ALICE JORDAN-BAIRD on Leadership, Gorton & Putting Your Hand Up | BRIDGED BY WORDS
How does someone who never imagined themselves as a politician find the courage to step forward and represent their community? In this episode of Bridged By Words, Ethan Urch sits down with Alice Jordan-Baird MP, Federal Member for Gorton, to explore her journey into politics, public service, and representing Melbourne’s growing western suburbs.
Alice reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her values, from growing up in a politically engaged family to joining the Labor Party with her sister Clara. She speaks openly about grief, courage, workers’ rights, Medicare, and why the issues facing communities in the west are not just technical problems, but questions of fairness.
Together, they unpack what it means to put your hand up when you feel ordinary, unsure, or not ready. Alice shares why saying yes to opportunities matters, how a messy career path can still prepare someone for leadership, and why listening to people — including those who disagree with you — is central to good representation.
Bridged By Words is the podcast where aspiring leaders connect with experienced politicians, gaining the lessons and inspiration they need for their own political journeys. Watch full interviews on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
What You’ll Learn:
・Why you do not need a perfect political background to contribute
・How grief can clarify purpose and public service
・Why saying yes to opportunities can open unexpected doors
・What Melbourne’s west teaches about fairness, infrastructure, health and representation
・Why young workers need to understand their rights
・How progressive patriotism can be inclusive, multicultural and grounded in service
・Why listening matters when representing people who may not agree with you
・The advice Alice would give aspiring leaders: put your hand up, stress less, work hard and be yourself
