Hey Aunty!

"Hey Aunty: What is Spiritual Activism?" is our conversation with the amazing Sister Eleanor 'Nalyirri' Dixon. This one is big

How is Radical Self Love Part of #BLM?" Our latest episode with the inimitable Sonya Renee Taylor. We get personal and explore the idea of liberation from inside out. Liberation by any means, but not at any cost. Huge thanks to Sonya for her “habit of saying yes to black women.” NZ based and making waves globally. Artist, Author, Activist and transformational leader Sonya Renee Taylor is a National and International award-winning writer and performer, published author, and founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, an international digital media and education company committed to radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool of social justice, whose content reaches over 1 million people monthly. She has shared her work and activism across the US, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Brazil and the Netherlands. In 2016, Sonya was a guest of the Obama White House, where she spoke about TBINAA’s work at the intersection of LGBTQIAA+ issues and disability justice. Sonya currently resides between California and New Zealand where she is an inaugural fellow in the Edmund Hilary Fellowship for global impact change makers. *occasional adult language and loud laughter. Beware. Music in this episode by Jason Price and Michelle Macklem.

Hey Aunty - How are you Doing Right Now? We are back to check-in, catching up with Aunties past/future for some much-needed community care in this challenging time. Chatting with Dr. Yadira Perez Hazel. Bronx native, Black Latina, mother, wife and much more. Talking about what we have lost, what gems have been found. What we will leave behind and what we are holding onto as we get through this, together. We've never appreciated the healing warmth of the sisterhood of black women more. We hope this chat brings that home for you, wherever you are. Stay safe. Take care and talk soon. Aunty x Produced in Melbourne Australia on Kulin land. Hosted and produced by Shantel Wetherall. In my PJs with cameos from my dog Barkley and music from Jason Price.

Dr Chelsea Bond - Is Feminism for us? This chat is packed to bursting with wow-moments, takeaways and t-shirt worthy quotes that will have you thinking for days. We can’t wait for you to hear it and tell us what you think. This is exactly what we’re here for, deeper conversation with incredible Sisters about the things that matter to us. We love sisterhood, so it’s scary to admit that it doesn't always come easily and that in some cases, it comes with a lot of baggage. Talking is the first step to making things better and Chelsea was brilliant. She’s a woman who really shows up and this conversation is fun, fierce and full of warmth. She was incredibly generous in sharing stories that reveal where she’s landed (on that day anyhow) on this important question. Chelsea is an Aboriginal (Munanjahli) and South Sea Islander Australian. She works as a researcher, health worker and Senior Lecturer. She's also the co-host of the brilliant Wild Black Women show on 989FM and a must follow on twitter. This conversation is very real, so there’s a little bit of strong language. It's also packed with the type of intelligent, yet accessible analysis that Chelsea is renowned for and we managed to laugh a lot too. My goodness black women are magic. There’s so much to learn when we have space to really #listentoblackwomen We’ve had this on repeat and found different gems every time. So it really is worth listening to a couple of times, maybe grab a cuppa or a journal in between and come back to see how you feel and what connects/doesn't connect next time around. It’ll make you think, laugh and expand a little. We definitely did. The full transcript is available on heyauntypod.com Lovely folks have been getting in touch to ask how to support us. Thank you! writing a review on apple podcasts is the best bet for now and maybe sharing the pod with your friends. Cheers, enjoy! PS - The correct Alice Walker's quotation is "womanism is to feminism as purple is to lavender" Not sure where lavender came from, but love do love all shades of purple :)

