True Crime: Why Women Watch It | Catharine Lumby

Producer's note: In case the title has stirred up some strong emotions, women account for 75-80% of this genre. Professor Catharine Lumby is an Australian academic, author and journalist, and is currently Chair of the Department of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. Before transitioning to academia, Lumby had an extensive career in journalism, working as a feature writer and columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald, a news reporter for the ABC, and a columnist and senior writer at The Bulletin. She obtained her PhD from Macquarie University, after completing an Arts/Law degree at the University of Sydney, and went on to become the foundation Chair of the Media and Communications Department at the University of Sydney. Her academic career has included senior roles at UNSW, where she was the foundation Director of the Journalism and Media Research Centre, and at Macquarie University as Professor of Media, before returning to the University of Sydney as Professor of Media Studies. With research interests spanning gender, sexuality and popular culture, Lumby is also a widely published author and media commentator on gender and media, which makes her insights into the intersection of media consumption and social behaviors particularly impactful. Key Takeaways: The true crime genre has historical roots in 16th-century Britain and has evolved from public ballads to podcasts. Women's consumption of true crime is often linked to a desire for empowerment and understanding in a world with prevalent gendered violence. Fictional detectives use empirical reasoning as a counterpart to be analysed alongside faith-focused narratives in crime. The host's discussion touches upon legal responses to crime and human fascination with extreme acts, pushing listeners to consider moral and spiritual reflections. Empathy is highlighted as critical to understanding the broader implications of true crime stories, beyond mere voyeurism. Notable Quotes: "True crime is an opportunity to really perhaps understand things from the victim's point of view, the survivor's point of view..." - Professor Catharine Lumby "The Bible is a realistic book and it doesn't shy away from…difficult things." - Megan Powell du Toit "At its deepest, realising that none of us are that far…from what we might see as monstrous." - Professor Catharine Lumby "Empathy, for me, is the highest quality." - Professor Catharine Lumby "The cross itself is a kind of true crime. It's a realistic display of evil and ultimate redemption." - Michael Jensen Resources: Helen Garner's Works: Noted for her insightful writing on justice and human behavior. Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood": A seminal true crime book mentioned during the discussion. Teacher's Pet Podcast: Explored as a notable example of true crime media in Australia. This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step. Morling to Go  is a collection of free, short, video-based courses created by Morling College to support thoughtful Christian learning and formation. Designed for individuals, small groups, and ministry teams, each course includes teaching videos and discussion questions led by respected evangelical scholars and practitioners. Explore each course and find a resource that best fits your context.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step. Morling to Go  is a collection of free, short, video-based courses created by Morling College to support thoughtful Christian learning and formation. Designed for individuals, small groups, and ministry teams, each course includes teaching videos and discussion questions led by respected evangelical scholars and practitioners. Explore each course and find a resource that best fits your context. About the Guest: Prof Miroslav Volf is a distinguished theologian and the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School, where he directs the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. Originally from Croatia, Volf has had a significant impact in theological circles through his focus on identity, otherness, and reconciliation. He is best known for his acclaimed book Exclusion and Embrace, which Christianity Today named one of the 100 most influential religious books of the twentieth century. Volf has also served as an advisor to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the White House. Key Takeaways: Ambition is a multifaceted concept, often viewed as both a virtue and a vice across history and cultures. Miroslav Volf emphasises the toxicity of comparing oneself to others and how striving for excellence should surpass endeavors for superiority. The importance of intrinsic value over societal metrics in measuring success and personal worth is underscored. Biblical narratives, such as those in Philippians and the Gospels, highlight the transformative power of purpose-driven ambition for God's glory. The cultural portrayal of ambition, exemplified by classic literature and modern TV series, calls for a reflective look at our own motivations and societal structures. Notable Quotes: "God's love is not a generic thing thrown over the world; it remembers the specificity of the one." "Each of us has a generic nature, but each of us has also a specific nature." "Ambition with a pious swoosh can easily become selfish ambition if not directed carefully." "The widow's two coins were worth