In this episode, Caroline is joined by model, actress, poet and activist Guyala Bayles. Guyala is a proud Birri Gubba and Wonnarua woman. At only 21 years old, she has a very impressive portfolio under her belt, working with iconic Australian brands like Country Road, David Jones and Cotton On. Guyala’s trailblazing efforts to make Aboriginal faces seen and heard in Australia’s media landscape are inspired by her family. Her grandfather Tiga Bayles had a passion for amplifying First Nation’s voices and stories, which led him to become a driving force in the creation of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and the National Indigenous Radio Service in Queensland. Her Grandmother Maureen Watson was also an avid supporter of Aboriginal rights in Australia, alongside her work as a renowned actor, vocalist, writer and storyteller.
With such a strong family legacy, Caroline talks to Guyala about the complicated dance that is embracing the path forged by her ancestors while also growing into her own person with her own beliefs and ways of being. Guyala reflects on her numerous past projects, including her starring role in the Australian film 6 Festivals, as well as looks to the future with her new found passion of storytelling through music. They yarn over a shared challenge of wearing many hats, and the importance of filling your own cup first in order to best help others.
To keep up to date with all the deadly work Guyala is doing, make sure to follow her on social media:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and don’t forget to follow the show!
Follow Caroline on Instagram @blak_wattle_coaching and learn more about working with Caroline here!
We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s First Peoples’ who have never ceded their sovereignty. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation where the podcast was taped. We pay our deepest respects to Traditional Owners across Australia and Elders past, present and emerging.
This podcast was brought to you by On Track Studio.
For advertising opportunities please email hello@ontrackstudio.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This podcast is brought to you by on Track Studio.
Welcome to Yanni Up, the podcast that showcases First Nations
stories and conversations to help us learn and unlearn Australia's
history to work towards a better future. I'm your host,
(00:26):
proud barber woman and founder of Black Waddel Coaching and Consulting,
Caroline cow. We acknowledge the rundery people and elders where
this podcast is taped, but we also acknowledge the lands
that you are listening in from today. It always was
and always will be unseated aboriginal and tourist Red Islander Land.
(00:54):
While I am so excited about today's guest, I must
admit I am like a super fangirl for so many reasons.
You know, this is just someone who is so multifaceted,
so powerful, so deadly, and I'm just so grateful that
you're connecting with me today's sis. Thank you so much
(01:16):
for being here guy, Alla Bales. I'm so excited for
today's yarn.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh, thank you so much for having me sis. I'm
really excited too. I feel like before we started we
were having a little fangirl moment over each other.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Isn't that a really beautiful thing about mob though, Like
we sort of we get to like see what we're
all doing, and we all feel each other's energy, even
you know, in different states, different parts or collectively, So
thank you. The feeling is so so reciprocal. I love it.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I love that we can celebrate each other in all
of our successes.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So, New Year twenty twenty four, I want to just ask,
maybe straight off the bat, you know, how are you
doing settling into this new year?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Oh? Well, first, before we get into the new year,
last year was bloody crazy. I feel like I took
some time for myself and really kind of re evaluated
what was important to me and re energized, rejuvenated, did
some healing and tried to I guess, yeah, get rid
of the last year so that I can be present
in this new year and get started on, yeah, what's
(02:21):
important to me and more passions of mine. So it's
been really good. I've absolutely loved getting into the new
year and getting into so many different things. I was
really happy to get rid of last year because that
was not my year.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
We can put that one in the bin. I'm hearing
isis and yeah, I can feel it. I can feel
the energy and radiating. As we always do on this show.
We always like to start by getting to know you.
So I want to ask you my sis. You know,
who is your mob and where did you go up?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, so I grew up in Miangen. I'm a Wannerer
and burygather woman, but all my mob come from Theodore
also Wonnerall Country Singleton, New South Wales. So I got
to Queensland, you know, Murray and Corey side in me.
So when you know the NRL comes on, I don't
really don't think a sighte. We was moving around a lot,
(03:12):
you know, through all of my childhood. I remember just
always having to travel in the car, driving up and down,
you know, Queensland to New South Wales, visiting all the
family along the way. And the reason being is because
my mum had a couple of domestic violent relationships that
she was in and we've seen a lot. Me and
my twin sister grew up kind of in a bit
of a broken home. But I was very grateful and
(03:34):
glad and blessed to have a very strong cultural background
with my family. So you know, even though all of
those things were happening, I guess we always had mob
there supporting us, looking after us, always making sure that
we was right. I feel like, looking back at all
of that, I wouldn't change it for the world because
it shaped me into the woman I am today. And
even though some really triggering, traumatizing things happened, I get
(03:57):
to inspire other mob who have also you know, maybe
had the same story or similar upbringing to me and
be like, you know what, even though we do come
from these broken homes, we don't have to continue that.
We don't have to be the past. You know, we
don't have to stay in that trauma. We can heal
ourselves and we can love ourselves so who we are
and appreciate that even though those things happened, we are
(04:19):
good people and we can make a really good light
situation out of a dark one.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
My ses, my cis, I mean, thank you for like
sharing and being so open and honest about that. I
think about that too. With our family, you know, Mum
will be one o six and we were moving around
a lot. But the beautiful thing is similarly, we've got
many loves and many places that we get to call
home and each part and like evolution and journey of moving,
(04:44):
you get to experience new parts of your family, your community, yourself. Obviously,
those things are really hard times as well, watching family
go through that and watching our women being treated like that.
But I've had to do a lot of work of
not being a prisoner of mum's past or mum's story
and like trying to create new ways that I want
(05:05):
to live my life on my terms.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
And that can be hard sometimes too, you know, growing
up and people always saying, oh, you get that from
your mum. Well, you know all the positives as well,
you also get quite a lot of the negatives here
in there. You know, you grow up seeing your mum
and getting into all these crazy things, and I think
as a child, especially being a blackfella, you take on
a lot of those things that you probably shouldn't, and
(05:27):
especially the transgenerational trauma that passes through you know, like
from generation to generation. Sometimes you don't understand or know
why you may be feeling down or really negative, or
you may have toxic habits or traits and things like that.
But you know, it's I think it's important to understand
that and to release, you know, your mum's trauma, and
to be open with each other and have a really
(05:47):
good relationship and be able to speak openly about these
things so that we can heal, because I feel like
that's a bit of a taboo kind of thing to
talk about, you know, with your parents, your upbringing and
bringing things up. It can be challenging, it can be
really hard, but it's also really healing.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Absolutely, And like you says this, it's yeah, having the
courage to have those conversations without shaming them for their decisions,
trying to just accept things as they are and just
that they did the bloody best they could and they've
raised some beautiful titters and you know you got you
got the biggest mob too, hey, like you say, I do.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, on both mom and Dad's side, it's it's so big.
I'm constantly running into new mob and they'll be like,
you know, we're related, and I'm like, oh really, Like.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Wow, okay, so you're still you're set up in the
engine now.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
I am.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I don't think I'll ever leave my home. I was
born here, raised here, but you know, I also spend
some time on Gadigle Country and That'll always be my
second home and I'll always go back there and stay
on the block with all my family or my Coury
mom there, So shout out all your Corey mob.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Look out there, Murray and Coury fire there, best of
both worlds. So this podcast, Yearning Up signed to Black Cast,
which is the first First Nations podcast in the world,
really like led and founded and advocated from your auntie,
Mandanara Mara Bales. Big shout out, as I was saying
(07:15):
when we were off air, when I met Mandanara maybe
like four or five years ago, you know, she just
takes you under her wing. You know, that's just this
Black women generosity and love the network which is just
so profound, Like you know black followers are, We're storytellers
and we weave through stories every day. And for her
(07:36):
to solidify this network to get signed with iHeart like,
it's just huge Mara's work. It's not by coincidence, of course,
you know, her success in you know, setting up the network,
amplifying Black voices and stories, running her own show is
really inspired by your grandfather, your pop. But I wanted
to just see on a little bit about him. So
(07:58):
your pop was a respon First Nation's radio presenter, a
land rights activist, amongst many things. Tiger Bales and Tiger's
passion for hearing Aboriginal voices and stories in the Australian
media landscape led him to becoming involved in the establishment
of Radio Redfern in the nineteen eighties, later Brisbane Indigenous
(08:19):
Media and the establishment of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association
and the National Indigenous Radio Service in Queensland. When I
was looking at all of the things that you know,
your pop has done, I was just truly blown away.
I want to ask about that. I'm wondering if I
can understand, you know, in what ways has your family
(08:43):
influenced you know, the person that you are today.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So many beautiful things that I can see within my
family that I'm now kind of becoming, and I see
a lot of their traits that I now have, and
it's it's an honor a like, I honestly feel so
blessed to for my family and to be able to
see the kind of strength that they had growing up
and to break stereotypes, to be the first people to
(09:08):
be in these spaces and to be able to create
other opportunities for mob to be proud and to be
safe and to share their voices is so so special,
and I think it's so important to always remember that
and remember where they come from, but also remember where
they started. You know. I'm always about being humble and
always remembering the recognition, you know, and remembering where they
(09:32):
come from. And I guess, yeah, I'd get a little
bit emotional because you know a lot of my olders
that have built all these deadly things. You know, my grandfather,
my great grandmother, Mauran Watson, Uncle Ross, you know, they
all come from such strength and such I guess just
being proud in who they are, their identity, and I'd
always say it, I would never be the person that
(09:54):
I am if it wasn't for them, so grateful to
always have really deadly conversations and to continue to grow
and see you know the kind of things that they're
doing now, just from that one person starting something. You know,
it's deadly, it's really deadly.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
It's so special. Not a coincidence, hey, that we sort
of take up these legacies or pursuits that our ancestors,
our old ones, our grandparents did. They're always guiding us
through these things anyway, like we sometimes we don't even
have a choice. They're like proper stubborn ones.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh yeah, no, that's that's for sure. I feel like
we get put into so many different spaces and we
get titled all these things or labeled all these things
because of our family. And I think it's also important
to understand that you should take the time to really
understand who you are as a person before you take
on you know, your things from your family. You know,
and find out who you really are first and start
(10:46):
to I guess form your own opinions as well. I
think that's important.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, that's such a beautiful point about, Yeah, taking the
time to really get to know you and to value
yourself enough to take that time and to forge your
own values, maybe independent of your family, but yeah, it's
(11:13):
a journey we're all learning. And it's just so deadly
to hear about Yeah, your family and the trailblazers in
your mob, and yeah where you come from.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Oh yeah, I got some pretty big shoes to fill.
