The Art of Otherness

June 19 is world sickle cell day and in this month’s episode, we are shining the light on sickle cell disease with Agnes Nsofwa the Founder and Executive Director of Australian Sickle Cell Advocacy (ASCA) and Amplify Sickle Cell Voices International. Our conversation is on the challenges of advocacy, knocking on doors of manufacturers to have Hydroxyurea doses reduced for sickle cell patients, newborn screening and the power of connection. “You have no control over who opens doors. We have knocked on many policymakers and organisations doors and people did not respond. But when I believe in something I don’t give up. Be persistent, be resilient, know when to stay back, then pick it up and keep going. Remember you can’t do advocacy alone have a team around you.” Agnes Connect with ASCA: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AggieMN Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scdtalks/ Twitter https://twitter.com/AggieMN?s=09 Twitter https://twitter.com/scd_talks?s=09 Instagram @scd_talks Instagram @AggieMN LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnes-n-72b88a6 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/scd-talks-with-agnes

Divya Mohan is an author of children’s books. Her upcoming book is “The Angry Alligator and the big Atishoo!” She has 5 children's books under her belt. We talked about  anger management for kids, her 5am self care routine, self appreciation, resilience and ignoring the haters on social media. Quote: "Plant your thoughts on paper all the time and keep nurturing them. Do not forget to pull out the weeds of doubt" - Divya Mohan Connect with Divya: Website: www.authordivya.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDivyaMohan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorDivyaMohan Get her books from Amazon https://amzn.to/3dmLNsI

Olivia Omotosho is the 10-year old author of 21 Girls Who Made the World a Better Place. The book features the likes of Thandiwe Chama, Ruby Bridges and Bana Alabed whose advocacy in education, civil rights and refugees are changing other young peoples' future. We discussed how young people can achieve anything, her passion for writing and the support from her parents that keeps her motivated. 21 Girls Who Made the World a Better Place is available on Amazon and if you are in Australia and New Zealand, you can order using this secure link http://bit.ly/21GirlsWMTWABP Quote: “No matter how young you are, you can achieve anything" - Olivia Omotosho Bemba Proverb: Imiti ikula empanga - Today's bush is tomorrow's forest

Conversations on fearless authenticity is back. This episode get to know your host Mayase the human centred storytelling technologist why she is digging into studies, how she is doing self care, growing as a leader in Tech and most importantly how she is navigating her way to her true self. Episode Proverb Bemba: Inshiku tashi chela mumo English: Days do not awake the same

Gama and the magical elephant is adapted from a Sri Lankan tale "The farmer went to heaven" Lesson Letting go of something wholesome is a simple as making a gesture.

Popo and Paka is adapted from a Kenyan tale about the hare and the lion.  Lesson: Be weary of honeypots they may end up being more costly than sweet 

This conversation with Twaambo Kapilikisha host of Tea time with Twaambo podcast is about individualism in motherhood, postnatal depression, and how we can support the mothers around us.  Loves: Seeing young people exploring their creative side Pet peeve: ironing Quote: “Not everything you hear works for your child"

Renee Aharon is a Writer and Director focused on helping businesses discover their authentic voice with the magic of words. She combines creative, technical and strategic perspectives to create genuine, exciting connections. My conversation with amazing human Renee Aharon touched on Jewish culture, storytelling, developing lasting connections and how to make your business memorable Loves: Connecting with people Pet Peeve: That she thinks that she does not have enough time Quote: "It's ok not to know everything. Go with the flow of things when plans don’t go the way you thought they would. "

Jack Sussmilch is a neurodiversity advocate, technology leader, and inventor. He specialises in building software development teams by bringing neurodivergent thinking into organisations. Our conversation is on Neurodiversity, Autism, and Creativity as a service Loves: Using innovation and technology to enhance human life Quote: "If you want to innovate you can’t have people who think the same way" Go to the links below for more information on autism and S23M S23M Website S23Ms Autistic Collaboration website S23M Creativity As a Service https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient

