Communities around the world are shifting the narrative, and more people—especially here in Australia—are seeking to educate themselves on indigenous rights, cultures, and voices. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in these stories than by tuning in to podcasts created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
These podcasts not only offer valuable insights and perspectives but also provide a platform for celebrating indigenous storytelling. While there are many incredible options out there, we’ve rounded up our absolute favorites. Get those headphones on because here are the best podcasts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices that you need to listen to right now.
Word Up
Australia has over 500 different clan groups or nations, all of which hold their own distinctive cultures, belief systems, laws and language. Word Up is the podcast bringing these languages back to life, so to speak, and is currently presented by Gamilaraay woman Rudi Bremer. Sharing the diverse languages of black Australia, episodes hone in on languages spanning everywhere from Anmatyerre to Arrente to Yankunytjatjara and Yorta Yorta, one word at a time. You’ll learn about important words, hear stories from elders and songs too.
Awaye!
This awesome show is led by the excellent Rudi Bremer, a proud Gamilaraay woman, and features a vibrant and vast array of Aboriginal people and their stories, showcasing their rich history of arts and different cultures. Produced weekly, Awaye! features a broad range of topics from Blak burlesque to the prevalence of Deb balls within community. We think it’s simply a must-listen and a great way to broaden your horizons to get our there and support more awesome indigenous art.
TalkBlack
This has to be one of our all-time favourite podcasts to date; no question. With episodes spanning information about the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the 2022 federal election, voting rights and Invasion Day, TalkBlack is a podcast is all about truth-telling, black politics and protests.
Coming Out, Blak
Hosted by Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi woman Matika Little, and Courtney Hagen, a Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi woman, Coming Out, Blak is an absolute must listen. Dedicated to supporting and celebrating First Nations people in the LGBTQIA+ community, each ep features interviews that shine a light on the triumphs, lessons and learnings of their guests. One of our favourite eps is with the uber talented Jojo Zaho, who revealed how he got into drag and what it was like growing up in a regional town as a young, gay and indigenous man. Bless your ears with this thought-provoking podcast right here.
Speaking Out
A podcasted version of an ABC Radio National program, this is perfect if you don’t often find yourself near a terrestrial radio at the right time. Chair of Indigenous Research at the Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning at the University of Technology, Sydney, proud Gamilaroi/Eualeyai woman Larissa Behrendt presents this fascinating account of politics, arts and culture from many and varied indigenous voices and perspectives. Grab your weekly dose of education here.
Search Engine Sex
We’ve all been there—typed a sex question into Google that we’re too embarrassed to ask our mates. Fortunately, Rowdie Walden is here to help, with his hilarious and informative series, Search Engine Sex. Throughout the series Gamilaroi man Walden, along with various special guests, will deep dive to answer some of the most searched sex and relationship questions. Nothing is off limits here, think: how to navigate porn in a relationship, a guide to edging and how to spot red flags—and it’s all told in Walden’s hilarious way. Get clued up with all the episodes here.
Black Magic Woman With Mundanara Bayles
Hosted by Mundanara Bayles, put Black Magic Woman to the top of your list. Featuring open and uplifting conversations with First Nations people, creating a better understanding of First Nations people’s culture and history—this podcast is an absolute treat. Bayles yarns with everyone from Wiradjuri elder Uncle David Bell, founder of Young Spirit Mentoring Program, Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia and Dr Anita Heiss. Have a listen here.
Yarning Up With Caroline Kell
Helmed by a proud Mbarbrum woman, you need to check out Caroline Kell’s brilliant podcast Yarning Up, featuring insightful conversations with First Nations leaders, thinkers, creators, activists and entrepreneurs. Guests include Kamilaroi man and lifestyle coach Jeffrey Morgan and Yorta Yorta woman and founder of Yarli Creative (one of our faves) Madison Connors. Together, Kell and her guests will help you learn and unlearn Australia’s history. Listen to Yarning Up here.
Unapologetically Blak
We can’t get enough of this podcast from Gamilaraay woman Ginny (who is also the founder and designer of the amazing Ginny’s Girl Gang) and her mates Mara and Will. Unapologetically Blak seeks to place indigenous voices at the front and centre of tough conversations to show Australia a new narrative of First Nations experiences in contemporary society. The trio will laugh and cry as they discuss topics that for too long have been placed into the “too hard basket” such as exploring black identity, mental health and heartbreak. Bless your ears right here.
Blacademia
Gamilaroi woman Amy Thunig-McGregor launched her podcast, Blacademia, in 2020 and much to our great joy, dropped the first episodes of a new season late last year. As an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies at Macquarie University, lecturing and researching in the area of indigenous knowledge and formal education systems, Thunig is sharing her knowledge and passion for her culture with listeners. In each ep, Thunig chats with First Nations academics including Gamilaraay woman and astrophysicist Karlie Noon, who was the first Aboriginal person on the East coast of Australia to graduate with a combined Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Science. Add this thoughtful and inspiring Indigenous podcast to your playlist, stat!
Take It Blak
Take It Blak, from the NITV News Online team, explores the stories behind the news. Hosted by Goori journalist Jack Latimore and Wiradjuri STEM journalist Rae Johnston, episodes tackle topics like Black History Month, COVID-19 and International Woman’s Day as well as profiling indigenous people who are doing amazing things for their community. As well as guest stars popping by for a chat, there’s also mini eps called Short Blak featuring chats with the likes of human rights lawyer and principle solicitor of the National Justice Project (NJP) George Newhouse. There’s a wellspring of worthwhile conversations in this feed; a wonderful education resource.
Deadly Voices From The House
Hosted by Bundjalung actor, journo and arts guru Rhoda Roberts, Deadly Voices From The House was recorded live from Sydney’s Opera House and features an epic selection of guest appearances from prominent indigenous leaders in the world of art, music and culture. In the podcast Roberts and her guests talk through critical issues facing the Indigenous community. Roberts has also featured a few miniseries within Deadly Voices such as Letters To Cook, featuring poetry, conversations and interviews around the 250 years since the first Australians saw Lieutenant James Cook’s HMS Endeavour arriving to lay claim to their land and a music series featuring some wonderful performances.
Debutante: Race, Resistance and Girl Power
Not so much a podcast but a single, three-hour episode, we just had to include this epic listen. You may not know it, but Aboriginal debutantes go way back to the 1950s and continue to today. Bringing this to our attention are frequent collaborators, amazing playwright and actor Nakkiah Lui and brilliant actor Miranda Tapsell, who have once again teamed up, this time to create the podcast Debutante: Race, Resistance and Girl Power. Here, you can join them on their journey through Debs, starting with etiquette lessons in London right through to how this became a tradition adopted by First Nations women.
Image Credit: Coming Out Blak
