Changemaker Q&A

Policy often gets talked about as the way social change happens because it’s formal, visible, and easy to point to—but it’s really just one piece of a much bigger picture. This episode offers a practical, down-to-earth introduction to what policy actually is, where it comes from, and how it tends to move through the Australian policy system in ways that are far more messy and iterative than the te...

As loneliness rises to epidemic levels across the world, many are asking: how can we rebuild the connections that make life meaningful? This episode explores the future of friendship through the lens of Friending, a new app designed to encourage genuine, face-to-face relationships. Founder Gabor shares his journey from Europe to North America and how personal experience of isolation led him to des...

Social change is driven by strong values, moral clarity, and a deep commitment to justice—yet it rarely unfolds under ideal conditions. This episode explores one of the most uncomfortable but unavoidable realities of changemaking: trade-offs. Drawing on examples from activism, politics, development, and systems thinking, the conversation unpacks why trade-offs are not signs of compromise or failur...

After more than a decade in corporate law, Serena reached a crossroads that forced her to question everything she thought success was meant to look like. A single offhand question—“Do you know what’s ahead if you stay on this path?”—sparked a journey from burnout and identity loss to reinvention, courage and quiet leadership. In this conversation, Serena explores what it means to thrive as an intr...

Business often gets talked about as if it sits neatly in the “economic” box, separate from ethics, power, and social responsibility. In reality, business has always been part of everyday social life, shaped by politics, culture, and shared ideas about what is acceptable or fair—and shaping those things in return. This episode looks at business as just one of several ways change happens, tracing ho...

Reverend Erika Ferguson’s life and work stand as a testament to courage, compassion, and conviction. As the founder of the Tubman Travel Project, she helps women in restrictive states across the United States safely access reproductive healthcare—transforming journeys of fear into experiences of care, connection, and community. In this powerful conversation, Erika shares how her faith, grounded in...

Values are often treated as decorative statements—nice words on a website or a slide in an induction pack—but for changemakers, they are far more than that. This episode explores why values are foundational to ethical, effective, and sustainable social change, shaping not only what work is undertaken but how decisions are made, relationships are formed, and power is exercised. Drawing on real-worl...

Dr Warren Wong has dedicated his medical career to transforming the way we think about ageing, caregiving, and healthcare. From his early experiences in geriatric medicine to his ongoing advocacy for person-centred care, he challenges us to reimagine what it means to age with dignity. In this conversation, we explore the social and systemic challenges of healthcare, the hidden costs of ageing, the...

Mindfulness is often framed as a personal coping tool—something individuals practise to manage stress within systems that remain fundamentally unchanged. This conversation challenges that narrow framing and introduces a multidimensional approach to mindfulness grounded in social theory, empowerment research, and systems thinking. Drawing on a framework that understands human experience across four...

Innovation is a word we hear often, but what does it actually mean in practice? In this conversation with Amir Elion—innovation leader, former head of Amazon Web Services’ Digital Innovation program in the Nordics, and founder of Think Big Leaders—we explore how organisations can move beyond buzzwords to create real value. Amir shares how Amazon’s “working backwards” method can be applied anywhere...

Money is often treated as the central ingredient for social change, yet this conversation challenges that assumption and offers a more precise—and more empowering—way to think about it. Tiyana unpacks why money is better understood as energy or a medium of exchange rather than a true resource, and why attaching moral weight to money itself obscures the real ethical questions: how it is earned, dir...

Tommy’s path into conservation and science communication did not begin in academia, but on the riverbanks with a fishing rod and a blog. Over time, his passion for the outdoors grew into a podcast that now explores the intersection of ecology, policy, and social change. In this conversation, we discuss how human attitudes and behaviours complicate conservation, why reconnecting with nature is esse...

As a new year begins, Tiyana invites changemakers to move beyond aspirational vision boards and into a more grounded, strategic approach to goal setting for 2026. Drawing on her work as a social impact strategist, she unpacks the psychology behind visioning, clarifies the difference between imagining a future and manifesting it, and introduces a practical framework for turning big-picture visions...

