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2. Personal Journey and Identity Formation

• 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

3. Identity Challenges Growing Up

• 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

4. Mental Health and Wellbeing

• 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

5. Journey of Healing

• 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

6. The Role of Systems and Structures

• 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

7. Racial Empathy Gap and Assessment

• 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

8. Decolonization and Systemic Change

• 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)

9. Professional Highlights and Systemic Advocacy

• 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

10. Creative Expression and Storytelling

• 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

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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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Kuyan and Sean form Impact Policy dive deep into lateral violence and anti racism, below is an outline of some of the topics they navigate together

2. Lateral Violence: Definitions and Prevalence

• Description of lateral violence and its recurring presence in various sectors and work environments
• Emphasis on the lack of nuanced understanding of the root causes
• Encouragement to view the issue at both surface and systemic levels

3. Root Causes and Systemic Issues

• Connection to colonization and genocide as foundational drivers of lateral violence
• Dismantling the myth that lateral violence is an “Aboriginal-only” issue
• Examination of environmental and systemic factors enabling lateral violence to persist
• Comparison with experiences in other marginalized communities globally

4. Understanding and Misunderstanding the Issue

• Noting that most people can give examples but lack depth in understanding origins and systemic components
• The role of non-Aboriginal systems and practices in perpetuating lateral violence
• Discussion of reactive versus proactive responses: addressing symptoms vs. tackling root causes

5. Difficulties Addressing Lateral Violence

• Tendency to address the issue at the individual level without systemic change
• Analogy: treating symptoms without curing the infection
• Challenges faced by non-Indigenous people in engaging with lateral violence due to lack of systemic understanding and fear

6. The Nuances and Workplace Triggers

• Importance of addressing both systemic and individual levels
• Non-Indigenous reluctance to get involved, and its consequences
• Workplace examples: “advice shopping,” elevation of some Aboriginal voices over others, recruitment and competition triggers
• Impact of lack of transparency in recruitment and funding decisions

7. Personal Experiences and Emotional Impact

• Sharing of personal and collective experiences of lateral violence within government and community
• Emotional toll: when lateral violence follows individuals home and permeates personal life and community connections
• Unique burdens experienced by Aboriginal people navigating workplace and community pressures

9. Transparency, Integrity, and Leadership

• Lack of transparency in decision-making as a systemic contributor
• The societal pattern in Australia of narrative control and withholding information
• The link between integrity, leadership, and willingness to be transparent

10. Cultural Dynamics, Elevation, and Diversity

• Problems with elevating individual voices or “leaders” over the diversity within communities
• Homogenization—misunderstanding of the multiplicity of Aboriginal experiences and viewpoints
• Tension arising from mismatches between workplace/sectoral elevation and community status

11. Conflict and Accountability

• Distinction between healthy conflict and lateral violence
• Traditional strengths of Aboriginal communities in conflict management and resolution
• Seeking accountability vs. tearing down individuals
• Reflection on how social and professional settings can foster unhealthy conflict compared to traditional or community-based resolution

12. Language and Concepts: ‘Staunch’, Anger, and Misapplied Strength

13. Systemic Pressures and Double Standards

14. Practical Solutions and Advice

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Episode: Transforming Systems from Within – A Conversation with Paul O’Reilly

Recorded on Bidjigal Country, this episode sees Paul O’Reilly (Deputy Secretary, NSW DCJ) join Sam Johnson and Kuyan Mitchell to tackle the big questions around community, justice, and leadership in the public sector.

We dig into the realities of youth justice and out of home care, focusing on the systemic overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people. Paul draws on his diverse background—from youth worker to senior leader—to explore what it means to lead with integrity, the necessity of sharing decision-making power, and how genuine reform requires both humility and practical action.

Whether you’re a policymaker, community advocate, or practitioner on the ground, this conversation offers hard-won lessons, inspiration, and real hope for change.

