Before we get started, I'd like to acknowledge the custodians of the land on which we record. For me, it's the gaddigl people of the urination.

Before we get started, I'd like to acknowledge the custodians of the land on which we record. For me, it's the gaddigl people of the urination.

And for me it's a roundering people of the cooler nation.

And for me it's a roundering people of the cooler nation.

I know you're going to dig this. It's like I've been given like an extra sprinkle of something.

I know you're going to dig this. It's like I've been given like an extra sprinkle of something.

You've got layers, Yeah, I've got layers. I was just thinking, I'm like, we're just such beautiful storytellers.

You've got layers, Yeah, I've got layers. I was just thinking, I'm like, we're just such beautiful storytellers.

You make in a lot of sense to that girl.

You make in a lot of sense to that girl.

Now I'm done.

Now I'm done.

Let's jump into it, honest to go.

Let's jump into it, honest to go.

If you're listening, welcome to twenty twenty five. First things first, we're back. It's blacker than ever.

If you're listening, welcome to twenty twenty five. First things first, we're back. It's blacker than ever.

Guys were skipping the intro. Let's jump into it. Maddy, twenty twenty.

Guys were skipping the intro. Let's jump into it. Maddy, twenty twenty.

Five for twenty five. Do you remember at the end of last year we said twenty twenty five is the year to thrive?

Five for twenty five. Do you remember at the end of last year we said twenty twenty five is the year to thrive?

Is that still the vibe?

Is that still the vibe?

I feel like it's still the vibe.

I feel like it's still the vibe.

The vibes are high.

The vibes are high.

I feel I'm entering another decade of my life. I'm thirty now, Holy.

I feel I'm entering another decade of my life. I'm thirty now, Holy.

Shit, three zero? What does it feel like?

Shit, three zero? What does it feel like?

It feels bloody good. I'm being honest, like I don't feel thirty. Like if age is a number, I would definitely wouldn't feel thirty. I'd feel in my early twenties. Honestly, just more mature, I would say, but.

It feels bloody good. I'm being honest, like I don't feel thirty. Like if age is a number, I would definitely wouldn't feel thirty. I'd feel in my early twenties. Honestly, just more mature, I would say, but.

A little bit less, you would say.

A little bit less, you would say.

Yeah, a little bit, a bit still unhinged, as we all know.

Yeah, a little bit, a bit still unhinged, as we all know.

I'm loving that.

I'm loving that.

But look, you've had such a great holiday. You've been off around the world jet sitting here and there. You've been to LA You've been to New York City. I mean you've been getting around.

But look, you've had such a great holiday. You've been off around the world jet sitting here and there. You've been to LA You've been to New York City. I mean you've been getting around.

How was it?

How was it?

You know what? It was probably the best trip I've done, and I did it solo. And I think that's the best thing about entering this like new decade is I do feel like I'm only just starting living, like living my life. But I have like the maturity, and I also have like the financial I guess, not freedom, but like you know, rich.

You know what? It was probably the best trip I've done, and I did it solo. And I think that's the best thing about entering this like new decade is I do feel like I'm only just starting living, like living my life. But I have like the maturity, and I also have like the financial I guess, not freedom, but like you know, rich.

That a you're trying to say is I'm rich and I can travel wherever I want in the world.

That a you're trying to say is I'm rich and I can travel wherever I want in the world.

No, I'm not saying that at all. Fuck, I wish I had more money, but.

No, I'm not saying that at all. Fuck, I wish I had more money, but.

Like I as the cost of living crisis, I've.

Like I as the cost of living crisis, I've.

Got enough money to travel anywhere anytime I life.

Got enough money to travel anywhere anytime I life.

Well, No, I think the thing is right, I just have no attachment other than the responsibility of having a dog. I don't have like anything keeping me anywhere. Others obviously the podcast work, yes, that keeps like the wheels turning. But I feel like I'm in a place where I could honestly just like sell and pack up everything and just go wherever the fuck I want. And I think that would be a great you know, like i'd make do it and I would survive. But oh my god, New York for New.

Well, No, I think the thing is right, I just have no attachment other than the responsibility of having a dog. I don't have like anything keeping me anywhere. Others obviously the podcast work, yes, that keeps like the wheels turning. But I feel like I'm in a place where I could honestly just like sell and pack up everything and just go wherever the fuck I want. And I think that would be a great you know, like i'd make do it and I would survive. But oh my god, New York for New.

York City, Okay, so explain to us what it was like being in New York City for the first time. I haven't been, by the way, so sell it to me.

York City, Okay, so explain to us what it was like being in New York City for the first time. I haven't been, by the way, so sell it to me.

