Changemaker Q&A

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 design a platform that blends technology with humanity. We explore why making friends becomes harder after our 20s, how remote work and social media have reshaped community life, and why proximity, shared interests, and safety are vital for sustaining friendships.About Our Guest: Gabor is the founder and CEO of Friending, a technology platform designed to help people form real, meaningful friendships in an increasingly disconnected world. Originally from Hungary, he has lived and worked across the UK, Canada, Spain, and the United States — experiences that shaped his deep understanding of how modern life, mobility, and technology impact our ability to connect.

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 failure, but structural features of working within complex, constrained systems. The discussion reframes trade-offs as strategic choices shaped by power, resources, institutions, and time, and examines how changemakers can navigate them deliberately without abandoning purpose or values. By grounding the idea of trade-offs in both lived practice and theoretical frameworks, the episode offers listeners tools to make clearer, more ethical decisions when no option is perfect.

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 introvert in an extroverted world, how to protect your energy in noisy environments, and why deep thinking, active listening and genuine presence are underrated leadership superpowers. Together we unpack the myths of “faking it till you make it,” the trap of perfectionism, and the art of finding balance between visibility and authenticity. This is a conversation for anyone who's ever felt like they were on the treadmill of achievement—and is ready to step off and rediscover what fulfilment truly means.About Our Guest: Serena Low is a trauma-informed coach for introverts, host of The Quiet Warrior Podcast, and has been an introvert all her life. She supports quiet achievers to grow into Quiet Warriors and achieve professional visibility without having to act extroverted.

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 how it has evolved from pre-industrial moral economies, through industrial capitalism, to today's neoliberal context. Along the way, it unpacks the real limits of what business can achieve under capitalism, while also explaining why businesses are so often asked to step in when governments are constrained by politics, budgets, or slow institutions. The conversation then explores two common models of purpose-driven business—B Corporations and social enterprises—drawing a clear distinction between businesses that aim to be good in how they operate and those that exist specifically to do good through their core purpose. Rather than presenting business as a silver bullet, the episode encourages a more honest and practical conversation about when business can genuinely contribute to social and environmental change, and where its role is inherently limited.

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 service and liberation, guides her work in reproductive justice; what it truly takes to accompany women across borders; and why risk, spirituality, and radical compassion are inseparable in the fight for freedom.About Our Guest: Rev. Erika Ferguson is the founder of the Tubman Travel Project, which has helped hundreds of Texans travel for abortion care in New Mexico. For over five years, she has built pathways of freedom where systems tried to close doors, proving that no permission is needed to move, choose, and live fully. https://tubmantravel.org/

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-world examples and the core values of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network, the conversation unpacks how values function as a living compass in conditions of uncertainty, helping individuals and organisations move from good intentions to coherent action, aligned strategy, and a culture built on trust, dignity, and care.

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 role of family caregivers, and how communities can support older people to live well at home for longer.About Our Guest: Dr Warren Wong (drwarrenwong.com) is a leading geriatrician and healthcare innovator, best known for founding the Geriatric Medicine Clinic at Kaiser Permanente, Hawai‘i, where he pioneered the ‘Senior Segmentation' model to address the diverse needs of older adults. With decades of experience developing palliative care, nursing home, and home visit programs, he has advanced person-centred approaches that prioritise dignity, safety, and quality of life. As a Clinical Professor at the University of Hawai‘i School of Medicine, Dr Wong highlights the central role of caregivers, offering evidence-based strategies for fall prevention, injury management, and home safety. His work, including Getting Older with Love and Dignity, blends compassion with pragmatism, making him a trusted voice on ageing, caregiving, and healthcare reform.

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 interconnected planes of being—the material, psychosocial, structural, and relational—the episode explores how mindfulness can be practised not only within the self, but also in relation to bodies, institutions, power, and collective action. By moving beyond commodified, individualised notions of mindfulness, the discussion repositions it as a reflexive capacity with genuine transformative potential for social movements, offering practical ways to engage more ethically, sustainably, and strategically in the work of social change.

