The Million Dollar Podcast to launch in October

In this episode of The Million Dollar Podcast, host Ramneek Wayne sits down with Susanne Newton, the Mayor of Darebin, to explore her inspiring journey from a world traveller working with the United Nations to a trailblazing political leader. Susanne shares her unexpected path into politics, the challenges she’s faced as a woman in leadership, and the “million-dollar value” of finding your voice and making a difference—whether on a local or global scale. With valuable insights for young people on taking risks, overcoming setbacks, and leading with passion, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to make their mark in the world.

Ramneek Wayne: Susanne, welcome to The Million Dollar Podcast! It’s fantastic to have you here today.

Susanne Newton: Thanks, Ramneek! It’s wonderful to be here.

Ramneek: You’ve done so much in the community and globally, and the work you’re doing is truly inspiring. But let’s start from the beginning. You’re the Mayor of Darebin now, but how did you first get interested in politics? 

Susanne: “You know, it was a pretty windy road! I wasn’t one of those people who thought about politics from an early age. Even in my twenties, I didn’t imagine myself as a politician, despite studying politics at university. It wasn’t until my thirties, after working in Uganda with the United Nations, that I saw the real impact women leaders were making. It lit something in me. They had quotas for women in politics, and that’s when I thought, ‘Why not me?’ So I threw my hat in the ring.”

Ramneek: It’s incredible how your experience in Uganda shaped your political path. What challenges did you face jumping into this world, especially since it wasn’t your initial plan?

Susanne: “Oh, there were many! I was in my early thirties, and I remember thinking, ‘What do I know about politics?’ Even when I first ran for council, I didn’t expect to get elected. But what surprised me was how much I enjoyed campaigning and meeting people in the community. When they voted for me, I realised, ‘Oh, I can do this!’”

“Even after getting elected, there’s this power dynamic. I was younger than most of my colleagues and, being a woman, sometimes I wasn’t taken seriously. There’s a learning curve, and I had to find my voice. I used to write down my speeches word for word because I was so nervous. Now, I can speak comfortably off the cuff, but that took time.”

Ramneek: I love that you said, “Why not me?” That’s something we need to hear more often. So, what advice would you give young people who might be interested in politics but think it’s too far out of reach?

Susanne: “I’d say don’t wait until you feel ‘ready.’ We’re never completely ready for the things that challenge us the most. If politics is something you’re even remotely interested in, go for it! Start small—get involved in your community, volunteer, join a campaign. You’ll learn so much on the way, and you never know where it might lead you.”

Ramneek: Passion really does fuel everything. Speaking of passion, you’ve been a strong advocate for climate action. Darebin was the first city in the world to declare a climate emergency. That’s massive! Can you tell us how that happened?

Susanne: “It was an amazing moment for us. In 2016, not long after I got elected, we had strong local climate action groups that pushed for bold moves. We were the first to declare a climate emergency, and it snowballed from there. Now, more than a third of the world’s governments have declared similar emergencies.”

“What’s important is that it started on a community level. People often think global change needs to come from the top, but this shows how local action can spark global movements. It’s about listening to your community and taking action, even if it seems daunting at first.”

Ramneek: That’s a “million-dollar value” right there—local action can have a global impact! Speaking of challenges, you mentioned earlier that finding your voice took time. What about dealing with setbacks or negative feedback? How do you handle that?

Susanne: “Oh, the setbacks are real, trust me! When you’re in politics, especially as a woman, you have to deal with criticism, sometimes personal attacks. It’s tough, but I’ve learned to not take it personally. I think about why people behave that way, often it’s more about them than about me.”

“I’ve also built a strong support network. When things get hard, having people in your corner—whether they’re colleagues, friends, or mentors—makes all the difference. And it’s important to remember that you can’t change everything overnight. You have to stay focused on the long game.”

Ramneek: That’s solid advice. Now, a bit of a fun question: When you were 20, did you ever imagine you’d be a mayor? What did “20-year-old Susanne” think about politicians?

Susanne: [Laughs] “Oh my gosh, not at all! When I was 20, I didn’t even think I could be a politician. Back then, politics felt like something other people did, not me. It wasn’t until I saw women leading in Uganda that I realised politics could be for someone like me. So, 20-year-old me? She had no idea what was coming!”

Ramneek: That’s amazing. So, to wrap things up, if you could give one piece of advice to young people listening to this podcast, what would it be?

Susanne: “I’d say don’t be afraid to take risks. Whether it’s in politics, business, or something else entirely, go for what excites you. You might not feel ready, but you’ll grow along the way. And don’t do it alone—find people who will support you and keep pushing you forward. The journey isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.”

Ramneek: I couldn’t agree more. Susanne, you’ve given us some real gems today. Thank you for being here on The Million Dollar Podcast. I’m sure our listeners are walking away inspired!

Susanne: “Thanks, Ramneek. It’s been a pleasure!”