The Long Run to Inclusion: An Epic Journey for Disability Awareness

In this episode of the 'Inclusion in Hospitality' podcast, hosts Andrea and Saraya kick off the new year with exciting updates and developments in their 2026 journey. They are joined by special guest Enrique Suana, a seasoned runner and community ambassador, to discuss the 'Long Run to Inclusion' initiative. The episode covers the expansion of Hotel Etico's operations and partnerships, the creation of new academies for people with disabilities, and the upcoming 400km run from Mount Victoria to Canberra aimed at raising awareness and funds for disability inclusion. They delve into Enrique's background, his involvement with Achilles International, and his role in promoting the initiative within the running community. The conversation highlights the importance of community support, the challenges and logistics of the run, and the broader goal of fostering a more inclusive society.

00:00 Welcome Back to the Studio

02:08 Exciting Developments at Hotel

03:51 New Partnerships and Expansions

05:53 Setting Up the New Academy in Canberra

10:03 Introducing Our Special Guest: Enrique Suana

10:55 Enrique's Journey: From Peru to Running

17:01 Achilles: Promoting Inclusion Through Running

20:22 The Long Run to Inclusion Initiative

23:11 The Journey Begins: Setting Off for Canberra

23:30 Planning the Route: From Leura to Canberra

24:20 Challenges and Logistics: Designing a Safe Course

25:48 Join the Run: Participation and Virtual Engagement

29:27 The Final Leg: Reaching Canberra and Celebrations

30:46 Fundraising Goals: $400,000 for Inclusion

32:59 Training and Preparation: Personal Stories

34:48 Community and Support: The Running Network

38:15 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

https://raceroster.com/events/2026/111900/long-run-to-inclusion-2026

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Creating Opportunity: Inclusive Employment in Hospitality & Social Enterprises

In this episode of 'Room for All,' hosts Andrea Comastri, CEO of Hotel Etico, and Saraya O'Connell, COO, dive into inclusive employment practices for people with disabilities. They are joined by special guests Jane Marx from The Beautiful Bunch and Ninna Larsen from Reground. Jane shares insights on her social enterprise florist initiative that supports young women from refugee and migrant backgrounds, while Ninna discusses Reground's mission to divert coffee grounds from landfills to community gardens. The conversation touches on the importance of philanthropic funding, the challenges of sustainable growth, and potential future expansions. Tune in to hear inspiring stories and best practices for creating inclusive work environments.

00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Employment
01:41 Meet Our Special Guests: Jane Marx and Ninna Larsen
02:13 The Social Fellow Program
03:37 Ninna Larsen's Journey with Reground
08:17 Jane Marx and The Beautiful Bunch
22:03 The Flower Strategy
22:18 Debating Growth in Social Enterprises
23:02 Expansion Plans and Urban Centers
23:54 Franchising and Remote Models
26:14 Philanthropy and Business Feasibility
28:27 Challenges in Funding and Government Support
34:27 Rooftop Roses and Vertical Integration
39:31 Final Thoughts and Future Vision
41:58 Fun Questions and Wrap-Up

Reground is a social enterprise dedicated to helping organisations and individuals build a circular economy through innovative waste collection and sustainable waste management initiatives. Reground operates Australia's largest collection system for ground coffee, which goes back into community and local gardens.

www.reground.com.au

@_reground

The Beautiful Bunch is a Melbourne-based social enterprise florist, providing young women from refugee backgrounds with their first job in Australia. Our mission is to support young women from refugee backgrounds to build the confidence, skills, and social and professional networks they need to access meaningful employment and achieve long-term financial independence. At the core of our work is our paid training program, Bud to Bloom. This 8-month paid training program is designed specifically for young refugee women aged 18–26. It offers paid training in floristry fundamentals, customer service, financial and digital literacy, business admin and operations, and workplace readiness. Our work not only provides life-changing opportunities for young women, but also demonstrates the power of social enterprise to create a more inclusive economy in Australia. 

Jane Marx Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jane_marx_/?hl=en

The Beautiful Bunch Website: https://thebeautifulbunch.com/ 

The Beautiful Bunch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.beautifulbunch/

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Transforming Lives: Inclusive Employment & Breaking Barriers with Reboot Australia | Room for All Podcast

Join hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell in this enlightening episode of 'Room for All' as they delve into the impactful work of Reboot Australia. Featuring special guests Anthony and Job McShane, Reboot Australia focuses on reintegrating formerly incarcerated individuals into society through meaningful employment. Discover the challenges, success stories, and innovative approaches that are transforming lives and fostering inclusion in the workplace. From understanding the stigma of incarceration to creating pathways for sustainable employment, this episode sheds light on the power of second chances and holistic support systems. Whether you're an advocate for inclusion, a business owner, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration. Don't miss it!

