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.

Rethinking Change: Why Linear Thinking Can’t Solve Nonlinear Problems

In a world defined by rapid disruption—from climate crises to social inequality—the old models of “progress” are showing their cracks. In this week’s Changemaker Q&A, host and social impact researcher Tiyana J explores why it’s time to move beyond linear models of change—and how a nonlinear approach could help us tackle complex, interconnected challenges more […]

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Navigating Uncertainty: How Dave Chauhan’s “Nautical Leadership” Model Redefines the Art of Leading Through Change

In a world marked by uncertainty, rapid technological disruption, and shifting social expectations, the question of what makes a great leader has never been more urgent. In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, leadership strategist and author Dave Chauhan joined me to explore his distinctive framework for navigating the uncharted waters of leadership — what

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How Small Businesses Build Stronger Communities

When we talk about building stronger, more resilient communities, the spotlight often falls on governments, nonprofits, or big corporations with the resources to scale. But as entrepreneur and thought leader Janae Wright reminds us, it’s often the small businesses—the barbershops, cafes, and local service providers—that act as the glue holding communities together. Wright, the founder

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Distinguishing Between Change Theory and Theory of Change

In the world of social impact, terms often overlap, blur, or are used interchangeably. One example is the common confusion between “change theory” and “theory of change.” While the two sound nearly identical, they play very different roles in guiding how changemakers design, implement, and evaluate their work. This week’s episode of Changemaker Q&A, produced

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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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