386 Fiona Harrison: Bush Food, Chocolate & Culture

My guest this week is Elloise Bridge – a proud Gija woman, emerging community leader, and Gender Officer at SURGE (Support Unit for Gender Equality), where she provides technical and administrative support to strengthen gender equality outcomes in Australia's development programs. Elloise is deeply committed to social justice and cultural empowerment. With a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Gender Studies and a background in politics, she has pursued a career in international development as a junior Gender Equality and Social Inclusion specialist. Her work spans grassroots not-for-profit organisations in the First Nations and Gender-Based Violence sectors. Elloise also serves on the Australian Government's Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Youth Advisory Group, contributing to initiatives aimed at decreasing gender-based violence in Australia. At SURGE, Elloise collaborates with a team dedicated to providing high-quality, responsive technical assistance that supports and improves the quality and effectiveness of Australia's investments and programming related to gender equality and women's empowerment. In this episode, we explore Elloise’s journey into the field of gender equality and social inclusion, her experiences working at the intersection of Indigenous advocacy and international development, and how she is contributing to systemic change through her roles in SURGE and the Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA). 🔗 Explore more from Elloise and her work: https://surge4genderequality.com.au/about https://www.ufpa.org.au/about Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Al Jeffery – psychotherapist, meditation guide, group facilitator, writer, and Co-Founder of Turning Ground. Al is a regenerative practitioner working at the intersection of inner and outer transformation. In a world that is hyperconnected yet deeply fragmented, he is dedicated to restoring connection - within ourselves, our communities, and the systems we live and lead in. As Director at Turning Ground, Al designs and facilitates spaces for reconnection, weaving together psychotherapy, group process, and leadership development to cultivate belonging, purpose, and systemic change. With a creative career that began at age 12, Al has twice been named one of Australia’s Top 30 Entrepreneurs Under 30 and was a nominee for Young Australian of the Year. He serves on the Advisory Councils for Meditation Australia and Synthesis Institute, and in 2022, was awarded the IKON Institute’s National Award for Clinical and Academic Excellence. In this episode, we explore Al’s journey from youth entrepreneurship to regenerative leadership, the vital role of inner work in social impact, and why belonging might just be the most radical form of leadership today. 🔗 Explore more from Al and his work: http://aljeffery.com Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Sherilee McManus - a proud Wiradjuri woman and the Director of Engagement & Outcomes at Life Without Barriers, a national social purpose organisation committed to partnering with people to change lives for the better. Sherilee brings a deep commitment to cultural connection and equity. In her current role, she plays a key part in shaping inclusive practice across the organisation, and in 2024, led the Life Without Barriers Head Office NAIDOC Week event - designed to help non-Indigenous Australians experience NAIDOC as a true celebration of culture. Prior to this, Sherilee served as Acting National Manager of Stakeholder Relations within Hearing Australia’s First Nations Services. There, she worked to improve hearing health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children through culturally safe engagement and service design. Across all her work, Sherilee is guided by respect for Country, Culture, and Community - ensuring that First Nations voices are not only heard but centred in the decisions that impact their lives. In this episode, we talk about Sherilee’s leadership journey, the importance of cultural celebration and inclusion, and how she’s helping shape a more respectful, just, and connected Australia. 🔗 Explore more from Sherilee and her work: https://www.lwb.org.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Fiona Harrison - Indigenous Australian chocolatier, storyteller, and the founder of Chocolate On Purpose, a purpose-driven business blending couverture chocolate with Australian native botanicals. Based in Millthorpe, NSW, Fiona works with corporate gift buyers to help them find truly meaningful, distinctly Australian gifts - gifts that not only delight the senses, but deepen cultural understanding. Through her handcrafted Bush Food Chocolate range, Fiona shares the traditional use of native botanicals by First Nations Peoples, building respect for ancient wisdom through the universal language of chocolate. Certified by the Savour Chocolate & Patisserie School, Fiona has twice taken first place in the Mr Chilli Chocolate Competition and has had her dark chocolate range certified vegan by Vegan Australia. Her creations have been featured in Qantas lounges during NAIDOC Week and selected by major organisations across sectors - from KPMG to the Australian College of Nursing - to celebrate and honour Indigenous culture. At Chocolate On Purpose, Fiona’s motto is: “Yindyamangidyal Marramarra - With Respect and Honour we Create.” That ethos lives in every bar she makes and every story she tells - transforming chocolate into a powerful medium for truth-telling, reconciliation, and connection. In this episode, we talk about Fiona’s journey into chocolate making, the role of food in cultural education, and how she’s helping Australian businesses give with both impact and intention. 🔗 Explore more from Fiona and her work: https://chocolateonpurpose.com.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Louise Muszynski – digital strategist, systems thinker, and Managing Partner at Digital Purpose, a purpose-led tech company building custom digital solutions for social impact organisations. Louise is deeply committed to bridging the gap between bold ideas and practical digital execution. With a background in systems design and strategy, she’s helped countless organisations launch secure, scalable tech products that serve real-world missions - without requiring founders to be technical experts. At Digital Purpose, Louise works alongside a certified team to co-create digital tools that are values-aligned, human-centred, and built to last. From telehealth to education to advocacy, her work supports purpose-led leaders in scaling their impact through thoughtful, future-proof technology. In this episode, we explore Louise’s journey into the purpose-driven tech space, the rise of inclusive innovation, and how she’s helping to rewrite the rules of who gets to build and lead in tech. 🔗 Explore more from Louise and her work: https://www.digitalpurpose.com.