The Spirit - Stories of Faith

The Spirit shares real stories of faith from people living in country Australia. It is for those already living with faith and those curious to know more about what that actually looks like. It is a glimpse into the lives of people living in country Australia and how being there has shaped their faith.

These are the stories of a police officer, an army cadet, a recipient of an Order of Australia and an advocate against family and domestic violence just to name a few. Their stories are not always neat, and each challenges us to think differently. But ultimately these are encouraging stories of hope.

The Spirit was recorded on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung, Baraba Baraba, Yorta Yorta and Bangerang peoples.

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The Spirit - Stories of Faith

Season 1 - Trailer

July 23, 2026 • ADB • Season 1 • Episode 1

0:00 | 2:07

Your first chance to hear a little from the wonderful people we will meet in season one of The Spirit!

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Oh, g'day there. Welcome to The Spirit, where we share stories of faith from the heart of the country.

SPEAKER_03 0:07

I was in the police force for 34 years and loved nearly every minute of it.

SPEAKER_00 0:13

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 0:14

I could take the pill because the pill had just come in and I thought, well, that might keep me safe. And I already had, you know, five under five. And uh but the priest said no.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Just a bit hardened to the value of life.

SPEAKER_02 0:31

For two years at least, I felt hugely isolated.

SPEAKER_04 0:36

Um, while she was working, my stepfather was quite abusive.

SPEAKER_00 0:40

We lived actually in the grounds of Changley Prison.

SPEAKER_05 0:43

And we were told that if we had to arrest a crook and we needed to restrain them, to take our pantyhose off and tie them up. In the back of your mind, just say, There's gotta be more than this.

SPEAKER_04 0:56

And said to him, This is loaded. I know what you're doing, and I'm telling you right now, you take one more step on my property, and I will take your life.

SPEAKER_00 1:05

And the pum-poms were going and they were blowing up minds in the water.

SPEAKER_01 1:10

What was it like being awarded Order of Australia?

SPEAKER_02 1:14

I I thought I was very embarrassed about it all, actually. If you told me then that I would still be here ten years later, I would laugh in your face.

SPEAKER_05 1:22

And Mrs. Robbins said, Someone very high up in the spirit realm was with you today, Faye, and I'm going, uh, I couldn't do it.

SPEAKER_04 1:31

And I was mad.

SPEAKER_01 1:33

I was mad even with God. Like as soon as I felt like yeah, I opened the door and really could start to build my relationship with Jesus. It's amazing how much that just disappeared.

SPEAKER_02 1:44

And then when we pray to him, it's like he lifts the weight of those collective burdens, and he literally carries that load.

SPEAKER_04 1:53

Because only love wins. Yeah. I've ran with anger, hate, and hurt, and it never won. You know, and it eats you up. Yeah. So I just refuse to go there anymore.

SPEAKER_03 2:05

Like it has to be love.

Darcy Vaughan

Host