The Dreaming Collective

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Benjamin Thomson is a proud Wiradjuri man and the visionary founder behind both the Take Pride Movement and First Nation Distributors. Raised on Darug Country in Western Sydney and now residing on Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi Country on the Sunshine Coast, Benjamin's deep connection to his Indigenous heritage has driven his entrepreneurial journey. His lineage traces back to the Bila Galari (Upper Lachlan Rivers) within Wiradjuri Country in far-west New South Wales, and he proudly carries family names such as Wedge, Coe, Ingram, Glass, and Williams.

From an early age, Benjamin was immersed in his culture, attending an Aboriginal preschool run by his family in Mt Druitt. This experience instilled a strong sense of belonging and pride in his heritage. Witnessing the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, he dedicated over seven years as a youth worker, striving to improve outcomes for his people. This work sparked his passion for fostering unity and cultural appreciation, ultimately leading him to create the Take Pride Movement—a clothing company dedicated to promoting pride and understanding of Indigenous culture among all Australians.

Driven by a commitment to culture and a desire to create a lasting legacy, Benjamin finds his greatest motivation in his children. His work with the Take Pride Movement and First Nation Distributors is fuelled by a vision for a future where his children can proudly embrace their culture and experience the freedom that economic empowerment brings. By establishing sustainable, culturally grounded businesses, Benjamin aims to provide his family with opportunities and the security to pursue their dreams. His focus on creating economic drivers not only builds generational wealth but also lays a foundation for his children and future generations to thrive with pride and purpose.

In this episode, Ben shares his journey from youth work to entrepreneurship. He discusses his cultural upbringing, including his involvement in dance groups and his transition to graffiti art, which led to founding Take Pride Movement in 2018. Ben also established First Nation Defibs in 2019, pivoting the business to First Nations Distributors and expanding to 52,000 products in 2024. He emphasises the importance of resilience, self-determination, and cultural pride. Ben highlights the need for Indigenous businesses to thrive, aiming for financial independence and cultural revitalisation. He stresses the significance of mentorship, networking, and staying true to one's cultural roots.

Take Pride Movement: A fashion label that creates timeless clothing and apparel representing First Nation Australian culture, symbolising unity and strength for all races to wear with pride.

First Nation Distributors: A Supply Nation Certified business established in 2019, partnering with industry-leading brands to provide quality products and professional services, aligned with their mission statement.

Support the show

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.  

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Aunty Judith Shea is a Pijakali, Nyangumarta, and Kartujarra woman from the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia. She carries a lifelong connection to her Culture, deeply rooted in Ancestral knowledge from birth to death. As a survivor of the Stolen Generations, Aunty Judith’s journey has taken her across Australia, engaging with diverse communities who have shared their knowledge, granted permissions, and contributed to her understanding of significant and diverse cultural systems and practices.

Living across two cultures, Aunty Judith possesses a unique set of skills, knowledge, and tools, often described as having a “white hand in Black Culture” and a “Black hand in White Culture.” This lived perspective enables her to share collaborative intelligence, fostering understanding and adaptability between cultures.

As a respected Elder, knowledge keeper, and cultural truth-teller, Aunty Judith is the founder of "Be Still & Listen Deep Consultancy," where she brings a strength-based approach to empowering communities. Drawing on the spirits of her ancestors, Apicals, Elders, and local communities, she is committed to honouring traditional custodianship practices encompassing the land, rivers, oceans, and sky. Through her consultancy, she embeds cultural knowledge and lore, equipping individuals and organisations with tools to move forward with respect, equity, and a shared purpose.

Aunty Judith’s work is centred on collective action, guided by Ancestral spirits, respect, and collaboration. She has a vision for meaningful treaty-making and achieving sustainable, adaptable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Now based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Aunty Judith has been a passionate advocate for the local Aboriginal community for over 48 years, ensuring that cultural identity through healing remains strong, proud, and vibrant.

With her unique perspective, resilience, and lifelong dedication to cultural empowerment, Aunty Judith continues to inspire and guide those around her toward a future rooted in respect, knowledge, tools and collective strength.

 In this powerful episode Auntie Judith discusses her whole of life journey and unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge and tools in Cultural preservation and community empowerment. As a survivor of the Stolen Generation, Judy shares her deeply personal experiences and the challenges she has faced in reconnecting with her blood family. Through her life’s walk as a respected elder, knowledge keeper, and cultural truth-teller, Aunty Judith imparts invaluable wisdom on the importance of respecting traditional custodianship, seeking permission to walk on country, and keeping the ancestral fire burning, black, loud and proud. Listeners will be captivated by Aunty Judith’s powerful storytelling and inspired by her vision for a future where Aboriginal knowledges, Cultural Intelligence and lore are celebrated and embedded in equity across all aspects of society.

