What Can We Do?

The Lids4Kids grass roots movement has stepped in to solve the small plastic problem in Australia. Lids4Kids Australia was founded as a grass-roots 100% volunteer project in May 2019 by Tim Miller, a Canberra-based full-time house Dad with three boys under ten. Today Lids4Kids is a registered charity committed to rescuing every plastic bottle lid from going into landfill to protect our environment and benefit kids. Highlights from this episode include why Tim started the organisation, the overwhelming community response, and how we can all do our part to help achieve zero waste. This podcast is produced by Samuham Media, and available on all major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Play spaces for all abilities should exist at the heart of neighbourhoods. The Touched by Olivia Foundation was founded by Justine and John Perkins after they tragically lost their baby daughter, Olivia to a rare illness when she was just eight months old. Following this devastating event, John and Justine devoted themselves to positively enhancing the lives of children and their families. Highlights from this episode include the three principles of inclusive play, the power of communities and delivering social impact within communities by enabling partnerships and collaborations between business, government and other like minded charities. Justine is a successful thought leader and passionate philanthropist with over 25 years of legal, strategic, and not-for-profit experience. Justine has a loving family, which includes her husband John and four other children, Will, Gabrielle, Isaac and Henry. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The time we live in presents an excellent opportunity for the future of co-operatives. COVID-19 has laid bare the failures of the current globalised capitalist system, which the co-operative model is well suited to address. Molly Kendall oversees Communications and Business Development at The Co-op Federation. The Co-op Federation advocates for the co-operative sector; raises public awareness; provides education, resources and networking opportunities; assists in forming co-operatives and like entities; and maintains links with other organisations interstate, nationally and internationally. Molly is a co-operative nerd from way back. She explored Australia's intentional communities from her early days to heading up a worker-owned waste management co-op. In this episode, Molly discusses the history of the Co-op sector in Australia, how it stacks up against other countries and its model's benefits in today's context. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Outdoor recreation has been a welcome respite for many, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, however more needs to be done to make these spaces inclusive. Mathew Townsend founded Nature Freedom in 2017, a social enterprise that gives people from all walks of life and all abilities the opportunity to connect with nature and each other. This was motivated by Mathew's own lived experience of living with autism and hearing impairment, and being often excluded from environmental groups and sustainability spaces. Video interview with captions available here. Nature Freedom runs a range of eco crafts and environmental workshops in South-East Queensland, with more outdoor activities planned. In this episode Mathew talks about his vision for true inclusion, the importance of co-design and how his team has adapted to COVID-19 What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australian Seniors are learning to use technology in safe and conducive environments through the help of community run computer clubs, supported by Australian Seniors Computer Club Association. Nan Bosler AM is the founder of this peak body that was set up in 1998. In this episode, Nan talks about the history of ASCCA, how it helps seniors, the best way to support seniors in their technology journey, and how the NBN delivered her grandsons to her. Nan Bosler AM is an Australian community activist and advocate for young people, the elderly and people with disabilities. She is an author and most notable internationally for her involvement with computer clubs and digital skills for older people. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. ------ Links Samuham Media ASCCA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sahera Sumar is the Founder and Director of Worldwide Sheroes, a social enterprise that brings together a community of mentors and leaders to foster the next generation of female leaders. Sahera is a facilitator, coach, mentor, and keynote speaker. She has worked with leaders in over 25 countries in World Bank, WHO, and AKDN international development projects. In this episode, Sahera speaks about the lack of access to women leaders in a number of countries, her own experiences trying to fit in to a corporate culture, and the strength and value of the global community she has built. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The North Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka have lower digital literacy levels, compared to the rest of Sri Lanka, and its neighbours. Sujan Selven is the Founder & CEO of Upcycled Tech, a not-for-profit that provides sustainable IT solutions for remote villages in the North Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. A Tamil refugee, Sujan is a social impact entrepreneur and human rights advocate. In this episode, Sujan talks about how Upcycled Tech started, the opportunities created for communities in these villages, and Upcycled Tech's vision for digital equity in Sri Lanka. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2021, Poonkulali Govintharajah formed Thadam to build mental health literacy within the Sri Lankan Tamil Australian community. Poonkulali Govintharajah is a Sri Lankan Tamil psychologist, a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and holds her Master’s degree in Social Health. Poonkulali has a strong commitment to improving the mental health of our community with a strong focus on child protection and working with families. In this episode, Poonkulali shares discussing mental health through an appropriate cultural lens, why mental health stigma exists in her community, and the effects of intergenerational trauma. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the waiting lists for social housing grows in Australia, many who are reliant on the system cannot navigate themselves out of it. Stephen Woodlands is the Founder and Managing Director of Head Start Homes, which harnesses innovation and collaboration to reduce homelessness and poverty by providing equal access to home ownership for single mums, First Nations Peoples and other families living in social housing. In this episode, Stephen shares his lived experience growing up in social housing, the three barriers Head Start Homes removes for its clients, and the importance of levelling the field for homeownership here in Australia. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gloria Tabi is an Author and the CEO of Everyday Inclusion. Gloria’s research specialises in Social Analysis on Race, Social Inequalities and Anti-Racism. As a Black African-Australian woman, Gloria brings well-grounded knowledge and experience of the impacts presented in race and gender identities. In this episode, Gloria talks about the critical misunderstandings about racism, the impact on racialised people and about her new book Inclusive Teams & Workplaces: Everyone Wins. