NAIDOC 2023: Learn More From Our Podcasts with First Nations Authors

This July 2-9, we celebrate our First Nations people, history and cultures with NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is For Our Elders.

NAIDOC Week is an important time to listen to First Nations voices. We have been fortunate to speak to some fantastic Indigenous writers on the Better Reading: Stories Behind the Story Podcast. The following list includes some great conversations that you can listen to, to learn more.

Paul Callaghan on How Indigenous Thinking Can Change Your Life

Paul Callaghan talks to Cheryl about the power of Indigenous thinking. His ABIA Award-winning book, The Dreaming Path, examines the power of Aboriginal spirituality as a profound source of contentment and well-being for anyone willing to listen.

Buy a copy of The Dreaming Path here.

Anita Heiss on the Aboriginal Heroes of the Gundagai Flood

Poet, social commentator and bestselling author Anita Heiss talks to Cheryl about her latest book, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River of Dreams), which shines a light on the flooding of Gundagai and the Indigenous heroes who saved many lives.

Buy a copy of Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray here.

Thomas Mayor on Masculinity, Love and Culture

Thomas Mayor talks to Cheryl about his latest book, Dear Son, a collection of heartfelt letters written by First Nations men about life, masculinity, love, culture and racism.

Buy a copy of Dear Son here.

Claire G. Coleman on the Connection Between Culture and Writing

Clare G. Coleman talks to Cheryl about the connection between culture and writing, and her return to her ancestral country. Her latest novel, Enclave, is out now.

Buy a copy of Enclave here.

S.J. Norman on the Importance of Diversity in Writing

Award-winning artist and writer S.J. Norman talks to Cheryl about their First Nations identity, and why diversity is so important to them. Their latest book, Permafrost, is out now.

Buy a copy of Permafrost here.

Dr. Cindy Solonec on Her Rich Cultural Heritage

Dr. Cindy Solonec talks to Cheryl about her rich cultural Nigena, Spanish and English heritage, and how she turned her PhD thesis about her family history into her memoir Debesa.

Buy a copy of Debesa here.

Dr. Robert Isaacs on Bridging the Divide Between White and Black Australia

Dr. Robert Isaacs talks to Cheryl about his religious upbringing and discovering his indigenous heritage. His memoir, Two Cultures, One Story, is out now.

Buy a copy of Two Cultures, One Story here.

Stan Grant on Western Liberalism and the State of the World

Walkley Award-winning journalist and international commentator Stan Grant talks to Cheryl about universal western liberalism, its virtues and the deep trouble with it, and how we are at a time of momentous upheaval and enormous geopolitical shifts.

Buy a copy of With the Falling of the Dusk here.

Adam Thompson on Aboriginal Heritage, Muttonbirding and Storytelling

Aboriginal (pakana) writer Adam Thompson talks to Cheryl about the importance of maintaining Aboriginal heritage sites, muttonbirding, and his journey from storytelling to writing.

Buy a copy of Born Into This here.

Tara June Winch on Writing Her Miles Franklin-Winning Novel, The Yield

2020 Miles Franklin Literary Award-winner Tara June Winch talks to Cheryl about her extensive travels, living in France, her connection to the land as a Wiradjuri woman, and her journey to writing The Yield.

Buy a copy of The Yield here.