Okay, So to give context, though, my mom loved New York, and I didn't really know this until I started putting pieces together of like little things that she used to say, the music she used to listen to, and the things that she used to reference. And it's crazy. My memory is so insane, saying like sometimes I remember the most craziest moments of my life, like and sometimes I wish that I didn't the opposite.

Okay, So to give context, though, my mom loved New York, and I didn't really know this until I started putting pieces together of like little things that she used to say, the music she used to listen to, and the things that she used to reference. And it's crazy. My memory is so insane, saying like sometimes I remember the most craziest moments of my life, like and sometimes I wish that I didn't the opposite.

I've blocked out so much it's like I don't even have a memory bank of like.

I've blocked out so much it's like I don't even have a memory bank of like.

Your childhood or more like your teenage years, all all of it.

Your childhood or more like your teenage years, all all of it.

It's gone.

It's gone.

People were constantly remind me of things that have happened, and I'm like, did that actually happen?

People were constantly remind me of things that have happened, and I'm like, did that actually happen?

When did that happen?

When did that happen?

What I ate was I like, I think I need to do I mean this and like respectfully, but I think you need to do therapy, and I think you need to do like CBT, and I think you need to do visualization.

What I ate was I like, I think I need to do I mean this and like respectfully, but I think you need to do therapy, and I think you need to do like CBT, and I think you need to do visualization.

What's CBT.

What's CBT.

That CBT is cognitive No, it's cognitive behavioral therapy.

That CBT is cognitive No, it's cognitive behavioral therapy.

Oh CBD, CBD, CBT.

Oh CBD, CBD, CBT.

Oh you're making marriage And one I.

Oh you're making marriage And one I.

Was like, should I get high in reminice?

Was like, should I get high in reminice?

No? Okay, well yeah I probably do. I mean, I'm starting therapy again.

No? Okay, well yeah I probably do. I mean, I'm starting therapy again.

This week actually, so, which is good.

This week actually, so, which is good.

I did a lot of therapy last year, remember, but we didn't do much CBD.

I did a lot of therapy last year, remember, but we didn't do much CBD.

You just do CBD and go and get CBT. But and then you just CBF because you just like.

You just do CBD and go and get CBT. But and then you just CBF because you just like.

I got the munches CD.

I got the munches CD.

No.

No.

But yeah, that's a good point. I probably should.

But yeah, that's a good point. I probably should.

There's a lot to unpack. But then I get scared of opening Pandora's box.

There's a lot to unpack. But then I get scared of opening Pandora's box.

It's not Pandora's box though, like you have to sometimes, like I don't know, Maddie. It's kind of opening another pathway, Like you might go down a route that maybe feel uncomfortable, but uncomfortableness is good for you. I think so. And I'm not saying this as in like, yeah, shadow therapy, but I personally think like you would benefit from doing some visualizations so where you can get some of those memories back, because sometimes you suppress, not you in particular, like people in general. Right, we can suppress things and we can push it down so far that we don't know it exists, and we wonder why we might have like a knee jerk reaction to some and we're like, oh, I wonder what that was about, Like why did I act like that? Sometimes it can come down to suppress trauma.

It's not Pandora's box though, like you have to sometimes, like I don't know, Maddie. It's kind of opening another pathway, Like you might go down a route that maybe feel uncomfortable, but uncomfortableness is good for you. I think so. And I'm not saying this as in like, yeah, shadow therapy, but I personally think like you would benefit from doing some visualizations so where you can get some of those memories back, because sometimes you suppress, not you in particular, like people in general. Right, we can suppress things and we can push it down so far that we don't know it exists, and we wonder why we might have like a knee jerk reaction to some and we're like, oh, I wonder what that was about, Like why did I act like that? Sometimes it can come down to suppress trauma.

And interestingly enough, when you say like a knee joke reaction, I have had those moments where a memory will come into my mind and it will remind me of a certain traumatic experience. But as you know, I'm the type of person that is like, okay, quickly move on, Like I don't want to sit with that. And I think the work is about sitting with it, right and actually allowing it to come fully to you and being able to sort of process it and not just shut it down.

And interestingly enough, when you say like a knee joke reaction, I have had those moments where a memory will come into my mind and it will remind me of a certain traumatic experience. But as you know, I'm the type of person that is like, okay, quickly move on, Like I don't want to sit with that. And I think the work is about sitting with it, right and actually allowing it to come fully to you and being able to sort of process it and not just shut it down.

Agreed. I mean, you know, without the bad days, you can't have the good days. And I think like there's a balance and sometimes you do really have to sit in your shit. I always say this. I've advocated it since we started this part.

Agreed. I mean, you know, without the bad days, you can't have the good days. And I think like there's a balance and sometimes you do really have to sit in your shit. I always say this. I've advocated it since we started this part.

I've always tell people to sit in their shit.

I've always tell people to sit in their shit.

