Shows
From There to Here (FTTH)Navigating Code-Switching, Empathy Limitations, the Pressure to Be Grateful and the Complexities of Belonging: Mish Kumar-Jonson on Migrant HealingIn this episode of From There to Here, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with Mish Kumar-Jonson - a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent South Indian migrant who has called India, Oman, France, the US, New Zealand, and Australia home. Mish shares a deeply personal and insightful journey through multiple migrations, exploring how cultural identity is shaped, challenged, and redefined across borders and contexts. They discuss the complexities of adapting to new cultures, the challenges of code switching, and the pressure migrants often feel to maintain a positive façade of gratitude at the expense of their genuine feelings and struggles. Mishma a...2025-08-011h 16
From There to Here (FTTH)How to Navigate Migration as an Introvert: Embrace Your Quiet Strenghts with Serena LowIn this episode, Serena Lowe shares her journey as an introverted migrant from Singapore to Australia. She discusses the challenges and strengths of being an introvert in a new culture, the importance of community, and how to embrace one's introverted nature.Serena emphasizes the need for self-acceptance and the value of quiet strengths in a world that often rewards extroverted behaviour. With the host, they explore the interplay between culture, personality, and belonging, offering practical advice for introverted migrants and anyone navigating new environments.If you’re a migrant, introvert, or both, Serena’s story is a...2025-07-2441 min
From There to Here (FTTH)The Power of Bilingualism: A Conversation with Antonella SoraceIn this episode, Antonella Sorace, Director of Bilingualism Matters, joins the host to share her personal journey and dispel common myths about bilingualism. Together, they explore how bilingualism shapes identity and fosters adaptability, with Antonella explaining that while bilinguals often feel “in between” cultures, this very adaptability is a key advantage. She discusses cognitive benefits, including improved attention and earlier development of perspective-taking in bilingual children. The conversation also touches on what happens when native languages aren’t used regularly and feel less accessible over time – even if words or grammar become harder to access, these languages are never truly lo...2025-07-1747 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Somalia to Australia: Abdi Aden’s Lessons in Resilience as a Former Refugee In this episode, Abdi Aden shares his incredible journey from Somalia to Australia, detailing the impact of the civil war on his life and the challenges he faced as a refugee. He discusses how he found purpose through motivational speaking, the challenges he faced due to societal expectations and discrimination, and how he overcame them by embracing his identity and building genuine connections with young people.Abdi emphasizes the importance of treating youth with respect and positivity, and shares valuable insights on navigating cultural differences and disarming prejudice.He concludes with empowering advice...2025-07-1147 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Requalifying as a Veterinarian: Natalia Gomez’s Journey From Colombia to AustraliaIn this conversation, Natalia Gomez shares her transformative journey from Colombia to Australia, discussing her motivations for leaving her home country, including the cultural dissonance she experienced with Colombia’s ‘machista’ norms. She recounts the challenges of securing a skill-aligned job, preparing for the Australia Veterinary Exam, and requalifying as a veterinarian in Australia. She opens up about her experiences studying with ADHD, the sacrifices she made to achieve her goals, and the importance of creating support systems. She offers practical advice for those looking to requalify and highlights the significance of motivation and overcoming fear throughout the process. Ultima...2025-07-0346 min
From There to Here (FTTH)When Gloria Tabi Took the Wig Off and Found EnoughIn this episode, Emma Bellamy-Dodd interviews Gloria Tabi, founder of Everyday inclusion and Enable Women Africa, about her journey from Ghana to Australia and her fight against systemic racism. Gloria shares how colonial legacies and the search for opportunity shaped her migration, and describes the invisible barriers she faced in Australia’s workplaces despite her qualifications. She discusses how researching race structures helped her move past self-blame and highlights the personal and political impact of hair discrimination, explaining how Black women often feel pressure to hide their natural hair. Gloria recounts the fear and eventual empowerment of wearing her na...2025-06-2659 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Refugee to Women’s Advocate: Maryam's Inspiring JourneyIn this insightful episode, Maryam Zahid shares her powerful journey from being a refugee in Afghanistan to becoming a community leader and advocate for women's rights in Australia. She reflects on her childhood experiences during the war, the challenges of resettling in a new country, and her mission to empower Afghan women. Through her work, she addresses issues of trauma, gender inequality, and the importance of building supportive networks for new arrivals. Maryam emphasizes the resilience of refugees and the need to challenge misconceptions about their experiences.Chapters: (00:00) - Intro & Maryam's Journey: From Afghanistan to A...2025-06-1936 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Helping Refugees Overcome Trauma Through Storytelling & Drama Therapy: A Conversation with Catherine Maguire-DonvitoIn this conversation, Catherine Maguire-Donvito, Co-founder and Director of Treehouse Theatre, shares the program’s unique approach to supporting refugee adolescents through storytelling and theatrical performance. The initiative is designed to facilitate trauma recovery and raise awareness about the refugee experience among high school students. Catherine emphasizes the importance of building trust and connection among participants before delving into their trauma stories. She explains how narrative exposure therapy helps them develop new cognitive networks and process their traumatic experiences effectively. Catherine also recounts memorable performances and the ripple effect of these performances on both participants and viewers, underscoring the ne...2025-06-1344 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Burundi to Australia: Christian Nduwimana’s Journey of HopeIn this conversation, Christian Nduwimana shares his harrowing journey from Burundi, where he escaped a civil war and political persecution, to becoming a refugee in Australia. He discusses the political dynamics that led to violence in his home country and what led him to speak out against the injustices he witnessed.Christian shares his complex journey from living in a refugee camp for three years to arriving in Australia. He reflects on the resilience he witnessed among fellow refugees, the hope that kept him going, and the importance of service to others.Christian also discusses...2025-06-0552 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Navigating the Immigrant