Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

Want this conversation before anyone else? Become a BlakCast Patreon member for early access to new episodes, ad free listening, and exclusive bonus content. Join at Patreon.com/BlakCastNetwork I didn't know Akala Newman's full story before we sat down to yarn. And I think that's exactly why this conversation hit me the way it did. Akala is a proud Wiradjuri and Gadigal woman from Sydney. A perfor...

She left a high-flying career at Google to start a drinks company. Three years later, she's on shelves at Dan Murphy's, on Amazon, and secured a $125,000 investment from a Shark Tank judge. Tara Croker is a proud Wiradjuri woman and founder of Yaala Sparkling, an Indigenous-owned beverage company using native Australian botanicals to create premium alcohol-free drinks. In this yarn, Tara opens up...

In this yarn, I sit down with Sharon Winsor, a proud Ngemba Weilwan woman from Western NSW and the founder of Indigiearth, one of Australia's most awarded Aboriginal-owned businesses. For 30 years Sharon has been sharing First Nations food, knowledge, and culture with the world, not from ambition, but from a deep connection to Country and a knowing that this knowledge belongs to all of us. We talk...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations , host Mundanara Bales sits down with proud Gamilaraay man, founder of Walkabout Barber and community wellbeing advocate Brian Dowd for a deeply honest yarn about mental fitness, identity, vulnerability and the power of truly listening to people. Known to many as “The Walkabout Barber”, Brian shares how a simple haircut can become somethi...

Dylan Voller is a Ngarrindjeri man, hip hop artist, and advocate from Alice Springs, now based in Sydney. In 2016, footage of Dylan as a seventeen year old, hooded and strapped to a restraint chair inside the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, aired on the ABC's Four Corners program, went around the world, and sparked a Royal Commission into the protection and detention of children in the Northern T...

In this episode, I yarn with proud Dulguburra Yidinji woman   Carly Wallace about her journey from going viral with her comedy platform CJays Vines to becoming a respected advocate and storyteller across media and community spaces. Carly reflects on navigating trolling, changing expectations around humour, and the importance of staying authentic while using your voice to advocate for mob and...

At 23, everything changed. In this yarn, I sit down with a proud Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji man, Ian Lacey, who opens up about losing his dream of playing professional rugby league and how that moment of failure became the turning point that shaped his life’s work. From sitting down with Wayne Bennett after a career-ending mistake, to navigating the pressure of leadership in community, Ian...

In this yarn, I sit down with Courtney Ugle, a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman, to talk about identity, grief, and the strength it takes to keep showing up. Courtney reflects on losing both of her parents, the ongoing impact of that loss, and how her mum continues to guide her in the work she does today. This is a powerful conversation about what it means to carry love and pain at the same...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with proud Wiradjuri woman Aisha Wighton , who recently stepped onto one of the biggest global platforms as a contestant on Australian Survivor . From growing up in Condobolin to navigating the modelling, acting and social work industries, Aisha shares what it means to take up space as a young Black woman in spaces where representation still matters deeply....

This episode is in partnership with the Australian Government. In this yarn, I sit down with mother and daughter  Karla and Lowanna Grant to talk about what legacy really means in our communities — not just in terms of money, but in culture, stories, opportunity and security. We reflect on the journeys that shaped them, from growing up in Housing Commission and witnessing sacrifice, to...

In this episode, Mundanara sits down with the three hosts of the Bros and Cons podcast — former gang members who once made headlines for crime and are now mentoring young people, building businesses, and reshaping what strength and leadership look like. Jayleks, Malik and Ronnie speak candidly about prison, rap culture, identity and the turning point that led them back to family, herita...

Season 2 opens with human rights and discrimination lawyer Prabha Nandagopal. In this straight-talking yarn, Prabha reflects on the moments that shaped her — from working with asylum seekers in detention and contributing to landmark workplace reform inquiries, to navigating cultural expectations, divorce and solo motherhood. We unpack accountability, workplace culture, systemic change and wh...

In this Best Of episode, I revisit some of the most powerful moments from my yarn with Nooky — a conversation that moves between music, culture, grief, and survival. We reflect on the making of his album with 3%, including the collaborations that shaped it and the intention behind centring cultural history and awareness. The iconic album artwork featuring Nicky Winmar stands as a defining mo...

