Missing Perspectives

We wanted to begin the year by going to the very heart of why Missing Perspectives exists: to centre voices too often pushed to the margins, and to create space for conversations that feel both urgent and deeply human.The episode brings together two remarkable women - Solomiya 'Miya' Sywak, a young Ukrainian-Australian, and Kateryna Argyrou, recently appointed Honorary Consul of Ukraine in NSW - for a deeply raw conversation.As 2026 marks four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Miya and Kateryna reflect on what this prolonged war has meant for Ukrainian women - those fighting on the frontlines, those holding families and communities together under unimaginable strain, and those living far from home, carrying grief, fear and resilience across borders. They speak candidly about the emotional toll on young Ukrainian women in Australia: the weight of watching a homeland under attack, the complexity of belonging, and the quiet endurance required to keep showing up to everyday life while history unfolds in real time.This isn't a conversation driven by headlines or statistics, but by people. It is about womanhood in wartime, diaspora identity, and leadership born of necessity. We couldn't think of a more moving episode to kick off your year. 

Today’s episode (and the last ep for 2025!!) is an incredibly special one. We are joined by a woman whose work has shaped not just Australian feminism, but the national story of who we are and who we still aspire to be.Anne Summers AO is one of Australia’s most influential feminist thinkers, writers, and activists. She’s a celebrated journalist, a Walkley Award–winner, a former political adviser to prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, and the trailblazing editor-in-chief and co-owner of Ms. magazine in New York during one of its most defining eras.Her landmark 1975 book, Damned Whores and God’s Police, fundamentally reframed Australian history through the experiences of women. It exposed the deep social structures that shaped — and constrained — women’s lives, and it remains one of the most important feminist texts ever published in this country. Nearly fifty years on, its influence hasn’t faded. If anything, it feels even more urgent.And today, she joins two brilliant Gen Z feminists on our team who you know well — Allie Daisy King and Sunny Adcock — for a deeply intergenerational conversation. They dive into everything from the early days of the Women’s Liberation Movement and Anne’s friendship with Gloria Steinem, to contemporary feminist debates, the rise of the manosphere, sex positivity, deepfake porn, the U.S. political crisis, and what a feminist utopia could look like.It’s rare to have a thinker who helped build the foundations of modern feminism sit down with two voices shaping what comes next. This interview is sharp, generous, challenging, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from a life spent pushing for change.So buckle up - it's one of our favourite chats EVER!!This episode was brought to you by NewSouth Publishing.

In this episode, Alicia Vrajlal from Missing Perspectives sits down with legendary journalist and gender equality advocate Virginia Haussegger AM to trace 50 years of feminist fight, backlash and unfinished business in Australia – and to ask where the “feminist epicentre” is now. From her decades on ABC, Nine and Seven and 15 years behind the ABC Canberra news desk, to walking away to found the 50/50 by 2030 Foundation and create the award-winning Broad Talk podcast, Virginia reflects on what it means to challenge who holds the microphone in this country, and what it cost.Together, Alicia and Virginia unpack the story behind Virginia’s new book Unfinished Revolution: how it began as a manuscript about women’s rage post-#MeToo, and evolved into a sweeping account of Australia’s consciousness-raising moment in 2021 – from Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins, Chanel Contos and Saxon Mullins, to the March 4 Justice rallies that drew more than 100,000 people into the streets. Virginia also shares the hidden history of radical feminist Elizabeth Reid, Australia’s forgotten “feminist rock star” on the world stage, and why documenting her legacy felt urgent (trust us, it's a great story). They also get candid about how the media’s treatment of women has shifted – and the women journalists who forced that change; how intersectional feminism and digital-native activism have transformed the movement; the backlash to “new media” at Budget lock-up, and why bringing creators into Parliament matters for democracy; and what still gives Virginia hope that equality is possible, even in a global moment of backlash.Unfinished Revolution is out now in major bookstores. This episode was sponsored by NewSouth Publishing. 

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and suicide. Please listen with care and take a break if you need to. If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.This week on the pod, we’re speaking with two remarkable women who have turned a shared experience into a national movement. Brenda Lin and Anna Coutts-Trotter are the co-founders of Survivor Hub - a grassroots, peer-led organisation creating safe, judgment-free spaces for survivors of sexual assault to connect, heal and be heard.What started as a conversation between two friends has grown into thriving online forums, in-person meetups across the country, and a rapidly expanding community built on solidarity rather than silence. In this episode, Brenda and Anna share the story of how they met, how Survivor Hub came to life, and why lived experience is the heartbeat of everything they do.We talk about what safety looks like in practice, the soaring need for survivor-led spaces, and how their work is reshaping culture and community from the ground up.It’s an honest, powerful and deeply human conversation about courage, friendship and creating change when the system fails to.