Sit in your shit. That's the title of this episode. No, I just think, like, without feeling things and like nutting it out, how do you know you were actually moving through it? Like I fully agree with you in some moments where I'm like, nah, I do not want to deal with that today, and that is so fine, and I'm like so for that. But at the same time, I know that that's just going to come back and it's going to bite me even worse, Like it is going to come full circle and I'm not going to enjoy the second time it comes around. And I think, you know what, just cop it now and then deal with it later.

Sit in your shit. That's the title of this episode. No, I just think, like, without feeling things and like nutting it out, how do you know you were actually moving through it? Like I fully agree with you in some moments where I'm like, nah, I do not want to deal with that today, and that is so fine, and I'm like so for that. But at the same time, I know that that's just going to come back and it's going to bite me even worse, Like it is going to come full circle and I'm not going to enjoy the second time it comes around. And I think, you know what, just cop it now and then deal with it later.

Do you feel a release when you do it, like as in when you sit with something, you sit in your shit, and then do you feel like you've processed it or is it like a long time.

Do you feel a release when you do it, like as in when you sit with something, you sit in your shit, and then do you feel like you've processed it or is it like a long time.

Moments?

Moments?

Look, I had these moments when I was in New York, right and I was feeling like homesick or feeling a bit like, oh, do I want to come home like or early? And I was like, no, no, no, this is just me feeling uncomfortable and instead of you know, my knee jerk reaction sometimes with that is to just you know, be irrational and like jump on a plane and come back home. And then I'll be like, I'll regret it, right because I didn't stay there and I didn't give it the time. And I mean I had this moment once I was walking a few blocks and I just kept walking found this busker and I just sat and I like stood there and I watched him just like with a bunch of people, and I just started crying. And I felt so uncomfortable because I was in public, and I thought, fuck, I'm gonna be like that embarrassing, weirdo person that's crying in the middle of the street at this busker. But I just felt this rush of like gratitude. It was so weird. I felt so grateful and so connected to this is just a young kid. He's African American and he was playing country music, which is so crazy, like normally, you know rap. I've just been hearing rap music this whole time, but he was playing country music. He was also playing the guitar, singing and then playing like the trombone. It was insane wow, And I just this moment of gratitude where I was like, I am alone in a city, like a foreign place. I felt so uncomfortable before, but I was able to move past it, sit in it a little bit, get my feelings out, and then move past it. And then all of a sudden, I felt a massive wave of gratitude. And I think that's what happens when you sit in it a little bit. It's a bit shitty, it's a bit grubby. No one wants to sit in the trenches and like dig their way throughout. But then there's another perspective, and I was like, oh my god, I got here. I jumped on a plane, didn't really know anyone, flew to New York, made my thirtieth dreams come true. And I'm standing here in a busker crying in the middle of the street. It sounds a bit odd, but like I sat in my shit for a little bit. That was one example of when sometimes you just need to ride the wave of emotion, sit in it, feel it, and then you know, like come out of it. You're not going to be in it forever.

Look, I had these moments when I was in New York, right and I was feeling like homesick or feeling a bit like, oh, do I want to come home like or early? And I was like, no, no, no, this is just me feeling uncomfortable and instead of you know, my knee jerk reaction sometimes with that is to just you know, be irrational and like jump on a plane and come back home. And then I'll be like, I'll regret it, right because I didn't stay there and I didn't give it the time. And I mean I had this moment once I was walking a few blocks and I just kept walking found this busker and I just sat and I like stood there and I watched him just like with a bunch of people, and I just started crying. And I felt so uncomfortable because I was in public, and I thought, fuck, I'm gonna be like that embarrassing, weirdo person that's crying in the middle of the street at this busker. But I just felt this rush of like gratitude. It was so weird. I felt so grateful and so connected to this is just a young kid. He's African American and he was playing country music, which is so crazy, like normally, you know rap. I've just been hearing rap music this whole time, but he was playing country music. He was also playing the guitar, singing and then playing like the trombone. It was insane wow, And I just this moment of gratitude where I was like, I am alone in a city, like a foreign place. I felt so uncomfortable before, but I was able to move past it, sit in it a little bit, get my feelings out, and then move past it. And then all of a sudden, I felt a massive wave of gratitude. And I think that's what happens when you sit in it a little bit. It's a bit shitty, it's a bit grubby. No one wants to sit in the trenches and like dig their way throughout. But then there's another perspective, and I was like, oh my god, I got here. I jumped on a plane, didn't really know anyone, flew to New York, made my thirtieth dreams come true. And I'm standing here in a busker crying in the middle of the street. It sounds a bit odd, but like I sat in my shit for a little bit. That was one example of when sometimes you just need to ride the wave of emotion, sit in it, feel it, and then you know, like come out of it. You're not going to be in it forever.