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, why culture matters more than size when it comes to innovation, and how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we create, test, and scale ideas. Along the way, he reflects on lessons from global corporations, startups, and NGOs, and on how his move to the Nordics reshaped his perspective on sustainability, leadership, and the future of technology.About Our Guest: Amir Elion is an experienced Business, Innovation and Transformation Leader. Amir is the founder of and senior advisor at Think Big Leaders, and co-initiator of the Global Green Action Day. He led the Digital Innovation program at Amazon Web Services in the Nordics, helping AWS customers build new products and experiences that delight customers using Amazon own Working Backwards innovation methodology. Previously, he led innovation and training activities at Motorola Solutions and Teva Pharmaceuticals, was Director of Products in two startups and served as a strategy and innovation consultant. Amir has a proven track record of leading business development, product teams and launches, as well as large learning and development projects and operations.

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, directed, and used. Drawing on catalytic thinking and the idea of collective enoughness, the episode reframes scarcity as a systems problem rather than an individual failing, then widens the lens further by exploring wealth as a multidimensional concept (including skills, relationships, time, and other forms of capital). The result is a grounded framework for changemakers who want to relate to money with clarity—without overvaluing it, fearing it, or mistaking it for the source of transformation.

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 essential, and how building common ground—even across differences—can drive meaningful progress for people and wildlife alike.About Our Guest: Tommy Serafinski is an outdoorsman, podcaster, and speaker passionate about nature, conservation, and the ways humans and wildlife interact. Combining a love of the outdoors with a curiosity for science, he bridges first-hand experience in the wild with research-driven insights. Whether weathering the elements, engaging with the latest studies, or sharing stories on his podcast Conservation and Science, Tommy explores how people can better understand, respect, and coexist with the natural world.

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 into achievable outcomes. The episode explores how to move from vision to goals, from goals to objectives, and from tactics to concrete action—borrowing tools commonly used in campaigning and applying them to personal and professional change work. Along the way, Tiyana shares reflective insights, practical tips, and gentle challenges to help listeners design a year that is not only hopeful, but intentional, strategic, and aligned with the deeper change they want to create.

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 strategies for situational awareness, boundary setting, de-escalation, and risk assessment, while also unpacking the broader conversation about women in security and how empathy and self-awareness become powerful tools in both professional and personal life.About Our Guest: Dione (aka @that_security_lady) is a Close-Protection Officer turned speaker and Director at ICP Group Australia, where she brings real-world safety, situational awareness, and leadership training into everyday life for women, youth, and frontline professionals. After a viral interaction with Drake during his Australian tour thrust her into the spotlight, she used the moment to spark important conversations about confidence, presence, and the challenges women face in protective and leadership roles. Today, through her simple and practical S.A.F.E. Framework, Dione equips others to become their own first responder—to trust their instincts, navigate uncertainty, and step into any environment with strength and self-awareness.

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 discourse. She examines emerging pressures within the not-for-profit sector—from widening divides in fundraising capacity to changes in volunteering—and considers what these shifts mean for practitioners working across activism, policy, and community development. Despite the challenges, the episode ends on a hopeful note, reflecting on the growing momentum of grassroots movements and the expanding appeal of the “great turning,” a narrative that frames this moment as one of profound collective possibility.

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 preventative approaches—whether addressing long-term housing, addiction, or even mass shootings. His story is a powerful reminder of how compassion, persistence, and unconventional thinking can open pathways to change.About Our Guest: Sean began feeding people experiencing homelessness shortly after high school, and in 1997 his encounter with John McCormick, a homeless man in need of urgent care, marked the start of a lifelong commitment to advocacy. What began with offering housing to one person quickly grew, as hospitals started referring patients without stable housing to him, and almost overnight he found himself running the largest shelter in the county. Despite facing legal challenges from the city, Sean successfully defended the shelter's right to operate, ensuring its continued role as a vital service provider. In addition to his work in homelessness, he founded the Mass Shooting Prevention Center Crisis Hotline, a confidential service designed to help individuals considering acts of violence access support before tragedy occurs. His work reflects a dedication to compassion, prevention, and practical action in addressing some of society's most pressing challenges.

