In this special episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, proudly brought to you by NRMA Insurance, Mundanara yarns with Rory Chapman—a proud Wiradjuri/Ngemba man, founder of Embrace Tech, and the trusted IT partner behind BlackCard’s digital transformation. Based on Kabi Kabi Country, Rory shares how his purpose-led tech company supports First Nations organisations across the country with accessible, high-quality IT services.

From growing up around his family’s computer store to launching a culturally grounded tech business that now powers BlackCard’s new eLearning platform, Rory offers powerful insights into cybersecurity, intergenerational wealth, and the role of culture in entrepreneurship. He speaks candidly about the challenges of running a business, staying connected to community, and building a future where more mob thrive in the tech industry.

Whether you're in business, dreaming of it, or simply curious about the intersections of tech, culture, and community—this episode is full of inspiration, strategy, and strength.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• Embrace Tech Official Website: https://www.embracetech.au/

• About Rory Chapman: https://www.embracetech.au/about-us

• Rory Chapman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorychapman/

• Welcome to Country – Rory Chapman: https://www.welcometocountry.com/pages/rory-chapman

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.

We’re throwing it back to our most downloaded episode of all time—a powerful and eye-opening yarn with proud Kabi Kabi and South Sea Islander man, Isaac Harrison.

Isaac shares his deeply personal story—his family’s roots in blackbirding and survival, his experience navigating identity across cultures, and his remarkable journey from the sugar cane fields of his ancestors to founding one of Australia’s most exciting renewable energy companies, Bunji Energy. We also talk about intergenerational wealth gaps, the legacy of slavery in Queensland, and how love and resilience continue to shape our communities.

This episode is rich with truth-telling, laughter, and vision—highlighting the strength of Blak entrepreneurship, the importance of cultural grounding, and why we must invest in First Nations youth and futures on our terms

Recommendations throughout this episode:

https://deadlydiscussionspodcast.com

http://bunjilenergy.com.au

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

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/black-magic-woman.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re revisiting one of our most powerful and thought-provoking yarns—with the legendary Uncle Bruce Pascoe. A proud Bunurong, Tasmanian, and Yuin man, Uncle Bruce is a celebrated author, historian, and farmer, best known for his groundbreaking book Dark Emu. In this episode, we dive deep into the truth-telling of our past, and the future we can create through Indigenous knowledge, self-determination, and sustainable land practices.

Uncle Bruce shares stories of resilience, the revival of traditional Aboriginal agriculture, and the importance of defining ourselves—on our own terms. From revitalising native grains on his farm to pushing back against systemic racism and the myth of the ‘hunter-gatherer’, this conversation is as inspiring as it is urgent.

Whether this is your first listen or a return to a favourite, this yarn reminds us why truth-telling and cultural knowledge must be at the heart of Australia’s journey forward.

Recommendations throughout this episode:

• Books by Bruce Pascoe:

  • Dark Emu – Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?
    https://www.magabala.com/products/dark-emu

  • Young Dark Emu – A Truer History
    https://www.magabala.com/products/young-dark-emu

  • Loving Country: A Guide to Sacred Australia (co-authored with Vicky Shukuroglou)
    https://www.hardiegrant.com/au/publishing/bookfinder/book/loving-country-by-bruce-pascoe/9781741176483

  Agricultural & Cultural Projects:

  • Black Duck Foods – Indigenous social enterprise reviving traditional food systems
    https://blackduckfoods.com.au

  Educational Resources:

  • First Australians – SBS Documentary Series
    https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/first-australians

  • Dark Emu Study Guide – Reading Australia
    https://readingaustralia.com.au/books/dark-emu/

  • AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
    https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia

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 special replay takes us back to one of the very first episodes of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, originally recorded in 2020. Uncle Mick Gooda—respected Gungalu and Yiman man, former Social Justice Commissioner, and long-time advocate for our mob—joins Mundanara for a powerful yarn about truth-telling, sovereignty, the history of missions like Taroom and Purga, and the legacy of community-driven education through the Murri School.

In a time when COVID-19 was redefining how we stayed connected, this episode reminded us of our resilience and adaptability—and those lessons still ring true today.

We’re working hard behind the scenes to bring you new and exciting weekly episodes, so thanks for sticking with us while we get back into the swing of things.

Recommendations throughout this episode:

https://humanrights.gov.au/about/commissioners/mick-gooda-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-social-justice-commissioner

https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/council/mick-gooda.html

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.

In this episode, I sit down with the deadly Elijah McDonald – a proud a Noongar|Yamatji|Pitta-Pitta man from WA– who’s part of the team behind Blaktasia: Invasion of the Merk, Australia’s first-ever Aboriginal-led mobile game.

I caught up with Elijah fresh from Yabun Festival on Gadigal Country, where he and his team were showcasing Blaktasia and spreading the word about this groundbreaking project. Made by mob, for mob, this game isn’t just about fantasy and fun – it’s about reconnecting with Country, fighting back the darkness with mulga magic, and seeing our stories and faces represented in digital spaces.