more than the great sums of the rich; she gave everything." "Our society often measures success quantitatively, but Jesus looked at the heart, the interior life." Resources: Miroslav Volf's Book: The Cost of Ambition Miroslav Volf's Book: Exclusion and Embrace  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step. Morling to Go  is a collection of free, short, video-based courses created by Morling College to support thoughtful Christian learning and formation. Designed for individuals, small groups, and ministry teams, each course includes teaching videos and discussion questions led by respected evangelical scholars and practitioners. Explore each course and find a resource that best fits your context. About the Guest The Reverend Dr. Amy Peeler is the Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies and Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Illinois, and serves as a priest at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois. She earned her MDiv and PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary and is a New Testament scholar whose work often focuses on Hebrews and the relationship between men and women in Christianity. She has authored several books on Hebrews and most recently wrote “Ordinary Time,” which explores the meaning of this often overlooked season in the church year Key Points: Sacred in the Mundane: The ordinary moments in life can hold spiritual significance, challenging the conventional belief that only extraordinary events are divinely touched. Liturgical Reflection: The Christian liturgical calendar offers a balanced rhythm of ordinary and special times, emphasising continual spiritual growth. Cultural Dualism: Exploring how religious traditions perceive and often segregate the sacred from the mundane, revealing potential tensions and integrations. Everyday Miracles: Leveraging routine and structure, such as daily prayers, can help recognise and appreciate God's omnipresence in everyday life. Ordinary as Extraordinary: The discussion in "Train Dreams" and the insights by Amy Peeler highlight finding fulfillment and divine purpose in ordinary life moments. Notable Quotes: "When you change the nappy of the infant, pray to God the Father for, you know, pray in praise of his work in this small infant." - Michael Jensen "Ordinary time does help us practice for eternity… these repeated actions are growing." - Amy Peeler "God wants to sanctify us, grow and deepen our faith." - Amy Peeler "I think there's more here. You have to see that God has made creation." - Megan Powell du Toit "That repetition helps us to grow… it's built into a human. That's how we learn." - Amy Peeler Resources: Hope 103.2 - The network carrying "With All Due Respect" Amy Peeler’s book: Ordinary Time: The Season of Growth - Provides insights into the liturgical calendar's significance  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kanishka Raffel is the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, leading the diocese since 2021. Born in England and of Sri Lankan descent, Raffel migrated to Australia as a child and initially raised as a Buddhist, he embraced Christianity during his university years. Before his current role, Raffel served as the Dean of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney and held pastoral positions in Canberra, Goulburn, and Western Australia. His unique background and leadership in the Anglican Church are marked by a commitment to multiculturalism and community integration. Key Points: Multiculturalism and Faith: Raffel appreciates multiculturalism as both a cultural reality and a gospel opportunity, highlighting the biblical narrative from Babel to Pentecost. Christian Hospitality: The episode stresses the importance of Christians extending hospitality, modeled after God's hospitality, as a powerful means of advancing social cohesion and community relations. Navigating Fear: Exploring the role of fear in immigration debates, Raffel points to the online world’s potential to fuel radicalisation, emphasising the need for communities to remain non-reactive and welcoming. Biblical Framework for Immigration: Raffel uses Old Testament principles of welcoming the stranger to offer insights into current immigration policies. Leadership in Multicultural Contexts: Raffel calls for gentle, gospel-shaped leadership that acknowledges immigrants' vulnerabilities and models a Christ-like posture in public discourse. Notable Quotes: "At Pentecost, the Gospel is proclaimed in many languages. In Antioch, the walls that divide the ethnic quarters come down in the church of Jesus Christ." "The openness of the people of God to the stranger culminates in the person of Jesus Christ. His Lordship is a hospitable one, not a totalitarian one." "There’s tremendous opportunity for Christians who have experienced the hospitality of God in the gospel to offer hospitality." "It's very easy for native-born Australians to underestimate how disruptive, isolated, and confusing it is to be a migrant." "Peaceable and considerate leadership is needed in today's multicultural debate, as it provides a great opportunity to engage with gospel-shaped responses." This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step. Morling to Go  is a collection of free, short, video-based courses created by Morling College to support thoughtful Christian learning and formation. Designed for individuals, small groups, and ministry teams, each course includes teaching videos and discussion questions led by respected evangelical scholars and practitioners. Explore each course and find a resource that best fits your context.