Presenters

Clare Barnett
Clare Barnett is a professional supervisor and counsellor. She has a diverse background as midwife, nurse and health educator.
She has a warm personality and offers a wealth of opportunities to develop and grow.
See more about her on our website: www.mindcare.nz


Nic Birt
Nic Birt is originally from England. Employed as a Design Engineer in the building industry he has also been a Technology Teacher (in Botswana & the Emirates). An appreciation and respect for history, culture and religious traditions encourages travelling to exotic and remote locations. Nic is also the draughtsman for the Bethsaida Archaeological Excavations of this ancient biblical site near the sea of Galilee.


Dr Leonard Bloksberg
Dr Leonard Bloksberg has been a Lecturer at the University of California and a Professor at Michigan State University.
He is member and regular service leader at the Progressive Jewish Synagogue Beth Shalom in Auckland
.


Eamon Butler
Born and educated in Ireland, Eamon, at the age of 28 felt a calling to become a lay missionary.  This led him to work as a volunteer with Mother Teresa in Kolkata, India. It was a life changing experience which Eamon later shared with many young people in schools.  Eamon has studied philosophy theology, accomplished a post graduate diploma in counselling (Auckland) and has trained as a Spiritual Director with Spiritual Growth Ministries Aotearoa NZ.


Patrick Carolan
Patrick Carolan is a US Catholic activist, organiser, and writer. He served as the Executive director of the Franciscan Action Network for ten years; he co-founded the Global Catholic Climate Movement and Catholics Vote Common Good. He is currently the co-host of the podcast Tomorrow’s American Catholic.


Dr Joseph P. Grayland
Dr Joe Grayland is an assistant lecturer in the Department of Liturgy at the University of Wuerzburg (Germany), specialising in Liturgy and Sacramental Theology.
He has also been a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North (New Zealand) for more than 30 years.
He is the author of several books.


Dr Christopher Evan Longhurst KSO
Dr Chris Longhurst is a New Zealander from Napier who spent many years abroad. He returned to Aotearoa after his academic studies in theology and gaining work experience in Europe and Northern Africa. In Rome, Italy, he was operatore didattico (educational officer) for the Scientific and Administrative Management of the Vatican Museums, and Ifrane, Morocco, he served as assistant professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Al Akhawayn University.
Back in New Zealand, he is a Lecturer at Te Kupenga Theological College and actively involved in Interfaith work.


Kieran Fenn fms
Br Kieran Fenn is a Champagnat Brother and Bible Scholar. He has taught the Scriptures in New Zealand and overseas for over 40 years. 
Many of his resources in Scripture have been used by the The Catholic Institute (TCI).
Br Kieran also is a frequent guest at Muffin Talk Radio Programme. Short videos with Br Kieran are available on this website.
Kieran Fenn fms passed away on 25 May 2024.


Prof emeritus Thomas O’Loughlin
Thomas O’Loughlin is originally from Dublin, Ireland. He is an ordained priest and Emerited Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Nottingham in the UK. He has given many presentations on different topics in the area of Liturgy and Synodality.
He has been interviewed on Muffin Talk several times, and regularly contributes to Flashes of Insight.


Debbie Miller
Debbie Miller is an active member of Beth Shalom, the Progressive Jewish Synagogue in Auckland.
She is a life-time student of Jewish studies.
Debbie also designs and makes hand-crafted pottery.


Beate Matthies
Beate Matthies is the founder and director of Titipounamu Study & Joy.
She has a background in linguistics, history of art as well as marketing and business. She is a writer of reports, stories, reflections and poetry.

She is the Catholic representative on the Executive Committee of the Auckland Interfaith Council and serves as their Co-President.


Dr Nicholas Thompson
Dr Nicholas Thompson is a Senior Lecturer  for Theological and Religious Studies at the University of Auckland.
His Areas of Expertise are:
1. Editing of Early Modern Latin texts
2. Intellectual history of the Reformation era
3. Christian art and worship

4. Religion in New Zealand


Fr Kevin Waldie SM
Fr Kevin Waldie is originally from Timaru, and he is a Bible Scholar and Lecturer at Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College.
His research interests are especially in three areas:
1. Compassion as a key idea in Luke’s Gospel
2. How we speak of St Paul’s Damascus Road Experience
3. Reading the Scriptures in the light of contemporary films.
Fr Kevin has been a guest at Muffin Talk several times. All interviews are still available on request.