What does the legal system really look like for a young person caught up in it? And what role do culture, lived experience, and community play in changing their path?

In this episode of Lead Good, Judo and Lewis are joined by Daniel Ajak and Amgad Ajak two South Sudanese Australian lawyers practising criminal defence. They unpack the realities of youth crime and what it takes to pull a young person away from the system.

Daniel and Amgad share their journeys from Sudan to Australia, the people who shaped them, and what drove them to law. They break down what actually happens when a young person is arrested, the cultural understanding they bring to the courtroom, and what Victoria's new "adult crime, adult time" laws mean for kids as young as fourteen.

A grounded conversation about culture, the courtroom, and the people who quietly change a young person's path before the system ever gets to them.

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Lead Good is produced by Good One Creative with support from Youth Activating Youth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can youth crime actually be reduced? And what does it take to create real change, beyond headlines and political debate?

In this episode of Lead Good, Judo and Lewis are joined by Mike Bush, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, bringing together lived experience and law enforcement to unpack one of the most talked-about issues in Victoria.

The conversation explores the tension between punishment and prevention, and whether tougher laws alone can solve the problem. Mike shares his perspective from decades in policing, emphasising the importance of consequences, but also the need to intervene earlier and address the root causes of offending.

Judo reflects on his own experience, acknowledging that as a young person, he didn’t fully understand the impact of his actions, either on victims or on his own future. He speaks about the influence of peer groups, the search for belonging, and how easily young people can be pulled in the wrong direction.

The episode also highlights the role of positive intervention. From mentors to coaches, it looks at what actually makes a difference before someone reaches the point of no return.

Now working directly with young people at risk, Judo shares what he’s seeing on the ground, the challenges they face, and the importance of meeting them where they are, with people they can relate to.

It’s a grounded conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and what it will take to create safer communities.

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Lead Good is produced by Good One Creative with support from Youth Activating Youth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when someone leaves prison and steps back into the real world? And how do you rebuild a life when everything has changed?

In Episode 3 of Lead Good, we follow Judo on the day he is released after more than four years in custody, and the reality of starting again.

From the moment he walks out, the emotion is immediate, reuniting with his family, returning home, and adjusting to a life that feels both familiar and completely different.

But freedom comes with conditions. Judo is placed on strict parole, fitted with ankle monitors, curfews, and constant oversight. Every movement is tracked, and every decision carries weight.

Through conversation with Lewis, and supported by Ahmed, the episode explores the pressure of that transition, the anxiety, the responsibility, and the need to rebuild slowly rather than trying to do everything at once.

A key part of that process is making difficult choices, including distancing himself from the people and environments that once pulled him into crime, and surrounding himself with those trying to move forward.

The episode explores what change actually looks like in practice: structure, discipline, and accountability, not just intention.

It’s a grounded look at life after prison, and what it takes to stay on a different path.

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Lead Good is produced by Good One Creative with support from Youth Activating Youth.

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What actually leads someone back into crime, even when they’re trying to do the right thing? And how quickly can things unravel?

In Episode 2 of Lead Good, we follow Judo in the period after his release, as he attempts to rebuild his life at 18.

He’s trying to stay on track, playing football, looking for work, and avoiding trouble. But without strong support or structure, and still surrounded by the same environment, the pressure begins to build.

Judo speaks candidly about how difficult it is to break away from your peer group, especially when it’s the only sense of belonging you’ve known. Even during a period where he avoids offending, the foundations aren’t strong enough to hold.

The turning point comes when a close friend is released from custody, pulling him back into old habits. What starts as a single moment quickly escalates into a full return to that lifestyle.

The episode takes a sharp turn when a friend is shot, triggering a chain of events driven by emotion and retaliation. Within a short period of time, Judo finds himself involved in a home invasion that would ultimately change the course of his life.

It’s a clear look at how quickly things can spiral, and how one decision can carry lasting consequences.

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Lead Good is produced by Good One Creative with support from Youth Activating Youth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how young people end up committing crime? Is it recklessness, or something deeper?

Episode 1 introduces Lead Good, a podcast exploring youth crime, accountability, and the possibility of change through lived experience.

Hosted by Lewis Martin, the series begins by acknowledging the harm caused by past actions and setting a clear intention: this is not about excusing or glorifying crime, but about understanding it and showing what change can look like.

We meet Judo, a 24-year-old South Sudanese Australian man currently on parole after serving time for aggravated burglary. Once part of the problem, he is now working as a lived experience mentor, supporting young people at risk of following a similar path.

This episode explores the tension between public perception and personal reality, particularly the impact of media narratives around youth crime and the South Sudanese community. It asks a central question that drives the series: who is behind the headlines?

Judo shares what motivates him now, including a desire to take responsibility, repair harm, and give back to his family and community. At the same time, the conversation openly acknowledges the skepticism many people will have, and the need for change to be demonstrated through action, not words.

Episode 1 sets the foundation for the Lead Good series, introducing the key themes of accountability, identity, and redemption, while preparing the audience for a deeper exploration of the events that led to his offending.

Make sure you follow and subscribe to keep up to date with future Lead Good episodes and season 2.

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Lead Good is produced by Good One Creative with support from Youth Activating Youth.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.