Season 2: A World Worth Keeping

Episode 2: Interview with Amanda McKenzie - Building Australia's Climate Voice

In this much-anticipated episode of Taught, Not Told, I sit down with Ms. Amanda McKenzie - co-founder and CEO of the Climate Council, trailblazer for youth climate advocacy, and one of Australia’s leading voices on the fight for a livable future.

From starting out in law to co-founding the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, to building Australia’s most trusted independent climate communications body, Amanda’s story is a powerful reminder that real change is a marathon, not a sprint - and that every one of us has a role to play.

We talk about the emotional toll of climate advocacy, what keeps her grounded, and why empowering the next generation is so vital for the road ahead.

Tune in for an honest, hopeful conversation about courage, community, and the wisdom that comes from standing up for what matters.

Season 2: A World Worth Keeping

Episode 1: Interview with Dr. Gregory Moore OAM - On Trees, Time, and the Bigger Picture

I'm back - with a brand new season of Taught, Not Told.

This season, we’re exploring climate stories: not just the science or the headlines, but the people. The ones who are shaping the future with their choices, their knowledge, and their quiet persistence.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Greg Moore - arborist, botanist, and former Head of Burnley College at the University of Melbourne. He’s spent decades advocating for urban trees and reminding us why greenery isn’t just nice to have - it’s essential. We spoke about time, perspective, and the quiet power of nature to shape our lives.

We covered everything from the evolutionary pace of trees to why life feels fleeting, and what it means to truly use your time well. We talked about doing work that brings you joy, our place in the web of life, and how reconnecting with nature might just help us reconnect with each other.

A grounding and eye-opening conversation to start the season.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

#TaughtNotTold #GregMoore #ClimateStories #UrbanForests #IntergenerationalWisdom

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who've Led

Episode 9: The World Isn't That Simple And That's the Problem (Reflection on "Divided")

This week, it’s just you and me again, and I want to talk about a book that I genuinely think every young person should read.

You’ve probably noticed how often the world gets reduced to us vs. them. Politics, economics, education - even basic human rights - are framed as a battle between two sides. But the truth? The world is rarely that simple. And when we force complex issues into black-and-white thinking, we don’t just misunderstand them—we make things worse.

Tim Marshall captures this idea perfectly in Divided when he says, “Every story has two sides, and so does every wall. We’re in a new era of tribalism, and the barricades are going up.” This book completely shifted how I see the forces shaping our world, and I want to share why it’s not just a great read, but an essential one.

So, I hope you’ll tune in for this deep dive. And if you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear your take on it too.

And...this actually marks the end of Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led.

When we come back in early April, Season 2 will be all about entrepreneurs - people who had an idea and turned it into something incredible to improve their communities and the world. We’ll hear from younger perspectives, because Taught Not Told is all about sharing diverse viewpoints and life lessons that stick.

I’m so excited for what’s ahead, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Until then, take care, and I’ll be back in April with more stories, insights, and conversations. See you soon on Taught, Not Told!

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who've Led

Episode 8: Interview with Dr. Geoff Raby AO

This week, I sat down with Dr. Geoff Raby AO, Australia’s former Ambassador to China, whose career has been defined by navigating one of the most complex and consequential relationships of our time.

What struck me most was his ability to find clarity in uncertainty - whether it was learning Mandarin, visiting every province in China, or making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information. His journey is a reminder that growth often happens when we lean into the unfamiliar, embrace curiosity, and build meaningful connections along the way.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered how to make sense of the bigger picture. Dr. Raby’s unique perspective - shaped by his love for economic history and decades of diplomacy - shows how doing what you’re passionate about can help you see the world in a way that’s both deeper and clearer. It’s a lesson in thinking conceptually, connecting the dots, and finding purpose in the work that matters to you.

#Diplomacy #Curiosity #Adaptability #GlobalPerspectives #TaughtNotTold

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 7: Interview with Prof. Gillian Triggs AC

In this episode, I spoke with someone who has dedicated her life to using law as a force for good.

Professor Gillian Triggs AC is one of Australia’s most distinguished international human rights lawyers and advocates. As President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, she led national debates on refugee rights, gender equality, and freedom of speech - standing firm in politically charged environments.

As 2019-2023 Assistant Secretary-General of the UN and Assistant High Commissioner for Protection at UNHCR, she oversaw global refugee protection efforts at a time of unprecedented displacement.

In this episode, she shares her advice for young people finding their way in an uncertain world, the power of teaching, not just telling, and the experiences that taught her what real leadership and resilience look like. It’s exactly what Taught Not Told is about - learning from those who’ve come before us, so we can think for ourselves and shape the future on our own terms.

Share your thoughts with me at [email protected]

#GillianTriggs #TaughtNotToldPodcast #LifeAdvice #HumanRightsLaw #Leadership #IntergenerationalAdvice

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 6: Life is Short – Make it Count

People have asked me, "Are you doing all of this because your parents are making you?"

And honestly, I get why they might think that. There’s this idea that working hard must come from pressure - whether it’s school, family, or some perfect future we’re supposed to chase.

But for me, that’s never been the reason. I do what I do because I care. Because life is short, and I want to spend my time on things that matter.

This episode is about figuring out what you actually want, setting goals (even if they change), and making sure you’re moving forward - not just drifting through life. You don’t need to have everything figured out, but having direction means you always have something to work toward.

Let’s talk about why waiting for life to happen has never sat right with me - and why it might not sit right with you either.

Share your thoughts with me at: [email protected]

#TaughtNotTold #Youth #MakeLifetCount #Reflections #Youth #BigQuestions

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 5: Interview with Rev. Tim Costello AO

Some people dedicate their lives to a single cause. Mr. Tim Costello AO has spent his life standing up for the people and issues that too many ignore.

As a lawyer, pastor, former mayor, and the longtime CEO of World Vision Australia, Mr. Costello has been on the frontlines of some of the world’s most urgent social challenges - fighting for gambling reform, advocating for refugees, addressing poverty, and leading global humanitarian efforts. He’s worked in war zones, disaster sites, and right here in Australia, challenging powerful industries and policies that put profit over people.

But what makes Mr. Costello’s story so compelling isn’t just the scale of his work - it’s the conviction behind it. In this conversation, we talk about what shaped his journey, the resistance he’s faced, and what it really takes to stand for something, even when it comes at a cost.

If you've ever grappled with hope and fear, this episode is for you.

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 4: Thanks, Mum

This episode is personal.

Turning 16 while my mum turns 50 has made me reflect on our journey together - the lessons she’s taught me, the quiet ways she’s shaped my world, and the things I’m only now beginning to understand.

I reflect on what my mum taught me about working hard with purpose, how passion is something we build, not something we’re born with, and how parents and teens can navigate the gap between them.

But more than anything, this episode is about mums - the people who raise us, guide us, and walk with us through every season of our lives, even when we don’t fully realize it.

This is for my mum, but it’s also for anyone thinking about the people who have shaped them.

Let me know your thoughts at [email protected]

#Family #Reflections #LessonsFromMum #Generations #TaughtNotTold #Mothers #GrowingUp

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 3: Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Carew-Reid OAM

Dr. Elizabeth Carew-Reid OAM is a GP who has spent her career balancing deeply meaningful work in paediatric palliative care at Very Special Kids hospice with volunteer medical projects in Pakistan. Her journey has been shaped by moments of uncertainty, growth, and discovery - experiences that feel surprisingly relatable, no matter where you’re at in life.

What struck me most in our conversation were her reflections on finding purpose. As young people, the pressure to figure out exactly what we want to do with our lives can feel overwhelming. Hearing Dr. Carew-Reid share her own struggles with this same uncertainty, and how her path unfolded over time, was a reminder that it’s okay to not have all the answers right now. This episode is full of wisdom for anyone who’s still trying to figure out what “purpose” really means.

#Purpose #FindingYourPath #LifeLessons #HealthcareStories #TaughtNotTold

Season 1: In the Footsteps of Those Who’ve Led

Episode 2: Why Success Isn’t What You Think (Outliers Review & Reflections)

In this solo episode, I dive into Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, a book that challenges everything we think we know about success. From cultural legacies and hidden opportunities to the idea of the “self-made person,” Outliers explores the untold factors that shape extraordinary achievements.

Through stories like the Roseto Mystery, the legacy of rice farming in East Asia, and the surprising influence of birth dates in hockey, I share my reflections on the book’s key lessons and how they’ve made me rethink success in my own life.

This episode is a book review that works alongside the advice of industry professionals to explore new ways of seeing the world, rethink the narratives we’ve grown up with, and discover practical insights to shape your journey. I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own path.

Share your thoughts with me at: [email protected]

#Success #BookReview #MalcolmGladwell #Reflections #TaughtNotTold #Outliers #Youth