Mel sits down with Pam Barker, CEO of Brisbane Youth Service, whose journey from childhood homelessness to national advocacy is both raw and inspiring. With nearly 20 years supporting vulnerable youth, Pam offers deep insight into the challenges facing those in out-of-home care, experiencing homelessness, or identifying as LGBTIQA+ or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Drawing from lived experience, Pam shares how empathy and resilience drive her fight for systemic change - through policy reform, frontline support, and youth-led solutions.
In this episode:
- How Pam’s story fuels her advocacy
- The housing crisis facing Brisbane’s youth
- Investing in young leaders for lasting change
- A vision for inclusive, equitable futures
If you care about hope, justice, and amplifying youth voices, this conversation will stay with you.
Brisbane Youth Service | Helping young people and young families
Bringing Up Great Kids - Australian Childhood Foundation Professionals
(7) Facebook - Dr. Becky at Good Inside
What is The Circle of Security
Positive Parenting Program | Triple P
On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.
The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:
Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Home | 1800RESPECT National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service
Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800
Ask Izzy Search over 450,000 support services
CREDITS:
Host: Melissa Alsemgeest
Guest: Pam Barker
Editor: Robert Alsemgeest
GET IN TOUCH:
https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour
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