Made in Migration

#32 | From Colombo to Comedy: Dilruk Jayasinha’s Journey of Resilience

Date of recording: 18/02/2026 Summary: In this episode, we explore Dilruk Jayasinha’s inspiring journey from Colombo to Australian comedy stardom. Discover how his upbringing, migration experience, and personal resilienceshaped his unique voice and career. Keywords: Migration, Comedy, Personal Growth, Resilience, Identity, Australia, Sri Lanka, Mental Health, Success Stories Chapters: 01:13 - Dilruk Jayasinha: A Journey from Sri Lanka to Comedy 04:08 - Cultural Influences: Growing Up in a Multi-Religious Household 09:42 - The Impact of Conflict on Childhood and Humour 11:23 - Transitioning to Life in Australia 15:31 - The Guilt of International Students 22:13 - From Accounting to Comedy: A Career Shift 28:35 - Finding Joy in Passion: The Path to Comedy 30:24 - Dreaming Big and Parental Support 32:37 - Finding Comedic Voice 38:13 - Impact of TV Roles on Career 39:38 - Lessons from Reality TV 44:26 - Vulnerability and Personal Growth 48:09 - Life After a Heart Attack 52:52 - Reflections on Childhood 55:43 - Belonging vs. Fitting In 57:25 - Looking Ahead: Family and Career Acknowledgments: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dilruk for so generouslyvolunteering his time, and for imparting his knowledge, insights and of course humour! We acknowledge Dilruk’s personal website (https://dilruk.com.au [https://dilruk.com.au]) for the photograph of Dilrukfeatured on the cover art for this episode. As always, thank you to our listeners, without which thispodcast would simply not exist. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au [http://www.lawgration.com.au]. Disclaimer: This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent. The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation thatthey represent or are otherwise affiliated with. In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.

#31 | From Kuala Lumpur to Carnegie Hall: Kamahl's Journey of Resilience and Music

Date of recording: 22/01/2026 Summary: In this episode, Kamahl, a renowned singer and migrant, shares his extraordinary journey from Kuala Lumpur to international stardom in Australia. His story highlights resilience, cultural identity, and the power of music to bridge divides and inspire change. Keywords: Migration, music, resilience, Australia, cultural identity, Kamahl, storytelling, inspiration Chapters: 03:21 - Navigating Challenges and Acceptance 09:04 - Identity and Belonging in Australia 13:22 - Friendship with Sir Donald Bradman 18:31 - Becoming an Australian Citizen 19:40 - Reflections on Malaysia and Australia 20:55 - Challenges for Migrant Artists 26:47 - Lessons on Love and Legacy Acknowledgments: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kamahl for so generously volunteering his time, and for imparting his knowledge and insights! We gratefully acknowledge ABC Australia for the photograph of Kamahl featured on the cover art for this episode. As always, thank you to our listeners, without which this podcast would simply not exist. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au [http://www.lawgration.com.au]. Disclaimer: This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construed as legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent. The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation that they represent or are otherwise affiliated with. In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.

#30 | From Crumbling Beginnings to Impactful Leadership: Sakshi Thakur OAM’s Journey

Date of recording: 19/01/2026 Summary: In this episode, Sakshi Thakur OAM shares her inspiring journey from early challenges to founding Sewing TheSeeds, a social enterprise empowering women in India through ethical textile work. Discover how her leadership, cultural roots, and innovative impact models are transforming lives and communities. Keywords: social enterprise, impact, women empowerment, ethical fashion, Australia-India migration, sustainable income,community development Chapters: 01:08 - Sakshi’s early life and migration from Kuwait to Australia 02:19 - The story behind Sewing The Seeds and its mission 03:09 - Sakshi’s pivotal moment of persistence in her 20s 09:28 - Constraints and strengths in social enterprise 10:20 - Who Sewing The Seeds serves and how it operates 11:46 - Signals of dignity and agency in impact 14:45 - Training to trading pathway and impact timeline 16:56 - Product sourcing and sustainability practices 21:43 - Risk-taking as CEO during COVID and structural changes 23:30 - Public recognition and its impact on leadership 25:31 - Living between Australia and India 26:07 - Policy changes to unlock impact for social enterprises 28:01 - Advice for aspiring migrants and social entrepreneurs 34:18 - Misconceptions about social enterprise 35:09 - Advice for migrants considering impact ventures Acknowledgments: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sakshi for so generously volunteering her time, and for imparting her knowledge and insights! As always, thank you to our listeners, without which this podcast would simply not exist. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au [http://www.lawgration.com.au]. Disclaimer: This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent. The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation that they represent or are otherwise affiliated with. In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.