This episode is in partnership with the Australian Government. In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast , I yarn with the deadly Amanda Sibosado , a proud Wardandi and Bard woman, PhD candidate, and long-time sexual health educator. Amanda joins me from Whadjuk Noongar Country to talk honestly about sexual health in our communities — from the gaps many of us experienced growing up, t...

This episode is proudly brought to you by ANZ. A new series of conversations with different mob around the country to yarn about, meaningful career opportunities within ANZ, building the capacity of Indigenous businesses and organisations, and helping individuals in the broader community to achieve financial wellbeing and resilience. If you’d like to know more about how ANZ can help improve...

In this powerful Best Of episode, we revisit one of our most unforgettable yarns with proud Yuin and Thunghutti man, artist, creator, and community leader Nooky . Recorded live on the iHeart Podcast stage at SXSW Sydney, this conversation dives deep into his journey from growing up in Nowra to becoming a driving force in Australian music and culture. Nooky shares honest reflections on resilience,...

In this Best Of episode of Black Magic Woman , I sit down with Dem Mob , a rising Indigenous hip-hop group making waves in the Australian music scene. Formed in 2019 as a school project designed to re-engage Indigenous youth through music and culture, Dem Mob have since evolved into a powerhouse collective. Their music brings Aboriginal language and culture to the forefront, blending English and P...

In this Best Of episode, we revisit one of our most loved conversations with Coby Edgar — a proud Aboriginal curator, creative, mentor and cultural powerhouse. Coby’s story is filled with honesty, humour, resilience and deep cultural insight, making this episode a standout moment from the Black Magic Woman archives. As we wrap up the year, we’re sharing a selection of Best Of epi...

In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, host Mundanara Bayles chats with Aaliyah Bula - a proud Tongan, Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi woman, athlete and community leader - about what mental fitness means to her. Aaliyah’s journey is one of strength, connection and cultural pride. Aaliyah has always balanced her passion for culture with her drive in sport. She’s played Open Women&rsq...

At just 25, Wendell French – also known by their stage name Felicia Foxx, the Aboriginal Enchantress – is a proud Kamilaroi and Dhunghutti “brotherboy, sistergirl, brista – brothersister”. They are a performer, advocate and entrepreneur using drag as a powerful tool for storytelling, self-expression and connection. In this honest and uplifting conversation with host M...

In this episode, I sit down with proud Meuram woman Lala Gutchen from Erub island  in the Torres Strait — a language teacher, diver, and climate advocate whose life’s work is rooted in protecting Country. We met at the First Nations Clean Energy Summit on Kabi Kabi Country, where Lala shared her story about preserving language, culture, and Sea Country in the face of rising tides...

Wiradjuri Elder and Aboriginal activist Uncle Dave Bell has spent more than two decades guiding young people towards strength through culture, mentoring and connection. In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, he joins Mundanara Bayles from Black Magic Woman podcasts to share the story of Young Spirit Mentoring - a grassroots program changing lives across Campbelltown by reconnecting youth...

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Cissy Gore-Birch , a proud a Jaru/Kija woman with connections to Balanggarra, Nyikina and Bunuba Country in the Kimberley, and the powerhouse behind Lulujaru — a fashion label that weaves together culture, conservation, and self-determination. Cissy shares her story of growing up in Wyndham as the eldest of eight kids in a big, busy household f...

In the newest Mental Fitness Conversations episode, produced in partnership with Black Magic Woman, host Mundanara Bayles yams with Dr Clinton Schultz, a proud Gamilaroi man, psychologist and Head of First Nations Strategy at Black Dog Institute. Clinton speaks openly about his life and the role of culture in shaping his path. He reflects on growing up disconnected from support, navigating systems...

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with Ruby Heard, a proud descendant of the Jaru and Gija peoples and founder of Alinga Energy Consulting. Ruby shares her journey into electrical engineering and how a decision at sixteen to “save the world” set her on a path from Hanging Rock, Victoria, to global projects in Silicon Valley and refugee camps in Ethiopia. We y...