Kelly Louise

EPISODE 10: Kelly Louise, Deadly Podcasts @DeadlyPodcasts

In this episode of Sobah Life, Dr Clinton Schultz yarns to social worker, podcaster and country music singer-songwriter Kelly Louise about cultural identity and belonging. 

Being different and being treated badly because of that difference can be really tough, particularly for young people. Having a strong and positive sense of identity is important for wellbeing.

Kelly Louise is a Gunggari woman born and raised on Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair country. Her best advice to her younger self is having self believe and the courage to back yourself to go for it. "You can be anything you want to be, believe in yourself and go get it."

Growing up in Toowoomba appeared to be fairly normal until she hit her mid-teens. Kelly has a non-Indigenous father and an Aboriginal mother that was disconnected to her mob. Being fair skinned left many unexplained questions of identity and belonging.  Looking back on her life now, Kelly recognises that this caused her to feel alone, unsettled and doubtful. "I remember crying thinking 'why is my mum black and I’m white?' Am I white or black?"

Kelly didn’t have access to her culture or Aboriginal Elders to support and guide the development of her cultural identify so she found herself lost traversing young adulthood using alcohol and drugs to block out the pain. "I was continuing a generational cycle of alcohol abuse and self-destructive behaviour."

Having her son at 30 was a turning point in Kelly's life. She decided to study enrolling into Education but soon changed pathways to achieve a Bachelor of Social Work degree at 40. This personal success was only the beginning! It helped to propel her to what she loves doing the most. Now a singer/songwriter, recording artist, podcast founder, journalist and host, media producer and visual arts creator, Kelly is thriving.  

"I am passionate about humanity, environment and animals and believe we all have right to reach our full potential. Deadly Podcasts is a platform that aims to inspire, empower and motivate theta to reach their full potential."

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