From There to Here

In this episode, DEI strategist Khayshie Tilak Ramesh shares her journey from a childhood experience of being “othered” to becoming a leading voice in creating more inclusive spaces. She demystifies intersectionality - how overlapping systems of oppression create unique experiences of discrimination – and explores how we can address compounded marginalisation. The conversation dives deep into shif...

Host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits with Richa Joshi, who helps quiet voices get loud - especially women of colour who have been muted by systems, labels, and cultural expectations. In this episode, Richa shares her personal journey of (un-)learning to “shrink” to fit in and how parenthood became the catalyst for breaking generational cycles of silence. The conversation delves into the messy but essential...

Zozan Balci is a researcher and author who explores the lived experiences of mixed heritage individuals navigating cultural in-betweenness. Born in Germany to Italian and Turkish migrant parents, Zozan lost her ability to speak Turkish as a child - a loss that sparked years of reflection and ultimately became the foundation of her PhD research. In this conversation, Zozan shares powerful stories f...

Dr. Sarah Aratchi brings a powerful and heartfelt account of migrating to Australia as a child, reflecting on the everyday realities being “othered” due to her surname and skin colour. She unpacks the lasting impact of being “the brown kid” in school and the constant questioning about where she’s “really from” that followed her into adulthood. The conversation also highlights the subtle ways in wh...

In this episode, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with cultural psychologist Deborah Ko for an eye-opening conversation on identity, belonging, and adaptation across cultures. Deborah shares her personal experiences growing up at the intersection of American and Hong Kong backgrounds, and reveals how cultural psychology became a lens for understanding her multiple selves. The discussion explores t...

 In this conversation, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd speaks with Fabiola Campbell, founder and CEO of Professional Migrant Women and author of the upcoming book “Own it”. Fabiola shares her deeply personal migration story - born in Australia but raised in Venezuela, Fabiola returned as an adult expecting to feel at home, only to confront the reality of being a migrant in her birth country. Fabiola o...

In this episode, Ochan shares his multifaceted journey as someone of South Sudanese and Ugandan heritage, born in Ethiopia to migrant parents, whose family later moved to Kenya before eventually resettling in Australia. He opens up about the challenges he faced after arriving, including experiences of loneliness, racism, and racial profiling. Ochan discusses how these moments influenced his approa...

In this episode of From There to Here, Emma Bellamy-Dodd speaks with Yaser Naseri, who fled Iran after political activism made staying impossible. Yaser describes life in Tehran, the dangers of protesting, and tough decisions that led him to Indonesia - where multiple failed escape attempts and a deadly boat disaster profoundly shaped him. He recalls surviving at sea, time in detention, and the ev...

In this podcast episode, Roman Abasy shares his inspiring journey from Afghanistan to Australia as a refugee and human rights advocate. He discusses his background as a Taekwondo champion, his transition to advocating for women's rights in sports, and the challenges he faced adapting to a new culture. Roman emphasizes the importance of sports in helping refugees integrate into their new communitie...

In this episode, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd speaks with Rugare Gomo, author, leadership coach, and Zimbabwean-born migrant, about his journey toward embracing his authentic self in Australia. Rugare discusses growing up under strict societal and cultural expectations, navigating identity as a gay Black African man, and overcoming years of statelessness and exclusion. He highlights the unique tensions...

In this conversation, Nooria Mehraby shares her profound journey from being a refugee to becoming a clinician and advocate for mental health among refugees. She discusses the traumatic experiences of fleeing Afghanistan, her life in refugee camps in Pakistan, and the challenges of resettling in Australia. Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Nooria sheds light on the unique mental...

In this episode of From There to Here, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with Mish Kumar-Jonson - a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent South Indian migrant who has called India, Oman, France, the US, New Zealand, and Australia home. Mish shares a deeply personal and insightful journey through multiple migrations, exploring how cultural identity is shaped, challenged, and redefined across borders and...

