In this episode of Yarning Up, we sit down with the multi-talented Jalen Sutcliffe, a proud Darumbal, Kalkadoon, and Papua New Guinean performer from Townsville, North Queensland. Jalen takes us on a journey through his inspiring career as a musician, comedian, actor, and storyteller. From his roots in high school performances to starring on television shows like Bay of Fires and theatre productions like Straight from the Strait, Jalen reflects on the power of art to break down barriers, honour First Nations heritage, and create meaningful change.

We delve into the stories behind his standout performances, including his role in Straight from the Strait, which honours the resilience and legacy of Torres Strait Islander railway workers. Jalen also shares the joy of embracing authenticity, the importance of debunking shame in First Nations communities, and the role of storytelling in preserving culture.

To connect with Jalen further and stay up to date with his upcoming projects follow him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jalen_sutcliffe/ 

Follow Caroline on Instagram:
@blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here.

We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where this podcast was taped, and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present, and emerging across Australia.

This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.
www.ontrackstudio.com.au
@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities, please email: [email protected]

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 

In this episode of Yarning Up, we welcome renowned sexologist and sex educator Lauren French, a Karajarri woman who grew up on Larrakia Country in Darwin.

Lauren is a trailblazer in supporting couples and individuals to free their anxiety around sex to experience deeper connection and pleasure.

Together they explored the impact of colonial narratives on body autonomy and the importance of pleasure as a form of resistance and healing for First Nations people. Lauren shares insights from her own journey, her dedication to decolonising sex education, and the unique strengths and challenges she sees mob face in practice. 

This powerful dialogue invites listeners to reconsider ideas of intimacy, joy, and self-acceptance while embracing a culturally rich, holistic view of body sovereignty. 

To connect with Lauren and learn more about her work, all relevant links are below:

Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lauren.french.sexologist/
Visit her website here: https://lauren-french.com/
Visit Body Safety Australia here: https://www.bodysafetyaustralia.com.au/ 

Follow Caroline on Instagram:
@blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here.

We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where this podcast was taped, and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present, and emerging across Australia.

This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.
www.ontrackstudio.com.au
@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities, please email: [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever been curious about Aboriginal astronomy and how the night sky has guided mobs for thousands of years?

In this episode of Yarning Up, Caroline sits down with Karlie Alinta Noon, a Gamilaroi astrophysicist, author, and advocate for Indigenous and women’s rights in STEM. Karlie is the first Indigenous Australian woman to graduate with a double degree in maths and physics, and she’s currently completing a PhD in astrophysics at the Australian National University. As the co-author of the award-winning book Astronomy: Sky Country, Karlie is committed to making STEM and Indigenous knowledge accessible to all.

During the conversation, Caroline and Karlie delve into her incredible journey—from growing up on Gamilaroi Country surrounded by strong matriarchs, to taking on her matriarchs strength in a male-dominated field. Karlie shares how Indigenous wisdom has shaped her understanding of the universe, and her groundbreaking research exploring the Milky Way’s nuclear wind using radio telescopes.

Karlie also opens up about the personal challenges she faced growing up in a low-income family and how her passion for science blossomed through the support of a kind Aunty. Together, they discuss the importance of Indigenous representation in science, the value of community, and how traditional knowledge systems can offer solutions to modern challenges.

You won’t want to miss this powerful yarn. To learn more about Karlie Noon, follow her journey and research here.

Follow Caroline on Instagram:
@blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here.

We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where this podcast was taped, and pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past, present, and emerging across Australia.

This podcast is brought to you by On Track Studio.
www.ontrackstudio.com.au
@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities, please email: [email protected]

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 

Looking for something deadly, for you and your jarjum, to dive into this school holidays? I had the absolute honour of chatting with the brilliant 10-year-old Penelope Towney—proud Wiradjuri and Palawa girl, YouTube star, and future media and presenter mogul. Penelope shared her passion for her Indigenous cultures, her languages, and their knowledges she has learnt from her family along the way.

 

We talked about her hit YouTube channel, Towney Time, where she makes learning fun and accessible, from Aboriginal science to Aboriginal culture. Plus, she gave me the scoop on her groundbreaking short film The Land We're On, which she created when she was just seven! We even got into her love for Dolly Parton, David Bowie, and the dream of one day featuring Dolly on Towney Time.

Penelope’s vision? To be in a Disney film that authentically represents Indigenous cultures—and she's got the drive to make it happen. This yarn will leave you inspired and ready to make the most of life, no matter your age.

Check out Penelope’s YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@towneytime 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

 

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

 

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

 

 

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

 

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by the widely published photographer and storyteller Marley Morgan. A proud Wiradjuri woman born on Gumbaynggirr Land, Marley’s incredible portrayal of Aboriginal culture, stories, and women has taken her across so-called Australia. Her work has been featured in publications like Vogue and Marie Claire, where she shares awe-inspiring stories and imagery of Aboriginal women, deeply connected to Country and Culture

 

Caroline and Marley yarn about Marley’s career and her drive to capture authentic, intimate, and unforgettable moments for Aboriginal women, as well as her work supporting Blak owned businesses. They chat about the current state of Aboriginal representation in the media, and how to be authentic storytellers in a modern world. They also dive into topics like giving back to the community, managing the stresses of a work-life balance, and being supported by your mob. Lastly, Marley shares how she overcame her own self-doubts and anxietyabout her art, and was able to stay true to herself and her vision through the pressures of the photography industry.

