OKIRU: Rise Together

In this episode, we sit down with David Trí Nguyen, founder of Flying Art Studios , to explore how martial arts, film, and hip hop shaped his creative and personal journey. From navigating cultural pressures and identity, to building a filmmaking business from passion, to reclaiming Vietnamese pride, this is a conversation about resilience, purpose, and staying true to yourself. We dive into: ‣ Ba...

In his first ever public interview, Bol Mayan, Founder of The Seed Network, shares his journey from growing up in Richmond, skating the streets, and running from his South Sudanese identity - to becoming a filmmaker, community leader, and cultural storyteller. We talk about: ‣ How skateboarding led him to filmmaking and Channel 31 ‣ Building The Seed Network to inspire young people of colour ‣ Emb...

In this episode, Liem sits down with Michael Husky Nguyen - a cultural connector, music curator, and producer at SBS Vietnamese—to trace his journey from tech to the heart of Australia’s Vietnamese music scene and SBS Vietnamese. What began as pandemic-era Zoom collaborations evolved into People Behind the Music, a platform amplifying Asian voices in the arts. Now, through his work at SBS and as a...

To open 2025, OKIRU sits down with Corina Dutlow, CEO of Australian Filipino Community Services, for a conversation on culture, leadership, and the quiet power of service. With roots in both Filipino and Romanian heritage, Corina’s journey is anything but linear. Her story is an intimate reflection on what it means to grow into leadership without losing sight of where you came from. Across the epi...

Nam Nguyen, DJ, father and social worker, shares his journey navigating a bicultural identity as a Vietnamese Australian. He reflects on reconnecting with his family’s history by visiting a Thai refugee camp and discusses the challenges and triumphs of straddling two worlds. Highlighting themes of identity, family, and cultural tension, Nam's storytelling offers insights into the Vietnamese co...

In this heartfelt episode of the OKIRU Rise Together Podcast, Liem sits down with Selba Gondoza-Luka, a mental health advocate and founder of Afri Aus-Care. Selba shares her journey from Malawi to Australia, detailing the challenges she overcame—postnatal depression, homelessness, and settlement struggles—and how these experiences inspired her mission to uplift the African Australian community. To...

Liem sits down with Oanh Thi Tran, Commissioner of the Fair Work Commission, to share her extraordinary journey from a Vietnamese refugee to a trailblazer in the Australian legal system. Oanh opens up about her family’s escape from Vietnam in the 1980s, their settlement in Australia, and how these formative experiences shaped her passion for social justice and workplace fairness. She also recounts...

Liem sits down with Mamuch Chuol, CEO and Founder of NextGen Unite to explore themes of generational trauma, the resettlement journey of South Sudanese refugees in Australia, and the transformative power of community sports. Mamuch shares his journey, the pivotal role of mentors in his life, and his vision to empower future generations. They also delve into the challenges and triumphs of organisin...

In this episode of the OKIRU Rise Together, hosts Liem and Fhred dive into a candid conversation with Jamal Hakim, who is running for Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Hakim shares his vision of inclusivity and plans for the City of Melbourne but also touches on topics such as anime, karaoke, and the game Animal Crossing. This episode provides a refreshing perspective on the interconnections between local...

Join Alex Monteiro, founder of High Tea Sessions and co-founder of Liberation Group, as he explores Melbourne’s doof culture, the power of community, and his deep connection to his Portuguese heritage. Dive into the thrilling underground party scene, the transformative practices of breathwork and meditation, and the creative vision behind Liberation and High Tea Sessions. Through stories of late-n...

Elevating Filipino Cuisine & Mental Health in Kitchens | Chef Fred Batalona | OKIRU Rise Together Podcast In this episode, Chef Fred Batalona joins the podcast to share his inspiring journey of elevating Filipino cuisine in Melbourne through his two culinary ventures, Barangay and Palay. Fred opens up about battling impostor syndrome, the challenges of running pop-up dining experiences, and hi...

Thad Mangalino is a performance coach, motivational speaker, podcaster and writer for the Philippine Times. In this episode, we dive deep into the unique journey of growing up as Filipinos in Australia, sharing the richness of our cultural upbringings and exploring the mindset needed to nurture your best self. Discover the invaluable tools we've uncovered to navigate life's challenges. If...

