Pilot podcast program helps young people find their voice
A new podcast program, Inside Voice, being trialled within DHS’ Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre (KTYJC), is giving young people a voice and the confidence to use it.
The pilot program helps open up conversations, build skills and help young people see new possibilities for their futures. Designed to feel familiar and relaxed, the program is already proving to be a great tool for connection, learning and self‑expression.
For many, formal conversations with adults can feel intimidating or forced. Podcasts, however, are slightly different.
“It’s a format young people understand and respect. Podcasting mirrors the conversational style young people already engage with through media they love; it's informal, authentic and led by curiosity rather than judgement,” said KTYJC Programs and Activity Coordinator Paul Aardenburg.
A safe space to be heard
The goal of Inside Voice is simple yet meaningful: to strengthen engagement and communication by offering a platform that feels safe, relatable and youth led.
Participation is voluntary, with young residents working alongside Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre (KTYJC) Programs staff to plan topics, set up equipment and shape conversations during weekly sessions.
Topics reflect the wide diversity of the young people involved. Episodes so far have explored everything from music and sports to growing up, cultural identity, religion such as Ramadan, being a twin and funny life moments.
While the podcasts are intentionally light‑hearted and trauma informed, they also create space for reflection, learning and emotional awareness. Staff gently guide conversations, while allowing the conversations to move in directions that are important to the young person.
With the young person’s approval, recordings are then broadcast internally on Kurlana Tapa’s TV channel. This allows other young people to watch, listen and learn from their peers, creating opportunities for positive role modelling, shared learning and connection, while maintaining privacy and cultural safety.
Learning skills for life
The podcasts complement Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre's (KTYJC) existing suite of education, wellbeing and skill-building programs focused on identity, emotional literacy and respectful communication, yet through a more creative approach that resonates strongly with young people.
They not only learn how to build communication skills, confidence, self reflection but also learn the ability to listen to different perspectives and gain practical experience in scripting, planning, video editing, audio recording and technical setup. These useful skills can help support pathways into education, training and employment.
KTYJC staff have already noticed positive changes since the program began.
“We’ve seen young residents taking greater ownership, showing initiative and speaking more openly about their backgrounds, values and aspirations,” Paul said. “They’re proud of what they create and some of them really enjoy seeing themselves on screen, telling their story in their own words.”
Upcoming episodes will explore future pathways, including how to get a job through RAW, learning about KWY and the support they provide, staff interviews and conversations with musicians, sportspeople and community leaders.
There are also plans to expand further into broader themes of identity, community and practical life skills – ensuring the program continues to help young people not just during their time at KTYJC, but long after they leave.