In this episode, DEI strategist Khayshie Tilak Ramesh shares her journey from a childhood experience of being “othered” to becoming a leading voice in creating more inclusive spaces. She demystifies intersectionality - how overlapping systems of oppression create unique experiences of discrimination – and explores how we can address compounded marginalisation. The conversation dives deep into shifting from non-racism to active anti-racism, with practical insights on indifference and neutrality, and navigating entrenched workplace resistance. Khayshie shares tangible strategies for navigating difficult DEI conversations, from understanding the interests behind a person’s position to the art of “calling in” versus “calling out” discriminatory systems. She reflects on the personal cost of advocacy, the tension between being bold versus palatable, and why rest is resistance - not a luxury.

For anyone committed to building a more equitable world, this episode offers both the conceptual framework and actionable tools to move from awareness to meaningful action.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction

01:44 - The Journey of Otherness

07:22 - Understanding Intersectionality

20:33 - The Distinction Between Non-Racist and Anti-Racist

36:31 - Negotiation: Interests vs. Positions

41:13 - Navigating the Movable Middle in Advocacy

44:58 - The Challenge of Being a DEI Strategist

49:02 - Balancing Boldness and Palatability in Advocacy

53:01 - Understanding Advocacy Burnout

01:01:35 - Being comfortable with No in Self-Advocacy

01:05:22 - Valuing Stories and Knowledge Beyond Books

01:08:29 - Redefining the Narrative of Migrants

01:12:01 - Authenticity in Advocacy and Representation

01:16:52 - Conclusion

Resources mentioned:

1. “Invisible Women” by Caroline Criado Perez
2. “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” by Beverly Daniel Tatum
3. “Getting to Yes” by Fisher and Ury

Connect with Khayshie:

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

Website: https://khayshie.com/

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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.

Host Emma Bellamy-Dodd sits with Richa Joshi, who helps quiet voices get loud - especially women of colour who have been muted by systems, labels, and cultural expectations. In this episode, Richa shares her personal journey of (un-)learning to “shrink” to fit in and how parenthood became the catalyst for breaking generational cycles of silence. The conversation delves into the messy but essential work of “unmuting” - a process of unlearning harmful conditioning, challenging internalised narratives, and healing from self-erasure. Richa challenges the idea that integration is a one-sided task migrants must perform alone, reframing belonging as mutual adaptation where everyone evolves. Together, they explore the power of deconstructing our own cultural biases and moving beyond limiting labels and stereotypes – like the model minority myth - to embrace our evolving, intersectional identities.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction

• 3:00 - Identity Formation and Migration

• 11:56 - The Emotional Process of Unmuting

• 23:00 - Cultural Adaptation vs. Assimilation

• 42:04 - Deconstructing Cultural Norms and Challenging Labelling

• 48:54 - Power, Privilege, and Mutuality

• 1:06:41 - The Role of Authenticity and Self-Reflection

• 1:18:02 - Conclusion

Resources mentioned:

• “The Good Immigrant” by Nikesh Shukla
• “The Leader unwritten: Becoming who you’re meant to be” by Premila Jina

Connect with X:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richajoshi1978/

Website: unmutingyou.com

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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.

Zozan Balci is a researcher and author who explores the lived experiences of mixed heritage individuals navigating cultural in-betweenness. Born in Germany to Italian and Turkish migrant parents, Zozan lost her ability to speak Turkish as a child - a loss that sparked years of reflection and ultimately became the foundation of her PhD research. In this conversation, Zozan shares powerful stories from her book about the emotional weight of being “ambiguously Brown,” the invasive “Where are you from?” question, and how “in-betweeners” often erase parts of themselves to fit into dominant cultures. She discusses the racialization of cultural identity, the deep connection between language and relationships, and why well-meaning practices of inclusion can emphasise differences and eventually harm children. Zozan also introduces her documentary project “Say Our Names,” which addresses the everyday microaggression of name mispronunciation, and shares practical strategies for creating micro-inclusions. This episode challenges listeners to sit with discomfort, question their assumptions about belonging, and recognise that mixedness isn’t a deficit - it’s a rich, valid identity deserving of recognition and respect.

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome

• 1:41 – The Personal Story Behind the Research

• 5:00 – The Experience of “Ambiguous Brownness”

• 10:00 – Feeling Not Enough of Anything

• 15:51 – Why People Reject or Embrace Heritage Languages

• 20:00 – Language as Connection, Not Asset

• 24:59 – Race, Visibility, and Identity

• 25:00 – Normalizing Mixedness

• 30:00 – The Exhausting Emotional Labor

• 33:30 – Say Our Names Documentary

• 40:00 – Empowering Multilingual Students in Classrooms

• 45:00 – Resisting Academic Conformity

• 50:00 – The Myth of Objectivity in Social Science

• 52:30 – Final Words of Wisdom

• 55:29 – Dr. Rukia Odero’s Wisdom

• 56:50 – What Does “Migrant” Mean?

• 58:40 – What Is Home?

• 1:00:00 – Before and After: Finding Authentic Voice

• 1:02:33 – What’s Next: Micro-Inclusion & Closing

Resources mentioned:

• Book: Erased Voices and Unspoken Heritage: Language, Identity and Belonging in the Lives of Cultural In-betweeners, by Zozan Balci. Available in Routledge.

• Thesis: To Speak or Not to Speak? The Dilemma of Heritage Language and Identity for the Culturally Hybrid Generation, by Zozan Balci. Available here: https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/bitstream/10453/147366/2/02whole.pdf

• Documentary: “Say Our Names” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz2PUakvfH8 -

• TV Show: “Kim’s Convenience” (Canadian TV show about a Korean migrant family recommended for its honest, funny take on identity).

Connect with Zozan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzozanbalci/

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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.