TROUBLEMAKERS

Beautiful Trouble

At TROUBLEMAKERS, we explore how to rebel in an age when a few elite have so much control. We speak with inspiring people from all walks of life across the planet on the tools they use to subvert and seize power for the transformation of our world. TROUBLEMAKERS is a place to learn from each other about how to make change. This podcast is a transcontinental operation brought to you by Beautiful Trouble, MOVE the Global Social Movement Centre, MS TCDC, and Global Platforms.

  1. 28 APR

    Ep 49: Why do stories matter in social change work? With ActionAid Global Staff.

    How do we move from gathering stories to creating impact? How can we be more strategic about story gathering? And who truly owns the narrative - organisations or the communities themselves? In this episode of Troublemakers, we explore the role of storytelling in activism and development, featuring insights from practitioners working across Brazil and Nepal within ActionAid. This conversation unpacks how stories are gathered, shaped, and used. It explores the role of ActionAid in story gathering and reflects on why rethinking storytelling is essential for justice-driven work. Guest Host ● Joan Njoroge – Moderator of this conversation, guiding a deep dive into how storytelling shapes advocacy, impact, and community voice within global movements. Guest Speakers ● Erika Azevedo – Coordinator of Public Engagement at ActionAid Brazil, with a background in journalism and documentary storytelling. ● Anish Shrestha– Communications Manager at ActionAid Nepal, working closely with grassroots communities to amplify lived experiences. Reflections This episode highlights a key shift: storytelling must be decolonial, feminist, and human-centred. It’s not just about telling better stories — it’s about better planning and collaboration to avoid overload, more focus on agents of change, and amplifying people’s voices to different audiences. License Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Troublemakers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Resources & Show Links ● Subscribe: https://linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast ● ActionAid Global: https://www.actionaid.org ● Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: https://beautifultrouble.org/toolbox/

    1hr 4min

  2. 17 APR

    Ep 48: Truth, Power, and Human Rights in the Age of Social Media with Josué Mutanava

    How do we defend rights in a world full of misinformation? In this episode, guest host Jesué Mutanava speaks with Steward Muhindo, a human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo and member of Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA). They explore how social media shapes activism, the dangers of disinformation, and how young people can push for change through peaceful action. Steward also shares simple ways to verify information and why truth is essential in the fight for human rights. Key Takeaways Human rights are universal. Peaceful action drives change. Misinformation can cause real harm. Truth is the foundation of activism. Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

    23 min

  3. 10 APR

    TM Smoke Signals: Superhero. A poem by Phindu Banda

    In Super Hero, Phindu Banda honors the quiet courage of everyday people who rise, endure, and keep going. From childhood dreams to life’s hardest moments, this piece reminds us that survival, resilience, and showing up are acts of heroism. You didn’t wait to be saved. You became the hero. About the Poet Phindu Banda is a Malawian poet, performer, and activist whose work explores identity, feminism, and social justice. Through spoken word, she amplifies everyday experiences and transforms them into powerful reflections on resilience, healing, and change. Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Resources & Show Links: https://www.instagram.com/phinduzaie/

    4 min

  4. 3 APR

    Ep47: Practice What You Preach: Why Movements Fail From Within with Dale McKinley

    Why do movements that aim to transform the world so often fall apart from within? And what happens when the gap between our values and our actions becomes too wide to ignore?   In this episode of Trouble Makers, we sit down with Dale McKinley, a veteran activist with over 35 years of experience across South Africa’s most influential social movements. From the Communist Party to the Anti-Privatisation Forum and the Right to Know Campaign, Dale has witnessed firsthand how movements rise and how they implode.   Together with Phil Wilmot, they explore one of the most critical tensions in activism: the balance between changing the world and changing ourselves.   Key Conversations & Insights: The “personal vs political” gap—and how it destroys movements from the inside Why failing to confront internal issues (corruption, abuse, dishonesty) leads to collapse The danger of “don’t air dirty laundry” culture in activist spaces Real stories of movement breakdowns due to a lack of accountability How trust, relationships, and internal culture shape long-term impact   Licensing: Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media.

    34 min

  5. 22 MAR

    Ep 46: Kenya’s Gen Z Voter Movement: How "Tukokadi" Is Changing the 2027 Elections

    “The secret is numbers.” What happens when ordinary citizens decide to take democracy into their own hands? In this episode of the Trouble Makers Podcast, host Tatiana Gicheru sits down with Kenyan journalist and civic mobilizer Ademba Alanns, the mind behind the fast-growing Tukokadi movement, an initiative pushing millions of young Kenyans to register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections. What started as a simple tweet has now become a nationwide movement, mobilising thousands across all 47 counties. Ademba shares how one small action sparked a ripple effect, turning civic duty into a collective, youth-driven force. Together, they unpack: The power of grassroots organising in the digital age. Why voter registration is just the beginning of civic engagement. The role of civic and political education in shaping informed voters and so much more. Beyond Kenya, this conversation reflects a broader shift across Africa and the world, where young people are reclaiming their role in shaping governance, one vote at a time. This episode is a reminder: democracy is not passive. It is built, protected, and sustained by those who show up.

