Yarning Up First Nations Stories with Caroline Kell
Yarning Up is hosted by the ever-inspiring Caroline Kell - Mbarbrum woman, visionary behind Blak Wattle Coaching and Consulting, and TedX Speaker. This show is helping to redefine the way listeners engage with First Nations people, stories, experiences and perspectives, offering a refreshing alternative to the mainstream narrative. Through candid and heartfelt conversations, this platform opens doors to authentic learning and connection with First Nations people, issues, causes, and stories. Its purpose is truth telling and to help all Australians learn and unlearn Australia’s past, to work towards a better future.
Episodes
61 episodes
Meriki Onus - Historic Treaty Elections (Gellung Warl)
In this episode of Yarning Up, the first instalment of Season Five, I sat down with Meriki Onus, who shared their passion for standing for election to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria—an independent, democratically elected body ...
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55:46
Megan 'Megzy' Waters: Reconnecting First Nations Mind, Body and Country
In this heartfelt episode of Yarning Up, host Caroline Kell sits down for a rich and inspiring yarn with Megan Waters—media presenter, host of
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1:03:31
Election Insights: Yarning with Senator Dorinda Cox on the 48th Federal Australian Election
With less than a week until the 48th Federal Election, I had the privilege of sitting down with Yamatji-Noongar woman and the first Indigenous woman to represent Western Australia in the Senate, Senator Dorinda Cox. This election feels l...
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1:18:02
Troy Benjamin – The brains behind Blak Brews Tea and building a First Nations-led enterprise
In this episode, we sit down with Troy Benjamin, a proud Wadi Wadi, Tadi Tadi, Mutti Mutti, and Wemba Wemba man. A entrepreneur, storyteller, and the visionary behind Black Brews, Australia’s first 100% First Nations-owned tea business. T...
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1:13:18
Kyarlee Tighe on Overcoming Adversity, Cultural Connection, and Advocating for First Nations Youth
In this deeply moving episode of Yarning Up, we sit down with Kyarlee Tighe, a proud Kamilaroi and Wonnarua woman whose story of resilience, strength, and advocacy is nothing short of inspiring. Kyarlee shares her journey growing up in...
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56:14
Ella Noah Bancroft on First Nations Knowledge, Feminine Leadership, and Decolonisation
Join us for a thought-provoking yarn with Bundjalung woman Ella Noah Bancroft, a storyteller, artist, and activist reshaping the conversation around decolonisation, community, and Indigenous-led solutions. Ella shares her journey of growing up ...
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53:37
Rona Glynn-McDonald - Storytelling, Protecting Energy, and Honouring First Nations Wisdom
Were back for 2025. Join us for a powerful yarn to kick things off, with Rona Glynn-McDonald—entrepreneur, storyteller, musician, and proud Central Desert woman. As the founding CEO of Common Ground and now F...
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1:19:18
Jalen Sutcliffe - A First Nations Performer’s Journey Through Art, Identity, and Storytelling
In this episode of Yarning Up, we sit down with the multi-talented Jalen Sutcliffe, a proud Darumbal, Kalkadoon, and Papua New Guinean performer from Townsville, North Queensland. Jalen takes us on a journey thr...
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49:16
Lauren French - Embracing Body Sovereignty: A First Nations Perspective on Sex Education, Healing, and Pleasure
In this episode of Yarning Up, we welcome renowned sexologist and sex educator Lauren French, a Karajarri woman who grew up on Larrakia Country in Darwin. Lauren is a trailblazer in supporting couple...
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49:56
Karlie Noon – Blazing Trails in Science and Indigenous Knowledge
Ever been curious about Aboriginal astronomy and how the night sky has guided mobs for thousands of years? In this episode of Yarning Up, Caroline sits down with Karlie Alinta Noon, a Gamilaroi astrophysicist, author, and advoca...
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1:03:54
Penelope Towney- Sharing Indigenous Languages, Culture and Sciences as the Youngest First Nations Film Maker
Looking for something deadly, for you and your jarjum, to dive into this school holidays? I had the absolute honour of chatting with the brilliant 10-year-old Penelope Towney—proud Wiradjuri and Palawa girl, YouTube star, and future me...
