Better Student Leaders with Josh Farr

Josh Farr (Founder, Campus Consultancy)
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Welcome to Better Student Leaders with Josh Farr. This podcast explores the fascinating world of student leadership with a focus on clubs, societies, colleges, mentoring and leadership programs. I’m your host, Josh. I’ll bring you leaders from across the student leadership sector and show you how they are realizing the potential of connected and empowered student communities. Expect to hear challenges, creative solutions, innovative uses of AI and case-studies of what works to move the needle and get results with students. Love the show? Connect via https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr

  1. 1d ago

    #122 How to Measure and Increase Student Belonging with UNSW’s Director of Engagement & Student Success, Natalie Nickson

    What if student belonging isn’t just a feeling, but something universities can actually measure and improve? Natalie Nickson is the Director of Engagement & Student Success at UNSW and led a three-year belonging project that engaged around 70,000 students to understand what actually makes students feel connected to university. In this episode, we unpack the five drivers of belonging, four very different student personas, choice modelling, affordable food, friendship and why O-Week alone simply isn’t enough. “Everybody’s okay on day one to say, ‘Hands up, I don’t have a friend.’ Six months later, I think there’s a lot of shame around, ‘I still don’t have a friend.’” - Natalie Nickson We explore why feeling safe comes before feeling like you belong, why some students can spend 18 months wanting community without finding their way in, and how student leaders can create environments that make connection easier. We also dive into the gap between attending an event and actually belonging, UNSW’s First Year Festival, the surprising connection between affordable food and belonging, and how choice modelling can help student leaders work out what their members actually value. For student leaders, Natalie leaves us with a simple challenge: find the issue you care about, bring the data, identify people inside your university who care about it too, and reach out. Because when student leaders and university leaders are moving in the same direction, real change can happen. Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliedainer/ Or, to speak with Josh… Connect on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ Or visit: https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #122 How to Measure and Increase Student Belonging with UNSW’s Director of Engagement & Student Success, Natalie Nickson

  2. Sep 27

    #121 From Kenyan Student to Founder and LinkedIn Superstar - Alexis Ngunyi on Courageous Action, Resilience & Kindness

    What does it take to arrive in a new country and start building your life, career and community from scratch? Alexis Ngunyi arrived in Australia from Kenya as an international student in 2023. From that very first day, she threw herself into student leadership, volunteering, building relationships and creating opportunities. In this episode, we explore courageous action, resilience, authentic leadership and what Alexis calls “ruthless optimism.” “The gap between who you are currently and where you want to be is 1,000 boring steps.” - Alexis Ngunyi We unpack why leadership takes patience, what door-to-door sales taught Alexis about rejection and resilience, why your career rarely moves in a straight line, and why young leaders shouldn’t underestimate the value of sharing their story and simply reaching out to people. Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-ngunyi/ Or, to speak with Josh… Connect on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ Or visit: https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #121 From Kenyan Student to Founder and LinkedIn Superstar - Alexis Ngunyi on Courageous Action, Resilience & Kindness

  3. Sep 20

    #120 Making University Less Scary for Students AND Parents - Lisa Buchner & Tijana Ilic on First-in-Family Success + Students as 'Near-Peer Role Models'

    What if the best person to show a high school student that university is possible… is another student who’s already done it? Lisa Buchner leads outreach at Monash University, while Tijana Ilic went from being an Access Monash mentee in high school to becoming a mentor and mentor leader herself. Together, we explore first-in-family students, engaging parents in the university journey, near-peer role models and why student leaders can make university feel far less intimidating. “I wanted to support other students who were walking in my shoes who perhaps didn’t know the information that they didn’t know.” - Tijana Ilic We unpack why parents don’t need to understand every part of the university system to be supportive, how lived experience creates powerful role models, and why outreach can be just as transformative for the student leaders delivering it. Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-buchner-8ab05417/ Connect with Tijana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tijana-ilic-a66bab28a/ Or, to speak with Josh… https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ Or visit: https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #120 Making University Less Scary for Students AND Parents - Lisa Buchner & Tijana Ilic on First-in-Family Success + Students as 'Near-Peer Role Models'

  4. Sep 15

    #119 From Refugee to 2026 Young Australian of The Year (Victoria) - Abraham Kuol on Why Belonging Could Change a Young Person’s Life