Come with me to a land where animals speak and adventure never ceases. Country of Origin: Botswana Lesson: Just because someone is doing something doesn’t mean you too must do it. Find your own path.  "Where attention goes, energy flows" - Marie Forloe Sound Editor - Jimmie Linville

Cynthia is a Social Care Corporate Manager, working for a Western Australian Owned Aged Care provider Aegis. She is currently the 2019 Australia Day Ambassador and Founder of the social enterprise Regions International. Our conversation is on how social entrepreneur should shift from a mother Theresa to a Bill Gates global business approach Loves: Improving the quality of peoples lives Pet Peeve: Not using your diversity as a strength Quote - "Be authentic, never stop learning"

David Smile is a Afro Latin Dance instructor. He founded Cuban Salsa/Reggaeton in Melbourne and Geelong Salsa Reggaeton Our conversation is on following your own path despite the pressure of family and society Loves: Dance, bringing happiness and putting smiles on peoples faces Legacy: Bringing people together through dance.  “Dance has so much love that you cannot describe and I want to keep spreading it everywhere I can” Pet peeve :  The hypocrisy of people, you can lie to everyone, but you can’t lie to yourself  Connect with David at the links below: LinkedIn/Instagram: David Smile  Facebook: Cuban Salsa/Reggaeton in Melbourne - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1341007799255105/ Geelong Salsa Reggaeton - https://www.facebook.com/Geelongsalsareggaeton/

Come with me to a land where animals speak and adventure never ceases. Country of Origin: Ghana Lesson: Recognise what you have and don't risk it for selfish pursuits "To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there" - Kofi Annan Sound Editor - Jimmie Linville 

This segment is bringing forth stories from generations before us, with wisdom that is relevant to us today.  Come with me to a land where animals speak and adventure never ceases. Original tale name: Kalulu na Chimbwi Country of Origin: Zambia  Lessons Don't be greedy Take only what you need "To be happier we need to move from a place of more please to just enough" - Paul Nolan  Sound Editor - Jimmie Linville 

Div Pillay is a champion of diversity and inclusion. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of MindTribes and Culturally Diverse Women.   Our conversation is on seeing multiple diversities in a person and creating lasting social change in the corporate world. Pet Peeve - People who ask questions but don’t listen to the response   Legacy - Creating a lasting social impact change  Message to professional - "Think about what you have to give and build it into your now. Do not to lose who you are. Australia is a challenging place for migrants with its subtle under current of bias and discrimination. Treat it as a problem to solve"   Find her on the links below: www.mindtribes.com.au https://www.linkedin.com/in/divpillay/ https://twitter.com/DivPillay1 Sound Editor - Jimmie Linville 

Dr Kate Ferguson is a medical professional in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne.  We chatted about bringing up difficult conversations in the tea room and how the health sector is benefiting from a diverse workforce  Loves - Family, Scuba diving, Medicine, Working in a supportive work environment  Legacy - Being there for people and being able to identify someone who is struggling  Pet peeve - People speaking of what they are ignorant of. Talking about potential harmful things  Sound Editor - Jimmie Linville 

Kelvin Mureithi is the founder of Makao Group a Melbourne based construction company that builds sustainable custom homes. This is our conversation on impact beyond the here and now.  Legacy - Leaving the world a better place by building sustainable homes  Website: http://www.makao.com.au/ Insta/FB: @makaogroup

Lorraine Ngwenya is the Founder of Useful Link an organisation that equips students with the skills they need to start heading towards employment  Legacy - Lover of people "I want people to feel that I see them.”  Message to young people - "Don't wait for someone to give you opportunities create them yourself, seek them out yourself”  Pet peeves - Lateness  Loves - Exercise  Working on - Being patient with herself and others  Contact Lorraine by: Website: www.lorrainengwenya.com  Useful Link Facebook Page: https://m.facebook.com/usefullink1