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and deeply human.Across each episode, you’ll hear from experienced leaders and emerging voices challenging outdated norms and creating new pathways for climate and environmental action.

Episodes

  1. Looking Back with Kelly O'Shanassy

    1D AGO

    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.

    1h 2m
  2. Imperfect Environmentalism with Kathyrn Nelson

    1D AGO

    Imperfect Environmentalism with Kathyrn 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.

    1h 5m
  3. Youth Led Activism with Anjali Sharma

    1D AGO

    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 min

About

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.