Can We Talk About It?! Podcast: Recent Episodes
Can We Talk About It?!
Honest unfiltered conversations about the nuanced life of African Australians navigating life in Australia. We invite guests to explore the triumphs and challenges of living in a Western society while trying to honour tradition and culture and somehow staying sane juggling everything! The series explores various themes ranging from childhood life, cultural identity, growing up in a multicultural household, love, sex, arranged marriages and the importance of representation to help live a resilient life. We venture into unchartered waters and discuss topics that are often uncomfortable or considered taboo within the community to help illuminate some very necessary discussions we need to have as a community. The question still remains for the community to answer: Can We Talk About It?! A Safe Space Media Production Creative Director: Charmaine Hunzwi Producer: Adongwot Manyoul Soundtrack by: Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
PLEASE NOTE CONTENT WARNING BELOW BEFORE LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE
We all know it’s happening. We all know someone who it is happening to. Yet we do not talk about it enough, if at all! Family Violence is an insidious undercurrent that exists in our relationships that sometimes is disguised as tradition or culture. However, the the factors that lead to Family Violence are both complex and deeply personal. We sit down with researcher Akuch Anyieth to unpack why Family Violence is so difficult to address and why there is no one-size-fits-all solution to solve the problem.
Heritage: South Sudanese
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains material that is sometimes confronting and disturbing. Sometimes words or narratives can cause sadness or distress, or trigger traumatic memories for people, particularly survivors of past abuse, violence or childhood trauma.
For some people, these responses can be overwhelming. If you need to talk to someone, support is available.
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
This is a 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Men's Referral Service - 1300 766 491
This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence.
Mensline Australia (1300 789 978)
Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 telephone and online support and information service for Australian men.
Lifeline (13 11 14)Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide can call 13 11 14, or text 0477 13 11 14 at night (6 pm-midnight AEDT). Someone will help put you in contact with a crisis service in your state or territory.
13 Yarn (13 92 76)The first national crisis support line for mob who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torress Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Kids Help Line (1800 551 800)
Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.
Elder Abuse Help Line (1800 353 374)
Free information and support services for people who experience or witness the abuse of an older person. Operating hours vary.
Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636)
Information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
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A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
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Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
Associate Professor Dr Kathomi Gatwiri never intended to pursue Race Relations studies when she landed in Australia for tertiary education. However, her academic career highlighted the lack of comprehensive research on the diverse experiences of migrant Black people in Australia. Tired of the monolithic narrative that African Australians get, Dr Kathomi has now dedicated the last few years of her career to cataloguing and researching the Black experience in Australia. We sit down to unpack some of her findings, including her recently published seminal work Afrodiasporic Identities in Australia and how she is experiencing her Blackness in Australia.
Heritage: Kenyan
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A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
Follow us on Instagram Facebook Tiktok
Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
“Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”. A narrative we are often told to describe the tension between men and women. But how does that translate when it comes to the matters of the heart? We unpack the journey of love from a male perspective as Psychiatrist and Storytelling Aficionado Dr Xavier Mulenga shares what the male perspective looks like when exploring intimacy in relationships. GUIDANCE: The conversation uses explicit terms so listener discretion is advised!
Heritage: Zambian
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A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
Follow us on Instagram Facebook Tiktok
Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
Life comes at you fast when you become an adult. Suddenly you have bills, you need to pay for your own groceries and have to book your own Dr’s appointment?! Wintana and Rahel join us for a candid and sobering conversation on what it means to adult and the tools (or lack thereof) we have as we enter this pivotal phase of life.
Heritage: Ethiopian Australian
Connect with us on our socials!
A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
Follow us on Instagram Facebook Tiktok
Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
We sit down with Forensic Clinical Specialist Dr Calvin Jutasi to discuss the perception of problem behaviours, how it presents within the community and the devastating effects when the justice system is involved. Calvin also challenges how we don’t address problem behaviours in our own household and how the community can play a part in providing a supportive structure by creating a safe space to get assistance. As the saying goes, “Charity begins at home.”
Heritage: Zimbabwean
Connect with us on our socials!