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Bianca Bartlett –sustainability advocate, circular economy strategist, and co-founder of The Full Circle Collective, a purpose-driven initiative working to turn waste into community value through upcycling, repair and reuse. Bianca is a passionate believer in the power of local, community-led solutions to tackle environmental challenges. With a background in environmental management and sustainability, she has played a key role in launching initiatives that shift how we think about consumption, waste and community wellbeing. Through The Full Circle Collective, Bianca partners with local businesses, social enterprises and grassroots organisations to promote circular economy principles - offering workshops, retail experiences and education that help people make more sustainable choices. In this episode, we explore Bianca’s journey from environmental management to community changemaker, the real-world challenges of building a circular economy project, and her vision for a more sustainable and connected future. 🔗 Explore more from Bianca and her work: https://thefullcirclecollective.com.au  Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Nandeeta Maharaj – social entrepreneur, marketing and impact strategist, and founder of Goods 4 Good, a certified social enterprise marketplace helping people shop their values and create impact with every purchase. With a bold vision to become the “Amazon of social enterprise,” Nandeeta created Goods 4 Good to connect consumers with purpose-driven products that support mental health, environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and poverty alleviation. Today, the platform features over 60 social enterprises and 500+ ethical, values-led products from Australia and around the world. Nandeeta’s journey is powered by her background in marketing, communications, and social impact—and a strong belief that business can (and should) be a force for good. She's also a proud Catalysr and WSU Launchpad alum, mentor at WAGEC and Young Change Agents, and a recent winner of the 2025 Social Enterprise Business of the Year award from the South Asian Business Awards. In this episode, we dive into Nandeeta’s founding story, how she’s scaling impact through e-commerce, and the lessons she’s learned as a purpose-driven entrepreneur building for the long haul. 🔗 Explore more from Nandeeta and her work: https://www.goods4good.com.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Kylie Flament – sustainability leader, systems thinker, and CEO of the Social Enterprise Council of NSW & ACT (SECNA), the peak body for social enterprise in the region. Kylie is a passionate advocate for using business as a force for good. With a background in large-scale systems transformation, impact leadership, and environmental sustainability, she helps drive the growth of businesses that put people and planet before profit. Through her work at SECNA and beyond, Kylie is focused on unlocking the potential of social enterprises to build a more inclusive, regenerative economy - one that supports community wellbeing, meaningful work, and long-term resilience. In this episode, we explore Kylie's journey from climate-focused corporate work to the heart of the social enterprise movement, the power of values-aligned leadership, and what it takes to transform systems from the inside out. 🔗 Explore more from Kylie and her work: https://womenshealingsanctuary.com.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Ben Thompson – employment law expert, tech entrepreneur, and founder & CEO of Employment Hero, a global platform transforming how small and medium-sized businesses manage HR, payroll, and employee engagement. Ben began his career in employment law, witnessing firsthand the challenges businesses face in managing their workforce. This experience inspired him to create Employment Hero in 2014, aiming to simplify employment processes and make them more rewarding for everyone. Under Ben's leadership, Employment Hero has grown to support over 300,000 businesses and more than 2 million users worldwide, offering tools that streamline HR tasks, enhance compliance, and provide valuable employee benefits. In this episode, we delve into Ben's journey from legal practice to tech innovation, his insights on building a purpose-driven company, and how Employment Hero is shaping the future of work. 🔗 Explore more from Ben and his work: https://employmenthero.com/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.

My guest this week is Sharalyn Drayton – counsellor, supervisor and founder of The Women’s Healing Sanctuary, a powerful initiative supporting women to reconnect with their inner wisdom, strength, and sacred purpose. Through therapeutic support, restorative retreats, and nurturing environments grounded in trauma-informed care, Sharalyn creates space for transformation - where women experiencing exhaustion, trauma, or distress can rest, heal, and reclaim their voice and power. Her work draws on deep experience in the mental health sector and a profound respect for the journey associated with grief and loss.  In this episode, we explore Sharalyn’s path to founding The Women’s Healing Sanctuary, the role of therapeutic community in recovery, and how safe, sacred spaces can lead to profound personal and collective healing. 🔗 Explore more from Sharalyn and her work: https://womenshealingsanctuary.com.au/ Growing Your Business and Impact Talk to us today about how we can grow your capacity to level up your business and impact with our fully trained and managed outsourced marketing solutions - delivered by our digital heroes armed with good strategy, the latest tech and big smiles.  Learn more at humansofpurpose.com Promotional Partnerships Like what we are serving up on Humans of Purpose? Our promotional campaigns have delivered great marketing and sales outcomes and ROI for our partners to date.  Whether you're seeking a 1-month, 2-month or season sponsorship, follow the flow below to become a partner before we run out of our remaining promotional slots.  Click Here to learn more about collaborating on a custom campaign package. Ready to partner? Just complete this short Partner Enquiry Form and we'll be in touch. Gold Membership Want a premium listening experience that directly supports us to keep making the podcast?  Join current members Michael, Pravati, Noel, Kathy, Andrew 1, Andrew 2, Chris, Nikki, Margaret, Ben, Misha, Sarah and Geoff and enjoy our range of member benefits:  Premium dedicated podcast feed Removal of all three ads per episode Early access to all episodes Full transcripts of all episodes Brokered intros to all podcast guests Ask me anything page access To take up this great offer, just head to our Gold Member page today. CREDITS Music intro and outro on this podcast was written and performed by Keyo Rhodes, with Harrison McGregor on drums and percussion. Sound engineering and mastering by Lachlan McGregor.