I love that like visualization.

I love that like visualization.

I think also the like word gratitude is something that I wrote on my mirror at home and I walk past it every day, and I think that when you get to a sense of gratitude, there is like this beautiful feeling. I don't know, you're just able to understand how far you've come from something, or like, I've been going back over my career, so I've been creating like a website, and you inspired me to do this. By the way, do you remember when we sat down and you said to me that I saw this.

I think also the like word gratitude is something that I wrote on my mirror at home and I walk past it every day, and I think that when you get to a sense of gratitude, there is like this beautiful feeling. I don't know, you're just able to understand how far you've come from something, or like, I've been going back over my career, so I've been creating like a website, and you inspired me to do this. By the way, do you remember when we sat down and you said to me that I saw this.

You were creating a website.

You were creating a website.

I was like, still, it does take a long time.

I was like, still, it does take a long time.

Yeah, I've been, you know, doing it over the holiday break and just being able to go back over my career and be like, oh, okay, there's things that I forgot.

Yeah, I've been, you know, doing it over the holiday break and just being able to go back over my career and be like, oh, okay, there's things that I forgot.

There are things that.

There are things that.

Like I was able to tick off really at the start of my career too, that I feel so proud of. And I just had this sense of gratitude like yeah, I really fucking did this, and I did this on my Oh my god, I didn't. I didn't get much help to get to this position. So I mean there are people along the way who obviously you lean on and help help, but.

Like I was able to tick off really at the start of my career too, that I feel so proud of. And I just had this sense of gratitude like yeah, I really fucking did this, and I did this on my Oh my god, I didn't. I didn't get much help to get to this position. So I mean there are people along the way who obviously you lean on and help help, but.

You did that, like you're the one here now making a website because you want to reflect on the things that you did, Like, yeah, people help you. Like the thing is, people forget that you need other people in this world to get to total.

You did that, like you're the one here now making a website because you want to reflect on the things that you did, Like, yeah, people help you. Like the thing is, people forget that you need other people in this world to get to total.

And especially what I've realized is and I want to, you know, to make this clear to our listeners if you're you know, in an environment or if you're at home, because I can speak from my own point of view. When I was home in a regional town in a toxic environment, you know, I was growing up in a level of poverty that I really didn't understand and really wanted out of. Look for the hands that are outside of those environments because a lot of the time, the people who are in those environments are with you. They don't know the way out. So if you can grab onto someone on the outside of that box who has different experience, a different level of worldview, grab onto them and allow them to help you find your way out. And I think that those things over the holiday period for me have become really clear, like understanding how important environment is.

And especially what I've realized is and I want to, you know, to make this clear to our listeners if you're you know, in an environment or if you're at home, because I can speak from my own point of view. When I was home in a regional town in a toxic environment, you know, I was growing up in a level of poverty that I really didn't understand and really wanted out of. Look for the hands that are outside of those environments because a lot of the time, the people who are in those environments are with you. They don't know the way out. So if you can grab onto someone on the outside of that box who has different experience, a different level of worldview, grab onto them and allow them to help you find your way out. And I think that those things over the holiday period for me have become really clear, like understanding how important environment is.

Or the people that you're exposed to. And I would really love to talk about something that's really quite yeah, like personal, you know, on this subject. So over the years that we've had this podcast, I've been so grateful to have you, like, you know, talking about gratitude, Like I don't think anyone could be any more perfect as a co host, Like do you know what I mean? Like in my eyes, in terms of our experience and our lived experience and our where we're going and our aspirations, like I feel like we're we're often, you know, sometimes on the same path, same times, you know, we both go our separate things and then we kind of come back, and I think that's the best thing. But the people that I've been exposed to through you and through the podcast has been amazing, and I'm so looking forward to twenty twenty five. But I wanted to talk about going back to New York and a little moment that I had so we a couple of months ago, I mean months ago, I posted this video on Instagram where I had received an email from a fellow follower of ours and her name's Hannah. Hannah had said that she'd come across my ted talk and it pretty much saved her life. She was going through a really tough time and she was planning on, you know, trigger warning, taking her life, and she watched my video and it changed her whole perspective and she gives me gisbumps. But I broke down reading this email because I felt one I didn't. I just felt so bad that she was feeling that low in her life, Like I've been there multiple times and I know how it can be. And then I'm very grateful for the people that have changed my life, and I wrote about them in Big Love, and I'm always grateful for the people that I do have now that kind of keep me at bay. But I had no idea that I was going to meet her at all in my life. Like she lives in the States and she lives in Ohio, and I was in New York, and she flew to New York to meet me and have coffee with me, and I was like, I would never miss out on opportunity to speak to someone who I've had an impact that directly with, Like I just felt not that I felt responsible in any way, I just felt like for her to reach out and send that message. I was like, I need to, like I need to meet her, and I need to like beautiful, and she it was like the most beautiful. Like we spoke for like three hours. We had coffee and like a muffin together and and we just we just chatted and it's so crazy, like we live on different parts of the world, and she flew from Ohio to New York City to like actually catch me whilst I was in the stage, which is like three hour flight by the way. Wow, And I just thought, you know, that's really special that people put it in that effort and feel that connected to us internationally as well, like not just in Australia. And I just thought, wow, if we're having impact for like one person, like how many other people were out there like listening to our podcast and feeling the same. So I wanted to share that. And I'm always very grateful for Hannah because I think she.

