Advertise on podcast: This I Know - Formerly The Lydia Project

Author and apologist Teasi Cannon chats to Taryn Hayes about her remarkable journey from growing up in a cult to finding freedom and confidence in Jesus, and how that journey eventually led her into more than fifteen years of studying apologetics. At the heart of the conversation is Teasi’s recent work on biblical forgiveness: why she believes the modern idea of forgiveness as a private, therapeutic act has departed from the biblical picture, how that understanding can place an unnecessary burden on victims, and why repentance matters. Teasi and Taryn explore spiritual abuse, church accountability, healing, vengeance, reconciliation, and the beauty of genuine repentance, while reflecting on the importance of knowing Scripture, thinking carefully about what we believe, and trusting God even when difficult questions remain. *** RELATED CONTENT: Teasi Cannon — official website Biblical Forgiveness — Teasi Cannon’s resources on forgiveness General Apologetics — Teasi Cannon’s recommended resources Spiritual Abuse — Teasi Cannon’s resources on understanding and healing from spiritual abuse BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: Counterfeit Forgiveness: How a Modern Myth Betrays Victims, Protects Abusers, and Corrupts the Gospel — Teasi Cannon *** KEY THEMES Christian testimony, conversion, apologetics, biblical forgiveness, repentance, reconciliation, spiritual abuse, victims, church accountability, biblical literacy, therapeutic forgiveness, emotional healing, vengeance, trusting God, church culture, restoration, mentoring, Scripture, grace, Christian relationships *** A NOTE ON LINKS and CREATION & AI TOOLS: Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Podcast episodes are predominantly recorded and edited on Riverside.com. All podcast and engagement artwork is created by Taryn in Canva. The intro and outro music, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, was created by Taryn in collaboration with the AI music tool Suno. From time to time, AI is also used as a sounding board and editing aid for some scripts and/or show notes. *** ABOUT THE PODCAST: This I Know, hosted by Taryn Hayes, features informal, long-form conversations with Christians in Australia and around the world about faith, life, ministry, and the ways God is at work in and through his people. The podcast began in 2016 as The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women, founded and hosted by Tori Walker, with Taryn co-hosting from 2018 to 2022. In September 2026, it was relaunched as This I Know, opening the conversation to both Christian men and women. While Taryn comes from a Reformed evangelical theological background, guests may hold differing views on disputable or non-gospel matters. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. CONNECT: Follow This I Know on most social media platforms: @thisiknowshow

Scottish minister, author, and podcaster David Robertson, also known as The Wee Flea, chats to Taryn Hayes about his unlikely journey to faith, decades of ministry in Scotland and Australia, and the experiences that have shaped his public Christian voice. From teenage atheism and a prayer asking God to reveal himself, through church planting, evangelism, controversy, serious illness, and an unexpected online ministry, David reflects on the joy and cost of following Christ. At the heart of the conversation is a call to keep opening the Bible, sharing the gospel and trusting that God is not finished with his church or his world. *** RELATED CONTENT: The Wee Flea — David Robertson’s blog and online ministry Beauty for Ashes — David Robertson’s podcast Coffee with Job — David Robertson’s short-form Bible teaching series Scots Kirk, Newcastle — where David currently serves as minister BOOKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Dawkins Letters: Challenging Atheist Myths — David Robertson The God Delusion — Richard Dawkins A.S.K.: Real World Questions / Real Word Answers — David Robertson S.E.E.K.: More Real World Questions / More Real Word Answers — David Robertson K.N.O.C.K.: Even More Real World Questions / Even More Real Word Answers — David Robertson Magnificent Obsession — David Robertson The Wee Flea — David Robertson’s blog Beauty for Ashes — David Robertson’s podcast Coffee with Job — David Robertson’s short-form Bible teaching series City Bible Forum Scots Kirk, Newcastle Scripture Union *** KEY THEMES Christian testimony, conversion, evangelism, ministry, perseverance, Bible reading, apologetics, church ministry, suffering, Christian public witness, Richard Dawkins, The Wee Flea, faith and culture, sharing the gospel, God’s faithfulness *** A NOTE ON LINKS and CREATION & AI TOOLS: Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Podcast episodes are predominantly recorded and edited on Riverside.com. All podcast and engagement artwork is created by Taryn in Canva. The intro and outro music, Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, was created by Taryn in collaboration with the AI music tool Suno. From time to time, AI is also used as a sounding board and editing aid for some scripts and/or show notes.  *** ABOUT THE PODCAST: This I Know, hosted by Taryn Hayes, features informal, long-form conversations with Christians in Australia and around the world about faith, life, ministry, and the ways God is at work in and through his people. The podcast began in 2016 as The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women, founded and hosted by Tori Walker, with Taryn co-hosting from 2018 to 2022. In September 2026, it was relaunched as This I Know, opening the conversation to both Christian men and women. While Taryn comes from a Reformed evangelical theological background, guests may hold differing views on disputable or non-gospel matters. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host. CONNECT: Follow This I Know on most social media platforms: @thisiknowshow