Delighted to share the next conversation on the subject of learning to loving our bodies. This week we chat with the brilliant and beautiful Fatu Sillah. Please excuse my gravelly voice I was in the depths of a cold when the intro was recorded, so kept it short and sweet. Fatu lives in Sydney and works as a social worker, supporting young people who have been in social care. She grew up in a number of African nations after her family had to leave her birthplace, Sierra Leone when she was young. She moved to Australia in 2004 at the age of 13 and she’s been largely independent from there. Fatu Is An Incredible Woman And my goodness she has lived and learned a lot. She is everything I would wish for in an Aunty and I am so excited to share our conversation with you She is unflinchingly honest about her experiences Proud of her achievements Breaking generational and cultural barriers Real fragile and vulnerable A little bit sweary (beware) Distinctively and impressively her own woman Full of joy and illuminated from within Fatu is a survivor of FGM and an ambassador for No FGM Australia. You should be aware that she talks frankly about her experiences and that means some discussion of sexuality and the body parts involved as well as a bit of strong language. That’s what you need to be - Growing up in the Ivory Coast social norms for beauty are super different to those in ‘the west’. In the West Africa Fatu grew up in, womanhood and beauty was very much about looking plump and healthy. So that’s what young women were conditioned to be, because that’s what men were looking for in a wife. Isn't it fascinating how culture persists, that’s how important it is to us. Governing even things as personal as our relationship with our own bodies. Coming to Australia Culture shock and mind-body separation -Remember the bizarre feeling of living in your body at 13? Fatu experienced all of that, while learning a new country and culture. Most of the time she was trying to simply survive and that threw up a strange situation where her body was a focal point for other people. It was simultaneously the biggest/least of her problems. So many women are faced with that conflict and want to simply fade from view. Fatu speaks so candidly about taking steps to try to erase her difference, just to buy herself enough space to think. Attraction & Objectification - “At home - you’re being told what your body should be…” “In Australia - there's an entire different set of standards projected onto you…” “A waste of time a waste of energy and exhaustion...” “I woke up one day and thought I am beautiful as I am” Fatu Colourism Is Often An Inside Job - I suppose this was about intergenerational trauma. How families pass on harmful norms because that’s what they themselves have inherited and how Fatu has learned to view these people in her own life with compassion. Yet she speaks out, to family and community so that those beliefs are not passed on to the next generation. A beautiful discussion and especially powerful considering the depth of experiences that Fatu has had to reconcile. Owning Her Narrative and Feeling at Home in Her Body - “I don't get angry anymore. It’s part of me I’m going to embrace it” Fatu Being honest about her experience with FGM and it’s impact on her life and health was a risky choice, that must have taken a lot of courage. It’s transformed Fatu’s relationship with her sexuality and body image. She speaks her truth on this and so much else to own her narrative. To be comfortable with her stories is to be comfortable with the way they are carried by her body. She owns her scars and is proud to stand out and revel in her freedom. Pink braids, shining skin, short skirts and bra free if she wants to be. All I can say is Bravo Sis, you deserve every f-ing bit of it. We all do.

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 of Hey Aunty! Tarneen Onus-Williams - How'd you learn to love your body? “This body gets us to work every day. This body puts up with the racism and the complete violence of colonialism. My body gets me through a night of partying. My body gets to give my nieces and nephews cuddles. It gets to make Christmas dinners, go camping and chop wood. We really need to see what our bodies do for ourselves and for other people, the people that we love.” Tarneen Onus-Williams Tarneen is a Yigar Gunditjmara, Bindal and Yorta Yorta person. Tarneen is a community organiser for Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance working on Invasion Day, Black Deaths in Custody Justice for Elijah and Stop the forced closures of Aboriginal Communities in WA. Tarneen works with women who’ve been in prison and also sits on the Koorie Youth Council as an Executive Member. Through Tarneen’s activism, they have become a writer and have been published in IndigenousX, The Saturday Paper, NITV and RightNow. Every waking moment we're bombarded with messages about beauty, femininity and gender. Layered on top of the family and cultural stories we inherit. It takes a whole lot of love to cut through, keep going and recognise what's so special about you. Tareen's stories are tender, hilarious and incredibly relatable. Charting their journey from carefree country kid, through self-conscious times to become the self-assured person they are today. An honest, refreshing and uplifting chat that we know you'll enjoy. Thank you Tarneen! Please support us with a share, review and follow @heyauntypod on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook

Back on Thursday 6 June.

We're over the moon delighted to bring you this special Season 1 finale episode LIVE from the Hey Aunty! Live Show at ACMI! This was an absolutely magical evening with wonderful guests Namilla Benson, Leila Gurruwiwi, Hasu Kose and Leah Avene - who brought the incredible stories, laughter and truth that the, full-house, crowd held with energy so positive and uplifting that it was an absolute joy. Mz Rizk & Idil Ali kept the vibes high as we mingled and met new friends over drinks and nibbles. I heard friendships and creative partnerships sparking left and right. More black girl magic than you can imagine. I’m so excited to share this with you to top of an incredible ride for our first season. That’s a wrap for season 1, back with Season 2 in 2019! We are so grateful for your support. This pod started from a clear intention to connect our sisters and welcome everyone open to listening to black women sharing their stories in their own words. Your feedback has helped us know you’re feeling it. We love hearing from you, thank you! It’d be wonderful if you could take a moment to review us on iTunes, or share your favourite episode on your socials (tag us and we’ll mail you some HA! Swag). We’ll keep you posted on instagram (@heyauntypod) as we cook up more nourishing goodness with the Aunties. Happy New Year! Take care, we’ll speak again soon. Photo: Atong Atem Original Music: Beyond June Some strong language

We're diving straight in with part 2 of Hey Aunty! What makes you feel alive? This week we chat with Elsie Seriat, a proud Torres Straight Islander, marathon runner and soon to be mom. She is a woman who chose her passion and hung in there, becoming a role model. Elsie ran the New York Marathon 4 years ago with the Indigenous Marathon Foundation and showed everyone what a woman filled with purpose could do. If you’re wondering if it’s for you (that thing you want). If you fear you might fail anyhow, so why try. If you are doing the dang thing and still feeling like an imposter... This will be balm for your soul. Elsie is beautifully honest about the hard bits, give it a listen and feel inspired!

