Episode Playlist
Episode 66 - God Will Travel – No One Is Ever Too Far Away (Interview with Petra from YWAM)( 0:33:33)
Episode Information
Someone once told me "Kids don't care about how much you know, until they know how much you care!"
On today’s episode, I have a chat with an incredible young 'caring' woman named Petra, who felt the call to travel from the cold snowy mountains of the South Island of New Zealand to the vast, rugged, very hot, desert-wilderness known as the Kimberley Region, situated in the far north of Western Australia. There she met some kids...
There are all kinds of people in all kinds of places, that desperately need love and hope. Many in this region, sadly, have very limited access to mental health care and it has one of the worst suicide rates in the entire world!
Petra shares about what her and her very small team of fellow volunteers rocked up to, as well as the incredible transformation that happened, within just a few short days and what the strategies were, to enable love to be received and then shared...She also shares of the "God Who Provides," as she trusted for the $7,500 that was needed to arrive in just one week, so that flights could be booked for such a trip!
Let hope arise and faith be fueled in your heart as you tune in to this episode. May you be encouraged that you are never too far away, for God to reach ... you! Also be encouraged by a great track from Mercy Me, a heart and soul sound from a young Filipino-Norwegian plus our local Nelsonian, Joy from the band "Home Sweet Homies" with her song, "Beautiful."
Thanks for listening x April May.
Published: 6/01/2026 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 65 - The Eves( 0:29:54)
Episode Information
Oh, The EVES …
Christmas Eve, New Years Eve…
What does EVE even mean? Hint: Let’s just ‘breathe,’ amidst all the “What’s!” “What if I’ve got it wrong?” What if so-and-so doesn’t like their present?” “What if that person rocks up at the family gathering?” “What are we actually responsible for?” “What are we actually in control of?” And, “What (or rather, Who,) is available to help me with my New Year’s resolution?”
Then, there’s that Eve that we blame, for every hurt and suffering in the world since day dot! It made me ask another question…Can we try and help her ditch her bad reputation?
Also, “Do you need to know just who you are?” Well, let Lauren Daigle sing a great answer to that question to you on this episode and get happy with Austin French’s lively ‘Good Feeling.’ See “Who’s Calling” too and maybe, answer?
Enjoy. Thanks for listening. x April May
Published: 23/12/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 64 - Pre-Christmas Peace Hope and Love( 0:31:15)
Episode Information
In this episode I have gathered a collection of songs to bring some pre-Christmas Peace, Hope and Love to your heart.
The kind of peace that’s unspeakable, that brings stillness and quietness even if you're in the middle of a raging life storm? The kind of peace that keeps you afloat when you feel like you're drowning, with heavy weights gripping at your ankles and you're like “Yep, this situation is certainly tryin’ to pull me under, BUT in the midst of the turmoil and the strife and the stress, you just have it. Real Peace. (It’s Who you know.)
The kind of love that came down to our level. I fill in the blanks this episode for the question “What is love? Well, “ ___ “ is love!
The kind of joy that is not the “I just laughed at the Christmas cracker joke,” temporary kind of happiness. No. Real Joy that is indescribable and glorious and fills your heart and stays with you, even in the midst of suffering.
I also play some very cool Peace, Love and Joy filled tracks. A couple from my fave Aussie duo boy band 4K&C as well as one from my own personal friend from Perth (Hi Amanda Arndell). Josh Baldwin also gets a play and the beautiful voice of Kim Walker Smith too.
Be encouraged. Thanks for listening. Happy Pre Christmas. x April May
Published: 9/12/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 63 - Is There a Case for Christ?( 0:31:22)
Episode Information
I had a few convos recently and interesting questions came firing … “When I die, if I want to go to hell and have beers with my mates, what concern is that of yours?” “If I have my truth and you have your truth, can’t we just be cool with that?” And ofc the ultimate, “Where is God?”
“Is there a Case for Christ” is NOT a question about religion. Religion in my opinion is something I never want to be a part of and I say that because of my experience. A certain religious ritual that I had no say in, left me with a disability. I did not have the ‘ability’ to receive grace from God! Instead, I was caught in the trap of feeling like I had to be a good girl to have God like me and if I didn’t be a good girl then I would probably just be struck down with a bolt of lightning one day!
Well, I couldn’t be a good girl and even if I tried really hard, I knew deep down that I’d never be good enough, for such a ‘Holy God!’ So, I just flipped the switch and became a bad girl and went on looking for love in all the wrong places.
Thankfully, that Holy God rocked up in my life one day when I was in my 20s in a totally supernatural way! He showed me that He did love me, despite my years of wickedness and rebellion and He showed me that all my ‘badness’ could be wiped clean if I just did one thing. It was simple – but it wasn’t easy for me.
In this episode I tackle those fired questions and I ask one myself. Is there a Case for Christ? Is there a reason we should want Jesus in our world, in our neighborhood, in our family or in our schools? The One who brings healing and hope, rest and restoration? Well, because He brings relationship – not religion, I believe the answer is Yes.
Thanks for listening x April May.
Published: 25/11/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 62 - Finding What's Lost( 0:31:4)
Episode Information
Ever lost something valuable? I have. An apple watch given to me for my birthday, air pods that were a Christmas present, a diamond cross necklace - also a gift, even a wedding ring, not once but twice! (I now have a wedding ring tattoo!) I have also lost three different cats, (and an expensive cat tracker!) and even a valuable friend. Did I ever find any of these things? Yes! All of them. How? I had help!
