Humans of Purpose

Unlock the secret to resilience, impact, and meaningful change as Jan shares a lifetime of insights rooted in lived experience, pioneering advocacy, and systemic transformation.From the early days of youth advocacy in the 1980s to today's AI-driven future, discover how community, trust, and adaptability shape a better world, and why our informal systems hold the key to genuine care.In this episode, Jan reflects on her journey —from setting up illegal drop-in centers in Brisbane to pioneering Australia's first lived experience advocacy organizations. She unpacks how philanthropy evolved from government funding to innovative impact investing, revealing surprising shifts in funding models that continue to influence social change. You'll discover why informal community networks are as vital today as ever, and how the modern reliance on formal systems can sometimes undermine the profound power of grassroots care.We break down how societal trust has shifted, the lessons from global crises like COVID-19, and why leadership requires both courage and community-support. Jan shares her groundbreaking perspectives on the future of work, emphasizing the importance of deeply human capabilities like intuition, adaptability, and co-intelligence—especially in an age dominated by AI and automation. You'll learn why these skills aren't just survival tools, but essential for thriving in an unpredictable world.Most importantly, Jan highlights the extraordinary resilience found even in war zones, illustrating how adaptability isn’t just a trait but a deeply ingrained part of human DNA—shaped by genetics, mindset, and community. Her upcoming book explores these themes in depth, offering a roadmap for individuals and organizations to harness untapped human potential amid complex systemic change.Perfect for social impact leaders, educators, policymakers, and anyone committed to making a difference, this episode will inspire you to see systemic change as a collective journey—grounded in community, trust, and the unstoppable power of human adaptability. Discover why the most profound impact begins with understanding the nuanced balance between formal structures and informal community bonds, and how you can play a vital role.Jan is an esteemed social innovator with decades of experience in impact advocacy, policy reform, and community-led movements. Her pioneering work with Create Foundation and her leadership in shaping Australia's social impact landscape make her insights invaluable for navigating today’s complex challenges.If you're ready to reimagine what’s possible—grounded in hope, resilience, and human potential—this episode is your essential guide.

To premiere Season 2 of the Humans of Purpose Podcast, Mel sits down with Josh Ross from Humanitix. Josh Ross walked away from a hedge fund partnership at 26, turned down a lucrative career, and co-founded one of Australia's most radical companies with his best friend. Humanitix is an online event ticketing platform with one extraordinary difference: 100% of profits from booking fees go directly to charity. Not some. All of it. To date, they've donated over $20 million to education programs, health initiatives, environmental causes and indigenous affairs around the world. In this conversation, Mel sits down with Josh to talk about what it actually takes to leave behind a version of success the whole world recognises — and build something the world genuinely needs. They explore the pact Josh made with his co-founder on a hiking trip in Sri Lanka that changed the direction of both their lives, what it means to challenge the conventional wisdom that business and social good can't coexist, and why the most powerful lever for change might just be the booking fee on your next event ticket. This one is for anyone who has ever felt the pull of a more purposeful life and wondered whether it was actually possible.

My guest this week is Rachel Ball, CEO of the Reichstein Foundation, where she works at the forefront of social, economic, and environmental justice through collaborative philanthropy and systems-level change. Rachel’s path into this work was shaped early. Growing up in Sydney in a family grounded in education, and later experiencing global inequality firsthand during a Rotary exchange in Brazil, she developed a deep commitment to justice and collective action. Those early experiences, combined with a strong community of peers engaged in activism continue to shape her leadership today. In this episode of Humans of Purpose, we explore what it takes to create meaningful change in a complex and often fragmented world. We discuss: key themes from the Progress social change conference, including the need for unity across differences why economic justice is foundational to solving broader social challenges how philanthropy can move beyond grant-making to align investment with purpose and the role of tax reform as a powerful (and often overlooked) lever for fairness and redistribution Rachel also shares insights into the Reichstein Foundation’s approach, from funding long-term advocacy work to supporting First Nations-led organisations and treaty processes, and rethinking how over $50 billion in philanthropic capital can be used to drive systemic change. This conversation is a thoughtful reflection on power, responsibility, and what it means to build an economy that works for people, not just markets. It’s also a reminder that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It requires persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to work together, even when it feels uncomfortable. 🔗 Explore more from Rachel’s work here:https://reichsteinfoundation.org.au/  

My guest this week is Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, where she works with regional communities across Australia to support a rapid, responsible, and fair transition away from fossil fuels. Amanda has spent more than 15 years working at the intersection of community, climate, and economic development. Her work focuses on helping regions navigate complex change, ensuring that as industries shift, people and communities are not left behind. Her commitment to this work is deeply personal. Growing up in regional Queensland, and later experiencing poverty firsthand during a Rotary exchange in Brazil, shaped her lifelong focus on justice, equity, and creating systems that allow everyone to thrive. In this episode of Humans of Purpose, we explore what it really takes to transition toward a new kind of economy, one that is both sustainable and fair. We discuss: the tension between speed and fairness in the energy transition what a “just transition” looks like in practice for workers and communities how regional communities are leading the way in designing future-focused solutions and why local, community-owned initiatives from renewable energy to food systems are key to long-term resilience Amanda also shares a broader vision for “the economy we could have”, one where access to essentials like housing, food, education, and healthcare is not determined by circumstance, but treated as a foundation for a thriving society. This is a thoughtful and grounded conversation about systems change, leadership, and the role of community in shaping a more equitable future. 🔗 Explore more from Amanda’s work here:https://nexteconomy.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.  

This week Melanie Greblo and Colleague Bella Borello, Two purpose-driven leaders at Humans of Purpose, working at the intersection of storytelling, marketing, and social impact. In this episode, Melanie and Bella step into a different format, a shared conversation rather than a traditional interview exploring what it really means for organisations to communicate purpose in a way that is honest, credible, and impactful. Best known for their work supporting purpose-led organisations, they unpack how storytelling can move beyond polished messaging to something far more meaningful: the creation of community. In this episode of Humans of Purpose, we explore: what truly changes when organisations implement effective storytelling how to distinguish real impact from “impact washing”, and why the “so what” question matters what makes purpose in business lived and credible, rather than performative and how brands can build trust by embracing honesty, tension, and imperfection in their stories. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of storytelling in an AI-driven world, where content is becoming increasingly abundant, and authenticity may become the most valuable currency of all. Melanie and Bella reflect on a potential shift away from traditional social platforms toward more human, connected ways of sharing stories from in-person spaces to deeper, more meaningful conversations. This is a thoughtful and reflective episode for leaders, marketers, and purpose-driven organisations looking to build connection, credibility, and community in a rapidly changing landscape. 🔗 Explore more from Humans of Purpose here:https://www.humansofpurpose.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.