    What if changing a young person’s life starts with simply making them feel like they belong? Abraham Kuol is the 2026 Victorian Young Australian of the Year, a criminology researcher, youth mentor and community leader whose family fled conflict in South Sudan before resettling in Australia. In this episode, we explore belonging, mentoring, volunteering, youth justice and the power of one trusted adult. “Sometimes all it takes is a trusted adult or a mentor, somebody who believes in them even when they don’t believe in themselves.” - Abraham Kuol We unpack how sport can become a vehicle for social change, why young people need opportunities to contribute, and Abraham’s simple advice for future leaders: chase your dreams, practise discipline and dedicate yourself to service. Connect with Abraham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-kuol-347449212/ Or, to speak with Josh... Connect on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ Or visit: https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #119 From Refugee to 2026 Young Australian of The Year (Victoria) - Abraham Kuol on Why Belonging Could Change a Young Person’s Life

  5. Aug 31

    #118 Joo Kim: Why “Why?” Is the Key to Better Marketing, The 5x5 Strategy + GPA Method for Student Engagement

    On today’s episode of Better Student Leaders, ⁠Josh Farr⁠ sits down with ⁠Joo Kim⁠, Communications Coordinator at the Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild, to unpack practical marketing strategies student leaders and university staff can use immediately to get more students to notice, engage with and actually show up to what they create. “Start asking why. Why do you want to make this event? Why do you want students to come to this?” 3 Reasons to Listen / 3 Topics we have NEVER discussed on this podcast before, including: 1. The 5x5 Strategy: Identify five compelling elements of your event, then communicate each of them across five different platforms or touchpoints to dramatically increase awareness 2. The GPA Method — Giveaways, Prizes + Activations: Why free stuff gets attention, prizes create motivation and interactive activations get students participating rather than simply watching 3. Why “Why?” is the most important marketing question: Before worrying about captions, Reels or algorithms, understand why the event exists, why students should care and why you want them to take action Stay in touch with Joo and let him know what you thought of the podcast. Connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joohyungkim-marketing/ To speak with Josh about supporting your leaders, connect with him here https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ or visit https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ to find out how he can help you. Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #118 Joo Kim: Why “Why?” Is the Key to Better Marketing, The 5x5 Strategy + GPA Method for Student Engagement

  6. Aug 24

    #117 Sophie Richardson: Team Principal (QUT Motorsport) on Leading 250 Students, Gratitude and "Starting Before You're Ready"

    In this episode of Better Student Leaders, Josh Farr speaks with Sophie Richardson, Mechanical Engineering student and Team Principal of QUT Motorsport, one of the largest student-led engineering teams in Australia. “Do not wait until you feel ready. You will never feel ready.” – Sophie Richardson Sophie went from being the only woman in a room of ~40 students and terrified to attend her first meeting, to Business Manager, and ultimately Team Principal of a 250-person team, all while maintaining a 7.0 GPA! 3 Reasons to Listen / 3 Topics we have NEVER discussed on this podcast before, including: 1. 🏎️ How do you actually lead 250 students? Why Sophie doesn’t try to have all the answers and instead builds structures, develops people and finds the right experts. 2. 🎧 “Listening became my superpower.” How Sophie leads a highly technical motorsport team despite coming from its business side and why asking “why?” multiple times helps uncover the real problem. 3. 🚀 Never wait until you feel ready. Sophie felt underqualified for almost every major role she accepted. Her advice: jump in, learn on the job and don’t wait for confidence to arrive first. We also unpack delegation for perfectionists, failing upwards, women in engineering, reaching 700+ school students, self-care for ambitious leaders, and the simple journaling habit Sophie has now maintained for 165 consecutive days. Stay in touch with Sophie here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-richardson-451067336/ Connect with Josh Farr on LinkedIn or learn more about Campus Consultancy here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr

    #117 Sophie Richardson: Team Principal (QUT Motorsport) on Leading 250 Students, Gratitude and "Starting Before You're Ready"

  7. Aug 17

    #116 Professor Andrew Martin: The 6 Cs to Bounce Back Every Student Leader MUST HEAR

