Change the Story

How did a small university program become a bridge between students, academics and communities for more than 30 years? In this first episode, we explore the origins of UTS Shopfront and the ideas that shaped it from the beginning. Through stories from founders, community partners and former students, we hear how collaboration, trust and a commitment to social justice helped create a program with lasting impact. From preserving overlooked histories to supporting emerging organisations, we learn that the most enduring outcomes are often not the projects themselves, but the relationships built along the way. Voices Professor Paul Ashton - Co-Founder and former alternate director, UTS Shopfront Pauline O’Loughlin - Founding program manager, UTS Shopfront Bonney Djuric - Historian and Activist Maia Ihemeje - Founder, Yung Prodigy Professor Alison Page - Former Shopfront student Scott Burns - Former Shopfront student and UTS Alumni Hosted by Dr Mehal Krayem Credits Produced by Ali Aitken Researchers - Dr Margaret Malone and Dr Cale Bain Change the Story is an Impact Studios podcast.

What happens when we stop planning for communities and start listening to them instead? Bringing together the themes explored throughout the series, host Dr. Katie Blair is joined by community builder and youth advocate Giane Cole to explore the Harwood Approach - a philosophy of community engagement built on one simple idea: before we plan, we need to listen. Drawing on decades of experience working alongside young people and communities, Giane reflects on how genuine community conversations can shift perceptions, build trust and create lasting change. Through stories from her own practice, she describes how creating space for people to share their aspirations led to youth-led action, transformed public spaces and changed the way communities viewed young people - not as problems to solve, but as leaders and active contributors. Giane explores what it really means to turn outward : placing community aspirations ahead of organisational priorities, valuing lived experience alongside professional expertise, and recognising that people, relationships and stories are some of a community's greatest assets. Giane also shares a practical five-step guide for facilitating meaningful community conversations and translating what people care about into collective action. As the series draws to a close, this episode reminds us that every engagement method carries a mindset. When we begin by listening deeply, sharing power and trusting communities to shape their own future, we don't just change the questions we ask - we change the possibilities that emerge. Whether you're working in community development, education, government or social impact, this final episode offers practical inspiration for creating more authentic, community-led change. Voices Katie Blair, PhD is Manager, Research and Evaluation at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on community-engaged research, participatory evaluation and strengthening community voice to support meaningful social change. Giane Cole is a community builder, youth advocate and community development practitioner with extensive experience supporting young people and communities to lead positive change. Her work focuses on youth participation, community engagement and creating the conditions for communities to identify their own strengths, build relationships and shape their own futures through meaningful participation. Credits Written by Mitra Gusheh, Tshinta Morris, Anusha Muller and Katie Blair. Recorded and edited by Jane Curtis and Lachlan A'Court. Executive producer, Impact Studios: Sarah Gilbert. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Resources Mapping What Matters - The Harwood Approach Summary Sheet Harwood Institute for Public Knowledge Harwood Institute - Being Turned Outward

What if some of a community's greatest strengths can't be captured in a survey, a spreadsheet - or even a map? If Episode 3 encouraged us to see the wider system, this episode invites us to look more deeply into lived experience. Host Dr. Katie Blair is joined by Dr. Barbara Doran , an arts-based researcher and educator, to explore body mapping - a creative participatory method that helps people express experiences, knowledge and strengths that are often difficult to put into words. Barbara reflects on the limitations of traditional community engagement approaches, arguing that even strengths-based methods like asset mapping can overlook the emotional, embodied and deeply personal experiences that shape people's lives. Through stories from her own practice - including projects with young people, parents and carers, and women who have experienced trauma - she demonstrates how body mapping creates opportunities for people to share richer, more nuanced stories about themselves and their communities. The conversation explores how body mapping works in practice, from creating safe and supportive spaces through to using creative prompts and storytelling to uncover insights that conventional consultation methods rarely reveal. Barbara also shares practical guidance for introducing body mapping into your own work. More than an arts-based activity, body mapping is a different way of listening. It reminds us that knowledge doesn't only live in words - it also lives in memory, emotion, sensation and lived experience. When we create space for people to express these experiences in their own way, we don't just gather better information - we create the conditions for connection, understanding and transformation. Voices Katie Blair, PhD is Manager, Research and Evaluation at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on community-engaged research, participatory evaluation and strengthening community voice to support meaningful social change. Barbara Doran, PhD is an arts-based researcher and educator at the University of Technology Sydney's Transdisciplinary School. Her work explores how creative and embodied methods can deepen participation, surface lived experience and support more inclusive approaches to research, education and community engagement. Credits Written by Mitra Gusheh, Tshinta Morris, Anusha Muller and Katie Blair. Recorded and edited by Jane Curtis and Lachlan A'Court. Executive producer: Sarah Gilbert. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Resources Mapping What Mapping: Body mapping summary sheet Boydell, K.M (Eds). (2020). Applying body mapping in research: an arts-based method. Routledge.

