Stars and Stories: The Black Star Radio Podcast

In a lighter and more playful episode, MJ and Gerald Quigley chat about food preferences, comfort meals, and what our go-to foods might say about us — without judgement.

From chicken wings and fish and chips to lamb cutlets with mash, peas, thick gravy and mint jelly, the conversation moves beyond rules and restrictions and back to enjoyment. Gerald reminds listeners that food isn’t just fuel — it’s info...

In this episode, MJ is joined by Gerald Quigley — practising Community Pharmacist and Accredited Master Herbalist — for a practical chat about travelling with medications, especially during the holiday season.

Gerald shares simple but important planning tips for anyone travelling interstate or overseas, including how to store medications in hot climates, why it’s smart to split essential medicines betwee...

When to Seek Fertility Help: A Conversation with Gerald Quigley

1 in 6 couples in Australia experience fertility challenges — and it’s a topic that needs more open discussion. In this segment, Gerald Quigley, pharmacist and master herbalist, breaks down what to know and when to take action:

• If you’re under 35 and haven’t conceived after 12 months — it’s time to see your G...

A Common-Sense Guide to Healthy Eating

Forget the trends — true healthy eating is simpler than you think. In this episode, Gerald Quigley breaks down the basics:

• Carbs, Protein & Fats

• The Truth around Fat

• Protein with Purpose 

• Rethink “Clean Eating” 

Gerald also highlights the value of enjoying food again — like your morning coffee — without g...

In this episode, MJV speaks with Penny Larsen, National Manager of Education at Royal Life Saving Australia, about the heartbreaking reality of child drownings in Australia.

Over the past 10 years, 183 children aged 0–4 have lost their lives to drowning — the majority in backyard swimming pools.

With summer approaching fast (and already here in Far North Queensland), Penny shares four essen...

This week, MJ sat down with Pharmacist and Master Herbalist Gerald Quigley for an honest chat about International Men’s Day — and the power of simply opening up. Gerald dove into why International Men’s Day is the perfect reminder that we don’t have to carry everything on our own. He talks about the shift away from “bottling things up,” the power of sharing what’s going on, and why opening up isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s often t...

In this important episode, MJ sits down with Gerald Quigley to uncover surprising — and potentially life-saving — truths about heart health in women.

Gerald shares sobering statistics: heart disease kills more than twice as many Australian women as breast cancer, and 40% of heart attacks in women are fatal. Even more concerning? Many of these attacks occur without the classic warning signs we’ve been tau...

In this heartfelt episode, MJ chats with Jennifer from the Mareeba Animal Refuge to shine a light on the many fur babies in need of forever homes.

With over 30 animals currently in care — including puppies, adult dogs, cats, and a growing number of kittens — the refuge is feeling the pressure of kitten season and increasing demand.

Jennifer reminds us that adopting a pet is a lifelong commi...

Why Teenagers Are Drowning — And What We Can Do

It’s a shocking trend many parents aren’t aware of: drowning rates among teenagers in Australia are on the rise. In this episode, MJ speaks with Beverly Hunter from Royal Life Saving to uncover the alarming stats — and what families and communities can do to turn the tide.

Beverly explains that teens aged 10–20 are now 13 times more likely to ...

Getting Stung by the Facts with Dr Jaz Lawes, the Weird and Wonderful World of Jellyfish

On this special World Jellyfish Day episode, Lauren is joined by Dr Jaz Lawes, a PhD in Biology/Biological Sciences and the National Research Manager at Surf Life Saving Australia.

Together, they dive deep into the weird and wonderful world of jellyfish — creatures that have roamed the oceans since befo...

Fighting for Fair Freight: Cape York Weekly’s Award-Winning Story

In this episode of Stars and Stories, MJ catches up with former Cape York Weekly editor Lyndon Keane to celebrate the paper’s recent success at the 2025 LGAQ Journalism Awards.

The team took home Silver for their powerful coverage on the Cape’s Fight for Fair Freight — a campaign shining a light on sea freight monopolies and ...

In this episode of Let’s Talk Health, pharmacist and Master Herbalist Gerald Quigley joins MJB to explore a new initiative making waves in Queensland — the Community Pharmacist Program.

Traditionally, certain health concerns required a doctor’s visit and a prescription. But under this new program, specially trained pharmacists can now assess and treat a growing list of common conditions — including uncom...

Get Ready Queensland with Johnathan Thurston

In this episode, of Stars and Stories MJ is joined by rugby league legend and Get Ready Queensland

Ambassador Johnathan Thurston to talk about disaster preparedness across Far North Queensland.

Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone state in the country— from cyclones and floods to bushfires — and JT’s on a mission to make su...

• The test is simple, free, and can be done at home
• Early detection sav...