The New Dreaming Podcast

Thirty moves as a kid. A father who couldn’t safely say he was Aboriginal. And a career that accidentally began with “buying pens and pencils” before turning into a blueprint for Indigenous procurement and self-determination. We yarn with Glenn Johnston, Barramatta of the Dharug Nation, about what identity costs when survival demands silence and what it takes to rebuild connection when records and...

Chronic disease keeps stealing years from our mob and it’s happening earlier than ever. We sit with Mengui - Torres Strait Islander entrepreneur from Badu Island - to unpack a practical, culture-first path back to health: fast smarter, eat real food, honor spirit and take ownership. He started by living the change six years ago, then found the science matched what Elders already knew: food is medi...

A tough childhood. A pair of gloves. A phone call that changed everything.  Dennis joins us to share a raw, generous story about turning pain into purpose- first through boxing, then through community service and finally through the steady courage of buying a home for his family. He opens up about growing up in public housing, feeling like an outsider, and finding structure at a local gym where un...

What if the first step isn’t glamorous, just necessary?  Nathan joins us to share how he went from a factory floor in modular construction to leading Avendo Design, a residential architecture and design studio known for plans that actually build. He walks through the early years of scraping by and how support from IBA helped sharpen his brand, strengthen his messaging and give his business the str...

Meet Kaylah Truth, a powerhouse Meerooni woman of the Gurang Nation whose journey through hip-hop, activism and cultural reconnection will leave you inspired and reflective.  Growing up in Brisbane's south side, Kaylah's earliest memories revolve around her grandmother's bustling "black house" – a hub of community activism where young Kaylah absorbed the passionate discuss...

*This episode was filmed prior to the World Premiere of James' Film - As mentioned in this episode What does it take to build a business that stays true to cultural values while thriving in today's fast-paced digital landscape? James Saunders, founder of Baraji Maweng, shares his remarkable journey from childhood in Logan as part of a family of nine children to becoming an entrepreneur,...

Have you ever felt that persistent gut feeling telling you there's something more meant for you than just clocking in at a job you don't enjoy? That's exactly what led Jordan from Ocean View to establish NHQ Slashing, a business that's now thriving in its specialised niche between large commercial operations and residential lawn care. https://bit.ly/JordansWebsite Jordan's...

Walking into Good Good coffee shop in Brisbane's West End feels like being welcomed into a community where everyone knows your name and how you take your coffee. Owner Josh Power has created more than just a café—he's built a space where genuine connection happens over exceptional coffee. https://bit.ly/Joshuas_Website Josh's journey to business ownership is as rich as the coffee he...

Discover the powerful story of how a simple website for a family cabinet making business sparked a digital entrepreneurship journey that's now transforming Indigenous businesses across Australia. Adam Wooding, a proud Wemba Wemba man, takes us through his evolution from reluctant website developer to founder of Empower Digital, a thriving Indigenous-owned digital agency. https://bit.ly/Adams_...

Bob Smith's journey from small-town chef to influential CEO and media personality unfolds as a powerful testament to identity, purpose and authentic leadership.  Growing up in Beaudesert on Mununjali country, Bob's early life experiences shaped his deep connection to community values that would later define his professional path. The conversation delves into pivotal moments of transforma...

A raw conversation about healing, identity and breaking cycles of trauma unfolds as Reese shares his remarkable journey from childhood adversity to becoming an advocate for Indigenous communities and men's mental health. Born to a teenage mother and raised among twenty children by his aunt in Brisbane, Reese experienced poverty, abuse and cultural disconnection that would shape his early year...

Josh Beckett opens his heart in this raw, unfiltered conversation about trauma, mental health and the healing power of creative expression.  A Waka Waka and Yuggera man balancing work in the federal government with his passion for screenwriting and poetry, Josh shares the story of losing his Aboriginal father just before his ninth birthday - a loss that disconnected him from his culture and sent h...

When Robbie Mann sings his song "Home," something remarkable happens. Though he might be standing in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall, in his mind he's transported to the red dirt roads of Joskeleigh, the South Sea Islander community where his family has lived for generations. It's this powerful connection between place, identity and artistic expression that forms the beating...

From Kangaroos hopping through the dusty camps of Roma to standing in the spotlight of Australia's most prestigious stages, veteran Indigenous actor Roxanne MacDonald takes us on an intimate journey through her remarkable life and career. Roxanne's story begins with vivid childhood memories – collecting money for the pictures from her mother who worked at the School of Arts, learning fro...