Deadly Discussions

In this episode of Deadly Discussions, today I sit with John Burgess, a proud Gurindji man and founder of Little Rocket, a 100% First Nations-owned and operated creative and marketing agency based in Brunswick, Naarm. With more than 15 years at the helm of Little Rocket, John reflects on building a purpose-led business, the traditional differences between marketing and PR, and why those distinctio...

In this episode of Deadly Discussions, we sit with Uncle Ken Jones, a proud Boandik Elder and legendary cultural educator behind Bush Adventures, based out in the beautiful Limestone Coast. Uncle Ken shares stories of growing up on Country, learning from the land, and teaching the next generation through foraging, fishing, and the old songlines of the Boandik seasons. He also brings forward a lega...

On this episode of Deadly Discussions, I sit down with Renee Turner—an inspiring voice for change who’s making waves across culture, tourism, and storytelling. From her seafood adventures and the spiritual significance of Indigenous Welcomes to unveiling Australia’s hidden histories beyond 200 years, Renee brings fresh insights and passion to the mic. We dive into her work bridging cultures throug...

In this episode of Deadly Discussions, we sit down with Aunty Francene Kickett, a distinguished visual artist, textile and fashion designer, and educator of the Wiilman Nyoongah Yorga peoples. Recorded at the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference 2024 at the iconic MCG, we delve into the significance of Indigenous tourism, the art of storytelling, and the unique journeys shared by mobs from acr...

In this episode of Deadly Discussions, We sit down with Haydyn, a descendant of the Adnyamathanha, Yarluyandi, and Narungga peoples, with deep connections to the Flinders Ranges, Yorke Peninsula, Simpson Desert, and South-West Queensland. As a qualified teacher with over 30 years of experience, Haydyn shares his journey from education to founding Bookabee Australia in 2005, a pioneering business i...

This week, we sit down with Mick Harding, the founder of Ngarga Warendj – Dancing Wombat, a thriving Indigenous business blending art, culture, and innovation. From his workshop on Gunai Kurnai country near Morwell, Mick shares how he turned his passion for Aboriginal art into a successful enterprise, creating unique products like shields and cutting boards featuring traditional symbols. Learn how...

In this episode of Deadly Discussions, we have two deadly guests: Sara and Jake. While their journeys are different, they share a common thread of overcoming challenges and staying grounded in their culture. Sara: Indigenous entrepreneur and founder of Australia’s largest female-owned commercial printing business. Grew up in the foster system and turned those challenges into the foundation for her...

This episode was such a pleasant surprise. Petina Tieman, a highly respected coach and mentor, celebrated for her holistic approach to personal and business growth. A First Nation's woman from Tasmania, Petina outlines super practical framework for building economies in some of Australia’s most remote communities. Petina combines life coaching, and in some cases counseling, with expert strategies...

In this episode, we chat with Troy Benjamin, a self-made entrepreneur and proud Indigenous Man from Geelong. His journey began in 2010 with a small café in Melbourne. Troy went on to create Backup Barista, an online service connecting cafes with skilled baristas across Australia. Troy is also a huge personality and is an experienced MC and has a real go with the flow vibe. I’ve crossed paths with...

Recorded LIVE in person at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), traditional meeting area for the people of the Kulin Nation. I sat down with over 15 guests during three days at the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference. Which brought together everyone and anyone for a corroboree around Tourism and Hospitality in Australia. Just like the mob who met on that ground down by the Yarra all those year...

Michael Morrissey, Electrician and owner of Melbourne Jerky. Handcrafted beef jerky which started here in Melbourne. Mike is a Gamilaroi (northern NSW) man from The Pines, Frankston. Notorious for many reasons, Mike unpacks growing up in that environment and never taking much notice. Business minded as a kid, Mike was always thinking of ways to get ahead. Combine that with a hard work ethic, a tra...

Bungandidj Man and Former Police Officer Nick Buenen unpacks his life as a brother who has walked and worked in two worlds. We discuss what it’s like to have parents and grandparents from the “mission” and to move from that environment at a young age. Nick shares about not identifying as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person when joining the police force. He eventually was found out by an...

Model - Hairdresser - Frontman - Painter (trade) - Retail worker - Nurse Listen to find out how Josh turned all these experiences into the business he is today.  The origins of Josh’s story begin with his Grandfather, a Palawa man moving from Tasmania to Queensland. Josh’s Grandfather, to remain under the radar, would often tell people he was eastern European as opposed to an Indigenous Australian...