Liem guides us through a short 10-minute guided meditation to help us settle into the conversation. We begin the meditation by focusing on our breath, the life force that gives us energy and helps ground us into the present moment. For those who live busy lives and are constantly on the grind, focus on finding 10% more relaxation. The small adjustments can help you greatly no matter what you do. Y...

Are you ready to dive into a world of self-development, culture, and community? Join us on OKIRU: Rise Together, a podcast that's here to warmly welcome young hearts in Australia and all over the globe. We're your Melbourne-based companions on a mission to unite communities through the power of storytelling. In this special episode, we catch up with the creative minds behind our podcast: J...

Join us for a heartwarming episode on OKIRU: Rise Together, as we celebrate the enriching journey of self-development and multiculturalism with Bou, a proud Māori man. His vibrant culture forms the bedrock of his identity, providing deep-rooted safety and understanding of his place in the world. We're thrilled to share how Māori culture blesses him with so much wisdom and empowerment. Explore...

Welcome to a Mindful Journey: Embrace Your Inner Self Embark on a transformative podcast experience that truly "hits different." Join Liem and Bou as they lead you through a blissful meditation journey, designed to nurture your self-development and connect you with the heart of Melbourne's vibrant community and rich multiculturalism. As you settle into the podcast, Bou shares their pro...

Welcome to OKIRU: Rise Together! Join us as we dive into the transformative practice of Metta meditation, also known as loving-kindness meditation. Originating from Buddhist traditions, this practice nurtures compassion and goodwill towards oneself and others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness. In this enlightening episode, Liem, our experienced guide, leads us through a short yet impactful...

Welcome to OKIRU: Rise Together! In this engaging episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Anzari Atik, a PhD in Neuroscience, Yoga Teacher, Running Community Leader, and a dear friend of our podcast. Anzari leads weekly classes at Assembly Yoga and spearheads a vibrant run club in Williamstown every Wednesday morning at 7 am. Joining her is Kano Ravalji, a passionate advocate for youth and multic...

Maiysha Moin is a 4th year law student at Monash University. She is currently going through a deep journey to uncover her identity and what type of person she is and wants to become. We talk about her role in the School's Strike for Climate, privilege and stories of uncovering her cultural identity and what that means to her. Maiysha shares her journey into relearning her mother tongue and oth...

Welcome to our podcast! Join us on a transformative journey as we dive into a profound 'I Am' guided meditation designed to enhance personal growth and self-discovery. In this immersive episode, we provide expert guidance to help you establish a harmonious connection between your body and mind, while cultivating mindfulness through focused breathing techniques. Uncover the deeper meaning o...

Tyson Tuala is the Founder of Melbourne Cultural Consultants and Chairman of Nga Matai Parua. In this episode he enlightens us with how culture can be a spiritual experience and can be your guiding light. Culture is powerful. It is visible in the customs and traditions we practice and honour. Yet, invisible and deeply seated in our way of being and explains why we do the things we do. This episode...

In this short practice, we take you through the different dimensions of the breath. 1. How your body automatically receives a breath and nourishes your body with life-giving energy. 2. Recognising the feeling of weightlessness as you notice the top and bottom of the breath cycle. 3. The cycle of the breath inflating your chest, belly and lungs and feeling this through your hands. Breathing is a sa...

In this episode, we begin with a 5-minute guided meditation to find ground and space. Listen in as we dive into the story of Jahin Tanvir - an overnight success story and CEO of the Australian School of Entrepreneurship. We dive into his family history and his connections as a Bengali man figuring his way out through life and business. We talk about habits, racism, youth advocacy and hustle mental...

Mason Moon and Oliver Gates are two young Melbourne creatives. Mason is an up-and-coming rapper and Oliver is a talented videographer. In this episode, we discuss Mason's latest release and the creative process behind the music video. They talk about how they're inspired as creatives and their learnings from their creative endeavours. Mason has been making music for two years and Oliver ha...

Step into the incredible world of our next guest, Hashmat - a Hazara-Australian person with a powerful story of hope and identity. In this episode, he takes us on a journey from war-torn Afghanistan to the safety of Pakistan, and ultimately to his new home in Australia. Through his deeply personal and heartfelt story, we gain a greater understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the Hazara comm...