Or the people that you're exposed to. And I would really love to talk about something that's really quite yeah, like personal, you know, on this subject. So over the years that we've had this podcast, I've been so grateful to have you, like, you know, talking about gratitude, Like I don't think anyone could be any more perfect as a co host, Like do you know what I mean? Like in my eyes, in terms of our experience and our lived experience and our where we're going and our aspirations, like I feel like we're we're often, you know, sometimes on the same path, same times, you know, we both go our separate things and then we kind of come back, and I think that's the best thing. But the people that I've been exposed to through you and through the podcast has been amazing, and I'm so looking forward to twenty twenty five. But I wanted to talk about going back to New York and a little moment that I had so we a couple of months ago, I mean months ago, I posted this video on Instagram where I had received an email from a fellow follower of ours and her name's Hannah. Hannah had said that she'd come across my ted talk and it pretty much saved her life. She was going through a really tough time and she was planning on, you know, trigger warning, taking her life, and she watched my video and it changed her whole perspective and she gives me gisbumps. But I broke down reading this email because I felt one I didn't. I just felt so bad that she was feeling that low in her life, Like I've been there multiple times and I know how it can be. And then I'm very grateful for the people that have changed my life, and I wrote about them in Big Love, and I'm always grateful for the people that I do have now that kind of keep me at bay. But I had no idea that I was going to meet her at all in my life. Like she lives in the States and she lives in Ohio, and I was in New York, and she flew to New York to meet me and have coffee with me, and I was like, I would never miss out on opportunity to speak to someone who I've had an impact that directly with, Like I just felt not that I felt responsible in any way, I just felt like for her to reach out and send that message. I was like, I need to, like I need to meet her, and I need to like beautiful, and she it was like the most beautiful. Like we spoke for like three hours. We had coffee and like a muffin together and and we just we just chatted and it's so crazy, like we live on different parts of the world, and she flew from Ohio to New York City to like actually catch me whilst I was in the stage, which is like three hour flight by the way. Wow, And I just thought, you know, that's really special that people put it in that effort and feel that connected to us internationally as well, like not just in Australia. And I just thought, wow, if we're having impact for like one person, like how many other people were out there like listening to our podcast and feeling the same. So I wanted to share that. And I'm always very grateful for Hannah because I think she.

I didn't even know, you know, I didn't even know that you ended up catching up.

I didn't even know, you know, I didn't even know that you ended up catching up.

Well yeah, well I just.

Well yeah, well I just.

Can I just ask how the bloody hell did you miss telling me that?

Can I just ask how the bloody hell did you miss telling me that?

Well, you know, it's not like it's not like I didn't want to share it. I just think like for me, like that was a really special moment and I kind of just wanted to, like, I guess keep it for myself. And I think for me and Hannah, like we just she brought me like a little bracelet and it's got like a heart inside her heart and she has like a matching one, and I just thought like that was just so sentimental and she luck she knew how sentimental I am because she's got to know me over the podcast over years. I think generally people actually connect with us, Maddie, like truly connect with us and know our personality and see themselves in us and vice versa. Do you know what I mean?

Well, you know, it's not like it's not like I didn't want to share it. I just think like for me, like that was a really special moment and I kind of just wanted to, like, I guess keep it for myself. And I think for me and Hannah, like we just she brought me like a little bracelet and it's got like a heart inside her heart and she has like a matching one, and I just thought like that was just so sentimental and she luck she knew how sentimental I am because she's got to know me over the podcast over years. I think generally people actually connect with us, Maddie, like truly connect with us and know our personality and see themselves in us and vice versa. Do you know what I mean?

Like, I think you're so much better at understanding that than I am. I think that there's been moments across the years where you will seeing me sort of go into my shell a bit when there's people around who sort of know us, and I think that like, I don't know what it is, but sometimes I feel like I don't deserve the recognition or somebody being so complimentary, or somebody telling me how much they enjoy the pod or like us, so I sort of like try and dodge the conversation and for me, I sort of have this internal confliction that is like, oh, I don't know if I can handle.