00:00 Introduction to Room for All Podcast
00:10 Meet the Hosts: Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell
00:35 Mission and Vision of Hotel Ethical
00:48 Success Stories and Best Practices
01:46 Introduction to Reboot Australia
02:46 Challenges and Stigma in Employment
04:10 Reintegration and Support Strategies
05:27 Impact and Expansion of Reboot Australia
11:47 Training Programs and Funding
16:27 Cost of Reoffending and Social Impact
18:48 Addressing Offenses and Employment Challenges
19:26 Success Stories and Employment Transitions
20:05 Dealing with Setbacks and Maintaining Support
22:56 National Presence and Collaborative Efforts
24:43 Challenges and Rewards of Social Enterprises
27:17 Impact of COVID-19 on Incarceration
28:19 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

www.rebootaustralia.com

@rebootaustralia

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Room for All: Inclusive Employment and Social Enterprise with Jess Colgan

Welcome to 'Room for All,' the podcast where we explore inclusive employment and the creation of opportunities for people with disabilities. Join hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell of Hotel Etico as they discuss breaking down workplace barriers, particularly in hospitality. This episode features Jess Colgan, CEO of All Things Equal and co-founder of Ginger Snap Patisserie, who shares insights into creating award wage employment for people with disabilities through her café and catering services. Learn about the unique challenges and successes faced by social enterprises committed to meaningful, inclusive employment.

00:00 Introduction to Room for All Podcast

01:49 Meet Jess Colgan: CEO of All Things Equal

03:05 All Things Equal: Mission and Impact

06:22 Challenges and Successes in Inclusive Employment

10:26 Future Plans and Personal Insights

17:43 The Synergy of Social Enterprises

26:51 Final Thoughts and Farewell

00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Employment

01:49 Meet Jess Colgan: CEO of All Things Equal

03:05 All Things Equal: Mission and Impact

06:22 Challenges and Successes in Social Enterprise

10:14 Future Plans and Personal Insights

28:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Room for All: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Employment

Join hosts Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell in this episode of 'Room for All'  This episode features a conversation with Dr. Cale Bain of UTS Center for Social Justice and Inclusion, who discusses the importance of inclusive community engagement and the impact of UTS programs like Shopfront and Soul. The discussion delves into social impact, breaking down barriers, and the value of real-world experience for students. Tune in to hear inspiring stories, best practices, and expert insights that champion equitable employment and the future of work.

00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Employment

00:10 Meet the Hosts: Andrea Comastri and Saraya O'Connell

00:48 Success Stories and Best Practices

01:52 Guest Introduction: Dr. Cale Bain

02:10 Role and Impact of UTS Programs

02:53 Student Engagement and Social Impact

03:46 Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education

04:20 Personal Background and Motivation

13:48 Future of UTS and Social Enterprise Programs

16:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Creating Opportunities: Vanessa Brettell on Empowering Refugee and Migrant Women

In this episode of Room for All, we sit down with Vanessa Brettell, the co-founder and CEO of Stepping Stone Social Enterprise. Vanessa shares the mission of Stepping Stone, a work integration social enterprise in Canberra that provides employment and training to migrant and refugee women facing multiple barriers to employment. The initiative operates two cafes and a catering business, offering both long-term and transitional job pathways. Vanessa also discusses future plans for an urban farm and expanded catering services to provide more inclusive employment opportunities. Join us as we learn about the impactful work being done to help women gain financial stability and build their futures.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:09 About Stepping Stone Social Enterprise

03:25 Employment Streams and Challenges

06:19 Running Cafes and Business Model

07:47 Vanessa's Motivation and Background

09:38 Future Plans and Expansion

11:54 Community and Support

15:13 Finding Stepping Stone and Upcoming Events

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Ethical AI and Social Impact: A Conversation with James Gauci | Room For All Podcast