A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
Follow us on Instagram Facebook Tiktok
Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
Welcome to the Can We Talk About It Podcast, where we dive deep into the uncomfortable conversations to help promote positive attitudes towards the taboo topics that impact us all. From sensitive issues around mental health, relationships, social justice to the realities of discrimination, we're here to create a safe space where we can address these topics head-on. Our aim is to foster better understanding, respect, and unity in our community. We believe that by having these important conversations, we can learn, grow, and empower one another to live fulfilled lives. We've got some amazing guests joining us to share their experiences and insights, and we can't wait for you to be part of the conversation. Join us as we tackle these tough topics with compassion, empathy, and an open mind. Let's break down barriers and start the conversation that will lead to positive change in our community.
Connect with us on our socials!
A Safe Space Media Production
Creative Director, Producer & Host : Charmaine Hunzwi
Season 1 Producer & Guest Host: Adongwot Manyoul
Soundtrack by Chol Muorter (Retroum Productions)
Follow us on Instagram Facebook Tiktok
Email us on ask@canwetalkaboutit.info
Our Website www.canwetalkaboutit.info
We catch up with Season 1 Guests and invite our listeners as we recap Season 1. Guests share their feedback on sharing their personal stories and listeners get to share how influential the topics were in their offline conversations with friends and family!
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Sasha Sarago takes us through her life's journey as an African American and Wadjanbarra Yidinji and Jirrbal woman. Sasha shares her motivations behind her ‘Decolonising Beauty’ campaign and gives us a gentle reminder of the duties we have as settlers, to protect and respect the people and the sacred land we now call home.
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**We explore the heavy and uncomfortable conversation about mental health with Mental Health Counsellor Walter Carter and how both internal and external factors affect our wellbeing. Walter shares some tips on how to lighten the load and find safe spaces to speak about what’s heavy on our minds. TRIGGER WARNING: Themes of suicide and depression are discussed in this episode.
Heritage: African American, Polish**
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Our favourite journo and filmmaker Santilla Chingaipe shares her story about why she loves storytelling and how she started. Santilla also illuminates us on the dopeness of being Black and how she can find community and belonging anywhere in the world!
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Dr Zuwena Richardson shares her heart-warming and complex story of how she became a scientist and her inspiration in pursuing a STEM role. Dr Zuwena shares how her parents loaned her courage as she faced an extremely unfair and racist process while advocating for what she deserved, as well as her experience of being the only black scientist in her field of study
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**Cholhok Naam shares her experience as an unwilling bride at a very young age and how she navigated through the traditional arranged marriage. Cholhok expresses how the community had a significant role to play in her ordeal and how she will be raising her daughters differently.
Heritage: South Sudanese**
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**Dr Stephane Shepherd shares his life journey as a transracial adoptee and navigating growing up in Australia in the 80s. From disconnecting from family to having a fresh restart in his late 20s, Dr Stephane speaks honestly about his life journey and how proud he is now to call himself Australian.
Heritage: Mauritian, Australian**
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A no-holds-barred conversation with sexologist Tendai Chirawu on how to talk about s.e.x. in both a parental role as well as a lovers' role while trying to navigate around the cultural and traditional taboos of talking about it. Things get steamy and messy and uncomfortable but we safely land on a wholesome conclusion. GUIDANCE: Conversation is not Halal. Not for the faint-hearted or under 18! Oop!
Heritage: Zimbabwean
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Salim Mohamed talks about the pivotal role family and culture played in forming his identity as well as his fortuitous career journey which includes being a Community Football Coordinator for Melbourne Victory FC at 21 (what?!). He also shares insights into the power of networking and how he has used it to shape his career and life.
Heritage: Somali
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Monica Forson shares her experiences of growing up in a household with two cultural identities. Monica talks about how her upbringing has shaped who she is now and how she identifies herself.
Heritage: Ghanaian, Italian, Australian
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**Meet your hosts, Charm, and Adongwot as we delve into the inspiration behind the podcast and why we find it so difficult to talk about “it” within the community. We share some of our own experiences about having uncomfortable conversations and how they ended in liberation and also in hot soup!
Heritage: Zimbabwean, South Sudanese**
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