Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

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, [email protected] 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, [email protected] 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 girl15:00 Walking in your parents’ footsteps while making your own mark Lowanna reflects on finding her voice in media22:30 What generational wealth means for First Nations families culture, language and stories as legacy29:30 Creating security through home ownership and hard work Karla shares buying her first home36:00 Cost of living pressures and dreaming of owning a home Lowanna on independence and responsibility44:00 Advice for the next generation resilience, saving and setting goals Resources Living Black (SBS) → https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/news-series/living-blackAccess 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, [email protected] 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 KidsSupports children and families impacted by incarceration.https://shineforkids.org.au Young Men, Mentoring & Identity PCYC AustraliaYouth programs, sport, leadership and community support.https://www.pcyc.org.au Street UniversityCreative programs for young people navigating disadvantage.https://www.streetuni.org Men’s Mental Health & Support MensLine AustraliaSupport 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, [email protected] 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, [email protected] 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, [email protected] omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.