Job Market: A Conversation with Kahlil BagatsingIn this conversation, Khalil Bagatsing shares his journey from working in his family's business in the Philippines to helping immigrants find skill-aligned jobs in the US. He discusses the challenges immigrants face in the job market, including the importance of customizing resumes, recognizing transferable skills, and overcoming credential recognition issues. Khalil emphasizes the significance of community support, resilience against rejection, and the power of storytelling in job applications. He introduces the PAR method for structuring responses and discusses the significance of preparation and practice. In this episode, Kahlil encourages job seekers to view their unique...2025-05-2956 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Navigating Identity and Mental Health: A conversation with Niharika HiremathIn this insightful episode, Niharika Hiremath OAM, a first-generation immigrant and mental health professional, joins the podcast to share her unique perspective on growing up in Australia after leaving India at a young age. Niharika discusses her lived experiences as a third culture kid, the challenges and conflicts of navigating multiple identities, and her openness about mental health struggles. She emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, self-awareness, and the intricate connection between identity and mental well-being. Niharika provides professional insights into intentional peer support and underscores the need for inclusive and culturally responsive mental health services in...2025-05-2253 min
From There to Here (FTTH)The Power of Perspective and Gratitude: Dinesh’s Path to Making a DifferenceIn this episode, the host interviews Dinesh Palipana, an extraordinary individual who has achieved remarkable success as a doctor, lawyer, researcher, and disability advocate. Dinesh shares his life story, starting from his childhood in war-torn Sri Lanka, the challenges he faced after moving to Australia, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life. He also discusses his transition from studying law to medicine, the life-altering car accident that left him with quadriplegia, and the profound resilience and perspective that helped him overcome this adversity. Throughout the conversation, Dinesh reflects on the importance of empathy...2025-05-1548 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Boat Escape to Refugee Advocate: Mahshid Babzartabi’s Journey to Reclaiming her Next ChapterIn this episode, we explore the harrowing and inspirational journey of Mahshid Babzartabi, a refugee who fled Iran at age 52, as she was unable to endure the constraints of a society that silenced her voice.Confronted with limited legal options for safe emigration, she ultimately embarked on a perilous boat journey to Australia. Despite facing immense hardships, she survived and spent 45 days in an immigration detention centre where she used her language skills to help others in similar situations.Her story highlights her resilience and continuous advocacy for asylum seekers, enriched by her volunteer work...2025-05-0837 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Sri Lanka to Australia: Jetha Devapura’s Journey of Resilience, Philanthropy, and AdvocacyIn this episode, Emma has a heartfelt conversation with Jetha Devapura, an inspiring CEO and philanthropist who immigrated from Sri Lanka to Australia at the age of 12.Together, they discuss Jetha’s memories of his childhood in Colombo and his transition to life in Australia as a teenager. Jetha shares his academic struggles and eventual success, highlighting the impact of environment on personal growth. He recounts a pivotal moment in his life following his diagnosis of OCD, and the development of his three life virtues: courage, compassion, and commitment. Jetha discusses his philanthropic endeavours, including bu...2025-05-0145 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Multiple Migrations: Laura Gutierrez’s Search for a Place to Call HomeIn this episode, Laura Gutierrez shares her experience as an immigrant having migrated multiple times from Colombia to the US, from the US to New Zealand, and from New Zealand to Australia. She discusses her motivations for leaving her country of origin, including a desire to explore other cultures and escape certain aspects of her own culture.Laura reflects on the challenges and rewards of starting over in different countries, the importance of perseverance, embracing vulnerability, and cultivating authentic connections. She also shares deep insights into what it means to truly find a place to call home.2025-04-2456 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From McDonald’s to Leadership: Yohana Jury’s Immigrant JourneyYohana Jury, an Australia-based immigrant from Indonesia, shares her story and insights. She grew up in a small town in Indonesia and moved to Australia on a scholarship to pursue a master's degree in her desired field of study. While there, she met the man who would later become her husband, which led her to stay in the country to start a family. Throughout the conversation, Yohana opens up about the difficulties she faced in finding a job that aligns with her skills. Despite holding local credentials and professional experience from overseas, she initially had to work...2025-04-1738 min
From There to Here (FTTH)From Conflict to Embracing Change and Freedom: The Immigrant Journey of Steve KhouwThis podcast episode dives into the life story of an Indonesian-born immigrant living in Australia. Steve shares his vivid childhood memories of political conflict and racial discrimination in 1960s Indonesia, the hasty and perilous departure of his family, and their subsequent immigration to Australia. Steve reflects on the cultural shock of adapting to a new school environment, the hardships of financial instability, and the rigorous efforts his parents made to provide a stable life. The guest discusses the numerous jobs he had to undertake, including working as a food delivery rider, and his advocacy for migrant workers...2025-04-1036 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Reframing Migration: Katrina James’s Strategies to Support Migrants Through Cultural TransitionsIn this first episode, Emma interviews Katrina James, a registered counsellor who helps migrant professionals thrive in Australia. Katrina shares her professional insights into the complexities of cultural adaptation in the workplace, including during significant life transitions such as career shifts or retirement. She highlights the importance of acknowledging the systemic barriers that migrants face in Australia and discusses how they can reframe unhelpful beliefs without having their experiences of racism and employment discrimination dismissed. The conversation also touches on the economic contributions of migrants, and the need to challenge prevalent misconceptions. Throughout the episode, K...2025-04-0341 min
From There to Here (FTTH)Welcome to From There To HereHello and welcome to thepodcast, From There to Here – a podcast I created with Kintsugi Heroes.I’m your host, Emma Bellamy, andeach week, we’ll dive into conversations with people who have the courage toleave their home country to rebuild a home away from home.2025-03-2900 min