Changemaker Q&A is a podcast for grassroots changemakers—activists, students, volunteers, entrepreneurs, social workers, advocates, and anyone striving for impact. Host Tiyana J answers real community questions and interviews inspiring guests who share stories, lessons, and practical strategies for driving change. Produced by the Humanitarian Changemakers Network and brought to you by the School of Social Impact, the show offers insights and encouragement for every step of your changemaking journey.
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Changemaker Q&A isn’t just a podcast—it’s a community built for grassroots changemakers like you. Here, you can ask your biggest questions about creating social or environmental change and get answers from fellow changemakers, the podcast, and our network of experts.
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All episodes
Hip Hop as a Framework for Change: Lessons from Manny Faces
When most people hear the word hip hop, they picture beats, rhymes, and street style…
When Policy Wins Fall Flat: Why Cultural Change Holds the Key
In a provocative new episode of Change Maker Q&A, host Tiyana J turns a spotlight…
Designing Gardens That Heal the Earth — and Us
When regenerative garden designer and author Matthieu Mehuys speaks about soil, he does so with…
Tiyana J’s Six Week sprint: How She Avoided Burnout in a High-Intensity Season
When life shifts into overdrive, many of us brace for burnout. But for changemaker and…
Rethinking the World from the Ground Up — Inside Alex Kain’s The Philosophy
What would it look like to rebuild society from scratch — guided not by profit…
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…
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…
Do We Have a Problem With Moral Imagination?
In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, the conversation turns inward: do we have a…
How Small Businesses Build Stronger Communities
When we talk about building stronger, more resilient communities, the spotlight often falls on governments,…
Distinguishing Between Change Theory and Theory of Change
In the world of social impact, terms often overlap, blur, or are used interchangeably. One…
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…
Creating Shared Visions for Change: The VISION Framework
When it comes to driving meaningful change—whether inside large organizations, grassroots movements, or international development…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Moving Beyond Linear Thinking: Rethinking Causality for Changemakers
When it comes to driving social change, it’s tempting to think in straight lines. If…
Research as a Catalyst for Social Change
When we think about social change, research might not be the first thing that comes…
Building Lasting Peace: Inside the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace
When many people think about peace, they picture a world without war. But peace is…
Beyond Buzzwords: The Five Types of Justice Every Change Maker Should Know
In today’s political climate, the word justice is everywhere—splashed across campaign speeches, grassroots banners, and…
The Commodification of Care: Why Changemakers Are Burning Out
In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, host Tiyana J pulls back the curtain on…
The Power of Storytelling in Driving Social Change
In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, host Tiyana J explores a force as old…
Building a Movement: From Opponents to Allies
Social movements rarely grow overnight. More often, they spread conversation by conversation—one seed planted at…
Bridging Crises and Change: Understanding the Humanitarian & Development Sector
In a world increasingly fraught with natural disasters, conflict, and emergent crises, the humanitarian and…
Disaster Preparedness: Why Changemakers Must Plan for the Unexpected
Natural disasters are no longer rare shocks to the system — they’re a recurring feature…
Do Protests Really Make a Difference?
Protests are among the most visible expressions of activism. Whether it’s thousands gathering in city…
Why Social Changemakers Need to Understand Cognitive Biases
When it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges—from inequality to climate change—good intentions alone…
Beyond Protest: Why Changemaker Isn’t Just Another Word for Activist
In the world of social change, language matters. Terms like activist, advocate, and changemaker are…
Collusion, Conflict, and the Elusive Path to Peace
Is peace really something that begins from within, or is it forged in the compromises,…
The Many Truths We Live By: Why Understanding Truth Matters in Social Change
In a world of disputed facts, conflicting narratives, and deep-seated inequality, the idea of “truth”…
Learning from Martin Luther King JR: Nonviolence as a Practice, Not Just a Principle
In a world rife with division, anger, and systemic injustice, the philosophy of Martin Luther…
Is America Sliding Toward Fascism? The 14 characteristics of fascism
When Italian philosopher Umberto Eco published his 1995 essay Ur-Fascism, he offered the world a…
Making Sense of Complexity: Three Systems Thinking Tools for Changemakers
Wildfires in California and Los Angeles have dominated headlines in recent weeks, capturing global attention…
Beyond Equality: Rethinking Empowerment Through Transformative Power
What does it truly mean to be empowered? For decades, development frameworks have leaned heavily…
Crafting Your Impact Blueprint: A Strategic Map for Changemakers
As 2025 unfolds, social innovators are looking for more than inspiration—they need practical tools to…
Rethinking Empowerment: New Research Challenges Conventional Gender Equality Metrics
Host of Changemaker Q&A Tiyana J has unveiled a groundbreaking framework on women’s empowerment, arguing…
Manifesting Social Change: Beyond Law of Attraction
In a compelling episode of Changemaker Q&A, host Tiyana J dives into a deeper, philosophical…
Beyond Subjectivity: Rethinking How We Know What We Know
When it comes to research, words like “objectivity” and “subjectivity” are often thrown around as…
Moving Beyond “McMindfulness”: Why Social Movements Need a Deeper Practice
In recent years, mindfulness has become a billion-dollar industry, promoted as a remedy for stress,…
Observing, Interacting, and Rethinking Change: How Permaculture Principles Shape Social Impact
When it comes to creating lasting social change, sometimes the most powerful action is not…
Catalytic Thinking: A Theory of Change Rooted in Abundance
What if the key to solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges lies…
Systems Thinking: A Holistic Lens for Tackling Wicked Problems
When it comes to solving the world’s toughest challenges—climate change, human rights abuses, systemic inequality—traditional…
Inner Development Goals: The Missing Link to Global Change
As the world races toward the 2030 deadline for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development…
What Does It Mean to Live a Good Life?
In a recent episode of Changemaker Q&A, host Tiyana J, founder of the Humanitarian Changemakers…
Beyond the Buzzwords: Rethinking the Sustainable Development Goals in Social Change Work
When the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, it was hailed…
What Does It Mean to Be Ethical in a Complex World?
From “ethical fashion” labels to debates about responsible AI, the word ethical is everywhere. But…
Youth Perspectives on Building the New Economy: Lessons from the “Life After Capitalism” Conference
At this year’s New Economy Network Australia (NENA) conference, Life After Capitalism, a panel of…
Should You Do a PhD? Reflections for Changemakers Weighing the Next Step
For many in the social change space, the idea of pursuing a PhD comes wrapped…
Social Media as a Tool for Change: Beyond the Click of a Share Button
In an age when breaking news spreads faster on Instagram than on television, social media…
After the Referendum: Using Social Media and Shared Vision to Drive Change
Australia’s rejection of the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum in October has left many campaigners…
Experiencing the World: Why Travel Matters for Changemakers
In the latest episode of Changemaker Q&A, host Tiyana J reflects on a lesson she…