There Will Be Dancing

Women's Environmental Leadership Australia

Courage, care, and climate leadership worth dancing for. There Will Be Dancing is a podcast from Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), amplifying the voices and leadership of women and gender-diverse changemakers working for our climate and environment.Taking its name from the idea that movements for change must leave room for joy, the podcast weaves together personal stories, creative contributions, and thoughtful conversations to show that leadership can be hopeful, collaborative, and deeply human.Across each episode, you’ll hear from experienced leaders and emerging voices challenging outdated norms and creating new pathways for climate and environmental action.

Επεισόδια

  1. Storytelling for Social Change with Natalie Kyriacou

    6 ΗΜ. ΠΡΙΝ

    Storytelling for Social Change with Natalie Kyriacou

    Can a story change the way we see nature? Can humour do what doom cannot? And what happens when we finally start telling the stories of the women, the weirdos, and the wildlife the world has long overlooked? In this episode of There Will Be Dancing, Victoria, Odette and Sanaya sit down with award-winning environmentalist, author and founder of My Green World, Natalie Kyriacou OAM. A national ambassador for the Australian Conservation Foundation and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, Natalie has spent more than a decade finding new ways to draw people into the environmental conversation, from building a mobile game that turned kids into virtual conservationists, to writing her acclaimed debut, Nature's Last Dance. Together they explore storytelling as a vehicle for social change: why so many people are checking out of climate doom, how humour and curiosity can reach the audiences that policy papers never will, and what it means to write a nature book that a tradie, a bird watcher, a scientist and a school kid can all pick up and love. Natalie shares the story behind Nature's Last Dance, the quirky and unforgettable characters she met along the way and why she set out to write a love letter to the environmental community as much as a book about the natural world. This episode also features a beautiful audio contribution from ecologist and science communicator Dr Kylie Soanes. In a piece called The Story of a Reluctant Storyteller, Kylie reflects on finding her own voice as a nature storyteller in cities, on noticing birds at bus stops and peacock spiders at the kitchen sink, and on the quiet power of telling the story only you can tell. We hope this episode leaves you laughing, thinking, and a little more convinced that the stories we tell about nature, and about each other, are some of the most important tools we have for change. Learn more about Natalie Kyriacou and Nature's Last Dance at nataliekyriacou.com and discover her work with My Green World at mygreenworld.org Follow Dr Kylie Soanes and her work on urban nature at @drkyliesoanes on Instagram and TikTok Our Hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA) - A strategic leader with decades of experience in climate and environmental advocacy.Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co) - A storyteller and PR expert teaching changemakers how to tell their story.Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B) - A policy and advocacy leader working in clean tech on climate solutions.Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): Instagram | TikTok Want to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook This episode is proudly supported by Women's Agenda, helping to amplify essential conversations at the intersection of environment, gender, and leadership.

    59 λεπτά
  2. Voices that Move Movements with Holly Rankin (Jack River)

    4 ΜΑΪ́

    Voices that Move Movements with Holly Rankin (Jack River)

    Can a song shift a system? Can grief become fuel for social change? In this episode of There Will Be Dancing, Victoria, Odette and Sanaya sit down with Holly Rankin, the artist, activist and organiser better known to many as the musician Jack River. Holly has spent over a decade making music that lingers, building festivals that gather a generation, and using her platform to push for political and social change in Australia. Together, they explore the power of art and music to move movements: how culture shapes the conversations a country is willing to have, whether songs can carry ideas further than policy papers, and why creative voices are often the ones that shift the ground beneath us. Holly shares the story behind her work as Jack River, the campaigns she has built, and the grief that sits at the heart of so much of it, including the loss of her sister at a young age. This episode also features a beautiful audio contribution from musician Nidala Barker, whose song ‘Boldy Ahead’ adds another layer of feeling and reflection to a conversation about the role of artists in shaping the world we want to live in. We hope this episode leaves you stirred, a little softer, and reminded that the songs we sing, the art we make, and the stories we tell are not just decoration, but tools for social change. Learn more about Jack River and Holly's work at .jackrivermusic.com and follow her on Instagram here. Discover Nidala Barker's music at nidalamusic.com and follow her on Instagram here. Have an idea for an audio reflection? Get in touch at info@wela.org.au Our Hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA) - A strategic leader with decades of experience in climate and environmental advocacy.Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co) - A storyteller and PR expert teaching changemakers how to tell their story.Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B) - A policy and advocacy leader working in clean tech on climate solutions.Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): Instagram | TikTok Want to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook This episode is proudly supported by Women's Agenda, helping to amplify essential conversations at the intersection of environment, gender, and leadership.