WE'RE BACK! In this week's episode, our very own Allie Daisy King sits down with acclaimed (literally) Australian author Madeleine Gray, whose debut novel Green Dot became an instant literary sensation - earning praise from icons ranging from Nigella Lawson to the one-and-only Gillian Anderson. Maddy is back with a much-anticipated second novel, Chosen Family. In this chat, Allie and Maddy unpack the intersection of writing, academia, and creativity - with Maddy reflecting on her process, rituals, and how her academic background shapes her fiction. She also opens up about the whirlwind success of Green Dot, from surreal celebrity dinners to the realities of debuting a breakout hit, and how she navigated the pressure of following it up with her next novel. They also discuss the moments of transition and uncertainty that define modern womanhood, the blurred line between intimacy and toxicity in friendship, and the emotional power of queer storytelling. Maddy shares what inspired Chosen Family, why she wanted to write friendship as a kind of romantic epic, and how she approached spanning 18 years of her characters’ lives with nuance and empathy. It's a bumper chat - so dive in  and get a copy of Chosen Family ASAP!

We know we say this about every episode...but this episode is a really special one - it’s a conversation about culture, family, storytelling, and strength across generations.Alicia from Missing Perspectives sits down with two powerhouse women in First Nations media: Karla Grant and her daughter Lowanna Grant. You might know them from their work on SBS and NITV - Karla as the long-standing host of Living Black, and Lowanna through her incredible podcast Ngiyang, and her reporting on major national events.But this chat goes far deeper than their media careers. Karla and Lowanna open up about their incredibly close bond: as mother and daughter, as colleagues, and as proud First Nations women navigating the responsibilities that come with telling First Nations stories in this country. They reflect on how their relationship has evolved, what it’s been like to work side-by-side, and how they support each other through both personal and political turning points - including the aftermath of the Voice referendum.It’s an honest, moving, and at times deeply personal conversation. We’re so grateful to Karla and Lowanna for their openness - and we hope you take as much from this as we did. Also - let's get them a reality TV show ASAP, please. 

Today’s episode is a wild, deeply insightful ride into the world of conservation, climate, gender, and storytelling - with an amazing woman who’s redefining how we talk about nature and our place in it. So, buckle up.Nat Kyriacou is an environmentalist, author, and founder who’s made serious waves - from receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia to landing on Forbes 30 Under 30. She’s led organisations like My Green World, sits on major boards, and has even been a delegate to the G20’s women’s group. But titles aside, what sets Nat apart is her voice - sharp, funny (seriously funny), and unflinchingly honest.Her new book, Nature’s Last Dance, has been called “racy, raucous, and riveting” - and trust us, it lives up to the hype. It's a book that somehow manages to juggle heartbreak and humour, science and swear words, fish STDs (not joking) and extinction crises - all in service of one big question: What happens to us when nature disappears?In this conversation, we get into it all: from her early curiosity about frogs and orangutans (who also stole her underwear on a trip one time), to why she wrote this book under the assumption no one would ever read it. We talk gender, justice, and the political battle over conservation. We laugh about snake clits (again, not joking). We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did - and please go grab a copy of the book while you're at it!

This episode contains discussions of mental health challenges, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening, and reach out to a mental health professional if you need support.This episode is a little different to what we usually do - but it started with a single quote that we couldn’t stop talking about. In an interview, White Lotus actress Meghan Fahy said her psychologist once asked her: “Are you a people pleaser… or are you just anxious about controlling how people perceive you?” And honestly, that question cracked something for us and sparked a big  conversation in our office.It made us think about how often we conflate being nice with likeable and safe. How hard it can be, especially as women, and as founders, to advocate for ourselves without feeling like we’re letting someone down. And what happens when we start shifting those patterns - and how being firm can result in shifts in relationships.So for this episode, Alicia and Phoebe sat down with everyone's favourite psychologist and founder of Flow State Space, Rashida Dungarwalla, to unpack all of it.Rashida has worked across the world - bringing a deeply thoughtful, holistic, and no-BS approach to mental health. She’s trained in everything from psychodynamic therapy to somatic strategies, and she brings a huge amount of empathy, clarity, and humour to the way she works.In this conversation, we talk about people pleasing, the weaponisation of so-called 'therapy-speak', how boundaries can shift our personal and professional relationships, founder mental health, and what it looks like to really advocate for yourself.

It’s NAIDOC Week - a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme this year is 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.' So it’s only fitting that this week, Allie sits down with one of the boldest and most creative voices in business: Kristy Dickinson, the iconic founder of Haus of Dizzy (aka everyone's favourite jewellery brand).A proud Wiradjuri woman and self-proclaimed Queen of Bling, Kristy has been making jewellery for 20 years, and founded Haus of Dizzy in 2015 to fill a gap she saw in the fashion world: a lack of representation, pride, and powerful storytelling through accessories.Today, Haus of Dizzy is known for its unapologetically loud, playful, and political designs - from glittering earrings that honour Indigenous culture to mirrored acrylic statement pieces that spark conversation and pride.In this episode, Kristy shares how she built a brand that’s not just about looking good, but standing for something - and how jewellery can be a tool for joy, resistance, and visibility.

CW: This conversation contains discussions of domestic violence. If these topics are difficult for you, please take care while listening, and know that support is available. When we talk about systems change, it's easy to think in abstract terms - policies, funding models, reform agendas. But real change often starts with real stories: of survival, leadership, and radical empathy.Today, we're joined by Nicole Yade, the CEO of WAGEC - the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre - based in Redfern, Sydney. Nicole leads an organisation that doesn’t just provide crisis accommodation and holistic support services to women and children - it is working to end gender-based violence in a generation.In this conversation, Nicole speaks with extraordinary candour - about her own lived experience, why individualised care is so vital, and what systemic change really requires. This is a story about courage, community, and the power of showing up - again and again - for women who deserve safety and dignity.Donate to WAGEC here.1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, or text 0458 737 732

From the moment actor and absolute rising star Sof Forrest steps on stage in the play Prima Facie, you can feel the air shift. As Tessa, a criminal defence barrister whose belief in the legal system is deeply shaken, Sof delivers a performance that is urgent, fearless, and unflinchingly human.It’s no surprise that the one-person play has been called a cultural reckoning around the world - and Sof is at the heart of it this month, carrying 90 minutes of story, 25 characters, and a tidal wave of emotion. In this conversation, we speak about what it takes to inhabit a role like this night after night, the power of representation, the partnership with leading non-profit Teach Us Consent, and why the story of Prima Facie demands to be heard by more than just women. Prima Facie is showing at Carriageworks over the next two weeks - but it’s nearly sold out. If you don’t manage to get a ticket you can buy the book edition by the playwright Suzie Miller (who we rave about in this episode) - it’s a must read. Just a little warning that this chat includes topics such as sexual assault - so if you’re not up to listening, feel free to skip or listen another time. So now, here’s Sof. 

Welcome to the Missing Perspectives podcast, where we celebrate game-changers and truth-tellers who are shifting culture, challenging norms, and carving space for underrepresented voices.In today’s episode, we’re joined by two powerful forces in the arts and advocacy space – Sara Mansour and Aishah Ali, the co-founders of Muslim Agenda.Boldly named and fiercely necessary, Muslim Agenda is more than a platform - it’s a movement. Created in response to the relentless stereotyping of their community in public discourse, the initiative aims to reclaim the narrative and build safe, joyful, and radically inclusive spaces for Muslim women to heal, create, and thrive.Sara and Aishah have not only confronted Islamophobia head-on - they’ve created something groundbreaking: Australia’s first Muslim Women’s Festival, bringing together artists, poets, thinkers, and communities in both Sydney and Melbourne - and beyond.Today, we’ll talk about what inspired the name Muslim Agenda, what authentic representation truly looks like beyond tokenism, and how they’re holding space for grief and joy, creativity and protest, community and celebration - particularly in a moment of global crisis and rising censorship.We’ll also dive into how poetry and the arts can be powerful tools for resistance and healing - including Sara’s founding of Bankstown Poetry Slam, and Aishah’s own work as a poet.This is a conversation about reclaiming power, redefining identity, and building the future - on their own terms. Let’s get into it.

We know you love our social posts where amazing women come into our studio for a chat. We were previously only publishing those conversations on Instagram and TikTok, but we’ve heard you loud and clear: you also wanted a podcast version.In addition to Momentum, Booksmart and High Agency Women, we’ll now be producing this Missing Perspectives podcast featuring conversations with amazing women working on interesting causes, initiatives and projects.And who better to kick off with (seriously) than the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn? We’ve been huge fans of Sam for a LONG time - well before she became Governor-General. She is a leading gender equality advocate and businesswoman, who also served as the first female commissioner of the AFL.We were lucky enough to have her join us in the studio a few weeks ago to a range of things, including women’s health, the power of female friendships, and how sport can be a tool to drive gender equality. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.