God Forbid

After the targeting of Jews in the worst terrorist attack in modern Australian history – a Royal Commission into antisemitism has been announced by the PM.
And many Australians refused to believe the something like Bondi could happen here.  
But other Australians –Jews and Gentiles – warned the terror was not an isolated act, but a foreseeable progression – antisemitic thoughts leading to words leading to action. 
GUESTS:
Ronald Sackville KC was the royal commissioner into the abuse of disabled people. A former federal court judge, he is a former member of the advisory board of the New Israel Fund. His substack piece on The Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism is here.
Robert Richter KC has appeared before royal commissions, and  is one of Australia's most prominent criminal barristers. 
David Slucki is Director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation, and Associate Professor of Contemporary Jewish Life and Culture at Monash University. He wrote this piece for ABC Religion and Ethics

What does living simply mean in 2025? 
With an increasingly complex world, it is becoming harder and harder to detach from Earthly possessions. 
But what if we don't need to, in order to live an awakened and spiritual life?
The monks of today don't look like the ones you might picture from your childhood. They carry iPhones, have social media, and catch planes across the world. 
From Hare Krishna to Humanistic Buddhism, modern followers of mindful traditions grapple with maintaining a connection to the world while not falling prey to its modern trappings of selfishness, consumerism, and greed. 
How do they do it? And what can we learn from them?
GUESTS: 
His Holiness S.B. Keshava Swami, a Hare Krishna monk, author, and teacher of the Vaishnava Hindu tradition
Tosana Krsna Dasa, also know as Tilak, a Hare Krishna teacher, pastor and disciple, also a student in both law and religion at the University of Sydney
Venerable Dr JueWei Shi, a member of the Fo Guang Shan order of Buddhists and Director of the Nan Tien Institute’s Humanistic Buddhism Centre.
This episode of God Forbid was recorded on Dharawal and Gadigal land and produced on Gadigal land. 
It was first broadcast in January 2025

Is a cult a misunderstood religion? Or something much more dangerous?
The line between high-control religions, new religious movements, and 'cults' is as grey as ever. But the fascination we have with these groups is only getting stronger. What counts as a 'cult'? Is it your highly controlling tech workplace? Your gym with a forever-binding contract? Or does the casual use of the word 'cult' do a disservice to those stuck in dangerous and emotionally manipulative religious and spiritual organisations?
To shed some light on the difference between a new religious movement, a cult, and your regular high-control Pentecostal mega-church are the God Forbid guests who have lived, studied, or spoken to survivors of these groups. 
GUESTS: 
Professor Carole Cusack, Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Sydney, specialising in new religious movements (NRMs) contemporary religious trends and Western esotericism.
Sarah Steel, host and creator of award-winning podcast, Let's Talk About Sects
Scott Parker, writer and star of stage production, Hillsong Boy
This episode of God Forbid was made on Gadigal land and first broadcast in May 2025. 
Technical production by Craig Tilmouth and Tegan Nicholls.
More Information
If you or someone close to you has been affected by an extreme or controlling group, you can make a submission or anonymous report to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry here: Inquiry into the recruitment methods and impacts of cults and organised fringe groups. 
If you need support or help you can call Lifeline 13 11 14

If God says that man is fallible, and man wrote the Bible, then how can we know that the Bible is the true word of God?

For most of history, body size has been about more than just health — it’s been a tool of control. 
From colonial ideals of “discipline” to modern-day diet culture, our ideas about fatness and thinness are deeply tied to morality, power, and profit. 
But are we getting it all wrong?
Why do we see fatness as a personal failure rather than a natural variation in human bodies? 
How have our ideas of race and femininity affected our ideas of acceptable fat? 
Is public health really about health, or does it fuel stigma? 
And in an era of body positivity, have we actually made progress — or just rebranded the same old shame?
GUESTS:
Tess Royale Clancy, fat activist and co-founder of Radically Soft, Sydney’s first ever market for plus sized 2nd hand & new clothes. April Helene-Horton aka The Bodzilla, body positivity advocate, model, and a 2025 ambassador for the Butterly Foundation. 
Dr Kathryn MacKay, researcher in feminist bioethics and a lecturer at the Sydney Health Ethics Centre.  
Dr Jane Williams, researcher at the School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and the Australian Centre for Health Engagement, Evidence and Values (ACHEEV) at the University of Wollongong. Also co-host of the Undisciplinary podcast.
This episode first went to air in April 2025
This episode of God Forbid was made on Gadigal and Ngunnawal land.
Technical production by Roi Huberman and Dylan Prins.