SOVEREIGN

Your favourite podcast besties are back! SOVEREIGN returns for 2025 bigger and funnier than ever; in IJ’s words its the year of elevation. Today’s episode is a lucky dip of books, music, manifestations, cats and Paul Mescal (you’re welcome). Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

Fresh from Mauritius and South Africa, IJ chats about her lessons in solo travel! SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

Walmajarri-Gooniyandi women Brodie George is thriving in business. Growing up in Fitzroy Crossing, 400km east of Broome in WA’s Kimberley, Brodie values community and culture above anything else and that might be why she’s won the hearts and respect of consumers across the country. Her swimming line Jalayimiya Swim stole the spotlight in 2022 with bright, bold designs and a Country-conscious philo...

In this episode, Sharlene explores her family history; the remarkable story of the Rind family, an iconic presence in Perth, Western Australia. From their roots in the late 19th century, the family’s legacy began with the union of Goolam Badoola; a Baloch-Afghan cameleer and Mariam Martin; a Badimaya Yamatji woman. Together, they bridged cultures and overcame the challenges of discriminatory polic...

Trying not to cry because it’s Sharlene and IJ’s last time together for 2024… The duo catch up on what’s been happening and invite big sister and producer Dani into the studio for a chat! Then, in celebration of the holidays the girls outline their travel tips as young women wanting to explore the world independently. Don’t fret though! There’ll be more solo episode to round out the deadly year.  

Part Two of Sharlene and IJs conversation about reclaiming body sovereignty. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

Today, IJ shares her date from hell which begs the question…is it okay to have racial dating preferences? The girls share how to look out for red flags when so called appreciation turns into fetishisation and how to reclaim body sovereignty. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture...

In this fortnight’s episode we’re thrilled to welcome Narissa Cullen, a proud Waanyi woman and the visionary behind Narissa Creative Studio. As a talented makeup artist, entrepreneur, and advocate, Narissa’s impactful work in her community is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as she shares her insights on the power of truth-telling, the importance of activism and embracing authenticity in a worl...

Peak behind the curtain so far! In this special anniversary episode IJ McKenna is joined by producer Danielle Raffaele to chat about the year that was; the laughs, the drama, the achievements and the incredible power of SOVEREIGN representation. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, cul...

Sharlene and IJ are celebrating one year of SOVEREIGN! On today’s episode, we’ve picked some of our favourite SOVEREIGN moments and yarns in celebration of this special anniversary. You can re-stream each episode except in full on iTunes, Spotify and RTRFM. Part One: Ramadan, Heartbreak High and Indigenous Representation Part Two: BONUS: SOVEREIGN and the Voice to Parliament  Part Three: Why Sharl...

On today’s episode of SOVEREIGN, Sistagirls IJ and Sharlene welcome Wadjuk, Balardong woman and fashion trailblazer Shannon McGuire into the big red studio. Shannon’s work in the fashion industry spans more than 20 years, getting her kick start on the inaugural season of Australia’s Next Top Model where she came in 3rd place. As a national finalist in Miss Universe Australia in 2008 she realised t...

In Aboriginal cultures across WA, the constellation of the Seven Sisters is embedded in lore as a tale of desire, forbidden pursuit and magic. And though it’s unique to the western deserts, there are echos of this story across continents and time. In this special episode of SOVEREIGN Sharlene Baloch recounts the story of The Seven Sisters and how the story represents the power of the Blak matriarc...

Feuds, beef, comparisons and never knowing where you stand…why are female friendships so confusing! Today, Sharlene and IJ unpack female friendships and the entertainment world’s treatment of women through the lens of Charlie XCX and the pop sensation’s latest album Brat. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Na...

We all need a SOVEREIGN bookclub in our lives… Luckily Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna have you covered on this episode of SOVEREIGN where they share stories that have moved, influenced and schooled them over the years. Plus, the girls catch up on what’s been happening in their busy lives, including Sharlene’s overwhelming, underwhelming and whelming (?) trip to the Unites States of America. SOVERE...

We all need a SOVEREIGN bookclub in our lives… Luckily Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna have you covered on this episode of SOVEREIGN where they share stories that have moved, influenced and schooled them over the years. Plus, the girls catch up on what’s been happening in their busy lives, including Sharlene’s overwhelming, underwhelming and whelming (?) trip to the Unites States of America. SOVERE...

Back for part two of Sharlene and IJ’s reunion… The yapping continues with a discussion of some of their favourite tracks of all time as well as their thoughts on the ongoing Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships. https://rtrfm.co...

It’s (another) SOVEREIGN reunion! After too much time apart the girls are back in the big red studio to…well…yap. In part one the girls debrief about their recent trip to Melbourne for a music festival, including IJ’s weird brush with fame? SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture an...

On today’s episode, Sharlene yarns with her big sister, Amber Ugle-Hayward, a proud Noongar woman with connections to Ballardong, Menang, Wilman and Kaneang Noongar country. Amber currently works at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage as a Senior Heritage Officer in the Sites of Truth Telling Project ensuring that mob are heard and cultural authority is respected. Amber is an avid footy...

Strap in, IJ is here for a solo episode of SOVEREIGN. This fortnight our Sistagirl answers your questions; from relationships to living alone and moving to the big smoke. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships. https://rtrfm.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Ep-19-En...

On today’s special episode of SOVEREIGN, IJ sits down with Bardi, Nyikina, Yamatji and Dija powerhouse, Leanne Dolby.  The sisters discuss all things Blak excellence and navigating the world as young activists and advocates.  SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

Uni is back, school is well and truely in session and the corporate schedule is filling up! With all the craziness of putting their noise back in the books, the girls give their top tips on surviving, organising and maintaining balance amongst all of life’s committments and why your ATAR score doesn’t matter SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls...

Sharlene is fasting to observe the holy month of Ramadan, while IJ battles another bought of tonselitis. That doesn’t mean the SOVEREIGN fun stops! This fortnight, the girls review season one of the Australian Netflix comedy-drama Heartbreak High, in preparation to binge season two. They also address First Nation’s issues dominating the news cycle and the dangers of our colonial history repeating...

Sisterhood is joyous. Sisterhood is complex. Sisterhood can be covering up for each other, fighting over clothes, late night yarns in each other’s bedrooms. In this SPECIAL episode of SOVEREIGN, Sharlene and IJ are joined by their younger sisters, Lavinia (Beans) and Mahki, to discuss the importance of sisterhood, memories and coming of age. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch...

Would you rather have perfect eyebrows or perfect hair for the rest of your life? Would you rather know your language fluently or speak to an Elder who has passed? In this episode the girls solve conundrums from the everyday to the ethical. SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture an...

Hot girl walks are where the best ideas come to fruition… For Sharlene, who has been thinking a lot about past relationships, it’s where she realised the importance of celebrating girlhood and embracing your elevated self after a messy period. In this episode, the girls discuss what they have learnt from going through tough times in romantic partnerships. SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by bestie...