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. 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: Minister Neale Richmond TDHogai speaks with Neale Richmond, 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

 Episode: Joy-Tendai Kangere, Barrister, advocate and lecturerJoy-Tendai speaks with Hogai about her childhood in Zimbabwe and the impact of education and justice that led to a lifelong ambition to become a barrister. They discuss the challenges of racism in school and workplace settings, as a woman and migrant in Ireland, as well as the importance of finding community in a new home. Visit Joy-Tendai 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    

Episode: Brian Pennie, Specialist in resilience, keynote speaker, neuroscientist and authorBrian chats with Hogai about his personal journey and what it has taught him about personal awareness of your hopes and motivations. They discuss the importance of education along with emotional regulation and communication to navigate the stresses in life, as well as how technology can be both a challenge and an opportunity. Visit Brian’s website for more information and follow him on Instagram and 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    

In this episode, Jeanne speaks with IPS Employment specialists Dan White & Niamh Lawless.

Jeanne talks with Gerry Farrell, a psychotherapist, about his many years experience working in mental health services in Ireland and how people can best go about building resilience.

Jeanne speaks to Dil from Inside Matters about social justice and mental health.

Jeanne speaks with Shubanghi Karmakar about her work as a researcher, advocate, educator and journalist.

Vivian Rath is a post-doctoral researcher in Trinity College Dublin. We discussed the barriers faced by people with disabilities in getting into employment and some of the supports that can help.

Gary Gannon is a member of the Social Democrats and a TD for Dublin Central. Gary grew up in the inner city and has lived experience of some of the barriers people face in getting into work.

Ghada Fedaway is the founder of EmployRefugees.com, a matching organisation between refugees' talents and Irish companies.

James Harris is a Canadian environmentalist, best selling author (nationally and internationally) and politician. He was leader of the Green Party of Canada from 2003 to 2006.In this podcast he talks about disruptive innovations and how the future of work will be changed by this factors

Maeve talks about the future of work from an employer point of view and how business can integrate marginalised people with the change in processes that have been brought about by Covid19

Jeanne McDonagh speaks with Maureen Walsh of Decare Dental about the impact of Covid 19 on employers.

CEO Jeanne McDonagh speaks to Dr Pat McKeon about the Covid-19 crisis and our mental health.

Jeanne McDonagh speaks to Tiernan Brady about upholding standards of diversity and inclusion in employment during the Covid-19 crisis.