In this episode, Caroline talks to Aboriginal Elder and *everyone’s* favourite Uncle - Uncle Jack Charles. 

Jack has lived a colourful and creative life, which has seen him wear many (many) hats: actor, performer, activist and even Senior Victorian Australian of the Year. When asked however, Uncle Jack humbly defines himself as someone who ‘just wants to give back and share his love of performance, and stories’.

In this episode, Caroline and Jack have a raw and candid conversation about his life. Some major highlights include what it was like for Uncle Jack growing up in the sixties during Australia’s white assimilation policies, and how these policies ultimately led him to being removed from his family at the age of four, and later, wrongfully jailed. 

They discuss how Uncle Jack unintentionally ‘fell into acting’ when being asked to appear in a Sidney Poiter film. They also discuss what it was like for Uncle Jack to finally discover his biological family, during a recently taped episode of SBS ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ and how this experience continues to inspire Jack to see greater truth telling and Aboriginal led education enshrined in the Australian school curriculum. 

Uncle Jack is a truly remarkable man, an Aboriginal and Australian legend. And this is episode not to be missed. 

To find out more about Uncle Jack visit him at Facebook. Jack’s latest creative muse alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander great, Preppers airs November 10 2021, on ABC. 

Disclaimer: This episode was taped in September during the depths of Melbourne’s gruelling lockdown. A week when Melbournians watched in horror as the streets were filled with violent riots. During a very surreal-once- in-a-blue-moon-earthquake. 

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As Victoria grapples with its third COVID-19 wave, and some of the toughest and longest lockdowns in the world. Caroline has an incredibly candid conversation with three Aboriginal health workers. Workers who continue to play a key role in the COVID-19 response, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities:  

• Gabrielle Ebsworth -  Wangkumara and Barkindji - Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer at Royal Melbourne Hospital and Indigenous Research & Engagement Officer, Australian Stroke Alliance.
• Dr Ngaree Blow - Yorta-Yorta, Noonuccal and Goreng-Goreng - Director of First Nations Health at Melbourne University and Medical Lead of COVID-19 at Department of Health; and 
• Georgia Radford - Ngarrindjeri - Practice Nurse First Peoples Health and Wellbeing and Emergency and Operative Theatre at Royal Women’s Hospital

In this episode, they discuss vaccination effectiveness and debunk COVID-19 myths. They also detail their experience working in the frontline; in a vaccination clinic and hospital ward. Finally, they discuss some of their toughest times in since the pandemic began, the importance of self-care and seeking help, to help manage burnout. 

To keep up with the latest COVID-19 information visit the Department of Health and Human Services https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.  For Aboriginal specific COVID-19 information, please visit the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation https://www.vaccho.org.au.

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In this episode, Caroline talks to Gurin-gai woman and founder of Start Up Creative, Kaylene Langford. Start Up Creative is a hugely successful podcast, online business resource hub, and business coaching services that are dedicated to ‘inspiring, encouraging and educating ‘entrepreneurs as they plunge into the daunting world of start-ups.

In this episode, Kaylene shares what it was like to hit existential ‘rock bottom’ in the 9 to 5 grind and how this experience ultimately led her to launch the increasingly successful platform Start Up Creative seven years ago. They also talk about the recent launch of Kaylene’s first book ‘How to a start a side hustle’ which also outlines step by step practical advice and tips to getting *that idea* off the ground and into a profitable business solution. 

To find out more about Kaylene and Start Up Creative visit here

To purchase your copy of ‘How to start a side hustle’ visit here. 

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In this episode, Caroline talks to proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman Sue- Anne Hunter. She is a cultural woman, and academic, who is deeply committed to self-determination and advocating for the rights of all First Nations peoples, having attended Harvard and spending the last 18 years working in the child and family welfare services.

They discuss the importance of taking breaks and breathwork, amongst many other things, to cope during lockdown. We are fortunate to hear from Jedda, Sue-Anne’s daughter, and a grounding mediation both she and Sue-Anne made for community to manage uncertainty during lockdown. 

They also discuss Sue-Anne’s fascinating childhood growing up with 6 siblings constantly on the move and her longstanding career working closely with and for, Aboriginal communities. Given the many hats Sue-Anne wears, they also unpack strategies to prevent burnout when providing such acts of service.

Finally, they discuss the landmark Yoo-rrook Justice Commission. In May 2021, Sue-Anne was appointed to the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission as one of five Commissioners. Yoo-rrook has been established as an independent Royal Commission and it will focus on truth-telling and healing for First Peoples, by inquiring into historic and ongoing systemic injustices perpetrated against First Peoples in Victoria by State and non-State entities since colonisation, until today. 

