Listen to remarkable stories from changemakers, in disasters and development. Their stories of courage and persistence will spark fire in you! And you will find your own MARS mantra for a better world. 
My MARS Mantra podcast will explore 
- What motivates people to work in disasters and development? 
- What are their reflections, learnings, and challenges to move forward? 
- What is their inner resilience and sustainability message for a better world?

My MARS mantra

Rumana welcomes her post-grad students Daniel and Simon, to share their stories of growing up in a turbulent time in Uganda - how they helped people affected by conflict; and how conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic are all interconnected. Daniel and Simon will surely inspire you to think twice, about how you can make a difference from your own position, as a lawyer, as an aid worker, as a project manager or simply as a member of the public who wants to know how displaced people thrive, with a little help from people like Daniel and Simon.

E2. The changing faces of disasters in Uganda_Daniel Ortega, Simon Okello with Rumana Kabir

Ian Davis looks back at his 50-year-long career in the field of disaster risk reduction and recovery. Ian shares his childhood experience of World War 2, volunteering during his youth, to help his friends support the 70’s cyclone-affected people in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). Ian moved from architecture to academia and then advised governments worldwide on disaster risk reduction & recovery. Ian also shares inner resilience or MARS mantra by listening to people, praying, painting & writing.

E1. 50 years of disasters as agents of change_Ian Davis with Rumana Kabir

Arwin Solaksono, shares his story of rebuilding Aceh, in Indonesia which was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. This tsunami affected 14 countries and killed 240,000 people, mostly Indonesians.  When he was invited by an aid agency to advise them in rebuilding Aceh, he was moved by the emptiness caused by the Tsunami. This changed Arwin’s career from an Engineer to a Shelter & Settlement Practitioner, now working Worldwide. Tsunami also brought a big change in the lives of people in Aceh who were living with conflict for over 29 years. It brought peace to the region as well and many aid agencies’ arrival impacted the culture, economy, and environment. Arwin shares his insights as an outsider in Aceh; as an Indonesian building their own expertise to tackle one disaster after another; and as an international advisor supporting rebuilding after the earthquakes in Nepal and Türkiye. Follow Arwin’s blogs http://www.humanitarian-development.org/

E3.Changes from an Indonesian disaster island to the rest of the world_Arwin Soelakson, Rumana Kabir

Stephen discussed with Rumana the status of modern warfare that is silently destroying many lives all over the world. Stephen is curious to find out about international events which go unnoticed by the mainstream media. He is passionate about examining the ways in which people are denied their human rights during times of conflict. In the podcast, he also shares his research on the social effects of drone warfare, including the emotional impacts on drone pilots. He emphasises the importance of holding people in power to account and finding job satisfaction by digging deep into conflict-related issues.

E4. Breaking the silence on invisible wars_Stephen Pine with Rumana Kabir

Ines Smyth, is a gender & women's rights and climate activist. She grew up in a working-class family in Italy and had a desire to see the world. She recalls her time in Indonesia. Ines also highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of intersectionality in addressing inequalities. She shares stories of working with marginalized communities in Asia. and explains why women died of Tsunami due to lack of swimming skills and gender roles. Ines also shares her stories on climate activism.

E5. Changing our hearts and minds on feminism and climate activism_Ines Smyth with Rumana Kabir

Jordan Oster works for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Authority (MEMA). He shares his stories of dealing with day-to-day disasters and how it feels to help people in times of distress. Jordan is concerned that the intensity of climate-induced disasters is increasing all over the United States of America (USA), from heavy snowfall in California, and ice storms in Texas to an increased number of intense floods and storms in Massachusetts.

E8. Dealing with disasters in the USA_Jordan Oster with Rumana Kabir

Listen to remarkable stories from changemakers, in disasters and development. Their stories of courage and persistence will spark fire in you!
MARS stands for Motivations, Actions, Reflections and Sustainability. In each episode, we ask our guests,
1. What Motivates them to Act as changemakers?
2. What are their Reflections?
3. How do they Sustain themselves and or is their MARS mantra for a better world?

E8. Dealing with disasters in the USA_Jordan Oster with Rumana Kabir

My MARS mantra : Stories from Changemakers