Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

In this episode, MJ speaks with Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council CEO Chad King about the Barra Bash and what's planned for the big fishing weekend.

Chad talks about the prizes up for grabs, including a $30,000 boat supplied by Bill's Marine, and explains why you'll need to be at Blanco Park on Sunday afternoon if your number is drawn to win it.

He also reveals a change to the barra competiti...

In this episode, MJ chats with Greg Bowden, General Manager Placemaking at Tablelands Regional Council, about some of the things happening across the Tablelands over the long weekend.

Greg runs through the markets, live music and movies happening across the region, including the night markets at Priors Creek Parklands, live music at Mount Uncle Distillery and the Creekside Cinema.

He also t...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Sarah Pye, the author of Curious Kai Asks Why, a children's book that follows Kai and her mum as they travel around Queensland, meeting scientists and learning about the natural world.

Sarah shares the story behind the book and how her interest in endangered wildlife began with

a trip to Borneo, where she met a conservationist working to save a species fro...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Dr Graham Lauriston from Tropical Vets Atherton about cassowaries and a very unusual member of his team, a cassowary skeleton named Victor.

Graham explains how Victor came to be, why cassowary skeletons are so interesting, and what makes their anatomy unique, including the many vertebrae that connect the head to the rest of the body.

Victor will also be makin...

In this episode, Mark speaks with actor and filmmaker Steve Bastoni at the Outback by the Sea Short Film Festival in Normanton.

Steve talks about his career, including roles in Police Rescue, Underbelly, Wentworth, Neighbours and The Matrix Reloaded, and why he loves bringing film festivals to regional communities.

Now in its third year, the festival gives local young filmmakers the chance ...

The Barra Bash may be over, but Doug Austin has plenty to report after a huge weekend at Lake Tinaroo.

A total of 101 fish were caught, including 49 barramundi, with 30 of those measuring more than a metre. There were also 52 sooty grunter caught, including one measuring an impressive 50 centimetres. That means more sooty grunter were caught than barramundi this year.

Then there were the ca...

Can Melatonin Help Beat Jet Lag?

In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about jet lag and what happens to your body when you travel across multiple time zones.

Gerald explains the role of circadian rhythms and melatonin, and shares his approach to using melatonin around long-haul travel to help reduce the effects of jet lag.

He also di...

The Barra Bash Is Back at Lake Tinaroo

In this episode, MJ speaks with Doug Austin about the return of the Barra Bash at Lake Tinaroo and everything happening across the big fishing weekend.

Doug talks about chasing barramundi by boat, canoe or from the shore, as well as the different ways to fish for barra, sooty grunter and even catfish.

The weekend also has plenty happening...

In this episode, MJ chats with American/Australian baritone Don Windsor, who has gone from growing up on a farm in Kansas to performing in musical theatre productions around the world before eventually calling the Atherton Tablelands home.

Don talks about his career, performing in shows including Les Misérables, Beauty and the Beast and Mamma Mia, meeting some big names along the way, and why he decided ...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Ian Maclean from Night Sky Secrets about the upcoming full moon and the fascinating stories connected to it.

Ian shares the traditional Yolngu story of Ngalindi, the Moon Man, a fisherman who appears as the Hungry Crescent Moon. As Ngalindi catches more and more fish, he grows bigger and fatter in the night sky, but there's one problem: he's not sharing the tucker with his...

Shingles Isn't Just an Older Person's Problem

In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about the rise in shingles cases among younger adults.

Gerald explains why people who have previously had chickenpox can develop shingles later in life, what symptoms to look out for, and why getting symptoms checked early can make a difference.

He als...

Could Vitamin B3 Help Manage Glaucoma?

In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about new research into glaucoma and the potential role of vitamin B3.

Gerald explains what glaucoma is, why managing eye pressure is so important, and discusses research suggesting vitamin B3 may help reduce eye pressure in people living with glaucoma.

He al...

Building Resilience Through Rugby League and Connection

In this episode, MJ speaks with Tamika Upton about her involvement in a partnership between the School for Living, Youth Justice and Queensland Rugby League, supporting young people on Mornington Island.

Tamika shares how she's using video messages and her own experiences in rugby league to connect with students, encourage goal setting...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about recognising the warning signs of a stroke and why acting quickly matters.

Recorded during National Stroke Week, held from 3 to 9 August 2026, Gerald breaks down the FAST acronym, explaining what to look for when it comes to Face, Arms and Speech, and why Time is the most important part of the message.

Eve...

Celebrating 50 Years Deadly in Wujal Wujal

Black Star Radio's Mark Hogan takes you to Wujal Wujal for the community's 2026 NAIDOC Week celebration, marking 50 Years Deadly.

Hear from Mayor Alister Gibson, Community Services Manager Kesa Strieby and local community members as they reflect on the importance of NAIDOC Week, honouring Elders, celebrating culture and passing stories, language an...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Chad King, CEO of the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council, about the unveiling of a new statue that honours an important chapter in the community's history.

The statue depicts an unnamed woman holding a baby as she watches a ship carrying her family away from Mapoon to New Mapoon.

Chad explains why the memorial is so significant, not only as a tribute to those wh...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Trent Jackson, Executive Manager of the Queensland Ambulance Service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety Unit, about the pathways helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people build a career in paramedicine.

Trent shares his own journey into the Queensland Ambulance Service, explains how the Indigenous Paramedic Program works, and highlights the sc...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Natalie Gardner, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia, about the vital support the organisation provides to families when a child needs specialist medical care.

Natalie explains how the Townsville House gives families from Far North Queensland a place to stay close to the hospital, easing some of the pressure during what is often one of the most difficult...

In this episode, MJ speaks with Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and Master Herbalist, about the difference between everyday fears and genuine phobias.

From snakes and spiders to elevators and MRI machines, Gerald explains how phobias can trigger intense anxiety and physical reactions that go far beyond normal caution or concern.

The conversation explores how phob...