Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with Ruby Heard, a proud descendant of the Jaru and Gija peoples and founder of Alinga Energy Consulting. Ruby shares her journey into electrical engineering and how a decision at sixteen to “save the world” set her on a path from Hanging Rock, Victoria, to global projects in Silicon Valley and refugee camps in Ethiopia.

The fourth episode of the Mental Fitness Conversations podcast features a powerful yarn with Quaden Bayles, a 14-year-old First Nations actor, award-winning advocate and activist.

In this episode, Quaden speaks openly about how his life changed overnight, from the pain of relentless bullying to the opportunities and challenges of acting in major Hollywood films. What shines through most is his honesty about the role that culture, f...

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with Uncle John Anderson, at the First Nations Clean Energy Network Summit on Kabi Kabi Country. Uncle John shares his journey from his saltwater connections on Palm Island and Innisfail to his work across western Queensland and Brisbane, leading independent and regulatory bodies with integrity and cultural strength.

Award-winning comedian, actor and writer Steph Tisdell is one of Australia’s brightest creative forces. Known for her quick wit and powerful storytelling, she uses humour to break down barriers and spark conversations about identity, culture and mental health.

In this episode, host Mundanara Bayles sits down with Steph for an open yarn about what it means to live authentically and use your platform for change. Steph reflects ...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Tommy Hicks, Head of Cultural and Community at Indigenous Energy Australia, recorded at the First Nations Clean Energy Network Summit on the Sunshine Coast.

Tommy shares his journey as a proud Badimia-Yamatji & Narungga man workin...

Actor, presenter and podcaster Matty Mills is a proud First Nations and queer storyteller whose energy lights up every room. Known for his “sparkly” persona on screen and stage, Matty also brings honesty and depth to conversations about healing, culture and mental fitness.

In this episode, host Mundanara Bayles sits down with Matty for an open conversation about identity, belonging and the courage it takes to reclaim yo...

Hi, i’m Mundanara Bayles, host of the award-winning Black Magic Woman Podcast, where I celebrate the voices of First Nations people, leaders, and changemakers who are shaping our communities today. With honesty, laughter, and deep connection, I invite you into yarns that help us all learn, unlearn, and walk toget...

We kick off our new podcast series with a heartbeat – and a Warrior Heart.

Host Mundanara Bayles speaks with Shantelle Thompson OAM – a proud Barkindji and Ngiyampaa woman, mother of five, three-time world Jiu-Jitsu champion and founder of the Warrior Heart Movement. Known as the Barkindji Warrior, Shantelle is a speaker, storyteller and fierce advocate for her people.

Shantelle shares her journey from deep trauma to cu...

Hey you mob! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented and inspiring Aunty Elverina Johnson—a proud Gungganji and Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman from Yarrabah, in Far North Queensland.

Aunt Elverina is a true force: a singer, artist, fashion designer, businesswoman, and cultural leader. We yarn about everything from her creative roots growing u...

In this powerful NAIDOC Week yarn, I sit down with Uncle Cheg—Gregory Egert—one of our most respected elders and lifelong advocates for community, culture, and education in Southeast Queensland. From growing up in Inala in the 1960s, to decades of service on community boards and as an inaugural Elder in Residence at QUT and now UQ, Uncle Cheg shares stories of resilience, responsibilit...

In this episode I sit down with respected Wakka Wakka/Wulli Wulli Elder, author, academic, and leadership expert Dr Tjanara Goreng Goreng. Recorded in Naarm at the Indigenous Leadership Summit, this yarn dives deep into the meaning of sacred leadership, emotional intelligence, and the importance of First Nations ways of knowing, being, and doing within modern systems.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with trailblazing Woppaburra woman, Angela Barney-Leitch, live from the Human Rights Summit on Yagara Country. From growing up in Woodridge to becoming the first Aboriginal woman appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Queensland, Angela reflects on her incredible journey and the importance of cultural leadership in institutions like QUT.

I yarn with proud Widjabul Wia-bal woman Larissa Baldwin-Roberts — a lifelong community organiser, strategist, and changemaker. From growing up in Lismore surrounded by stories of resistance and survival, to leading major campaigns on climate, justice, and rights, Larissa shares how her family’s legacy shaped her political thinking and commitment to grassroots action.

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