Hey you mob! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented and inspiring Aunty Elverina Johnson—a proud Gungganji and Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman from Yarrabah, in Far North Queensland.

Aunt Elverina is a true force: a singer, artist, fashion designer, businesswoman, and cultural leader. We yarn about everything from her creative roots growing up in a tin shack by the beach, to turning her artwork into wearable storytelling through her powerful collaboration with Taking Shape—a partnership that’s taken her all the way to Vogue and Sydney Fashion Week!

We talk about the importance of backing yourself, building generational wealth, and creating your own path—whether that’s through art, business, or community. Aunt Elverina shares how she’s been able to grow her cultural tourism business, Paperbark Arts, on her own property in Yarrabah, bringing together art, events, workshops, and more with the support of her family.

This is a powerful episode about creativity, culture, resilience, and self-determination. I’m so proud to share this yarn with you—it's one I know will fill your cup like it did mine.

Resources & Links

Paperbark Arts & Cultural Tours (Elverina’s business):
https://paperbarkarts.com.au

Taking Shape x Elverina Johnson collaboration (fashion label):
https://takingshape.com/AU/style-stories/elverina-johnson-third.html

First Nations Fashion + Design (FNAFAD):
https://firstnationsfashiondesign.com

Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct:
https://www.yarrabah-arts-centre.com.au/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful NAIDOC Week yarn, I sit down with Uncle Cheg—Gregory Egert—one of our most respected elders and lifelong advocates for community, culture, and education in Southeast Queensland. From growing up in Inala in the 1960s, to decades of service on community boards and as an inaugural Elder in Residence at QUT and now UQ, Uncle Cheg shares stories of resilience, responsibility, and staying grounded in culture.

We talk about the early days of big community meetings (complete with the occasional flying chair), the importance of giving back, and how Aboriginal-led research is shaping better futures through the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures. Uncle Cheg reflects on what drives him to keep showing up for mob, why mentoring the next generation is non-negotiable, and his hopes and concerns for our young people as they step into a fast-changing world.

Whether you’re mob, an ally, or someone wanting to understand more about what genuine community leadership looks like, this episode is a heartfelt reminder—especially during NAIDOC Week—that our culture, our stories, and our obligations endure.

Tune in to hear Uncle Cheg’s wisdom on belonging, legacy, and the power of lifting each other up.

Resources & Links

• ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous Futures
  https://indigenous-futures.org/ indigenous-futures.org+1indigenous-futures.org+1

• The Murri School
  https://murrischool.qld.edu.au/ murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11murrischool.qld.edu.au+11

• QUT Carumba Institute
  https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute qut.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3qut.edu.au+3

• University of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit
  https://indigenous-engagement.uq.edu.au/atsisu

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I sit down with respected Wakka Wakka/Wulli Wulli Elder, author, academic, and leadership expert Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng. Recorded in Naarm at the Indigenous Leadership Summit, this yarn dives deep into the meaning of sacred leadership, emotional intelligence, and the importance of First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing within modern systems.

Aunt shares her journey from growing up in Longreach to working in public service and academia, and how she has applied First Nations knowledge to leadership development through her PhD and mentoring programs. She unpacks the foundational cultural laws of reciprocity, responsibility, and respect — teachings passed down through generations — and how these values shape authentic leadership today.

Together, we also discuss supporting the next generation of Blak women, breaking free from limiting belief systems, and empowering young mob to lead in their own right — not by assimilating into dominant systems, but by centring cultural integrity and lived experience.

Resources & Links

• Aunty Tjanara Goreng Goreng – Personal website
https://www.tjanara.com/

• The Leadership Institute – Indigenous Leadership Summit:
https://www.theleadershipinstitute.com.au/indigenous-leadership-summit/

• BlackCard – Aboriginal Terms of Reference (via About Us page)
https://www.theblackcard.com.au/about-us/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with trailblazing Woppaburra woman, Angela Barney-Leitch, live from the Human Rights Summit on Yagara Country. From growing up in Woodridge to becoming the first Aboriginal woman appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Queensland, Angela reflects on her incredible journey and the importance of cultural leadership in institutions like QUT.

Angela shares the transformative work happening through Carumba, the Indigenous Research Institute, and how initiatives like the Campus to Country strategy are reshaping what inclusion and sovereignty look like on university campuses. Angela also speaks candidly about the strength of community, the role of education in our liberation, and why standing strong in your identity is more important than ever.

This yarn is a celebration of black excellence, black joy, and the power of returning to and standing on Country. An inspiring listen for anyone navigating the intersections of culture, education, and leadership.