Shownotes

Key Topics:

• Paul O'Reilly’s personal journey from Ireland to frontline youth work in Sydney and 27 years in the public sector
• The realities and overrepresentation of Aboriginal youth in care and justice systems
• Systemic and institutional racism: recognition, impacts, and strategies for change
• Why sharing decision-making power and bringing community voices to the centre is essential
• The complexities of achieving systems reform inside government silos
• Opportunities for funding and supporting Aboriginal-led organisations and social enterprises
• Leadership lessons: humility, vulnerability, and championing lived experience
• Personal stories of post-traumatic growth and the ongoing connection to frontline practice
• Hopeful trends and what excites Paul about the future of the sector

Quotable Moments:

• “Statutory systems need to be as small as possible—kids and families should only have contact when necessary.”
• “Humility is an enormous strength if you actually want to make progress... it’s about modelling behaviour.”
• “It’s a white system full of black kids. And unless you’re willing to acknowledge that impact, you shouldn’t be in the system.”

Additional Resources:

• Acknowledgement of Country: This episode was recorded on Bidjigal Country and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Learn more about Impact Policy
• Connect/Contact: To partner, collaborate, or learn more, email samjohnson@impactpolicyau.com or follow us on LinkedIn

Support & Community

If you valued this episode, please share it with your networks, leave a review, and help us spread practical learnings and stories that matter.

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Join Sean and Kuyan along with Sam as they dive into the latest episode of the Impact Policy Podcast and together unpack key takeaways from the National Planning Congress in Darwin. Tune in for sharp insights on Aboriginal communities, planning, and community-led change.

Here's what you'll hear about in this episode:

First-hand reflections on the National Planning Institute of Australia Congress, including the growing presence of Aboriginal voices in the sector

The critical role of planning systems in both historical dispossession and empowering future land rights and cultural heritage

Real-world legacy issues still felt by Aboriginal communities due to past planning policies—plus examples of ongoing practical challenges

The importance of co-design, centering Aboriginal voices, and shifting from tokenistic engagement to genuine power-sharing in policy

Standout initiatives, case studies, and award-winning projects leading the way for culturally responsive planning in Australia

Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and share if you find value in these discussions!

Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal communities, planning sector, National Planning Congress, cultural heritage, land rights, co design, community development, legacy issues, social policy, country, colonisation, planning system, native title, agency, country outcomes, community voice, infrastructure, social change, truth telling, co design principles, planning with country, policy, sector reform, impact, Roads to Home, Cumberland Plains, Knowledge Circle

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In this Episode of the Impact policy podcast, Sam Johnson sits down with Terri Janke, a celebrated leader in Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP). Terri shares her passion for empowering First Nations people through arts, culture, and business.

00:00 "ICIP Insights with Terry Janky"

07:36 From Law to Arts Activism

13:26 Copyright Triumph in Aboriginal Art

21:44 Indigenous Cultural Rights Advocacy

26:38 "True Tracks: Indigenous Cultural Integrity"

30:33 True Tracks: Multidisciplinary Collaborative Pathways

33:07 ICIP Empowering Aboriginal Staff

38:23 Aboriginal Staff Accountability Challenges

48:04 Collective Contract Negotiation Strategies

53:01 Repatriation and Community Investment Focus

56:25 Navigating ICIP Disputes Locally

01:03:01 Aboriginal Language Preservation Framework

01:09:32 "Trauma-Informed Strengths-Based Approach"

01:13:00 "Respect and Responsibility for Knowledge"

01:16:33 Guest Appreciation and Contact Info

Here are some keywords for this episode: Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, ICIP, True Tracks framework, Terri Janke, First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, intellectual property rights, copyright law, social justice, cultural heritage, consent, empowerment, knowledge management, community engagement, cultural safety, legal gaps, indigenous knowledge, cultural continuity.

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Our Guest Jared Wheatley in this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast as they dive into the complexities of the out of home care system. Discover the challenges and potential solutions for creating a more connected and relational approach to care.