Support the show

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.  

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Aunty Kerry Turner, a Kalkadoon woman, is the founding director and principal driving instructor of Murri's on the Move, a not-for-profit driving school based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Established in 2012, the organisation collaborates with a myriad of providers to provide culturally sensitive driving instruction and support services. 

Their programmes include the Cultural Learner Licence Programme, which offers free workshops to help participants pass the Transport and Main Roads (TMR) PrepL online or written test, and the Braking the Cycle Programme, in collaboration with the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC), matching volunteer instructors with disadvantaged young learner drivers to complete their mandatory 100 logbook hours. Murri's on the Move aims to empower young people to achieve their dreams and contribute to the country’s future. 

Aunty Kerry and Murri's on the Move have also extend their services to remote communities across Queensland, offering learner driver programmes and testing in areas with limited access to licensing resources. This outreach ensures that even those in isolated regions have the opportunity to gain their driver’s licences, supporting increased independence and access to essential services.  

In this inspiring episode, Aunty Kerry  shares her remarkable journey and recounts pivotal moments, like overcoming challenges on her first day as a driving instructor, and discusses the school's role in providing mentorship, mental health support, and cultural connection for young people. She passionately advocates for building stronger relationships between the community and Queensland Police Service, with a vision to have officers accredited to assist with learner's license testing. 

Aunty Kerry's story is a testament to her resilience, cultural pride, and unwavering commitment to empowering others and closing the gap, embodying the NAIDOC theme of "Keep the Fire Burning - Black, Loud and Proud."

https://www.motm.org.au/

Support the show

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.  

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Aunty Dale Chapman is a proud Kooma and Yuwaalaraay woman, celebrated chef, and advocate for the Australian native food industry. With over 30 years of experience, Aunty Dale has dedicated her career to promoting Indigenous bush foods and knowledge, preserving cultural heritage, and educating Australians on sustainable practices. Through her culinary expertise and passion, she has become a leading voice for the bushfood industry, empowering communities and championing Indigenous-led business. Aunty Dale's work bridges cultural wisdom with modern dining, inviting us all to connect with the land through food. Join us as we explore her journey, insights, and the flavours of Australia's unique bushfood heritage. 

My Dilly Bag is Aunty Dale Chapman’s pioneering bush food business, offering a range of authentic Australian native products and culinary experiences that celebrate Indigenous culture, educate communities, and promote sustainable food practices.

In November 2023 Aunty Dale and her Team also founded GATHAA Markets, where First Nations artisans and entrepreneurs showcase their culture, wisdom, and unique creations. The market features a diverse array of stalls offering arts and crafts, bushfoods, apparel, jewellery, homewares, artifacts, and kids' fashion. Visitors can immerse themselves in cultural workshops, bushfood cooking demonstrations, yarning circles, and enjoy live music and dance performances, making it an enriching experience for the whole family.

In this episode Aunty Dale shares her journey into the world of bush foods, starting from her early days as a chef and her passion for educating people, especially children, about the traditional uses and nutritional benefits of native Australian plants. She discusses the importance of keeping the cultural fire burning through education, community engagement, and advocating for sovereignty over bush food resources. 

My Dilly Bag:
Website: My Dilly Bag

Facebook: My Dilly Bag on Facebook

Instagram: My Dilly Bag on Instagram

GATHAA Markets:
Website: GATHAA Markets

Facebook: GATHAA First Nations Market

Support the show

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.  

Send us Fan Mail

In this very first episode of The Dreaming Collective podcast, host Carly Forrest, a proud Mandandanji woman, invites listeners into the heart of the series by sharing the inspiration and purpose behind creating this unique podcast. Carly reflects on her personal journey, the importance of amplifying Indigenous voices, and how The Dreaming Collective aims to celebrate the stories and cultural wisdom of mob living on Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi & Jinibara Country.

We also take a deep dive into the rich history of NAIDOC Week—how it evolved from a Day of Mourning to a nationwide celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, rights, and achievements. Carly explores what NAIDOC means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today, while also highlighting this year’s theme: "Keep the Fire Burning Blak, Loud & Proud."

This episode acknowledges the support and partnership of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, who have made this podcast possible through funding for this important NAIDOC activity. Carly also offers a preview of what’s to come in future episodes, where we’ll be hearing from inspiring guests across the community—elders, artists, youth, and many more—each sharing their unique journeys and cultural insights.

Whether you’re tuning in to learn, connect, or be inspired, this introductory episode is the perfect way to start your journey with The Dreaming Collective. Join us as we keep the cultural fire burning strong, and remember—stay Blak, loud, and proud! 🔥

Support the show

Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.