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 stay grounded when setbacks appear, and what we can learn from nature about growth, decay, and renewal. With insight drawn from systems thinking and changemaker practice, this episode offers a grounding reminder that meaningful transformation unfolds at many speeds — and that patience, resilience, and care are all part of the work.

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 personal lifestyle choices with the need for collective action. This conversation is filled with honesty, resilience, and hope—reminding us that even small steps can build a foundation for change.About Our Guest: Bridget Shirvell is a freelance journalist and the author of Parenting in a Climate Crisis, a book that explores the challenges and opportunities of raising children in an era of climate change. With a focus on environmental issues, social justice, and family dynamics, Bridget's writing delves into the emotional and practical aspects of navigating climate concerns while parenting. Her work has been featured in various publications, including Teen Vogue, Fast Company and Martha Stewart Living, where she combines personal insights with expert perspectives to inspire and inform readers.

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 engage with curiosity, humility, and respect — even when you disagree. You'll learn how to ask better questions, find common ground, and move beyond persuasion toward genuine connection.Whether you're talking to friends, colleagues, or family members about the issues you care most about, this episode will help you shift from trying to “win” conversations to cultivating understanding — one dialogue at a time.

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 saviourism in community work, and what leaders can do to prevent burnout while building meaningful and impactful volunteer programs.About Our Guest: Karen Knight has been providing volunteer engagement advice, mentoring and training for social impact organizations for close to 30 years. An internationally-recognized author, presenter and thought leader, Karen is known for challenging the standard thinking around volunteerism, turning a spotlight on overlooked problems and bringing creative solutions to long-standing issues.

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 — and shows how the combination of these elements shapes the unique contribution each person brings to the world. She explains why your niche isn't something you design from scratch, but something that emerges from how you apply what you know and what you can do in real-world contexts.Using frameworks like Simon Sinek's “Start with Why,” Tiyana walks listeners through how to identify their purpose, understand the methods and strategies that best express it, and articulate the tangible work that brings it to life. Whether you're just beginning your journey or seeking greater alignment between your work and your deeper values, this episode offers practical tools and reflections to help you locate your place in the ecosystem of change — and to live and work with greater clarity, authenticity, and purpose.

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, practical ways to access knowledge outside of academia, and why building networks of curious, committed people may be the future of higher learning.About Our Guest: Dr. Sheldon Greaves is the author of The Guerrilla Scholar's Handbook. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley while living and working in Silicon Valley during the dot.com boom. Pursuing his doctorate on a shoestring while indulging other interests, he developed a different approach to a life of the mind. Throughout his long and varied career, Sheldon has used the tools of “guerrilla scholarship” to do interesting intellectual work outside of academia.

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 explore how collective action shifts worldviews, redistributes power, and builds new cultural and political realities.Drawing on examples throughout history, the discussion reveals how movements operate like ecosystems—complex, adaptive, and sustained through relationships, storytelling, and persistence. It also considers why some movements succeed where others falter, and how both individuals and organisations can play meaningful roles in sustaining momentum for long-term change.

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 the surprising truths about recycling, the environmental cost of everyday products, and how storytelling can amplify positive change. About Our Guest: Greg stumbled into the beauty industry by accidentally building one of the largest hair related accounts on Instagram. Since that time he has owned and sold a product company featured on Shark Tank, co-founded an ocean cleanup organization, and recently started a hair care company called SeaBar, that makes disposable plastic free hair care, and picks up ocean trash with every item sold. Clean the ocean every time you wash your hair with SeaBar: ⁠https://seabar.com⁠

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, step-by-step approaches to action; systemic change targets formal social structures such as policy and governance; and systems change takes a holistic view, addressing interconnected patterns, relationships, and root causes. By understanding the distinctions between these three forms of change, listeners will gain clarity on when and how to apply each approach in their work, ensuring that their strategies are not only well-intentioned but also effective and transformative.