In this episode, Serena Lowe shares her journey as an introverted migrant from Singapore to Australia. She discusses the challenges and strengths of being an introvert in a new culture, the importance of community, and how to embrace one's introverted nature. Serena emphasizes the need for self-acceptance and the value of quiet strengths in a world that often rewards extroverted behaviour. With th...

In this episode, Antonella Sorace, Director of Bilingualism Matters, joins the host to share her personal journey and dispel common myths about bilingualism. Together, they explore how bilingualism shapes identity and fosters adaptability, with Antonella explaining that while bilinguals often feel “in between” cultures, this very adaptability is a key advantage. She discusses cognitive benefits, i...

In this episode, Abdi Aden shares his incredible journey from Somalia to Australia, detailing the impact of the civil war on his life and the challenges he faced as a refugee. He discusses how he found purpose through motivational speaking, the challenges he faced due to societal expectations and discrimination, and how he overcame them by embracing his identity and building genuine connections wi...

In this conversation, Natalia Gomez shares her transformative journey from Colombia to Australia, discussing her motivations for leaving her home country, including the cultural dissonance she experienced with Colombia’s ‘machista’ norms. She recounts the challenges of securing a skill-aligned job, preparing for the Australia Veterinary Exam, and requalifying as a veterinarian in Australia. She op...

In this episode, Emma Bellamy-Dodd interviews Gloria Tabi, founder of Everyday inclusion and Enable Women Africa, about her journey from Ghana to Australia and her fight against systemic racism. Gloria shares how colonial legacies and the search for opportunity shaped her migration, and describes the invisible barriers she faced in Australia’s workplaces despite her qualifications. She discusses h...

In this insightful episode, Maryam Zahid shares her powerful journey from being a refugee in Afghanistan to becoming a community leader and advocate for women's rights in Australia. She reflects on her childhood experiences during the war, the challenges of resettling in a new country, and her mission to empower Afghan women. Through her work, she addresses issues of trauma, gender inequality, and...

In this conversation, Catherine Maguire-Donvito, Co-founder and Director of Treehouse Theatre, shares the program’s unique approach to supporting refugee adolescents through storytelling and theatrical performance. The initiative is designed to facilitate trauma recovery and raise awareness about the refugee experience among high school students. Catherine emphasizes the importance of building tru...

In this conversation, Christian Nduwimana shares his harrowing journey from Burundi, where he escaped a civil war and political persecution, to becoming a refugee in Australia. He discusses the political dynamics that led to violence in his home country and what led him to speak out against the injustices he witnessed. Christian shares his complex journey from living in a refugee camp for three ye...

In this conversation, Khalil Bagatsing shares his journey from working in his family's business in the Philippines to helping immigrants find skill-aligned jobs in the US. He discusses the challenges immigrants face in the job market, including the importance of customizing resumes, recognizing transferable skills, and overcoming credential recognition issues. Khalil emphasizes the significance of...

In this insightful episode, Niharika Hiremath OAM, a first-generation immigrant and mental health professional, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on growing up in Australia after leaving India at a young age. Niharika discusses her lived experiences as a third culture kid, the challenges and conflicts of navigating multiple identities, and her openness about mental health struggles...

In this episode, the host interviews Dinesh Palipana, an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success as a doctor, lawyer, researcher, and disability advocate. Dinesh shares his life story, starting from his childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka, the challenges he faced after moving to Australia, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He also discusses his transition from...

In this episode, we explore the harrowing and inspirational journey of Mahshid Babzartabi, a refugee who fled Iran at age 52, as she was unable to endure the constraints of a society that silenced her voice. Confronted with limited legal options for safe emigration, she ultimately embarked on a perilous boat journey to Australia. Despite facing immense hardships, she survived and spent 45 days in...

In this episode, Emma has a heartfelt conversation with Jetha Devapura, an inspiring CEO and philanthropist who immigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia at the age of 12. Together, they discuss Jetha’s memories of his childhood in Colombo and his transition to life in Australia as a teenager. Jetha shares his academic struggles and eventual success, highlighting the impact of environment on personal...