How can we move beyond mapping what exists to designing the futures our communities need? Having explored strengths-based thinking in the previous episodes, host Dr. Katie Blair is joined by Professor Martin Tomitsch to ask a different question: what happens when we zoom out and understand the systems that shape communities? Martin introduces listeners to life-centred design , an approach that expands our focus beyond individual people to include relationships, ecosystems, institutions and future generations. While identifying community strengths remains important, he argues that real change requires us to understand the wider systems in which those strengths exist. Drawing on examples ranging from IKEA's iconic Poäng chair to climate adaptation and disaster recovery, Martin introduces three practical steps - systems mapping , the middle-out approach , and backcasting - that help practitioners understand complexity, build coalitions and create shared visions for the future. Rather than treating communities as isolated places with fixed boundaries, this episode invites us to see them as interconnected systems. By combining strengths-based thinking with systems design and future-focused planning, Martin demonstrates how we can move beyond identifying assets to creating the conditions for lasting change. Whether you're working in community development, local government, design or policy, this episode provides practical tools for navigating complexity and planning collaboratively for the future. Voices Katie Blair, PhD is Manager, Research and Evaluation at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on community-engaged research, participatory evaluation and strengthening community voice to support meaningful social change. Professor Martin Tomitsch is Head of the Transdisciplinary School at the University of Technology Sydney. His research focuses on life-centred design, systems thinking and transdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex societal challenges. Martin works with governments, industry and communities to design more sustainable, inclusive and future-focused systems and services. Credits Written by Mitra Gusheh, Tshinta Morris, Anusha Muller and Katie Blair. Recorded and edited by Jane Curtis and Lachlan A'Court. Executive producer: Sarah Gilbert. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Resources Mapping What Matters - Life-Centred Design Summary Sheet Tomitsch, M. (2025). More-than-human cities: how to bring life- centred design principles to urban spaces. In E. Rosenzweig, &; A. Davis (eds), Usability for the World: Building BetterCities and Communities (pp. 97-124). Spinger. Tomitsch, M. et al. (2024). ‘Reflections on the usefulness and limitations of tools for life-centred design’, Design Research Society. Tomitsch, M. & Baty, S. (2023). Designing Tomorrow: Strategic Design Tactics to Change Your Practice. BIS Publishers.

What if the very first question we ask determines everything that follows? In this episode of Mapping What Matters , host Dr. Katie Blair is joined by social impact practitioner and systems thinker Mitra Gusheh to explore Appreciative Inquiry - a strengths-based approach that begins not with problems, but with possibility. Mitra reflects on how asset mapping has evolved from a radical, community-led practice into something that is often reduced to lists, inventories and data collection. Through stories from her own work, she asks whether we’ve become so focused on identifying assets that we’ve forgotten why we are looking for them in the first place. Drawing on the origins of appreciative inquiry, Mitra explains how beginning with stories of success rather than stories of need can fundamentally change the way people experience participation. Through examples including the 100 Voices project and community conversations with older residents, she demonstrates how asking different questions uncovers relationships, strengths and possibilities that conventional engagement approaches often overlook. More than a facilitation technique, Appreciative Inquiry is a different way of seeing communities. It reminds us that people are experts in their own lives, that every community holds stories worth learning from, and that meaningful change begins the moment we ask a better question. Whether your facilitating workshops, designing programs, or working alongside communities, this episode offers practical ways to shift conversations from problems to possibility. Voices Katie Blair, PhD is Manager, Research and Evaluation at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on community-engaged research, participatory evaluation and strengthening community voice to support meaningful social change. Mitra Gusheh is a social impact practitioner and leader whose work focuses on advancing social justice, human rights and community-led change. She has extensive experience designing and facilitating community engagement processes that centre lived experience, strengthen relationships and support communities to imagine and create positive futures through strengths-based approaches such as Appreciative Inquiry. Credits Written by Mitra Gusheh, Tshinta Morris, Anusha Muller and Katie Blair. Recorded and edited by Jane Curtis and Lachlan A'Court. Executive producer: Sarah Gilbert. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Resources Mapping What Matters - Appreciative Inquiry Summary Sheet Cooperriider, D.L., Whitney, D. & Stavros, J.M. (2006). The Appreciative Inquiry Handbook: For Leaders of Change (2nd ed). Crown Custom Publishing Inc. 100 Voices: engaging community through deep listening The Centre for Appreciative Inquiry