In this episode, Taryn remembers two former Lydia Project guests: Nina Hampton and Barbara Reaoch. Sadly, their earthly races have since ended. Through clips from their original conversations, they reflect on cancer, weakness, uncertainty, ordinary faithfulness and the God who remains steadfast through it all. Their stories are different, but each points us beyond ourselves to the same hope: to keep running the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. LINKS: ---Listen to the Original Lydia Project Episodes: Nina Hampton — Episode 89 https://tlpcwcw.podbean.com/e/episode-89-nina-hampton/ Barbara Reaoch — Episode 54 https://tlpcwcw.podbean.com/e/episode-54-barbara-reaoch/ Barbara Reaoch & Stacy Reaoch — Episode 88, Making Room for Her https://tlpcwcw.podbean.com/e/episode-88-making-room-for-her-book-club/ Another poignant episode is that of Kim Gibson — Episode 49 https://tlpcwcw.podbean.com/e/episode-49-kim-gibson/ ---Barbara Reaoch’s Books: Making Room for Her — Barbara Reaoch & Stacy Reaoch https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=Making+Room+for+Her+Barbara+Reaoch&tag=tiks07-22 A Jesus Christmas — Barbara Reaoch https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=A+Jesus+Christmas+Barbara+Reaoch&tag=tiks07-22 A Better Than Anything Christmas — Barbara Reaoch https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=A+Better+Than+Anything+Christmas+Barbara+Reaoch&tag=tiks07-22 Some book links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. ABOUT THE PODCAST: This I Know is a podcast hosted by Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christians in Australia and around the world about faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of This I Know guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host. A NOTE ON CREATION AND AI TOOLS: Podcast episodes are predominantly recorded and edited on Riverside.com. All podcast and engagement artwork is created by Taryn in Canva. Jesus Loves Me, This I Know was created by Taryn in collaboration with the AI music tool Suno. From time to time, AI is also used as a sounding board and editing aid for some scripts and/or show notes. KEY THEMES: Faith, cancer, suffering, perseverance, grief, hope, Christian testimony, weakness, uncertainty, God’s faithfulness, trusting Jesus, fixing our eyes on Jesus, Hebrews 12, life and death, Christian encouragement. Connect on most social media platforms: @thisiknowshow

After a few years away from the microphone, I’m back ... and The Lydia Project has a new name, a wider table, and a fresh season ahead. In this first episode of This I Know, I share a little of the story behind the podcast: where it came from, why I’ve decided to pick up the microphone again, and what I hope these conversations will become. I also introduce myself (and explain the accent!) along with some reflections on this new season of life after nearly twenty years of homeschooling, the questions I’ve been asking about how to use the years ahead for God’s kingdom, and why listening well to the stories of other Christians continues to matter so much to me. You’ll also hear a familiar voice as Lydia Project founder and former co-host Tori Walker drops in to reflect on where it all began and why she’s delighted to see these conversations continue. At the heart of This I Know is the picture of Hebrews 12: running with endurance the race God has set before us and fixing our eyes on Jesus. Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. ** follow along on socials @thisiknowshow **

Being the Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World That Says You Shouldn't is the thoughtful work of Stephen McAlpine. In this chat, Steve discusses the cultural shift we find ourselves in where the Christian ethic is increasingly considered a moral wrong by the secular world. He also shares how he came to trust Jesus and his plan to publish a follow-up book in 2023.    Steve is a pastor and writer from Perth who has an interest in helping Christian organisations such as schools and churches to navigate the increasingly complex cultural settings of the West today. He is a board member of Swan Christian Education Association, a system of seven schools in Perth. He and his wife Jill have been involved in church planting and pastoring for almost three decades. Steve is a National Communicator for the workplace evangelism project, City Bible Forum. His book, Being The Bad Guys: How to Live for Jesus in a World that Says You Shouldn’t, was the Australian Christian Book of the Year 2021.   LINKS   Stephen's Blog: https://stephenmcalpine.com Stephen's Podcast: Delorean Philosophy Podcast   On church abuse and bullying by Stephen McAlpine:   https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-1/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-2/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/bully-vol-3/ https://stephenmcalpine.com/clerical-bullying-and-spiritual-abuse-are-they-the-same-thing/   On Church Abuse and Bullying by Other Authors:   Wade Mullen - Something's Not Right Chuck DeGroat - When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From  Emotional and Spiritual Abuse Diane Langberg - Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church https://bit.ly/th-churchabuseresourcelist

Alison Muchira's story includes her journey from trusting Jesus as a young girl in Kenya to life in church ministry alongside her husband, Isaac. She shares about the ups and downs of ministry, church planting, moving cities, raising and schooling children, and letting go. Alison supports her husband in church ministry in a small seaside town in Kenya where Alison serves in the roles of women's and children's ministry.  *** Alison Muchira lives with her husband in Niani, Kenya where they are the leaders of a young church plant, Mamlaka Hill Chapel, Niani. Alison has homeschooled their four children until recently with her two oldest now finishing high school in Nairobi.       Links: https://www.facebook.com/mamlakahillchapeldiani/   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.

