In 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 the challenges of adapting to a new life, including language barriers and the emotional toll of leaving his past behind. Ultimately, he emphasizes the significance of pursuing dreams and the power of hope in overcoming adversity.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro: A Story of Survival and Hope

(02:20) Fleeing Burundi: The Start of Christian's Journey

(06:42) Life Under Civil War and Political Oppression

(13:15) Speaking Up Against Injustice

(18:30) Becoming a Target of the Regime

(24:10) The Escape: Leaving Burundi Without a Bag

(29:50) Surviving the Refugee Camp Years

(36:00) Finding Strength Through Service

(41:20) Arriving in Australia: Relief and Grief

(47:05) Learning English & Rebuilding Dreams

(54:12) Inspiration from Dr. Dinesh Palipana

(59:00) Final Reflections: Community, Identity & Inner Voice

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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 experiences as strength, to reframe setbacks as integral parts of a broader journey, and to seek out companies that value diversity and inclusion.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the podcast & Kahlil Bagatsing

(01:20) Kahlil’s immigration story and early influences

(04:00) Leaving the family business to find purpose

(06:30) Rebuilding life: health, love, and self-worth

(08:30) Discovering a passion for service & coaching

(09:50) Why skilled immigrants struggle to find work

(12:00) Resume mistakes & how to tailor your story

(14:00) Transferable skills: Making past jobs relevant

(17:30) Handling rejection and staying motivated

(23:00) Turning perceived disadvantages into strengths

(28:00) Storytelling & confidence in job interviews

(35:00) Final reflections, resources & message to migrants

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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 Australia.

This episode is filled with valuable advice for both mental health professionals and individuals from multicultural backgrounds.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to the Podcast

(00:33) Meet Niharika Hiremath

(01:26) Niharika’s Early Life in India

(02:53) Migrating to New Zealand and Australia

(04:46) Growing Up as a Third Culture Kid

(06:34) Identity Conflicts and Emotional Expression

(08:21) Sharing Mental Health Struggles

(11:16) Intersectionality and Mental Health

(18:36) Creating Inclusive Mental Health Services

(25:20) Cultural Humility in Practice

(30:15) Introduction to Intentional Peer Support (IPS)

(34:07) Niharika’s Purpose and Advice to Migrants

(46:09) Final Reflections and Recommendations

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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, the influence of his mother, and the impermanence of life, offering valuable insights and inspiration to listeners.

Books Dinesh recommends:

• Ryan Holiday, Ego is the enemy
• Ryan Holiday, The obstacle is the way
• Ryan Holiday, Discipline is destiny

Movie Dinesh recommends:

• Seven Years in Tibet, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud

Chapters:

(00:00) – Welcome & Introduction to Dinesh Palipana

(01:38) – Dinesh’s Early Life in War-Torn Sri Lanka

(04:47) – Why Dinesh’s Family Migrated to Australia

(06:43) – First Impressions of Australia

(10:01) – Adapting to Australian Life & Identity

(13:27) – Cultural Tensions Within the Family

(17:14) – Struggles with Mental Health in Early Adulthood

(20:57) – Finding Purpose Through Medicine

(22:07) – The Car Accident That Changed Everything

(28:00) – Resilience, Gratitude & Reframing Adversity

(33:28) – Being a Doctor With Empathy & Purpose

(36:53) – Stoicism, Impermanence & Final Reflections

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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 and cooking classes that started as a way to integrate into the community. This heartfelt narrative provides an enlightening perspective on the struggles and triumphs faced by refugees, emphasizing the importance of community support and the human spirit's capacity to endure.

Contact Mashid to order her book:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahshidtaste/

Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1424779064486993/

Chapters:

(00:00) - Welcome & Introduction

(01:28) - Life in Iran Before the Escape

(03:39) - Why Mashid Fled Iran

(06:30) - Journey by Boat to Australia

(08:42) - Detention & Helping Other Refugees

(10:32) - Building Community & Founding Support Networks

(13:24) - Cooking, Advocacy & Creating Belonging

(15:07) - Culture Clash & Identity in a New Country

(17:31) - Searching for Home & Living in Between

(21:06) - Fear, Resilience & Life Lessons

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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 building a 194-bed cancer transit home and initiating a Lifeline centre in Sri Lanka, significantly impacting mental health and suicide rates. He also introduces his “Let’s Talk” program aimed at fostering psychological safety and resilience in schools. Their conversation converges on the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the inner journey of self-worth. Jetha's story is a testament to making meaningful change and creating a better community both locally and globally.

Follow Jetha's work:

Website: https://letstalkprogram.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jetha-devapura-576a2a6/

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Jetha Devapura

(02:01) – Childhood Memories in Sri Lanka

(03:38) – Migration Journey & Family Sacrifices

(06:10) – School Struggles and Turning Point

(10:39) – OCD Diagnosis and Path to Healing

(13:59) – Building Sri Lanka’s Largest Cancer Transit Home

(16:02) – Launching Lifeline Sri Lanka

(19:39) – Creating the Let’s Talk Program

(22:58) – Psychological Safety & Authenticity

(35:32) – Final Reflections on Self-Worth and Belonging

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

In 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.

Ultimately, Laura encourages fellow immigrants to embrace their own journeys and be proud of what it takes to migrate and start anew.

Follow Laura's work:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauragutierrezpinillos/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lalaland8319

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to the Podcast & Guest

(01:33) – Laura's First Migration Dream at 15

(04:27) – Moving to the U.S. for an Internship

(06:17) – Cultural Tensions & Family Influence

(07:50) – Life in the U.S.: Freedom & Growth

(11:11) – Transition to New Zealand & Australia

(17:21) – Struggles Settling in Australia

(20:46) – Longing for Home & Family

(26:59) – Redefining Home & Belonging

(38:08) – Advice & Final Reflections on Migration

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.

Yohana 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 at McDonald's to gain her first Australian work experience. Today, she has achieved her dream career, but her journey required immense effort and perseverance.

Yohana offers practical insights for other immigrants navigating their integration journey. She emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community, cultivating self-belief, and persevering during difficult times. Ultimately, she encourages migrants to work hard and take pride in their efforts, even if it means starting at a lower level.

To connect with Yohana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yohanajury/

Chapters:

(00:00) - Welcome and introduction to Johana Jury

(02:26) - Growing up in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

(04:02) - Early teaching career and daily life differences

(06:08) - Earning a scholarship and moving to Australia

(07:24) - Culture shock and adjusting to the Australian accent

(10:36) - University experience and navigating language barriers

(13:32) - The struggle to find work after graduation

(15:00) - Starting from scratch with a job at McDonald's

(18:01) - Lessons in resilience and helping other migrants

(20:16) - Building confidence and navigating identity

(28:27) - Advice on belonging, community, and making Australia home

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Thank you for listening to From There To Here!

If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a great difference to the production of the show.

I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!

LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple Podcasts

This podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.