What is asset mapping and why is it time to rethink it? In the opening episode, host Dr. Katie Blair is joined by Professor Amanda Howard to explore the origins of asset mapping and the ideas that shaped the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) movement. Amanda traces the history of ABCD back to the pioneering work of John McKnight and John Kretzmann, who challenged the dominant deficit-based approach to community development by arguing that every community already possesses the knowledge, relationships, skills and resources needed to create change. Amanda explores how this simple shift - from asking "What's wrong?" to "What's strong?" - fundamentally changed the way many practitioners think about community development. The conversation also examines how asset mapping has evolved over the past three decades. While the approach has become widely used across community development, health, planning and research, its original intent has often been diluted. Rather than empowering communities to identify and mobilise their own strengths, asset mapping can become a technical exercise focused on collecting data instead of building relationships, participation and community-led action. This episode sets the foundation for the series by asking an important question: How can we return to the original intent of asset mapping while reimagining it for today's communities? Whether you're working in community development, research, local government, health, education or social impact, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what it means to begin with strengths - and why that shift still matters. Voices Katie Blair, PhD is Manager, Research and Evaluation at the Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion at the University of Technology Sydney. Her work focuses on community-engaged research, participatory evaluation and strengthening community voice to support meaningful social change. Professor Amanda Howard is Professor of Social Work at the University of Sydney. Amanda's research focuses on community development, community-led change and participatory practice. She has extensive experience working alongside communities to understand how local knowledge, relationships and collective strengths can be mobilised to create lasting social change. Credits Written by Mitra Gusheh, Tshinta Morris, Anusha Muller and Katie Blair. Recorded and edited by Jane Curtis and Lachlan A'Court. Executive producer: Sarah Gilbert. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation. Mapping What Matters is made by UTS Impact Studios, in collaboration with the UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and Glebe Youth Service. This project was also supported by the Paul Ramsey Foundation

In this final episode, we explore what it means to be colonisers on colonised lands. If we’re migrants from a colonising country like Japan, are our perspectives and connections to First Nations peoples different? We hear from two Japanese Australians, whose ancestors were involved in the Pacific War. How does carrying this personal history shape their sense of belonging? What can we all do to foster a more responsible or ethical sense of belonging? Guests Tofa Amanda Moors-Mailei is a Sāmoan educator, strategist and nationally recognised equity leader in Australian higher education. Her work includes shaping the UTS Humanitarian Scholarship Program, leading the design of the UTS Indigenous Outreach Strategy, advancing Pacific student success initiatives, and co-designing UTS’s first Women in IT Leadership Mentoring Program. Amanda is the Founder of the Australian Pasifika Educators Network, a founding member of the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network, and Executive Lead, Pacific for Equity Practitioners in Higher Education Australasia. Fainu'ulelei Unasa Moors is Amanda’s father Mayu Kanamori is an independent artist working in Australia and Japan. She works across mediums including photography and performances to tell stories of Japanese experiences in Australia. She is a founding member of Nikkei Australia . Mariko Smith (Yuin/Japanese) is Senior Specialist (Research & Publications) at the Australian Museum. Born in Sydney and growing up on the NSW Central Coast, her work explores Australian national history, historiographical practice, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into museum and academic frameworks. Benjamin Oh is a Malaysia-born, multilingual leader in human rights and community development. He works across faiths, cultures and communities to advance dignity, equality, justice and inclusion, bridging faith, multicultural engagement, while fostering dialogue, understanding, and belonging for diverse communities in Australia and internationally. Benjamin leads several LGBTIQA+, faith and multicultural organisations. Acknowledgement of Country in Lisan ud-Dawat by Hasan Godhrawal Acknowledgement of Country in Tamil by Antonette Aileen Shibani Koto music ‘Chinkon’ composed by Mark Isaacs ; performed by Satsuki Odamura Album: Pearl of May Label: Tall Poppies Records Tibetan Bells performed by Satsuki Odamura Mayu Kanamori’s Art Projects Heart of the Journey –Multimedia documentary about Lucy Dann’s journey to find her Japanese father In Repose –Multi-arts project of dance, music, sound and ceremony visiting Japanese gravesites and cemeteries in Australia When You Call My Name –Multi-arts project honouring the lives of 208 people who died while incarcerated as ‘Japanese enemy aliens’ during World War II Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios Tile artwork by Alexandra Morris This podcast was created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network and is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project.

