Join hosts Moustafa Ardati and Sam Johnson for powerful, real conversations exploring lived experience, resilience, and mindset. In this episode, Moustafa Ardati—tri-code international athlete, counselor, coach, and doctoral researcher—shares his remarkable journey growing up with cerebral palsy, defying limitations, and challenging stereotypes about disability, education, and mental health.

The discussion dives deep into overcoming adversity, shifting the narrative on addiction and identity, the importance of advocacy and self-belief, and practical insights into personal growth. Sam Johnson and Moustafa Ardati explore how mindset, opportunity, and support shape our stories, and why policy and practice must center lived experience and authentic inclusion.

If you're passionate about access, equity, and inclusion—or just need inspiration to thrive no matter the obstacles—this episode is for you. Subscribe, share, and join the Impact Policy Podcast community to stay up to date and be part of the change!

Themes:

• Lived experience and disability
• Mindset and resilience
• Addiction, trauma & identity
• Policy, reform, and advocacy
• Personal and professional growth

Listen now for moving stories, expert insights, and actionable advice to help you navigate and shape a more inclusive world.

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In this latest solo episode, Sam Johnson takes us behind the scenes at Impact Policy, sharing powerful reflections on what it means to “Indigenise Masculinities.” Drawing on personal stories, recent thought leadership, and upcoming conference conversations, Sam Johnson explores the intersection of masculinity, colonization, and systemic change—especially in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys.

This episode challenges the mainstream dialogue around masculinity, calling for a deeper understanding of culture, relationality, and community. If you work in policy, advocacy, or community, or if you’re just curious about reframing gender conversations in Australia, you’ll find practical insights and inspiration here.

Tune in, reflect, and join the conversation.

And don’t forget to follow Impact Policy for future thought leadership updates—no spam, just learning shared along the journey!

#IndigenizingMasculinities #ImpactPolicyPodcast #ThoughtLeadership #GenderJustice #FirstNations

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In this solo episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, host Sam Johnson shares the inspiring journey behind Impact Policy's decision to build a not-for-profit. Sam Johnson reflects on the organization's roots in community-driven work, starting with scholarship programs for Aboriginal young people and extending to current initiatives supporting girls in community sports. Drawing on personal experiences growing up in Glebe and the positive influence of accessible sports programs, Sam Johnson discusses the critical importance of breaking down barriers to participation—like financial hardship and transport—for young women and girls, especially those from Aboriginal and culturally diverse backgrounds.

The episode outlines the vision behind the new not-for-profit, focusing on themes of access, equity, inclusion, and justice. Sam Johnson highlights how small acts, such as providing team transport or creating safe, girls-only sports spaces, can have a profound impact. With support from pro bono legal partners, Impact Policy is building a program (currently called the Impact Academy) that does more than teach basketball; it creates community, role models, and opportunities for youth who need them most.

If you’re passionate about social impact, youth programs, or building inclusive communities, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight into launching purpose-driven initiatives—and an invitation to get involved.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode dives deep into conversations around the lived experiences of Aboriginal people, the complexities of black identity, the intersection of joy and rage, and the ongoing journey of reclaiming power and telling authentic stories. The discussion, led by Kyan Mitchell, features reflections on Chelsea Watego’s influential work and her role in inspiring other black writers and thinkers to stand firm in their stories.

Show Notes:

0:00 — Introduction: Connection to Country & Mob, honoring Gadigal people

3:00 — Welcoming listeners and context for today’s special guest

4:00 — Black Thoughts: New book launch and its impact on self-reflection

7:00 — Why rage and joy can—and must—coexist in the fight for justice

11:00 — Personal histories: Growing up surrounded by blackness

13:00 — The dangers of caricature and the right to the full range of human emotion

16:00 — On privilege, working class backgrounds, and finding purpose in intellectual labor

18:30 — Black joy as strategic resistance, spiritual cleansing, and everyday activism

22:00 — Challenging deficit narratives: Healing from imposed identity

25:00 — The violence of race breaking blackfellas & navigating complaints

27:00 — Redefining what “winning” and “justice” can look like

30:00 — Critique of “just be resilient” advice & how it compounds harm

33:00 — Reflecting on generational differences and survival strategies

35:00 — The politics and problems of “intergenerational trauma” narratives

40:00 — Healthy skepticism: Whose interests do mainstream reconciliation and RAPs serve?

