11 Podcasts for the Aspiring and Seasoned Changemakers

Whether you’re a seasoned social entrepreneur looking to amplify your impact or simply itching to learn how to foster positive social change, we’ve got you covered with our curated list of changemaker podcasts.

Amid so many anxiety inducing headlines and gloomy statistics, we’re all in need of a little inspiration and guidance as we navigate our way through these strange and turbulent times.

There’s no question about it, maintaining motivation during Covid-19 is becoming an increasingly challenging feat – even among the most goal-oriented and passionate changemakers.

We’re all feeling it!

So, we’ve put together a list of podcasts that fuse realism and pragmatism with creativity and inspiration, so you can step away from the news – without feeling detached.

Keep this list handy for those pockets of peace in your schedules, where you can take a step back and remind yourself of why you do what you do and how you can do it even better.

1)  The ChangeMakers Podcast

Many of you may follow this one already – but for those who don’t, it’s a must! ChangeMakers follows host Amanda Tattersall around the globe as she attempts to uncover some basic guidelines on how to change the world. It may appear an unfeasible feat, but story by story she uncovers recipes for success (and failure) through conversations with agitators and activists alike. Her latest episode (#29) hits close to home – featuring a little-known community initiative that led the charge in the bushfire response in Batemans Bay and South Coast NSW.

Episode highlight: Joan Garry – ChangeMaker Chat

2)  Conscious Chatter

We’re all facing layers of challenges right now, but host Kestrel Jenkins is here to remind us that what we wear still matters. Conscious Chatter opens the door to conversations with people around the globe working in the ethical fashion space to understand how we can accelerate positive change in the garment industry.

Episode highlight: Shakaila Forbes-Bell on the Relationship Between Fashion and Psychology + Black Lives Matter

3)  Green Dreamer

Kamea Chayne asks the hard-hitting questions in grounding conversations with thought leaders who are paving the way towards ecological regeneration and intersectional sustainability. This podcast will push you to consider perspectives that may never have been on your horizon before and encourage you to pursue that environmentally conscious passion project that’s been on your mind.

Episode highlight: Galina Angarova: Why Preserving Cultural and Language Diversity is Vital to Protecting Biodiversity

4)  Speaking Out  

Speaking Out is the ABC’s Indigenous flagship radio program, accessible as a podcast. Celebrating 30 years of giving a voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the national stage, host Larissa Behrendt, features politics, arts and culture covering stories and ideas that mainstream media often overlooks.

Episode highlight: Justice Reform: Maintaining the Momentum of the Black Lives Matter Movement

5)  Seriously Social

Having trouble making sense of the world at the moment? As Australia reels from the catastrophic bushfires and continues to grapple with the realities of Covid-19, Seriously Social brings in the experts to help us engage more deeply with our world in flux. From conversations with leading psychologists on how to combat loneliness in our hyper-digital Covid-age to explorations on how Indigenous health professionals rapidly responded to the needs of their communities, each conversation led by journalist Ginger Gorman, taps into the systems that effect our daily lives and relationships.

Episode highlight: Hugh Mackay – How COVID Rebooted Compassion and Community

6)  Humans of Purpose

In these weekly episodes, Mike Davis sits down with purpose driven leaders across the not-for-profit, social enterprise, government and business sectors in Australia to discuss their unique journeys and their impact. Whether you’re trying to scope out prospects for a socially conscious career, pivot from your existing career or simply enjoy conversations that traverse meaningful subjects at the intersection of business and community, you’ll find something worthwhile here.

Episode highlight: 173 Rachel English: Decoding Philanthropy

7)  This Movie Changed Me

Movies can be inspiring, terrifying, challenging and culture-changing experiences. They create a unique space to delve into some of life’s biggest questions. This Movie Changed Me features conversations hosted by Lily Percy as she guides guests to explore, celebrate and share the transformative power of movies in their lives and minds.

Episode highlight: Black Panther – Zahida Sherman

8)  Be Your Change

Curious about what other women across the globe are doing in the space of social change? Hosted by Juliette Roy and inspired by a desire to balance out the male-dominated media ecosystem, Be Your Change amplifies the voices of female changemakers who are unearthing unique and creative strategies to build a more inclusive, sustainable and equitable world.

Episode highlight: How to Change the World One Cup of Women Coffee at a Time with Vava Coffee

9)  West of Middle East

This podcast features conversations with Middle Eastern changemakers living in the West. Born out of a desire to challenge mainstream media representations of Middle Eastern communities, each episode seeks to share and humanise the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of impact leaders as they address issues to do with identity, dignity, unity and culture. The latest season focuses on changemakers in and around the field of education – be it through traditional academic means, technology, the arts, advocacy or movement-building.

Episode highlight: Challenging Notions of Hegemony, Sexism and Racism in the Theatre Arts World

10)  ListenABLE

Nothing is off limits in this podcast series as hosts Dylan Alcott and Angus O’Loughlin chat to people living with a disability to explore elements of their daily life that are not usually talked about openly – including sex, mental health and bullying. Whether you have a disability, know someone with a disability, work in the disability space or simply want to be part of a movement working to challenge stigmas that exist in this diverse area – this is a valuable podcast to plug into.

Episode highlight: #5 Oliver Hunter

11)  Tiny Spark: Investigating the Business of Doing Good

Often, the best way to create change is to recognise our own failures and assumptions. Hosted by journalist Amy Costello who has spent almost two decades reporting on some of the globe’s most pressing human rights issues, each Tiny Spark episode explores the ethical dilemmas in the business of doing good and takes an investigative approach to the world of philanthropy, aid and development. From candid conversations with non-profit professionals about the experiences and challenges working with foundations, to investigative pieces that explore the ethics of non-profit storytelling – this critical exploration of the changemaker industry challenges us to step back and assess our own theories of change.

Episode highlight: The Ethics of Nonprofit Storytelling: Survivor Porn and Parading Trauma

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tiny-spark/id505053432

For those of you still craving more changemaker content and wanting to empower your cause to the highest heights, we’ve got just the thing for you!  We’ll be launching our very own podcast, where we sit down with industry leaders across the not-for-profit and philanthropic landscape to discuss tangible strategies to help you amplify your social impact. Keep your eyes peeled!