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21:46
Marley Morgan - First Nations storytelling through photography
In this episode, Caroline is joined by the widely published photographer and storyteller Marley Morgan. A proud Wiradjuri woman born on Gumbaynggirr Land, Marley’s incredible portrayal of Aboriginal culture, stories, and women has taken her acr...
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45:52
Matt Moncrieff- First Nations Native Food & Food Sovereignty
In this episode, Caroline is joined by TV star and proud Yamatji man Matt Moncrieff from Gwoonwardu in Western Australia. Matt is a bushfood advocate with a large platform after featuring on Seven's My Kitchen Rules, and has made headlines aga...
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59:48
Commissioner Travis Lovett - A Deep Dive into the Yoorrook Justice Commission on Historical and Ongoing Injustices
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Travis Lovett, Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. A proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara Traditional Owner, Travis plays a key role in the first formal truth-telling process into his...
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51:20
Kristal Kinsela - Utilising supplier diversity policy to boost First Nation businesses
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Kristal Kinsela - fellow podcast host, experienced facilitator and an expert in supplier diversity policy. A proud descendant of both the Jawoyn and Wiradjuri nations, Kristal has worked with well-known gl...
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48:43
Kirby Bentley - Representing First Nation's people on her Survivor journey
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Kirby Bentley, a proud Noongar woman and contestant in season 9 of Survivor. A lifelong lover of sports, Kirby played netball for Western Australia before switching fields to AFL, before becoming an AFLW c...
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1:01:15
Grace Lillian Lee - Weaving stories through wearable art to celebrate Torres Strait Island culture
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Grace Lillian Lee, a visionary Australian artist and leader deeply rooted in her Torres Strait Island heritage. With a Bachelor of Design in Fashion, Grace's journey as an artist has been nothing short of ...
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36:22
Dr Carissa Lee - Using performance art and academia to facilitate safe spaces for Aboriginal storytellers
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Dr Carissa Lee, a Noongar actor and writer born on Wemba-Wemba country with a PhD in Indigenous theatre from The University of Melbourne. An actor who has featured in film, television, and voiceov...
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44:30
Kobie Dee - Storytelling and lifting up First Nations communities through the power of music.
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Kobie Dee, hailed as one of the most exciting voices in Australian hip hop. Kobie Dee, a Gomeroi artist from Maroubra in South Sydney, Bidjigal Land. Through songs like "Statistic," "Father's Eyes," and "...
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39:00
Naomi Moran - truth telling and sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories through the power of black media
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Naomi Moran, CEO of the National Indigenous Newspaper, the Koori Mail. Naomi is a proud Bundjalung and Djangadi woman. Generations of her family have li...
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48:08
Guyala Bayles - Upholding a legacy of First Nations activism while forging her own path to advocate for Aboriginal people
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 Au...
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47:27
Jye Murray (the Koori Physio) - Closing the gap with Aboriginal social determinants of health
In this episode, Caroline is joined by Jye Murray, also known as his online persona, The Koori Physio. Jye is a proud Wiradjuri and Ngemba man who was born and raised in Cowra. A qualified Physiotherapist and someone who is incredibly passionat...
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53:19
Live @ Beyond The Valley First Nation’s Yarn With Kee’ahn Bindol
In today's “pinch me moment” episode, Caroline has a special yarn with the incredibly talented singer, songwriter and performer, Kee’ahn Bindol at the 2023 Beyond The Valley Festival at Barunah Plains an, an ancient and natural amphit...
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35:53
Kimmie Lovegrove First Nations Comedian - Navigating The Comedy World
In this week's funny episode, Caroline is joined by the incredibly talented Kimmie Lovegrove, a proud Ngarrindjeri and Romanian woman who has been gracing the comedy scene since 2014. With accolades such as Deadly Funny finalist in bo...
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41:15
Teisha Toi - Birthing on Country as a First Nations Woman
In this week’s episode Caroline is joined by proud Wiradjuri and Yuin Woman Teisha Toi. Teisha is a mother, a cultural dancer and woman, a Dhelk Dja Counsellor at Albury Wodonga Health Service (AHWAS) and is deeply passionate about the reclamat...
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1:05:38