Like, I think you're so much better at understanding that than I am. I think that there's been moments across the years where you will seeing me sort of go into my shell a bit when there's people around who sort of know us, and I think that like, I don't know what it is, but sometimes I feel like I don't deserve the recognition or somebody being so complimentary, or somebody telling me how much they enjoy the pod or like us, so I sort of like try and dodge the conversation and for me, I sort of have this internal confliction that is like, oh, I don't know if I can handle.

That top poppy syndrome is so prevalent, and people don't yeah, and people don't really care about your success. I had people who I met in the US that knew that you and I had won a podcast award and made it very known to the group of people that I just that we had won an award. And this is in the US.

That top poppy syndrome is so prevalent, and people don't yeah, and people don't really care about your success. I had people who I met in the US that knew that you and I had won a podcast award and made it very known to the group of people that I just that we had won an award. And this is in the US.

There's a culture in Australia that doesn't like to give people their flowers. And I think that in our industry, even when you go and do the things that they said you couldn't, and even when you tick off all these achievements, it's still hard for even the people who are sometimes even on your team to back you, not our team, not the pod. For instance, when we won the Australian Champion Award for the podcast right, we should have been able to amplify that achievement because we're, you know, two first nations people pushing for positive representation in media. That's our goal. If we win a big award like that and then don't get amplified because of certain gatekeepers in the industry, I think that is a real issue as to why there isn't much positive representation of our people.

There's a culture in Australia that doesn't like to give people their flowers. And I think that in our industry, even when you go and do the things that they said you couldn't, and even when you tick off all these achievements, it's still hard for even the people who are sometimes even on your team to back you, not our team, not the pod. For instance, when we won the Australian Champion Award for the podcast right, we should have been able to amplify that achievement because we're, you know, two first nations people pushing for positive representation in media. That's our goal. If we win a big award like that and then don't get amplified because of certain gatekeepers in the industry, I think that is a real issue as to why there isn't much positive representation of our people.

I a woe.

I a woe.

I love your honesty around that, and I completely agree with you, and.

I love your honesty around that, and I completely agree with you, and.

It comes from tradition, all views and gatekeepers.

It comes from tradition, all views and gatekeepers.

But I think it's a systemic thing. Yeah, it's a higher like it's the people above, you know, above all this.

But I think it's a systemic thing. Yeah, it's a higher like it's the people above, you know, above all this.

But it doesn't take much for you know, if you're a Caucasian person in the media to be amplified and to get every piece of publicity possible, it'll happen. And the Caucasity pisces me off.

But it doesn't take much for you know, if you're a Caucasian person in the media to be amplified and to get every piece of publicity possible, it'll happen. And the Caucasity pisces me off.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

I could rant about that for days because I think, like when I realized the Australian openers in Melbourne at the moment, and I have really noticed that it's very like, it's very pretentious and it's very white. And I think, like a few people that I know in the industry like a catch, shout out to my girl, a catch. She she's calling it out. She's making literal tiktoks, being like I'm the only black person at this one.

I could rant about that for days because I think, like when I realized the Australian openers in Melbourne at the moment, and I have really noticed that it's very like, it's very pretentious and it's very white. And I think, like a few people that I know in the industry like a catch, shout out to my girl, a catch. She she's calling it out. She's making literal tiktoks, being like I'm the only black person at this one.

Event totally, And I asked for so long, how fu asked for so long?

Event totally, And I asked for so long, how fu asked for so long?

But in the US everywhere that I turned on an app.

But in the US everywhere that I turned on an app.

I don't care if you're black, if you're Latina, And what they care about is if you're great, if you're talented, you will make you you'll make an impact. They don't give a fuck if you're black white.

I don't care if you're black, if you're Latina, And what they care about is if you're great, if you're talented, you will make you you'll make an impact. They don't give a fuck if you're black white.

I took photos ads. Yeah, honestly, all the ads were like beautiful, like black people, and I was like, oh my god.

I took photos ads. Yeah, honestly, all the ads were like beautiful, like black people, and I was like, oh my god.

And I know my position, my position in the media and why I have my platforms, and it is to push that barrier. It is to make sure that people are having conversations about positive representation, like and if I have to do it by having these rants or being really honest about the industry, I will. And let me be honest about this. As soon as I start telling people how I truly feel about the media landscape, I will be labeled as an angry black man. It's not about me, It's about our community. It's about ensuring that if I have a platform and a position in the media, that I'm trying to really push the narrative that there isn't enough diverse voices, especially in radio. Like the amount of shows that I saw getting announced across the networks, every single duo, every single trio I saw, well all white people I know, and unfortunately we had an opportunity. You have an opportunity every year to bring a diverse view or an opinion or a person from a different community into the folding commercial radio Australia, and it doesn't happen year after year. So that needs to change.

