At 23, everything changed. In this yarn, I sit down with a proud Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji man, Ian Lacey, who opens up about losing his dream of playing professional rugby league and how that moment of failure became the turning point that shaped his life’s work. From sitting down with Wayne Bennett after a career-ending mistake, to navigating the pressure of leadership in community, Ian shares what it really takes to rebuild, stay grounded, and back yourself when things don’t go to plan.

We also dive into the deeper purpose behind his work — creating pathways through sport, supporting mob in community, and building something bigger than the game itself. This yarn is about resilience, accountability, and understanding that sometimes the biggest setbacks can open the right doors — if you’re willing to learn from them.

Key Themes

• 00:00 Losing a lifelong dream and the moment everything shifted
• 03:15 Learning from mistakes and building self-belief
• 08:40 Pressure, accountability, and leading in community
• 18:20 Life after sport — identity, purpose, and transition
• 24:10 Creating pathways through sport and giving back
• 32:30 Advice for young mob chasing high-performance sport

Resources

• Arthur Beetson Foundation → https://arthurbeetsonfoundation.com/
• 13YARN (24/7 support) → https://www.13yarn.org.au
• Lifeline Australia → https://www.lifeline.org.au

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this yarn, I sit down with Courtney Ugle, a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman, to talk about identity, grief, and the strength it takes to keep showing up. Courtney reflects on losing both of her parents, the ongoing impact of that loss, and how her mum continues to guide her in the work she does today. This is a powerful conversation about what it means to carry love and pain at the same time, and how our stories can shape who we become.

Courtney also shares how she found her voice through storytelling, advocacy, and football, and how her social enterprise, Waangkiny — meaning “talking” — is creating change in the space of domestic and family violence. We yarn about identity, being questioned as a fair-skinned Blak woman, and why lived experience is a powerful tool for leadership and impact. This episode is about truth-telling, healing, and the strength that comes from owning your story.

Key Themes

04:20 — Losing her mum and navigating grief into adulthood

11:10 — Finding her voice through storytelling and advocacy

23:40 — Domestic and family violence as a national crisis

31:15 — Identity, colourism and being questioned as a fair-skinned Blak woman

49:10 — Waangkiny and turning lived experience into impact

Resources

• 1800RESPECT – https://www.1800respect.org.au
• Lifeline – https://www.lifeline.org.au
• Our Watch – https://www.ourwatch.org.au

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s episode, I sit down with proud Wiradjuri woman Aisha Wighton, who recently stepped onto one of the biggest global platforms as a contestant on Australian Survivor. From growing up in Condobolin to navigating the modelling, acting and social work industries, Aisha shares what it means to take up space as a young Black woman in spaces where representation still matters deeply. Together, we yarn about resilience, visibility and the courage it takes to back yourself — even when the path ahead feels uncertain.

Aisha also reflects on the intense physical and emotional realities of life on the island, processing personal challenges while competing, and returning home with a renewed sense of clarity and strength. This is an honest conversation about identity, ambition and refusing to be boxed in — whether that’s in reality TV, the acting industry or in everyday life.

Key Themes

• 24:40 — Being unapologetically Black and visible on mainstream television

• 14:10 — Surviving physically and mentally on Survivor

• 32:30 — Racism, beauty standards and growing up wanting to change her skin

• 10:05 — Breaking into modelling and acting — and resisting tokenism in casting

• 06:50 — Chasing dreams, relocating and stepping into a new chapter at 30

Resources

• Watch Australian Survivor → https://10play.com.au/australian-survivor

• Follow Aisha Wighton → https://www.instagram.com/aisha_wighton

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is in partnership with the Australian Government.

In this yarn, I sit down with mother and daughter Karla and Lowanna Grant to talk about what legacy really means in our communities — not just in terms of money, but in culture, stories, opportunity and security. We reflect on the journeys that shaped them, from growing up in Housing Commission and witnessing sacrifice, to working hard to create stability and independence for the next generation. It’s a powerful reminder that generational wealth for First Nations people is deeply connected to identity, resilience and the responsibility to carry knowledge forward.

We also unpack the realities of home ownership, the pressures of cost of living, and the dreams many of our mob hold about creating a safe space to call their own. Karla shares what it meant to buy her first home and the security that brought her young family, while Lowanna reflects on forging her own path — following in her mother’s footsteps while building something uniquely hers. This episode is about perseverance, listening to our Elders, and creating pathways so the next generation can step forward with strength and pride.

