On Unlocking Access, The Power of Active Listening & Centering Diverse Voices In Policymaking — with Chi Nguyen

Appropriately timed for the holidays, this episode was a gift — an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend about something that matters deeply to both of us: social change.Join me as I think out loud with Chi Nguyen (she/her) — Member of Parliament for the Spadina–Harbourfront district in Toronto, Canada, the first woman of Vietnamese descent ever elected to political office in Ontario, and mom of two kiddos: Sam and Ellis. Our conversation starts with Chi's literal keys and the importance of unlocking access to decision-making spaces. From there we touch on topics including working inside vs. outside systems, the challenge of governing for the many, learning across constituencies and working with tensions, and the impact of representation and centering diverse voices on policymaking.You'll hear the story of Women in House — a program Chi co-created as a student at McGill University (where we met!) that works to increase female representation in Canadian politics and is open to all students who identify as female, regardless of gender assigned at birth. And you'll hear us chat about how becoming parents has informed our change work.If you appreciate this podcast, please consider sharing it with a friend, colleague, or network, and/or leaving a review. I'm also always happy when people reach out to share feedback with me directly.If this episode resonates with you...Subscribe to the podcast using your favorite podcast app,Support How Change Happens with ratings, sharing feedback with me, and/or by sharing it with a friend, colleague or network, Learn more about Chi's change work at https://linktr.ee/officeofmpnguyen and on their Instagram, and/orLearn more about my (Kai's) change work at www.createknowledge.org, on Substack, and/or on LinkedIn.ReferencesTransformative MediationWomen In House