Saying an Acknowledgement in our mother languages inspires us to learn more about First Nations histories and cultures. But many migrants and new settlers claim that they know little about First Nations ways of doing and being. How can we work together to educate each other? Guests Nema Madnani is a higher education professional with experience in student equity, project co-ordination and community engagement. In her past roles, she contributed to initiatives focused on inclusion and reducing barriers within education. She cares deeply about staying connected to her cultural roots and family, and believes that honouring where we come from shapes how we show up for our communities. Sukhmani Khorana is a Scientia Associate Professor at UNSW Sydney whose research focuses on media, migration, belonging, cultural politics, and food studies. Her work has been recognised through awards such as UOW’s Impact-Maker Award, the Faculty Arete Research Champion Award, and Western Sydney University’s Research Engagement Award. Khorana also collaborates with cultural and community organisations to translate academic research into public impact. She was one of the co-founders of ‘South Asians for Voice’. Mariko Smith (Yuin/Japanese) is Senior Specialist (Research & Publications) at the Australian Museum. Born in Sydney and growing up on the NSW Central Coast, her work explores Australian national history, historiographical practice, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into museum and academic frameworks. Nik Armstrong is Assistant Principal of Marrickville West Primary School, responsible for coordinating Stage 3 and Aboriginal Education. Ruth Bradfield-Ling is the Principal of Marrickville West Primary School. She has been Principal for more than 20 years. Violet Laforteza Kennedy is Elaine’s Daughter Evan Laforteza Kennedy is Elaine’s Son Students at Marrickville West Primary School Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios .

How are languages that have been dormant being revived by First Nations peoples? We hear from Dr Lachlan McDaniel and Professor Lindon Coombes of the Jumbanna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS about their personal journeys with language. Are we making any progress in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language revival? And why is language revitalisation important to non-Indigenous Australians? Guests Lachlan McDaniel is a proud member of the Kalari Clan of the Wiradjuri Nation. He currently serves as Associate Dean of Research at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS. His doctoral research examines the revitalisation of the Wiradjuri language and culture through community-driven initiatives reconnecting people to Country, tradition and identity. Lindon Coombes is the Director of Research and an Industry Professor at the J umbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research , UTS. With over 20 years’ experience in Aboriginal Affairs, he has held senior leadership roles across government, community organisations, and PwC’s Indigenous Consulting. Alexandra Grey is a Chancellor's Research Fellow at UTS. She co-founded and co-runs the Law and Linguistics Interdisciplinary Research Network . Her research covers laws about minority, migrant and Indigenous languages in Chinese and Australian contexts, and the reception, impact and reform of those laws. Violet Laforteza Kennedy is Elaine’s daughter. References Making linguistic diversity visible in parliament Celebrating Indigenous linguistic diversity in Australia’s parliaments Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios Tile artwork by Alexandra Morris This podcast was created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network and is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project.