    1 ώρα
  3. Caring for Country with Sarah Eccles

    20 ΑΠΡ

    Caring for Country with Sarah Eccles

    What would it take to truly protect Country, not just in words, but in law? And what might change if we learned to listen to the oldest knowledge systems on this continent? In this episode of There Will Be Dancing, Victoria, Odette and Sanaya catch up with special guest Sarah Eccles: co-CEO of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and a leader whose work sits at the intersection of culture, Country, and climate. As co-CEO, Sarah helps steward a growing organisation that speaks for Wadawurrung Country, stretching across the Geelong, Ballarat, and Werribee regions of Victoria.  Together, they explore what it means to care for Country in a time of climate crisis, how First Nations leadership is reshaping environmental decision-making in Australia (and who may not be happy about that) and why protecting Country isn't a separate conversation from protecting everything else we love. Sarah also shares what co-leadership looks like in practice, and why holding space for both cultural knowledge and contemporary governance is so important. This episode also features a contribution from First Nations leader Ruth Langford: a powerful reflection on the protection of Country in law,and what it will take for our legal and political systems to recognise Country as kin, not resource. We hope this conversation leaves you feeling challenged, hopeful, and more deeply connected to the Country beneath your feet — wherever in the world you are listening from. Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn. Learn more about the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation at wadawurrung.org.au Connect with Ruth Langford on Instagram You can learn more about Victoria’s formal Treaty process at firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty/ Our Hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA) - A strategic leader with decades of experience in climate and environmental advocacy.Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co) - A storyteller and PR expert teaching changemakers how to tell their story.Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B) - A policy and advocacy leader working in clean tech on climate solutions.Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod) InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook This episode is proudly supported by Women's Agenda, helping to amplify essential conversations at the intersection of environment, gender, and leadership.

    55 λεπτά
  4. Under the Sea with Yolanda Waters

    6 ΑΠΡ

    Under the Sea with Yolanda Waters

    What would it take to make the climate movement as diverse as the country it's trying to protect — and what are we missing if we don't? In this episode of There Will Be Dancing, Victoria, Odette and Sanaya sit down with special guest Yolanda Waters — founder of Divers for Climate Action, PhD researcher in marine social science and a rising voice at the intersection of ocean conservation, climate communication and cultural inclusion. Yolanda's path to ocean advocacy began not with a lifelong love of the sea, but with a reckoning: standing on a tourist boat at the Great Barrier Reef, unable to answer the big questions visitors kept asking her. That frustration — and one very honest rant on the internet — sparked the community that became Divers for Climate. Together, they explore what it really means to communicate climate change with nuance in a world that demands a 30-second reel, why Australia's climate movement is missing one in three Australians, and how bridging the gap between marine conservation and climate action could change everything. They also dig into the very real, very messy experience of building an organisation from scratch — and why Yolanda says it makes her PhD look easy. This episode also features a deeply moving contribution from Bianca McNeair -  a meditation on grief, country, and the profound responsibility of listening, told through the experience of a group of Malgana women monitoring nesting loggerhead turtles. We hope this conversation leaves you feeling connected to our oceans, to each other, and to the many different ways there are to show up for this work. Connect with Yolanda on Instagram @yolandaleewaters and @diversforclimate. Learn about the Divers for Climate Summer of Solidarity crowd fundraiser that aims to raise the capital to support a delegation of divers and tourism operators to Parliament in 2026. Connect with Bianca on Linkedin and Instagram Our Hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA) - A strategic leader with decades of experience in climate and environmental advocacy.Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co) - A storyteller and PR expert teaching changemakers how to tell their story.Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B) - A policy and advocacy leader working in clean tech on climate solutions.Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook This episode is proudly supported by Women's Agenda, helping to amplify essential conversations at the intersection of environment, gender, and leadership.