Kaley Nicholson is the Co-Founder of Yilam. A sustainable camping brand that offers the highest quality camping gear and On Country tourism experiences. Yilam in Taungurung means camp. Kaley is connected to various tribes in Victoria and New South Wales, so she identifies as Koori, an Indigenous person from those areas. Kaley grew up in Swan Hill and migrated south to Geelong once she finished sch...

Kevin grew up between Adelaide and a township called Murray Bridge. He remembers vividly the challenges he faced as a young Aboriginal man just going with the flow. During his teen years, he was faced with a choice between hanging out with the “brothers” which could lead to trouble or listen to the advice of his father and leave.      Not knowing where to go, Kev headed back to his ancestor’s coun...

Mick Buckworth married into the Yorta Yorta people in Shepparton, Victoria. Mick, a builder by trade, ended up working with the mob at Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative. For the last two decades, the Co-op focused its work on aged care, dental, GP and health programs to the First Nations community in North East of Victoria. Rumbalara, similar to other Indigenous Co-ops, has access to land, but are...

I sat down with David and Aunty Jeanette Crew to discuss their unique journey to owning their own farm in On Country.  Aunty Jeanette, a Wemba Wemba woman, was forcibly relocated from the mission into town during her primary school years in the 60s. We discuss her take on first hand institutional racism. We also discuss what the economics were like for her family, who primarily worked in the shear...

Luke Fallini, a Quandamooka man with Italian heritage from SE Queensland, Australia, joins me on the podcast. A builder by trade, with a passion for football (of course). Shares his not so typical upbringing as an Indigenous Australian with an Italian father. We touch on the rental crisis in QLD, and Luke shares his unique construction business that is offering a new model for social housing. Luke...

What an inspiring episode this was! Alana Kennedy is a Waanyi Kalkatungu woman from North Queensland. Raised by her Non-Indigenous mother in Mt Isa. Alana understood there was something a little different with her family. Knowing her heritage without “knowing” it was something she grew accustomed to. Alana’s mother set the standard for work ethic and encouraged the kids to always have a try. With...

Cory is the founder of Meat Brothers, a food truck that had evolved into a shipping container cafe. A Kamilaroi and Wonnarua Man from New South Wales, Cory shares the importance of having powerful women in his family. It was his matriarchs and siblings that always pushed him outside of his comfort zones. This came in handy for Cory and Meat Brothers during the COVID waves that hit NSW. Cory was fo...

Dunghutti Man, Mervyn Fernando joins me on the podcast. Mervyn grew up in Kempsey NSW. After losing his mother at a young age, Mervyn was raised by his father. Growing up as a young Koori boy On Country Mervyn faced the typical obstacles facing our young men. Which not much work around and lots of reasons to get in trouble. Brother boy Mervyn took a random chance at a job on the other side of the...

Samoan author, entrepreneur, and mother of seven Jen Wright joins me on the podcast. Academically skilled and very driven Jen felt like she was unstoppable. Graduating secondary school in New Zealand to pursue a university degree which would qualify her as a commercial pilot. Jen found herself at a dead stop, with an illness that would prohibit her ability to fly. Jen discloses some of the challen...

Brain Joyce a Papua New Guinean man with a passion for environmental change joins me on the Deadly Discussions Podcast. Growing up in the islands Brain emigrated to Australia during his school years. Landing in coastal Queensland, Brian and his siblings quickly realised that they went from being the majority "On Country" to the minority on somebody else's land. A part-time model, E-Commerce maestr...

The founder of Jarrah Integrated Services Chadd Croshaw does not hold back. An Anēwan man from New South Wales, Chad is fixated on giving the best services to his clients. A veteran in the hospitality and service industry Chad goes the extra mile to ensure his organisation satisfies all of his customer's expectations. Being a First Nations Man, Chadd grew up not knowing whether to share his herita...

Founder of Our Songlines and Our Dilly Bag Kayla Cartledge manages to spare some time for the Deadly Discussions Podcast.   With a passion for change and justice for First Nations people, you will find Kayla on the front line in her community gracefully challenging the haunting narratives of Terra Nullis .   When not working on her businesses Kayla also works in the corporate space bringing her pa...