Do you feel lost? Lost in life? Lost in your own thoughts? Lost on the inside? Lost in the midst of this world shouting at you to, “Go this way…” or “Go that way…?” I can assure you, there is a man known as “The Way” and He thinks you are so valuable. You are valued. You are very precious and very much loved, by the One who created you. You are worthy of love and worthy of being found. I was once lost. Incredibly lost. I’m not anymore.
Be encouraged listening to this episode and be assured, there is hope for you. I hope you enjoy the music too. Thanks for listening. x April May
Published: 11/11/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 61 - STAY IN YOUR LANE !!( 0:31:51)
Episode Information
Staying in my lane implies that I have my own one, right? A personal lane? Designed, especially for me? Well, what is it? How do I find it? Where does it lead? Is this lane clear? Or, are there hurdles involved? Will there be other surprise obstacles? If so, what are they? And how do I overcome them? Or, remove them? What if they are too big to get over or too hard to get out of my way? Is there help available? Maybe a hand? And if I persevere and endure, all the way to the end, do I get a prize? And what of those many helpful voices that are being yelled at me from the sidelines and from the crowd? (Not to mention the unhelpful ones.) A lot of yelling can be awfully confusing! Which one should I listen to? And what of the others in this race, of whom I am so conscious that they are seemingly advancing, on either side of me? By the way, what’s with the blindfold? I can’t see where I’m going.
Such is life...
How often do we feel like we are blinded, trusting in a prize we so often cannot see. Unclear of the right direction we ought to go, unclear of who to follow, conscious of people right beside us who appear to be succeeding in their lane. Voices of many, yelling out at us, confusing voices, discouraging voices, sometimes creating so much noise that we can’t distinguish anymore what is truth and what is yelled out to trick us and make us stumble, not to mention the obstacles thrown into our path, set to make us fall.
Listen in to be encouraged. There is a path set before you. Its narrow. Be you!
Published: 28/10/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 60 - Honoring a Real Baby Who Went Straight to Heaven (for P.I.C.L Awareness Month)( 0:29:42)
Episode Information
Have you ever known someone who was joyfully pregnant but then the unthinkable happened - their precious baby just … died?
October is International Pregnancy, Infant and Child Loss Awareness month - a time to remember and support families who have been through the tragedy of having to say goodbye, too soon, to their little one.
Why does awareness for this even matter?
Well, it aims to break the taboo of ‘not talking about it’ and promotes the action of starting a conversation! It also acknowledges the significant impact of such a loss. (I can attest - its HUGE!) And it highlights the fact that it’s more common than most people think.
“The Baby Who Went Straight to Heaven” is a story about a real baby – my baby. It was written to bring healing and hope and I read it out loud on this episode. Be encouraged, be uplifted and be inspired to reach out and start a conversation with someone who needs to know their little one is remembered today.
This episode includes timeless tracks from Casting Crowns and Natasha Beddingfield and introduces a beautiful song called Heaven Took You Too Soon. Thanks for listening.
April May x
Published: 14/10/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 59 - When the Death of a Stranger Rattles Us (like Charlie Kirk)( 0:32:28)
Episode Information
Charlie Kirk, Did I know You?
I know this much. I remember the day Princess Di died and man, I cried a lot! Watching Michael Jackson's funeral brought me to a sobbing mess as well and I wailed at the back of a cinema during the Fast and furious 7 movie, as the final scene came on, as a tribute to Paul Walker! As for Charlie Kirk, when I read that he had been killed, I felt like I went into shock - a state of sheer disbelief. It was as though I’d just received news that my own brother had died.
Did I know any of these people personally? No. So, why did their deaths rattle me so much? Did they rattle you? What about when a close relative or loved one died? Why does death, rattle us? Even the death of a stranger like Charlie Kirk or even Elvis?
Well, I share two of my reasons here on this episode of the April May Gems Show this week. I also play a Charlie tribute on the show, that was written and sung by a country rap truck driver called Diesel.
I also hope to challenge you with these two words (which also happen to be the titles of two other songs I play on the show today) … Rise Up.
Be encouraged, inspired, uplifted and maybe even challenged. Thanks for listening.
April May
Published: 30/09/2025 7:30:00 p.m.
Episode 58 - From Dire to Doctor? Encouragement is a Super Power that Can Change a Life( 0:29:48)
Episode Information
What good is encouragement? Seriously, what words do? Can they cause a poor Filipino boy, the youngest of eight siblings, with one grieved and penniless parent, struggling to provide for him, to follow his dreams, from dire to doctor?
Let me ask a different question. Have you ever seen those moving videos of ‘Sponsor Mum's’ meeting up for the first time with their now grown-up ‘Sponsor child,’ from that third world country and the touching, tear-jerking story of encouragement, success, and achievement, that goes along with it?
Well, that was me and that little Filipino boy (turned “young man with a degree now”) in Christchurch just last weekend.
Encouragement is actually a SUPER POWER!
It empowered me too - on the same weekend, to embark upon writing a poetry book!
Wanna hear my first poem for the new book? Only on this episode!
Be encouraged. By the music too. “Unstoppable,” by a fearless soul, and a track that helps me “Lift My Eyes” - (to see where my help comes from!) Enjoy.
Published: 16/09/2025 7:30:00 p.m.