Podcast
The Belonging Shift
Hosted by Mantej Singh · EN
The Belonging Shift podcast has conversations about the leadership, community, place and the future of belonging.
This is a podcast by Belonging Co – a social and cultural inclusion consultancy established and founded by Mantej Singh in 2025. He brings 20+ years’ experience in community engagement, placemaking and inclusion, focused on systemic change and community led outcomes.
Belonging Co helps executive leaders and organisations to strengthen inclusion, engagement and participation outcomes across workplaces and communities — grounded in a unique belonging approach and a community perspective.
Building a society, communities, public spaces, and institutions where everyone feels included and has a sense of belonging - is a critical need in today’s world. Belonging Co is committed to helping achieve this outcome. The Belonging Shift podcast is a key tool in driving this conversation forward in our communities, workplaces and societies.
The belonging shift podcast, we'll explore belonging, across place, community, and leadership with real practitioners, real stories, and practical shifts you can all apply. I look forward to all of you being there.
If any episode sparked a new idea or gave you language for something you've been carrying, share it with someone who needs it, a colleague, a leader, a friend.
That's how this conversation grows.
5episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Belonging, Social Cohesion and Fair Go
1w ago00:28:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Belonging Shift podcast, host Mantej Singh speaks with Aleem Ali, CEO, Welcoming Australia on social cohesion and belonging. Aleem says that at its core, it's about the strength of relationships within a society. So how well people trust each other, how much they feel like they belong, how much they can participate meaningfully, and how much they can interact effectively. The conversation delves into the impact of economic strain on belonging and the role of leaders and institutions.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Belonging and Community00:54 Aleem Ali's Journey and Background04:33 Understanding Belonging: A Complex Concept07:13 The Spectrum of Belonging14:28 Challenges of Belonging in Diverse Spaces17:42 Misunderstandings in Leadership and Belonging19:58 Micro practices: Simple Acts of Kindness23:46 Constraints to Belonging: Systems and Status Quo24:55 Shifts Leaders Need to Make for Belonging26:32 Final Advice for Leaders on BelongingAleem’s advice for leaders and practitioners for making the #BelongingShiftShift 1: Accept diversity as the community realityShift 2: Move from fear and assumption to listening, learning and genuine relationship-building.Shift 3: Prioritise micropractices - simple acts of welcome, respect and kindness that build trust daily.Shift 4: Question inherited systems and redesign them for todays contextShift 5: Understand your own inherent biases and prejudicesGuest BioAleem Ali is CEO, Welcoming Australia. Aleem has spent more than two decades seeding and mentoring the development of leading initiatives and social enterprises that advance inclusion, belonging and justice for diverse communities. He is the Deputy Chair of Oxfam Australia and a mentor and advisor to various startups, community enterprises and government agencies. As the CEO of Welcoming Australia, Aleem is working with leaders and organisations across the country to cultivate a culture of welcome and advance communities where people of all backgrounds belong, contribute and thrive. For more information on Welcoming Australia visit https://welcoming.org.au . For more information on Aleem visit linked https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleemshaun/ and his personal website https://aleemshaun.comHost BioMantej Singh is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Belonging Co, a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney with a belonging lens. He founded Belonging Co in 2025 to enhance the capability, confidence, and understanding of leaders and organisations regarding inclusion and community participation. Mantej has over 20 years of experience in community engagement, placemaking, and inclusion, emphasizing that belonging is foundational to thriving communities and effective institutions. For more information on Belonging Co visit www.belongingco.com.au and www.linkedin.com/in/mantejs . Lets grow the conversationIf this episode sparked a new idea, challenge, or possibility, share it with someone who’ll benefit. Follow and subscribe to The Belonging Shift podcast, for more such conversations. Podcast link https://www.belongingco.com.au/belongingshift
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Belonging, migration and settlement