But I'm also reminded that, you know, there's no rush
to feel those shoes, you know. I think sometimes I'm
quite hard on myself, and especially coming from my family,
I feel at times that I'm not doing enough. But
I'm just starting to realize and understand and I guess
to take time for myself and to be kind to myself,
(11:51):
be loving to myself, and tell myself, you know, messages
of love and positivity and just being kind in ways
that you know. You don't have to live up to
these standards. You can create your own standards as long
as they're healthy ones.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You know, you are like a hugely multifaceted person and
you embody these amazing things. Imagine it will be kind
of tricky in your industry because you've got such a
public facing role to still stand in your truth. I mean,
you're an auntie, a sister, a model, an activist, You've
tried your hand in acting, which you slay, you're truth tellor,
(12:29):
you're an artist, amongst many other things. When we're doing
all of this stuff, it can be hard to find
ways to be kind to ourselves.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Oh one hundred percent. You're constantly kind of tearing yourself
down a little bit, you know, because I feel like
you have all these things that you get into and
so you think, oh, I've got to live up to them.
You know, I've got to create, I've got to continue
to be better and all these different things. But something
that I've realized is that I don't have to do
anything for anyone but myself, and that's been kind to
(12:58):
you know, me being true to who I am in
the most ugliest and the most beautiful ways as well.
You know, I think that's healthy, being able to understand.
But you don't always have to be perfect, and no
one's perfect. You don't have to be perfect at all,
you know, you just have to be you, be true,
be authentic, and things will fall into place naturally being
present and being content with you know, who you are
(13:19):
as a person now and not worrying about all these
crazy things or maybe the steps to even get there,
just kind of being comfortable with being who you are
and what you're doing now is okay.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
And I'm starting to acknowledge that it's so powerful hearing
you say that, like it sounds so simple, but it's
so it's not, you know, even hear it in like
the colonial capitalist way that we have to be the best,
and also to being a black fellow, we sometimes don't
have a choice, you know. We have to work double hard,
try just as much, jump over as many hurdles, and
(13:51):
we have a lot of like labor and responsibility. But yeah,
how do how do we get better at just being
with it? And if accepting that sometimes it's not necessarily
about the outcome, it's just about the journey and loving
yourself along the way and doing things we actually like
to do. You know, that's probably something we struggle with
(14:13):
the most, and not.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Doing the things that we think that people like seeing
us do. That's something that I'm starting to understand as well,
is that I don't have to continue to do the
things that people know me to do. I'm happy with
doing new things. I'm happy with doing things differently and
to not I guess, live up to everyone else's standards.
I've completely thrown that whole idea of trying to live
(14:37):
up to what people think. Who you are me personally,
I know who I am, I know where I come from,
So why would I want to try and be what
these people want me to be.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
And we're here for such a small time, you may
as well do the things that you love. When you
made that decision to be kinder to yourself and let
go of this idea of having to have it all
together and do what everyone else wants. Like, what did
you notice about yourself?
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I think it was last year when I realized that I,
deep down I don't think I was doing things for myself,
I think I was doing it more for others. And
when I realized that, the only reason why I realized
that was because I was so unhappy and I was
trying to put on this brave face. I was trying to,
you know, always smile and I guess tell everyone that
(15:22):
I'm okay, when deep down, I wasn't okay and I
was feeling, you know, proper shit about myself. And even
though that's you know, people see what's on the outside,
people don't see behind closed doors. People don't see what's
really going on in your life. They just kind of
see what's happening on social media or you know, they'll
see you face to face and think, oh, you know,
she's she's doing well, she looks happy. But you know,
(15:44):
deep down I wasn't happy and that was something that
I needed to change. And I think coming into this
new year, I realized that I needed to change a
lot of things up, and so I did. I made
that decision to start living for me and for my
family and for my community, but also just for me first.
And I think there's I just got. I got a
bit of a memory for my grandfather before he passed away.
(16:07):
I told him, I said, oh, I'm going to do
all these things for you, you know. I said, I'm
going to get signed to this agency, and I'm going
to make these decisions in my life and I'm going
to follow in your footsteps, and I'm going to do
it for you. Pop. And there was something that he
said that that'll always stick with me, and he said,
don't do it for me, do it for yourself. And
so I always remember that, and I think, you know what,
(16:27):
such simple words, but really really wise, you know. And
so I always just think about that whenever I do something,
or if I make a decision, or if I have
an opinion, I always think, am I doing these things
for others? Or am I doing it for myself? Because
if I'm doing it for others, then I'm not doing
it for the right reasons. And so always I think
it's important to check in with yourself. You know, it's
(16:49):
important to acknowledge, you know, the bad kind of habits
or the bad traits about yourself and be comfortable with
it as well, and be comfortable to let it go
because you know, at the end of the day, they're
not going to do you justice. They're not going to
help you. They're just going to kind of make you
look good for others, and that's not we're not about anymore.
I feel like, as a proud blackfellow, I want to
(17:11):
set a good example for the younger MOB especially, and
I think being real and being true in the most
ugliest parts as well is sometimes really important and it
can teach yourself and others so many lessons.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
You know, one of our biggest strength coming from MOB
is that we were a collective being. We exist in
relation to family, community, social causes, social justice, all of
these things. But you know, it takes a lot of
courage sometimes to choose yourself. But so many of our
women really do need to fill up our daily bags first. Yeah,
(17:45):
it's just it's so simple, but it's so powerful. And
what beautiful advice from your pop that I imagine would
ring to. And just when you made that decision, nothing
really changed except that you feel a bit better within yourself.
So many of us run around trying to fix everything
for everyone, and we do need to nurtureself a bit
more one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
If you're not looking after yourself, and how are you
going to look after your mob?
Speaker 1 (18:07):
You know?
Speaker 2 (18:08):
How are you going to be there for your family
or your friends. Such an important decision to make I feel,
especially being a black woman, we always try and be
there for others. We always try and fill other people's
cups or we're filling our cup but not doing it
in the right way. Yeah, it's important to always check
in with yourself and to remember that you've got to
change and make positive impacts on yourself so that you
(18:30):
can set a good example for others.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
So right, yes, you know, I think it is important
that we set good examples and good role models for
our younger generation about having the courage to say no
at times and that it doesn't make you selfish or
it's not shameful.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
You know.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
I think the capacity for us to love our families
and our communities is to tenant on the capacity for
us to also love ourselves. And I'm not saying it's
easy to set boundaries with the people that you love.
It's always going to feel gross, it's always going to
feel difficult, But at times, you know, we do have
(19:16):
to know when to step up and when to step back. Yeah,
there's are really powerful, powerful words, and I hope that
you know, for the ciss that are listening, and especially
our young ones that listen that in thinking about this
new year, like are there some things that you could
possibly let go of and say no to? That isn't
feeling your couple, You're just feeling like you're obliged to
do and setting yourself on that path. With all of
(19:38):
the things that you do, have you faced challenges in
balancing them all? Like is there parts of your identity
that you identify with more?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
I wear so many different hats, but I try and
always acknowledge whenever I'm in these different industries to be
there for that job, you know, So I try and
not bring other things or other I guess opinions, or
even other industries and clash them. If I'm there for
that job, or if I'm doing this today, or if
(20:09):
I'm you know, this person today, then that's who I'm
going to show up and be. So I feel like,
you know, even though I am all these things and
I do all these you know, really cool things, and
I do so many different things, it's important to understand
that before I am these titles, I am a I'm
a woman, you know, I'm a human being, and it's
okay to have all these different hats and to wear
(20:30):
them at once and to swap them over and change
them whenever you feel or whatever you know, it makes
you feel comfortable. And I think that that's something that
I'm still trying to understand, is that I don't have
to be all these things at once. It's okay to
be that, you know, that one thing that day, and
then tomorrow I may be doing other things. Like I
feel like, yeah, I do so many different things at
(20:51):
the moment, but I try really really hard to look
after myself first and then, you know, get into these things.
I think waking up early, you know, make sure that
you choose yourself before you do anything else. Meditating, stretching,
going for the jogs, like working out, doing things to
help you as a person, you know, refill your cup,
look after your spiritual, emotional, and mental well being before
(21:13):
you do any of these things. So that whenever you
do get any bookings or whenever you do have something
that shows up or you need to be there for
that thing, you're ready and you're ready to go, and
you're going to be there strong, and you're going to
be there proud, and you're going to do everything that
you possibly can to make sure that you're present and
be there for whatever it may be. So it can
be hard. Sometimes it can be a little bit tricky
(21:35):
and challenging. But I love a good challenge. And I think,
you know, it's good to be uncomfortable in situations because
that makes you grow as a person. So I try
and just live in that moment and be kind to
myself all the time, and learn new things and take
on new things, learn new tips so that I can
be all these different things. And yeah, just just being
(21:57):
okay with taking on certain things or in different industries.
And I don't always have to be all of these things.
I can just be gayala and that's okay. That's okay too.
If I don't want to be these things, it's all
right to change. It's all right to jump into many
different things, you know, just as long as you're happy.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
I really resonate with that so so much. I have
struggled with that. I think the western, capitalist, colonial world
kind of demands you to be a master and an expert.
People want to define you by this thing or that thing.
Where we're such complex interlational beings, and so the idea
that we would be defined by one thing or put
(22:35):
one thing out into the universe is like really far fetched.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Now, even just being defined by your title. I'm starting
to learn that before you are all these things, you've
got to know who you are as a person. And
you know, I've worked and seen, you know, in my
family and the kind of morals that they have, and
the things, the values and the things that you learn.