Resources & Links

Books & Authors

Another Day in the Colony by Professor Chelsea Watego
https://www.uqp.com.au/books/another-day-in-the-colony

Black Witness by Amy McQuire
https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/black-witness-9781922585725

Indigenous Education & Strategy at QUT

Carumba Institute – Indigenous Research at QUT
https://www.qut.edu.au/research/carumba-institute

Campus to Country: Positioning Strategy
https://www.qut.edu.au/about/campus-to-country

QUT Indigenous Strategy
https://www.qut.edu.au/about/indigenous

Indigenous Mathematics & Education

YuMi Deadly Maths – QUT
https://research.qut.edu.au/ydc/about/yumi-deadly-maths/

Dr. Chris Matthews – Griffith University Profile
https://www.griffith.edu.au/advancement/notable-alumni/2021-alumni-award-winners/professor-chris-matthews

Woppaburra Country & Marine Stewardship

Woppaburra Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement (TUMRA)
https://woppaburra.com.au/100-2/

Reef Authority – Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreements
https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/learn/traditional-owners/traditional-use-marine-resources-agreements

Indigenous Business Leadership

Master of Indigenous Business Leadership – Monash University
https://www.monash.edu/indigenous-australians/study/master-of-indigenous-business-leadership

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I yarn with proud Widjabul Wia-bal woman Larissa Baldwin-Roberts — a lifelong community organiser, strategist, and changemaker. From growing up in Lismore surrounded by stories of resistance and survival, to leading major campaigns on climate, justice, and rights, Larissa shares how her family’s legacy shaped her political thinking and commitment to grassroots action.

We explore the aftermath of the Voice referendum, the threats facing Treaty processes, and the urgent need to reframe how we organise, persuade, and protect First Nations rights on our own terms. Larissa reflects on the lessons passed down from her father and community Elders, the role of strategic activism, and why self-determination doesn’t need government permission.

With deep insights into the political moment we’re in, this episode also shines a light on Indigenous-led leadership, featuring reflections on the work of Aunty Mary Graham and the power of Aboriginal logic and philosophy.

🖤💛❤️

Resources & Links

The BlackCard – Cultural Education and Training
Founded by Aunty Mary Graham and Dr Lilla Watson.

• https://www.theblackcard.com.au/

Passing the Message Stick
A research project led by First Nations campaigners, including Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, focused on how to shift public attitudes toward First Nations justice.

• https://passingthemessagestick.org.au/

GetUp!
A progressive movement Larissa previously led — involved in campaigns on justice, climate, and Aboriginal rights.

• https://www.getup.org.au/

Voice Referendum – Resources and Reflections

• The Guardian – Referendum coverage and analysis:
  https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/voice-to-parliament

• Australian Human Rights Commission – Statement on the Voice:
  https://humanrights.gov.au/about/news/voice-parliament

Yoorrook Justice Commission (VIC)
Victoria’s Truth-Telling Commission

• https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/

Truth and Treaty Processes (QLD & NT)

• Queensland Truth-Telling and Treaty:
  https://statementfromtheheart.com/treaty/qld/

• Northern Territory Treaty Process:
  https://www.treaty.nt.gov.au/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I sit down with Walters Nkemfack, a proud Cameroonian-Australian father, cultural educator, and social justice advocate living on Kabi Kabi Country. Walters shares his deeply personal journey from Cameroon to Germany and finally to the Sunshine Coast—where the racism his young son experienced in kindergarten sparked a lifelong commitment to community-building and anti-racism work.

From his grassroots “leaf experiment” in a classroom to becoming an ambassador for the Shine a Light on Racism campaign, Walters’ story is a testament to turning pain into purpose. He talks candidly about the realities of systemic discrimination in workplaces and schools, the exhaustion of starting over in each new setting, and the courage it takes to speak out when silence feels safer.

This yarn is a reminder that inclusion is more than diversity—it’s about creating spaces where everyone feels like they truly belong.

 

Resources & Links

Anti-Racism Campaigns & Education

• Shine a Light on Racism (Sunshine Coast Council)
  https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/community-support/shine-a-light-on-racism

• Shine a Light Educational Resources
  https://haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/shinealightonracism/educate

• Shine a Light: Make a Pledge
  https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/living-and-community/community-support/shine-a-light-on-racism/pledge

• Racism. It Stops With Me (Australian Human Rights Commission)
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/

• Racism. It Stops With Me – Resource Hub
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/resourcehub

• Racism. It Stops With Me – Support Services
  https://itstopswithme.humanrights.gov.au/take-action/support-services

Reporting Racism

• Racism Register
  https://racismregister.org/

• Racism Register – About
  https://racismregister.org/pages/about

• Call It Out (First Nations Racism Register)
  https://callitout.com.au/

Mental Health & Crisis Support

• 13YARN (Support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples)
  https://www.13yarn.org.au/

• Lifeline Australia (24/7 crisis support)
  https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Mental Health Care Access

• Mental Health Treatment Plans (via your GP)
  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-treatment-plan

Workplace Support

• AccessEAP (Employee Assistance Program provider)
  https://www.accesseap.com.au/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down on beautiful Gimuy (Cairns) Country with Juan Walker—founder of Walkabout Cultural Adventures and proud Kuku Yalanji man.

