The Perantau Podcast

Language, culture and healthcare come together in ways that shape access, diagnosis and everyday care for migrants, where these nuances are too often missed by systems that assume a one-size-fits-all approach. Sabrina Suwandi is a clinical speech pathologist and research assistant from Medan who works with children and assists research in the speech-pathology team at one of Australia's best children's hospital. Sabrina joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast where they talk about what speech pathology really covers – from speech and language to swallowing, assistive communication devices and social skills – why some sounds and speech patterns are harder than they seem, and how multilingualism and code-mixing shape identity and confidence in a new country. They also touch on the cultural differences in how conditions like autism are recognised and accepted, and why research and awareness matter for better care. They explore Sabrina’s work in building the Indonesian Professionals in Healthcare Australia (IPHC) — a group launched in April 2025 to connect Indonesian allied-health and medical professionals in Australia, grow a community of practice, and act as a bridge for collaboration between Indonesia and Australia. This episode is delivered in a mix of English and Bahasa Indonesia. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.

Sometimes moving cities and between cultures pushes you to meet a completely new version of yourself. For many Indonesians abroad, that can happen through the food we chase, the values we hold onto, and the moments where we realise we don’t quite fit into one box anymore. Jane Vieren is an Indonesian food content creator – among many other things – based in Melbourne. Between faith, confidence, and learning where she stands, Jane’s story reflects the messy, honest work of growing up far from home. Jane joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast where they talk about the ethics of food content creation, the truth behind hype-driven dining videos, her funniest “wait… what?” Chindo culture mix-ups, and why marathons and pilates are the future for her. This episode is predominantly delivered in a mix of English and Bahasa Indonesia. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.

Loving Indonesia can feel complicated — especially when the place you call home challenges your hopes for its future. Alfin Nurul Firdaus is a youth and environmental advocate from Pasuruan, East Java, now in Melbourne studying waste management at the University of Melbourne. From founding Pasuruan Youth Forum to building Waste Reform Indonesia, Alfin’s work is rooted in community, sustainability, and a desire to give back to the place that shaped her. In this episode, Alfin joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about her deep, sometimes “toxic-relationship” love for Indonesia; the grassroots realities of waste management she witnessed growing up near industrial rivers; and how education abroad is reshaping her approach to environmental change. Season 2 Episode 17 – The Perantau Podcast. This episode is predominantly delivered in Bahasa Indonesia. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned.

What does it take to build a life, and a business, far from home? Meet Jordan Setiawan, an Indonesian entrepreneur in Melbourne who transformed his student journey into a thriving career in hospitality. After arriving in 2019 with limited English, Jordan faced Melbourne's strict COVID lockdowns, lost touch with his Indonesian community, and struggled to find his place. But through coffee, resilience, and a reconnection to culture, he co-founded Mr. Summit Café and recently launched the new Indonesian eatery, Kantin Kita. His story reflects the challenges and triumphs of the Indonesian diaspora: building dreams overseas while staying rooted in identity. On this episode, Jordan Setiawan joins Billy Adison Aditijanto on The Perantau Podcast to talk about reconnecting with Indonesian identity, battling burnout as a café owner, and why food is his bridge between Melbourne and Indonesia. This episode is entirely delivered in English. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the podcast or any organisations they are affiliated with or mentioned. Chapters: Intro (00:00) Identity and disconnection (01:12) Hospitality career and starting Mr. Summit Café (03:16) Burnout and imposter syndrome (08:10) What Sets Mr. Summit Apart (13:30) Southbank's new Kantin Kita (16:53) Reconnecting with Indonesia through food (20:13) The Next Chapter: Returning to Indonesia (22:10) Quickfire Q&A (25:25) Closing Thoughts (28:22)