Decades after the war, people from around the world still visit Auschwitz, a solemn place of remembrance for those who perished there. But imagine walking through it alongside the grandson of its ruthless commandant, Rudolf Höss. And what if your father was Martin Bormann, one of Hitler’s closest confidants and a key architect of the Holocaust? Join Gary Kent as he explores the heartbreaking stories of the children of Nazi leaders, those who grew up carrying a burden of guilt that was never theirs. Through their experiences, we are invited to reflect on the legacies we inherit and the ones we leave behind.

On the morning of 28 November 1979, Air New Zealand Flight TE901 departed Auckland Airport in Māngere on an 11-hour sightseeing journey to Antarctica. At 1:49 p.m., tragedy struck when the aircraft crashed into the lower slopes of Mt Erebus, claiming the lives of all 237 passengers and 20 crew. It remains the worst civil disaster in New Zealand’s history. In this program, we retrace the flight path of TE901 and explore the complex and compelling story behind the doomed journey. Along the way, we search for answers, and the lessons that must never be forgotten.

The British philosopher Antony Flew was a powerful voice against the existence of God. He was a prominent atheist known for his work in the field of philosophy of religion and his arguments against the existence of God. For more than fifty years, he promoted his atheist agenda in the universities where he taught. However, later in his life, he rejected atheism and became a believer in God. What changed his mind?

Since its inception in the early 1880s, Broken Hill has been a thriving mining boomtown. Its prosperity attracted able-bodied workers from across the region, quickly transforming the town into a bustling hub of activity. As its success grew, Broken Hill also became a key trading centre. Camel trains regularly passed through, using the town as a base along major inland trade routes. At the height of the camel train era, Broken Hill was home to two of the largest cameleer camps in Australia. Among those drawn to Broken Hill was a young man named Frank Bottrill, who arrived in the late 1880s to work in the mines. While there, he witnessed the struggles of camels burdened with heavy loads. Moved by compassion for the animals, Frank resolved to find a solution. His vision took shape in the form of a massive, innovative traction engine—armoured with metal plates and fitted with wheels reminiscent of modern military tanks. Join us this week as we explore the history of Broken Hill, the camel trains that once powered inland trade, and the remarkable young man who set out to make a difference.

In the early 20th century, England and Australia produced some of the world’s greatest pioneering aviators. Among them were Amy Johnson, the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, and C. W. A. Scott (Charles William Anderson Scott), a record-breaking pilot whose daring flights captured global attention. Their stories are marked by courage, determination, and astonishing leaps of faith. Nearly a century after Scott’s record flight, the very de Havilland Gipsy Moth he flew was painstakingly restored and returned to one of his original landing sites in Brisbane. Join Gary Kent as he shares the inspiring journeys of these pioneering aviators and the remarkable story of a Gipsy Moth that made history.

In 2023 the oldest Hebrew Bible in the world sold at Sotheby’s New York for over $38 million USD, making it the most valuable manuscript sold at auction. It is called the Codex Sassoon and is thought to have been written about 1,100 years ago. It is the earliest surviving example of the Hebrew Bible. The Codex Sassoon Bible is a veritable treasure. However, there are older ancient Bibles, scrolls, and manuscripts that are even more valuable and involve amazing stories of discovery. Join us in the Bible Lands as we search for the oldest scrolls, manuscripts, codices, and Bibles and discover the profound influence they’ve had on Western civilisation and cultures around the world.

In August 1864, three young children went missing in the bushland of Victoria’s Wimmera District. Isaac, Jane, and Frank Duff, aged between four and nine, had become lost in the rugged wilderness. Their father, John Duff, launched a desperate search that stretched over nine days and eight nights. Just before sunset on the ninth day, the children were found alive—exhausted, malnourished, but miraculously still clinging to life. Their survival captured the hearts and imagination of the entire community. In this program, we explore the extraordinary story of these resilient children and their remarkable endurance in the harsh and unforgiving Australian bush.

On Christmas Eve, 1953, New Zealand’s holiday celebrations were shattered by tragedy. The Wellington to Auckland night express, filled with passengers eager to be home for Christmas, was making its way north when disaster struck. A lahar (volcanic mudflow) had swept away the Tangiwai Rail Bridge, plunging the train into the raging Whangaehu River below. The result was catastrophic — lives were lost, and the nation was left in shock.

It was one of the darkest moments in New Zealand’s history. At the time, it ranked as the eighth-deadliest rail disaster in the world and captured international headlines. With a population of just over two million, nearly everyone in the country knew someone affected. The fact that it occurred on Christmas Eve only deepened the collective sorrow. To this day, it remains far more than a local railway accident — it is a national tragedy.

Join Gary Kent as he explores the story of the Tangiwai disaster, uncovering its profound impact on the people involved and the country as a whole. In the midst of grief and loss, perhaps we too can find comfort and strength as we reflect on how to navigate sorrow and hardship in our own lives.