Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down on beautiful Gimuy (Cairns) Country with Juan Walker—founder of Walkabout Cultural Adventures and proud Kuku Yalanji man.

Juan shared with me his journey from being a shy young fulla to running one of the most respected cultural tourism businesses in the country. His tours don’t just take you across land—they connect you deeply to story, culture, and the responsibilities we carry. From mud-crabbing with the kids to learning about his family's history on Country, this yarn was filled with so many gems about what it means to be grounded in who you are while running your own business.

Juan’s passion for culture, education, and empowerment is infectious. Whether he's teaching tourists, schoolkids, or mentoring other mob, he's walking the walk—literally and figuratively. This episode is all about that connection to Country, the power of lived experience, and why culture is our biggest asset.

Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance, this episode highlights the power of Blak business, community, and leadership. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Want to learn more about Juan and his work?
🌐 Website: https://walkaboutadventures.com.au
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkaboutculturaladventures

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful and heartfelt Best Of episode, we revisit our yarn with Narelda Jacobs – a proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, seasoned journalist, and trailblazer in Australian media. Narelda opens up about her childhood in a proud Black household in Perth, the strength she draws from her community, and the journey from local newsreader to national presence on Channel Ten and NITV’s The Point.

Together, Narelda and Mundanara dive into what it means to carry lived experience into white-dominated spaces, the importance of Black voices in journalism, and the deep emotional impact of telling stories that matter. From stories of joy and dancing in tracksuits to emotional reflections on the Voice to Parliament, this conversation is filled with warmth, resilience, and inspiration.

Recommendations throughout this episode:

https://10play.com.au/studio-10/hosts/2023/narelda-jacobs/pa200520kpear

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Proudly supported by NRMA Insurance.

In this powerful yarn, I sit down with proud Badtjala, Gunditjmara and Woppaburra man, Jesse Green—founder of Yilay —a 100% Indigenous-owned apparel, promotions, and signage business based in Brisbane. Jesse shares his journey from AFL community programs to building multiple businesses with deep roots in family, culture, and community.

He speaks openly about the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhood, the importance of cultural protocol, and the need to address issues like black cladding in the Indigenous business sector. Jesse also highlights the role of authenticity, the strength of community collaboration, and his commitment to creating intergenerational wealth—one business at a time.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone passionate about genuine First Nations enterprise and social impact.

🔗 Jesse Green & Yilay Creative

• Yilay Official Website: Explore Yilay's range of Indigenous-designed apparel, promotional products, and signage.
  https://yilay.com.au/

• About Yilay: Learn about Yilay's mission to bridge the cultural knowledge gap between corporate Australia and Indigenous communities.
  https://yilay.com.au/pages/about-us

• Yilay Collections: Browse Yilay's product collections, including their NAIDOC 2024 range.
  https://yilay.com.au/collections

• Yilay on Facebook: Stay updated with Yilay's latest news and offerings.
  https://www.facebook.com/Yilay2.0/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting one of our most powerful and inspiring episodes with the legendary Leah Purcell—award-winning actor, writer, director, and proud Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri woman. Leah shares the deeply personal story behind The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, and how her mother, grandmother, and community shaped her fire as a truth-teller and creative force.

From her early days in Murgon to her rise on stage and screen, this yarn touches on family, cultural survival, domestic violence, self-determination, and the power of Blak women’s voices. Leah’s journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and deadly storytelling—and a reminder that when we back ourselves, we bring our whole mob with us.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return to a favourite, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and community power.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• ABC News Feature: Leah Purcell weaves her Indigenous Songlines into new film Leah discusses how her personal history influenced her adaptation of The Drover's Wife. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka14nZDyv0s

• Eye For Film Interview: Leah Purcell about The Drover’s Wife
  A conversation about the challenges and inspirations behind her film adaptation.
  Read more: https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2021-03-18-interview-with-leah-purcell-about-the-drovers-wife-the-legend-of-molly-johnson-feature-story-by-jennie-kermode

• ACMI: Leah Purcell on reclaiming The Drover’s Wife
  An exploration of Leah's Blak feminist retelling of Lawson’s classic.
  Read here: https://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/leah-purcell-on-reclaiming-the-drovers-wife-with-the-legend-of-molly-johnson/Overland literary journal+3acmi.net.au+3The New Daily+3

• Flicks Interview: Leah Purcell on the long journey of The Drover’s Wife
  Insights into the political power of the western genre and Leah's creative process.
  Read here: https://www.flicks.co.uk/features/leah-purcell-on-the-long-journey-of-the-drovers-wife-and-the-political-power-of-the-western/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, proudly brought to you by NRMA Insurance, Mundanara yarns with Rory Chapman—a proud Wiradjuri/Ngemba man, founder of Embrace Tech, and the trusted IT partner behind BlackCard’s digital transformation. Based on Kabi Kabi Country, Rory shares how his purpose-led tech company supports First Nations organisations across the country with accessible, high-quality IT services.