Even me doing at the moment, I'm doing some tour
training as well, so I'm doing Black cultural tools here
(23:00):
and meangin, which is really deadly. I've really loved that.
And something that I really love taking from you know,
those tours is before I start, I always say we're
going to do an introduction, and it's not about what
you do. It's about who you are as a person.
So I don't want to hear you know, what you
do for work, how much money you make, and all
these people that you know. I want to know who
you are as a person, Like where do your mob
(23:21):
come from? If you're a non indigenous person, what nationality
are you? How many kids do you have? And it's
beautiful to see that soon as you break down those
Western barriers, they're so comfortable and you're so comfortable, you know,
You've already built this relationship within five minutes, and they're
sharing things with their coworkers that they probably never would
(23:42):
have shared had they, you know, not taken this this
this too are or you know, this workshop and things
like that. So I think it's important for us to
understand that before our titles. It's it's important to understand
who you are as a person first, because we are
these people before we are these titles. And to not
live up to these Western ideas of all these titles.
You know, they can get so crazy at times and
(24:02):
make you feel like shit because you're not reaching that
point or you think that you're not living up to
that standard in that certain industry, when at the end
of the day, maybe you just need to take time
for yourself and just relax so that you can be
the best.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Person sis you are preaching like I'm just in total
or we are so not defined by our titles and
our accolades or even the things that we produce. It
is so much about learning to like yourself. You know,
we're first and foremost Aboriginal women. Where Barbara woman, I'm
a Walker, I'm a Wallace, I'm a Ross, And it
can be really easy to get swept up in this
(24:37):
idea of trying to be these things and then like
cutting ourselves off and not really getting to know ourselves.
The other thing you said there about introducing yourself, and
it's funny because as MOB, we say, you know, who
are you? Aware? Your mob like and we connect you.
And it's also like a sense of responsibility. When I
say I'm a Barbara woman, I'm a Wallace, I'm a Walker,
(24:57):
It's like I'm coming into this space with my old
ones behind me, and it's a sense of responsibility, but
it's a way of being like, I see you, you know,
I see who you are. And that's one of the
beautiful things about what you do with Black Card and
why MOB need to be front and centering in healing
and teaching and guiding and mentor because we have so
(25:19):
much to offer non Aboriginal people around just that sense
of connection and community. Hey, because everyone's got a story,
everyone comes from a lineage, everyone comes from something, and
so you're right, they wouldn't get an opportunity to yarn
that way.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
They almost kind of are in it, not in disbelief,
but a bit of a shock, like almost surprised, like,
oh well, I didn't know that about you. It's like, well,
why didn't you take that time, you know, to understand
that person, Because at the end of the day, like, yeah,
the black card slogan is there's always about you know,
who you are as a person, not what you do.
And then when they take the time to understand that,
(25:54):
it almost makes them feel like, oh wow, I am
human and that's another human. Maybe we should get to
know each other as humans first, not as you know,
in the workplace, in the workforce.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yeah, I imagine that would like just change the way
that like people are able to work together and show
up together. I know, we take big execs and people
out on country sittem circle, We take off their roles
and the mask and all the things that they have
to be, and yeah, just get them to sit in
circle in ceremony, nervous system to nervous system, person to person,
(26:27):
and yeah, just discover things about Oh we've got a
shared story here. Oh we've got shared language about this.
Oh that's why you're like, you know, this is why
Aboriginal ways and knowledge is truly going to just could
transform it will it will transform the whole world.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Oh yeah, And I feel like in our knowledge. It's
it's so universal as well, like there's so many other
different cultures and First Nations people that can relate or
have similar kind of values. And then when you learn that,
it's like wow, like this is so much bigger than
who I am as a personal, as an Aboriginal person.
Like these universal laws and these languages are all taught
(27:04):
from around the globe and to just I guess be
proud and being a human and being who you are
as a person is so important. To connect to who
you are so that you're able to understand and connect
to others as well.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
And I think you know, if you're looking at the
state of the world right now, what we're all experiencing
with like collective grief and trauma and the revolution, the unrest,
the liberation, you know, this awareness of this consciousness that
exists between people and groups, we really do have to
return back there. We should be so proud that we're
(27:39):
from the oldest culture of the world and that we
share many beautiful traits with many other First Nations and
black and brown people, and we're all in this collective struggle,
but we're also in this collective liberation right now, and
how deadly that you get to be a part of
that with Black Cart as well.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Lucky to have you so special. I'm very privileged and
honored to be a part of the team.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Will be backing mob right after this short break. You
have done a lot of really deadly things. The movie
Six Festivals was incredible.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Yes, absolutely loved filming that. I had my own role.
It wasn't just an extra or a main extra. It
was like a whole role. And that was that was
incredible to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
We involved in acting before. Is it something you had
tried and done? Like, yeah, what was that process?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Like?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
I think you did such an amazing job and you
were still so real and raw and authentic.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Thank you know. I felt like I really connected to
that character. But before I did the main Six Festivals,
I did a bunch of like extras roles, main extras roles,
a couple of commercials here and them. Was just kind
of building my acting portfolio up. And then they were
asking for auditions and things and I'm getting into music now.
That was something that got me into music was you know,
(29:08):
Six Festivals. They asked me to do a singing and
a rapping audition, and I was so shamed because I
was like, oh my god, I don't sing in front
of everyone. The only person that he's my voice is
my man when I'm singing in the shower, you know.
So I was like shaved of, like I don't want
to feel myself and sing or rap and where am
I gonna look? You know, how am I going to sound? Like?
Am I even good? But I sent it through and
(29:29):
then I got it and I was like wow, like
that's insane, and I almost felt like a relief kind
of feeling because beforehand, I was stressing out, thinking, you know,
I'm not good enough for this role and to put
myself down before you know, I even considered having the
chance to have that role was a bit of something
like it was something that I had to unlearn, like
to be confident in your traits or you know, in
(29:51):
the things that you are and the person that you
are and the kind of passions that you have and
the talents, and to be proud of it. You know,
don't try and dim your life for others. Don't try
and beat yourself up for you know, not being perfect,
because no one is. And so, you know, I put
my auditions in and then when I got it. I was.
I was so over the moon. I was like, oh
my god, Like, this is going to be such a
(30:11):
deadly character to play because her role, Marley was very
similar to me and me growing up. You know, her
backstory and her background was very similar to mine, and
so I think it was really natural for me to
play that role because I was essentially just playing myself,
just a couple of different things here and there and
getting into music. And then once you know, I was
(30:33):
on set, and once I was doing all of it,
I was like, Wow, why did I beat myself up?
This is so natural, This is so easy for me.
This is you know, it makes me feel so good
just to be in front of the camera and to
play this role and to tell this story that you know,
so many people should hear and acknowledge too. So it
was a really incredible and special experience. And I was
(30:54):
just so honored to have that role and to have
the opportunity to play Miss Marley and I so much
and you know, that was like, yeah, my first of
a big role, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
I wouldn't change anything about it. That role actually got
me into music now, so I didn't realize the kind
of passion that I had for music. I've written my
(31:15):
whole life, writing poems, writing raps, writing songs. I've always
been a writer, but I've kind of been shame in
putting that into music and then performing music, because I've
only done poetry. And so it was interesting for me
to you know, get on stage in front of thousands
of people and sing and rap and be confident in that,
(31:35):
you know, you only had that one chance to do it,
and so that was really scary. In the back of
my head, I was like, you can't mess this up.
CEIs like, you need to get it. You need to
be confident, even though deep down you don't feel you know,
you're feeling a bit nervous. But they didn't see that.
They didn't know that. So I just, you know, went
with it. And it was such a liberating feeling to
get on stage and to share my voice and to
(31:58):
be proud of it as well, and and to acknowledge
my talents and not be shame of them. And it's
okay to shine and bright and I was, and I
was shy and bright, and I wasn't trying to dim
my life for nobody, you know, because I was trying
to play the role. But I think that was something
that also, yeah, made me grow as a person. It
taught me so much from being on set. It taught
(32:19):
me so much about myself, and it taught me to
go with it, go and do it, stop putting yourself down,
go and chase your other dreams of wanting to do music.
And so that's what I'm doing now. I'm getting into music.
I'm working on an EP. And if it wasn't for
that movie or that role or you know, swallowing, I
guess that nervousness, I wouldn't be doing the music that
(32:39):
I am doing now.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Well imagine if you let that negative self taught get
in the way. Hey, Like, what a lesson, What a
lesson for all of us.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
And even though it was scary too, I think the
things are the most scariest you should always do. You know,
they may be scary at the time, but as soon
as you overcome that scary situation, you grow naturally as
a you know, spiritually, physically, mentally, like you were better
for it. And so that that was something that I
was like, Wow, like I feel so liberated. I feel
(33:07):
like I could go for a marathon or something.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Can you give us a little hint of like what
sort of flavor the EPs or where you're going with it.
I don't want to get it.
Speaker 2 (33:18):
Too much away, but I think the best way I
can describe it would probably be some old school kind
of feels, you know, some political very I guess, strong
powerful words, kind of a little bit like my poetry.
I think I think it's very similar to my poetry.
Actually just got a little bit of Yeah, rhythm, got
(33:38):
more flavor, got more like soul, got more like hip hop,
and a bit of rap as well. So I'm excited
to release my music. I think it's going to be
really inspiring for younger kids to listen to.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
I love it. I'm getting like Tupac and Barker coming
together having a little.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yes hundreds Per said, it's yeah, definitely, I'm trying to
go for that CLC. But gayala vibe.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Oh, I'm so proud of you, Sis. There's really nothing
that you can't do, you know, And sometimes we just
like giving things to go because there's just like this
inherently creative, childlike playful things stayed within all of us
and just letting it out a leash and seeing where
it Goes is such a reminder for all of.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Us, definitely, and to forget all those stereotypes as well,
that so many are placed on us. We talk bad
about ourselves because we don't see ourselves being represented or
we're being spoken about so negatively, and that's something that
we've got to get rid of, you know, Like those opinions,
all those thoughts that we have, they're actually not ours.