And I know my position, my position in the media and why I have my platforms, and it is to push that barrier. It is to make sure that people are having conversations about positive representation, like and if I have to do it by having these rants or being really honest about the industry, I will. And let me be honest about this. As soon as I start telling people how I truly feel about the media landscape, I will be labeled as an angry black man. It's not about me, It's about our community. It's about ensuring that if I have a platform and a position in the media, that I'm trying to really push the narrative that there isn't enough diverse voices, especially in radio. Like the amount of shows that I saw getting announced across the networks, every single duo, every single trio I saw, well all white people I know, and unfortunately we had an opportunity. You have an opportunity every year to bring a diverse view or an opinion or a person from a different community into the folding commercial radio Australia, and it doesn't happen year after year. So that needs to change.

My big question is to that is like one who's making these decisions? Sometimes there's life.

My big question is to that is like one who's making these decisions? Sometimes there's life.

I'm not saying these people aren't talented, and I'm not saying that everyone that his on these shows aren't deserving jobs. Yes, they've probably done the rounds, they've done all the circuits, the regional circuits. They probably you know, pushed their way to the top and had you know, had to fight for their opportunities as well. I'm not denying them of that. What I'm saying though, is that if every single person at the top represents a certain part of the community, it is a real lack of opportunity to hear of like diverse opinions and experiences from other communities. And I think that that's like something that is blind fully obvious to me in Australian commercial radio, Like it is so obvious that it's so whitewashed, and it needs to change.

I'm not saying these people aren't talented, and I'm not saying that everyone that his on these shows aren't deserving jobs. Yes, they've probably done the rounds, they've done all the circuits, the regional circuits. They probably you know, pushed their way to the top and had you know, had to fight for their opportunities as well. I'm not denying them of that. What I'm saying though, is that if every single person at the top represents a certain part of the community, it is a real lack of opportunity to hear of like diverse opinions and experiences from other communities. And I think that that's like something that is blind fully obvious to me in Australian commercial radio, Like it is so obvious that it's so whitewashed, and it needs to change.

As soon as I got back into Australia, Like it was like an immediate distinction, Like I'm not even being exaggerative, and I know that we're you know, on this topic, so you know, but I it was an immediate straight away, like a distinction. You could just see the public, the general public of the diversity that we have here is just like.

As soon as I got back into Australia, Like it was like an immediate distinction, Like I'm not even being exaggerative, and I know that we're you know, on this topic, so you know, but I it was an immediate straight away, like a distinction. You could just see the public, the general public of the diversity that we have here is just like.

It's just I'm unders and do you know what?

It's just I'm unders and do you know what?

And I'm not against my white people.

And I'm not against my white people.

I love my people.

I love my people.

But what I'm saying is also that the attempt to dangle carrots in front of people's faces and be like, well, if we give you this opportunity, will you shut up? That's never going to happen. For me, that's never going to happen. So even if I get an opportunity and I'm going to be brought into the fold of a show or a network that are elevating me as a person, I will still continuously push for the rest of the community. This isn't about me.

But what I'm saying is also that the attempt to dangle carrots in front of people's faces and be like, well, if we give you this opportunity, will you shut up? That's never going to happen. For me, that's never going to happen. So even if I get an opportunity and I'm going to be brought into the fold of a show or a network that are elevating me as a person, I will still continuously push for the rest of the community. This isn't about me.

No, I know you will, and I know that, yeah, will you'll go down?

No, I know you will, and I know that, yeah, will you'll go down?

Still down, girl, be taking me down.

Still down, girl, be taking me down.

No, I'm just frustrated, as you can hear. And it's twenty twenty five and I just wanted. I wanted to see something different. I wanted to believe that the industry is willing to change when it comes to representation. And I think that because of the current political climate, we are seeing a shift in progress and we're seeing we have to be vigilant when it comes to what we're fighting for and we have to continue to fight for progress because as soon as the powers in the world of the Western world shift, like for instance, the Trump whole sucking ordeal, we see a trickle down effect.

No, I'm just frustrated, as you can hear. And it's twenty twenty five and I just wanted. I wanted to see something different. I wanted to believe that the industry is willing to change when it comes to representation. And I think that because of the current political climate, we are seeing a shift in progress and we're seeing we have to be vigilant when it comes to what we're fighting for and we have to continue to fight for progress because as soon as the powers in the world of the Western world shift, like for instance, the Trump whole sucking ordeal, we see a trickle down effect.

Yeah, and I.

Yeah, and I.

Feel like because we're like suckling off them.

Feel like because we're like suckling off them.

Well, the thing is, But honestly, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of the future when it comes to what I'm seeing when it you know, people's views and really extreme divisive language that's being used currently. So what that says is it gives people permission not to change, not to move forward, actually go backwards. And so I'm worried about that in this country. And so we're going to have to continue to use our platform and get I think we're.

