From There to Here

In this episode, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd speaks with Rugare Gomo, author, leadership coach, and Zimbabwean-born migrant, about his journey toward embracing his authentic self in Australia. Rugare discusses growing up under strict societal and cultural expectations, navigating identity as a gay Black African man, and overcoming years of statelessness and exclusion. He highlights the unique tensions migrants face between safety and authenticity, and the resulting challenges to mental health and belonging. Rugare describes his path to self-acceptance as gradual, shaped by forming genuine communities and learning to ask for help. He rejects the myth of the “self-made” individual, emphasizing instead the collective power of community. The conversation stresses the value of creating safe spaces for others, the importance of curiosity and courage, and how adversity can be transformed into agency. Rugare encourages listeners to celebrate their resilience and seek connection as foundational to personal and societal change.

Resources mentioned:

Forging my own path, by Rugare Gomo

The words that remain, by Sténio Gardel

Ego is the enemy, by Ryan holiday

Connect with Rugare:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rugaregomo/ 

Instagram: @rugaregomo 

Website: https://www.rugaregomo.com/ 

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction to Rugare's Journey

(00:00:43) The Impact of Statelessness

(00:01:10) The Quest for Freedom

(00:01:26) Navigating Identity and Safety

(00:04:29) The Infinite Possibility of Migrants

(00:05:18) The Importance of Community

(00:17:59) Messages of Change and Growth

(00:36:24) The Power of Asking for Help

(01:02:19) Creating Safety for Others

(01:05:00) Reclaiming Identity

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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!

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

In this conversation, Nooria Mehraby shares her profound journey from being a refugee to becoming a clinician and advocate for mental health among refugees. She discusses the traumatic experiences of fleeing Afghanistan, her life in refugee camps in Pakistan, and the challenges of resettling in Australia. Drawing on her personal and professional experience, Nooria sheds light on the unique mental health challenges faced by refugees - emphasizing the need for holistic, culturally sensitive approaches to care. She explores the resilience and strength within refugee communities, the vital importance of community support in healing, and the role clinicians play in fostering safe, inclusive spaces for their clients. The discussion also covers the challenges refugees face in maintaining their identity and the importance of seeking help for mental health issues. Nooria offers practical insights on how to support refugees in preserving their cultural heritage while integrating into a new society.

Resources mentioned:

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (also a film adaptation)
• Tales from a Suitcase: The Afghan Experience (SBS documentary series and book, featuring Nooria’s story)
• No Other Land (documentary)
• Rewire Your Brain by Dr. John Arden
• Trauma and Recovery by Dr. Judith Herman

Article by Nooria: Adapting CBT with non-Western clients 

https://search.informit.org/doi/abs/10.3316/INFORMIT.492751480937975

Connect with Nooria, or STARTTS:

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/STARTTSNSW/  
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/starttsnsw/  
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/STARTTS/  

Chapters:

(00:00) Nouria's Journey: From Refugee to Advocate

(05:08) Life in Pakistan: Rebuilding from Scratch

(09:56) Transition to Australia: New Beginnings and Losses

(14:47) Mental Health Challenges for Refugees

(20:03) Holistic Approaches to Refugee Trauma

(25:13) Culturally Sensitive Counseling Techniques

(30:02) Case Study: Healing Through Cultural Context

(46:59) Cultural Relevance in Clinical Practice

(55:20) Understanding Refugee Identity and Trauma

(01:00:46) The Importance of Seeking Help

(01:02:30) Literature and Resources for Refugees

(01:05:32) Reflections on Resilience and Strength

(01:08:10) Navigating Identity as a Refugee

(01:17:57) Building Inclusive Communities for Refugees

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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!

