Taught, Not Told: Life Lessons That Stick

Ivy Sheng
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As young people, we’re limited by the environment we grow up in - our experiences and even the advice we receive are shaped by the worldviews of those around us. But to grow, we need to hear from as many voices and perspectives as possible. Taught, Not Told is a podcast dedicated to doing just that: sharing diverse, sometimes conflicting, viewpoints to help us better understand the complexities of the world, develop critical thinking, and shape our own values. Hosted by Ivy Sheng, a teenager who loves to read, learn, and connect with others, this podcast brings together guests from different generations, industries, and worldviews. From industry leaders and climate champions to resilient entrepreneurs, guests share invaluable life advice and wisdom while challenging us to think about the world in new ways. Some episodes also feature Ivy's solo reflections on topics she’s been reading about or recent events - always with the goal of sparking curiosity and encouraging deeper thought. This isn’t a podcast that pushes a single opinion – but one that broadens horizons. By listening to conflicting beliefs and diverse journeys, we can gain a better understanding of our world, improve our critical thinking, and grow into the best versions of ourselves. Join Ivy as she explores the lessons that truly stick.

  1. Episode 5: Interview with Ms. Victoria McKenzie-McHarg - The Power of Leading Together

    10/27/2025

    Episode 5: Interview with Ms. Victoria McKenzie-McHarg - The Power of Leading Together

    Season 2: A World Worth Keeping Episode 5: Interview with Ms. Victoria McKenzie-McHarg - The Power of Leading Together Victoria McKenzie-McHarg has spent years at the heart of Australia’s climate movement, helping build a future where women and gender-diverse people lead together - across generations, communities, and causes. As CEO of Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia (WELA), she’s focused on what true leadership looks like when it’s shared, not guarded. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of supporting each other, working across generations, and remembering that none of us can do this alone. Victoria’s honesty and calm strength are a reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers, but about showing up, staying connected, and trusting that we’ll figure it out together. ✨ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 📩 I’d love to hear your thoughts - reach me at taughtnottold.pod@gmail.com.

    45 min
  2. Episode 4: Interview with Ms. Grace Vegesana - Building Youth Power for Climate Action

    10/08/2025

    Episode 4: Interview with Ms. Grace Vegesana - Building Youth Power for Climate Action

    Season 2: A World Worth Keeping Episode 4: Interview with Ms. Grace Vegesana - Building Youth Power for Climate Action It’s been incredible to see the voices of young people leading the fight for our planet - and no one embodies that better than Grace Vegesana, the National Director of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition. At just 25, Grace has spent nearly a decade building youth power to end fossil fuel expansion. From her time at Future Super, where she launched the Not Business as Usual alliance that united over 3,000 businesses in support of the 2021 Climate Strike, to her current leadership at AYCC, Grace has been at the forefront of Australia’s youth climate movement. In this conversation, Grace and I explore the strength of youth-led movements, the intersection of identity and leadership, and what it means to stay hopeful - and grounded - in an uphill fight against the climate crisis. ✨ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 📩 You can contact me at taughtnottold.pod@gmail.com

    43 min
  3. Episode 3: Interview with Prof. David Karoly - Turning Science Into Stories That Matter

    09/13/2025

    Episode 3: Interview with Prof. David Karoly - Turning Science Into Stories That Matter

    Season 2: A World Worth Keeping Episode 3: Interview with Prof. David Karoly - Turning Science Into Stories That Matter It’s been a little while since the last episode - between schoolwork and a trip to Canberra lobbying for stronger climate action, life has been busy. Thank you for your patience, and I’m so excited to be back. And what a way to return: with none other than Professor David Karoly, one of Australia’s most renowned climate scientists and a globally recognized leader in climate change research. Professor Karoly has shaped international climate science through four landmark IPCC reports, advised the Australian Government on emissions targets, and continues his work as a Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and as a Councilor on the Climate Council. In this conversation, we dive into the wisdom he’s gathered across decades of science, policy, and advocacy - and explore why protecting our future means building a world worth keeping. ✨ Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 📩 You can contact me at taughtnottold.pod@gmail.com

    49 min
  4. Episode 2: Interview with Ms. Amanda McKenzie - Building Australia's Climate Voice

    07/10/2025

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

    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.

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

    05/05/2025

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

    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

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

    03/16/2025

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

    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!

    13 min
  7. Episode 8: Interview with Dr. Geoff Raby AO

    03/08/2025

    Episode 8: Interview with Dr. Geoff Raby AO

    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

    34 min
  8. Episode 7: Interview With Prof. Gillian Triggs AC

    02/22/2025

    Episode 7: Interview With Prof. Gillian Triggs AC

    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 taughtnottold.pod@gmail.com #GillianTriggs #TaughtNotToldPodcast #LifeAdvice #HumanRightsLaw #Leadership #IntergenerationalAdvice

    39 min
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About

As young people, we’re limited by the environment we grow up in - our experiences and even the advice we receive are shaped by the worldviews of those around us. But to grow, we need to hear from as many voices and perspectives as possible. Taught, Not Told is a podcast dedicated to doing just that: sharing diverse, sometimes conflicting, viewpoints to help us better understand the complexities of the world, develop critical thinking, and shape our own values. Hosted by Ivy Sheng, a teenager who loves to read, learn, and connect with others, this podcast brings together guests from different generations, industries, and worldviews. From industry leaders and climate champions to resilient entrepreneurs, guests share invaluable life advice and wisdom while challenging us to think about the world in new ways. Some episodes also feature Ivy's solo reflections on topics she’s been reading about or recent events - always with the goal of sparking curiosity and encouraging deeper thought. This isn’t a podcast that pushes a single opinion – but one that broadens horizons. By listening to conflicting beliefs and diverse journeys, we can gain a better understanding of our world, improve our critical thinking, and grow into the best versions of ourselves. Join Ivy as she explores the lessons that truly stick.

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