42:00 — Rethinking black leadership: Not just a seat at the corporate table

44:00 — The legacy and dismantling of black infrastructure and collectives

47:00 — Reading "Black Men in Suits"—betrayal, gender, and humor as coping

53:00 — Racialized gender tropes, policing, and invisibility of violence against black women

58:00 — Shifting focus to the impact of racial violence, not intentions

1:01:00 — The “newly identifying” phenomenon and its material impacts

1:04:00 — Ancestry vs. lived relationship: Why community connection matters

1:12:00 — Cautions around “lateral violence” language

1:15:00 — Black critique as essential, not harmful: How to grow through challenging conversations

1:19:00 — The importance of joy, safety, and community in black workspaces

1:22:00 — Building collectives, creating new infrastructures, and learning from Proper Now

1:28:00 — Storytelling, songlines, and the nourishing power of black narratives

If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a comment letting us know your thoughts.

#BlackJoy #BlackPower #ImpactPolicyPodcast #IndigenousLeadership #RaceAndIdentity #Storytelling

Listen, reflect, and step into your own story with us at the Impact Policy Podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Kate Webber
• 's Aboriginal heritage and connection to multiple nations
• Influence of family (grandmother, mother, and father's service) on identity and generosity
• Childhood experiences facing discrimination and racism
• Navigating conflict between pride in Aboriginal identity and external negativity
• Carrying forward family legacy and sense of service

• Impact of racism during primary school
• Lack of Aboriginal perspective in education (focus on colonization, Captain Cook projects)
• Struggles with shame and belonging
• Code-switching and hiding identity in unsupportive environments
• Importance of family and community in fostering pride

• Early experiences of racism, bullying (relating to Aboriginal and Chinese heritage)
• The role of family and community support in building confidence
• Connection between lived experience and academic/professional interest in psychology
• Mental health struggles in family history (grandmother’s depression, intergenerational impacts)
• Personal battles: low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, recovery from trauma

• Power and importance of connection during crisis
• Steps toward regaining autonomy and control
• Building supportive relationships outside toxic environments
• Advances in self-care: regaining interests, healthier routines, addressing eating disorders
• Gradual process of building resilience and confidence

• Impact of systemic racism and poverty (housing, education, social support)
• Inequity in government responses, resources, and societal structures
• Racism embedded in systems affecting Aboriginal families
• The importance (and gap) of culturally informed systems

• Definition and examples of the racial empathy gap
• Media’s role in perpetuating disparity in empathy and reporting
• Importance of accurate assessment for effective treatment
• Critiques of mainstream frameworks and need for culture-bound syndromes
• Negative consequences of misassessment in child protection and mental health

• Critique of “West is Best” and “White is Right” mentalities
• Misguided attempts at tokenistic inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives
• Need for systemic overhaul, genuine power-sharing, and cultural equity
• Challenges of addressing siloes vs interconnected systems in Aboriginal policy (e.g., Close the Gap)

• Positive outcomes when First Nations people lead program design
• Importance of safe spaces and empowerment in professional and community development
• Leading leadership and development programs with successful results
• Advocacy for elevating Aboriginal voices, genuine co-design, and decision-making power

• Artistic influences and background (family of artists and musicians)
• Role of art and creative writing/music in processing trauma and emotions
• Interest in art therapy as a modality for healing
• Healing power of storytelling, slam poetry, and creative arts in Indigenous and marginalized communities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Adam Thompson, Director at Homes NSW, says you can’t bulldoze through Australia’s housing crisis—you need people at the heart of every decision.

Homes aren’t just buildings. They hold memories, connections, and shape entire communities. That’s why listening to those in social housing is central to his work.

Adam’s a proud “social housing kid” and stays connected to his roots—he knows firsthand how often tenants don’t feel heard, and he wants to shift that.

True engagement isn’t just a box-ticking exercise or defensively keeping “future complaints” at bay. It’s about actually learning from lived experience and letting it shape policy.

He insists that if you’re not honestly seeking input, don’t call it “engagement.” Call it consultation or a briefing—communities deserve clarity and honesty.

Building trust is about “yarn at the front, business at the back”: have real conversations before getting down to the practicalities. Genuine relationships make all the difference.

One-size-fits-all approaches don’t work. Every community is unique, so how you engage should fit their local needs. Sometimes it’s big town halls, sometimes it’s small group conversations.

Engagement helps people see their ideas brought to life, whether via improved services, safer design, or simply being listened to. That pride and ownership are real.

Leaders need to front up, communicate clearly, and handle tough conversations with conviction and authenticity. Trust comes from consistency and genuine care—not spin.

Homes NSW is embedding tenant involvement at all levels, investing in participation teams, and making engagement a sustained presence, not just a reaction to complaints.

Being honest about what’s possible, learning from Aboriginal engagement principles, and owning both wins and failures are all part of how real change happens.

At the end of the day, Adam reminds us: it’s not just about homes, it’s about people, memories, and the fabric of communities. That’s what real progress looks like.

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