(34:43):
They come from the Western society that we need to
get rid of because that's what's holding us back.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
That is such a powerful piece of advice, that those
limiting beliefs or those stereotypes that we're not good enough,
we're not worthy enough, we're not smart enough, we're not
this enough. That is the limitations of the colony in action,
and we just have to show up unapologetically.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
You know.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
I want to ask you this about, you know, modeling.
Are you still easier planning on doing any modeling this year?
And for sure?
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Yeah? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:14):
Girl. Is there any like major standout projects that have
had like this profound sort of like personal revolution and
change on you? Or is it just everything?
Speaker 2 (35:24):
It's definitely all of it, But the things that matter
to me most and inspire me and motivate me is
helping my mom, trying to bring them up on the
same platform that I've created and bringing them up with
me and showing them that they can do it as well.
There was something that me and Ruby Walton and Keiley
Egmally started called Healing through Song where we traveled all
(35:45):
through Queensland North Queensland, traveled from me Engine all the
way up to cans and then all the way back
and stopped at all of these deadly communities and had
beautiful workshops with all of these deadly young girls and
even oldies as well. I mean, I've always been passionate
about helping MOB, but I didn't realize that my story
(36:06):
could inspire so many and me doing the things that
I'm doing can help so many people, and to always
reach out to their mob, you know, because obviously living
in main cities, we have a lot more opportunities than
MOB living in communities. And so with me and you
know them to other titters, we were thinking of how
can we bring these opportunities to mob, How can you
know they have the same opportunities that we have. And
(36:28):
so you know, Kearly got all of our music gar
you know, because she does sing and Ruby had all
of the recording gear and you know, rapping and poetry
and activism, and then I came, you know, with modeling
and all of these different things, and we brought so
many beautiful elements to these workshops. And that was something
that made me realize that I can do so much
more than just looking pretty good ways. I can do
(36:51):
so much more than you know, being a pretty face.
And I think that's something that a lot of models,
especially you know, black models in this industry, forget that
we are so much much more than our pretty faces.
We are literally setting the stand. We're setting the bar
for other mob to be able to come into this industry.
And if it wasn't for you know a lot of
mob being in this industry, I wouldn't be here, other
mob wouldn't be here. And so it's really being humble
(37:13):
about it, but also thinking of ways of how to
bring your mob up as well and yet creating opportunities
for other people. Because once you reach that level of
success or once you are on that platform, I think
it's important to understand that you know, you are nothing
without your mob or your community. And so that's something
that really changed me, and that was such a beautiful experience,
(37:36):
and I hope we get to do it again with
other beautiful people and not just focus on women, you know,
have men come in as well and start doing workshops
with men. And it was pretty much all about, you know,
healing each other and talking about our traumas and finding
out new talents and things like that, and teaching these
mobs that even though they may not be in a
privileged community as much as we are, they're still able
(37:59):
to make changes within themselves so that they can have
these privileges or they can have these opportunities and to always,
I guess, just keep fighting for more, don't settle for less.
And that that was something, you know, that was so
beautiful that I've seen, and I got so much healing,
even though we were there trying to not heal others,
but trying to share our journey in hopes that it
(38:20):
could help them heal themselves, because that was something that
we was trying to understand that we're not here to
heal them. They can heal themselves. You know, They've got
the power, they just need to know the tools. And
so it was really deadly that we were able to
bring all these tools and bring you know, so many
different elements to all these beautiful communities, and it was
it was such a beautiful experience. And we was gone
(38:41):
for a good month as well, we was gone for ages,
but it just felt like home. I just even though
we was going to all these communities that I've never
been to before, I made so many connections and I
always felt home wherever I was. That's something that I'll
always be passionate about, is helping my mom. If I'm
able to create opportunity for myself, can I create for others?
(39:02):
And the answer is yes, I can create other opportunities
for these people, because if I'm not here in these spaces,
how are they going to be here in these spaces.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
I'm just picturing you three titters, like cruising up and
down the highway with music and just bringing all of
your unique gifts. Sometimes when we think about healing, the
best ways to always go back to what we've always done,
which is through song and movement and dance and ceremony
and you know, giving them permission to do that. And
like you say, Sis, the power of that reciprocity and
(39:33):
that love is like whenever we have the privilege of
being in a teaching or are facilitating or anything. It's
a deep honor and privilege, but it's always knowledge sharing.
I love that, Sis. I also love to hear that
having been on things like Country Road and David Jones
and all these big brands, which is you know, amazing,
(39:54):
like huge shout out to you, because I imagine navigating
those industries would be tricky as a black fellow.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Like industry. Oh yeah, it's not easy. It's and it's
you know, it's still not very easy. You know, I'm
still having to deal with some things, the challenges in
this industry as well as acting. You know, there's so
many things that I think as mobs, so many stereotypes
that again you know, are placed on us, and it's
time to break those stereotypes. And so yeah, it's good
to be in this industry, and it's good to create
(40:21):
change and waves where other people feel comfortable. To be
in these industries and to work with so many awesome
big brands and labels, but to always come back to
you know who you are and where you come from.
Because everyone sees all these you know, successes and you
know the things that you've achieved, but I think people
forget where you've come from, but wasn't it wasn't a
pretty start, you know. I always like to tell that story.
(40:43):
I always like to say, you know, I didn't have,
you know, a lot, but at the end of the day,
I had what my mum could give and that was enough.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Thank you for sharing that, because you're right, like it
always comes back to the mob and our roots and
where we feel anchored and safe and where we feel
of value, and those industries are on a journey like
everyone else, and I'm sure there is a long way
to go, but I also like appreciate you sharing that
for you know, our titters that listen in that. Sometimes
we can compare someone's chapter twenty to our chapter one
(41:16):
and think that we're not that great. But just reminding
people that you have been on a journey, but also
two things. It's probably comes a lot of pressure too,
because you feel like you've got to make sure that
everything's right for the next generation and everything. So you know,
just sending love to all love and big love to
you that you're doing the best you can because you're
showing up authentically in your true self and you know,
(41:39):
whether that's speaking on things like Nadock and elders and
the game and reverendum and being front and center with
issues and for our mob. You've never waived on that.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Thank you so much. So I'm getting emotional because it's
not all the time that you hear mob supporting you
in these really hard times and these challenges times. You know,
they kind of just see all the good things that
you're doing and they don't realize how hard it can be.
But you know, at the end of the day is
as long as we got each other, as long as
we continue to support each other, that's how we're going
(42:10):
to be stronger together. That's how we're going to create
real changes. Even though we may have different opinions, or
we may have different political views, it doesn't matter about that,
as long as we accept each other for who we
are and we're there to support each other and forget,
you know, all of those opinions and leave them at
the door. It's you know who you are as a person,
and I think that's so important just to forget certain
(42:30):
value so that you can be the kind person that
you are and to show that kindness and love and
support to everyone else because we all need that.
Speaker 1 (42:37):
We see you, we love you as you see us
and love us. And you're right. You know, these things
come and go, but you know, the love and respect
and generosity that our community have for each other, it
will always be.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
There one hundred percent because we all want what's best
for each other. You know, it doesn't matter about all
these different opinions and views that we have. At the
end of the day, we all want that one goal,
and that's so that we can live and thrive and
not just survive. We want to be thriving just as
much as you know, these non indigenous people are on
our country, on stolen land, you know, still living their
privileged lives. We want to be able to do the
(43:12):
same things, but also in our own way, you know,
staying true to our culture, our community, and trying to
decolonize that way of what success really is.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
I want to ask, since before I let you go,
what can we expect from you outside of your music
this year? And how can people keep up with all
of your magic and what it is that you're doing
and the joy you're bringing into people's lives.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Oh man, so much in store for the new year
without giving up too much. So I think something that
I'm really proud of is being able to create more
opportunities and all these different industries that I'm in, So
the way that I'm learning as I go in acting, music, modeling, poetry,
activism and all those things, I'm now thinking of how
(43:56):
can I implement MOB to be in the same space
as I am because there's not a lot especially in
the modeling industry and the acting and the music. There
are so many of us coming up, but there's not
a lot of MOB that have really reached the top
of the ladder, you know, And I think the way
that we are able to reach the top of the
ladder is being together. So I want to be able
(44:17):
to bring my MOB with me this year, really really
bring them with me. And so that's what I think. Yeah,
people got to keep an eye out is the things
that I'm going to be creating this year so that
other MOB can have the same opportunity as me, because
I think that's so important that you know that we
are able to give other opportunities and create really beautiful
spaces for them to be in and be comfortable in
their own skin, be confident within who they are, and
(44:39):
to not compare as well. You know, I feel like
so many people will compare themselves to others and think, oh,
you know, they're really successful. I need to be like that.
But you know, I think deep down you got to
understand is that you just need to be the best
you that you can possibly be, and that will create
so many beautiful opportunities and waves of love and pride
(45:01):
for other MOB as well.
Speaker 1 (45:02):
Oh, my sis, thank you so much for being here today.
I'm going to take a lot away. I'm probably going
to be walking with the dogs down near the Birong
Mar there thinking about many of the things that you've
said today. We're so grateful and we can't wait to
continue watching the magic and how you continue to bring
Mob together along the way.
Speaker 2 (45:21):
Thank you, Mike Tita, Thank you so much for having
me and then for sharing these beautiful, loving, supportive words.
It means a lot, and I'm just really glad that
we could have this conversation. Very grateful and blessed.
Speaker 1 (45:33):
What a deadly conversation with Sissy lull of Ales. I
know that I myself have to take some time to
really process the many things that she said and embodies
as an incredible sister who's not afraid to be defined
by many things and many joys and many passions. I
(45:55):
think in the last few years leaning into my authenticity,
I have been reminded that it is a practice. Actually,
Brene Brown says it the best. One of her quotes
is that authenticity is the daily practice of letting go
who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who
(46:17):
we actually are. And in a neoliberal world that is
trying to tell us to fit into boxes and to
conform to certain ideals that don't always belong to us,
I think leaning into the many parts of who we
are and sending them equal amounts of love and value
(46:41):
and time is maybe one of the greatest gifts that
we can give ourselves in this moment. Until next time,
you MOB, thank you so much for listening you MOB.