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

In this episode of From There to Here, host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits down with Mish Kumar-Jonson - a queer, non-binary, neurodivergent South Indian migrant who has called India, Oman, France, the US, New Zealand, and Australia home. Mish shares a deeply personal and insightful journey through multiple migrations, exploring how cultural identity is shaped, challenged, and redefined across borders and contexts. They discuss the complexities of adapting to new cultures, the challenges of code switching, and the pressure migrants often feel to maintain a positive façade of gratitude at the expense of their genuine feelings and struggles. Mishma also explores the double empathy problem, the limitations of empathy, and the need to prioritise compassion over empathy in therapeutic practice. They discuss the significance of investing in joy rather than solely focusing on trauma, drawing on the wisdom of First Nations and Black communities and the importance of art, dance, and celebration for healing.

Chapters:

(00:00) Cultural Identity and Migration Journey

(08:55) The Challenge of Code Switching

(21:05) Navigating Gratefulness and Criticism as a Migrant

(27:23) Defining Australian‑ness and Cultural Perceptions

(35:12) Empathy and the Double Empathy Problem

(42:40) Intersectionality and Community Dynamics

(50:18) Understanding Accents and Communication

(55:09) Compassion Over Empathy

(58:44) The Limits of Empathy

(01:02:33) Expanding Horizons and Responsibility

(01:07:12) Investing in Joy Over Trauma

(01:12:40) Finding Belonging and Community

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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, Serena Lowe shares her journey as an introverted migrant from Singapore to Australia. She discusses the challenges and strengths of being an introvert in a new culture, the importance of community, and how to embrace one's introverted nature.

Serena emphasizes the need for self-acceptance and the value of quiet strengths in a world that often rewards extroverted behaviour. With the host, they explore the interplay between culture, personality, and belonging, offering practical advice for introverted migrants and anyone navigating new environments.

If you’re a migrant, introvert, or both, Serena’s story is a reminder that your quiet strengths are powerful assets. Find your community, celebrate your unique perspective, and remember: you are not alone on this journey.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Serena Lowe

(00:15) Navigating Life as an Introverted Migrant

(06:02) The Advantages of Introversion

(08:36) Finding Alternative Networking Strategies

(13:03) Introverts vs. Extroverts in Migration

(14:55) Embracing Introversion in an Extroverted World

(21:25) The Quiet Warrior Concept

(22:40) Shifting Perspectives on Leadership

(26:00) Advice for Introverted Migrants

(28:45) The Importance of Community

(30:55) Reflections on Migration and Identity

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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, Antonella Sorace, Director of Bilingualism Matters, joins the host to share her personal journey and dispel common myths about bilingualism. Together, they explore how bilingualism shapes identity and fosters adaptability, with Antonella explaining that while bilinguals often feel “in between” cultures, this very adaptability is a key advantage. She discusses cognitive benefits, including improved attention and earlier development of perspective-taking in bilingual children. The conversation also touches on what happens when native languages aren’t used regularly and feel less accessible over time – even if words or grammar become harder to access, these languages are never truly lost and can be reactivated with exposure. Antonella highlights the importance of maintaining minority languages, the role of artificial intelligence in language preservation, and the risks of linguistic homogenisation. Listeners are encouraged to embrace and value their own linguistic diversity.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Bilingualism

01:07 Personal Journey into Bilingualism

04:13 Common Misconceptions about Bilingualism

06:15 Bilingualism and Identity

11:40 Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism

18:16 Language Accessibility and Attrition

22:44 Cultural Value of Non-Dominant Languages

29:30 The Importance of Maintaining Home Languages

34:39 Empathy and Perspective in Bilingualism

35:06 The Importance of Bilingualism

38:34 Misconceptions About Bilingualism

40:00 The Role of AI in Language Preservation

44:45 Encouraging Language Learning in Adults

48:00 The Value of Maintaining Bilingualism

52:43 Bilingualism as an Adventure

54:24 Identity and Belonging in Bilingualism

Resources mentioned:

Bilingualism Matters, by Maria Garraffa, Antonella Sorace, and Maria Vender 

Connect with Antonella:

Bilingualism Matters’ website: https://www.bilingualism-matters.org/ 

Antonella’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonella-sorace-2214625/

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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, Abdi Aden shares his incredible journey from Somalia to Australia, detailing the impact of the civil war on his life and the challenges he faced as a refugee.