    22 min

  6. 6 MAR

    Ep 45: Misinformation in Conflict Zones: Voices from Eastern Congo.

    How does misinformation spread in conflict zones, and what are the consequences for communities and human rights defenders? In this episode, journalist Josué Mutanava speaks with Espoir Hamoni, a human rights defender based in Uvira, South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. They discuss how disinformation, rumors, and fake news in eastern DRC can fuel hate speech, community tensions, displacement, and insecurity, while making it harder for human rights defenders to document abuses. Originally recorded in French by Soma Media Lab in Goma, this episode highlights the importance of media literacy, reliable journalism, and community awareness in countering misinformation. The English transcript is available in the episode description, and the video can be watched on YouTube with English subtitles. English Transcript: https://bit.ly/4uirWle YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW ................. Comment la désinformation dans les zones de conflit affecte-t-elle les communautés et les défenseurs des droits humains ? Dans cet épisode, le journaliste Josué Mutanava s’entretient avec Espoir Hamoni, défenseur des droits humains basé à Uvira, au Sud-Kivu, dans l’est de la RDC. Ils discutent de l’impact des rumeurs, fake news et manipulations de l’information sur les tensions communautaires, les déplacements de population et la sécurité, ainsi que sur le travail des défenseurs des droits humains. L’épisode a été enregistré en français par Soma Media Lab à Goma. La transcription en anglais est disponible dans la description de l’épisode, et la vidéo peut être regardée sur YouTube avec des sous-titres anglais. YouTube: https://bit.ly/4b8bxGW

    14 min

  7. 20 FEB

    TM Smoke Signals: The Workspaces That Shape Us

    What makes a workplace meaningful? Is it the salary? The office setup? The title on the door? Or is it something quieter? Something human? In this episode of Troublemakers: Smoke Signals, we step into the everyday spaces where we spend so much of our lives. From the vibrant grounds of MS TCDC, home to the Samora Machel Studio where The Troublemakers is produced, to offices, clinics and creative corners beyond Arusha. We asked a simple question: What do you love most about your workplace? The answers surprised us in their consistency.   Broader Reflections At a time when burnout is normalised and productivity is worshipped, reclaiming joy and solidarity in our workplaces becomes radical. The workplace is not separate from the struggle for dignity, justice, and collective wellbeing. It is one of the spaces where we practice it. Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Troublemakers Linktree: https://linktr.ee/troublemakers.podcast

    9 min

  8. 13 FEB

    Ep 44: The Spectrum of Allies with Sungu Oyoo

    How do movements shift people from neutrality or even opposition into active allies for justice struggles? In this episode of the Troublemakers podcast, Monica hosts Sungu Oyoo, a writer, educator, activist, and Pan-Africanist. Sungu works with MWAMKO (Pan-African Popular Pedagogy Collective) as Director of Special Programs and Organisational Development and is also part of Kongamano Lamapinduzi, where he serves as National Spokesperson.   Key Discussion Points & Insights Society Is Not a Monolith Drawing from Beautiful Trouble, particularly work by Joshua Kahn Russell, Sungu explains that effective organising requires mapping society into segments, allies, neutral groups, and opponents rather than speaking to a vague “public.” Lessons from Kenya’s Cost of Living and Finance Bill Protests Sungu traces organising evolution from earlier cost-of-living struggles to the 2024 mass protests, showing how: Early movements often “preached to the choir” Social media + grassroots organising created rapid mobilisation Strategic escalation shifted demands from policy rejection → systemic accountability Strategic Escalation & The Domino Effect A core organising insight: Shift easier blocks first (neutrals → passive allies → active allies) rather than focusing energy on entrenched opponents. Once one segment shifts, others often follow.   Licensing Anyone can use this podcast for free, with attribution to Trouble Makers (the podcast). It is held under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License and can be used for radio or any other media. Our podcast is inspired by the Beautiful Trouble toolbox.   Resources & Show Links Follow Sungu via social media (Sungu Oyoo) Contact Mwamko Africa for book access and organising resources   Credits; Host Monica Kamandau Guest: Sungu Oyoo Editor & Producer: Rodgers George Music: Mwaduga Salum & Beautiful Trouble

    28 min
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About

At TROUBLEMAKERS, we explore how to rebel in an age when a few elite have so much control. We speak with inspiring people from all walks of life across the planet on the tools they use to subvert and seize power for the transformation of our world. TROUBLEMAKERS is a place to learn from each other about how to make change. This podcast is a transcontinental operation brought to you by Beautiful Trouble, MOVE the Global Social Movement Centre, MS TCDC, and Global Platforms.

Information

  • Creator
    Beautiful Trouble
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    TROUBLEMAKERS