SONJA TERPSTRA: RESILIENCE, PUBLIC EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP | BRIDGED BY WORDS
How does someone overcome adversity, find their path, and step into public life to advocate for others? In this episode of Bridged By Words, Ethan Urch sits down with Sonja Terpstra, Member for the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region in the Victorian Legislative Council, to explore her journey from a turbulent upbringing and leaving school in Year 10 to becoming a lawyer, union advocate, and parliamentarian.
Sonja reflects on the experiences that shaped her worldview, including family hardship, public education, mentorship, and the people who helped her find stability and direction. She shares how resilience was built through difficult circumstances, why alternative pathways into education matter, and how support networks can completely change the course of someone’s life.
Together, they unpack the realities of political life: what an Upper House MP actually does, how advocacy works behind the scenes, why listening is central to leadership, and the importance of staying connected to the communities you represent. They also discuss women in leadership, economic independence, the value of collective action, and why democracy depends on negotiation, compromise, and participation.
Bridged By Words is the podcast where aspiring leaders connect with experienced politicians, gaining the insights and inspiration they need for their own political journeys. Watch full interviews on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
What You’ll Learn:
How resilience can be built through hardship and instability
Why leaving school early does not define your future
How mentorship and supportive workplaces can open life-changing doors
What public education can provide beyond academics alone
The real role of an Upper House MP in representing communities
Why leadership begins with listening to people’s lived experiences
How women can maintain independence and influence in leadership spaces
Why compromise and negotiation are essential to democracy
The importance of persistence, optimism, and “sticking to your north star”