    “If something good happens in your life, just hold onto it, enjoy the moment, ‘cause that’s the confidence booster moment.” Starting university brings deadlines, disappointing marks, competing priorities and inevitable setbacks. But according to Scientia Professor Andrew Martin (UNSW), the students who thrive aren’t those who avoid challenges, they’re the ones who develop academic buoyancy: the ability to bounce back from everyday adversity. In this episode, Josh sits down with one of Australia’s leading educational psychologists to unpack the research behind student motivation, wellbeing and resilience. Together they explore Andrew’s evidence-based 6 Cs of Academic Buoyancy, why managing stress is more important than simply working harder, and how student leaders can support others without trying to become counsellors. 3 Reasons to Listen (3 Topics We’ve Never Discussed on This Podcast Before): 1. The surprising research behind “academic buoyancy” Why handling everyday setbacks, poor marks, looming deadlines and study stress, actually strengthens your ability to deal with bigger life challenges. 2. Why studying harder isn’t always studying smarter Discover the science behind spaced practice, why locking yourself in the library all day can backfire, and how exercise, friendships and recovery actually improve academic performance. 3. The hidden curriculum of university Professor Martin explains the unwritten lessons students only discover by getting involved, contributing to campus life and building relationships beyond the classroom. ⸻ To read the article: https://theconversation.com/back-at-uni-how-to-help-your-wellbeing-while-you-study-276854 Stay in touch with Professor Andrew Martin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professor-andrew-martin To speak with Josh LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshfarr/ --- If this podcast brings up anything concerning for you, Lifeline is a free, confidential 24/7 crisis support service in Australia. You can call the Lifeline Crisis Support Line at 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14, or use their Online Chat anytime if you feel overwhelmed, need someone to listen, or have thoughts of suicide. If life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

    #116 Professor Andrew Martin: The 6 Cs to Bounce Back Every Student Leader MUST HEAR

  8. Aug 9

    #115 Alana Kilmartin: Why Your Career Is an Adventure, Not an Exam — Unserious Careers, Transferable Experiences and Giving Young People Hope

    On today’s episode of Better Student Leaders, ⁠Josh Farr⁠ sits down with ⁠Alana Kilmartin⁠, Founder of Unserious Careers and author of the book by the same name, to explore why young people need a completely different way of thinking about careers. After visiting more than 300 schools across Australia and New Zealand, Alana shares what students, parents, educators and universities are getting right, what they are getting wrong, and why careers should feel more like an adventure than a test with one correct answer. “Your career is an adventure, it’s not an exam.” From the pressure to make “perfect” decisions in high school through to the importance of transferable experiences, social contagion, community and hope, Alana challenges the idea that careers should follow one neat, linear pathway. She also shares what she learned touring regional, rural and low-SES communities, and why young people need honest career guidance that builds them up rather than convincing them the future is already closed off. 3 Reasons to Listen / 3 Topics we have NEVER discussed on this podcast before, including: 1. Why students should focus on building transferable experiences, not just transferable skills, and how travel, volunteering, leadership and community involvement can make them more employable 2. What Alana learned after visiting 300+ schools about regional opportunity, low-SES disadvantage, parental engagement and the very different levels of hope young people carry into their futures 3. How social contagion shapes student participation, and why making opportunities feel normal, social and genuinely exciting may be the key to getting more young people involved Stay in touch with Alana and let her know what you thought of the podcast. Connect here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-kilmartin/ To speak with Josh about supporting your leaders, connect with him here https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr/ or visit https://www.campusconsultancy.org/ to find out how he can help you. Did you love this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and hit SUBSCRIBE before you go anywhere!

    #115 Alana Kilmartin: Why Your Career Is an Adventure, Not an Exam — Unserious Careers, Transferable Experiences and Giving Young People Hope
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About

Welcome to Better Student Leaders with Josh Farr. This podcast explores the fascinating world of student leadership with a focus on clubs, societies, colleges, mentoring and leadership programs. I’m your host, Josh. I’ll bring you leaders from across the student leadership sector and show you how they are realizing the potential of connected and empowered student communities. Expect to hear challenges, creative solutions, innovative uses of AI and case-studies of what works to move the needle and get results with students. Love the show? Connect via https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshdfarr

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Farr (Founder, Campus Consultancy)
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    120
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Josh Farr (Founder, Campus Consultancy)
  • Show Website
    Better Student Leaders with Josh Farr

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