How do you build the resilience needed for a long-term career in politics while staying grounded and effective? In this episode of Bridged By Words, we sit down with Danny Pearson, Member for Essendon and Victoria's Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, and Jobs.

How do you go from managing a supermarket department to negotiating a historic statewide Treaty? Djaran Murray-Jackson, Member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, shares his unexpected journey into political leadership. He opens up about the real-world skills he brought from Woolworths into community engagement, the confronting experience of racism that shaped his resilience, and how learning "tactical empathy" transformed his approach to high-stakes negotiations.

This episode is a powerful reminder that there is no single path to leadership. Djaran discusses the importance of staying grounded and connected to community, the challenges of balancing family life with public service, and the profound responsibility of carrying forward his family’s legacy of activism into a new era of diplomacy and treaty-making.

How does a radical activist transition into a pragmatic politician—and win? In this episode, David Ettershank, Member of the Victorian Parliament for the Legalise Cannabis Party, shares his journey from union organizer and Communist Party member to becoming a key crossbencher in the Legislative Council. He opens up about the skills that transfer from the streets to the chamber: building campaigns, empowering communities, and learning to negotiate with power.

How do you transition from grassroots activism into political leadership — and stay grounded once you’re elected?
Victorian MP Dylan Wight shares his journey from a union organiser during Australia’s manufacturing shutdowns to representing one of the fastest-growing and most diverse electorates in the state parliament.

In this conversation, Dylan opens up about the realities of campaigning, the steep adjustment period for first-term MPs, and the personal cost of balancing family life with public service. His reflections reveal why conversations beat advertising, how community engagement builds trust, and why every aspiring leader needs a clear “why” before stepping into politics.

How do you enter politics as an outsider and actually get things done? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Payne, a Member of the Victorian Parliament for the Legalise Cannabis Party, who shares her unorthodox journey from advocating for stigmatized industries to becoming a powerful voice on the crossbench. She opens up about the resilience needed to run in multiple elections, the reality of navigating a male-dominated parliament, and how she builds collaborative power to achieve real change.

Rachel’s story is a masterclass in turning frustration into focused action. She discusses the critical importance of staying connected to your community, why "clearing the path" for others is a leader's most important job, and how to maintain your authenticity and well-being in the demanding world of politics. Her insights are invaluable for anyone who has ever felt unheard or wondered how to make a difference from the outside in.

How do you stay authentic while navigating politics, tough decisions, and public life? In this episode, Victorian Upper House MP Joe McCracken shares his journey from accounting to teaching, local council, and now state parliament — showing how community service and authenticity can guide a political career.

Joe reflects on lessons learned as a young mayor, the challenges of making decisions that can’t please everyone, and the importance of listening twice as much as you speak. He speaks openly about compromise in the Upper House, staying grounded under pressure, and why being genuine is the strongest asset for any aspiring leader.

How do you turn risk into opportunity in politics? Evan Mulholland’s journey shows how. From quitting his job to campaign full-time with a young family, to representing Victoria’s Northern Metropolitan Region in the State Parliament, Evan shares how resilience, risk-taking, and authenticity shape effective leadership.

In this episode, Evan reflects on his path from student politics and community theatre to becoming Deputy Leader in the Upper House. He discusses the challenges of balancing family with public life, the importance of connecting with multicultural communities, and why politicians must speak plainly so everyday families feel seen. For aspiring leaders, his story is a reminder that courage and community go hand in hand.

How do you break into politics—even if you didn’t plan a political career—and lead with your lived experience? In this episode, Senator Jana Stewart (First Nations, Victoria) explains the practical pathway from community work and family therapy to federal parliament. She unpacks what Senate Estimates actually does (accountability and spending scrutiny), how Senate committees improve laws through public submissions (including the current Freedom of Information bill inquiry), and why representation from regional Australia matters. Stewart shares how campaigning in Kooyong taught her to love the “in-the-trenches” work with voters, and how becoming a senator while pregnant turned visibility into permission for others to step forward.

You’ll also hear clear, human advice: leadership starts where you are; back yourself; and “find your people” who keep you grounded and accountable. Stewart is candid about privilege, networks, and the real logistics that shape political access—from unpaid time to family supports—plus how community ties and a strong values base keep her focused on outcomes for kids, families, and country.

If you’re asking how a community-minded professional can transition from policing into politics—and keep their integrity—this episode answers it. Victorian Upper House MP Trung Luu (first Liberal MP of Vietnamese descent in Victoria) explains how 28 years in Victoria Police, army reserve service, and local council prepared him to legislate with real-world judgment. He shares why representation matters—especially for multicultural communities—and how lived experience shapes better decisions on crime, community safety, and public policy.

How can you build a leadership journey rooted in persistence, community, and service? In this episode of Bridged By Words, Nationals MP Gaelle Broad shares her long road to the Victorian Parliament and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From multiple preselection attempts to finally being elected in 2022, her story is one of resilience and commitment to regional voices.

Gaelle takes us behind the scenes of parliamentary committees, showing how everyday citizens can shape inquiries and influence legislation. She also opens up about balancing the demanding lifestyle of politics with family and community life, and why regional representation matters for Victoria’s future. Her advice is practical, grounded, and inspiring for anyone considering public service.

How can a business and tech background prepare someone for a career in federal politics? In this episode, Aaron Violi, Federal MP for Casey and Chief Opposition Whip, shares his journey from small business and startups to the national stage. He explains how surviving Black Saturday reshaped his perspective on life and leadership, why community has always been central to his mission, and what it really takes to thrive in politics while staying grounded.

We discuss the realities of life as an MP—time away from family, representing a diverse electorate, and dealing with public criticism. Aaron also unpacks his views on youth education, trade pathways, local disaster resilience, and why politics should always be grounded in purpose, not ego.

Tune in for a candid, down-to-earth conversation about leadership, public service, and staying connected to the people and places that matter most.

How does real-world experience—from housing commission to post-war Iraq—influence a leader’s approach to politics? In this powerful episode of Bridged By Words, federal MP and Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil shares his journey from the outer suburbs of Melbourne to Parliament House, shaped by public housing, education, and a global outlook forged in conflict zones.