From growing up around his family’s computer store to launching a culturally grounded tech business that now powers BlackCard’s new eLearning platform, Rory offers powerful insights into cybersecurity, intergenerational wealth, and the role of culture in entrepreneurship. He speaks candidly about the challenges of running a business, staying connected to community, and building a future where more mob thrive in the tech industry.

Whether you're in business, dreaming of it, or simply curious about the intersections of tech, culture, and community—this episode is full of inspiration, strategy, and strength.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• Embrace Tech Official Website: https://www.embracetech.au/

• About Rory Chapman: https://www.embracetech.au/about-us

• Rory Chapman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorychapman/

• Welcome to Country – Rory Chapman: https://www.welcometocountry.com/pages/rory-chapman

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re throwing it back to our most downloaded episode of all time—a powerful and eye-opening yarn with proud Kabi Kabi and South Sea Islander man, Isaac Harrison.

Isaac shares his deeply personal story—his family’s roots in blackbirding and survival, his experience navigating identity across cultures, and his remarkable journey from the sugar cane fields of his ancestors to founding one of Australia’s most exciting renewable energy companies, Bunji Energy. We also talk about intergenerational wealth gaps, the legacy of slavery in Queensland, and how love and resilience continue to shape our communities.

This episode is rich with truth-telling, laughter, and vision—highlighting the strength of Blak entrepreneurship, the importance of cultural grounding, and why we must invest in First Nations youth and futures on our terms

Recommendations throughout this episode:

https://deadlydiscussionspodcast.com

http://bunjilenergy.com.au

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful and thought-provoking yarns—with the legendary Uncle Bruce Pascoe. A proud Bunurong, Tasmanian, and Yuin man, Uncle Bruce is a celebrated author, historian, and farmer, best known for his groundbreaking book Dark Emu. In this episode, we dive deep into the truth-telling of our past, and the future we can create through Indigenous knowledge, self-determination, and sustainable land practices.

Uncle Bruce shares stories of resilience, the revival of traditional Aboriginal agriculture, and the importance of defining ourselves—on our own terms. From revitalising native grains on his farm to pushing back against systemic racism and the myth of the ‘hunter-gatherer’, this conversation is as inspiring as it is urgent.

Whether this is your first listen or a return to a favourite, this yarn reminds us why truth-telling and cultural knowledge must be at the heart of Australia’s journey forward.

Recommendations throughout this episode:

• Books by Bruce Pascoe:

  • Dark Emu – Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?
    https://www.magabala.com/products/dark-emu

  • Young Dark Emu – A Truer History
    https://www.magabala.com/products/young-dark-emu

  • Loving Country: A Guide to Sacred Australia (co-authored with Vicky Shukuroglou)
    https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/loving-country-by-bruce-pascoe/9781741176483

  Agricultural & Cultural Projects:

  • Black Duck Foods – Indigenous social enterprise reviving traditional food systems
    https://blackduckfoods.com.au

  Educational Resources:

  • First Australians – SBS Documentary Series
    https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/first-australians

  • Dark Emu Study Guide – Reading Australia
    https://readingaustralia.com.au/books/dark-emu/

  • AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
    https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special replay takes us back to one of the very first episodes of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, originally recorded in 2020. Uncle Mick Gooda—respected Gungalu and Yiman man, former Social Justice Commissioner, and long-time advocate for our mob—joins Mundanara for a powerful yarn about truth-telling, sovereignty, the history of missions like Taroom and Purga, and the legacy of community-driven education through the Murri School.

In a time when COVID-19 was redefining how we stayed connected, this episode reminded us of our resilience and adaptability—and those lessons still ring true today.

We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you new and exciting weekly episodes, so thanks for sticking with us while we get back into the swing of things.

Recommendations throughout this episode:

https://humanrights.gov.au/about/commissioners/mick-gooda-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice-commissioner

https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/council/mick-gooda.html

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.