How has English dominance marginalised First Nations knowledges? We hear from Gudanji/Wakaja author and academic Dr Debra Dank about how Aboriginal people’s expressive practices and deep relationships to Country are being erased. How can we learn to listen to Country, to the ‘non-human utterances’ of birds, the wind, the rain? And how do we listen to Country with our whole bodies, not just our ears? Can we discover our own embodied wisdom, and how does this relate to our sense of belonging on this continent? Guests Carmine Gentile is an Associate Professor (Faculty) within the School of Biomedical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering and IT) at the UTS. He leads the Cardiovascular Regeneration Group, working on 3D bioprinting and stem cell technologies both at the Heart Research Institute and UTS. Debra Dank is a Gudanji/Wakaja and Kalkadoon woman from the Barkly Tablelands in the Northern Territory. Dr Debra Dank is an Enterprise Fellow with the University of South Australia. For 40 years Deb has worked in various roles in primary, secondary, and tertiary education in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory in urban and remote contexts. She worked to establish the Indigenous Literacy Foundation which included extensive work with remote communities to develop a robust but flexible service delivery model that supported place-based, community-identified responses to literary needs in early childhood education, provision of appropriate literature for remote communities, and the production of reading material for English as a Second language contexts. Reference: Terrraglossia is published by Echo Publishing. Leah Subijano (she/her) is a Filipino-Australian, multidimensional soul, and a fierce advocate for racial justice and gender equality. She loves to deep dive into all things social justice, spirituality, and dismantling systems to birth a new Earth. Leah believes that drumming and dance are decolonising and embodiment tools that help people reconnect with themselves, their ancestral wisdom, community, and the natural world. Odette Subijano is Leah’s mother. Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis and Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios Tile artwork by Alexandra Morris This podcast was created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network and is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project.

What does embracing multilingualism sound like? In this episode, we hear from two poets who challenge the dominance of English by creating bold, multilingual poetry. How do these poets use language to disrupt, to heal, to remember, and to imagine a different, more ethical way of belonging in Australia? Guests Esita Sogotubu hails from Fiji and is the Employability Manager at UTS Careers. Her traditional roots are in Vunuku, Moala, Lau with maternal links to Nayavu, Wainibuka, Tailevu. She is a former international student who has over 15 years experience as a career development practitioner. Nadia Niaz is the author of The Djinn Hunters and the founding editor of the Australian Multilingual Writing Project . Her work explores multilingual creative expression, translation, ‘belonging’ and relationships with place. She is a Lecturer in the Creative Writing Program at the University of Melbourne. Anne Casey is originally from the west of Ireland and now living in Australia. She is the author of six poetry books. Her work is widely published and awarded internationally, ranking in The Irish Times’ Most Read . She has a PhD from UTS where she teaches creative writing . Prankqueans are an ensemble of artists inspired by ancient Celtic mythology to celebrate all things female and Irish Australian. Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios Tile artwork by Alexandra Morris. This podcast was created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network and is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project.

What happens when we say an Acknowledgement of Country in our mother languages? Would it feel different? More meaningful? Does it change the way we connect to First Nations peoples and cultures? We discovered that a multilingual Acknowledgement opened a door to deeper, and sometimes difficult conversations about colonialism, race, and what it means to belong in Australia today. Guests Violet Laforteza Kennedy is Elaine’s Daughter. Maria Eleanor Carbonell is Elaine’s Mother. Nema Madnani is a higher education professional with experience in student equity, project co-ordination and community engagement. In her past roles, she contributed to initiatives focused on inclusion and reducing barriers within education. She cares deeply about staying connected to her cultural roots and family, and believes that honouring where we come from shapes how we show up for our communities. Carmine Gentile is an Associate Professor (Faculty) within the School of Biomedical Engineering (Faculty of Engineering and IT) at UTS. He leads the Cardiovascular Regeneration Group, working on 3D bioprinting and stem cell technologies both at the Heart Research Institute and UTS. Esita Sogotubu hails from Fiji and is the Employability Manager at UTS Careers. Her traditional roots are in Vunuku, Moala, Lau with maternal links to Nayavu, Wainibuka, Tailevu. She is a former international student who has over 15 years experience as a career development practitioner. Students at Marrickville West Public School . Aunty Glendra Stubbs is the Elder-in-Residence at UTS, and is a proud Wiradjuri woman who brings over 40 years of experience in providing cultural guidance, mentorship, and practical support to individuals. Lachlan McDaniel is a proud member of the Kalari Clan of the Wiradjuri Nation. He currently serves as Associate Dean of Research at the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research at UTS. His doctoral research examines the revitalisation of the Wiradjuri language and culture through community-driven initiatives reconnecting people to Country, tradition and identity. Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Host: Elaine Laforteza Producer: Masako Fukui With the support of Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios Artwork by Alexandra Morris This podcast was created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network and is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project .

