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Changemaker Q&A
By Humanitarian Changemakers NetworkSociety & Culture
Changemaker Q&A episodes
- 38. Moving Beyond Linear Cause & Effect: Causality for Social Changemakers
What if the problem with many social change efforts isn’t poor strategy, but flawed assumptions about how change actually happens? In this episode, we interrogate the limitations of linear causality in complex social systems. While logic models and strategic plans often rely on neat, input-output frameworks, real-world change is rarely so predictable. Social phenomena such as poverty, climate injustice, or gender-based violence are shaped by webs of intersecting forces — historical, institutional, relational, and psychological — which resist simplistic cause-and-effect explanations.
We explore a more nuanced framework for understanding social change, grounded in the concept of multidimensional causal structure. This includes four interrelated dimensions: causal conditions (the contexts that enable change), causal mechanisms (the processes that drive it), causal powers (the latent potential within systems), and causal capacities (the realised ability to act).
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
25 min - 37. Bold Steps and Big Impact: Dr Pamela Gurley on Purposeful Transformation
In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation from the HCN archives, Dr Pamela Gurley shares the compelling story of her journey from military medic to multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, author, academic and advocate. Speaking with honesty and clarity, Dr Gurley reflects on how trauma, identity, and purpose intersect across personal and professional realms. With practical wisdom for changemakers, she unpacks the importance of self-definition, emotional literacy, and stepping into your power—especially when it feels uncertain. For anyone navigating career pivots, grappling with self-doubt, or seeking to write their own narrative, this episode is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you choose to believe in your own voice.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
25 min - 36. Should you stop watching the news? Mindful News Consumption in the Digital Era
In a digital age marked by relentless information flows, viral content, and algorithmic influence, changemakers face a critical challenge: how to consume news and media in a way that is both mindful and analytically rigorous. This episode explores the profound transformation of the information ecosystem—where traditional journalistic gatekeepers have been replaced by decentralised, opaque, and often polarising networks of content distribution.We examine how disinformation, echo chambers, algorithmic curation, and information overload undermine public reason and weaken democratic discourse. In response, we offer a dual framework of mindful and critical news consumption—emphasising attentiveness, intentionality, emotional regulation, and source evaluation. These are not simply cognitive skills but civic practices that empower changemakers to navigate complex narratives, challenge dominant frames, and model integrity in public discourse.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
26 min - 35. Awakening the Inner Activist: Spiritual Pathways for Planetary Change with Wajid Hassan
In this evocative conversation from the HCN archives, author and spiritual teacher Wajid Hassan shares his extraordinary life journey—from working as a field service engineer in England to becoming a union actor in Hollywood, and eventually emerging as a spiritual guide and author of The Struggle for World Sanity. Through intimate recollections and reflections, Hassan discusses the intersection of spirituality, environmentalism, and humanitarianism—urging listeners to reimagine activism not merely as material or political effort, but as a deep, soul-driven practice. This episode is an invitation to young changemakers to consider their inner worlds as powerful agents in reshaping the future of our planet.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
24 min - 34. The Role of Research in Social Change: From Knowledge to Praxis
How can research become a catalyst for social change? In this episode, we explore the multifaceted role of research as a tool not only for understanding the world but for transforming it. Far from being the exclusive domain of academics, research emerges as a form of praxis — a recursive cycle of inquiry, reflection, and action that can support changemakers across sectors.
Whether you are an educator, advocate, policymaker, or community leader, this episode will offer insights into how cultivating a research mindset can deepen impact, challenge assumptions, and bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
33 min - 33. The 8 Pillars of Positive Peace: A Systems-Based Framework for Collective Flourishing
What does it truly mean to build peace? In this episode, we move beyond the narrow definition of peace as merely the absence of war, and explore the transformative vision of positive peace — a concept rooted in justice, inclusion, and systemic resilience. Drawing on the work of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), we unpack the Eight Pillars of Positive Peace and examine how they offer a data-driven roadmap for building societies that thrive, not just survive.
We discuss the origins of positive peace in Johan Galtung’s foundational work, and explore how the IEP operationalises this idea through its influential reports, including the Global Peace Index and Positive Peace Report. For changemakers working across sectors — from education and advocacy to public policy and social enterprise — this framework offers strategic insight into how to foster lasting stability and human flourishing.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
19 min - 32. Understanding the Five Types of Justice: A Framework for Changemakers
Justice is not a singular concept — it is a constellation of principles that shape how we navigate fairness, accountability, and equity in society. In this episode, we explore the five key types of justice: distributive, procedural, retributive, restorative, and social justice. Each form addresses a different facet of human relationships and institutional arrangements, from how resources are allocated and decisions are made, to how harm is addressed and social systems are reimagined.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
47 min - 31. How the Devaluation of Care Affects the Economy & Social Change Ecosystem
In a world that prioritises productivity and profit over human well-being, care work—whether in households, healthcare, or activism—remains deeply undervalued and often unpaid. In this episode, we explore the systemic devaluation and commodification of care, tracing how capitalist logics render essential labour invisible while exploiting those who provide it. From the global care economy to the emotional and physical toll of activism, we unpack why care work is both vital and structurally marginalised. More importantly, we discuss how changemakers can resist burnout by embedding a culture of care within movements, ensuring that social change is sustainable, collective, and life-affirming.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
16 min - 30. Changing the World One Story at a Time: Why Storytelling is Our Most Powerful Tool for Social Change
Storytelling is more than just a means of communication—it is the foundation of how we understand the world, form connections, and drive social change. In this episode, we explore the enduring power of storytelling, from its ancient roots in oral traditions to its modern evolution through digital media. We unpack how narratives shape public consciousness, influence decision-making, and inspire collective action. Whether in personal conversations, marketing campaigns, or movement-building, storytelling is at the heart of changemaking. Tune in to discover how crafting and sharing impactful stories can shift perspectives, mobilise communities, and create lasting social transformation.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
21 min - 29. Building a Movement: Turning Opponents into Allies
Social movements rarely succeed by overpowering their opposition—instead, they win by strategically shifting support. In this episode, we explore the Spectrum of Allies model, a powerful framework that helps activists identify key constituencies, understand their positioning, and develop targeted strategies to build momentum. From the civil rights movement to contemporary advocacy campaigns, we examine how movements mobilise passive allies, engage neutral groups, and create cascading shifts in public opinion. Change is a process, not an event—by planting and watering the right seeds, activists can turn silent supporters into vocal allies and transform the landscape of social change.
📰 Read the accompanying article for this podcast episode here.
Join the Changemaker Q&A Community & ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE
💬 If you find this podcast valuable, it would really help us out to leave a rating & review wherever you're listening.
Social Impact Foundations FREE Training Bundle
Follow HCN on Instagram @humanitarianchangemakers
Follow Tiyana on Instagram: @tiyanaj
The views expressed in this podcast are those of Tiyana J & guests and are not reflective of all members of the Humanitarian Changemakers Network.
31 min
About Changemaker Q&A
From the publisher's feed
Changemaker Q&A is a podcast for grassroots changemakers—activists, students, volunteers, entrepreneurs, social workers, advocates, and anyone striving for impact. Host Dr Tiyana J answers real…
community questions and interviews inspiring guests who share stories, lessons, and practical strategies for driving change. Produced by the Humanitarian Changemakers Network and brought to you by the School of Social Impact, the show offers insights and encouragement for every step of your changemaking journey.