If you are vibing this season of yarning up, then
please head over to apple Spot or wherever you get
(47:01):
your podcasts from to show us some love, rate and review. Alternatively,
you can get in contact and give us some feedback
by visiting www. Dot Caroline Coow dot com dot au
This podcast is brought to you by on Track Studio.
Welcome to Yanni Up, the podcast that showcases First Nations
stories and conversations to help us learn and unlearn Australia's
history to work towards a better future. I'm your host,
(00:26):
proud barber woman and founder of Black Waddel Coaching and Consulting,
Caroline cow. We acknowledge the rundery people and elders where
this podcast is taped, but we also acknowledge the lands
that you are listening in from today. It always was
and always will be unseated aboriginal and tourist Red Islander Land.
(00:54):
While I am so excited about today's guest, I must
admit I am like a super fangirl for so many reasons.
You know, this is just someone who is so multifaceted,
so powerful, so deadly, and I'm just so grateful that
you're connecting with me today's sis. Thank you so much
(01:16):
for being here guy, Alla Bales. I'm so excited for
today's yarn.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
Oh, thank you so much for having me sis. I'm
really excited too. I feel like before we started we
were having a little fangirl moment over each other.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
Isn't that a really beautiful thing about mob though, Like
we sort of we get to like see what we're
all doing, and we all feel each other's energy, even
you know, in different states, different parts or collectively, So
thank you. The feeling is so so reciprocal. I love it.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I love that we can celebrate each other in all
of our successes.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
So, New Year twenty twenty four, I want to just ask,
maybe straight off the bat, you know, how are you
doing settling into this new year?
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Oh? Well, first, before we get into the new year,
last year was bloody crazy. I feel like I took
some time for myself and really kind of re evaluated
what was important to me and re energized, rejuvenated, did
some healing and tried to I guess, yeah, get rid
of the last year so that I can be present
in this new year and get started on, yeah, what's
(02:21):
important to me and more passions of mine. So it's
been really good. I've absolutely loved getting into the new
year and getting into so many different things. I was
really happy to get rid of last year because that
was not my year.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
We can put that one in the bin. I'm hearing
isis and yeah, I can feel it. I can feel
the energy and radiating. As we always do on this show.
We always like to start by getting to know you.
So I want to ask you my sis. You know,
who is your mob and where did you go up?
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, so I grew up in Miangen. I'm a Wannerer
and burygather woman, but all my mob come from Theodore
also Wonnerall Country Singleton, New South Wales. So I got
to Queensland, you know, Murray and Corey side in me.
So when you know the NRL comes on, I don't
really don't think a sighte. We was moving around a lot,
(03:12):
you know, through all of my childhood. I remember just
always having to travel in the car, driving up and down,
you know, Queensland to New South Wales, visiting all the
family along the way. And the reason being is because
my mum had a couple of domestic violent relationships that
she was in and we've seen a lot. Me and
my twin sister grew up kind of in a bit
of a broken home. But I was very grateful and
(03:34):
glad and blessed to have a very strong cultural background
with my family. So you know, even though all of
those things were happening, I guess we always had mob
there supporting us, looking after us, always making sure that
we was right. I feel like, looking back at all
of that, I wouldn't change it for the world because
it shaped me into the woman I am today. And
even though some really triggering, traumatizing things happened, I get
(03:57):
to inspire other mob who have also you know, maybe
had the same story or similar upbringing to me and
be like, you know what, even though we do come
from these broken homes, we don't have to continue that.
We don't have to be the past. You know, we
don't have to stay in that trauma. We can heal
ourselves and we can love ourselves so who we are
and appreciate that even though those things happened, we are
(04:19):
good people and we can make a really good light
situation out of a dark one.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
My ses, my cis, I mean, thank you for like
sharing and being so open and honest about that. I
think about that too. With our family, you know, Mum
will be one o six and we were moving around
a lot. But the beautiful thing is similarly, we've got
many loves and many places that we get to call
home and each part and like evolution and journey of moving,
(04:44):
you get to experience new parts of your family, your community, yourself. Obviously,
those things are really hard times as well, watching family
go through that and watching our women being treated like that.
But I've had to do a lot of work of
not being a prisoner of mum's past or mum's story
and like trying to create new ways that I want
(05:05):
to live my life on my terms.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
And that can be hard sometimes too, you know, growing
up and people always saying, oh, you get that from
your mum. Well, you know all the positives as well,
you also get quite a lot of the negatives here
in there. You know, you grow up seeing your mum
and getting into all these crazy things, and I think
as a child, especially being a blackfella, you take on
a lot of those things that you probably shouldn't, and
(05:27):
especially the transgenerational trauma that passes through you know, like
from generation to generation. Sometimes you don't understand or know
why you may be feeling down or really negative, or
you may have toxic habits or traits and things like that.
But you know, it's I think it's important to understand
that and to release, you know, your mum's trauma, and
to be open with each other and have a really
(05:47):
good relationship and be able to speak openly about these
things so that we can heal, because I feel like
that's a bit of a taboo kind of thing to
talk about, you know, with your parents, your upbringing and
bringing things up. It can be challenging, it can be
really hard, but it's also really healing.
Speaker 1 (06:02):
Absolutely, And like you says this, it's yeah, having the
courage to have those conversations without shaming them for their decisions,
trying to just accept things as they are and just
that they did the bloody best they could and they've
raised some beautiful titters and you know you got you
got the biggest mob too, hey, like you say, I do.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, on both mom and Dad's side, it's it's so big.
I'm constantly running into new mob and they'll be like,
you know, we're related, and I'm like, oh really, Like.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Wow, okay, so you're still you're set up in the
engine now.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
I am.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
I don't think I'll ever leave my home. I was
born here, raised here, but you know, I also spend
some time on Gadigle Country and That'll always be my
second home and I'll always go back there and stay
on the block with all my family or my Coury
mom there, So shout out all your Corey mob.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Look out there, Murray and Coury fire there, best of
both worlds. So this podcast, Yearning Up signed to Black Cast,
which is the first First Nations podcast in the world,
really like led and founded and advocated from your auntie,
Mandanara Mara Bales. Big shout out, as I was saying
(07:15):
when we were off air, when I met Mandanara maybe
like four or five years ago, you know, she just
takes you under her wing. You know, that's just this
Black women generosity and love the network which is just
so profound, Like you know black followers are, We're storytellers
and we weave through stories every day. And for her
(07:36):
to solidify this network to get signed with iHeart like,
it's just huge Mara's work. It's not by coincidence, of course,
you know, her success in you know, setting up the network,
amplifying Black voices and stories, running her own show is
really inspired by your grandfather, your pop. But I wanted
to just see on a little bit about him. So
(07:58):
your pop was a respon First Nation's radio presenter, a
land rights activist, amongst many things. Tiger Bales and Tiger's
passion for hearing Aboriginal voices and stories in the Australian
media landscape led him to becoming involved in the establishment
of Radio Redfern in the nineteen eighties, later Brisbane Indigenous
(08:19):
Media and the establishment of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association
and the National Indigenous Radio Service in Queensland. When I
was looking at all of the things that you know,
your pop has done, I was just truly blown away.
I want to ask about that. I'm wondering if I
can understand, you know, in what ways has your family
(08:43):
influenced you know, the person that you are today.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
So many beautiful things that I can see within my
family that I'm now kind of becoming, and I see
a lot of their traits that I now have, and
it's it's an honor a like, I honestly feel so
blessed to for my family and to be able to
see the kind of strength that they had growing up
and to break stereotypes, to be the first people to
(09:08):
be in these spaces and to be able to create
other opportunities for mob to be proud and to be
safe and to share their voices is so so special,
and I think it's so important to always remember that
and remember where they come from, but also remember where
they started. You know. I'm always about being humble and
always remembering the recognition, you know, and remembering where they
(09:32):
come from. And I guess, yeah, I'd get a little
bit emotional because you know a lot of my olders
that have built all these deadly things. You know, my grandfather,
my great grandmother, Mauran Watson, Uncle Ross, you know, they
all come from such strength and such I guess just
being proud in who they are, their identity, and I'd
always say it, I would never be the person that
(09:54):
I am if it wasn't for them, so grateful to
always have really deadly conversations and to continue to grow
and see you know the kind of things that they're
doing now, just from that one person starting something. You know,
it's deadly, it's really deadly.
Speaker 1 (10:07):
It's so special. Not a coincidence, hey, that we sort
of take up these legacies or pursuits that our ancestors,
our old ones, our grandparents did. They're always guiding us
through these things anyway, like we sometimes we don't even
have a choice. They're like proper stubborn ones.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh yeah, no, that's that's for sure. I feel like
we get put into so many different spaces and we
get titled all these things or labeled all these things
because of our family. And I think it's also important
to understand that you should take the time to really
understand who you are as a person before you take
on you know, your things from your family. You know,
and find out who you really are first and start
(10:46):
to I guess form your own opinions as well. I
think that's important.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Yeah, that's such a beautiful point about, Yeah, taking the
time to really get to know you and to value
yourself enough to take that time and to forge your
own values, maybe independent of your family, but yeah, it's
(11:13):
a journey we're all learning. And it's just so deadly
to hear about Yeah, your family and the trailblazers in
your mob, and yeah where you come from.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Oh yeah, I got some pretty big shoes to fill.
But I'm also reminded that, you know, there's no rush
to feel those shoes, you know. I think sometimes I'm
quite hard on myself, and especially coming from my family,
I feel at times that I'm not doing enough. But
I'm just starting to realize and understand and I guess
to take time for myself and to be kind to myself,
(11:51):
be loving to myself, and tell myself, you know, messages
of love and positivity and just being kind in ways
that you know. You don't have to live up to
these standards. You can create your own standards as long
as they're healthy ones.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
You know, you are like a hugely multifaceted person and
you embody these amazing things. Imagine it will be kind
of tricky in your industry because you've got such a
public facing role to still stand in your truth. I mean,
you're an auntie, a sister, a model, an activist, You've
tried your hand in acting, which you slay, you're truth tellor,
(12:29):
you're an artist, amongst many other things. When we're doing
all of this stuff, it can be hard to find
ways to be kind to ourselves.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Oh one hundred percent. You're constantly kind of tearing yourself
down a little bit, you know, because I feel like
you have all these things that you get into and
so you think, oh, I've got to live up to them.