He discusses how he found purpose through motivational speaking, the challenges he faced due to societal expectations and discrimination, and how he overcame them by embracing his identity and building genuine connections with young people.

Abdi emphasizes the importance of treating youth with respect and positivity, and shares valuable insights on navigating cultural differences and disarming prejudice.

He concludes with empowering advice for immigrants and refugees, encouraging them to embrace their uniqueness as a strength and overcome the fear of judgment.

Chapters:

(00:00) Journey from Somalia to Australia

(05:08) The Impact of War and Refugee Experience

(09:07) Survival and Resilience in Refugee Camps

(12:20) Navigating Identity and Belonging

(14:15) The Struggles of Rebuilding Life

(20:20) Finding Purpose through Teaching and Speaking

(23:40) Lessons in Kindness and Community

(27:10) The Importance of Education and Opportunity

(30:00) Embracing Life's Challenges

(32:00) The Power of Storytelling and Sharing Experiences

(33:08) Overcoming Societal Expectations

(36:10) The Journey to Becoming a Youth Worker

(37:55) Building Genuine Connections with Youth

(39:20) Disarming Prejudice and Stereotypes

(40:40) Embracing Identity and Difference

(41:50) Advice for Immigrants and Refugees

(42:30) Overcoming the Fear of Judgment

(43:00) Gradual Exposure to Vulnerability

(43:30) The Struggle with Vulnerability and Shame

(44:00) The Importance of Sharing Success

(45:00) Redefining the Term 'Refugee'

(46:00) Finding Home in Australia

---

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, Natalia Gomez shares her transformative journey from Colombia to Australia, discussing her motivations for leaving her home country, including the cultural dissonance she experienced with Colombia’s ‘machista’ norms. She recounts the challenges of securing a skill-aligned job, preparing for the Australia Veterinary Exam, and requalifying as a veterinarian in Australia. She opens up about her experiences studying with ADHD, the sacrifices she made to achieve her goals, and the importance of creating support systems. She offers practical advice for those looking to requalify and highlights the significance of motivation and overcoming fear throughout the process. Ultimately, Natalia's story is one of perseverance, embracing discomfort, and pursuing fulfilment in a new land.

Chapters

00:00 Leaving Colombia

03:10 Cultural Dissonance

07:35 The Struggles of Immigrating

12:30 Requalifying as a Veterinarian

18:45 Navigating Life with ADHD and Study Challenges

22:50 The Cost of Sacrifice: Health vs. Success

24:50 Creating Support Systems for Overseas Vets

27:00 Overcoming the Fear of Requalification

28:20 Step-by-Step: The Path to Registration

29:15 Finding Motivation in Difficult Times

30:20 The Courage of Migrants

31:15 Embracing Discomfort for Belonging

Resource mentioned:

You’ve got this, by Dominic Bertolucci

Connect with Natalia:

Natalia’s website ‘Brainybilby’: https://brainybilby.com.au/

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

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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 Bellamy-Dodd interviews Gloria Tabi, founder of Everyday inclusion and Enable Women Africa, about her journey from Ghana to Australia and her fight against systemic racism. Gloria shares how colonial legacies and the search for opportunity shaped her migration, and describes the invisible barriers she faced in Australia’s workplaces despite her qualifications. She discusses how researching race structures helped her move past self-blame and highlights the personal and political impact of hair discrimination, explaining how Black women often feel pressure to hide their natural hair. Gloria recounts the fear and eventual empowerment of wearing her natural hair openly, and her commitment to ensuring young Black girls can embrace their identity without shame.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Gloria Tabi's Journey

