BlakCast and iHeart spotlight First Nations stories this NAIDOC Week

The BlakCast Network is marking NAIDOC Week by continuing to amplify First Nations voices, stories and perspectives across its podcast portfolio.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme – Fifty Years of Deadly – marks the 50-year anniversary of a movement that has championed truth-telling, cultural pride and self-determination.

In partnership with ARN’s iHeart, BlakCast is inviting all Australians to engage with the rich histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a curated collection of podcasts exploring culture, identity, community and lived experience.

BlakCast founder Mundanara Bayles said “This year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, honours five decades of NAIDOC leadership and community.”

“NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity to connect with your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and celebrate First Nations stories and experiences. The BlakCast podcast network now has three First Nations led podcasts across our slate with conversations ranging from entrepreneurship and being Blak in the workplace, to navigating the arts industry and making music grounded in culture, plus much more.”

“For 50 years NAIDOC has celebrated our cultures, and we invite you to listen, learn and celebrate with us.”

BlakCast is Australia’s first podcast network owned and led by First Nations people.

This NAIDOC Week, the network is highlighting a curated collection of podcast episodes available on iHeart, including:

Culture Capital

Where leadership meets lived experience, Culture Capital features interviews with the thinkers shaping the future – political leaders, changemakers, cultural icons and business innovators.

Culture Capital explores power, influence and the people moving Australia forward with courage, nuance and deep cultural grounding.

Previous guests have included Linda Burney, former Australian Minister for Indigenous Australia, Vice President of Thales Group Jacqui Kernot, Australian Institute of Company Directors Managing Director & CEO Mark Rigotti and The MathPath Founder Aubrey Blanche.

Access Granted with Lowanna Grant

Access Granted continues to spotlight powerful First Nations voices, including with recent guest Miss Kaninna. In a candid conversation with Lowanna, the pair yarn about the creative process behind tracks like Mob Ties, the power of truth-telling through music, and carrying culture and community through artistry.

Miss Kaninna’s fearless voice and commitment to uplifting Blak stories make for an inspiring listen.

Black Magic Woman

On Wednesday 8 July, Black Magic Woman welcomes Akala Newman, a self-described Wiradjuri/Gadigal Dark Pop Angel, artist, activist and academic.  With national exposure at the Sydney‘s New Year’s Eve broadcast at the Opera House with her powerful anthem Country Calling, Akala shares her journey, artistry and advocacy in a compelling NAIDOC Week conversation.

Hosted by Founder of the BlakCast Podcast Network and Co-Founder of The Black Card Mundanara Bayles, Black Magic Woman is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly First Nations people from Australia and around the world sharing their stories about their journey to highlight the diversity amongst First Nations peoples and their resilience.