You know, I've got to create, I've got to continue
to be better and all these different things. But something
that I've realized is that I don't have to do
anything for anyone but myself, and that's been kind to
(12:58):
you know, me being true to who I am in
the most ugliest and the most beautiful ways as well.
You know, I think that's healthy, being able to understand.
But you don't always have to be perfect, and no
one's perfect. You don't have to be perfect at all,
you know, you just have to be you, be true,
be authentic, and things will fall into place naturally being
present and being content with you know, who you are
(13:19):
as a person now and not worrying about all these
crazy things or maybe the steps to even get there,
just kind of being comfortable with being who you are
and what you're doing now is okay.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
And I'm starting to acknowledge that it's so powerful hearing
you say that, like it sounds so simple, but it's
so it's not, you know, even hear it in like
the colonial capitalist way that we have to be the best,
and also to being a black fellow, we sometimes don't
have a choice, you know. We have to work double hard,
try just as much, jump over as many hurdles, and
(13:51):
we have a lot of like labor and responsibility. But yeah,
how do how do we get better at just being
with it? And if accepting that sometimes it's not necessarily
about the outcome, it's just about the journey and loving
yourself along the way and doing things we actually like
to do. You know, that's probably something we struggle with
(14:13):
the most, and not.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Doing the things that we think that people like seeing
us do. That's something that I'm starting to understand as well,
is that I don't have to continue to do the
things that people know me to do. I'm happy with
doing new things. I'm happy with doing things differently and
to not I guess, live up to everyone else's standards.
I've completely thrown that whole idea of trying to live
(14:37):
up to what people think. Who you are me personally,
I know who I am, I know where I come from,
So why would I want to try and be what
these people want me to be.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
And we're here for such a small time, you may
as well do the things that you love. When you
made that decision to be kinder to yourself and let
go of this idea of having to have it all
together and do what everyone else wants. Like, what did
you notice about yourself?
Speaker 2 (15:01):
I think it was last year when I realized that I,
deep down I don't think I was doing things for myself,
I think I was doing it more for others. And
when I realized that, the only reason why I realized
that was because I was so unhappy and I was
trying to put on this brave face. I was trying to,
you know, always smile and I guess tell everyone that
(15:22):
I'm okay, when deep down, I wasn't okay and I
was feeling, you know, proper shit about myself. And even
though that's you know, people see what's on the outside,
people don't see behind closed doors. People don't see what's
really going on in your life. They just kind of
see what's happening on social media or you know, they'll
see you face to face and think, oh, you know,
she's she's doing well, she looks happy. But you know,
(15:44):
deep down I wasn't happy and that was something that
I needed to change. And I think coming into this
new year, I realized that I needed to change a
lot of things up, and so I did. I made
that decision to start living for me and for my
family and for my community, but also just for me first.
And I think there's I just got. I got a
bit of a memory for my grandfather before he passed away.
(16:07):
I told him, I said, oh, I'm going to do
all these things for you, you know. I said, I'm
going to get signed to this agency, and I'm going
to make these decisions in my life and I'm going
to follow in your footsteps, and I'm going to do
it for you. Pop. And there was something that he
said that that'll always stick with me, and he said,
don't do it for me, do it for yourself. And
so I always remember that, and I think, you know what,
(16:27):
such simple words, but really really wise, you know. And
so I always just think about that whenever I do something,
or if I make a decision, or if I have
an opinion, I always think, am I doing these things
for others? Or am I doing it for myself? Because
if I'm doing it for others, then I'm not doing
it for the right reasons. And so always I think
it's important to check in with yourself. You know, it's
(16:49):
important to acknowledge, you know, the bad kind of habits
or the bad traits about yourself and be comfortable with
it as well, and be comfortable to let it go
because you know, at the end of the day, they're
not going to do you justice. They're not going to
help you. They're just going to kind of make you
look good for others, and that's not we're not about anymore.
I feel like, as a proud blackfellow, I want to
(17:11):
set a good example for the younger MOB especially, and
I think being real and being true in the most
ugliest parts as well is sometimes really important and it
can teach yourself and others so many lessons.
Speaker 1 (17:24):
You know, one of our biggest strength coming from MOB
is that we were a collective being. We exist in
relation to family, community, social causes, social justice, all of
these things. But you know, it takes a lot of
courage sometimes to choose yourself. But so many of our
women really do need to fill up our daily bags first. Yeah,
(17:45):
it's just it's so simple, but it's so powerful. And
what beautiful advice from your pop that I imagine would
ring to. And just when you made that decision, nothing
really changed except that you feel a bit better within yourself.
So many of us run around trying to fix everything
for everyone, and we do need to nurtureself a bit
more one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (18:04):
If you're not looking after yourself, and how are you
going to look after your mob?
Speaker 1 (18:07):
You know?
Speaker 2 (18:08):
How are you going to be there for your family
or your friends. Such an important decision to make I feel,
especially being a black woman, we always try and be
there for others. We always try and fill other people's
cups or we're filling our cup but not doing it
in the right way. Yeah, it's important to always check
in with yourself and to remember that you've got to
change and make positive impacts on yourself so that you
(18:30):
can set a good example for others.
Speaker 1 (18:32):
So right, yes, you know, I think it is important
that we set good examples and good role models for
our younger generation about having the courage to say no
at times and that it doesn't make you selfish or
it's not shameful.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
You know.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
I think the capacity for us to love our families
and our communities is to tenant on the capacity for
us to also love ourselves. And I'm not saying it's
easy to set boundaries with the people that you love.
It's always going to feel gross, it's always going to
feel difficult, But at times, you know, we do have
(19:16):
to know when to step up and when to step back. Yeah,
there's are really powerful, powerful words, and I hope that
you know, for the ciss that are listening, and especially
our young ones that listen that in thinking about this
new year, like are there some things that you could
possibly let go of and say no to? That isn't
feeling your couple, You're just feeling like you're obliged to
do and setting yourself on that path. With all of
(19:38):
the things that you do, have you faced challenges in
balancing them all? Like is there parts of your identity
that you identify with more?
Speaker 2 (19:49):
I wear so many different hats, but I try and
always acknowledge whenever I'm in these different industries to be
there for that job, you know, So I try and
not bring other things or other I guess opinions, or
even other industries and clash them. If I'm there for
that job, or if I'm doing this today, or if
(20:09):
I'm you know, this person today, then that's who I'm
going to show up and be. So I feel like,
you know, even though I am all these things and
I do all these you know, really cool things, and
I do so many different things, it's important to understand
that before I am these titles, I am a I'm
a woman, you know, I'm a human being, and it's
okay to have all these different hats and to wear
(20:30):
them at once and to swap them over and change
them whenever you feel or whatever you know, it makes
you feel comfortable. And I think that that's something that
I'm still trying to understand, is that I don't have
to be all these things at once. It's okay to
be that, you know, that one thing that day, and
then tomorrow I may be doing other things. Like I
feel like, yeah, I do so many different things at
(20:51):
the moment, but I try really really hard to look
after myself first and then, you know, get into these things.
I think waking up early, you know, make sure that
you choose yourself before you do anything else. Meditating, stretching,
going for the jogs, like working out, doing things to
help you as a person, you know, refill your cup,
look after your spiritual, emotional, and mental well being before
(21:13):
you do any of these things. So that whenever you
do get any bookings or whenever you do have something
that shows up or you need to be there for
that thing, you're ready and you're ready to go, and
you're going to be there strong, and you're going to
be there proud, and you're going to do everything that
you possibly can to make sure that you're present and
be there for whatever it may be. So it can
be hard. Sometimes it can be a little bit tricky
(21:35):
and challenging. But I love a good challenge. And I think,
you know, it's good to be uncomfortable in situations because
that makes you grow as a person. So I try
and just live in that moment and be kind to
myself all the time, and learn new things and take
on new things, learn new tips so that I can
be all these different things. And yeah, just just being
(21:57):
okay with taking on certain things or in different industries.
And I don't always have to be all of these things.
I can just be gayala and that's okay. That's okay too.
If I don't want to be these things, it's all
right to change. It's all right to jump into many
different things, you know, just as long as you're happy.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
I really resonate with that so so much. I have
struggled with that. I think the western, capitalist, colonial world
kind of demands you to be a master and an expert.
People want to define you by this thing or that thing.
Where we're such complex interlational beings, and so the idea
that we would be defined by one thing or put
(22:35):
one thing out into the universe is like really far fetched.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Now, even just being defined by your title. I'm starting
to learn that before you are all these things, you've
got to know who you are as a person. And
you know, I've worked and seen, you know, in my
family and the kind of morals that they have, and
the things, the values and the things that you learn.
Even me doing at the moment, I'm doing some tour
training as well, so I'm doing Black cultural tools here
(23:00):
and meangin, which is really deadly. I've really loved that.
And something that I really love taking from you know,
those tours is before I start, I always say we're
going to do an introduction, and it's not about what
you do. It's about who you are as a person.
So I don't want to hear you know, what you
do for work, how much money you make, and all
these people that you know. I want to know who
you are as a person, Like where do your mob
(23:21):
come from? If you're a non indigenous person, what nationality
are you? How many kids do you have? And it's
beautiful to see that soon as you break down those
Western barriers, they're so comfortable and you're so comfortable, you know,
You've already built this relationship within five minutes, and they're
sharing things with their coworkers that they probably never would
(23:42):
have shared had they, you know, not taken this this
this too are or you know, this workshop and things
like that. So I think it's important for us to
understand that before our titles. It's it's important to understand
who you are as a person first, because we are
these people before we are these titles. And to not
live up to these Western ideas of all these titles.
