Cafe Conversations with Jarrod McKenna

June 19, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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One of the great privileges I have each month is to sit down in front of an audience and have a relaxed conversation with someone from our community. I get to find out more about them and the journey that life has handed them. Cafe Conversations has been a regular fixture on the last Sunday evening of the month throughout this year.

I’ll be in conversation with Jarrod McKenna at Thornlie Church of Christ this Sunday evening. I’ve interviewed Jarrod on radio a number of times in the past so I’m looking forward to hearing his story in a little more depth this weekend.

From slums in India to packed stadiums in America, prison inmates to university students, Greenpeace trainings to Mega-church meetings, nationally and internationally, Jarrod McKenna is a sought after social change facilitator, social commentator, activist trainer and speaker.

Last year alone he spoke to over 15,000 people, a little over 8,000 of which were students being trained through his award winning nonviolence program “EPYC!”.

He is the youngest person to be named a Donald Groom Peace Fellow and at the invitation of Tim Costello was recently appointed National Adviser on Youth, Faith and Activism for World Vision Australia.

Let me invite you to be part of an entertaining and insightful evening, within a relaxed environment, 6:30 this Sunday evening at Thornlie Church of Christ, 319 Spencer Road, Thornlie.



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It’s Never OK …

June 14, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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… that’s why it’s called “cheating”.

I found it interesting to see a web-poll today being run by Channel Ten’s The Project today asking the question, “Is cheating on your partner ever OK?” The choices were ‘Sometimes’ and ‘Never’.

After clicking the ‘Never’ option I was pleased to see that results were saying that over 96% of respondents agreed with me. Unfortunately, when I checked back later I noticed that those thinking it’s OK to cheat ‘Sometimes’ had increased to over 12%. As more votes come in I guess that number will change around a little more but it concerns me that some people think it’s OK to cheat on their partner in some circumstances.

While I can’t excuse it, I understand that there will sometimes be circumstances that make cheating a fairly attractive option and that some people will follow through and cheat on their partner, but to say it’s OK is a little too much of a stretch for me. Haven’t we all seen too much of the devastation caused when cheating partners are caught out? How difficult is it for those affected to move forward in life after having their trust betrayed so totally?

I make a point of building a hedge around my marriage. While cheating is the furthest thing from my mind, I know that anyone can be caught in a weak moment so I take steps to avoid being caught in a compromising situation.

If you have been the victim of a cheating spouse or you have cheated and you want to find a way forward, let me recommend a blog called Marriages Restored. It’s written by Ben and Ann Wilson, a married couple who know the pain of infidelity but who have overcome its effects and are now helping others.



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If you only watch one YouTube video this year …..

June 9, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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…. make sure it’s this video.

This has been around for a while but I only watched it yesterday …. and cried.

I know that you don’t have much time and I know that you don’t normally watch YouTube videos that run more than a couple of minutes but please, please, please take ten minutes to watch this video. Once you’ve watched it, share it and make sure those you love, especially young people, watch this video. It may save you an enormous amount of grief.

I see drivers texting all the time and it scares, annoys and frustrates me. I can only hope that messages like this one can turn things around for those who still don’t get it.



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Chatting with Lucy Durack

June 7, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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Born in Perth, Lucy Durack graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre, but even before graduating she was cast in the Brisbane and Sydney seasons of Mamma Mia!.

She has played roles in 42nd Street, the Australian premiere of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kiss Me, Kate, Oklahoma! and many others but she’s possibly best known for playing the role of Glinda in the Australian production of Wicked.

In March it was announced that Lucy will play the main character, Elle Woods in the Australian production of Legally Blonde.

This Sunday she joins over 200 of Western Australia’s most talented young performers in two shows at the Perth Concert Hall titled Musicals in Concert with Lucy Durack and Friends. Lucy joined me in the studio this morning on 98five Sonshine FM‘s Morning Cafe.

Home grown stage sensation Lucy Durack joins over 200 of Western Australia’s most talented young performers in two shows at the Perth Concert Hall on June 10.

Musicals in Concert with Lucy Durack and Friends is presented by The Australian Performing Arts Network (APAN).

Under the acclaimed musical direction of Greg Schultz and with guest choreography by Chris Horsey, Musicals in Concert presents a line-up of smash hits from legendary musicals such as Wicked, Carousel, Hairspray and Rent.

Instrumental backing is provided by Greg Schultz’s live band and the master of ceremonies is Sydney based television presenter Renata Marie.

We discussed her love of musicals, how she kept the role of Glinda fresh through 1600 performances and much more. You can hear our chat by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.



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Eduard ‘Trololo’ Khil Dies at 77

June 5, 2012
by Rodney Olsen
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Eduard Khil, best known as the “Trololo” singer, has died in St. Petersburg, reports RIA Novosti. The Russian singer was 77.

Last week, Khil was admitted to a hospital after suffering a stroke. – Huffington Post



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