Yoo-rrook is the first Aboriginal truth-telling body to be established in Australia. When asked what this process means, Sue remarks that this process it’s about the future generations, it’s about justice, creating a more culturally rich Victoria with a new narrative’

 To access Sue and Jedda’s meditation, visit the link:

Kids connecting to Country Meditation - YouTube

Connection to Country Meditation

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In this episode, Caroline talks to Gamilaraay and Birri Gubba man Mitch Tambo. Mitch Tambo launched onto the global stage in 2019 after appearing as a finalist in Australia’s Got Talent where he received not one, but two, golden buzzers, after singing in Aboriginal language.

Mitch has been a headline act in some of the biggest shows in recent memory including the nationally televised Fire Fight Australia: Concert for National Bushfire Relief singing ‘You’re the Voice’ alongside John Farnham, Olivia Newton John and Queen’s Brian May, The T20 Women's World Cup pre-match show, The Australian Open and Eurovision 2020 Australia Decides.

Mitch is more than a singer, songwriter, and performer though, describing himself as a ‘man who just loves his culture’. Committed to empowering family and communities, Mitch has also completed a Bachelor of Social Work in 2014 and is Co- founder of True Culture.

In this episode, they discuss how practicing Aboriginal culture keeps Mitch strong and grounded in between shows. And together, Caroline and Mitch recount their deep shared love for soaking up sacred Country in Australia.

Excitedly, they also discuss the inspiration behind Mitch’s latest single ‘Dreamtime Princess’, which was released in May and aims to empower First Nations women, and women everywhere, to rise up, feel honoured and celebrated. The song has an important sentiment and explores the theme of domestic violence and the threat towards women. Mitch also wants to use the song to let women in the Aboriginal community know that they come from the oldest living continual culture on the planet.

If you want to learn more about Mitch and his latest creative ventures then visit HOME | Mitch Tambo

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In this episode, Caroline talks to Kamilaroi man Jeffrey Morgan. Jeffrey is a lifestyle coach who helps to empower people to develop sustainable, enjoyable, and healthy lifestyle habits and rituals.

Growing up in Redfern NSW, a disadvantaged notorious neighborhood, Jeff was surrounded by bad habits, unhealthy diets, and poor mental health. At 12 years old, Jeff was homeless after tragically losing both of his parents to cancer, and both his brothers to suicide and preventable illness. These devastating events led him to create the LIFESTYLE PROGRAM™ 

They discuss Jeffrey’s resounding resilience and what it was like for him growing up in Redfern. They also unpack the importance of sustainable healthy mindsets and practices. And lastly, they delve into the elements of Jeffrey’s holistic LIFESTYLE PROGRAM™ which to date has worked with 80,000 people and communities, transforming lives. 

If you want to learn more about Jeffrey and his incredible result, then head to Jeffrey Morgan | The Lifestyle Program.

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In this episode Caroline talks to Aboriginal, African American and Greek women, Yolanda Finnete. Yolanda is a consultant, facilitator and holistic life coach specialising in trauma informed coaching. She has over 25 years experience working in the Aboriginal Community Controlled Sector.

They talk about what it was like for Yolanda being a kid during  the political Aboriginal movement in the 70’s. The significance of the Cummeragunja walk off and Yolanda’s families role as many reflected on the 82nd anniversary, of this landmark moment in Australian history, last week.

They discuss the effects of burnout and the importance of expressing your capacity, boundaries and having daily nourishing practices. Finally they discuss the life changing benefits to trauma informed coaching.  

Yolanda is running a 'values and goal setting workshop' this Wednesday 10 February. Head over to www.yolandafinette.com to purchase tickets. One not to miss!

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In this episode, Caroline has an insightful discussion with Nartarsha Napanagka Bamblett. They talk about stereotypes placed on Indigenous women, and the importance of understanding your own values.  They also unpack courage and the ‘extra’ self-love needed to heal as Indigenous women and communities, in Australia, in 2021. 

Nartarsha is a Yorta Yorta, Kurnai, Wiradjuri & Warlpiri woman. She provides many acts of service to Indigenous Communities across Victoria. She is a mother, a multi-business owner, a performer, a storyteller and a creator. But more than that, she is deeply passionate about changing the narrative.

Nartarsha is bringing people together to unite with her latest venture ‘Miss Soul Inspires’ - a culturally led learning immersive event on how to become an effective ally. 

*Her event Beyond the Gap is selling tickets now. Check out @nartarshabamblett to find out how to be apart of the conversation, now and into the future*

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In this episode, Caroline talks all things Aboriginal artwork and story telling, tips to setting up an Aboriginal 'fempire' and juggling motherhood with Madison Connors. Madison is Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Gamilaroi woman and founder of Yarli Creative.

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