You know, they can get so crazy at times and
(24:02):
make you feel like shit because you're not reaching that
point or you think that you're not living up to
that standard in that certain industry, when at the end
of the day, maybe you just need to take time
for yourself and just relax so that you can be
the best.
Speaker 1 (24:15):
Person sis you are preaching like I'm just in total
or we are so not defined by our titles and
our accolades or even the things that we produce. It
is so much about learning to like yourself. You know,
we're first and foremost Aboriginal women. Where Barbara woman, I'm
a Walker, I'm a Wallace, I'm a Ross, And it
can be really easy to get swept up in this
(24:37):
idea of trying to be these things and then like
cutting ourselves off and not really getting to know ourselves.
The other thing you said there about introducing yourself, and
it's funny because as MOB, we say, you know, who
are you? Aware? Your mob like and we connect you.
And it's also like a sense of responsibility. When I
say I'm a Barbara woman, I'm a Wallace, I'm a Walker,
(24:57):
It's like I'm coming into this space with my old
ones behind me, and it's a sense of responsibility, but
it's a way of being like, I see you, you know,
I see who you are. And that's one of the
beautiful things about what you do with Black Card and
why MOB need to be front and centering in healing
and teaching and guiding and mentor because we have so
(25:19):
much to offer non Aboriginal people around just that sense
of connection and community. Hey, because everyone's got a story,
everyone comes from a lineage, everyone comes from something, and
so you're right, they wouldn't get an opportunity to yarn
that way.
Speaker 2 (25:34):
They almost kind of are in it, not in disbelief,
but a bit of a shock, like almost surprised, like,
oh well, I didn't know that about you. It's like, well,
why didn't you take that time, you know, to understand
that person, Because at the end of the day, like, yeah,
the black card slogan is there's always about you know,
who you are as a person, not what you do.
And then when they take the time to understand that,
(25:54):
it almost makes them feel like, oh wow, I am
human and that's another human. Maybe we should get to
know each other as humans first, not as you know,
in the workplace, in the workforce.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
Yeah, I imagine that would like just change the way
that like people are able to work together and show
up together. I know, we take big execs and people
out on country sittem circle, We take off their roles
and the mask and all the things that they have
to be, and yeah, just get them to sit in
circle in ceremony, nervous system to nervous system, person to person,
(26:27):
and yeah, just discover things about Oh we've got a
shared story here. Oh we've got shared language about this.
Oh that's why you're like, you know, this is why
Aboriginal ways and knowledge is truly going to just could
transform it will it will transform the whole world.
Speaker 2 (26:43):
Oh yeah, And I feel like in our knowledge. It's
it's so universal as well, like there's so many other
different cultures and First Nations people that can relate or
have similar kind of values. And then when you learn that,
it's like wow, like this is so much bigger than
who I am as a personal, as an Aboriginal person.
Like these universal laws and these languages are all taught
(27:04):
from around the globe and to just I guess be
proud and being a human and being who you are
as a person is so important. To connect to who
you are so that you're able to understand and connect
to others as well.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
And I think you know, if you're looking at the
state of the world right now, what we're all experiencing
with like collective grief and trauma and the revolution, the unrest,
the liberation, you know, this awareness of this consciousness that
exists between people and groups, we really do have to
return back there. We should be so proud that we're
(27:39):
from the oldest culture of the world and that we
share many beautiful traits with many other First Nations and
black and brown people, and we're all in this collective struggle,
but we're also in this collective liberation right now, and
how deadly that you get to be a part of
that with Black Cart as well.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Lucky to have you so special. I'm very privileged and
honored to be a part of the team.
Speaker 1 (28:06):
Will be backing mob right after this short break. You
have done a lot of really deadly things. The movie
Six Festivals was incredible.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
Yes, absolutely loved filming that. I had my own role.
It wasn't just an extra or a main extra. It
was like a whole role. And that was that was
incredible to be a part of.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
We involved in acting before. Is it something you had
tried and done? Like, yeah, what was that process?
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Like?
Speaker 1 (28:41):
I think you did such an amazing job and you
were still so real and raw and authentic.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Thank you know. I felt like I really connected to
that character. But before I did the main Six Festivals,
I did a bunch of like extras roles, main extras roles,
a couple of commercials here and them. Was just kind
of building my acting portfolio up. And then they were
asking for auditions and things and I'm getting into music now.
That was something that got me into music was you know,
(29:08):
Six Festivals. They asked me to do a singing and
a rapping audition, and I was so shamed because I
was like, oh my god, I don't sing in front
of everyone. The only person that he's my voice is
my man when I'm singing in the shower, you know.
So I was like shaved of, like I don't want
to feel myself and sing or rap and where am
I gonna look? You know, how am I going to sound? Like?
Am I even good? But I sent it through and
(29:29):
then I got it and I was like wow, like
that's insane, and I almost felt like a relief kind
of feeling because beforehand, I was stressing out, thinking, you know,
I'm not good enough for this role and to put
myself down before you know, I even considered having the
chance to have that role was a bit of something
like it was something that I had to unlearn, like
to be confident in your traits or you know, in
(29:51):
the things that you are and the person that you
are and the kind of passions that you have and
the talents, and to be proud of it. You know,
don't try and dim your life for others. Don't try
and beat yourself up for you know, not being perfect,
because no one is. And so, you know, I put
my auditions in and then when I got it. I was.
I was so over the moon. I was like, oh
my god, Like, this is going to be such a
(30:11):
deadly character to play because her role, Marley was very
similar to me and me growing up. You know, her
backstory and her background was very similar to mine, and
so I think it was really natural for me to
play that role because I was essentially just playing myself,
just a couple of different things here and there and
getting into music. And then once you know, I was
(30:33):
on set, and once I was doing all of it,
I was like, Wow, why did I beat myself up?
This is so natural, This is so easy for me.
This is you know, it makes me feel so good
just to be in front of the camera and to
play this role and to tell this story that you know,
so many people should hear and acknowledge too. So it
was a really incredible and special experience. And I was
(30:54):
just so honored to have that role and to have
the opportunity to play Miss Marley and I so much
and you know, that was like, yeah, my first of
a big role, and I wouldn't change it for the world.
I wouldn't change anything about it. That role actually got
me into music now, so I didn't realize the kind
of passion that I had for music. I've written my
(31:15):
whole life, writing poems, writing raps, writing songs. I've always
been a writer, but I've kind of been shame in
putting that into music and then performing music, because I've
only done poetry. And so it was interesting for me
to you know, get on stage in front of thousands
of people and sing and rap and be confident in that,
(31:35):
you know, you only had that one chance to do it,
and so that was really scary. In the back of
my head, I was like, you can't mess this up.
CEIs like, you need to get it. You need to
be confident, even though deep down you don't feel you know,
you're feeling a bit nervous. But they didn't see that.
They didn't know that. So I just, you know, went
with it. And it was such a liberating feeling to
get on stage and to share my voice and to
(31:58):
be proud of it as well, and and to acknowledge
my talents and not be shame of them. And it's
okay to shine and bright and I was, and I
was shy and bright, and I wasn't trying to dim
my life for nobody, you know, because I was trying
to play the role. But I think that was something
that also, yeah, made me grow as a person. It
taught me so much from being on set. It taught
(32:19):
me so much about myself, and it taught me to
go with it, go and do it, stop putting yourself down,
go and chase your other dreams of wanting to do music.
And so that's what I'm doing now. I'm getting into music.
I'm working on an EP. And if it wasn't for
that movie or that role or you know, swallowing, I
guess that nervousness, I wouldn't be doing the music that
(32:39):
I am doing now.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Well imagine if you let that negative self taught get
in the way. Hey, Like, what a lesson, What a
lesson for all of us.
Speaker 2 (32:47):
And even though it was scary too, I think the
things are the most scariest you should always do. You know,
they may be scary at the time, but as soon
as you overcome that scary situation, you grow naturally as
a you know, spiritually, physically, mentally, like you were better
for it. And so that that was something that I
was like, Wow, like I feel so liberated. I feel
(33:07):
like I could go for a marathon or something.
Speaker 1 (33:11):
Can you give us a little hint of like what
sort of flavor the EPs or where you're going with it.
I don't want to get it.
Speaker 2 (33:18):
Too much away, but I think the best way I
can describe it would probably be some old school kind
of feels, you know, some political very I guess, strong
powerful words, kind of a little bit like my poetry.
I think I think it's very similar to my poetry.
Actually just got a little bit of Yeah, rhythm, got
(33:38):
more flavor, got more like soul, got more like hip hop,
and a bit of rap as well. So I'm excited
to release my music. I think it's going to be
really inspiring for younger kids to listen to.
Speaker 1 (33:50):
I love it. I'm getting like Tupac and Barker coming
together having a little.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yes hundreds Per said, it's yeah, definitely, I'm trying to
go for that CLC. But gayala vibe.
Speaker 1 (34:04):
Oh, I'm so proud of you, Sis. There's really nothing
that you can't do, you know, And sometimes we just
like giving things to go because there's just like this
inherently creative, childlike playful things stayed within all of us
and just letting it out a leash and seeing where
it Goes is such a reminder for all of.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Us, definitely, and to forget all those stereotypes as well,
that so many are placed on us. We talk bad
about ourselves because we don't see ourselves being represented or
we're being spoken about so negatively, and that's something that
we've got to get rid of, you know, Like those opinions,
all those thoughts that we have, they're actually not ours.
(34:43):
They come from the Western society that we need to
get rid of because that's what's holding us back.
Speaker 1 (34:49):
That is such a powerful piece of advice, that those
limiting beliefs or those stereotypes that we're not good enough,
we're not worthy enough, we're not smart enough, we're not
this enough. That is the limitations of the colony in action,
and we just have to show up unapologetically.
Speaker 2 (35:06):
You know.
Speaker 1 (35:06):
I want to ask you this about, you know, modeling.
Are you still easier planning on doing any modeling this year?
And for sure?
Speaker 2 (35:13):
Yeah? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (35:14):
Girl. Is there any like major standout projects that have
had like this profound sort of like personal revolution and
change on you? Or is it just everything?