Well-loved psychologist and author of The Reconnected Heart: How Relationships Can Help Us Heal, Dr Jonathan Andrews joins Taryn on the podcast today. They discuss his journey to faith, his time at L'Abri in his 20s, and his work in helping people overcome relationship injuries. Dr Andrews is also the director of the Heart in Mind psychological practice in Brisbane. It is his belief that the most helpful step we can take in life is to live with our hearts in our minds - that is, to live each day in conscious awareness of what we need to function well psychologically.  His book uses his 20 years of experience as a practising clinical psychologist, together with biblical foundations, insights from literature and scientific evidence to lead the reader through the steps of healing. The aim is a reconnected heart - one that will set you up for a life of trust, self-esteem, honour and belonging.   LINKS: Heart in Mind Psychology Practice The Reconnected Heart - The Wandering Bookseller  L'Abri Fellowship International The Gospel Coalition, Australia - Book Review of The Reconnected Heart

Co-host and founder of The Lydia Project, Tori Walker, is our guest today! In this episode, Tori chats with Taryn about her journey to faith - which began when she was invited to a local youth group - and the road the Lord has led her on since then.  Tori lives in Brisbane and is a member of Ann St Presbyterian Church. She has studied at theological college and has worked as a pastor with school students and uni students.  For some of her week, Tori runs a business that consults with the construction industry regarding energy efficiency compliance.  She loves teaching the Bible to women and talking with people about their faith in Jesus. Family time is important to her, especially if it includes a beach or mountain or bicycle! With Taryn Hayes, Tori co-hosts The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women.

Abuse in the church is, sadly, rife. It is in the light of this that Dr Diane Langberg has penned her latest book, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church. In this chat, Dr Langberg discusses her journey to faith and her years of clinical work with trauma victims, including those impacted by church hurt.  Dr Diane Langberg is globally recognised for her 50 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. For 29 years, she directed her own practice in Jenkintown PA, Diane Langberg PhD, and Associates. Now in partnership with Dr. Monroe, Langberg, Monroe & Associates continues this work which includes seventeen therapists with multiple specialties. Dr. Langberg’s newest book is Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church.  Her other books include Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse, On the Threshold of Hope (with accompanying workbook), In Our Lives First: Meditations for Counselors, Suffering the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores, Bringing Christ to Abused Women and many others. Dr. Langberg is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Achievements from Taylor University., the American Association of Christian Counselors Caregiver Award, The Distinguished President’s award, and the Philadelphia Council of Clergy’s Christian Service Award. She is married and has two sons and four grandchildren.    Links: www.dianelangberg.com https://twitter.com/DianeLangberg https://missio.edu/global-trauma-recovery-institute/ https://www.biblesociety.org.au/projects/trauma-support-ntd/  Review: Redeeming Power (The Gospel Coalition, Australia) For gospel workers who have experienced mistreatment, abuse, or unfair dismissal head to the Gospel Workers Advocacy group for confidential care: gospelworkersadvocacy.org.au For links to many more articles, videos, books and reviews this document is helpful: https://bit.ly/th-churchabuseresourcelist

Nina Hampton chats to Taryn about her battle with cancer and her story of faith. In this chat, Nina shares how her cancer journey led her to not only begin to better understand the connection between mind and body, but also to trust Jesus with every moment of her life. Nina's journey has led her to start a personal Instagram account (@faith_love_and_breastcancer ) where she shares her story with others. Nina is a wife and mum passionate about working with and teaching children.  She and her husband Nick serve in their church as bible study leaders. They are also parents to their delightful young son, Thomas. Nina was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in October 2020 aged 38, and since then has been on a journey healing and growing mentally, physically, and spiritually.   LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   @faith_love_and_breastcancer - Nina's health journey through instagram      SHOW SNIPPETS:   “If I didn't have my faith then I'm not sure how I would've gotten through that time.”   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.

