In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, host Mundanara Bales sits down with proud Gamilaraay man, founder of Walkabout Barber and community wellbeing advocate Brian Dowd for a deeply honest yarn about mental fitness, identity, vulnerability and the power of truly listening to people.

Known to many as “The Walkabout Barber”, Brian shares how a simple haircut can become something much bigger, a moment where people feel safe enough to open up, be heard and feel seen beyond the surface. Through Walkabout Barber and the Walkabout Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, Brian is creating spaces where conversations happen naturally, stigma is broken down and people are supported to help themselves.

Together, Brian and Mundanara explore what it means to look after people, especially young people, by giving them a voice, listening without judgement and helping build the confidence to feel comfortable in their own skin. Brian speaks powerfully about “wearing two uniforms in life”, reminding listeners that the most important one is the skin you wake up in every day.

Brian also opens up about fatherhood, supporting his autistic son and caring for his mother after her stroke. His reflections on grief, purpose, vulnerability and community are raw, compassionate and deeply human.

This episode is a reminder that everyone’s story is worthwhile, everyone matters and sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop, listen and ask someone if they’re okay.

Resources and links
Find out more about Gotcha4Life at www.gotcha4life.org and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @gotcha4life and on Instagram @blackmagicwomanpodcast.

Follow the Walkabout Barber on Instagram @walkaboutbarber

About the podcast
Hosted by award-winning Indigenous businesswoman and Gotcha4Life Board Member Mundanara Bayles, and produced in partnership with Black Magic Woman, Mental Fitness Conversations centres First Nations voices in powerful conversations about culture, connection and what truly sustains mental fitness.

Content note
This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges which may be confronting. Please practise self-care and reach out if you need support. Services available 24/7 include 13YARN on 13 92 76 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.

In this episode of Mental Fitness Conversations, host Mundanara Bales sits down with proud Gamilaraay man, founder of Walkabout Barber and community wellbeing advocate Brian Dowd for a deeply honest yarn about mental fitness, identity, vulnerability and the power of truly listening to people.
Known to many as &ldquo;The Walkabout Barber&rdquo;, Brian shares how a simple haircut can become something much bigger, a moment where people feel safe enough to open up, be heard and feel seen beyond the surface. Through Walkabout Barber and the Walkabout Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, Brian is creating spaces where conversations happen naturally, stigma is broken down and people are supported to help themselves.
Together, Brian and Mundanara explore what it means to look after people, especially young people, by giving them a voice, listening without judgement and helping build the confidence to feel comfortable in their own skin. Brian speaks powerfully about &ldquo;wearing two uniforms in life&rdquo;, reminding listeners that the most important one is the skin you wake up in every day.
Brian also opens up about fatherhood, supporting his autistic son and caring for his mother after her stroke. His reflections on grief, purpose, vulnerability and community are raw, compassionate and deeply human.
This episode is a reminder that everyone&rsquo;s story is worthwhile, everyone matters and sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stop, listen and ask someone if they&rsquo;re okay.
Resources and links Find out more about Gotcha4Life at<a href="http://www.gotcha4life.org"> www.gotcha4life.org</a> and follow us on Instagram and Facebook @gotcha4life and on Instagram @blackmagicwomanpodcast.
Follow the Walkabout Barber on Instagram @walkaboutbarber
About the podcast Hosted by award-winning Indigenous businesswoman and Gotcha4Life Board Member Mundanara Bayles, and produced in partnership with Black Magic Woman, Mental Fitness Conversations centres First Nations voices in powerful conversations about culture, connection and what truly sustains mental fitness.
Content note This episode includes discussion of mental health challenges which may be confronting. Please practise self-care and reach out if you need support. Services available 24/7 include 13YARN on 13 92 76 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Introducing Mental Fitness Conversations - a special podcast series created in partnership with Black Magic Woman and Gotcha4Life Foundation, a non-profit organisation I’m proud to be a board member of.

Gotcha4Life is all about inspiring and enabling people to take action to build their mental fitness: the everyday skills and support we all need to look after our wellbeing.

In this first series, I sit down with mob from across the country to yarn about identity, connection and our emotional strengths - in ourselves, in each other and in our communities. These are honest, uplifting conversations that celebrate culture, community and the simple actions that help us stay strong and connected through life’s ups and downs.

Join me as we explore how mob are taking action to build their mental fitness, one conversation at a time.

Introducing Mental Fitness Conversations - a special podcast series created in partnership with Black Magic Woman and Gotcha4Life Foundation, a non-profit organisation I&rsquo;m proud to be a board member of.
Gotcha4Life is all about inspiring and enabling people to take action to build their mental fitness: the everyday skills and support we all need to look after our wellbeing.
In this first series, I sit down with mob from across the country to yarn about identity, connection and our emotional strengths - in ourselves, in each other and in our communities. These are honest, uplifting conversations that celebrate culture, community and the simple actions that help us stay strong and connected through life&rsquo;s ups and downs.
Join me as we explore how mob are taking action to build their mental fitness, one conversation at a time.

Mental Fitness Conversations

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast 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 the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.

 

Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.

 

Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au

 

If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit www.theblackcard.com.au Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast 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 the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
&nbsp;
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It&rsquo;s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960&rsquo;s.
&nbsp;
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at <a href="https://www.theblackcard.com.au">www.theblackcard.com.au</a>
&nbsp;
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit <a href="https://www.theblackcard.com.au">www.theblackcard.com.au</a> Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast 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 the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.



Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.



Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.



If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Hosted by Mundanara Bayles who was born and raised in Redfern (Sydney) Australia and currently lives in Queensland. The Black Magic Woman Podcast 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 the resilience of her people. She hopes these stories inspire her listeners and also create a better understanding of what First Nations Peoples culture and history.
 
Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do. Mundanara makes people feel relaxed and comfortable as if they were sitting around the kitchen table just having a yarn. It’s the way First Nations people have been building relationships and getting to know each other for tens of thousands of years. She draws from a long family history in the media industry and has grown up in culturally strong, politically active family who have been at the forefront of the Aboriginal Rights movement since the 1960’s.
 
Mundanara sees this platform as an opportunity to share her cultural knowledge and insights to her audience in a non confrontational way that brings people along with her to create change for a better Australia. To connect more with Mundanara check out the work she does with her elders at www.theblackcard.com.au.
 
If you'd like to support the show by making a financial contribution, visit https://www.theblackcard.com.au./ Any help is appreciated and goes a long way. I encourage to get behind any First Nations media, contribute, share and be apart of positive change that Australia needs.

Black Magic Woman

How Walkabout Barber Brian Dowd is Creating Safe Spaces for Men to Speak Up

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/30110f64-18e4-4a9e-95f1-b43c0049d581/transcript

Dylan Voller is a Ngarrindjeri man, hip hop artist, and advocate from Alice Springs, now based in Sydney. In 2016, footage of Dylan as a seventeen year old, hooded and strapped to a restraint chair inside the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, aired on the ABC's Four Corners program, went around the world, and sparked a Royal Commission into the protection and detention of children in the Northern Territory.

But Dylan is more than that footage, and this yarn is proof.

I sat down with Dylan for an honest, unfiltered conversation about growing up fast, what it meant to be a young blakfulla inside a system built to punish rather than protect, and what it has taken to rebuild a life on his own terms. Dylan talks about his big sister, the first person who truly believed in him. He talks about music as survival, writing poems inside and watching them find their way into the published anthology Fire Front: First Nations Poetry and Power Today alongside Archie Roach and some of this country's most powerful Aboriginal voices. He talks about the grassroots work nobody claps for, the burnout of being pushed before you're ready, the slow and hard road of healing from trauma, and the young ones in his community who inspire him just as much as he inspires them.

He also speaks plainly about what the statistics mean when you've lived inside them, and why he refuses to let the media's version of his story be the last word.

This is a yarn about resilience, family, music, and what it looks like to keep going when the world has already written you off.

Dylan's music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Follow him on Instagram: @dylan_voller_

If this episode raised anything for you, support is available. Call 13YARN on 13 92 76, a 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Lifeline is also available on 13 11 14.

