Date of recording: 25/09/2025
Summary:
In this inspiring episode, we sat down with Nathaniel Diong—Malaysia-born founder and CEO of Future Minds Network, Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honouree, and advocate for youth empowerment. Nathaniel shares the untold story behind his family’s migration to Australia, the cultural expectations that shaped his early years, and the personal battles he faced with mental health. He reveals how a single hackathon changed hislife’s trajectory, leading him to launch programs that have upskilled over 13,000 young people across Australia.
Nathaniel discusses the challenges migrant and disabled youth face in education and employment, the importance of inclusive design, and why belonging is the key to unlockingpotential. He also explores the misconceptions about Gen Z in the workforce, the power of reverse mentoring, and his vision for the next decade of migration in Australia. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in migration, youth empowerment, and the future of work.
Keywords:
Nathaniel Diong, Future Minds Network, Gen Z Labs, migration stories Australia, migrant youth empowerment, mental health, inclusion, Gen Z workforce, social impact, youth entrepreneurship
Chapters:
01:56 – Nathaniel’s Migration Story
03:58 – Navigating Cultural Expectations
05:47 – Entrepreneurship vs. Conformity
07:19 – Mental Health and Finding Hope
10:23 – The Birth of Future Minds Network
12:36 – Designing for Disability Inclusion
14:34 – Supporting Migrant Youth in Schools
20:11 – Scaling Impact: The Next Decade
22:20 – Regional Australia: Barriers and Breakthroughs
26:47 – Partnerships and Community Support
28:14 – Gen Z in the Workforce: Myths and Realities
31:51 – Scarcity Mindset and Career Choices
33:57 – Reverse Mentoring: Bridging Generations
35:29 – Recognition and Perception
37:41 – Advice for Migrant Youth
41:26 – The Next Decade of Migration in Australia
Acknowledgments:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nathaniel for so generously volunteering his time, and for imparting his knowledge and insights!
As always, many thanks to our editor, Ryan Prestipino of Fallen Pine Studio, for his amazing work behind the scenes.
And of course, thank you to our listeners, without which this podcast would simply not exist.
If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au.
Disclaimer:
This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent.
The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation that they represent or are otherwise affiliated with.
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