Barbara and Stacy Reaoch put the mother-and-daughter-in-law relationship under the microscope (starting with their own) in their new book, Making Room for Her (B&H Publishing). In this Lydia Project Book Club chat, Barbara and Stacy share their wisdom and failures - from over 20 years of forming a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bond - as well as Biblical insight into growing healthier, God-glorifying in-law relationships.  Making Room for Her is available at all leading bookstores, including at The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount with the code LYDIA15.  *** Barbara Reaoch, author of A Better Than Anything Christmas (2020), is the former director of the children’s division at Bible Study Fellowship International. Her home is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband, Ron. Prior to her role at BSF, Barbara and Ron lived in Cape Town, South Africa, to teach Bible Study Fellowship classes. They also worked with the Rafiki Foundation to train young women in job and life skills. You can connect with her at www.barbarareaoch.com. Stacy Reaoch is a pastor’s wife, mother of four, and the author of Wilderness Wanderings: Finding Contentment in the Desert Times of Life. She has written for various ministries including Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, and Revive Our Hearts. Stacy and her husband, Ben, live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with their children. You can find more about Stacy and her writings at www.stacyreaoch.com.

In this episode, Taryn chats to the man behind our Book Club partner, The Wandering Bookseller. Karl shares about his love for books and how The Wandering Bookseller came to be. He also speaks about his struggle with anxiety and God's hand in helping him deeply grasp his love and forgiveness. Karl and The Wandering Bookseller are again offering 15% off all The Lydia Project book club books for 2022.    *** Karl Grice has been matching books with people – and people with books – since the turn of the century. He started The Wandering Bookseller to provide hand-picked bookstalls for Christian events across Australia. Karl also curates an indie bookshop in Katoomba, with a piano hidden upstairs, poetry readings and second-hand chairs. Karl and his wife Naomi live with their four children, a few chooks, a vegetable garden and, yes, even more books!"   LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Review of Down But Not Out, Chris Cipollone - https://au.thegospelcoalition.org/book-review/review-down-not-out-by-chris-cipollone/ Andrew Petersen - https://www.andrew-peterson.com/ (songwriter and author of The Wingfeather series) SD Smith - https://sdsmith.com/ (author of The Green Ember series) The Wandering Bookseller - https://www.wanderingbookseller.com.au/ The Little Lost Bookshop - https://www.littlelostbookshop.com.au/   Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.

Jan and Chrissy began meeting together when Chrissy began a traineeship at her local church. Their one-to-one disciplining relationship developed over the course of the year, bringing them both much joy, encouragement, and growth. In this episode, Taryn chats with Jan and Chrissy about the value of mentoring relationships among women and how they grew both relationally and spiritually in their 5 years of meeting together regularly.   Jan Wilson has been a Christian for about 35 years after discovering Jesus as an atheist in her mid-thirties. Jan has four adult children and 2 grandchildren. When she is not helping out with grandchildren, she enjoys having great theological chats with her husband, spending time with God, doing her best to keep fit, walking her dog or spending time with Christian sisters. She also likes to relax by reading mediocre novels, watching French films and AFL matches - sometimes while knitting and hoping she doesn't make too many mistakes!   Chrissy Vellacott found during year 10 - when she changed schools and was dealing with much uncertainty - that she could trust God, she could know Him, and she could let Him change her life. She enjoys one-to-one discipleship with women from her church, working in AV, and teaching flute. Chrissy and her husband, Andrew, look forward to welcoming their first child in a few months.

This year is to be one with a focus on relationships - women to women, across the sexes, within the church, with our communities and as Christians in an increasingly hostile world. Join us this year as we chat with Christian women about their personal stories of Christ at work.  The episode that follows this one will be Tori and Taryn discussing the book Growing Together: Taking Mentoring from Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger. Still available from The Wandering Bookseller with a 15% discount. Following that episode, we will chat with two women who have had a wonderful experience of one-to-one fellowship. Soon after that we will introduce our first book club book of the year with an interview with the author.  If you would like to get cracking on reading our book club books for the year, here's the list:   Being the Bad Guys - Stephen McAlpine Beyond Awkward Side Hugs - Bronwyn Lea The Reconnected Heart - Jonathan Andrews Redeeming Power - Diane Langberg Making Room for Her - Barbara Reaoch and Stacey Reaoch (available soon from The Wandering Bookseller)     Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.

Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.   EPISODE NOTES:   Joanne Hobbs is the CEO of Teen Challenge Qld, a ministry helping young people from addiction to hope. Tori Walker chats with Jo about how she ended up in this position, and how God is at work through the ministry.   LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:   Teen Challenge Qld         Can't see clickable links? Copy and paste this into your browser: tlpcwcw.podbean.com . . The Lydia Project: Conversations with Christian Women is a podcast co-hosted by Tori Walker and Taryn Hayes. It features informal chats with Christian women around faith, life, ministry and the ways in which God is shaping their thinking and their lives. The views of TLP guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts.