Open Mic - The Open Doors Initiative Podcast

Episode: Bernard Joyce and Pat Stokes from the Irish Traveller MovementBernard and Pat share their experiences growing up as proud Travellers, the discrimination they faced, how things are changing but still have a long way to go. They discuss opportunities for Travellers, including the apprenticeship programme and the importance of education in realising your full potential, but also how employers can do more to engage with Travellers in the workplace. For more information about ITM, visit https://itmtrav.ie/ phone 01 679 6577 or email director@itmtrav.ieOpen Mic is a new podcast presented by the Open Doors Initiative which explores the challenges and opportunities of the working world from the perspectives of marginalised communities. The podcast takes the form of short interview segments with individuals who will share their lived experiences and insights.Guest HostIntroducing Hogai asefi Wardak. Born in Kabul Afghanistan in 2001, the youngest of her family, with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. A family where she could see her older sisters not getting what they wanted in their lives, not reaching their wishes and goals, because her father had never allowed or permitted, and never had an open mind for women to engage, work and participate in community, at that time in their country. In 2016, she graduated from high school and was enrolled in Kabul University. She started working with Zan TV, which is a specialized tv network for women. She started to host programmes dealing with Women’s empowerment, Women and sports and various social programmes. She also established an educational community for children, to help women and youngsters to get jobs, by joining POOHA NGO and worked with NATO. She’s still working with Zan TV on screen.Open Doors InitiativeODI’s key mission is to enable equitable access to employment for marginalised peopleWe create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.Collaborative network of over 125 partner organisationsTogether we carry out training, work experience, mentoring, research and reduce barriers for people who are marginalised We helped nearly 74,000 people on pathways to work in five yearsVisit https://opendoorsinitiative.ie for more information and follow us on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube

Episode: Toluwani Akaehomen, Entrepreneur, Executive Coach, Leadership & People Development ConsultantToluwani shares her background and the challenges she faced in the hiring process, which led her to starting her own business and becoming a successful entrepreneur. She and Hogai discuss the mindset and opportunities involved in striking out on your own, the importance of finding networks and connections to build your business. Visit her website Vantage Dymensions and her LinkedIn profileOpen Mic is a new podcast presented by the Open Doors Initiative which explores the challenges and opportunities of the working world from the perspectives of marginalised communities. The podcast takes the form of short interview segments with individuals who will share their lived experiences and insights.Guest HostIntroducing Hogai asefi Wardak. Born in Kabul Afghanistan in 2001, the youngest of her family, with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. A family where she could see her older sisters not getting what they wanted in their lives, not reaching their wishes and goals, because her father had never allowed or permitted, and never had an open mind for women to engage, work and participate in community, at that time in their country. In 2016, she graduated from high school and was enrolled in Kabul University. She started working with Zan TV, which is a specialized tv network for women. She started to host programmes dealing with Women’s empowerment, Women and sports and various social programmes. She also established an educational community for children, to help women and youngsters to get jobs, by joining POOHA NGO and worked with NATO. She’s still working with Zan TV on screen.Open Doors InitiativeODI’s key mission is to enable equitable access to employment for marginalised peopleWe create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.Collaborative network of over 125 partner organisationsTogether we carry out training, work experience, mentoring, research and reduce barriers for people who are marginalisedWe helped nearly 74,000 people on pathways to work in five yearsVisit https://opendoorsinitiative.ie for more information and follow us on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube    

Episode: Siobhán Cafferty, Social Enterprise Project Manager for the Irish criminal justice sectorSiobhán speaks with Hogai about her path to becoming involved in advocating for those with a criminal past, the stigmas faced and the lack of self confidence many feel when attempting to find employment, as well as major logistical barriers when attempting to start their own business. She discusses how employers could take a more open-minded hiring approach, to see people for their potential and not just their past. Siobhán Cafferty is currently the Funder Liaison & Business Delivery Manager, with a special interest in social enterprise and innovation, working in Pobal. Until the end of 2023, Siobhán was the Social Enterprise Project Manager for the Criminal Justice Sector in Ireland working on behalf of the Department of Justice. Having developed the ‘Working to Change social enterprise and employment strategy 2021- 2023’ for the Department, she led out on its implementation. Siobhán is dedicated to improving the infrastructure to support social enterprises to ensure those furthest from the labour market are afforded the opportunity to work. In recognition of her work, Siobhán was named on the Top 100 list of women in social enterprise 2022 in Europe as part of the Euclid Network. Prior to these roles, Siobhán was the CEO of the Bridge Project, a Probation funded community-based organisation working with adult male violent offenders in the Liberties, Dublin. Siobhán has dedicated her career to ensuring those most marginalised from education and employment, for whatever reason, are afforded opportunities to make sustainable changes to their lives and become active citizens.Open Mic is a new podcast presented by the Open Doors Initiative which explores the challenges and opportunities of the working world from the perspectives of marginalised communities. The podcast takes the form of short interview segments with individuals who will share their lived experiences and insights.Guest HostIntroducing Hogai asefi Wardak. Born in Kabul Afghanistan in 2001, the youngest of her family, with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. A family where she could see her older sisters not getting what they wanted in their lives, not reaching their wishes and goals, because her father had never allowed or permitted, and never had an open mind for women to engage, work and participate in community, at that time in their country. In 2016, she graduated from high school and was enrolled in Kabul University. She started working with Zan TV, which is a specialized tv network for women. She started to host programmes dealing with Women’s empowerment, Women and sports and various social programmes. She also established an educational community for children, to help women and youngsters to get jobs, by joining POOHA NGO and worked with NATO. She’s still working with Zan TV on screen.Open Doors InitiativeODI’s key mission is to enable equitable access to employment for marginalised peopleWe create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.Collaborative network of over 125 partner organisationsTogether we carry out training, work experience, mentoring, research and reduce barriers for people who are marginalisedWe helped nearly 74,000 people on pathways to work in five yearsVisit https://opendoorsinitiative.ie for more information and follow us on social media including&

Episode: Minister Neale Richmond TDHogai speaks with Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, previously the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Employment Affairs and Retail Business, and the Department of Social Protection. They discuss the challenges facing migrants and refugees in Ireland, including work permits, housing and accreditation, as well as available government supports. Visit the Oireachteas website for the Minister's contact details.  Open Mic is a new podcast presented by the Open Doors Initiative which explores the challenges and opportunities of the working world from the perspectives of marginalised communities. The podcast takes the form of short interview segments with individuals who will share their lived experiences and insights.Guest HostIntroducing Hogai asefi Wardak. Born in Kabul Afghanistan in 2001, the youngest of her family, with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. A family where she could see her older sisters not getting what they wanted in their lives, not reaching their wishes and goals, because her father had never allowed or permitted, and never had an open mind for women to engage, work and participate in community, at that time in their country. In 2016, she graduated from high school and was enrolled in Kabul University. She started working with Zan TV, which is a specialized tv network for women. She started to host programmes dealing with Women’s empowerment, Women and sports and various social programmes. She also established an educational community for children, to help women and youngsters to get jobs, by joining POOHA NGO and worked with NATO. She’s still working with Zan TV on screen.Open Doors InitiativeODI’s key mission is to enable equitable access to employment for marginalised peopleWe create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.Collaborative network of over 125 partner organisationsTogether we carry out training, work experience, mentoring, research and reduce barriers for people who are marginalisedWe helped nearly 74,000 people on pathways to work in five yearsVisit https://opendoorsinitiative.ie for more information and follow us on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube    

Episode: Melissa Bosch, Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, EY IrelandMelissa speaks with Hogai about growing up in South Africa, her formative experiences and how she found herself in Ireland, forging a new path. They discuss challenges faced in the workplace and the importance of embedding diversity, equity and inclusion at the core of business, rather than an afterthought that can be discarded in challenging times. Visit EY Ireland and Melissa on LinkedInOpen Mic is a new podcast presented by the Open Doors Initiative which explores the challenges and opportunities of the working world from the perspectives of marginalised communities. The podcast takes the form of short interview segments with individuals who will share their lived experiences and insights.Guest HostIntroducing Hogai asefi Wardak. Born in Kabul Afghanistan in 2001, the youngest of her family, with 4 sisters and 2 brothers. A family where she could see her older sisters not getting what they wanted in their lives, not reaching their wishes and goals, because her father had never allowed or permitted, and never had an open mind for women to engage, work and participate in community, at that time in their country. In 2016, she graduated from high school and was enrolled in Kabul University. She started working with Zan TV, which is a specialized tv network for women. She started to host programmes dealing with Women’s empowerment, Women and sports and various social programmes. She also established an educational community for children, to help women and youngsters to get jobs, by joining POOHA NGO and worked with NATO. She’s still working with Zan TV on screen.Open Doors InitiativeODI’s key mission is to enable equitable access to employment for marginalised peopleWe create pathways to work through training, education, employment and entrepreneurship.Collaborative network of over 125 partner organisationsTogether we carry out training, work experience, mentoring, research and reduce barriers for people who are marginalisedWe helped nearly 74,000 people on pathways to work in five yearsVisit https://opendoorsinitiative.ie for more information and follow us on social media including Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube