Cleopatra's Bling Podcast

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.

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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.

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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.

This episode contains inspiring ideas, intimate connection, and practical advice, as we explore the power of purpose-driven work. Less an interview and more a free ranging and informative conversation between two longtime friends and successful businesswomen.

Ethical beauty brand Fluff founder Erika Geraerts sat down with the creative director of Cleopatra's Bling, Olivia Cummings, to delve into the pressing issues of our time and the role that a life's vocation can play in shaping a better future. 

Don't miss this opportunity to understand the journey from launch to legacy, and to learn about the business of building brands that truly matter.

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. You can discover Cleopatra's Bling designs, here.

Natasha Lunn is a bestselling writer and journalist whose passion is having Conversations on Love. Her weekly newsletter and her essay compilations of the same name help us understand how relationships function, and how they grow through our lives.

Natasha has interviewed Alain de Botton, Esther Perrel, and David Sedaris about love, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to interview her. I walked away from this conversation feeling wiser about love, life, and the length and breadth of all human relationships.

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.

A dinner party guest we'd all love to be next to (or, frankly, be!) is the warm, encylopaedically knowledgeable historian Erin O'Halloran.

As quick with an interesting anecdote as with unexpected insights into the connections between far reaching areas in the ancient world, listening to her is like being transported to Egypt, India or the Middle East in times gone by.

Bringing the lofty topic of history down into the earthy realm of the "story of who we are and how we came to be here", Erin takes facts and makes them a human drama that teaches us about our past in a vivid and gripping way.

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.

If you’ve ever wondered why a chef might need to know the exact temperature of a cow's fourth stomach, chef Lucy Whitlow - is here to fill you in.

She turns dairy produce into delicious cheeses, creams, and milk products, balancing the slowness needed to keep cheese "happy" and "calm" with the fast paced restaurant industry.

She and Olivia discuss emotions that go into food, the complex qualities of milk, the intricate processes of making cheese, and how she balances her life as a restaurant chef with the meditative and time-consuming process of working with dairy.

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.

Ennis Ćehić understands the predicament many of us are in in the 21st century - we need a money job to pursue a creative passion. As an author, he managed to capitalise on his experience working as a brand strategist and use it to fuel his writing with biting humour and detailed observation.

Ennis’ work deals with disillusionment, displacement, and the odd feeling of living in our modern world. His debut short story collection Sadvertising is published by Penguin Random House.

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.

There is a moment in every child's life when they realise that the relationships around them may not be as simple as they seem. It's a perplexing sensation that can stay with us well into adulthood: times when you see your partner speaking, but hear the words of their father or grandmother emerging from their mouth.

That generations present are haunted by generations past is something that poet Trivarna Hariharan contemplates through moving, spare writing. Trivarna calls up ghosts sensed from absences felt, creating sequeneces of words that make the poet's almost 200k Instagram followers feel seen and understood in just a few lines.

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.