the power and authority of the most powerful empire on earth – an empire that had ruled for a thousand years. Now he’s on a collision course with the most powerful people of the time – the Pope and the Emperor.