Exploration of Jared Wheatley's 17-year journey in the social sector and his focus on youth work

Discussion on the systemic issues causing relational deprivation for children in care

Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on transforming the child protection system into a more supportive and human-centered child connection system.

00:00 Transforming Out-of-Home Care System

10:16 "Paradigm Shift for Systemic Change"

12:37 Lack of Care in Community Support

17:46 "Reflections on the Stolen Generation"

23:17 Reimagining Justice Investment

31:49 Advocacy for Families in Crisis

35:41 Build Supportive Adult Networks

39:18 Rethinking Community Care Models

44:03 Redefining Success: Community Impact

49:32 "Building Genuine Human Connections"

58:31 Celebrating Resilience in Overcoming Adversity

01:00:15 Empowerment for Survivors

Impact Policy, podcast, Jesse Robinson, Jared Wheatley, Aboriginal land, social change, youth work, out of home care, child protection, relational care, system change, cultural connection, government, social policy, community support, trauma-informed care, child connection system, restoration, lived experience, systemic barriers, co-design, evaluation, practitioner advice.

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

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

Delve into a conversation with Kyan Mitchell, a senior consultant at Impact Policy, as he shares his insightful journey and perspectives from the youth justice sector.

• Kyan's unexpected entry into the justice sector and his professional journey.
• The role of cultural programs in rehabilitation and identity building.
• The significance and challenges of place-based initiatives and decision-making.
• Overcoming the complexities of power sharing in public sector collaborations.
• Evaluating success and impact from a community-centered perspective.

00:00 Interview with Kyan Mitchell

04:32 Recruiting Indigenous Staff Effectively

08:12 "Reimagining Justice Systems"

11:24 Courageous Leadership in Public Sector

15:53 Prison Mentoring and Cultural Activities

16:32 Community and Cultural Disconnect

21:39 "Access Challenges in Public Programs"

25:48 Long-Term Investment in Cultural Work

28:22 "Community-Led Consistent Action"

31:19 "Joining Aboriginal Strategic Unit Journey"

35:00 Building Confidence for Community Engagement

40:01 Minimizing Aboriginal Voices

41:37 Reflecting on Community Consultation Silence

44:57 "Power Sharing for Better Outcomes"

49:03 Empowering Procurement for Impact

53:31 Redefining Impact Metrics in Communities

55:33 Collaborative Success and Community Agency

To access Kuyans thought leadership follow Impact Policy and read his recent article on sharing power works here

Impact Policy Podcast, youth justice, Kyan Mitchell, cultural programs, Aboriginal community, co-design, power sharing, public sector, decision-making, decolonizing justice, Indigenous identity, cultural access, regional vs urban perspectives, community leadership, tendering, procurement, strategic policy, government systems, cultural integration, community support, collaboration, public sector challenges, cultural significance, identity building.

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Today I am joined by Elle Davidson, Managing Director at Zion Engagement and together we explore the complexities around connecting with Country, as a framework and in practice.

Elle shares her professional journey and the impact she has had through her organisation and consulting work. We unpack what great work looks like in this space including access to her upcoming training platform.

This is a valuable episode for anyone working in planning, design, public spaces, environment and Aboriginal Affairs.

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Join Jessie Robinson, proud Wiradjuri man and Senior Consultant CoDesign and Engagement at Impact Policy. Together with Sam we explore Jessies journey to now, his extensive on the ground and community experience and a deep dive into CoDesign in practice, Jessies personal and Cultural approach and unpacking what this looks like in our communities.