Season's End: Reflecting, Recharging, and Looking Ahead to 2026

Date of recording: 6 December 2025 End of year message: As we close out another incredible year on Made in Migration, we want to pause and reflect on the journey we’ve shared together. This season has been nothing short of inspiring. We’ve explored powerful stories of resilience, creativity, and transformation—stories that remind us how migration shapes not only individual lives but entire communities. From candid conversations to deep dives into culture and identity, every episode has been a testament to the strength and richness that migration brings to our world. To our listeners: thank you. Your engagement, your curiosity, and your support have made this podcast what it is. Every download, every share, every message of encouragement fuels our mission to keep these conversations alive. As the holiday season approaches, we hope you find time to rest, recharge, and connect with the people who mattermost. And for those navigating the challenges of migration during this time, know that our thoughts are with you. May the coming year bring new opportunities, hope, and belonging. We’ll be taking a short break to prepare for an exciting new chapter in 2026—packed with fresh stories, new voices, and even more ways to celebrate the richness of migration. From all of us at Made in Migration, thank you for being part of this journey. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the new year. Stay tuned—and we’ll see you in 2026! Keywords: Australia, immigration, migration, conversations, reflections, 2025, 2026 Acknowledgments: As always, many thanks to our editor, Ryan Prestipino of Fallen Pine Studio, for his amazing work behind the scenes. And of course, thank you to our listeners, without which this podcast would simply not exist. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au [http://www.lawgration.com.au]. Disclaimer: This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent. The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation that they represent or are otherwise affiliated with. In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.

#29 | From Broadmeadows to the Boardroom - The Crazy Life of John Ilhan

Summary: This episode of the Made in Migration podcast explores the inspiring journey of John Ilhan, a migrant who transformed the mobile retail industry in Australia. From his humble beginningsas a five-year-old migrant to becoming a successful entrepreneur with Crazy John's, his story is one of resilience, innovation, and philanthropy. John Ilhan’s legacy continues to inspire many, showcasing the power of hard work andcommunity spirit. Keywords: John Ilhan, Mustafa Ilhan, Crazy John's, Australian immigration, entrepreneurship, mobile retail, philanthropy,migrant success stories, resilience, business legacy, community impact Chapters: 00:46 - The Journey Begins: John Ilhan's Early Life 02:34 - From Salesman to Entrepreneur: The Birth of Crazy John's 04:43 - Revolutionising Mobile Retail: Crazy John's Impact 05:02 – Unexpected Death and Legacy Acknowledgments: We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following third parties whose content has greatly enriched this episode: Archival Audio: - ‘Crazy John's Nokia N95 - TV Ad - Australia2008’, published on the Tape Age YouTube channel on 11 September 2020, accessed via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVldnzjQa7g [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVldnzjQa7g]. - ‘John Ilhan of Crazy Johns speaks with ReubenBuchanan’, published on the Action4Success YouTube channel on 29 July 2008, accessed via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4kilaxxrII&t=134s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4kilaxxrII&t=134s]. - ‘Proud locals defend reputation of infamousAussie neighbourhood | A Current Affair’ published on the A Current Affair YouTube channel on 4 February 2023, accessed via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbCxn9-UQfc&t=44s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbCxn9-UQfc&t=44s]. Music: - ‘Sad Documentary Sorrowful Music’ by HitsLab,published on the Pixabay platform, accessed via: https://pixabay.com/music/tragedy-sad-documentary-sorrowful-music-342263/ [https://pixabay.com/music/tragedy-sad-documentary-sorrowful-music-342263/]. - ‘Traditional Turkish Music.’ published on the JammK Gonzo YouTube channel on 4 August 2013, accessed via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1lR4Mlu9OI&list=RDs1lR4Mlu9OI&start_radio=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1lR4Mlu9OI&list=RDs1lR4Mlu9OI&start_radio=1]. Photograph: - Australian Broadcasting Corporation article, “Tributes flow for 'Crazy John', published 24 October 2007, accessed via: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-10-24/tributes-flow-for-crazy-john/707576. As always, many thanks to our editor, Ryan Prestipino of Fallen Pine Studio, for his amazing work behind the scenes. And of course, thank you to our listeners, without which this podcast would simply not exist. If you have any feedback or suggestions, we would love to hear from you - call us on (03) 9063 2240 or visit www.lawgration.com.au [http://www.lawgration.com.au]. Disclaimer: This content is intended to be for general informational purposes only, and all content is current at the time of recording and subject to change without prior notice. While LawGration is an Incorporated Legal Practice, we are not aware of your personal circumstances, needs or goals, and information contained in this post should not be construedas legal, immigration or other advice. Before acting on any information in this post, you should always query whether it is relevant to your circumstances and consult an Australian immigration lawyer or registered migration agent. The views and/or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of LawGration, or any other organisation thatthey represent or are otherwise affiliated with. In the event that content is marked as ‘promotional’, unless expressly stated, LawGration does not in any way endorse any third party or their offerings.