YChats

Ever wondered what happens when young people take the reins of media creation? Join us on a captivating journey with Isaac, the visionary behind Youth Jam Radio, as we explore how this youth-led platform is revolutionising the airwaves. From the genesis of the idea to navigating challenges and fostering community support, discover how Youth Jam Radio is empowering young voices and reshaping the me...

Welcome to YChats in 2024! With a facelift and continued passion for amplifying the stories of young people, in this kick-off episode, YChats host Maeson chats to an incredible youth advocate from Northam in Western Australia - Joshua Patrick.  Josh, like many young people today, has a had difficult journey. But at the same time, some incredible opportunities that through his own courage and deter...

Did you know that 3/4 young people lack the skills needed for employment? Did you know that a 15-year-old can expect to have 17 jobs across 5 different industries? Did you know that 40% of the global workforce is considering leaving their employer this year? We dream of a world where all youth have access to dignified, meaningful, and purposeful work. To achieve that dream, we need to understand t...

In the last episode of YChats host Maeson spoke to Ashara Wills from Let's Queer the Air, all about IDAHOBIT - what it is, what it means, and how we can all show up to support the LGBTQIA+ community. To continue this conversation, Maeson spoke to three LGBTQIA+ advocates from across Australia who shared their connections to the LGBTQIA+ community and activism, their thoughts on why the need for qu...

Every year on May 17th we celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia, the day that homosexuality was declassified as a mental illness by the World Health Organisation. In this special episode, Maeson chats with Ashara Wills of Let's Queer the Air, to clear the air on what this day means, it's significance, and how we can all show up to support the LG...

Have you ever wondered what it's like working in the music industry? Or how you can get into it as a young person? Check out this week's episode of YChats to find out! This episode we throw it back to our previous host of the podcast, Alana who chats with Brodie of Y HQ and Heaps Cool Music. Brodie gives a behind-the-scenes look into the music industry, telling us how she started working in the in...

YChat's is back! After a long hiatus, a little rebranding, and a new host - your favourite podcast is back with a new episode. In this episode, we're asking why - Why do we need youth voice? New host Maeson talks to two young people about their experience in advocacy, young people's place in decision-making, and the barriers we face to having our voices heard.  This episodes guests are Alicia from...

Trigger warning: sexual assault This week Alana sits down with psychology student and cofounder of Young Women Against Sexual Violence (YWASV), Joey Lim. Joey talks about her choice to start YWASV after experiencing sexual violence with the goal of creating a safe space for women to share their stories of sexual violence, to know they are not alone, to be supported and believed, whilst encouraging...

Most of us experience poor body image at some stage. This week, Alana sits down with Director of Higher Degrees (Coursework) at UWA and a body image activist Dr Marilyn Bromberg to chat all things body image, how our expectations of our bodies have been impacted by social media, and what needs to change. If you're struggling with body image, know that you're not alone. If you need someone to talk...

Would you delete TikTok if you knew some big company had access to your data? Would you even care if that happened? This week Alana sits down with app developer and data expert Alexander Karan to chat all things data, what it means and why you should care about it. 

Today Alana is joined by queer young person, provisional psychologist and PhD student at Telethon Kids Institute Dylan Gilbey and Head of the Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health team at the Telethon Kids Institute Amy Finlay-Jones, to chat about self stigma experienced by young LGBTQIA+ people and how self compassion can combat it. Self stigma survey: bit.ly/selfstigma Telethon Kids Institute...

We're back with season three of YChats! This episode, Alana sat down with other women to talk about how issues such as the gender pay gap and sexual assault are still impacting women today. Resources: 1800RESPECT National Sexual Assault Domestic Family Violence Counselling Helpline - 1800 737 732 Women's Domestic Violence Helpline - 1800 007 339  Women's Legal Aid Service - 9272 8800 Women's Healt...

We're coming to the end of the year when we are being asked to make some big decisions about our future and career. It's perfectly okay not to know exactly what you want to do but we've got the tools to help make it clearer! We're joined by Kendal Drew, Director at Strategic Career Management and a qualified professional career development practitioner.  Resources

We're talking to Laima Kuliukas, a highly skilled psychologist, all about how to nuture the good relationships in your life and navigate the toxic ones. Resources: 1800 Respect

It's September 10 which means it's R U OK Day – our yearly reminder to connect with the people around you and start a conversation with anyone who may be struggling with life.  Young person Chloe shares her story about bullying and how people reaching out helped her. Rob Tiller, mental health counsellor, shares practical ways to ask people "are you okay?

Aussie hip hop legend Adrian Eagle sat down with Alana to speak openly about battling his mental demons and launching his career in the music biz.

We're talking about the green stuff. Kush, weed, grass, whatever you want to call it, today we're talking about the good, bad, and changing laws around Cannabis. Joining us is Sharlene Mavor, a medical scientist and founder/managing director of charity Medical Cannabis Research Australia.

It's Feel Good Friday at YChats!  We're speaking to Nicole Comelli from YMCA Victoria about how she helped her cohort of volunteers feel connected during COVID-19 isolation.  

So you're sending nudes or meeting up with people you met online? Cool but there's a smart way to do it! Young people have autonomy over their own decisions but there's a way to do these things safely.  Phil Doorgachurn, YMCA Australia's Executive Manager for Safeguarding, speaks with Alana about how to make safe choices online and look after yourself.    eSafety Commission: https://www.esafety.go...

Right now we're all being told to stay home for our physical health due to COVID-19 but for some, home is not a safe place to be. So what can you do to keep yourself safe in that situation? Rita is a Neuropsychotherapist who has worked as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner/Family Court Advocate/Supervisor and Clinical Practice Trainer in the Family Law Services field for over 14 years and is...

Let counsellor and psychologist, Chantelle Botha, guide you in this breathing exercise to centre your self and practice the art of mindfulness. 

Is your mind full or are you mindful? We've spoken a lot about mental health and on this episode of YChats, counsellor and psychologist Chantelle Botha, focuses on the practice of being mindful, defining what it is and giving practical exercises and methods to get started. Calm App: https://www.calm.com/ Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/  

The impacts of domestic violence can be serious and long lasting, affecting an individual's health, wellbeing and relationships. November 25 was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marked the beginning of the annual 16 days in WA Stop Violence Against Women campaign. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 16 men in Aus...

There are so many young people who are creating and inspiring change.  Marcus Wong is a young photographer and filmmaker who is connecting the world through storytelling. This year he was awarded WA Young Volunteer of the Year for the amazing work he has been doing. Alana sits down with him to discuss his volunteering journey and the impact he has created. 

October is Mental Health Awareness Month so Alana sat down with Chris Harris, Psychologist and Senior Manager of Services, Development and Innovation at Youth Focus, to talk about suicide prevention and the importance of feeling valued and belonging.  Youth Focus:  https://youthfocus.com.au Reach Out: https://au.reachout.com/