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.    Sam ChanReverend Dr Sam Chan is a cultural analyst, public speaker and medical doctor, born in Hong Kong, who studied medicine in Sydney and completed a PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. He is a fellow at The Keller Center, a public speaker for City Bible Forum and Third Space, and the head trainer and mentor at the EvQ School of Evangelism. He is also an award-winning author of books on evangelism and cultural engagement. He carries the unique talent of playing the recorder with his nose, complementing his engaging personality. Key Points: Cultural apologetics is expanding beyond traditional apologetic approaches to include engagement with society's broad cultural landscapes, focusing on what is considered true, good, and beautiful. Sam Chan highlights that "evangelism today is not just about what is true, but about what is good and beautiful," underlining the relevance of cultural apologetics in the modern world. Through a lens forged by thinkers like Kevin Van Hooser, cultural exegesis involves a dialogue with cultural texts to understand societal worldviews. The overlap between cultural engagement and apologetics offers fresh avenues for articulating Christian truths within the cultural fabric, reaching out to believers and non-believers alike. Jane Austen's enduring works provide a historical perspective, underscoring the synthesis between faith and cultural storytelling, which remains relevant in navigating contemporary cultural dialogues. Notable Quotes: "Evangelism today is not just about what is true, but about what is good and beautiful." - Sam Chan "Cultural apologetics strives to fulfill cultural storylines, making the gospel relatable in a rapidly changing world." - Sam Chan "Every culture has a worldview and cultural texts that express this worldview, which we then interpret, and that these texts further shape" - Sam Chan outline of how culture and worldview interact. "No one's ever truly a blank slate." - Sam Chan outlining the historical rootedness of cultural engagement. "We need to talk in a way that isn't cobblers—we need to do that act of translation in a way that resonates." - Michael Jensen Resources Book Discussed in Episode: "The Gospel After Christendom" by various authors including Sam Chan. Paul Gould's Book: "Cultural Apologetics" (2019)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.  About the Guest: Professor Brian BrockOriginally from Texas, Professor Brian Brock holds a personal chair in moral and practical theology at the University of Aberdeen. He is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Disability and Religion and has authored numerous books, including "Wondrously Wounded: Theology, Disability in the Body of Christ" and "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age." His expertise lies in exploring the relationship between theology and ethics, focusing on disability, technology, and creation. His latest work, "Joining Creation’s Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness," explores ethics from a theological perspective centered around creation. Key Takeaways: Dynamic Ethics Approach: Emphasizes understanding the Bible not as a static rulebook but as a guide showing how to live and think faithfully. Role of Praise: Christian ethics should center around recognizing and praising God’s work, bringing joy and liberation. Contextual Decision-Making: Encourages considering the context of each situation to make ethical decisions that align with God's character. Freedom from Fear: Advocates moving away from fear-driven ethics towards faithfulness inspired by God’s consistent love and actions. Ethical Formation: Highlights the significance of ethical imagination and conscience development through spiritual practice and the community. Notable Quotes: "I think people in the churches very often treat the Bible as a kind of repository of answers to ethical questions." "Maps are kind of a deskilling. But we need to learn to recognize the landmarks in our space and time." "How were the biblical authors actually approaching the task of living faithfully?" "The stability is in God’s character… God is faithful to step in and interrupt us." "We can pray and hope that God will actually show up and interrupt the things that generate entrapment." Resources: Brian Brock's Book: Joining Creation's Praise: A Theological Ethic of Creatureliness Journal of Disability and Religion: Journal Website Previous Works by Brian Brock: Wondrously Wounded," "Christian Ethics in a Technological Age See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This season of With All Due Respect is sponsored by Morling College, a Christ-centred higher-education institution shaped by its Baptist heritage and broad evangelical vision. Morling is committed to rigorous theological study, deep spiritual formation, and learning how to engage faithfully and thoughtfully with difference. Study options include ministry and theology, counselling, chaplaincy, and education. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.    