Speaker 2 (35:24):
It's definitely all of it, But the things that matter
to me most and inspire me and motivate me is
helping my mom, trying to bring them up on the
same platform that I've created and bringing them up with
me and showing them that they can do it as well.
There was something that me and Ruby Walton and Keiley
Egmally started called Healing through Song where we traveled all
(35:45):
through Queensland North Queensland, traveled from me Engine all the
way up to cans and then all the way back
and stopped at all of these deadly communities and had
beautiful workshops with all of these deadly young girls and
even oldies as well. I mean, I've always been passionate
about helping MOB, but I didn't realize that my story
(36:06):
could inspire so many and me doing the things that
I'm doing can help so many people, and to always
reach out to their mob, you know, because obviously living
in main cities, we have a lot more opportunities than
MOB living in communities. And so with me and you
know them to other titters, we were thinking of how
can we bring these opportunities to mob, How can you
know they have the same opportunities that we have. And
(36:28):
so you know, Kearly got all of our music gar
you know, because she does sing and Ruby had all
of the recording gear and you know, rapping and poetry
and activism, and then I came, you know, with modeling
and all of these different things, and we brought so
many beautiful elements to these workshops. And that was something
that made me realize that I can do so much
more than just looking pretty good ways. I can do
(36:51):
so much more than you know, being a pretty face.
And I think that's something that a lot of models,
especially you know, black models in this industry, forget that
we are so much much more than our pretty faces.
We are literally setting the stand. We're setting the bar
for other mob to be able to come into this industry.
And if it wasn't for you know a lot of
mob being in this industry, I wouldn't be here, other
mob wouldn't be here. And so it's really being humble
(37:13):
about it, but also thinking of ways of how to
bring your mob up as well and yet creating opportunities
for other people. Because once you reach that level of
success or once you are on that platform, I think
it's important to understand that you know, you are nothing
without your mob or your community. And so that's something
that really changed me, and that was such a beautiful experience,
(37:36):
and I hope we get to do it again with
other beautiful people and not just focus on women, you know,
have men come in as well and start doing workshops
with men. And it was pretty much all about, you know,
healing each other and talking about our traumas and finding
out new talents and things like that, and teaching these
mobs that even though they may not be in a
privileged community as much as we are, they're still able
(37:59):
to make changes within themselves so that they can have
these privileges or they can have these opportunities and to always,
I guess, just keep fighting for more, don't settle for less.
And that that was something, you know, that was so
beautiful that I've seen, and I got so much healing,
even though we were there trying to not heal others,
but trying to share our journey in hopes that it
(38:20):
could help them heal themselves, because that was something that
we was trying to understand that we're not here to
heal them. They can heal themselves. You know, They've got
the power, they just need to know the tools. And
so it was really deadly that we were able to
bring all these tools and bring you know, so many
different elements to all these beautiful communities, and it was
it was such a beautiful experience. And we was gone
(38:41):
for a good month as well, we was gone for ages,
but it just felt like home. I just even though
we was going to all these communities that I've never
been to before, I made so many connections and I
always felt home wherever I was. That's something that I'll
always be passionate about, is helping my mom. If I'm
able to create opportunity for myself, can I create for others?
(39:02):
And the answer is yes, I can create other opportunities
for these people, because if I'm not here in these spaces,
how are they going to be here in these spaces.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
I'm just picturing you three titters, like cruising up and
down the highway with music and just bringing all of
your unique gifts. Sometimes when we think about healing, the
best ways to always go back to what we've always done,
which is through song and movement and dance and ceremony
and you know, giving them permission to do that. And
like you say, Sis, the power of that reciprocity and
(39:33):
that love is like whenever we have the privilege of
being in a teaching or are facilitating or anything. It's
a deep honor and privilege, but it's always knowledge sharing.
I love that, Sis. I also love to hear that
having been on things like Country Road and David Jones
and all these big brands, which is you know, amazing,
(39:54):
like huge shout out to you, because I imagine navigating
those industries would be tricky as a black fellow.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Like industry. Oh yeah, it's not easy. It's and it's
you know, it's still not very easy. You know, I'm
still having to deal with some things, the challenges in
this industry as well as acting. You know, there's so
many things that I think as mobs, so many stereotypes
that again you know, are placed on us, and it's
time to break those stereotypes. And so yeah, it's good
to be in this industry, and it's good to create
(40:21):
change and waves where other people feel comfortable. To be
in these industries and to work with so many awesome
big brands and labels, but to always come back to
you know who you are and where you come from.
Because everyone sees all these you know, successes and you
know the things that you've achieved, but I think people
forget where you've come from, but wasn't it wasn't a
pretty start, you know. I always like to tell that story.
(40:43):
I always like to say, you know, I didn't have,
you know, a lot, but at the end of the day,
I had what my mum could give and that was enough.
Speaker 1 (40:51):
Thank you for sharing that, because you're right, like it
always comes back to the mob and our roots and
where we feel anchored and safe and where we feel
of value, and those industries are on a journey like
everyone else, and I'm sure there is a long way
to go, but I also like appreciate you sharing that
for you know, our titters that listen in that. Sometimes
we can compare someone's chapter twenty to our chapter one
(41:16):
and think that we're not that great. But just reminding
people that you have been on a journey, but also
two things. It's probably comes a lot of pressure too,
because you feel like you've got to make sure that
everything's right for the next generation and everything. So you know,
just sending love to all love and big love to
you that you're doing the best you can because you're
showing up authentically in your true self and you know,
(41:39):
whether that's speaking on things like Nadock and elders and
the game and reverendum and being front and center with
issues and for our mob. You've never waived on that.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Thank you so much. So I'm getting emotional because it's
not all the time that you hear mob supporting you
in these really hard times and these challenges times. You know,
they kind of just see all the good things that
you're doing and they don't realize how hard it can be.
But you know, at the end of the day is
as long as we got each other, as long as
we continue to support each other, that's how we're going
(42:10):
to be stronger together. That's how we're going to create
real changes. Even though we may have different opinions, or
we may have different political views, it doesn't matter about that,
as long as we accept each other for who we
are and we're there to support each other and forget,
you know, all of those opinions and leave them at
the door. It's you know who you are as a person,
and I think that's so important just to forget certain
(42:30):
value so that you can be the kind person that
you are and to show that kindness and love and
support to everyone else because we all need that.
Speaker 1 (42:37):
We see you, we love you as you see us
and love us. And you're right. You know, these things
come and go, but you know, the love and respect
and generosity that our community have for each other, it
will always be.
Speaker 2 (42:50):
There one hundred percent because we all want what's best
for each other. You know, it doesn't matter about all
these different opinions and views that we have. At the
end of the day, we all want that one goal,
and that's so that we can live and thrive and
not just survive. We want to be thriving just as
much as you know, these non indigenous people are on
our country, on stolen land, you know, still living their
privileged lives. We want to be able to do the
(43:12):
same things, but also in our own way, you know,
staying true to our culture, our community, and trying to
decolonize that way of what success really is.
Speaker 1 (43:21):
I want to ask, since before I let you go,
what can we expect from you outside of your music
this year? And how can people keep up with all
of your magic and what it is that you're doing
and the joy you're bringing into people's lives.
Speaker 2 (43:35):
Oh man, so much in store for the new year
without giving up too much. So I think something that
I'm really proud of is being able to create more
opportunities and all these different industries that I'm in, So
the way that I'm learning as I go in acting, music, modeling, poetry,
activism and all those things, I'm now thinking of how
(43:56):
can I implement MOB to be in the same space
as I am because there's not a lot especially in
the modeling industry and the acting and the music. There
are so many of us coming up, but there's not
a lot of MOB that have really reached the top
of the ladder, you know, And I think the way
that we are able to reach the top of the
ladder is being together. So I want to be able
(44:17):
to bring my MOB with me this year, really really
bring them with me. And so that's what I think. Yeah,
people got to keep an eye out is the things
that I'm going to be creating this year so that
other MOB can have the same opportunity as me, because
I think that's so important that you know that we
are able to give other opportunities and create really beautiful
spaces for them to be in and be comfortable in
their own skin, be confident within who they are, and
(44:39):
to not compare as well. You know, I feel like
so many people will compare themselves to others and think, oh,
you know, they're really successful. I need to be like that.
But you know, I think deep down you got to
understand is that you just need to be the best
you that you can possibly be, and that will create
so many beautiful opportunities and waves of love and pride
(45:01):
for other MOB as well.
Speaker 1 (45:02):
Oh, my sis, thank you so much for being here today.
I'm going to take a lot away. I'm probably going
to be walking with the dogs down near the Birong
Mar there thinking about many of the things that you've
said today. We're so grateful and we can't wait to
continue watching the magic and how you continue to bring
Mob together along the way.
Speaker 2 (45:21):
Thank you, Mike Tita, Thank you so much for having
me and then for sharing these beautiful, loving, supportive words.
It means a lot, and I'm just really glad that
we could have this conversation. Very grateful and blessed.
Speaker 1 (45:33):
What a deadly conversation with Sissy lull of Ales. I
know that I myself have to take some time to
really process the many things that she said and embodies
as an incredible sister who's not afraid to be defined
by many things and many joys and many passions. I
(45:55):
think in the last few years leaning into my authenticity,
I have been reminded that it is a practice. Actually,
Brene Brown says it the best. One of her quotes
is that authenticity is the daily practice of letting go
who we think we're supposed to be and embracing who
(46:17):
we actually are. And in a neoliberal world that is
trying to tell us to fit into boxes and to
conform to certain ideals that don't always belong to us,
I think leaning into the many parts of who we
are and sending them equal amounts of love and value
(46:41):
and time is maybe one of the greatest gifts that
we can give ourselves in this moment. Until next time,
you MOB, thank you so much for listening you MOB.
If you are vibing this season of yarning up, then
please head over to apple Spot or wherever you get
(47:01):
your podcasts from to show us some love, rate and review. Alternatively,
you can get in contact and give us some feedback
by visiting www. Dot Caroline Coow dot com dot au
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