Well, the thing is, But honestly, I'm afraid. I'm afraid of the future when it comes to what I'm seeing when it you know, people's views and really extreme divisive language that's being used currently. So what that says is it gives people permission not to change, not to move forward, actually go backwards. And so I'm worried about that in this country. And so we're going to have to continue to use our platform and get I think we're.

Just going to have to. Like one, we would love to see more young people in those political leaders. You know, we need more like young First Nations people to be leading and like having those voices, which yeah, you're a great voice in.

Just going to have to. Like one, we would love to see more young people in those political leaders. You know, we need more like young First Nations people to be leading and like having those voices, which yeah, you're a great voice in.

That different communities as well, you know, yeah, like a diverse range of young voices. But the scary thing is is that the young demographic are starting to catch on to what these older extremist views are and they get there, they feel like they have permission to.

That different communities as well, you know, yeah, like a diverse range of young voices. But the scary thing is is that the young demographic are starting to catch on to what these older extremist views are and they get there, they feel like they have permission to.

Side with them.

Side with them.

Yeah, and that's scary for me because as you can see in the data, you know, no, I just when it comes to Australia Day of Young People, I know.

Yeah, and that's scary for me because as you can see in the data, you know, no, I just when it comes to Australia Day of Young People, I know.

In twelve months, which is crazy, No, And I understand that, but I think we need to keep challenging our young people to be like more you know, critical thinkers and kind of instilling still those those values that are important to community, but also you know, just being a good person ethically and morally, Like I think comes sometimes down to that, Like if you're a good person, you'll want to do good. And I think we need to give our young people a bit more credit for d They're really smart and I think they're adapting to a lot of things at the moment. You know, social media is a part of their world. Our jen Alpha is just like very multiple. Yeah, well they're just so easily influenced, but I think we need to make sure that that influence is positive, and I think we need to make sure that that influence is doing good and they're you know, they understand that reciprocal relationship of like being good doing good, and you know, and then I guess, just make sure that we're actually nourishing and supporting our young leaders. I would also like to if you guys listen, listen to this episode and you want to have an import or you have an opinion on I guess like jan twenty six, which will be coming up very soon, maybe just send us a voice note or what you think, like. I feel like.

In twelve months, which is crazy, No, And I understand that, but I think we need to keep challenging our young people to be like more you know, critical thinkers and kind of instilling still those those values that are important to community, but also you know, just being a good person ethically and morally, Like I think comes sometimes down to that, Like if you're a good person, you'll want to do good. And I think we need to give our young people a bit more credit for d They're really smart and I think they're adapting to a lot of things at the moment. You know, social media is a part of their world. Our jen Alpha is just like very multiple. Yeah, well they're just so easily influenced, but I think we need to make sure that that influence is positive, and I think we need to make sure that that influence is doing good and they're you know, they understand that reciprocal relationship of like being good doing good, and you know, and then I guess, just make sure that we're actually nourishing and supporting our young leaders. I would also like to if you guys listen, listen to this episode and you want to have an import or you have an opinion on I guess like jan twenty six, which will be coming up very soon, maybe just send us a voice note or what you think, like. I feel like.

That's we're open to hearing many different views.

That's we're open to hearing many different views.

We are.

We are.

We're not closed off.

We're not closed off.

We might think a certain way and might have certain strong feelings about the date, but we are open to hearing why you may not agree with our views.

We might think a certain way and might have certain strong feelings about the date, but we are open to hearing why you may not agree with our views.

Yeah, exactly, We're open to that.

Yeah, exactly, We're open to that.

All right.

All right.

Well, thanks so much, guys, and we unpacked a lot in that episode and we're so very, very grateful. I feel like the theme has been gratitude, and I guess using your voice is the themes that I would say and what we started with twelve exactly and we are in our thrive era. We hope that you are as well. But yeah, hopefully we'll see you guys next episode.

Well, thanks so much, guys, and we unpacked a lot in that episode and we're so very, very grateful. I feel like the theme has been gratitude, and I guess using your voice is the themes that I would say and what we started with twelve exactly and we are in our thrive era. We hope that you are as well. But yeah, hopefully we'll see you guys next episode.

If you want us to cover anything on the pod, you can reach out via our socials. Brooks handle is at brook dot Blerton mine is at its Maddy Meals and you can follow the pod over at Nova Podcast Official.

If you want us to cover anything on the pod, you can reach out via our socials. Brooks handle is at brook dot Blerton mine is at its Maddy Meals and you can follow the pod over at Nova Podcast Official.

All right, your mob, see you next week. Bye,

All right, your mob, see you next week. Bye,