Juan shared with me his journey from being a shy young fulla to running one of the most respected cultural tourism businesses in the country. His tours don’t just take you across land—they connect you deeply to story, culture, and the responsibilities we carry. From mud-crabbing with the kids to learning about his family's history on Country, this yarn was filled with so many gems about what it means to be grounded in who you are while running your own business.

Juan’s passion for culture, education, and empowerment is infectious. Whether he's teaching tourists, schoolkids, or mentoring other mob, he's walking the walk—literally and figuratively. This episode is all about that connection to Country, the power of lived experience, and why culture is our biggest asset.

Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance, this episode highlights the power of Blak business, community, and leadership. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Want to learn more about Juan and his work?
🌐 Website: https://walkaboutadventures.com.au
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkaboutculturaladventures

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful and heartfelt Best Of episode, we revisit our yarn with Narelda Jacobs – a proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, seasoned journalist, and trailblazer in Australian media. Narelda opens up about her childhood in a proud Black household in Perth, the strength she draws from her community, and the journey from local newsreader to national presence on Channel Ten and NITV’s The Point.

Together, Narelda and Mundanara dive into what it means to carry lived experience into white-dominated spaces, the importance of Black voices in journalism, and the deep emotional impact of telling stories that matter. From stories of joy and dancing in tracksuits to emotional reflections on the Voice to Parliament, this conversation is filled with warmth, resilience, and inspiration.

Recommendations throughout this episode: 

https://10play.com.au/studio-10/hosts/2023/narelda-jacobs/pa200520kpear

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance.

In this powerful yarn, I sit down with proud Badtjala, Gunditjmara and Woppaburra man, Jesse Green—founder of Yilay —a 100% Indigenous-owned apparel, promotions, and signage business based in Brisbane. Jesse shares his journey from AFL community programs to building multiple businesses with deep roots in family, culture, and community.

He speaks openly about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhood, the importance of cultural protocol, and the need to address issues like black cladding in the Indigenous business sector. Jesse also highlights the role of authenticity, the strength of community collaboration, and his commitment to creating intergenerational wealth—one business at a time.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone passionate about genuine First Nations enterprise and social impact.

🔗 Jesse Green & Yilay Creative

• Yilay Official Website: Explore Yilay's range of Indigenous-designed apparel, promotional products, and signage.
  https://yilay.com.au/

• About Yilay: Learn about Yilay's mission to bridge the cultural knowledge gap between corporate Australia and Indigenous communities.
  https://yilay.com.au/pages/about-us

• Yilay Collections: Browse Yilay's product collections, including their NAIDOC 2024 range.
  https://yilay.com.au/collections

• Yilay on Facebook: Stay updated with Yilay's latest news and offerings.
  https://www.facebook.com/Yilay2.0/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting one of our most powerful and inspiring episodes with the legendary Leah Purcell—award-winning actor, writer, director, and proud Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri woman. Leah shares the deeply personal story behind The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, and how her mother, grandmother, and community shaped her fire as a truth-teller and creative force.

From her early days in Murgon to her rise on stage and screen, this yarn touches on family, cultural survival, domestic violence, self-determination, and the power of Blak women’s voices. Leah’s journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and deadly storytelling—and a reminder that when we back ourselves, we bring our whole mob with us.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return to a favourite, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and community power.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• ABC News Feature: Leah Purcell weaves her Indigenous Songlines into new film Leah discusses how her personal history influenced her adaptation of The Drover's Wife. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka14nZDyv0s

• Eye For Film Interview: Leah Purcell about The Drover’s Wife
  A conversation about the challenges and inspirations behind her film adaptation.
  Read more: https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2021-03-18-interview-with-leah-purcell-about-the-drovers-wife-the-legend-of-molly-johnson-feature-story-by-jennie-kermode

• ACMI: Leah Purcell on reclaiming The Drover’s Wife
  An exploration of Leah's Blak feminist retelling of Lawson’s classic.
  Read here: https://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/leah-purcell-on-reclaiming-the-drovers-wife-with-the-legend-of-molly-johnson/Overland literary journal+3acmi.net.au+3The New Daily+3

• Flicks Interview: Leah Purcell on the long journey of The Drover’s Wife
  Insights into the political power of the western genre and Leah's creative process.
  Read here: https://www.flicks.co.uk/features/leah-purcell-on-the-long-journey-of-the-drovers-wife-and-the-political-power-of-the-western/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities.  Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.