Dione Chan, widely known as That Security Lady , shares her journey from a shy childhood to becoming an experienced professional in a male-dominated security industry. From close personal protection and crowd control to high-profile events, Dione explores the skills, mindset, and frameworks that allow women to feel safe and confident in any environment. This episode delves into practical strategie...

Stepping into 2026 invites both uncertainty and opportunity, and this episode maps out the major social impact trends likely to shape the year ahead. Tiyana explores how digital influencers are increasingly functioning as de-facto political interpreters, why shifts in narrative strategy may strengthen the political right, and how anti-intellectual sentiment continues to gain visibility in public d...

What begins as a simple gesture of helping one person can spark a movement that reshapes communities. Sean shares his unexpected journey from preparing for a career in law enforcement to founding a grassroots homeless shelter that grew into multiple agencies. Along the way, he reflects on misconceptions about homelessness, systemic barriers that keep people on the streets, and the urgent need for...

Change rarely happens all at once — and in this reflective episode, Tiyana explores why social transformation is, and must be, a slow process. Drawing on the metaphor of a forest ecosystem, she examines how enduring change depends on deep-rooted, structural shifts as well as quick, visible wins that sustain our energy and hope. Tiyana discusses why it can feel like progress is stalling, how to sta...

How do we raise children in the midst of the climate crisis without being overwhelmed by fear or guilt? Bridget shares her story of growing up close to food systems, becoming a climate journalist, and navigating the decision to become a parent in an uncertain world. She offers practical strategies for helping children process eco-anxiety, cultivating curiosity as a lifelong skill, and balancing pe...

Many changemakers struggle with how to have meaningful conversations about social issues — especially when others just don’t seem to see things the same way. In this episode, Tiyana explores how we can approach dialogue in a way that builds understanding rather than deepens division. Drawing inspiration from the ancient Socratic method , she shares practical tools and mindsets that can help you en...

Karen Knight is a volunteer engagement specialist with a fascinating career journey from cabinet maker to consultant. In this episode, Karen shares her insights on how volunteering has shifted over the years, from traditional long-term commitments to today’s demand for flexibility and project-based opportunities. We discuss strategies for attracting and retaining volunteers, how to avoid saviouris...

Clarity doesn’t come from waiting for a lightning-bolt moment — it emerges through learning, doing, and reflecting. In this episode, Tiyana explores one of the most common questions for changemakers: How do I find clarity about my niche or purpose? Drawing on her own experience in academia and social impact practice, she unpacks two essential foundations of changemaking — knowledge and skills — an...

Dr Sheldon, author of The Guerrilla Scholar’s Handbook , shares how learning and scholarship can thrive beyond the walls of universities. From training intelligence professionals to co-founding a university and even building amateur rockets, his career exemplifies the unconventional pursuit of knowledge. This conversation explores the core skills and habits that support guerrilla scholarship, prac...

What truly defines a movement—and how does it differ from a protest or campaign? This episode unpacks the anatomy of social movements and explores how lasting transformation happens when individuals, organisations, and communities align around shared visions for change. From the abolition of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement to modern climate justice movements like Fridays for Future, we explo...

Social entrepreneur Greg Daley, founder of SeaBar, shares his journey from a career in high-end hairstyling to creating an innovative, eco-conscious haircare brand. Frustrated by the wastefulness of traditional shampoo and conditioner bottles, Greg developed bar shampoos in reusable applicators, designed to minimise plastic waste while also funding ocean cleanups with every purchase. He discusses...

Many changemakers and practitioners use the terms systematic, systemic, and systems change interchangeably, yet these words describe very different approaches to transformation. This episode explores how each concept operates within the context of social change, policy, and community development. Using practical examples such as homelessness, we explore how systematic change refers to methodical,...