Communities around the world are shifting the narrative, and more people—especially here in Australia—are seeking to educate themselves on Indigenous rights, cultures, and voices. There’s no better way to immerse yourself in these stories than by tuning in to podcasts created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
These podcasts not only offer valuable insights and perspectives but also provide a platform for celebrating Indigenous storytelling. While there are many incredible options out there, we’ve rounded up our absolute favorites. Get streaming—here are the best podcasts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices that you need to listen to right now.
TalkBlack
This has to be one of our all-time favourite podcasts to date, no question. With episodes spanning information about the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the latest federal election, voting rights and Invasion Day, TalkBlack is a podcast is all about truth-telling, black politics and protests.
Look At Moi
For something a little more light-hearted, TV host, writer and podcaster Rowdie Walden has launched a new weekly podcast, Look at Moi – celebrating twenty years of the iconic, cult-classic Australian series Kath & Kim. Each week, Rowdie is joined by a new celebrity guest to journey back to Fountain Lakes and unpack the most iconic Australian series of all time. Each episode will cover a season of the show and will feature other Aussie legends like Abbie Chatfield, Em Rusciano, and Art Simone.
Word Up
Australia has over 500 different clan groups or nations, all of which hold their own distinctive cultures, belief systems, laws and language. Word Up is the podcast bringing these languages back to life, so to speak, and is hosted by Bundjalung and Kullilli man Daniel Browning. Sharing the diverse languages of black Australia, episodes hone in languages spanning everywhere from Anmatyerre to Arrente to Yankunytjatjara and Yorta Yorta, one word at a time. You'll learn about important words, stories from elders and songs too.
Coming Out, Blak
Hosted by Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi woman Matika Little, and Courtney Hagen, a Butchulla and Gubbi Gubbi woman, Coming Out, Blak is an absolute must listen. Dedicated to supporting and celebrating First Nations people in the LGBTQ+ community, each ep features interviews that shine a light on the triumphs, lessons and learnings of their guests. One of our favourite eps is with the uber talented Jojo Zaho who revealed how he got into drag and what it was like growing up in a regional town as a young, gay and Indigenous man. Bless your ears with this thought-provoking podcast right here.
Search Engine Sex
We’ve all been there—typed a sex question into Google that we’re too embarassed to ask our mates. Fortunately Rowdie Walden is here to help, with his hilarious and informative series, Search Engine Sex. Throughout the series (season two just dropped) Walden, along with various special guests will deep dive to answer some of the most searched sex and relationship questions. Nothing is off limits here, think: how to navigate porn in a relationship, a guide to edging and how to spot red flags—and it’s all told in Walden’s hilarious way. Get clued up with all the episodes here.
Black Magic Woman With Mundanara Bayles
Hosted by Mundanara Bayles, put Black Magic Woman to the top of your list. Featuring open and uplifting conversations with First Nations people, creating a better understanding of First Nations people’s culture and history—this podcast is an absolute treat. Bayles yarns with everyone from Wiradjuri elder Uncle David Bell, founder of Young Spirit Mentoring Program, Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia and Dr Anita Heiss. Have a listen here.
Broriginals
If you’re after a solid LOL-fest, then bless your ears with Broriginals. Hosted by brothers Texas and Travis De Vries, the duo draw on their 80,000 years of cultural heritage to give advice to listeners on how to be a better Aboriginal and maybe a better human being in general. In each episode, the brothers will feature bad answers to questions from audience members, questions from the Deadly Questions portal and other strange oddities from the internet. Give the podcast a listen here.
Yarning Up With Caroline Kell
A proud Mbarbrum woman, you need to check out Caroline Kell’s brilliant podcast Yarning Up. Featuring insightful conversations with First Nations leaders, thinkers, creators, activists and entrepreneurs. Guests include Kamilaroi man and lifestyle coach Jeffrey Morgan and Yorta Yorta woman and founder of Yarli Creative (one of our faves) Madison Connors. Together, Kell and her guests will help you learn and unlearn Australia’s history. Listen to Yarning Up here.
Unapologetically Blak
We can’t get enough of this podcast from Gomeroi, Gamilaraay woman Ginny (who is also the founder and designer of the amazing Ginny’s Girl Gang) and her awesome mate AJ, a proud Barkindji, Latje Latje, Wakka Wakka woman. Unapologetically Blak seeks to place Indigenous voices at the front and centre of tough conversations to show Australia a new narrative of First Nations experiences in contemporary society. The duo will laugh and cry as they discuss topics that for too long have been placed into the “too hard basket” such as exploring black identity, mental health and heartbreak. Bless your ears right here.
Blacademia
Gamilaroi woman Amy Thunig launched her podcast, Blacademia, late last year and it’s been at the top of our binge-list ever since. As an Associate Lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies at Macquarie University, lecturing and researching in the area of Indigenous knowledges and formal education systems, Thunig is sharing her knowledge and passion for her culture with listeners. In each ep, Thunig chats with First Nations academics including Gamilaraay woman and astrophysicist Karlie Noon, who was the first Aboriginal person on the East coast of Australia to graduate with a combined Bachelor of Mathematics/Bachelor of Science. Add this thoughtful and inspiring Indigenous podcast to your playlist stat.
Take It Blak
Take It Blak is NITV’s leading podcast, exploring the stories behind the news. Hosted by Goori journalist Jack Latimore and Wiradjuri STEM journalist Rae Johnston, episodes tackle topics like Black History Month, COVID-19 and International Woman’s Day as well as profiling Indigenous People who are doing epic things for their community. As well as guest stars popping by for a chat, there’s also mini eps called Short Blak featuring chats with the likes of human rights lawyer and principle solicitor of the National Justice Project (NJP) George Newhouse. New eps drop every fortnight so you can bless your ears and educate yourself on the regular.
Deadly Voices From The House
Hosted by Bundjalung actor, journo and arts guru Rhoda Roberts, Deadly Voices From The House is recorded live from Sydney’s Opera House and features an epic selection of guest appearances from prominent Indigenous leaders in the world of art, music and culture. In the podcast Roberts and her guests talk through critical issues facing the Indigenous community. Roberts has also just dropped a miniseries within Deadly Voices called Letters To Cook, featuring poetry, conversations and interviews around the 250 years since the first Australians saw Lieutenant James Cook’s HMS Endeavour arriving to lay claim to their land.