It’s been a busy few days as we wrapped up the Common Dreams II conference in Melbourne, did a quick tour of the Great Ocean Road, and traveled to Adelaide where I will speak tonight at Pilgrim Uniting Church. All has been very good.

The conference drew almost 400 full-registrants and up to another 200 or more who were there for partial days and evening speeches. Local arrangements handled everything with aplomb and the conversations were rich and engaging. Many spoke of the difficulty they have getting “to” the progressive perspective I presented, either personally or, already there, in their communities of faith. But they expressed appreciation for it very much and, I believe, went away with much to ponder and that will challenge them to keep working their way forward.

And, I was able to spend time with Lloyd Geering, a leader, thinker, and author that I enormously respect. He said he was surprised I'd heard of him! OMG!! It was wonderful to spend time in conversation with him and to find him so engaging. When I get to Wellington, we will have another opportunity to connect. Both Scott and I are very much looking forward to it. Lloyd is one of the theologians being studied by Scott in his doctoral work.

There was some very good media attention. On the day of my first keynote address, I was interviewed on the Jon Faine "Conversations" hour with Jamie Cullum, jazz pianist and performer, who was in Melbourne on tour promoting his new album, The Pursuit, and Noni Hazelhurst, well-known Aussie actor and star of a hit cop drama, City Homicide. It was a great time! The next day, Scott and I attended Jamie’s performance at the National theatre and were dazzled by his artistry and energy. An amazingly talented man. You can hear our conversation on this link to the show.

Over the weekend, I was interviewed by Rachael Kohn. An intuitive, gifted, and brilliant woman, it was an honour to spend the time in conversation with her. Her show on ABC Radio, The Spirit of Things, is considered the best radio show in Australia with a spirituality focus and, from what I’ve heard, very likely anywhere. Like I said, total honour to be with her.

Sunday evening, it was my pleasure to join Dr. Val Webb for an hour of live conversation with John Cleary on his show, Sunday Nights. That link to the show is the recording of our conversation.

And this afternoon, I pre-recorded a segment for Sunday Night Safran with John Safran and Father Bob. Sorry, but you’re really going to have to listen to this one to figure it out. From track suits to how hard it is to keep those little lies going.... Will post the link when it’s aired but it only lasts for a couple of weeks. I’ll try to get a permanent post if that’s possible.