We are SO READY to ask this next question: Hey Aunty! What makes you feel alive? Shantel delves deep with the wonderful Sister Leila Gurruwiwi. Leila is a proud Yolngu woman originally from Galiwinku on Elcho Island in North East Arnhem Land. A hugely popular broadcaster on SBS/NITV’s Marngrook Footy Show, as well as an Actress, ASRC Ambassador and Indigenous Support Worker at the Pavilion School. This episode is all about the importance of embracing our passions and prioritising joy. Essential self care in this busy world that’ll wear you out if you let it. I love hearing Sisters share their passions and Leila has a lifelong love of music that’s taken her across the world and out of her comfort zone, but kept her feeling close to home thought. Such a great chat, full of fond memories, encouragement and laughter.

Rounding up with our third instalment of 'Hey Aunty! How’d you deal with a dickhead?' with the incredible, talented and ceaselessly courageous Kim BustyBeatz Bowers. Kim is an Australian/South African Musical Director, Composer, Producer, Sound Designer, and DJ. Currently making waves globally as Co-Artistic Director and Musical Director of Hot Brown Honey - a show that unapologetically centres the truths and talents of a diverse cast of black fem performers. Tune in as Shantel & Kim literally put this thing to bed. Laughing as they draw on everyday incidents, professional challenges, the whys and what the hecks? When they say that listening is the most powerful act of acknowledgement... Us hearing each other like this is exactly what they’re talking about. Such a joy to be able to share this really #realtalk. We hope that you’ll check it out and get yourself some of that sweet validation too. We see you Sis. Pic by Daria Yakina Some adult language

Ready for our second instalment of Hey Aunty! How’d you deal with a dick head? This week we speak with the wonderful Pattigrace Lupari. Pattigrace is a humble woman who’s staunchly proud of her Papua New Guinean heritage. She has worked in the Tech, Film and TV space for the last 10 years. As an outspoken WOC working in a predominantly male (white) industry, she has navigated through the tech space, working with IBM and Google. From leading development teams to launching new product into the market, she has kept true to her culture and heritage by wearing her afro out and upholding her feminist view points. Pattigrace's passion is in storytelling and currently working on her own film projects about PNG and the PNG women who are making waves locally and globally. Pattigrace is an incredibly vibrant and self possessed woman who holds her identity with courage and integrity. So it was wonderful to hear her share how an early run in with a dickhead forced her to choose between shrinking and growing. Falling back on early lessons from her dad and resolving never to shrink in the face of a challenge.

It's finally here! In part one of 3 instalments we're ready to ask... Hey Aunty! How’d you deal with a dickhead? To kick things off, Shantel catches up with the brilliant Angelina Hurley. Angelina is a proud Aboriginal woman, her heritage is from Jagera, Gooreng Gooreng, Mununjali, Birriah & Kamilaroi peoples. She won’t be silenced, or told that the things that hurt us don’t exist. We know that these ‘harmless dickheads’ make a beeline for anyone who is different, so we have to deal with more than our fair share. Finding a way to navigate through their behaviour, the risk of things turning nasty and the minute scrutiny of our reactions can be exhausting. So what do you do? If you’ve ever been told you’re being too sensitive or simply left stunned and biting your tongue while everyone else laughs... Angelina’s honest stories, the hilarious and the hurtful, will be a big dose of refreshment. Enjoy!

We continue with part 3 of 'Hey Aunty! Why are we like this?' with the wonderful Léuli Eshrāghi (ia, ū pronouns). Léuli is an artist, curator, writer from the Sāmoan archipelago, Pārs plateau, Guangdong delta, and other ancestries. Ia makes performances, installations, writing and curatorial projects centred on embodied knowledges, ceremonial-political practices, language renewal and Indigenous futures throughout the Great Ocean and further afield through expanded kinships. And yet Léuli faces challenges and criticisms that many of us fear in stepping forward within community. Shantel and Léuli share their mutual fear of being called out as an imposter by their own. If you’ve ever feared being told you aren’t black/fem/indigenous, hell anything enough... We hope you’ll find this powerful chat as freeing and affirming as we did

