This episode dives deep into conversations around the lived experiences of Aboriginal people, the complexities of black identity, the intersection of joy and rage, and the ongoing journey of reclaiming power and telling authentic stories. The discussion, led by Kyan Mitchell, features reflections on Chelsea Watego’s influential work and her role in inspiring other black writers and thinkers to stand firm in their stories.

Show Notes:

0:00 — Introduction: Connection to Country & Mob, honoring Gadigal people

3:00 — Welcoming listeners and context for today’s special guest

4:00 — Black Thoughts: New book launch and its impact on self-reflection

7:00 — Why rage and joy can—and must—coexist in the fight for justice

11:00 — Personal histories: Growing up surrounded by blackness

13:00 — The dangers of caricature and the right to the full range of human emotion

16:00 — On privilege, working class backgrounds, and finding purpose in intellectual labor

18:30 — Black joy as strategic resistance, spiritual cleansing, and everyday activism

22:00 — Challenging deficit narratives: Healing from imposed identity

25:00 — The violence of race breaking blackfellas & navigating complaints

27:00 — Redefining what “winning” and “justice” can look like

30:00 — Critique of “just be resilient” advice & how it compounds harm

33:00 — Reflecting on generational differences and survival strategies

35:00 — The politics and problems of “intergenerational trauma” narratives

40:00 — Healthy skepticism: Whose interests do mainstream reconciliation and RAPs serve?

42:00 — Rethinking black leadership: Not just a seat at the corporate table

44:00 — The legacy and dismantling of black infrastructure and collectives

47:00 — Reading "Black Men in Suits"—betrayal, gender, and humor as coping

53:00 — Racialized gender tropes, policing, and invisibility of violence against black women

58:00 — Shifting focus to the impact of racial violence, not intentions

1:01:00 — The “newly identifying” phenomenon and its material impacts

1:04:00 — Ancestry vs. lived relationship: Why community connection matters

1:12:00 — Cautions around “lateral violence” language

1:15:00 — Black critique as essential, not harmful: How to grow through challenging conversations

1:19:00 — The importance of joy, safety, and community in black workspaces

1:22:00 — Building collectives, creating new infrastructures, and learning from Proper Now

1:28:00 — Storytelling, songlines, and the nourishing power of black narratives

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#BlackJoy #BlackPower #ImpactPolicyPodcast #IndigenousLeadership #RaceAndIdentity #Storytelling

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Kate Webber
• 's Aboriginal heritage and connection to multiple nations
• Influence of family (grandmother, mother, and father's service) on identity and generosity
• Childhood experiences facing discrimination and racism
• Navigating conflict between pride in Aboriginal identity and external negativity
• Carrying forward family legacy and sense of service

• Impact of racism during primary school
• Lack of Aboriginal perspective in education (focus on colonization, Captain Cook projects)
• Struggles with shame and belonging
• Code-switching and hiding identity in unsupportive environments
• Importance of family and community in fostering pride

• Early experiences of racism, bullying (relating to Aboriginal and Chinese heritage)
• The role of family and community support in building confidence
• Connection between lived experience and academic/professional interest in psychology
• Mental health struggles in family history (grandmother’s depression, intergenerational impacts)
• Personal battles: low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, recovery from trauma

• Power and importance of connection during crisis
• Steps toward regaining autonomy and control
• Building supportive relationships outside toxic environments
• Advances in self-care: regaining interests, healthier routines, addressing eating disorders
• Gradual process of building resilience and confidence

• Impact of systemic racism and poverty (housing, education, social support)
• Inequity in government responses, resources, and societal structures
• Racism embedded in systems affecting Aboriginal families
• The importance (and gap) of culturally informed systems

• Definition and examples of the racial empathy gap
• Media’s role in perpetuating disparity in empathy and reporting
• Importance of accurate assessment for effective treatment
• Critiques of mainstream frameworks and need for culture-bound syndromes
• Negative consequences of misassessment in child protection and mental health

• Critique of “West is Best” and “White is Right” mentalities
• Misguided attempts at tokenistic inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives
• Need for systemic overhaul, genuine power-sharing, and cultural equity
• Challenges of addressing siloes vs interconnected systems in Aboriginal policy (e.g., Close the Gap)

• Positive outcomes when First Nations people lead program design
• Importance of safe spaces and empowerment in professional and community development
• Leading leadership and development programs with successful results
• Advocacy for elevating Aboriginal voices, genuine co-design, and decision-making power

• Artistic influences and background (family of artists and musicians)
• Role of art and creative writing/music in processing trauma and emotions
• Interest in art therapy as a modality for healing
• Healing power of storytelling, slam poetry, and creative arts in Indigenous and marginalized communities

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.