Around 350 languages are spoken in homes across Australia, yet we see ourselves as an English-speaking country. And we tend to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures primarily through English and Western concepts. Let’s challenge this dominance of English. My Language My Country is a six-part series that asks what changes when we approach Country through the many languages we speak. Why is English dominance a problem? How are cultural ideas and concepts embedded in language? And what does embracing multilingualism look and sound like? Why is it important for migrants and new settlers to support First Nations language revival? We explore how people are engaging with First Nations ways of being, building solidarities, and imagining what ethical belonging might look like. Credits This series was produced on the Lands of the Gadigal People, the Cammeraygal People, the Darug People, and the Guringai People. Hosted by Elaine Laforteza and created by the UTS Multicultural Women’s Network . The producer is Masako Fukui. This podcast is part of the broader UTS Acknowledgment of Country in Our Languages project, featuring an audio library of Acknowledgments in 40+ languages, as well as videos and stories highlighting why this practice matters. My Language My Country is the first season of UTS Impact Studios’ Change the Story podcast. Special thanks to An Le, Lucie Vayriot, Leah Subijano, Melissa May, Tiffany Dimmack, Claudia Taranto, And Jane Curtis, Sarah Gilbert of UTS Impact Studios. Artwork by Alexandra Morris.

Life’s Lottery is changing. Change the Story is the next chapter - a podcast about what it takes to create real social change. Where Life’s Lottery explored how inequality shapes our lives, Change the Story asks the next question: what are we doing about it? Hosted by Amy Persson from the University of Technology Sydney , hear stories from people working to change systems from the ground up: community leaders, researchers, activists and practitioners. Through short series and special conversations, you’ll hear big ideas, urgent debates, and practical examples of community-led solutions in action. Coming soon My Language My Country Around 350 languages are spoken in Australian homes every day. How can language reshape how we connect with Country and First Nations cultures? Credits Change the Story is produced by UTS Impact Studios, and is made on Gadigal Country in Sydney Australia.

Jeni Whalan hosts a discussion on the recent commitments from both NSW and Victoria to deliver a year of universal play-based learning for children in the year before they start school. As well as transforming early childhood education, the goal is to build the sector workforce and further boost productivity by better supporting working parents. Leslie Loble , the co-chair of the Council on Early Childhood Development and Amanda Robbins , Managing Director of Equity Economics, outline the significance of the announcement and what it’s going to take to deliver this ‘triple dividend’ over the next ten years. New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

In this bonus episode, hosts Jeni Whalan and Glyn Davis examine the insights gained across this season of conversations about putting children at the centre of good public policy. They discuss the frustrating gap between knowledge and action when it comes to shifting the dial towards more positive outcomes for all kids. Without political leadership, meaningful consultation and targeted, place-based responses, many well-intentioned measures fail to make an impact. So is there now enough momentum to bring about real change? We also hear from young people from the Northern Rivers region of NSW who, on top of pandemic disruptions, have also had to cope with devastating floods. Mullumbimby’s Spaghetti Circus , an arts and community engagement organisation, was inundated with water and mud. Members of the Circus community lost their homes, schools and businesses. Performers, Ellen, Maxine, Malaika and Laima share their hopes and fears for the future. New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

‘Never again’ were words that echoed around the world in the wake of the second world war. Organisations were formed with the explicit aim of respecting and promoting international cooperation, aid and development. Only a few decades later, we have seen the first increase in poverty for a generation. Why? And why does inequality, conflict, and the impact of natural disasters still have such a disproportionate impact on children, especially those forced to leave the countries they call home? Kevin Watkins has spent his career speaking up for marginalised people in some of the world’s poorest countries. As a former CEO of Save the Children UK , and now as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics , he gives a scathing assessment of global leadership and calls for a return to the ideals of mutual responsibility to deliver a better and more sustainable future. But there’s also cause for hope as young people find their voice, organise across borders, and speak truth to power in greater numbers. In an excerpt from The Wait podcast, we also hear what it's like for child refugees like Marzia Yosufi and Sara Rezaei . Now young women, they have spent years marking time in Indonesia, waiting for a chance to be resettled and to be able to continue their education, and their childhood. This excerpt contains references to suicide, so please listen with care. With thanks to: Kevin Watkins, Marzia Yosufi, Sara Rezaei. New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