2w ago00:21:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Belonging Shift podcast, host Mantej Singh speaks with Melissa Monteiro about belonging, migration, and settlement. Melissa Monteiro is Chief Executive Officer of the Community Migrant Resource Centre and Chair of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA). The conversation delves into the foundational importance of belonging for migrant and refugee communities in Australia. It explores personal experiences of belonging, shifts in migration, misunderstandings and barriers to belonging, leadership's role in fostering belonging, and solutions and advice for leaders to address these barriers.TakeawaysBelonging is foundational and essential for migrant and refugee communities to thrive in Australia.Belonging cannot be demanded or given; it exists in the space between the two.Melissa’s advice for leaders and practitioners for making the #BelongingShiftShift 1: Co-design with communitiesShift 2: Build long-term partnershipsShift 3: Harness the potential of shared spacesShift 4: Create environments where everyone feels heardShift 5:Start with a genuine motive and intention and don’t be defensive if you get it wrong.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Belonging Shift Podcast02:31 The Importance of Belonging in Settlement04:58 Personal Journeys of Belonging07:22 Shifts in Migration and Belonging09:25 Understanding Belonging: Misconceptions & Realities13:58 Barriers to Belonging in Leadership20:20 Solutions for Leaders to Foster Belonging23:22 Final Thoughts on BelongingGuest BioMelissa Monteiro is Chief Executive Officer of the Community Migrant Resource Centre and Chair of the Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA), representing approximately 180 organisations across Australia’s settlement sector. She is also Member, Women Peace and Security Coalition of Australia about Belonging in the settlement sector. She is a qualified social worker with over 27 years’ experience. Her work work is grounded in an intersectional approach, addressing the layered impacts of gender, migration, race, and socio-economic inequality. She has led the design and delivery of prevention and early intervention initiatives that respond to the strengths and needs of diverse communities. She has been recognised as a Pro Bono Australia IMPACT 21 award recipient and appointed as a The Salvation Army Multicultural Ambassador. She serves on multiple national and state advisory bodies.Host BioMantej Singh is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Belonging Co, a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney with a belonging lens. He founded Belonging Co in 2025 to enhance the capability, confidence, and understanding of leaders and organizations regarding inclusion and community participation. Mantej has over 20 years of experience in community engagement, placemaking, and inclusion, emphasizing that belonging is foundational to thriving communities and effective institutions. For more information visit www.belongingco.com.auLets grow the conversationIf this episode sparked a new idea, challenge, or possibility, share it with someone who’ll benefit. Follow and subscribe to The Belonging Shift podcast, for more such conversations. Podcast link https://www.belongingco.com.au/belongingshift
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Real belonging and community development beyond buzzwords
3w ago00:22:53Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Belonging Shift podcast, host Mantej Singh speaks with Zizi Charida, Founder, Zahia Pty Ltd., about belonging, community development, and going past surface-level tokenistic approaches. Zizi shares her insights on community development, the concept of belonging, and the practical steps needed to create a culture of belonging in workplaces and communities. She emphasizes the importance of understanding belonging as a verb and the need for authentic, genuine interactions to foster a sense of belonging. Zizi also highlights shifts and misconceptions in the belonging space, offering practical advice for leaders and individuals to foster belonging.TakeawaysZizi’s advice for leaders and practitioners on making the #BelongingShiftMove beyond tokenistic actions and build a genuine culture of belonging.Look at systemic issues, not just individual experiences.Treat belonging as a continuous journey, not a one-off initiative.Build connections before jumping to solutions.Belonging is created with people, not delivered from the top down.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Zizi Charida05:17 Understanding Belonging13:26 Shifts in the Belonging Space19:27 Leadership and Belonging30:06 Practical Steps for BelongingGuest BioWith over three decades of international and local community development experience, Zizi Charida focuses on strengthening capacity and forging genuinebelonging. As the founder of Zahia Pty Ltd and the creator of the Community Minded Kids initiative, Zizi champions innovative, asset-based approaches. She specialisesin creating platforms for inclusion and social equity, working directly with communities for practical, citizen-driven initiatives. For more info see zahia.com.au or connect with Zizi on on linkedinHost BioMantej Singh is founder of Belonging Co - a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney Austarlia. He has 20+ years experience across community outcomes and engagement, placemaking, diversity and inclusion. Collaborate with Belonging Co to strengthen trust, meaningful engagement, and participation across your workplace and community outcomes — grounded in a unique belonging approach. For more info see www.belongingco.com.au or connect with Mantej on linkedin
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Community engagement and Belonging for a diverse Australia
