Beyond Youth Homelessness Podcast

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter, we meet Jack, a lived experience peer worker at Project Youth, whose story explores what it means to search for a sense of home beyond just physical space. Growing up in country New South Wales, Jack shares how not fitting traditional ideas of masculinity left him feeling isolated, misunderstood and disconnected from those around h...

In this episode of Beyond Youth Homelessness: Conversations That Matter, we meet Aries, who shares her experience of entering the housing system at just 16 and navigating crisis, medium-term and transitional housing. Through her story, Aries offers an honest reflection on what it means to move through systems designed to support, but that don’t always feel like home. She speaks about the challenge...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter, we meet Shaun, who shares his lived experience of youth homelessness and the journey that followed. Through his story, we explore what happens when young people are misunderstood by the systems and people around them at the very time they need support the most. Shaun reflects on becoming homeless at 16, navigating complex family dy...

This is a special edition episode of the Beyond Youth Homelessness Podcast as we participate in Youth Homelessness Matters Day for 2026, where Matt is joined by Julie, a member of our local community here in the Sutherland Shire. In this conversation, Julie shares her reflections on the reality of youth homelessness in our own backyard, and the shock and sadness that comes with understanding just...

In this special Youth Homelessness Matters Day edition of the Beyond Youth Homelessness Podcast , host Matt sits down with local real estate agent and Project Youth board member Matt to explore the housing crisis from a different angle. From navigating the competitive rental market to confronting the reality that four in five young people are turned away from housing support, this conversation unp...

In this special edition of the Beyond Youth Homelessness Podcast, recorded live on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, host Matt is joined by Sutherland Shire Mayor Jack Boyd to explore the role our community plays in ending youth homelessness. Together, they unpack the reality behind the statistics, the challenges within the housing system, and the practical ways local government, organisations, and...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , we meet Shirley, a member of Project Youth's YPAC team and a Director of the Board. Through her story we explore the gaps in systems that weren’t equipped to support her when she needed it most. Shirley shares her experience of homelessness across international borders — feeling excluded from one country and unsupported by an...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , Matt sits down with Harry to explore identity, belonging and the realities of safety when experiencing homelessness. Harry shares how searching for connection and role models shaped his sense of self — sometimes helping, sometimes hindering. Harry shares his story in a way that challenges the stigma surrounding crime, unpacking ho...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , we sit down with Tash, whose journey embodies the full circle of lived experience, resilience, and community impact. Tash first connected with Project Youth as a young person navigating homelessness. Today, she stands on the other side of that journey as a dedicated youth worker, advocating for and walking alongside young people f...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , Matt and Ethan sit down with Grace to talk about resilience, recovery and building a future after addiction and homelessness. Grace shares her journey through substance use, rehabilitation and the barriers that often come with trying to rebuild life after addiction. She reflects on the cycle of recovery, the stigma people experien...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , Matt and Ethan sit down with Quinn to explore the stigma and misunderstanding that often surrounds youth homelessness. Quinn shares her experience navigating homelessness from a young age and moving through Project Youth’s refuges and transitional housing program. She reflects on how assumptions about “naughty” or disengaged young...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , Matt and Ethan sit down with Tyson to talk about his experience navigating homelessness after being asked to leave home at 18. Tyson shares how quickly life changed when he had to begin navigating housing services, moving through crisis refuges while trying to maintain work and stability. He reflects on the reality that homelessne...

In this episode of Beyond Homelessness: Conversations That Matter , Matt sits down with Ethan to reflect on his experience growing up in the foster care system. Before the age of five, Ethan had already moved through 21 different placements, an upbringing that shaped his understanding of attachment, security and stability from a very young age. He speaks about how homelessness doesn’t always mean...