    47 λεπτά
  5. People-Centred Solutions with Sharan Burrow AC

    23 ΜΑΡ

    People-Centred Solutions with Sharan Burrow AC

    What does it take to create real, lasting change, and who needs to be at the centre of it? In this episode of There Will Be Dancing, Victoria, Odette and Sanaya sit down with special guest Sharan Burrow AC—global advocate, former General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, and one of the most influential voices in climate and labour justice. Sharan has spent decades working at the intersection of workers’ rights, climate action, and global policy. Her approach is grounded in a simple but powerful idea: that the most effective solutions are those shaped by and for the people they impact most. Together, they explore the critical role of community in driving change, how to stay hopeful in a world that can feel increasingly unstable, and why people-centred thinking is essential to building a more just and sustainable future. Along the way, Sharan shares stories from her extraordinary career—including a very special dance partner… Nelson Mandela. This episode also features a moving contribution from Chantelle Cortez Maglalang, a Western Sydney–based designer, artist and storyteller who shares a reflection informed by her lived experience of extreme heat and the realities of climate on the ground. We hope this conversation leaves you feeling grounded, connected, and reminded that meaningful change begins, and endures, with people. If you want to learn more about Sharan’s work with Women Leading on Climate: https://wela.org.au/influence/wloc/   You can also follow Chantelle’s work at https://www.instagram.com/mellechant/ and https://www.schoolofzines.com.au/, and you can find out more about Sweltering Cities at https://swelteringcities.org/   Our Hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA)Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co)Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B)Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook This episode is proudly supported by Women’s Agenda, helping to amplify essential conversations at the intersection of environment, gender, and leadership.

    48 λεπτά
  6. Looking Back with Kelly O'Shanassy

    9 ΜΑΡ

    Looking Back with Kelly O'Shanassy

    Welcome everyone, to our very first episode of There Will Be Dancing. We’re so thrilled to share this new project with you, brought to you by Women's Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA).  We designed the podcast to amplify the voices and leadership of women and gender-diverse changemakers working for our climate and environment. Taking its name from the idea that revolutions should leave room for joy, the podcast weaves together personal stories, expert insights, and fresh perspectives to show that leadership can be bold, collaborative, and deeply human.  Our very first guest, Kelly O’Shanassy joins us to reflect on the theme of ‘Looking Back’ as she concludes more than a decade as CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation. Kelly unpacks what it really means to “do good”: making hard choices, letting go of perfection, and focusing on impact over appearances. From knowing when a campaign has run its course to celebrating imperfect wins, she offers rare insight into leadership that prioritises outcomes, not optics. Each episode includes a contribution from one of our community members, such as a poem, essay, or audio profile. Today we’re pleased to include a reflection from Anna Hutchcroft, who will be reading a piece called When Language Returns.  If you would like to learn more about Kelly’s work, you can find her at linkedin.com/in/kellyoshanassy.  If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider subscribing, we will be sharing a new episode each fortnight.  Our hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA)Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co)Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B)Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Our thanks to Women’s Agenda for supporting these essential conversations about the environment, gender and leadership.