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tinai Colawai is the Founder & Director of knext Career Design – a social impact company with a mission to enable people of colour achieve long-term career success. Before launching her business in early 2021, she spent over 15 years working across the Pacific, Asia and Australia in HR leadership, strategic and specialist roles. In the first episode of 2022, Tinai talks about the common barriers culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals and people of colour (POC) face when working in Australia, the importance of diversity and inclusion in positions of influence, and the outcomes she hopes to see in the future. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zahra Bayani is has done a lot for her community, since she arrived in Adelaide in 2017. Zahra is currently studying Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours at University of South Australia and hopes that one day her studies will empower her to work with disadvantaged youth and women to support them in overcoming adversity to reaching their full potential as integral members of the community. In this episode, Zahra talks about how she got involved in volunteering, her political aspirations for the future and her advice for youth. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Priyanka Kaur is a visual and resin artist who recently founded Mahala, a social enterprise. Mahala is Australia’s first gift box service that features products from South Asian women, pursuing side hustles, passion projects or small businesses. A percentage of Mahala's profits goes to the Australian South Asian Centre, a not for profit organisation. In this episode, Priyanka talks about why she started Mahala, the underrepresentation of South Asian creatives and artists here in Australia, and how she hopes Mahala will encourage women to pursue their creative passions. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rough Edges is a community centre for people experiencing homelessness and other forms of marginalisation in Darlinghurst. This drop-in centre is operated by St John's Anglican Church and supervised by Team Leader, Ryan Naoum. As a service, Rough Edges aims to create a safe space where community is fostered and individuals can move from crisis to flourish. In this episode, Ryan talks about the issues facing Darlinghurst's communities, how Rough Edges has found new ways to create impact owing to the pandemic, and the misconceptions people have about communities experiencing homelessness. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Commonwealth Bank currently estimate that 16% of women will experience financial abuse in Australia during their lifetime. Tasnia Alam co-founded ARISE Foundation to reveal the impact of financial abuse and provide financial freedom for women traditionally considered 'unbankable'. Tasnia has a background in Applied Finance and Law and was most recently an Associate Director at NSW Treasury. She has a decade of public and private sector experience across various industries, including audit, legal, corporate finance and public policy development. In this episode, Tasnia talks about what motivated her to start Arise, what financial abuse looks like, and the impact Arise Foundation hopes to create. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Merciful Servants has delivered over 150,000 packets of food over the last 7 years, supporting Brisbane's homeless and vulnerable populations. Managing Director, Ansary Muhammed, started this organisation with the aim to end hunger, in a city where approximately 1 in 200 people experience homelessness. In this episode, Ansary talks about what drives him, the challenge Brisbane's communities are now facing and how he's nurturing the next generation of community leaders. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. Prema works in a project and operations capacity in the not-for-profit sector. Check out previous episodes and transcripts here: whatcanwedopodcast.com This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A growing number of women leaders are emerging in Australia. Charishma Kaliyanda was elected to the Liverpool City Council in 2016. Charishma was born in Bangalore, India, and moved to Liverpool when she was four years old. Starting her journey in student politics, Charishma has become an important voice for Liverpool City communities. In this episode, Charishma talks about the hurdles women leaders of colour need to clear for elected office in Australia, how the recent strict lockdowns affected southwest Sydney communities, and why local community representation is important. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. Prema works in a project and operations capacity in the not-for-profit sector. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

COOK4CALD started providing food to people in the City of Casey community when the pandemic hit in 2020. The organisation was founded by Ashvina De Zoysa. Today it has grown into a 50 member strong volunteer organisation that has become a vital source of support for CALD individuals and families who live in the City of Casey and surrounding areas. In this episode, I speak to Olivia Acciarito, COOK4CALD's Treasurer. Olivia joined as a volunteer during the first summer food relief program in 2020. Olivia talks about the gap that COOK4CALD fills, the barriers that CALD communities face during crises and how we can look out for one another in our communities. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tessa Deak is a Mount Gambier based disability advocate who has led and been involved in several chronic illness, mental health, and disability-related initiatives in the Limestone Coast. Tessa is passionate about making a change in her community and tries to use her lived experience of chronic illness/disability to educate others and spread awareness. Tessa has been recognised for her work and won the 7News SA Young Achiever Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Health Award in 2021, among other nominations. In this episode, Tessa talks about how she got started in advocacy work, the changes she has observed through the course of her work, and how to overcome the fear of stepping outside of your comfort zone. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. Prema works in a project and operations capacity in the not-for-profit sector. Check out previous episodes and transcripts here: whatcanwedopodcast.com This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paige Krystal Wilcox (she/her) uses Intentional Storytelling to create compelling stories that counter mainstream media's unhealthy or unhelpful bias, tropes, and stereotypes. In this episode, Paige shares why she got started in Intentional Storytelling, the challenges she initially faced, and what she has learnt through her journey so far. What Can We Do is produced by Samuham Media, and hosted by Prema Menon. Prema works in a project and operations capacity in the not for profit sector. Check out previous episodes and transcripts here: whatcanwedopodcast.com This podcast is also available on major podcast platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.