Dylan Voller is a Ngarrindjeri man, hip hop artist, and advocate from Alice Springs, now based in Sydney. In 2016, footage of Dylan as a seventeen year old, hooded and strapped to a restraint chair inside the Don Dale Youth Detention Centre, aired on the ABC's Four Corners program, went around the world, and sparked a Royal Commission into the protection and detention of children in the Northern Territory.
But Dylan is more than that footage, and this yarn is proof.
I sat down with Dylan for an honest, unfiltered conversation about growing up fast, what it meant to be a young blakfulla inside a system built to punish rather than protect, and what it has taken to rebuild a life on his own terms. Dylan talks about his big sister, the first person who truly believed in him. He talks about music as survival, writing poems inside and watching them find their way into the published anthology Fire Front: First Nations Poetry and Power Today alongside Archie Roach and some of this country's most powerful Aboriginal voices. He talks about the grassroots work nobody claps for, the burnout of being pushed before you're ready, the slow and hard road of healing from trauma, and the young ones in his community who inspire him just as much as he inspires them.
He also speaks plainly about what the statistics mean when you've lived inside them, and why he refuses to let the media's version of his story be the last word.
This is a yarn about resilience, family, music, and what it looks like to keep going when the world has already written you off.
Dylan's music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Follow him on Instagram: @dylan_voller_
If this episode raised anything for you, support is available. Call 13YARN on 13 92 76, a 24/7 crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Lifeline is also available on 13 11 14.

No Looking Back

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/f203d49f-e82f-44a6-b915-b44a006e2505/transcript

Opener

Conversation Cards

CJay's Vines & Humour

Them Yarns Podcast & Weaving

Final thoughts

In this episode, I yarn with proud Dulguburra Yidinji woman Carly Wallace about her journey from going viral with her comedy platform CJays Vines to becoming a respected advocate and storyteller across media and community spaces. Carly reflects on navigating trolling, changing expectations around humour, and the importance of staying authentic while using your voice to advocate for mob and family.

We also talk about Carly’s late ADHD diagnosis, how understanding neurodiversity has helped her reframe lifelong challenges, and the healing she’s found reconnecting with cultural practice through weaving. This yarn is a powerful reminder to follow your interests, step outside your comfort zone and stay grounded in who you are.

Them Yarns Podcast (Spotify)
https://open.spotify.com/show/5AdvfAcD5VNLb9vpiEO1Jx?si=4360bcecb6424493

Them Yarns Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/themyarnsthepodcast

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

 

In this episode, I yarn with proud Dulguburra Yidinji woman&nbsp;Carly Wallace about her journey from going viral with her comedy platform CJays Vines to becoming a respected advocate and storyteller across media and community spaces. Carly reflects on navigating trolling, changing expectations around humour, and the importance of staying authentic while using your voice to advocate for mob and family.
We also talk about Carly&rsquo;s late ADHD diagnosis, how understanding neurodiversity has helped her reframe lifelong challenges, and the healing she&rsquo;s found reconnecting with cultural practice through weaving. This yarn is a powerful reminder to follow your interests, step outside your comfort zone and stay grounded in who you are.
Them Yarns Podcast (Spotify) <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5AdvfAcD5VNLb9vpiEO1Jx?si=4360bcecb6424493">https://open.spotify.com/show/5AdvfAcD5VNLb9vpiEO1Jx?si=4360bcecb6424493</a>
Them Yarns Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themyarnsthepodcast">https://www.instagram.com/themyarnsthepodcast</a><a data-start="1494" data-end="1529"></a>
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.acast.com/www.blackmagicwoman.com.au">www.blackmagicwoman.com.au</a>
Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please &lsquo;Subscribe&rsquo; on Apple Podcasts or &lsquo;Follow&rsquo; on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you&rsquo;d like to contact us, please email, <a href="mailto:info@blackmagicwoman.com.au">info@blackmagicwoman.com.au</a>
Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.
&nbsp;

Finding Your Voice Beyond The Noise

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/65534db1-196a-4e9e-aaca-b3f40044072c/transcript

At 23, everything changed. In this yarn, I sit down with a proud Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji man, Ian Lacey, who opens up about losing his dream of playing professional rugby league and how that moment of failure became the turning point that shaped his life’s work. From sitting down with Wayne Bennett after a career-ending mistake, to navigating the pressure of leadership in community, Ian shares what it really takes to rebuild, stay grounded, and back yourself when things don’t go to plan.