In this episode I sit down with Jim Marshall, polymath, engineer, and author of Septemics: Hierarchies of Human Phenomena. Jim shares the remarkable story of how decades of working as a human development engineer led him to uncover 35 natural scales of human behaviour, each structured in seven levels. Together, we explore how these scales can help us understand ourselves, improve our relationships, and unlock new possibilities for social change. From the mathematics embedded in human phenomena to the practical tools for everyday life, this conversation reveals why understanding people is essential for shaping a better world.About Our Guest: Mr. Marshall is a polymathic intellectual who has devoted over 50,000 hours to the study and practice of multiple dimensions of human potential and development. He became a professional practitioner and, after 28 years of formal education, had a long career as a Human Development Engineer. Jim has integrated the best aspects of the most advanced techniques on the planet, and expanded their limits by his own Research & Discovery. He has successfully treated and/or trained hundreds of clients over a 40 year career, and is the inventor of Septemics and several consciousness-expanding systems. His areas of expertise include psychology, philosophy, theology, parapsychology, science, engineering, mathematics, law, literature, history, music, organization, metaphysics, military science, political science, physical culture and education.

Philanthropy is often seen as synonymous with money, but funding is only one part of a much bigger picture. In this episode, we explore the five Ts of philanthropy—time, talent, ties, testimony, and treasure—and how each plays a critical role in shaping social change. From volunteering and sharing skills, to building networks, amplifying stories, and providing financial resources, this framework offers a fresh way to think about giving and engagement. We also look at the shifting philanthropic landscape, from intergenerational wealth transfer to the rise of impact investing, digital platforms, and values-driven giving by younger generations. Whether you're part of a grassroots movement, a nonprofit leader, or someone looking to align your contributions with your values, this episode provides practical insights into how philanthropy is evolving—and how you can be part of that change.

In this episode, I sit down with journalist, author, and independent scholar Manny Faces to explore how hip hop is more than just a genre of music. Rooted in storytelling, creativity, and resilience, hip hop has become a cultural framework that inspires activism, shapes education, and builds community. From classrooms in New York to grassroots political movements in Alabama, Manny explains how hip hop's ethos of remixing—working with what already exists and transforming it into something new—can be applied to almost any space where people are striving for change.About Our Guest: Manny Faces is an award-winning journalist, speaker, and cultural strategist helping people, organizations, and causes remix how they innovate, educate, and uplift, by unlocking the often overlooked or misunderstood lessons that can be found within Hip Hop culture. Manny is the creator of the acclaimed podcast "Hip Hop Can Save America!" and author of the Cornel West–endorsed book, "Hip Hop Can Save America! Inspiration for the Nation from a Culture of Innovation," each showcasing real-world ways Hip Hop drives positive change.

What really drives social change—policy or culture? In this episode, we unpack a persistent misconception in the world of activism and advocacy: that visible policy wins are the ultimate measure of transformation. While mass demonstrations may not always lead to immediate legislative reform, they often signal deeper cultural currents at work. Drawing on sociology, anthropology, and systems thinking, this conversation explores the distinction between policy and culture, and why culture—though slower and less tangible—represents the deepest leverage point for long-term change. From values and norms to mental models, worldviews, and collective narratives, we look at how culture shapes what societies consider possible, and why ignoring it can limit our impact. Using Margaret Archer's morphogenetic approach and Donella Meadows' systems thinking, the episode reframes social change as a process rooted not just in structures and laws, but in the shared stories and paradigms that guide human action.

It's no secret I love gardening, so I'm thrilled to be chatting with Matthieu, a regenerative garden designer whose journey began on his family farm and has taken him from early experiments with radishes, to academic study in landscape architecture, to transformative experiences in the Amazon Rainforest. Matthieu shares how permaculture principles reshaped his understanding of nature, why regenerative farming is key to reversing climate change, and how gardening—even in small urban spaces—can reconnect us with the natural world. Access Matthieu's free training hereAbout Our Guest: Matthieu Mehuys is an award-winning author and passionate landscape architect whose journey from a family farm in Belgium to regenerative farming practices has led him to believe that landscape architects can indeed change the world.

