Five podcasts we're listening to this NAIDOC Week

Have you ever wondered whether a podcast can be deadly? We think so.

At the heart of any good podcast is storytelling, which First Nations peoples have been doing for at least 65,000 years.

So in honour of this year's NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, we've gathered First Nations audio-makers to share their favourite podcasts.

Whether you're curious about Aboriginal mathematics, want to hear from some AFL legends, or need some tips on improving your mental fitness, there should be a podcast on this list tailored just for you.

There's footy, astronomy, art, great conversations and even chat about Dolly Parton. Here are five podcasts we recommend you start listening to this NAIDOC Week and all year round:

Indigenuity

Triple R Melbourne

Community radio is the life blood of Indigenous audio craft. It's where so many of my favourite Blak broadcasters cut their teeth or found their niche, and Krystal De Napoli is someone who seems to have found her niche hosting Indigenuity.

Presented as both a podcast and a radio show broadcast on Melbourne's Triple R, each week Indigenuity features different Indigenous knowledge-holders, creatives, cultural practitioners and academics as they showcase their ingenuity.

Whether she's unpacking Aboriginal mathematics (and some of the misinterpretations and racists myths surrounding the subject) or discussing cosmic horror with a debut author, De Napoli brings generosity and warmth to each episode.

Still, it's the stories of Sky Country that really shine on Indigenuity, with De Napoli's passion and skills as an astrophysicist and science communicator bringing them to life.

Across multiple episodes she's shared interviews that recognise the importance of Sky Country as both archive and witness, integral to our ancestral continuity as well as our ecological health.

If you're passionate about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics and keen (or at the very least curious) about Indigenous knowledges and innovations in the sector, Indigenuity is definitely worth checking out.

– Rudi Bremer

Inside the Huddle

SBS/NITV

The podcast I've enjoyed listening to for a while is SBS's Inside the Huddle. The footy-mad show intertwines sport, culture and all the stories that come along with it.

Hosted by three-time premiership player and Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man Chris Johnson, alongside Warumungu and Yawuru woman and one of the few women AFL presenters Megan Waters, they create a welcoming space for First Nations players of the past and present to be able to share their connection to the game while also being honest about the challenges that come with playing on the big stage.

One my favourite episodes so far has been Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFL Indigenous Pathways where they talk to AFL legend Michael 'Magic' McLean who was the first Northern Territory First Nations player to go directly to the VFL.

His legacy in football was honoured as part of this year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round (AFL Indigenous round).

It always warms me to hear from Elders, as their stories and experiences shape who we are today. I think that's why the episode with Uncle Michael resonates with me so much.

What he went through, and how he was never able to tell his story until today, should help inspire the next generation of players coming through.

If you're looking for a podcast that showcases culture, sport and storytelling, look no further than Inside the Huddle.

– Jenaya Gibbs-Muir

STAUNCH.

Awesome Black

On STAUNCH., Awesome Black's Travis De Vries sits down with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to investigate their creative process.

De Vries is a gentle host, who leads conversations with genuine curiosity.

He knows when to dig for details and when to leave space for his guests to explore their own ideas. This often leads both parties to discover something new.

STAUNCH. guests are creatives that happen to be Bla(c)k, not the other way around.

I think this distinction is important, because it means guests aren't asked to explain or justify their Bla(c)kness.

It's like catching up with friends and family, where their background is background, and the stuff they've been doing, making and liking is at the centre.

These chats meander down unknown roads yet feel warm and familiar. And along those roads, I'm constantly discovering artists I love.

– Mia Hull

Awaye!

ABC

Awaye!, hosted by the formidable Rudi Bremer — truly one of the most soothing voices on Australian radio today — is my go-to source for modern-day Indigenous storytelling expertly woven with history lessons from ancient Aboriginal culture.

Bremer has her finger on the pulse across all aspects of First Nations culture and the pathways that our artists, leaders and Elders continue to blaze.

Her interviews highlight the varied ways in which First Nations culture continues to make real change in our communities and the nation as a whole.

Expect to hear from leading figures who fought for Indigenous rights and programs about the early days of colonisation and the legacies it left behind as foundations for today's artists and culture-shapers.

Bremer has a way of sharing our stories intertwined with her own wealth of knowledge that makes for easy listening. The entire podcast archive is a contemporary collection showcasing First Nations resilience, excellence and joy.

The episodes Striking out on the journey to Blak civil rights and Super Kaylene Whisky are a good place to start, plus each episode you'll hear and learn Indigenous language in my favourite segment, Word Up.

If you want a snapshot of who and what our First Nations people stand for and what drives us to continue to strive for excellence, tune into Awaye!

– Kaylene Langford

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

BlakCast Network

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles is a conversations-led podcast featuring a wide range of mainly First Nations guests from across the country.

Bayles has a real talent in connecting with her guests, showcasing their personalities, and drawing out the most engaging yarns. The podcast does what mob have been doing over tens and thousands of years: sharing stories to inspire one another.

One cool feature of Black Magic Woman is how Bayles typically starts with "conversation cards". These help break the ice and give the audience quick insight into guests' lives.

What also makes this podcast so enjoyable is its variety in not just its guests, but its run time. With episodes going anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour, it means you can always squeeze in a quick episode, while still having the option to savour bigger conversations when you've got more time.

Black Magic Woman also does episodes called Mental Fitness Conversations, where guests share stories around their experiences with mental health. It helps break down barriers many First Nations peoples face in speaking openly about their mental health journeys.

One example of a powerful Mental Fitness Conversation was Bayles's interview with Brian Dowd, also known as the "Walkabout Barber". In the episode, Dowd explained how a haircut can change a man's life, offering the space for open conversations between Blak men.

– Ruby Ritchie