1. Introduction

• Host introduction: Sam Johnson
• Acknowledgement of country
• Introduction of guest: Jesse Robinson
• Call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast

1. Jesse Robinson's Background and Journey

• Connection to Sam through the podcast
• Introduction to Jesse's personal and professional journey
• Emphasis on lived experience influencing work
• Incorporating lived experience in projects

1. Professional Experience in Non-Profit and Community Sector

• Jesse's role as a Senior Consultant at Impact Policy
• Prior work in the not-for-profit sector
• Roles in youth work, child protection, and management
• Importance of engagement and accessibility
• Shift to strategy and advocacy roles

1. The Concept of Engagement and Co Design

• Jesse's influence from community-led projects
• Transition to engagement and co design work
• Value of co design in providing agency and self-determination for communities

1. Personal Story and Cultural Influence

• Jesse's upbringing in Peak Hill, Western NSW
• Impact of family, including father's activism
• Mother's role as a foster carer
• Influence of kinship and family on professional work

1. Practical Advice for Working with Young People

• Importance of deep listening
• Building trust and relationships with young people
• Cultural significance and connection to community
• Storytelling as a method for connection

1. Reflections on Co Design Workshop

• Recent co design workshop experience with Australian public service leaders
• Challenges of systemic work and achieving long-term change
• Risk of "co design" becoming a PR or trendy term
• Integration of lived experience as fundamental in co design

1. Challenges and Risks in Co Design Practices

• Importance of strong leadership in co design
• Co design as a tool rather than a solution
• Blurring lines between true community-led and co design work
• The role of government and risk of over-consultation

1. Jesse's Perspectives on Systemic Change

• Reflection on Indigenous-led solutions and community engagement
• Flexibility and adaptation as essential in co design processes
• Trauma-informed approach in engagement

1. Conclusion and Future Outlook

• Jesse's consulting work at Mawang Consulting
• Professional goals and self-determination
• Promoting collaboration and authentic engagement
• Final thoughts and expressions of gratitude between hosts and guest

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Join Sam Johnson on this insightful episode of the Impact Policy Podcast as he sits down with Jarren, an inspiring Wiradjuri woman. Dive deep into the challenges and triumphs faced in the world of Aboriginal business and cultural identity.

00:00 "Aboriginal Procurement Insights"

06:10 "Inconspicuous Beginnings to Bold Brand"

07:06 Empowering Indigenous Art Business

12:33 Challenges of Australian-Made Products

14:46 Partnerships: Authentic or Fraudulent?

16:40 Blackface Businesses and Community Impact

20:12 Exploitation in Aboriginal Business Deals

24:22 Cultural Capability in Black Businesses

26:13 Elders' Voices Matter

30:48 Creating Safe, Inclusive Retail Spaces

35:34 Essential Accountability to Community

39:02 Reflecting on Accountability and Growth

41:13 Diverse Roles in Black Businesses

45:08 Aboriginal Procurement Leadership Champion

46:12 Support Aboriginal Community Organizations

49:19 "Advancing Black Business Advocacy"

Jarin's background and her journey from Western Sydney to the bush.

The founding and mission of Wyanga Aboriginal Aged Care Program in Redfern.

Insights into the complexities of Aboriginal retail and the challenges of "black facing" and "black cladding.

The significance of 100% Aboriginal-owned businesses and their impact on community.

Navigating cultural capability and accountability within Aboriginal business leadership.

Impact Policy Podcast, Aboriginal procurement, Jarin, Sam Johnson, Wiradjuri woman, Aboriginal business, Joint ventures, Black cladding, Cultural capability, Retail, Economic pathways, Indigenous-themed products, Trading Black, Aboriginal community, Accountability, Entrepreneurship, Buy Black, Aboriginal land, Elders, Community support, Cultural journey, MC work, Instagram, Jarin Street.

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In this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, Sam Johnson, Sean McCarthy, and guest Scott Hawkins explore the complexities of youth justice policy and the Raise the Age campaign in New South Wales and Australia. They delve into current issues, systemic challenges, and possible solutions.

Overview of the Raise the Age campaign and current policies around youth justice in Australia

Statistics and evidence against the current age of criminal responsibility

The impacts of cognitive development and trauma on youth offending

Effectiveness of diversion programs and the need for therapeutic responses

The role of community care and successful examples of justice reinvestment programs.

