Impact Policy Podcast – Episode 50: Thoughts and Reflections | Unpacking some key learnings, challenges and highlights of the journey so far.

In this special milestone episode, we celebrate our 50th with Holly West, one of Impact Policy’s original team members and a passionate driving force behind our research and strategy. Holly, a mum of two and long-time advocate in the community sector, joins us for a deep, reflective conversation about the Impact Policy Podcast’s journey so far.

Looking back at the past 28 episodes, we unpack what’s resonated, what’s changed and how these conversations can challenge both us and the systems we navigate, and hopefully add some value to the sector and broader community.

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Website: https://impactpolicy.com.au/

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Chapters:

02:09 – Meet Holly West: Research, strategy, and community roots

04:04 – Surviving past 50 episodes

07:01 – Impact beyond podcasting: unexpected stories & community reach

13:18 – Reflecting on milestones and learning from guests

16:14 – Patterns and the power of relationships across diverse topics

18:11 – Most memorable episodes

24:36 – Storytelling as valid evidence and learning

26:09 – Guests who challenge and shape our thinking

30:01 – Reimagining community care and responsibility

39:13 – Building our studio and looking ahead

44:47 – The challenges of facilitation and holding space

46:04 – What we hope this podcast leaves behind

50:08 – Country, design, and environment in policy dialogue

58:53 – Building and activating the podcast community

1:06:01 – Creating an accessible platform for community storytellers

1:08:01 – The vision for the next 50 episodes

#ImpactPolicyPodcast #AboriginalLeadership #SystemsChange #CommunityVoice #LivedExperience #Storytelling #CoDesign #PolicyReform #IndigenousResearch

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We get the chance to sit with Rowena Welsh Jarrett, a proud Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr Woman and member of the Redfern and La Perouse communities. Rowena is a lifelong advocate for Aboriginal cultural heritage and Director at Wadjiid (RWJ PTY LTD). Born and raised on Gadigal land, Rowena has dedicated over 20 years to cultural heritage work, community leadership, and ensuring the continuation of cultural practices within urban Sydney and coastal communities.

Rowena shares powerful reflections on the resilience of her family lines, the deep responsibility of being born and belonging to Country, and the importance of passing on cultural tools to future generations. She speaks on land rights, repatriation, and the realities of working with both grief and strength while navigating the pressures and expectations of cultural heritage practice.

Rowena discusses the complexities of cultural continuity, the power of language revival, honouring matriarchal legacy, responding to curated histories, and explores her role in nurturing cultural tools to pass on to future generations. She challenges stereotypes of “frozen” or prehistoric culture and champions greater self-determination and respect for people of the land in both heritage work and policy.

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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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