As we return with part 2 of 'Hey Aunty! Why are we like this?' we talk with the incredible Leah Avene. A Tuvaluan mother, musician, broadcaster and educator who’s works focuses on decolonising our spirits, spaces and systems. Leah is the co presenter of ALL OUR STORIES on PBSfm. She performs music as Philemon. Story telling and narrative healing are central to Leah’s writing, public speaking and therapy work, as powerful ways to reclaiming identity, heal trauma and resisting the dominant culture. We share a beautifully honest convo on the growing pains and pitfalls of seeking belonging. Sometimes being hurt, sometimes being mean and learning to expand into our lushness. Such a rich and rewarding chat. Check it out, you’ll love it. Photo by Ivanna Oksenyuk

We're delving deep and asking 3 incredible black pillars of our community the tough question: Hey Aunty! Why are we like this? In part 1 Shantel catches up with the wonderful Lisa Hilli. Lisa is a contemporary artist, a Collection Manager for Melbourne Museum and a proud descendant of the Tolai and Gunantuna people of Papua New Guinea. Throughout her work Lisa centres indigenous knowledge and matriarchal structures in powerful and moving ways. She’s an artistic and cultural force! Yet she faces the same struggles as the rest of us. Here we get personal and share a beautiful chat about hurting and healing, at the hands of our sisters. Give it a listen, we’d love to hear what you think. Photo by Atong Atem

In part 2 of ‘Hey Aunty! Where’re you from?’ we welcome incredible guest Faustina Agolley. Faustina is a much loved TV Host, Actor, Writer and DJ. She embodies excellence, vulnerability and pride in all of her identities, in a way that’s so warm and accessible that you can forget how subversive and political it is. Faustina and Shantel share a wonderful chat about identity, belonging and the experiences that shape who we know ourselves to be. Those conversations that you mull over for weeks? This is one of those, check it out... Photo by Marija Ivkovic

Hey Aunty, Where're you from? Kicking off the first of 2 instalments, we're delighted to share a longer conversation for Episode 3 P1. Hey Aunty! Where’re you from? With Dr. Yadira Perez Hazel. Yadi is an Anthropologist, mom and proud black Latina from the Bronx, comfortable embodying every facet of her identity. In this chat with Shantel, she shares how family and community shaped an early sense of self and the obstacles she’s overcome to hold onto it, as she travels through life and across the world. This is a question we’ll keep coming back to, because these chats are so damn good. Thanks for sharing with us Yadi! Give it a listen, we’d love to know what you think Photo by Duwayno Robertson Some adult language.

In the third and final instalment of 'Hey Aunty, should I still be code switching?' Shantel sits down with Namila Benson. Namila is a veteran broadcaster, producer and presenter in addition to being a fierce champion for fem and POC talent, passing the mic as often as rocking it. She is also a loving mother and a proud PNG woman. She shared her experience of the pressure on her kids to code switch, the struggle to be allowed to express her anger and workplaces that want to both commodify and control her blackness. A very real and very timely chat. Take a listen and let us know if you can relate! Photo by Nick Harrison

Hey Aunty, should I still be code switching? This episode, Shantel chats with scientist, curator and mentor of many, Aunty Sana Balai. Aunty Sana shares her experiences with code switching with a wicked sense of humour and strength rooted in her proud identity as a PNG First Nations woman. Navigating the challenges of study and work in the prestigious NGV, juggling the complexities of identity, this conversation was a nourishing delight that reminded us to always share all of your best assets.

Hey Aunty, should I still be code switching? Our producer Shantel hopped online for a chat with presenter/broadcaster extraordinaire & proud Aboriginal woman - Rudi Bremer. In this episode, Shantel and Rudi hash out code switching, compare notes on ‘good hair’ and winding our mums up with our style choices! We absolutely loved this convo, check it out! Photo by Teresa Tan Some moments of adult language.

Hey Aunty, should I still be code switching? Using your mixed company voice, taming your hair and dressing 'professional' are all examples of ways we code switch to get by in majority white spaces. But... it's 2018 and black culture has never been more popular with the 'main stream'. In an era of white rappers, internet dance challenges and diversity errrrthing, should I still be code switching? Three dope Aunties share their experience and reflections on this hot topic.

Hey you! Welcome to Hey Aunty Podcast, we've just put the kettle on, join us! We're remixing the proverbial black aunty to answer important questions, sip on that tea and share in fireside chats with black women, fems & non-binary fam who've been there. In this introduction to the podcast, our presenter and producer Shantel Wetherall chats with the wonderful Namila Benson to share our plans, plots and purpose. Get to know us and what all this yacking is in aid of.