First Nations children in Australia are some of the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised in our society. But they’re also on a journey of discovery, healing and strength through culture in response to the devastating impact of colonisation. Our guest host for this episode is Leila Smith , the CEO of the Aurora Education Foundation , which works to improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous students. Leila sits down with two other change-makers, Lawyer, Mum and former care-kid, Kirsten Gray, and Barrister and campaigner Tim Goodwin. What’s working and what’s not to improve the odds for Indigenous kids? How does a deeper understanding of culture, language, truth-telling and reconciliation benefit us all, but most importantly our future generations? We also hear from the Ngaalang Moort: Lullabies from Home initiative. Since 2017 Community Arts Network has worked alongside Noongar artists, Elders and their families to shape the Lullabies program across Noongar Boodja, the south west of Western Australia. Over the past 6 years, more than 50 original songs have been written and recorded in Noongar language by Noongar families. The Lullabies project imagines a future where all Noongar children grow up being lulled to sleep with songs sung in their traditional language. We hear from Noongar musicians Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor , along with Charmaine’s niece, Mika Bennell about the songs that celebrate moort (family), koort (heart), woonya (love) and a legacy for all. The lullabies project is supported through the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts program and the Australia Council for the Arts. With thanks to: Leila Smith, Kirsten Gray, Tim Goodwin, Charmaine Councillor, Phil Barlett, Mika Bennell, Elly Jones and the Community Arts Network. Music Credits: Ruby’s Lullaby: Written and performed by Phyllis Bennell Kaya Maaman Hello Daddy: By Phyllis Bennell and Mika Bennell Kwobidak Koolang Beautiful Child: Written by Sharyn Egan, Phil Bartlett and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Sharyn Egan. Wargada To Search: Written by Megan Ugle and Charmaine Councillor. Performed by Megan Ugle and Trevor Ryan. Rock-a-bye Lullaby: Written by: Cherie Slater, Ilija Jacobs, Lola McDowell, Megan Ugle, Tammy Prior, Charmaine Councillor and Phil Bartlett. Performed by Phil Bartlett and the Ngaalang Moort Singers. New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

We know what children need in their first five years to develop to their full potential, so why isn’t action around this at the top of the national agenda? Former Premier and South Australian Minister for Children, Jay Weatherill , leads the Thrive by Five campaign, which seeks to change that. He’s advocating for a universal, high quality childcare system for all Australian children. What would it take to get the states and the Commonwealth to cooperate and hasten the pace of reform to improve kids’ outcomes and better support parents and carers? Ebony Curtis also shares her story of becoming a mum for the first time at 15. What's it like to navigate pregnancy and raising children when you’re not an adult yourself? As a young parent who has pursued her education and career dreams, while adding to her family, Ebony also lends her lived experience to the work of The Brave Foundation. Brave works to support teens in their communities to become the parents they want to be, while also juggling their own education and other needs. With thanks to: Jay Weatherill, Ebony Curtis, Brave Foundation New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson

The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for developmental outcomes and long term health. Paediatrician and leading child health researcher, Professor Sharon Goldfeld , argues we need a radical redesign of how families can be best supported during a child’s early years. She outlines the need for creativity in public policies to address the growing disparities in child health and wellbeing - and she’s excited about the possibilities. We also visit the Think+DO Tank in Western Sydney, a neighbourhood hub that brings together creatives, psychologists, and multilingual community connectors to craft innovative solutions to the everyday challenges of belonging, mental health, wellbeing, and literacy faced by migrant communities. With thanks to: Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI). Think+Do Tank, especially Marian Abboud, Afaf Al-Shmmari, Maysoon Shinawas, Shahad Alsaad, Harri Harding, and the students at Marsden Road Public School. New name This podcast is now called Change the Story. For more information about the original Life's Lottery season 2, see https://www.paulramsayfoundation.org.au/news-resources/lifes-lottery-backing-kids Credits Produced by UTS Impact Studios Executive Producer: Olivia Rosenman Audio Producer: Nicole Curby Researcher/writer: Jackie May Theme music and Sound Design: James Milsom Graphic design: Celia Neilson