 

To learn more about Marley Morgan and her work, follow her on Instagram @marleymorganphotography and visit her website here. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

 

 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

 

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

 

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

 

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by TV star and proud Yamatji man Matt Moncrieff from  Gwoonwardu in Western Australia. Matt is a bushfood advocate with a large platform after featuring on Seven's My Kitchen Rules, and has made headlines again recently for his petition calling supermarkets to begin stocking native foods in order to support indigenous businesses, share indigenous culture, and promote the natural flavors and cuisine of our land.

 

In this episode, Caroline and Matt yarn about his inspiration for starting the petition, as well as the attention, support, and prospects it has attracted. Matt also talks about his relationship with food, how his community and family have influenced him, as well as his favorite ingredients and meals and how he was able to bring them to light on My Kitchen Rules. They also dive into questions abut the current food industry, the relationship between food and community, and the businesses and organisations out there who are already fighting behind the scenes to bring our ingredients and expertise into the forefront of Australian cuisine.

 

To learn more about Matt and his work, follow him on Instagram @_mattmoncrieff and have a read of his article for the Urban List here, and buy some of his candles here. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

 

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

 

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Travis Lovett, Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. A proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara Traditional Owner, Travis plays a key role in the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

The Commission, established by an agreement between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government, operates independently of both. It delivered an interim report in June 2022, and a critical issues report in August 2023, and will present a final report in 2025. The Commission is led by five Commissioners, with three being Aboriginal. They bring extensive knowledge and experience in areas such as First Peoples’ knowledge, systemic disadvantage, land rights, history, law, trauma, and healing.

In this episode, Travis shares his personal story, discusses what it's like being part of a big family and mob, and talks about his many passions, including being a dad, practising his Culture, working with Community, and preserving Aboriginal languages.

Travis and Caroline discuss some of the most significant evidence of past injustices which have come forward. Commissioner Lovett also walks listeners through the truth-telling process, providing valuable insights into the important hearings taking place and the steps ahead.

To follow the great work the Yoorrok Justice Commission are doing, visit their website https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/ To follow Travis’s journey then please visit his instagram page HERE.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

If this episode has brought up anything for you contact 13YARN on 13 92 76. Or, visit the following pages for more useful contacts and support Where can I get help | R U OK?

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Kristal Kinsela - fellow podcast host, experienced facilitator and an expert in supplier diversity policy. A proud descendant of both the Jawoyn and Wiradjuri nations, Kristal has worked with well-known global businesses and every level of government over the past 18 years to drive their supplier diversity efforts, giving talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander small businesses access to greater opportunities. 

Caroline and Kristal yarn about their shared experience of taking the leap from their 9-5 into consultancy, and the joys of running podcasts focused on telling black stories. Kristal also breaks down for Caroline and you mob what supplier diversity really is, what it means and how it opens doors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. When Kristal noticed a lack of resources on the subject here in Australia, she took her wealth of knowledge and self- published a book titled Supplier Diversity How, which is based on her proven approach (all while managing a 3 month old we might add!). So grab your headphones and access the wisdom of this passionate leader and advocate for First Nation businesses.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Kirby Bentley, a proud Noongar woman and contestant in season 9 of Survivor. A lifelong lover of sports, Kirby played netball for Western Australia before switching fields to AFL, before becoming an AFLW coach. It’s this professional sporting background, along with the gifts of her culture, that she believes gave her the skills and the confidence to take on anything, even Survivor!

 

Caroline and Kirby chat about her goal of inspiring Aboriginal people through her television journey and how ultimately mob can accomplish anything! The pair also dive into Kirby’s Survivor strategy, from how she used the connection skills passed down from her ancestors to form bonds to those infamous tribal councils. They also yarn about her entertaining if not tumultuous collaboration with fellow contestant Feras Basal, and how their rivalry turned to an alliance to ultimately her eviction. Kirby shares her regrets about her time on the show and also gives Caroline the inside scoop on whether or not she’d go back in the Survivor game.

 

Kirby then catches Caroline and listeners up on her life post-Survivor and the incredible work she’s doing with her business Gnalla, an inclusive First Nations brand that encourages people to have the important conversations - even when no one is looking. The brand is all about celebrating identity, with the important goal of elevating suppressed voices. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed survivor fanatic like Caroline, or you’ve never seen an episode, you won’t want to miss out on this listen!

To follow Kirby visit her Instagram page here.

To check out Gnalla visit here.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

 

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Caroline is joined by Grace Lillian Lee, a visionary Australian artist and leader deeply rooted in her Torres Strait Island heritage. With a Bachelor of Design in Fashion, Grace's journey as an artist has been nothing short of remarkable.

It was on a trip back home to Island/Country with her Grandmother in 2010 that Grace was introduced to the art of weaving. Since then she has specialised in Grasshopper weaving and has been using this traditional technique to create contemporary body sculptures and artworks that resonate with her cultural and storytelling.

Caroline and Grace yarn about the founding of First Nations Fashion + Design, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting cultural expression and representation within the fashion and design sectors. Hear about her collaborations with Indigenous communities and how she is helping to create strong, creative networks. 

 

Excitedly, Grace also shared plans of expanding her creative practice in 2024, launching her own line of wearable art and one of a kind Torres Strait Islander handmade necklaces. 

 

To follow Grace visit her Instagram page here, or visit her website to browse her incredible work

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show! 

Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here! 

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, pre and emerging.

This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.

www.ontrackstudio.com.au

@on.track.studio

For advertising opportunities please email [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.