4w ago00:24:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Belonging Shift, host Mantej Singh speaks with Lucy Cole Edelstein, founder of Kadima Training, about what it takes to build genuine belonging through community engagement. She shares practical shifts for leaders: get on the ground, listen firsthand, treat engagement as risk management done early. Lucy reflects on three decades in the field and shares why engagement must move beyond spin and transactional consultation toward real relationships, time with communities, and humility - especially in a diverse Australia.Key pointsBelonging brings a new mindset to engagement and should shape practice.Technology can speed work up, but it can also become something we hide behind.Straight communication builds trust more than polished messaging and “spin”.Engagement takes time - like a snowball, it grows as it rolls.The relationship shift and the humility shift are essential for enagging diverse communities.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Belonging & Community Engagement02:58 Lucy’s Journey in Community Engagement07:44 Evolution of Community Engagement Over 30 Years13:08 Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging in Engagement17:05 Barriers to Progress in Community Engagement21:43 The Relationship Shift & the Humility Shift for belonging in engagementGuest BioLucy Cole Edelstein is a long-time community engagement practitioner, with 30 years experience across government, consultancy, and training. During this time she built and led teams, founded and onsold her own agency. She was a founding member of IAP2 Australasia and won multiple national and international awards for her engagement and facilitation.Lucy established Kadima-training that sticks! - after a 30 year career as a consultant. She is passionate about engagement and supporting emerging and mid-career professionals to have the success she has had. Importantly, she is passionate about great practice, challenging work and achieving success at work while maintaining a balanced and rewarding personal life.Links / resources• Kadima Training website• Lucy Cole Edelstein LinkedInAbout the host Mantej Singh is the founder of Belonging Co - a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney. He brings 20+ years’ experience in community engagement, placemaking and inclusion, focused on systemic change and community led outcomes. Mantej emphasizes systemic change, leadership accountability to foster genuine belonging and cultural inclusion. Links / resourcesBelonging Co WebsiteMantej Singh LinkedIn If this episode sparked a new idea, challenge, or possibility, share it with someone who’ll benefit. Follow and subscribe to The Belonging Shift podcast for future conversations.Connect with Mantej or Lucy if you want help with your community and stakeholder engagement projects or initiatives.
Transcribe →Episode 1: Why Belonging is the new standard for communities, businesses, and leaders
May 700:19:20Tap to summarizeIn this inaugural episode of The Belonging Shift podcast, host Mantej Singh highlights why Belonging is the new standard for communities, businesses, and leaders. He explores why cultivating a mindset of belonging is essential — not just for inclusion’s sake, but for tangible impacts on community engagement, organisational performance, and social cohesion. Mantej emphasises that belonging is a universal need that intersects with diversity, equity, and systemic change, urging leaders to rethink how they embed belonging into their work - and use the language of belonging to connect to people.Mantej Singh is the founder of Belonging Co - a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney. He brings 20+ years’ experience in community engagement, placemaking and inclusion, focused on systemic change and community led outcomes. Mantej emphasizes systemic change, leadership accountability to foster genuine belonging. Read about Belonging Co services and approach or book a FREE discovery call to discuss your needs.Key points in this episode• The true meaning of belonging: feeling welcome, safe, respected, and able to influence• Challenging myth: belonging is only about minorities• Challenging myth: belonging is not about business• Challenging myth: belonging is extra work• Five belonging shifts needed to create systemic change• Expand belonging beyond HR and organizational silos• Design for intersectional dignity and accessibility• Listen early and value lived experience• Focus on systemic and structural changes• Hold leaders accountable with visible responsibility• Practical ways to embed belonging• Individual differences while creating shared belongingChapters00:00 Introduction to Belonging01:55 The language of Belonging03:57 Barriers to Belonging04:23 Barrier 1: belonging is about minorities06:15 Barrier 2: belonging is not about revenue08:50 Barrier 3: Belonging is extra work11:25 Solutions for Belonging11:49 Shift 1: Think not just about workplace belonging12:44 Shift 2: Belonging is about dignity and intersectionality14:05 Shift 3: Listen early, listen genuinely14:53 Shift 4: Focus on changing systems and structures15:49 Shift 5: Accountability has to sit with leadership16:37 Belonging is the new standard17:50 Conclusion and Future Conversations
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