Join us for an engaging episode of the Room For All Podcast, live from the Social Traders Convene in Melbourne! In this episode, host Andrea interviews James Gauci, founder and leader of Cadent, a responsible AI engineering and governance consultancy. James shares his experiences from Morton Bay, his journey in the tech industry, and the inspiration behind starting Cadent. Learn about the importance of ethical AI, the economic benefits of socially responsible technology, and the challenges faced by social enterprises. This episode is packed with insights on how AI can be designed for social good while ensuring no one gets left behind. Don't miss this enlightening discussion!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:10 Guest Introduction: James Gauci

02:39 The Airport Mishap

04:38 James Gauci's Background and Company

06:53 Social Enterprise and Impact

11:19 AI Tools and Ethical Considerations

15:43 AI Regulation Challenges in Australia

16:00 The Dual Perspectives on AI's Future

16:23 The Role of Values in AI Development

18:00 Ethical Decisions in AI System Design

18:28 Cultural Differences in AI Ethics

19:08 Addressing the Digital Divide

21:20 AI's Impact on Social Inequality

22:20 Empowering People with Disabilities through AI

25:05 The Importance of Ethical AI

29:02 Final Thoughts and Reflections

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Empowering Women with Criminal Records: Natascha Consigli on Barriers and Support Programs

Join us as we delve into an inspiring conversation with Natascha Consigli, the Employment and Training Program Coordinator at Success Works Partners. Natascha discusses the organization's mission to support women with criminal histories in finding meaningful and sustainable employment. With her own lived experience, Natascha sheds light on the unique challenges these women face, the critical support they need for reintegration, and the role educational programs play in empowering them. Learn about the importance of changing recruitment practices, the launch of a new social enterprise, and the impact that mentorship and community support can have on reducing recidivism. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on creating inclusive employment opportunities and breaking down societal barriers.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

02:05 Role and Mission of Success Works Partners

02:23 Challenges Faced by Women with Criminal Records

05:26 Support Services and Employment Facilitation

06:57 Social Enterprise Initiative

09:22 Mentorship and Community Involvement

10:21 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

15:49 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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Join us as we sit down with Jemma Tribe, chairperson of the Nowra Community Food Store, to explore how a small-town social enterprise is making a big impact! From humble beginnings to serving thousands each week, Jemma shares the challenges, triumphs, and community spirit that keep the doors open.

00:00 – Introduction & Jemma’s background
01:46 – What is the Nowra Community Food Store?
03:11 – How the store operates & its unique model
04:31 – The story of saving the store from closure
06:31 – Where does the food come from?
08:19 – Volunteers & running the store
10:41 – Creating a welcoming, dignified experience
13:51 – Addressing food insecurity in the region
16:00 – Balancing affordability & sustainability
19:57 – The Grower Row initiative & community projects
22:08 – How many people the store helps each week
24:20 – Fresh food, donations, and creative solutions
27:52 – Jemma’s message about social enterprise
29:53 – How to get involved & contact info

Learn more, donate, or get involved:

🌐 nowrafoodstore.com.au
📘 Facebook: Nowra Community Food Store

NCFS is a low cost grocery store for low income earners, offering affordable and free food and self care items. NCFS is a 100% self sustaining social enterprise, open 5 days a week at South Nowra.

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Understanding Money and Thriving with Amanda di Medici of Yenom

In this insightful episode of Room For All, we sit down with Amanda di Medici, the founder of Yenom, a unique financial education platform. Amanda shares her personal journey with money management and how it inspired her to create Yenom. We dive into the importance of financial literacy, the services offered by Yenom, and the pressing need for financial education in workplaces. Amanda also discusses common financial pitfalls, the rise of financial influencers, and her vision for an independent accreditation program. Join us for a candid conversation about money, personal goals, and thriving in life.

00:00 Introduction to Amanda Di Medici and Yenom
02:03 Understanding Yenom: Reflecting on Money
04:31 Amanda's Personal Journey with Money
07:13 Yenom's Services and Impact
10:44 Financial Literacy and Common Myths
11:31 Technical Glitches and Market Aggressiveness
12:10 Future Plans for Yenom
12:27 Rise of the Finfluencer
14:21 Addressing Dodgy Financial Products
16:11 The Dish That Represents Our Enterprise
17:52 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Reflect. Rethink. Reclaim your financial power.
YENOM is more than just a name — it’s money in reverse, a reminder to pause and reflect. Reflect on your habits. Reflect on your knowledge. Reflect on your future.
We exist to transform financial literacy into a powerful tool for wellbeing, equality, and opportunity — globally.

http://yenom.co

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-d-495991281/

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