After six weeks of full-time work, launching the School of Social Impact's first paid program, continuing to run the Humanitarian Changemakers Network, and preparing for a major conference, I came out of one of the busiest seasons of my life without burning out. In this episode, I share the five key strategies that helped me stay energised, avoid exhaustion, and keep momentum going. These lessons aren't a permanent framework for balance, but they are practical tools to help you get through those intense seasons where hustle is unavoidable.

What is the point of life? In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Alex, author of The Philosophy, to explore what it truly means to question the status quo and reimagine how we live. From rethinking success and human connection to challenging capitalism and discussing transformative ideas like universal basic income, Alex invites us to consider whether the world we've built is the one we truly want. Grounded in three core values—respect, empathy, and gratitude—this conversation offers a roadmap for individuals and communities seeking a more humane, connected, and purpose-driven future.

In this episode of Changemaker Q&A, we dive into a core question at the heart of social impact work: how should we understand change itself? Drawing on research presented at the Research for Development Impact Conference in Sydney, we explore why linear models of growth and progress fall short, and how a more holistic, non-linear lens can transform the way changemakers design strategies and interventions. From Indigenous wisdom traditions to systems thinking and critical realism, this episode unpacks the idea of change as a “dynamic unfolding” of continuity, discontinuity, and emergence—and why embracing this perspective is crucial for effective and sustainable development.

What does it take to show up as a leader in a changing world? In this insightful episode, I spoke with author and leadership strategist Dave Chauhan about his groundbreaking concept of nautical leadership—a model designed for navigating uncertainty with purpose, adaptability, and courage. Drawing from his corporate experience, personal fears, and historical analogies, Dave explores why leadership is more than titles and KPIs. He unpacks the three pillars of nautical leadership—anchored purpose, adaptive wayfinding, and decisive action—and offers practical strategies for leaders in business and social change. From Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic voyage to modern organisational challenges, this conversation reveals how leaders can thrive in an unpredictable world while creating meaningful impact.Learn more about Dave and his work at ⁠https://www.davechauhan.com/⁠

I recently asked our community which 'story of our time' they believed in, and I was surprised by the responses. It got me thinking, do we have a moral imagination problem? Moral imagination is the ability to envision alternatives to the world as it currently exists. Drawing on Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects and her “three stories of our time”—business as usual, the great unravelling, and the great turning—we reflect on how people locate themselves within these narratives, what that means for changemaking, and why so many feel stuck between despair and hope. We unpack how cultivating moral imagination can open the door to more just, ecological, and regenerative futures, and why strengthening our social change literacy is a crucial step in moving from story two to story three.

Have you ever wondered how small business can build stronger communities? In this episode, we sit down with Janneh Wright, founder and CEO of Primus Business Management, to explore how small businesses can create meaningful social impact while staying financially sustainable. Janneh shares his journey from immigrating to the United States to building a 23-year-old back-office management firm supporting small businesses and nonprofits. We discuss the unique challenges entrepreneurs face, the essential “Three Cs” – compliance, culture, and consistency – and how these principles can help businesses thrive. Janneh also offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, insights on balancing work and life, and his perspective on the future of small business in an AI-driven world.

This episode explores the essential but often misunderstood distinction between Change Theory and Theory of Change. Change Theory offers general, research-informed explanations of how change occurs, drawing on decades of scholarship from psychology, sociology, organisational studies, economics, and environmental science. Theory of Change, on the other hand, is a context-specific framework that sets out the causal pathways, assumptions, and milestones through which a particular initiative aims to achieve its intended outcomes. We examine how these two concepts intersect, outline the different types of change theories—descriptive, predictive, and explanatory—and explain why grounding a Theory of Change in robust theoretical foundations is critical for designing, evaluating, and refining effective interventions.