We also dive into the deeper purpose behind his work — creating pathways through sport, supporting mob in community, and building something bigger than the game itself. This yarn is about resilience, accountability, and understanding that sometimes the biggest setbacks can open the right doors — if you’re willing to learn from them.

Key Themes
00:00 Losing a lifelong dream and the moment everything shifted
03:15 Learning from mistakes and building self-belief
08:40 Pressure, accountability, and leading in community
18:20 Life after sport — identity, purpose, and transition
24:10 Creating pathways through sport and giving back
32:30 Advice for young mob chasing high-performance sport

Resources
Arthur Beetson Foundation → https://arthurbeetsonfoundation.com/
13YARN (24/7 support) → https://www.13yarn.org.au
Lifeline Australia → https://www.lifeline.org.au

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au

Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

At 23, everything changed. In this yarn, I sit down with a proud Wakka Wakka and Mandandanji man, Ian Lacey, who opens up about losing his dream of playing professional rugby league and how that moment of failure became the turning point that shaped his life&rsquo;s work. From sitting down with Wayne Bennett after a career-ending mistake, to navigating the pressure of leadership in community, Ian shares what it really takes to rebuild, stay grounded, and back yourself when things don&rsquo;t go to plan.
We also dive into the deeper purpose behind his work &mdash; creating pathways through sport, supporting mob in community, and building something bigger than the game itself. This yarn is about resilience, accountability, and understanding that sometimes the biggest setbacks can open the right doors &mdash; if you&rsquo;re willing to learn from them.
Key Themes
<ul data-start="1044" data-end="1437">
<li data-section-id="a0rz82" data-start="1044" data-end="1115">00:00 Losing a lifelong dream and the moment everything shifted</li>
<li data-section-id="bgkvph" data-start="1116" data-end="1177">03:15 Learning from mistakes and building self-belief</li>
<li data-section-id="1p3cwb" data-start="1178" data-end="1242">08:40 Pressure, accountability, and leading in community</li>
<li data-section-id="1hi9jjd" data-start="1243" data-end="1309">18:20 Life after sport &mdash; identity, purpose, and transition</li>
<li data-section-id="1fsfrho" data-start="1310" data-end="1371">24:10 Creating pathways through sport and giving back</li>
<li data-section-id="1342t11" data-start="1372" data-end="1437">32:30 Advice for young mob chasing high-performance sport</li>
</ul>
Resources
<ul data-start="1439" data-end="1665">
<li data-section-id="grqpbf" data-start="1490" data-end="1558">Arthur Beetson Foundation &rarr; <a href="https://arthurbeetsonfoundation.com/" data-start="1520" data-end="1556">https://arthurbeetsonfoundation.com/</a></li>
<li data-section-id="1vjkcmk" data-start="1559" data-end="1612">13YARN (24/7 support) &rarr; <a href="https://www.13yarn.org.au" data-start="1585" data-end="1610">https://www.13yarn.org.au</a></li>
<li data-section-id="qrkgew" data-start="1613" data-end="1665">Lifeline Australia &rarr; <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au" data-start="1636" data-end="1663">https://www.lifeline.org.au</a></li>
</ul>
Website:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.acast.com/www.blackmagicwoman.com.au">www.blackmagicwoman.com.au</a>
Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please &lsquo;Subscribe&rsquo; on Apple Podcasts or &lsquo;Follow&rsquo; on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you&rsquo;d like to contact us, please email, <a href="mailto:info@blackmagicwoman.com.au">info@blackmagicwoman.com.au</a>
Black Magic Woman is produced by BlakCast.

He Lost the Dream — Then Found His Purpose

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/731138aa-f88f-4c3e-a838-b42b005f4dea/transcript

How Walkabout Barber Brian Dowd is Creating Safe Spaces for Men to Speak Up

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