In this episode, we sit down with Shantelle Thompson, Barkindji and Ngiyampaa Woman, three-time world champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, mother of five, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of the Kiilalaana Foundation and Warrior Heart movement. Shantelle shares her journey of becoming, reflecting on self-leadership, responsibility, and listening to her ancestors, whose voices continue to guide her as she walks a path grounded in strength, sovereignty and purpose.

Shantelle openly reflects on her experience with burnout, survival, healing intergenerational trauma, and the ongoing work of holding herself accountable both as a mother and a leader. She discusses the importance of finding your people, nervous system regulation, being well as a responsibility, and her vision for her community and the next generation. We also dive into her sporting journey, the significance of Jiu Jitsu, and her advocacy for Women's empowerment in sport and culture.

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In this episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, we sit down with Associate Professor BJ Newton for a grounded conversation on child removal, restoration, and the systemic realities facing Aboriginal families navigating the child protection system. Drawing on the Bring Them Home, Keep Them Home research, BJ reflects on the role of research as advocacy, the importance of community-embedded approaches, and why restoration must be centred in conversations about reform.

The discussion explores the structural drivers that continue to see Aboriginal children over represented in out-of-home care, the barriers families face in reunification processes, and the need to shift from surveillance and intervention toward family-led, culturally responsive support. BJ also speaks to initiatives including Know Your Rights and ARC (Aboriginal Authority for Restoring Children), and the importance of returning decision-making and authority back to Aboriginal communities.

Alongside systems analysis and policy discussion, the episode also reflects on the role practitioners can play in creating safe, relational spaces for families through informed judgement, empathy and culturally responsive practice.

If you work across child protection, Aboriginal affairs, policy, research, or community services, this episode offers an honest and important conversation on restoration, accountability, and what meaningful systems change can look like in practice.

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In this special episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, we sit down with our Director of Policy and Research, Sean McCarthy, for an in-depth reflection on his journey at Impact Policy and his work across the New South Wales public sector. As Sean McCarthy prepares to take on new opportunities, we discuss key projects including systems readiness, structural reform, and the importance of moving from cultural safety to cultural responsiveness in policy and community engagement.

Sean McCarthy shares valuable insights on shifting from the public sector to consultancy, the complexities of Aboriginal procurement, and building strong collaborative relationships among black businesses and government agencies. We delve into the nuances of co-design, organizational maturity, tackling lateral violence, and why genuine shared decision-making is essential for sustainable systems change.

If you work in Aboriginal affairs, policy, or want to create more culturally responsive practices in your organization, this episode is a must-listen. Subscribe and share if you find value in our conversation—your support helps us continue to deliver impactful content as a resource for the sector and the community.

Topics Covered:

The dynamics of cultural responsiveness vs. cultural safety

Learnings from systems reform and governance projects

Best practices for co-design and partnering with communities

Organizational readiness, maturity, and anti-racism strategies

The ongoing evolution of cultural awareness in workplaces

Key Topics Covered

Transition from Public Sector to Consulting

Sean McCarthy shares insights about moving from the public sector into consulting, emphasizing the shift to more creative and solutions-based approaches 03:29.

Aboriginal Procurement and Business Collaboration

Discussion of unique challenges and opportunities faced by Aboriginal businesses in procurement and the importance of collaboration over competition 06:05.

Structural Reform and Shared Decision-Making

Reflections on the importance of increased agency and shared power for Aboriginal communities within policy and governance structures 11:34.

Lessons from Co-Design and Governance Work

Sean McCarthy covers communication challenges, the significance of language, and strategies for implementing new models where little precedent exists 17:21.

Incremental Change and Systems Readiness

The complexities of systems change, the balance between incremental and uncompromisable standards, and how organizations can genuinely prepare for large-scale reform 26:12.

Cultural Safety vs. Cultural Responsiveness

In-depth discussion of the difference between achieving minimum standards (cultural safety) and embedding continual, responsive change (cultural responsiveness) in organizations 44:05.

Organizational Maturity and Readiness Assessment

Approaches to measuring organizational maturity from anti-racism and cultural responsiveness perspectives; policy analysis, stakeholder feedback, and maturity frameworks 39:17.

Cultural Supervision and Continuous Learning

The evolution from static cultural awareness training to ongoing cultural supervision and readiness as a demonstration of organizational maturity 54:10.

Notable Quotes

“Cultural safety is like a minimum requirement... best practice is cultural responsiveness, right? Because you’re actually responding to cultural need and feedback.” — Sean McCarthy 32:04

“It's about that continual improvement. You’re never going to be perfect at it... but what you want to do is be better every day, every year, every whatever it might be.” — Sean McCarthy 48:43

Additional Resources

Mention of “Women’s Training” as an example that breaks down static notions of cultural awareness (51:10); link to be added in episode description.

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and share the podcast to support self-funded, sector-building work (01:51).

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Join hosts Moustafa Ardati and Sam Johnson for powerful, real conversations exploring lived experience, resilience, and mindset. In this episode, Moustafa Ardati—tri-code international athlete, counselor, coach, and doctoral researcher—shares his remarkable journey growing up with cerebral palsy, defying limitations, and challenging stereotypes about disability, education, and mental health.