In this episode, I speak with Jeff Hardy, founder of Care for Peace, whose life journey has taken him from serving as a U.S. Coast Guard Hospital Corpsman during the Vietnam War to building health and community development centres in Myanmar. Jeff shares how the simple act of caregiving revealed to him a profound relationship between care and peace, and how this insight has grown into a philosophy, a foundation, and a call for what he terms the “Second Human Evolution.” Together, we discuss grassroots development, the importance of process in shaping change, and how peace can be cultivated in the everyday act of caring for one another.

In this episode, we explore the power of shared vision in driving systems change—shifting from reactive responses to proactive, values-aligned transformation. Drawing on real-world applications of the VISION Framework developed during my PhD, I discuss how changemaking is less about fixing what's broken and more about working together to realise what could be. When we co-create visions that reflect the hopes of all involved, we move beyond abstract ideals toward a ‘concrete utopia'—a shared future in which everyone sees their values and aspirations reflected.

In this thought-provoking conversation, investigative author and wellness advocate Michael J. Dorfman reflects on more than five decades of critical inquiry into systems of power—from the Vietnam War and Big Tobacco to vaccine mandates and digital censorship. Now in his 80s, Dorfman shares insights into the role of independent thinking in an era of algorithmic control, the importance of whole-food plant-based living for personal and collective health, and the philosophical distinction between belief and knowledge. A wide-ranging discussion that challenges the mainstream and invites listeners to reclaim their agency in both thought and action.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of systems thinking in understanding and responding to some of Australia's most pressing issues: youth crime, the housing crisis, bushfires, and mental health. These challenges are characterised by intricate interdependencies across social, economic, and environmental domains, defying simplistic solutions. Drawing on recent research and policy analysis, we discuss how systems thinking reveals the underlying feedback loops and interconnected factors that conventional approaches often overlook. Through these case studies, listeners will gain insight into why integrated, multi-sectoral strategies are essential for creating effective, sustainable outcomes in complex policy environments.

What happens when a stand-up comedian, spiritual teacher, and musician turns his attention to the fractures in our political and emotional landscapes? In this moving and poetic episode, Scott Grace—also known as the Spiritual Dr. Seuss—joins us to explore how humour, creativity, and compassion can help us navigate increasingly polarised times.From rhymed wisdom and political poetry to musical improvisation and intergenerational reflection, Scott shares insights from his newest passion project Going Beyond Red and Blue: Staying Human in Divided Times. Together, we explore how grief, curiosity, and light-heartedness can become tools for collective healing.

In this episode, we honour the late Joanna Macy by exploring her influential body of work, The Work That Reconnects—a framework that weaves together deep ecology, systems thinking, spirituality, and social change. We delve into the three dominant cultural narratives she identified, the four-part spiral that guides transformative practice, and the five vows that support ongoing commitment to the Great Turning. This episode invites changemakers to reflect on grief, gratitude, and the role of collective consciousness in shaping a just and life-sustaining future.

In this deeply reflective episode from the HCN archives, we speak with holistic health coach Francesca Bleckner about the invisible foundations of wellbeing in an age of burnout, disconnection, and digital overload. Drawing on her decades-long journey through fitness, fatigue, and transformation, Francesca shares how breathwork, spirituality, and a return to simplicity can unlock vitality and presence in even the busiest lives. For social changemakers, activists, and anyone seeking to show up more powerfully for others without sacrificing themselves—this conversation is an essential reset. From redefining health to decoding the early warning signs of burnout, this is about healing at the roots, not just managing the symptoms.

In this evocative conversation from the HCN archives, author and spiritual teacher Wajid Hassan shares his extraordinary life journey—from working as a field service engineer in England to becoming a union actor in Hollywood, and eventually emerging as a spiritual guide and author of The Struggle for World Sanity. Through intimate recollections and reflections, Hassan discusses the intersection of spirituality, environmentalism, and humanitarianism—urging listeners to reimagine activism not merely as material or political effort, but as a deep, soul-driven practice. This episode is an invitation to young changemakers to consider their inner worlds as powerful agents in reshaping the future of our planet.

