Changemaker Q&A

Changemaker Q&A is a podcast for grassroots changemakers—activists, students, volunteers, social workers, entrepreneurs, sustainability advocates, and anyone working to make a difference. In each episode, host Dr. Tiyana J answers real questions from the community or interviews inspiring guests who share their stories, lessons, and practical strategies for creating social and environmental impact. With a mix of honesty, warmth, and actionable insights, the show equips listeners with the tools and encouragement they need to keep moving forward on their changemaking journey.

Care for Peace: Jeff Hardy’s Vision for a Second Human Evolution

What if peace wasn’t an abstract ideal, but something we could cultivate through the very act of caring? For Jeff Hardy, founder of the nonprofit Care for Peace, this insight has shaped decades of work in healthcare planning, community development, and peacebuilding. Hardy’s journey began as a U.S. Navy hospital corpsman during the Vietnam War, […]

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Creating Shared Visions for Change: The VISION Framework

When it comes to driving meaningful change—whether inside large organizations, grassroots movements, or international development projects—having a clear, collective vision is often the missing piece. In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, I unpack a framework I developed through my PhD research that helps leaders and communities build stronger, more inclusive visions for the future.

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Questioning the Narrative: Independent Thinking in the Age of Information Overload

In an age where information is more accessible than ever before, the challenge is no longer finding knowledge—it is discerning truth. This week on Changemaker Q and A, investigative author Michael reflected on his lifelong journey of questioning mainstream narratives, from the Vietnam War to today’s debates over climate, health, and freedom of speech. For

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Systems Thinking in Action: Seeing Problems, Shaping Change

In this week’s episode of Changemaker Q&A, we explored how systems thinking can shift the way we see complex social issues—from youth crime to housing, bushfires, and mental health. Rather than treating symptoms, systems thinking encourages us to ask deeper questions: what are the underlying structures and feedback loops that keep problems in place? The

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Scott Grace: using humour, rhyme and song to move people beyond red and blue

In a time when political identity often feels like a full-time job and public life is framed as an either/or contest, Scott Grace is trying something rarer: he’s asking people to laugh, to cry, and then to take those feelings seriously enough to sit with one another. A comedian, songwriter, coach and author, Grace combines

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Joanna Macy’s Enduring Legacy: The Work That Reconnects and the Great Turning

This past week marked the passing of Joanna Macy, a scholar and activist whose life’s work continues to shape how changemakers respond to the intertwined crises of our time. Macy, who died in her nineties, leaves behind a body of teachings known as The Work That Reconnects—a framework that blends ecology, spirituality, and social change

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From Burnout to Balance: Francesca Blechner on the Power of Holistic Health for Changemakers

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, the risk of burnout is no longer limited to corporate executives or overworked parents. Increasingly, changemakers—those dedicating their time and energy to social good—find themselves running on empty. Francesca Blechner, a holistic health coach and author, knows this story all too well. “I loved what I did, but I wasn’t

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Beyond the Material: Wajid Hassan on Spirituality, Service, and Sanity in Troubled Times

In a world grappling with climate breakdown, political division, and widespread disillusionment, some changemakers are looking beyond policy, technology, and economics to find solutions. One such voice is Wajid Hassan, a Pakistan-born, UK-raised, and US-based author, actor, and spiritual teacher who joined me on Changemaker Q&A to discuss his journey and his book, The Struggle

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Beyond Titles: Dr. Pam Gurley on Courage, Clarity, and Creating Space for Change

When Dr. Pam Gurley introduces herself, she doesn’t start with the impressive list of professional hats she wears—author, CEO, professor, journalist. Instead, she begins with something much simpler: her love for people, food, and travel. It’s this grounded authenticity that has guided her through a career spanning psychology, government service, entrepreneurship, writing, and education. Speaking

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Mindful Media: How Changemakers Can Navigate the News Without Burning Out

When an anonymous listener recently asked whether they should stop reading or watching the news because it left them overwhelmed and uninspired, the question resonated far beyond a single podcast inbox. For many changemakers—activists, educators, policy advocates, or community leaders—staying informed is both a responsibility and a burden. In a recent episode of Changemaker Q&A,

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