How to Change a Life by CQUniversity Podcasts

Clarissa Sempel wanted a career in law to help people. But first, she had to be a rock for her own family – and save herself. The high-achieving young lawyer and National President of youth leadership initiative Junior Chamber International Australia, Clarissa’s path is marked by determination, even in the face of family devastation. Clarissa is CQUniversity’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year for Early Ca...

Param Singh’s life began in a tiny town in India. It took moving across the globe to realise his potential to change lives for millions of families like his. And, where cows would fit with his plan! The award-winning founder and CEO of agri-tech platform MoooFarm, Param is CQUniversity Australia’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact, and you can learn more about his work here . Read the pod...

Bevan Slattery is one of Australia’s most successful tech entrepreneurs, founding a record five ASX-listed companies.   But the path to innovator and rich-lister was not a straight one. Dramatic career detours, from aspiring accountant to DJ to local government clerk and finally IT whiz, taught him to follow his curiosity and solve big problems – an approach that’s helped him grow mega-projects fo...

Growing up on a Central Queensland cattle station helped inspire Patrice Brown to pursue environmental science. To build her big-impact career, the trailblazing businesswoman had to stand up to stereotypes. That meant proving that she, and her beloved Central Queensland, had local talent and expertise to get the job done. Read the episode transcript here . Patrice is CQUniversity’s Alumnus of the...

CQUniversity Chancellor Graeme Innes AM has spent a lifetime fighting discrimination. To mark global change initiative Zero Discrimination Day on Wednesday 1 March 2023, the human rights trailblazer has shared some of the journey with How to Change a Life. A lawyer, company director and former Australian Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Innes outlines his insights, successes, frustrations and hope fo...

For Aidan Baron, realising his passion for paramedicine was a game-changer. But building a career in the life-changing field meant fighting frustration, and a whole lot of social media. And focusing on the people he could help, and the people making great health care happen, has driven a big career in research and practice for the paramedic innovator. Aidan is CQUniversity’s Alumnus of the Year fo...

Imagine being told you're not good at study. And hearing it from a teacher at primary school. For Nareeta Davis, overcoming stereotypes has been a lifelong battle.  But the Cairns mum and award-winning solicitor has built self-confidence through faith in her own values, and determination to advocate for other people facing injustice.     Nareeta is CQUniversity’s Alumnus of the Year for Early Care...

Growing up, Marjad Page was scared of the hospital. But the proud Kalkadoon, Waanyi and Gangaldida man was prepared to face fears, if it meant helping his people. That purpose saw him achieve what seemed impossible, becoming a doctor and practicing on his Traditional Lands. Dr Page is CQUniversity’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and you can learn more about his work here . How to Change a Life...

We all know our world needs some pretty big changes. But how do you decide to start making those changes yourself? How to Change a Life hears from people who have made life-changing decisions, and asks them - how do you start? And what comes next? Presented by CQUniversity Podcasts and with weekly episodes from March 2022, you’ll hear from global change leaders, and passionate locals transforming...

Ever seen a problem, and not known how to help? Selina Tomasich’s approach is simple: get skills, know them, use them, grow them. And always have a chat. That’s how the inspiring founder and CEO of anti-poverty initiative Hair Aid built her confidence and her big-impact career, despite not finishing high school, and as she faced many more challenges along the way. Selina is CQUniversity’s 2022 Alu...

Sabi Kaphle didn’t want to be a midwife. Forced into nursing school by her family as a teenager, the young Nepali woman felt powerless. But when she saw how the health system was failing pregnant women, and the risk to lives of mums and babies, Sabi found her passion in giving them a voice. First working for UNICEF and now as a Public Health lecturer at CQUniversity, Dr  Kaphle shares her steps fo...

Former truckie Darren Delaney wants answers. Too often, the Brisbane transport stalwart has seen his workmates die on the job – and too often, investigators can’t say what caused the death. Darren’s channelling his trauma, frustration and passion for trucking into action, as he pursues a PhD on truck accidents and safety. The CQUniversity Associate Lecturer and PhD student hopes to create a nation...

Noonukul Quandamooka woman Sam Cooms started on her career path determined to help her Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) community. Becoming a mum to children with disabilities upended her world, and shifted her priorities. This episode, Sam explains how her Indigenous values inform both her carer role, and her vision for a more inclusive society for people with disabilities – in Minjerribah,...

Physiotherapist Sasha Job knows her work can change people’s lives. And when patients are struggling to achieve mobility and fitness, she's seen first-hand that getting on the beach can make a huge difference.  This episode, the determined Bundaberg lecturer and researcher explains her mission to make our beaches accessible for everyone. If you’re an Australian living with a disability or limited...

CONTENT WARNING: This episode covers issues around mental health and suicide.  More than two thirds of Australians say they’re stressed out – but is it all down to our busy lives? When Brisbane dad and estimating manager Michael Bowles wasn’t coping, the first step to recovery was just talking. Now researching his PhD on suicide in the construction industry, he’s busier than ever – and talking mor...

Paramedic Science student Caitlin Peacock chose her career because she wanted to help people. And she made the decision while she was in prison. The 21-year-old Cairns woman shares how a car crash and subsequent criminal charges became the worst days of her life, and how determination to take a different path pulled her through. Since completing CQUniversity’s life-changing STEPS program , she’s n...

Kumar Parakala has forged a career by refusing to follow the crowd. And the first step was boarding a plane to Rockhampton, in Central Queensland. In this episode, the President of GHD Digital shares the importance of finding a higher purpose, and building authentic relationships. Just announced as CQUniversity’s Alumnus of the Year for Industry Achievement , the global professional services leade...

Tandi Kuwana built her career in mental health, but it was her own experience with depression that helped her smash taboos and improve mental wellbeing for those around her. In this episode, the Perth-based mental health nurse and founder shares the challenges that led to her mental illness. And the inspiring community leader explains why reaching out for help, and helping others, gave her the dri...

She created Australia’s Airbnb for dinner parties, then on the verge of going global, COVID-19 meant dinner parties were banned indefinitely. But Jodie Mlikota’s was determined to keep loved ones connecting, even at a distance. In this episode, the Cairns-based CEO and co-founder shares how she grew her startup, from idea to uni assignment to national catering platform. And she explains why commun...

How do you suddenly transition 50,000 people to working online? For Sheila Doyle and her 1800-strong team, the challenges of the pandemic were huge. Luckily, the Deloitte Business Services Global Leader has built a career around adapting fast. In this episode, digital trailblazer Sheila shares her steps for taking risks, growing resilience, and putting people at the heart of big decisions. Just an...

We all know change is inevitable. But actually making the change happen? That’s up to us. How to Change a Life hears from people who have made life-changing decisions, and asks them - what happens next? Presented by CQUniversity Podcasts and launching on Monday 8 March 2021, you’ll hear from global industry leaders, and passionate locals transforming lives around them. Plus CQUniversity’s experts...