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation from the HCN archives, Dr Pamela Gurley shares the compelling story of her journey from military medic to multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, author, academic and advocate. Speaking with honesty and clarity, Dr Gurley reflects on how trauma, identity, and purpose intersect across personal and professional realms. With practical wisdom for changemakers, she unpacks the importance of self-definition, emotional literacy, and stepping into your power—especially when it feels uncertain. For anyone navigating career pivots, grappling with self-doubt, or seeking to write their own narrative, this episode is a powerful reminder of what's possible when you choose to believe in your own voice.

In a digital age marked by relentless information flows, viral content, and algorithmic influence, changemakers face a critical challenge: how to consume news and media in a way that is both mindful and analytically rigorous. This episode explores the profound transformation of the information ecosystem—where traditional journalistic gatekeepers have been replaced by decentralised, opaque, and often polarising networks of content distribution.We examine how disinformation, echo chambers, algorithmic curation, and information overload undermine public reason and weaken democratic discourse. In response, we offer a dual framework of mindful and critical news consumption—emphasising attentiveness, intentionality, emotional regulation, and source evaluation. These are not simply cognitive skills but civic practices that empower changemakers to navigate complex narratives, challenge dominant frames, and model integrity in public discourse.

What if the problem with many social change efforts isn't poor strategy, but flawed assumptions about how change actually happens? In this episode, we interrogate the limitations of linear causality in complex social systems. While logic models and strategic plans often rely on neat, input-output frameworks, real-world change is rarely so predictable. Social phenomena such as poverty, climate injustice, or gender-based violence are shaped by webs of intersecting forces — historical, institutional, relational, and psychological — which resist simplistic cause-and-effect explanations.We explore a more nuanced framework for understanding social change, grounded in the concept of multidimensional causal structure. This includes four interrelated dimensions: causal conditions (the contexts that enable change), causal mechanisms (the processes that drive it), causal powers (the latent potential within systems), and causal capacities (the realised ability to act).

How can research become a catalyst for social change? In this episode, we explore the multifaceted role of research as a tool not only for understanding the world but for transforming it. Far from being the exclusive domain of academics, research emerges as a form of praxis — a recursive cycle of inquiry, reflection, and action that can support changemakers across sectors. Whether you are an educator, advocate, policymaker, or community leader, this episode will offer insights into how cultivating a research mindset can deepen impact, challenge assumptions, and bridge the gap between knowledge and action.

What does it truly mean to build peace? In this episode, we move beyond the narrow definition of peace as merely the absence of war, and explore the transformative vision of positive peace — a concept rooted in justice, inclusion, and systemic resilience. Drawing on the work of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), we unpack the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace and examine how they offer a data-driven roadmap for building societies that thrive, not just survive.We discuss the origins of positive peace in Johan Galtung's foundational work, and explore how the IEP operationalises this idea through its influential reports, including the Global Peace Index and Positive Peace Report. For changemakers working across sectors — from education and advocacy to public policy and social enterprise — this framework offers strategic insight into how to foster lasting stability and human flourishing.

Justice is not a singular concept — it is a constellation of principles that shape how we navigate fairness, accountability, and equity in society. In this episode, we explore the five key types of justice: distributive, procedural, retributive, restorative, and social justice. Each form addresses a different facet of human relationships and institutional arrangements, from how resources are allocated and decisions are made, to how harm is addressed and social systems are reimagined.

In a world that prioritises productivity and profit over human well-being, care work—whether in households, healthcare, or activism—remains deeply undervalued and often unpaid. In this episode, we explore the systemic devaluation and commodification of care, tracing how capitalist logics render essential labour invisible while exploiting those who provide it. From the global care economy to the emotional and physical toll of activism, we unpack why care work is both vital and structurally marginalised. More importantly, we discuss how changemakers can resist burnout by embedding a culture of care within movements, ensuring that social change is sustainable, collective, and life-affirming.