37. Volume: Mark Yettica-Paulson: A Way Forward Through Dialogue

These are trying times. But we’re talking, we’re exploring, and we’re digging deep within ourselves and our history. And that’s a good thing. It’s time to find a way forward through dialogue. This is The Psychology of Entrepreneurship, a highly produced audio documentary style, revealing series that follows Ronsley Vaz and his guests, as they strive to go inside & unravel the inner workings of the mind of an entrepreneur, artist, athlete, academic; to decipher what is the psychology of our decisions. If you are an entrepreneur (BTW we consider that mothers are the original entrepreneurs) and would like to understand why we do certain things in certain situations, and if small changes in thinking can deliver massive amounts of results in success and happiness, then this podcast is for you. This is a very special and important volume. Ronsley sat down with Mark Yettica-Paulson, an Indigenous leader from the South East Queensland and North East NSW regions of Australia. Mark comes from the Birrah, Gamilaroi and Bundjalung peoples. Mark is the Founder and Chief of Super Native Unlimited, specialising in creative and cultural leadership development. He’s worked closely with National Australia Bank, The Australian Football League, Medibank Australia, Australia Post and The Foundation for Young Australians. He’s also the Joint Campaign Director for Recognise, the recent campaign for a National Referendum to Amend the Australian Constitution to acknowledge the Aboriginal people and to support the removal of discrimination. Mark is a TEDx speaker, a visionary and an uniter of the people. And the list goes on and on.  Mark has worked tirelessly to give a voice to the Indigenous people of Australia, as well as educate non-Indigenous people of the real history of their country. We hear a lot of the systemic racism America faces and how it’s shaped its current reality, but what about Australia? Ronsley wanted to dig deeper to understand more about the collective psyche of the country that he calls home. This conversation with Mark was so enlightening that we decided to split this volume into three parts. In Part 1, Ronsley explores the concept of identity, what it means for non-white people in Australia, and across the world, and how we can all benefit from talking about it more openly. Mark gives us insight into why we’re naturally prone to avoid subjects of race and identity, and why it’s so important to get past that so we can find a way forward through dialogue.   Other important topics in this volume: Ronsley’s emotion surrounding this volume How systemic racism Indigenous people face results in real quantifiable challenges Why modern racism is subtle and hidden Mark’s airport lounge analogy and why it’s so poignant Holding a mirror up to your own behaviour Why is all this your problem? The paradox of “proximity equals legitimacy” The untapped cultural identity How a shallow memory is holding us back The two topics you should never talk about at the dinner table. Or should you?   Links & Resources: Mark’s profile on Australia Council for the Arts Mark on Twitter Mark on LinkedIn Super Native Unlimited Foundation for Young Australians The Recognise Campaign Mark’s TEDx Talk Ronsley’s TEDx Talk BMC Public Health Peer-Reviewed Study on Experience of Racism Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Living in the Australian State of Victoria Beyond Blue Discrimination Against Indigenous Australians  Students face “confronting” levels of Racism Koori Mail Issues Issue 423 Page 21 Creative Spirits Article: Racism in Aboriginal Australia Prejudice and Discrimination Video The Power of Privilege: Tiffany Jana at TEDxRVA Women Indigenous Australia: What They Don’t Teach You (Part 1)