Clarissa Sempel wanted a career in law to help people. But first, she had to be a rock for her own family – and save herself. The high-achieving young lawyer and National President of youth leadership initiative Junior Chamber International Australia, Clarissa’s path is marked by determination, even in the face of family devastation. Clarissa is CQUniversity’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year for Early Career Impact, and you can learn more about her work here. Read the podcast transcript here, and explore CQU’s law study pathways at cqu.edu.au/law. How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUni Communications. Music by CQU alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app for new episodes, and discover more inspiring people, and careers. Follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Param Singh’s life began in a tiny town in India. It took moving across the globe to realise his potential to change lives for millions of families like his. And, where cows would fit with his plan! The award-winning founder and CEO of agri-tech platform MoooFarm, Param is CQUniversity Australia’s 2023 Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact, and you can learn more about his work here. Read the podcast transcript here, and explore CQU’s innovative study pathways at cqu.edu.au/study. How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUni Communications. Music by CQU alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app to tune in to all episodes, and discover more inspiring people, and careers. Follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Bevan Slattery is one of Australia’s most successful tech entrepreneurs, founding a record five ASX-listed companies.   But the path to innovator and rich-lister was not a straight one. Dramatic career detours, from aspiring accountant to DJ to local government clerk and finally IT whiz, taught him to follow his curiosity and solve big problems – an approach that’s helped him grow mega-projects for Australia’s digital communications. Bevan is CQUniversity’s 2023 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and you can learn more about his work here. Read the podcast transcript here. How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQU Communications. Music by CQU alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app for new episodes, and discover more inspiring people and careers. Follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Growing up on a Central Queensland cattle station helped inspire Patrice Brown to pursue environmental science. To build her big-impact career, the trailblazing businesswoman had to stand up to stereotypes, and prove that she, and her beloved Central Queensland, had local talent and expertise to get the job done.

CQUniversity Chancellor Graeme Innes AM has spent a lifetime fighting discrimination. To mark global change initiative Zero Discrimination Day on Wednesday 1 March 2023, the human rights trailblazer has shared some of the journey with How to Change a Life.

For Aidan Baron, realising his passion for paramedicine was a game-changer. But building a life-changing career saw the CQUniversity alumnus fighting against frustration, and tap into a whole lot of social media.

Cairns mum and award-winning solicitor Nareeta Davis has built self-confidence through faith in her own values, and determination to advocate for other people facing injustice - and she began the journey with CQUniversity’s supportive pathways and flexible study options.

Growing up, Marjad Page was scared of the hospital. But the proud Kalkadoon, Waanyi and Gangaldida man was prepared to face fears, if it meant helping his people. Now the CQUniversity’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is a doctor, transforming lives for his First Nations people, and the whole Australian community.

We all know our world needs some pretty big changes. But how do you decide to start making those changes yourself? How to Change a Life hears from people who have made life-changing decisions, and asks them - how do you start? And what comes next?

Ever seen a problem, and not known how to help? Selina Tomasich’s approach is simple: get skills, know them, use them, grow them. And always have a chat. That’s how the inspiring founder and CEO of anti-poverty initiative Hair Aid built her confidence and her big-impact career, despite not finishing high school, and as she faced many more challenges along the way. Selina is CQUniversity’s 2022 Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact. Learn more about her work here. How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUniversity Communications. Music by alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app for new episodes every Thursday, and follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Sabi Kaphle didn’t want to be a midwife. Forced into nursing school by her family as a teenager, the young Nepali woman felt powerless. But when she saw how the health system was failing pregnant women, and the risk to lives of mums and babies, Sabi found her passion in giving them a voice. First working for UNICEF and now as a Public Health lecturer at CQUniversity, Dr  Kaphle shares her steps for tackling power imbalance, through purpose and persistence. She also previews her debut book, Socio-cultural Insights of Childbirth in South Asia – Stories of Women in the Himalayas, available from July 2021. This is the final episode for this launch season of How to Change a Life, hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUni Communications. Music by CQUni alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app to listen back to all the season one episodes, and follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Former truckie and current CQUniversity PhD student Darren Delaney wants to know why accident investigators fail to find the cause of so many truck crashs, after seeing two of his best mates die on the roads.

Noonukul Quandamooka woman Sam Cooms started on her career path determined to help her Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) community, and tells CQUniversity's How to Change a Life that becoming a mum to children with disabilities gave her new priorities and cultural understanding.

Physiotherapist Sasha Job knows her work can change people’s lives. And when patients are struggling to achieve mobility and fitness, she's seen first-hand that getting on the beach can make a huge difference.  This episode, the determined Bundaberg lecturer and researcher explains her mission to make our beaches accessible for everyone. If you’re an Australian living with a disability or limited mobility, or if you’re aged over 65, complete Sasha's U-BEACH survey here. How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUni Communications. Music by CQUni alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app, and follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

When Brisbane dad and estimating manager Michael Bowles wasn’t coping, the first step to recovery was just starting to talk about it. Now researching suicide in the construction industry, the CQUniversity PhD student busier than ever – and his mission to help industry workmates has helped him find balance, too.

CQUni Paramedic Science student Caitlin Peacock chose her career because she wanted to help people, and she made the decision while she was in prison. Now 21, she shares how a car crash and subsequent criminal charges became the worst days of her life, and how determination to take a different path pulled her through.

Kumar Parakala has forged a career by refusing to follow the crowd - and the tech innovator. President of GHD Digital, and CQUniversity Alumnus of the Year for Industry Achievement shares the importance of finding a higher purpose, and building authentic relationships.

Tandi Kuwana built her career in mental health, but it was her own experience with depression that helped her smash taboos and improve mental wellbeing for those around her. In this episode, the Perth-based mental health nurse and founder shares the challenges that led to her mental illness. And the inspiring community leader explains why reaching out for help, and helping others, gave her the drive to get better. Tandi, who completed her Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing in 2018, is the founder of social enterprise My Mental Wellness Keys, and CQUniversity's Alumnus of the Year for Social Impact.  How to Change a Life is hosted by Mary Bolling from CQUni Communications. Music by CQUni alumnus Tristan Barton. Subscribe to How to Change a Life on your podcast app, and follow CQUniversity on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for more life-changing stories.

Co-founder and CEO of Gathar Jodie Mlikota shares how she grew her startup, from idea to uni assignment to national dinner parties platform, on CQUniversity's How to Change a Life.

Digital trailblazer and CQUniversity Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Sheila Doyle shares her steps for adapting fast, taking risks, growing resilience, and putting people at the heart of big decisions.