    1 ώ. 2 λ.
  7. Imperfect Environmentalism with Kathryn Nelson

    9 ΜΑΡ

    Imperfect Environmentalism with Kathryn Nelson

    What makes for a perfect environmentalist? Does it even exist? For our third episode of There Will Be Dancing, Odette and Victoria explore this question with special guest  Kathryn Nelson (aka the ‘Plastic Free Mermaid’), author of I Quit Plastics.  Kathryn's work is a blend of playfulness and protest; she’s created countless DIY beauty and skincare recipes, petitioned local governments, and has recently become a mother.  Kathryn has garnered quite a following, and remains open and honest with her community. Join us for a conversation about environmental activism, a bit of mermaid chat, and as always, dancing. We’re also thrilled to share a contribution today from Carly Dober, who reads a reflection called, A Psychologist’s Advice for Showing Up in a World That Feels Constantly On Fire. We hope this episode inspires and emboldens listeners to make changes for their community and planet, without being tripped up by ideas of perfection along the way. If you would like to learn more about Kathryn, you can follow her over on Instagram at @plasticfreemermaid If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider subscribing, we will be sharing a new episode each fortnight. Our hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA)Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co)Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B)Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Our thanks to Women’s Agenda for supporting these essential conversations about the environment, gender and leadership.

    1 ώ. 5 λ.
  8. Youth Led Activism with Anjali Sharma

    9 ΜΑΡ

    Youth Led Activism with Anjali Sharma

    The world is in danger, and the youth are fighting to save it.  At just 16, Anjali Sharma stood in a federal court arguing that the Australian government had a duty to protect future generations from climate change.  Now at 21, Anjali joins hosts Sanaya, Odette, and Victoria to speak candidly about carrying responsibility young, navigating racism and scrutiny, and reframing age, gender and identity not as barriers, but as a reason to lead.  Anjali is the perfect guest for our theme today: Youth Led Activism. She offers a rare perspective on what it means to grow up advocating for change from a young age, and how movements can support people to stay engaged without losing themselves in the process. She shares insight into the mobilising powers of social media, and clues us in on the occasional ‘right time’ to cut class. She shares her ongoing work for the Duty of Care Bill, and gives us a couple examples of her favourite dancing moments.  We have a community contribution today from Carolyn Ingvarson, longtime environmental advocate, who shares reflections on changemaking as a grandmother.  If you would like to learn more about Anjali’s work, you can find her on Instagram via @anj.sharmaa and @dutyofcarecampaign. If you enjoyed this podcast, please consider subscribing, we will be sharing a new episode each fortnight. Our hosts: Victoria McKenzie-McHarg (CEO, WELA)Odette Barry (Founder, Odette & Co)Sanaya Khisty (Head of Strategy and Government Relations, 5B)Follow us on socials (@therewillbedancingpod): InstagramTikTokWant to learn more about WELA? Visit wela.org.au and find us on Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Our thanks to Women’s Agenda for supporting these essential conversations about the environment, gender and leadership.

    48 λεπτά
  • 8 επεισόδια

Σχετικά με το podcast

Courage, care, and climate leadership worth dancing for. There Will Be Dancing is a podcast from Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), amplifying the voices and leadership of women and gender-diverse changemakers working for our climate and environment.Taking its name from the idea that movements for change must leave room for joy, the podcast weaves together personal stories, creative contributions, and thoughtful conversations to show that leadership can be hopeful, collaborative, and deeply human.Across each episode, you’ll hear from experienced leaders and emerging voices challenging outdated norms and creating new pathways for climate and environmental action.

Πληροφορίες

  • Δημιουργός
    Women's Environmental Leadership Australia
  • Έτη παρουσίας
    2 χιλ.
  • Επεισόδια
    8
  • Καταλληλότητα
    Κατάλληλο
  • Πνευματικά δικαιώματα
    © 2026 There Will Be Dancing
  • Ιστότοπος εκπομπής
    There Will Be Dancing
  • Πάροχος

Ίσως να σας αρέσουν