The discussion dives deep into overcoming adversity, shifting the narrative on addiction and identity, the importance of advocacy and self-belief, and practical insights into personal growth. Sam Johnson and Moustafa Ardati explore how mindset, opportunity, and support shape our stories, and why policy and practice must center lived experience and authentic inclusion.

If you're passionate about access, equity, and inclusion—or just need inspiration to thrive no matter the obstacles—this episode is for you. Subscribe, share, and join the Impact Policy Podcast community to stay up to date and be part of the change!

Themes:

• Lived experience and disability
• Mindset and resilience
• Addiction, trauma & identity
• Policy, reform, and advocacy
• Personal and professional growth

Listen now for moving stories, expert insights, and actionable advice to help you navigate and shape a more inclusive world.

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In this latest solo episode, Sam Johnson takes us behind the scenes at Impact Policy, sharing powerful reflections on what it means to “Indigenise Masculinities.” Drawing on personal stories, recent thought leadership, and upcoming conference conversations, Sam Johnson explores the intersection of masculinity, colonization, and systemic change—especially in the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys.

This episode challenges the mainstream dialogue around masculinity, calling for a deeper understanding of culture, relationality, and community. If you work in policy, advocacy, or community, or if you’re just curious about reframing gender conversations in Australia, you’ll find practical insights and inspiration here.

Tune in, reflect, and join the conversation.

And don’t forget to follow Impact Policy for future thought leadership updates—no spam, just learning shared along the journey!

#IndigenizingMasculinities #ImpactPolicyPodcast #ThoughtLeadership #GenderJustice #FirstNations

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In this solo episode of the Impact Policy Podcast, host Sam Johnson shares the inspiring journey behind Impact Policy's decision to build a not-for-profit. Sam Johnson reflects on the organization's roots in community-driven work, starting with scholarship programs for Aboriginal young people and extending to current initiatives supporting girls in community sports. Drawing on personal experiences growing up in Glebe and the positive influence of accessible sports programs, Sam Johnson discusses the critical importance of breaking down barriers to participation—like financial hardship and transport—for young women and girls, especially those from Aboriginal and culturally diverse backgrounds.

The episode outlines the vision behind the new not-for-profit, focusing on themes of access, equity, inclusion, and justice. Sam Johnson highlights how small acts, such as providing team transport or creating safe, girls-only sports spaces, can have a profound impact. With support from pro bono legal partners, Impact Policy is building a program (currently called the Impact Academy) that does more than teach basketball; it creates community, role models, and opportunities for youth who need them most.

If you’re passionate about social impact, youth programs, or building inclusive communities, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight into launching purpose-driven initiatives—and an invitation to get involved.

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

This episode dives deep into conversations around the lived experiences of Aboriginal people, the complexities of black identity, the intersection of joy and rage, and the ongoing journey of reclaiming power and telling authentic stories. The discussion, led by Kyan Mitchell, features reflections on Chelsea Watego’s influential work and her role in inspiring other black writers and thinkers to stand firm in their stories.

Show Notes:

0:00 — Introduction: Connection to Country & Mob, honoring Gadigal people

3:00 — Welcoming listeners and context for today’s special guest

4:00 — Black Thoughts: New book launch and its impact on self-reflection

7:00 — Why rage and joy can—and must—coexist in the fight for justice

11:00 — Personal histories: Growing up surrounded by blackness

13:00 — The dangers of caricature and the right to the full range of human emotion

16:00 — On privilege, working class backgrounds, and finding purpose in intellectual labor

18:30 — Black joy as strategic resistance, spiritual cleansing, and everyday activism

22:00 — Challenging deficit narratives: Healing from imposed identity

25:00 — The violence of race breaking blackfellas & navigating complaints

27:00 — Redefining what “winning” and “justice” can look like

30:00 — Critique of “just be resilient” advice & how it compounds harm

33:00 — Reflecting on generational differences and survival strategies

35:00 — The politics and problems of “intergenerational trauma” narratives

40:00 — Healthy skepticism: Whose interests do mainstream reconciliation and RAPs serve?

42:00 — Rethinking black leadership: Not just a seat at the corporate table

44:00 — The legacy and dismantling of black infrastructure and collectives

47:00 — Reading "Black Men in Suits"—betrayal, gender, and humor as coping

53:00 — Racialized gender tropes, policing, and invisibility of violence against black women

58:00 — Shifting focus to the impact of racial violence, not intentions

1:01:00 — The “newly identifying” phenomenon and its material impacts

1:04:00 — Ancestry vs. lived relationship: Why community connection matters

1:12:00 — Cautions around “lateral violence” language

1:15:00 — Black critique as essential, not harmful: How to grow through challenging conversations

1:19:00 — The importance of joy, safety, and community in black workspaces

1:22:00 — Building collectives, creating new infrastructures, and learning from Proper Now

1:28:00 — Storytelling, songlines, and the nourishing power of black narratives

If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a comment letting us know your thoughts.

#BlackJoy #BlackPower #ImpactPolicyPodcast #IndigenousLeadership #RaceAndIdentity #Storytelling

Listen, reflect, and step into your own story with us at the Impact Policy Podcast.

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

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