A Home and Healing for Every Child

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Melissa sits down with Maia to explore what is means to care with intention.  

Drawing on her experience as a carer, Maia reflects on therapeutic approaches, advocacy and the importance of being a stable and consistent presence in the lives of children who often spend far too long waiting for certainty and support.  

This is a thoughtful conversation about patience, connection and the role carers play in creating the foundations for healing, belonging, and growth.  

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Cole and Gina share their experience of caring for over 11 years, often supporting newborns straight from hospital. 

They speak about creating a calm and responsive home, where routines are guided by the child and their individual needs. At the center of their approach is a strong belief that culture is a birthright, something that comes with the child and must be respected and upheld from the very beginning. 

This is a grounded and thoughtful conversation about advocacy, care and what it means to create safety, stability and healing from day one. 

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW.

In this episode of Caring for Kids, T.J. reflects on his experience as a male carer and what it means to show up with intention. 

He speaks about values, self-awareness and the ongoing work of understanding yourself while supporting young people. There’s also a strong practical lens, with insights into training, growth and the importance of being prepared. 

It’s a conversation that reminds us that healing others often starts with doing the work within yourself and sharing those learnings with the people who also seek that work.  

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW.

 In this episode of Caring for Kids, Sharon reflects on a lifetime of caring and the relationships that continue long after children leave her home. 

Living in a rural community, she shares how connection looks different in smaller places, and how those relationships can carry through into adulthood through finding each other again, and tokens of remembrance.  

It’s a powerful reminder that the impact of care doesn’t end when placement does. Home and healing extends far beyond childhood for everyone involved.  

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Marg shares her experience of caring and the realities that shape life inside a home where young people are at the center. 

She speaks to the day-to-day rhythm, the challenges that sit alongside the rewarding moments, and the importance of consistency, patience and understanding. 

It’s a steady, honest conversation about what it takes to create safety, connection and healing over time. 

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Richard and Naji explore the role of connection, community and support in shaping a young person’s confidence and self-awareness. 

They reflect on how relationships, both formal and informal, can influence identity, belonging and long-term outcomes. 

It’s a conversation about showing up, staying connected and creating environments where young people feel supported enough to grow. 

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Corinne shares her journey into caring, from having no children to stepping into guardianship. 

She speaks openly about the process, what it takes to build a culturally safe home, and the responsibility that comes with creating a space where a child can feel a genuine sense of belonging. 

It’s a thoughtful and grounded reflection on how home and healing are built intentionally, through care, respect and consistency. 

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

In this episode of Caring for Kids, Melissa sits down with Maia to explore what it really looks like to learn, unlearn and ask for support. 

From re-learning everyday skills like riding a bike to navigating systems like NDIS, Maia shares her experience of knowing when to lean on others and when to bring in the right expertise. It’s honest, practical and quietly powerful. 

This conversation speaks to the role strong support systems play in building confidence, stability and a sense of home and healing over time. 

Host: Melissa 
Produced by: Ashton Kobler and Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change 
Edited by: Fernanda Dedic 
Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 
Engineering Assistant: Will Coleman 

The views and experiences shared in this episode are those of the individual speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views of Adopt Change or Carers for Kids NSW. 

A powerful conversation on storytelling, motherhood and the realities many women face behind closed doors.  In this episode, Emily Hikaiti sits down with Jasmin Tarasin and Clare Lewis to explore the story behind Life Could Be a Dream. 

Together, they unpack the making of the film, the themes of financial safety and coercive control, and why storytelling plays such a critical role in shifting understanding and systems.  This is an honest, grounded conversation about lived experience, creative responsibility and the impact of telling stories that matter. At its heart, this is about home, what it means to feel safe, and how healing begins when that safety is present.

Jasmin Tarasin is an award-winning Australian filmmaker and founder of Pure Pictures. She creates emotionally rich, human-centred stories across documentary, film and immersive installations. Her work has been recognised internationally, including her ABC documentary Utopia Girls, which was a finalist for the AACTA Awards and NSW Premier’s History Awards.  Her debut feature Life Could Be a Dream explores motherhood, financial safety and coercive control, alongside a national impact campaign. At the centre of her work is a deep commitment to honest storytelling and care. 

Clare Lewis is Creative Director of GoodChat, a production company known for social impact storytelling. She has spent over a decade creating films that engage audiences across social justice, climate and community issues.  Her work includes There Goes Our Neighbourhood (ABC) and I’m Wanita, winner of Best Australian Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival. Through GoodChat, she has led hundreds of impact-driven campaigns that cut through and create change. 

In this episode of A Home and Healing for Every Child, host Melissa Doyle AM sits down with actress and Adopt Change advocate Zufi Emerson for a heartfelt and life-affirming conversation. 

Zufi reflects on her family’s adoption journey, sharing the unique perspectives she and her brothers experienced growing up, and the simple honesty of children’s curiosity.

Melissa and Zufi connect through their shared ties to Ethiopian culture, exploring both personal and global perspectives on adoption. 

Together, they dive into their roles as ambassadors, the lessons learned along the way, and the changes still needed to ensure every child has the chance to grow up in a safe and loving home. 

Optimistic, determined, and full of light, Zufi offers a powerful voice for children and families. 

Help us find #aHomeForEveryChild  

Get in touch:  

You can find out more about us at www.adoptchange.org.au   

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Show credits:  

Host: Melissa Doyle AM, Adopt Change Ambassador  

Guest: Zufi Emerson, Adopt Change Ambassador 

Sound Engineer: Grant Konemann 

Executive Producer: Emily Hikaiti, Adopt Change, Ashton Kobler, Adopt Change, Renée Leigh (Carter), Adopt Change