About our GuestJeri Jones Sparks is the Ministry Director of the Good News series, an evangelistic video resource aimed specifically at reaching South Asians. Her impactful work extends to her role as a strategic consultant for the Satya Network, which focuses on engaging and integrating South Asian Christians in Australia. Jeri is also an Outreach Minister at St James Anglican in Croydon, Sydney, an area with a substantial immigrant population. Born in Chennai, South India, Jeri and her family migrated to Australia when she was just four years old. Her journey and advocacy stand as a vital testament to cultural integration and spiritual transformation.   Key Takeaways: Immigration Debate: Recent protests have highlighted the complexity surrounding immigration in Australia, often fueled by misinformation and political agendas. Cultural and Religious Shifts: Australia's demographic changes bring both challenges and opportunities as the country navigates a more multicultural and religiously diverse population. Christian Response: The necessity for Christians to redefine what it means to engage with 'the other,' drawing from biblical examples of how to treat foreigners among us. Intercultural Church Dynamics: The importance of churches evolving towards interculturalism, incorporating various cultural perspectives to enhance community and belonging. Understanding Heritage: Emotional and personal journeys uncovering one's ancestry, as showcased in the SBS series, can redefine individual and communal identity. Notable Quotes: "We're not as good at estimating numbers or proportions. It all comes through filters of bias." — Megan Powell du Toit "I think there's going to be some kind of shift in our normal of engaging with cultural commentary." — Jeri Jones Sparks "It's really messy. There's going to be conflict. But there's something gospel-hearted in how it shapes our gathering." — Jeri Jones Sparks "The church has a lot to teach our society by modeling that kind of internationalism, that kind of welcome which is blind to race." — Michael Jensen "When we know that it's God who appoints where and when all people should live, who are the people that God has put around us?" — Jeri Jones Sparks Resources: Satya Network The Good News Series SBS TV Series: The Secret DNA of Us ABC Online article by Michael Jensen on immigration  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Jensen and Megan Powell du Toit kick off this teaser with exciting news: With All Due Respect is partnering with Hope1032, Sydney's community-funded radio station, for a fresh season launching January 15th, 2026. If you're tired of polarised debates and want to see how people can disagree well on the big stuff, you're in for a banger! Next season, Michael and Megan are diving into cultural apologetics, immigration debates, true crime through a Christian lens, and finding the sacred in everyday life. They're tackling the contentious issues many of us wrestle with—but doing it with grace and genuine conversation. Big thanks to WADR's sponsor, Morling College, whose commitment to deep thinking and respectful dialogue aligns perfectly with the podcast's mission. Morling offers courses in ministry, theology, counselling, and chaplaincy—all designed for discipleship formation. Download a course guide to explore whether Morling is the right place for your next step.  Get ready for conversations that challenge without the aggro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode has been one of the highest listened to episodes in the WADR catalogue! With schoolies ongoing as well as the holiday season just over the horizon, we'd like to replay this ep and to stir some thought and discussion. Discuss!? Glad you asked - head to our WADR group here on Facebook!   In this episode, the WADR team talk about how to have better sex. No, this is not Megan and Michael's opportunity to present the evangelical version of the karma sutra. Rather, they want to talk about the ways Christianity has got sex right - or a lot of the time wrong - and what can be done better for everyone's sake. First up, Megan and Michael invite on to the show the co-author of the influential Christian book The Great Sex Rescue, Sheila Wray Gregoire. Sheila shares what she and her co-authors discovered when they talked to 22,000 Christian women. Then the WADR duo talk about the Australian #metoo moment and what they think about consent education. Finally, we finish the show with the film Give Me Sex Jesus, a title that sells itself. And consider this your warning. This episode is talking about sex, so it is definitely for mature audiences.LINKSFollow this link to check out Sheila's book, The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You've Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended, by Sheila Wray Gregoire, psychology graduate Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach and epidemiologist and statistician Joanna Sawatsky.You can watch Give Me Sex Jesus for free on Vimeo - it's a Staff Pick!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the final episode for season 10 of With All Due Respect!This year marks 1700 years since the creation of the Nicene Creed, one of Christianity's seminal documents (outside of the Bible).Our hosts discuss why this creed matters and debate whether more churches should use it in their services.Theologian Beth Felker Jones then joins the show to discuss the creed's historical and theological significance, before Michael and Megan share their thoughts on the 2017 documentary The Song Keepers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.