"You're not like other girls, you're not pretty... you look... interesting."

These are the words Syrian-Palestinian-Emiratee model Lana Albeik has heard many times throughout her career. In today's episode she shares her story, alongside her advice on overcoming naysayers, nastiness, and prejudice.

Through her career Albeik has combined activism, heritage, and fashion in ways that defy stereotypes. Having worked for Elle, Vogue, Burberry and others, she became a muse for brands while never losing her strong sense of self.

This unreleased episode, recorded in early 2023, was delayed by technical issues. Now resolved, we’re excited to finally share it with you.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded on Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

There was a moment in 2020 when Instagram was suddenly blanketed by black squares as social media users struggled to find a way to express that they supported the justified anger and calls for justice within the Black community. In the years since, as the frenzied media cycle churned on, the spotlight may have shifted away from issues of racial justice and the black squares were quietly deleted, archived, or simply moved down the feed, subsumed by images of holidays, events, and new outfits.

My guest Darnell L. Moore, a writer and activist, has not stopped agitating, musing, and talking passionately to issues where race and queer issues intersect. He speaks with rightful passion and intensity about his story and how it relates to all of us, in finding his identity as a young, Black, Queer person. This meant dealing with the lies that others told about what it means to be a man of colour, raised in a community of faith.

This unreleased episode, recorded in early 2023, was delayed by technical issues. Now resolved, we’re excited to finally share it with you.

Read Darnell's book "No Ashes in the Fire".

Visit his website.

–

Content Note: This episode contains a brief allusion to self-harm. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-injury, call Lifeline in Australia on 13 11 14, or your national suicide prevention hotline.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

Have you ever wondered what connections ancient cultures see between totally disparate parts of the body?  How earlobe connects to spleen, and eyebrow to abdomen?

After discovering a breast tumour in her 20s, Zoey Xinyi Gong realised that she needed to make some changes in her life to protect her health. This involved an innovative approach to Western and Eastern medicine. Coming from a “traditional Chinese family” in Shanghai, then studying Western nutrition in New York, she decided to complement this learning with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Today she is a registered dietician and TCM chef, sharing her incredible recipes and learnings with a broader audience. Built on the foundation of thousands of years of knowledge and history, Zoey is dedicated to modernising TCM and bridging the gap between Eastern and Western Wellness.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

Artist Atong Atem proclaims proudly, "I'm not a subtle girl". In this episode filled with laughter and the sharing of history and creative influences, Olivia and Atong joke about painfully plain interior design trends, the pipeline from large families to the decision to elope, and Atong's view of herself as science fiction character.

The conversation also takes a deep turn towards the history and traditions of the Dinka people, Atong's understanding of her context as a visual artist, and how she has made it as one of Australia's leading photographers.

Atong is represented by MARS Gallery in Australia, where her work is available to purchase.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

"I love this lack of control." These are the words founder and designer Olivia Cummings used to describe the contrast between becoming a first time mother, and running a business.

On the 18.10.24 our founder Olivia welcomed her most precious creation to date, as she birthed her first child, a daughter, into this world. A few weeks ago, in the final stages of her pregnancy, she sat down with podcasters Lucinda McKim and Lauren Treweek of the hilarious, frank, and informative Ready or Not for an honest discussion about her pregnancy, labour, and the realities of motherhood.

Olivia shares her worries and expectations about the entire process of becoming a first time mum. If you have ever wondered about having a child, feared the prenatal period and birth, or if you, like so many, feel alone, judged, and uncertain in parenting and raising kids, this discussion is a salve to the soul.

Even for those without kids, it's a chance to understand women's perspectives on topics not often dared to be discussed, in Olivia, Lauren, and Lucinda's characteristically honest and open style–to see how the caregivers in our lives are navigating things.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

Virginia Trioli has won not one, but two Walkleys–the highest prize for journalism in Australia–through her illustrious career which spans decades and many eras of politcal and cultural life.

It's no wonder, then, that you've never heard a more engaging storyteller. Virginia became a household name as the host of the morning news, and famed political panel program Q&A, and currently delves into the essence of creativity in her program on the ABC, Creative Types. 

Her book, A Bit on the Side, is out now with Pan Macmillan Australia. In it, Virginia reflects on the “side dishes” that make life really delicious. The sweet and the sour; the salty, the bitter - both literally through the medium of food, and metaphorically when reflecting on her storied life. We talked how she got her start in the newsroom, some of the most difficult stories for her to cover, and much more.

For more of her tales of travel and adventure, as well as some lip-smacking recipes for side dishes, find A Bit on the Side, here.

This episode contains descriptions of sexual harrasment in the workplace and domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

Imagine a world in which the same earth you walk had been populated by Gods in years past. These deities may have had bull's tails, or the heads of falcons, held massive whips, or possessed the moon in their left eye. This was the belief system of the Ancient Egyptians, who saw their Kings and Queens as direct descandents of these divinities, and founders of human society.

The Pharaoh ruled not only by divine right, but as a direct heir of these Gods. I sat down with Amanda Dunsmore, Senior Curator, International Decorative Arts and Antiquities at the National Gallery of Victoria. She heads up the monumental exhibition Pharaoh: a landmark in the collected display of treasures from Ancient Egypt. 

On view now, Amanda talked me through the myth and iconography of some of the more than 500 objects–including towering sculptures, statues that graced ancient temples, coffins, and of course jewellery–which immerse visitors in the world of the ancient pharaohs. 

Tickets here.

Cleopatra’s Bling jewellery is now stocked in the NGV Design Store, including exclusive pieces designed as a celebration of the Pharaoh exhibition, referencing some of the symbols we spoke about in this episode.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

In the first episode of the 5th season, I wanted to focus on my journey: owning and running a successful beauty, history, and design-driven brand; being an expectant first-time mother; and navigating life's ups and downs. 

This is a side of myself I don't always share, but I wanted to open up this more personal and vulnerable aspect, in the hopes that it might touch you too, and make you feel like you're not alone in this. That's whether "this" is work, motherhood, or just trying to be happy and fulfilled.

My good friend, Erika Geraerts—entrepreneur, creative, and CEO of the cosmetics company fluff—joins me for a more personal discussion about our shared paths. 

We are close personal friends and share a business philosophy centred on sustainability and practical, beautiful designs. You've heard us talk business on the Pod before, but today Eri's insights and thoughtful questions lead to deep personal discussions and revelations.

I also answer questions from you, our listeners.

–

Shop Latest

Discover Bespoke

This episode was live-recorded Wurundjeri country. Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. 

Olivia first came across Charnel Rizk when she read her moving short essay My Family’s Yellow Fibro Home was my Greatest Teacher. As a young writer Charnel writes about her identity as a Lebanese-Australian, and how her background forms an indelible part of the performer, musician, and creative she is today.

Talking to Charnel gives us new insights into the way that coming from an immigration background can be simultaneously difficult and breathtakingly beautiful.

Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. You can discover Cleopatra's Bling designs, here.

Do you sometimes feel scared about the direction that the world is going in, but not sure what you can do to help? Too overwhelmed to turn on the news?

Sophie McNeill is a journalist and researcher for Human Rights Watch, covering everything from the most headline-grabbing events to some of the forgotten stories of our times. Her dedication to bringing to light stories from far flung corners of the world that deal with oppressed peoples gives her deep insight into lesser known details about important political dynamics.

She shared her insights with Olivia about the state of journalism in the world today, offering a better understanding of what we as news consumers can do to help.

Cleopatra's Bling Podcast was produced by Zoltan Fecso and the CB team. Original music by Cameron Alva. You can discover Cleopatra's Bling designs, here.