Key Themes

06:00 Listening and learning from Elders Karla speaks about being taught to observe and listen as a young girl
15:00 Walking in your parents’ footsteps while making your own mark Lowanna reflects on finding her voice in media
22:30 What generational wealth means for First Nations families culture, language and stories as legacy
29:30 Creating security through home ownership and hard work Karla shares buying her first home
36:00 Cost of living pressures and dreaming of owning a home Lowanna on independence and responsibility
44:00 Advice for the next generation resilience, saving and setting goals

Resources

Living Black (SBS) → https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/news-series/living-black
Access Granted podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/37bKl1269TIB5AkDzkF9Fj?si=4eeb46e663d74285

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Mundanara sits down with the three hosts of the Bros and Cons podcast — former gang members who once made headlines for crime and are now mentoring young people, building businesses, and reshaping what strength and leadership look like.

Jayleks, Malik and Ronnie speak candidly about prison, rap culture, identity and the turning point that led them back to family, heritage and purpose. They unpack media stigma, masculinity, broken families and the responsibility that comes with influence — choosing growth over ego and legacy over reputation.

A raw and honest yarn about transformation, accountability and standing proud for your people.

Resources & Links

🎙️ Listen to Bros and Cons

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/search/bros%20and%20cons

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bros+and+cons+podcast

Justice System Reintegration

Community Restorative Centre (NSW)
Support for people leaving prison and rebuilding their lives.
https://www.crcnsw.org.au

SHINE for Kids
Supports children and families impacted by incarceration.
https://shineforkids.org.au

Young Men, Mentoring & Identity

PCYC Australia
Youth programs, sport, leadership and community support.
https://www.pcyc.org.au

Street University
Creative programs for young people navigating disadvantage.
https://www.streetuni.org

Men’s Mental Health & Support

MensLine Australia
Support for men navigating relationships, identity and life challenges.
https://mensline.org.au

13YARN (for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples)
24/7 culturally safe crisis support.
https://www.13yarn.org.au

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2 opens with human rights and discrimination lawyer Prabha Nandagopal.

In this straight-talking yarn, Prabha reflects on the moments that shaped her — from working with asylum seekers in detention and contributing to landmark workplace reform inquiries, to navigating cultural expectations, divorce and solo motherhood. We unpack accountability, workplace culture, systemic change and what real leadership looks like under pressure.

New format. Same powerful yarns.

Resources & Links

• Elevate Consulting Partners – https://www.elevateconsultingpartners.com.au/

• Respect@Work: Sexual Harassment National Inquiry Report (2020) – https://www.humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/document/publication/ahrc_wsh_report_2020.pdf

• Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (‘Set the Standard’ Report) – https://humanrights.gov.au/CPWReview

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Best Of episode, I revisit some of the most powerful moments from my yarn with Nooky — a conversation that moves between music, culture, grief, and survival.

We reflect on the making of his album with 3%, including the collaborations that shaped it and the intention behind centring cultural history and awareness. The iconic album artwork featuring Nicky Winmar stands as a defining moment in the discussion — a symbol of resistance, strength, and truth-telling in the face of racism.

Nooky also speaks candidly about his personal journey through grief and addiction, and how community became central to his healing. His commitment to creating space for mob is evident through initiatives like We Are Warriors and his film trilogy centred on the black cockatoo — stories grounded in mentorship, culture, and passing knowledge to the next generation.

We also touch on friendship, connection, and shared cultural spaces, including his relationship with The Kid Laroi, highlighting how community and identity continue to shape Indigenous voices in music.

This Best Of yarn is a reminder of the power of storytelling — and how resilience, culture, and music can be tools for change, advocacy, and collective strength.

Links & Resources:

• We are Warriors - https://www.wearewarriors.com.au/
• 3% - https://amnplify.com.au/first-nations-collective-3-nooky-dallas-woods-angus-field-share-new-single-video-wont-stop-feat-jessica-mauboy-ahead-of-debut-album-kill-the-dead/
• Blakout with Nooky - https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/blak-out

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is in partnership with the Australian Government.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I yarn with the deadly Amanda Sibosado, a proud Wardandi and Bard woman, PhD candidate, and long-time sexual health educator.

Amanda joins me from Whadjuk Noongar Country to talk honestly about sexual health in our communities — from the gaps many of us experienced growing up, to why STIs like syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are on the rise. We break down what STI testing actually involves, why confidentiality matters, and why relying on symptoms alone can be risky.

We also yarn deeply about shame — how it shows up, how our mob push through it every day, and how we can use that same strength to look after our bodies, have safer conversations, and support our young people. This episode goes beyond prevention and treatment, touching on healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, and the role we all play as parents, aunties, uncles and community.

This conversation is for our young people, our families, and anyone who’s ever felt unsure or embarrassed about sexual health. Knowledge is power, testing saves lives, and our mob deserve culturally safe care.

For trusted information and resources, visit health.gov.au/sti/first-nations.

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.