We yarn about Elijah’s journey from playing games with his dad to studying Game Art and Design at TAFE, and how he landed a role at Guck – a majority Blak-owned company making big waves in the gaming world. This was such a refreshing convo – I’ve never had a game developer on the podcast before, and Elijah is leading the way for young First Nations creatives in the tech space.

If you’re a young fulla dreaming of a future in gaming, design or digital storytelling – or just curious about how culture and coding can come together – this one’s for you.

And the best part? Blaktasia is 100% free – no ads, no microtransactions. Just pure Blak brilliance.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• Follow Blaktasia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blaktasia_game

• Follow Blaktasia on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blaktasia_game

• Follow Blaktasia on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/blaktasia_game

• Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blaktasiagame

• Learn more about Guck: https://www.guck.com.au

• Indigenous Game Developers (IGEA article): https://igea.net/2022/10/indigenous-game-developers

• CSIRO Indigenous STEM Programs: https://www.csiro.au/en/education/programs/Indigenous-STEM

• Indigitek – Mob in Tech & Innovation: https://indigitek.org.au

• Unity Learn (Free Game Dev Tutorials): https://learn.unity.com

• Unreal Engine Learning Portal: https://dev.epicgames.com/community/learning

• Roblox Studio (Create Your Own Games): https://create.roblox.com

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.

In this episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I yarn with two deadly young changemakers, Brianne Yarran and Jeremy Last, who are part of the Culture Is Life Fullaship Program. Brianne, a proud Noongar woman from Ballardong, Whadjuk, and Wagyl Kaip Country, and Jeremy, a proud Wangkangurru, Yankunytjatjara, and APY Lands man currently living on Kaurna Country, share their journeys through the Fullaship experience.

We talk about how the Fullaship supports young mob through leadership development, cultural connection, and personal growth—all without financial barriers. Bri and Jeremy reflect on the opportunities they've had to visit different First Nations communities, learn from respected Elders like Aunty Steph and Uncle Kenny Bedford, and gain tools to strengthen their mental health with support from Abstar Consulting.

This conversation is filled with wisdom and practical insight—not just for young mob, but also for organisations and allies wanting to back First Nations excellence in meaningful ways.

✨ Learn more about the Culture Is Life Fullaship Program:
https://cultureislife.org/fullaship/

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.

In this special episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast, I sit down with two incredible young leaders, Koby Sellings and Joel Matysek, who are part of the Culture is Life Fullaship Program. Recorded at iHeart Studios on Yuggera and Turrbal Country, this yarn dives deep into the personal journeys of these two deadly fullas and how the Fullaship has shaped their growth, leadership, and connection to culture.

The Fullaship is a 12-month program open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Young People who are on a journey to become community leaders, role models and mentors. The Fullaship provides personal and professional development pathways for Young People to continue their own journey of cultural, personal, and professional growth and development.

Koby and Joel share their motivations for joining the program, the importance of stepping outside their comfort zones, and the powerful relationships they've built while travelling to different mobs' Countries. We talk about the value of culture, community and the courage it takes to embrace new opportunities, especially for young mob finding their path.

If you're a young First Nations person looking to grow personally and professionally—or if you're just looking for some inspiration—this episode is filled with wisdom, reflection, and encouragement to take that next step.

Resources & Links

🌐 Culture is Life – Fullaship Program Info:
Learn more about the Culture is Life Fellowship Program and how to apply:
https://cultureislife.org/fullaship/

🌐 Culture is Life Official Website:
Explore more programs, resources, and initiatives supporting First Nations young people:
https://cultureislife.org/

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 of the Black Magic Woman Podcast is a little different—we’ve switched things up! Instead of me hosting, I’m in the guest seat while my sister Kate Russell takes over the mic to interview me.

We yarn about my journey—personally and professionally—from growing up in a family deeply connected to media and activism to creating the Black Magic Woman Podcast and building BlackCard, a business that has been helping organisations engage meaningfully with First Nations people and culture.

I also talk about the role Supply Nation has played in BlackCard’s growth, from those early days of hustling and cold calling to landing our first major contracts. I share the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous businesses, the importance of relationships in business, and how mob can make the most of networks like Supply Nation.

We also dive into lessons I’ve learned along the way, my experience working with major brands, and a recent moment where I helped guide Jamie Oliver through cultural accountability.

This is something I’ve never done before—sharing my own story in this way. So if you’ve ever wondered about the person behind the mic and how BlackCard became what it is today, this one’s for you. I hope you enjoy it!

Links & Resources:

BlackCard Official Website: https://www.theblackcard.com.au/
BlackCard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theblackcard/

Supply Nation Official Website: https://supplynation.org.au/

📺 Jamie Oliver & Cultural Accountability

Exclusive Interview with Nerelda Jacobs on 10 News: https://10play.com.au/news (Search “Jamie Oliver First Nations interview”)

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.