Ever met someone that is magnetic, inspiring and authentic and can be described as an elegantly strong woman? Taliah Payne is that to a T!

In this episode I sit down with the unstoppable Taliah Payne, a Nimanburr, Djugan and Yawuru woman who’s rebuilt herself more times than most people realise. She takes us into the real stuff, growing up in chaos, losing her voice as a kid, being homeless at uni and landing on her auntie’s doorstep with nothing but hope.

We talk about the women who held her up, her incredible and inspiring three-week First Nations leadership trip across the US, and how she finished a four-year degree that took fourteen years without ever quitting on herself. Taliah’s honesty around empathy, resilience and finding your voice again is one that will have you listening to the very end.

If her story resonates with you, come tell me over on Insta @officiallyemmayoung what’s something you’ve had to own about yourself lately? I want to hear it.

In this episode we cover:

• Taliah shares how two aunties and her sister Jordan completely changed the direction of her life.
• She opens up about being homeless at uni and finding safety with family who took her in.
• We talk about her three-week First Nations leadership program in the US, meeting across four states and learning about protocol with the US Govt, treaties and meeting members from the Osage Nation.
• Taliah talks about taking 14 years to finish a four-year degree and why she never let go of that promise to herself.
• She reflects on losing her voice as a child and the moment she finally reclaimed it in court at 21.
• We explore her leadership style rooted in empathy, compassion and backing other women.
• Rapid-fire fun: dream dinner guests, secret past jobs, and why she’d be a pilot if heights didn’t scare the shit out of her.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Instagram: @officiallyemmayoung
• Emma the Celebrant