Raise the Age campaign, youth justice policy, New South Wales, Australia, criminal justice system, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Sean McCarthy, Scott Hawkins, Sam Johnson, over-representation, Raise the Age legislation, mental health services, trauma informed, juvenile detention, recidivism, community support, therapeutic response, law and order campaigns, diversion programs, brain development, cognitive impairments, school disengagement, systems perspective.

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In this episode of Impact Policy Podcast, host Sam Johnson and guest Vanessa dive deep into the complexities of language revitalization and cultural preservation. Vanessa shares her nearly 20 years of experience in public service, discussing both the challenges and the necessary steps to ensure Aboriginal languages are respectfully and sustainably integrated into public spaces.

Organizing an all-Black team for the first language gathering and the cultural responsibility involved.

Tackling high demand and lack of guidelines for Aboriginal language use in the public sector.

Navigating translation requests and maintaining cultural values.

Indigenous-led language work and the shift of non-Indigenous linguists to supportive roles.

Advocating for legislative support and the future of language revitalization in everyday life.

Indigenous language revitalization, cultural responsibility, public service integrity, Aboriginal languages, language governance, translation challenges, language sustainability, cultural unpacking, language teaching, community investment, Indigenous-led efforts, non-Indigenous linguists, ICIP, language policy partnership, language and culture integration, emotional impact, intergenerational knowledge, capacity building, respectful engagement, language centers.

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

Kieran and Sam dive deep into the art of storytelling, with a particular focus on empowering Indigenous voices. This conversation touches on some incredibly poignant and groundbreaking projects that underline the importance of narrative sovereignty and cultural representation.

They discuss the themes of community impact, particularly through the lenses of storytelling and collaborative initiatives between businesses and Aboriginal allies.

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In the episode featuring Ed Wensing on the Impact Policy Podcast, the conversation delves deeply into the topic of Indigenous planning. This involves integrating Aboriginal knowledge and cultural heritage into urban planning and policy-making processes to address historical inequalities and envision more inclusive future developments.

Both Sam and Ed emphasise the importance of incorporating Aboriginal knowledge into contemporary planning. This involves acknowledging Indigenous cultural and intellectual property (ICIP) rights and working closely with traditional owners to ensure respectful and informed use of cultural knowledge.

Indigenous planning as discussed in this episode involves recognising and integrating the rich planning traditions of Aboriginal communities into modern urban planning practices. It calls for respectful, informed engagement, robust educational efforts, and policy work that upholds Indigenous rights and self-determination. This comprehensive approach aims for a generational shift toward more inclusive and effective planning practices that honor the contributions and rights of Indigenous people.

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"Lightbulb moments" Kiersten Fishburn takes us on a professional and personal journey in the next episode of the Impact Policy AU podcast.

She shares the moment she realised, wherever she was. She's always 'on Country'. Together we explored a range of policy challenges that impact everyone in NSW today.

Join Sam Johnson as he speaks with Kiersten Fishburn about youth engagement in policy development and the importance of incorporating Aboriginal culture into urban planning. Delve into the challenges and initiatives aimed at fostering meaningful community connections.

The impact of youth consultation on urban projects, like the redesigned park in Woolloomooloo.

Integrating Aboriginal cultural concepts like "caring for country" into modern planning.

The significance of storytelling and yarning in leadership and decision-making.

Addressing housing crises with culturally appropriate solutions for Aboriginal communities.

The importance of economic empowerment and self-determination for effective reconciliation efforts.

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n this episode, Sam Johnson and Sean McCarthy both from Impact Policy dive deep into the principles and challenges of co-design in policy-making.

Together the take a deep dive into some of the following themes;

- Building flexibility, trust, and rapport for better outcomes

- Avoiding consultation fatigue and ensuring meaningful community interaction

- Evaluating co-design based on community-defined success parameters

- Navigating power imbalances and promoting community control

- The importance of ongoing learning and community-led approaches in co-design

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