02:15 Experiencing Racism in Australia

06:30 Transitioning to Advocacy

10:05 Hair Discrimination as a Form of Racism

13:50 Embracing Natural Identity

17:10 The Struggles of Identity and Professional Spaces

21:35 Systemic Change for Inclusion

26:05 Celebrating Natural Hair and Empowerment

30:00 Personal Actions Against Racism

33:20 Navigating Hair Discrimination

36:40 Books That Inspire and Empower

40:10 The Power of Adaptability and Resilience

43:50 Finding Home and Belonging

Resources mentioned:

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Traces of History by Patrick Wolfe

Gloria’s upcoming book: Enough

Connect with Gloria:

Gloria’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriatabi/

Gloria’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloriabinks/

Gloria’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gloria.tabi.binks

Everyday Inclusion: https://www.everydayinclusion.com.au/

Vote for Gloria at the Legacy International Pageant:

https://legacyinternationalpageant.com/gloria-tabi

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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, Maryam Zahid shares her powerful journey from being a refugee in Afghanistan to becoming a community leader and advocate for women's rights in Australia. She reflects on her childhood experiences during the war, the challenges of resettling in a new country, and her mission to empower Afghan women. Through her work, she addresses issues of trauma, gender inequality, and the importance of building supportive networks for new arrivals. Maryam emphasizes the resilience of refugees and the need to challenge misconceptions about their experiences.

Chapters: 

(00:00) - Intro & Maryam's Journey: From Afghanistan to Australia

(04:15) - Childhood Memories: The Impact of War

(08:42) - Understanding Gender Inequality in Afghanistan

(12:37) - The Decision to Leave: A Family's Escape

(17:20) - Arriving in Australia: Challenges and Opportunities

(21:55) - Healing Through Helping: The Power of Community

(26:40) - Empowering Afghan Women: A Mission of Advocacy

(31:10) - Overcoming Barriers: Building Confidence in Women

(35:30) - Facing Resistance: The Struggle for Gender Equality

(40:05) - Visibility and Leadership: The Price of Being Outspoken

(45:18) - Advice for New Arrivals: Building a Support Network

(49:45) - Debunking Misconceptions: The Reality of Refugees

(54:10) - Embracing Australian Identity: A Personal Reflection

Maryam’s book recommendation:

Happy Refugee, by Anh Do

To contact / follow Maryam:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryam-zahid-858893143/

https://www.instagram.com/maryam_popal_zahid_/ 

https://afghanwomenonthemove.org.au/ 

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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, Catherine Maguire-Donvito, Co-founder and Director of Treehouse Theatre, shares the program’s unique approach to supporting refugee adolescents through storytelling and theatrical performance. The initiative is designed to facilitate trauma recovery and raise awareness about the refugee experience among high school students. Catherine emphasizes the importance of building trust and connection among participants before delving into their trauma stories. She explains how narrative exposure therapy helps them develop new cognitive networks and process their traumatic experiences effectively. Catherine also recounts memorable performances and the ripple effect of these performances on both participants and viewers, underscoring the need for empathy and understanding in addressing the refugee crisis. 

Chapters: 

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:28) - The Treehouse Program

(03:43) - Origins of the Treehouse Program

(04:31) - Storytelling as a Path to Connection

(05:55) - Art Therapy for Trauma Recovery

(06:43) - Sharing Happy Stories Before Trauma

(07:22) - Creating a Sense of Belonging

(08:01) - Building Confidence Through Performance

(09:02) - The Healing Power of the Program

(10:17) - Grief, Loss, and Rejection

(11:44) - Curiosity and Respect for Individual Stories

(13:08) - The World’s Response and Responsibility

(14:26) - Changing Perceptions and Fostering Empathy

Link to Treehouse theatre: https://treehousetheatre.org.au/ 

Cast From the Storm trailer: https://youtu.be/zRF-yDMVYdk 

Tedx Video - Missing" Shalah's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MplBF_AYYfM 

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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.