‘In our most powerful podcast yet’: Karen James interviews MTR for On Purpose Hub

‘The laser focused Melinda Tankard Reist offers the key to her unwavering purpose, so that we can unlock our own’

What a pleasure it was to be interviewed by dynamo Karen James, a former banking executive who turned her back on it all to help others find their purpose. Founder of the On Purpose Hub, and author of the book of the same name, Karen spoke to me about my purpose and blueprint for campaigning, in this recent interview which she described as the most powerful episode so far.

Melinda is author/editor of five books including Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls (Spinifex Press, 2009), now in its 9th printing, Big Porn Inc: Exposing the Harms of the Global Pornography Industry (Spinifex Press, 2011, co-edited with Dr Abigail Bray) and her new release Prostitution Narratives: Stories of Survival in the Sex Trade (Spinifex Press, 2016, co-edited with Dr Caroline Norma).

An opinion writer, Melinda is also a regular on morning television and has appeared on ABC’s Q&A and The Gruen Sessions as well as many other TV and radio programs.

In this episode:

• Melinda shares her blueprint of using words to bring about change, in particular about the exploitation of girls and women.
• Her unwavering purpose in creating a world free of sexual exploitation.
• Her work in action with the current corporate social responsibility campaign against Westfield and Honey Birdette.
• How she brings people along the journey with her and inspires others into action.
• How ‘going bush’, yoga and strong friendships help Melinda deal with such demanding work.
• The power of social media as a medium for social change campaigning.
• Why it is important to stay on course, think long term and to always remember your vision when trying to live a life on purpose, even when people are trying to derail you.

“The standards you walk pass are the standards you have chosen to accept. Silence is complicity, speaking out is the language of change”.

Listen to the podcast