In this episode, we meet with Karen McCarthy. Karen is a disability advocate and keynote speaker, a management committee member of the LGBTI Legal service and non-executive director of Queenslanders with Disability Network. She helps organisations to become more centred, capable, and well-resourced, turning their existing drive and experience into sustainable, long-term strength.

Karen brings deep personal insight to her work. A book-lover who lost her sight and an ice-cream devotee living with insulin-dependent diabetes, she has navigated profound life changes—continuing to live, work, parent, and travel as a blind woman. Her journey equips her with a rare understanding of adversity and adaptability.

With a 20-year legal career behind her, Karen is an expert communicator who understands the pressures of professional life and knows how to connect with audiences of all kinds. This is a wonderful conversation about finding your life’s vision and purpose against the challenges of physical visual impairment.

Support Links

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia,

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In this episode, we sit down with Ronja Sen, an Australian lawyer, policy professional, and all-round creative force whose work spans human rights, anti-discrimination, cultural awareness, and community storytelling.

From co-leading the 2025 Bandarran Marra'Gu Gathering Strength Summit, to helping to shape Victoria’s first anti-racism strategy and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, Ronja brings experience in policy reform, negotiation, and impact-driven leadership.

But Ronja’s influence also lives well beyond government work. She’s the voice behind the Brisbados, the creator of @moneyandmouth, an Instagram project exploring food, culture and the politics of cultural appropriation, and she hosts the “Food For Thought” segment on Saltwater Radio — amplifying conversations about identity, culture and community from the NT.

Ronja opens up about navigating the personal and political challenges arising from Australia’s recent anti-immigration protests and rhetoric. With honesty, humour and clarity, she shares how these moments intersect with belonging, activism, and community.

Digressions are mostly about Beyonce. But the substantive discussion is a thoughtful, timely conversation that blends lived experience, policy insight, and a whole lot of heart.

Our next guest is the awesome Jonathan Brancato.

With a career dedicated solely to criminal and quasi-criminal law, Jonathan is a highly experienced advocate committed to providing his clients with expert legal guidance and representation. Having worked across a wide spectrum of criminal cases—from traffic offences to complex homicide and mental impairment matters—Jonathan is well-equipped to handle all aspects of criminal law with professionalism and care.

What sets Jonathan apart is his attention to detail and his commitment to communication. He works closely with each client to ensure they fully understand the court process and the progress of their case. Every matter is approached with thorough analysis and a personalised strategy, ensuring that each client’s unique situation is handled with care and precision. He understands the stress that comes with being charged and strives to make the legal process as smooth and stress-free as possible for everyone he represents.

In this episode, Jonathan generously unpacks his mental health journey with us and gives us some insight into how he has built and cultivated a growth mindset. He embodies the importance of self-awareness, having the hard conversations early and being kind because there is no overnight solution.

We are so excited to have Rachel Karlyl join us on the podcast. Rachael is like glitter — once she’s in your world, she’s impossible to shake. What makes her sparkle? Alignment to purpose and values. They’ve been her compass through loss, burnout, and the crossroads of a demanding legal career. And authenticity? That’s the only reason she’s still here — leading, speaking, and showing others how to build careers and lives that actually feel like theirs.

Her purpose is simple: to create a positive impact through meaningful interaction — with the goal of changing the life of at least one person in every room she walks into, to speak.

With nearly 15 years of legal and leadership experience, a MBA, and a gift for turning hard lessons into WOW moments, Rachael helps burnt out professional [insert occupation] trade exhaustion for empowerment.

✨ Like glitter, her impact stays long after the moment has passed.

“Wiggle your big toe”, ‘Your Second Life Begins When You Realise You Only Have One’ by Raphaelle Giordano and ‘enclothed cognition’… tune in to hear how Rachel weaves all these and so many more gold nuggets into our conversation. Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Support Links

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia,

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In this episode, we meet with Tosin Aro. He shares with us some of the challenges he’s faced in life from the loss of his mother, to moving countries, to feeling worried about finding work. Despite these life milestones and obstacles, Tosin has had quite the successful career spanning 25 years.

Tosin Aro has been at the forefront of native title, Indigenous land rights, and cultural heritage law—acting for major public and private sector clients as well as First Nations communities across Australia. He is noted for his thought leadership and, in addition to lecturing in First Nations Law at the University of Sydney, has made significant contributions to Parliamentary Inquiries relating to reform of the Federal Native Title Act and the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Acts.

After 20 years at one of the nation's top law firms, Tosin now leads his own practice, Aro & Associates, where he helps clients navigate complex cross-cultural and legal landscapes with compassion and clarity.

Recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Best Lawyers Australia and Doyle's Guide, Tosin brings deep expertise, humility, and purpose to every case.

Yellow shirts, teddy bears and pizza are just some of the digressions that come up during this awesome conversation.

Support Links

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia,

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Another day, another fabulous meeting and conversation! In our 50th episode (can you believe!?!?), we meet with the wonderful Hannah Marai.

Hannah is a proud Meriam Mer (Torres Strait Islander) woman with family ties to the Manbarra people and a practising lawyer. Her passion for the law has guided her through a diverse career spanning policy, law reform, human rights, and advocacy. Across her various roles, Hannah has been dedicated to educating others, bringing an Indigenous perspective to policy and law reform, and strengthening internal cultural awareness. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing the rights and wellbeing of vulnerable communities.

Hannah shares with us some insight into her own experience after the Voice to Parliament referendum. We feel very lucky that Hannah gave us space for her personal experience of a very public and political circumstance. One of our key takeaways (without giving too much away) was how this experience strengthened her commitment to ensuring legal services are delivered with care and through a trauma-informed lens.

Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts or follow the links in our bio/comments. If you are looking for some support as a result of some of the topics covered this season, please see a few options listed below:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Supports via the Australian Human Rights Commission: https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice/support-services-voice-referendum

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia.

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence.

In this episode, we meet with Hon. Justice Naita A. Semaj. Justice Naita talks to us about overcoming breast cancer at a very intense moment in her life. During this conversation we learn that Her honour is a formidable woman. As she shares with us in this episode, she just had to “do the thing” with the support of her family, a sense of humour, a heart of gold - and also for the grind.

Justice Semaj is the youngest female appointed to the New York State Supreme Court. Known for her groundbreaking work in youth justice, Justice Semaj has presided over violent felony cases in the Youth Part, specialised firearm cases, and now serves in the Civil Term, Bronx County.

A fierce advocate for young people, she launched an internship program for high school students, connecting them with judges and offering hands-on mentorship. Her community work includes ongoing involvement with Not on My Watch, Inc., a Bronx-based organisation uplifting young girls.

Beyond the bench, she’s a proud Bronx resident, wife, mother and dog mom to a cavapoo and mini poodle. We are so grateful to Justice Nemaj for making time on her holiday to have a chat with us!

If you are looking for some support as a result of some of the topics covered this season, please see a few options listed below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia.

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence.

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

OMG how cool is it for us to sit down with one of the OG’s in legal podcasting, Clarissa Rayward. We talk about three significant losses in her life (including mention of deaths by suicide) that have impacted her life and practice so we offer a content note for our listeners to take care as you tune in.

Clarissa Rayward is a family lawyer, business owner, author, and self-confessed lover of chocolate, coffee, and all things colourful. She’s the Director of the Brisbane Family Law Centre, where for over 16 years she’s helped families navigate separation with compassion and creativity.

Author of Splitsville: How to separate, stay out of court and stay friends, Clarissa also founded Happy Lawyer Happy Life—a movement inspiring lawyers to build happier, healthier careers through books, podcasts, and education.

Recognised for her leadership and wellbeing advocacy in law, Clarissa has received multiple awards, including the 2019 Wellness Advocate of the Year and the 2022 Agnes McWhinney Award for excellence, equity, and service to the community.

We are so grateful for her time and vulnerability. This is a stunning conversation full of heart, colour and vibes! An important digression is Clarissa sharing about some new research and podcast she is currently embarking on (exciting!). Tell us your thoughts on the episode!

If you are looking for some support as a result of some of the topics covered this season, please see a few options listed below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia.

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence.

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In this episode we meet with Shaun Chng. Shaun is a Pro Bono lawyer at Clayton Utz and manages the firm's pro bono practice in Queensland. One of the things we love about Shaun is that he’s a quiet achiever with a big impact.

Shaun talks with us about the challenges he experienced in finding work as an international student and migrant worker before serendipitously finding a pathway to a career at Clayton Utz. Shaun was originally born and raised in Malaysia, and moved to Australia to study when he was 18 years old.

Acting for low income and vulnerable people in need where Legal Aid is not available, and for not-for-profits and charities, Shaun's practice spans across in a diverse range of legal areas including employment & discrimination law, victims compensation, elder abuse, civil disputes, not-for-profit advisory and general human rights matters. Prior to transitioning into his current role, Shaun practised at Clayton Utz as a Corporate, M&A and Capital Markets lawyer for nearly 5 years.

At work, Shaun is actively involved with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, sitting on Clayton Utz's LGBTIQ+ Steering Committee and Cultural Diversity Interest Group Committee. Outside of Clayton Utz, Shaun is actively involved in the legal assistance sector in his personal capacity. He was a board member of the LGBTI Legal Service between 2020 and 2024, and has recently been appointed to the management committee of the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service.

If you are looking for some support as a result of some of the topics covered this season, please see a few options listed below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia.

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence.

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

In this episode, we meet with Fiona Yeang, a lawyer specialising in construction, engineering and infrastructure projects, and an advocate for disability access and inclusion. Fiona shares with us her experience and journey of overcoming a significant loss in her life, so we provide a gentle content note and trigger warning for our listeners who may wish to take care when tuning in. While the subject matter is a sad one, Fiona brings sincerity, gentleness and pragmatism to the conversation—qualities shaped by her life being English, living with a disability, being a mother, and a lawyer with over 40 years of practice experience.

She started her career at the Bar in London in 1984, then moved in-house to a construction industry trade association, subsequently joining a major UK law firm and becoming a solicitor. She worked in London, on construction and infrastructure projects, until 2000, when she relocated to Queensland to join a major Australian law firm. In 2006 she set up her own practice, Yeang Lawyers. She is a legal consultant for Peerpoint by A&O Shearman, through which she periodically takes on secondments to in-house legal teams. For the last 10 years she has also been a sessional academic at QUT, teaching a construction law unit for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students. She has been disabled since birth, and is an ambulatory wheelchair user (she either uses a wheelchair or walks with a mobility aid). Fiona is a founding member of the Queensland Law Society’s Disability and Accessibility Network.

If you are looking for some support as a result of some of the topics covered this season, please see a few options listed below:

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (phone) or text 0477 13 11 14. 24/7 phone and text support for anyone in Australia.

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732. 24/7 support for sexual assault, domestic and family violence.

13YARN: 13 92 76. 24/7 crisis support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.