Race Matters

Episode 64: Autonomy > Inclusion

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +1000

From the horrific situation that unfolded in nine public housing blocks in Melbourne, to an open letter condemning cancel culture, to a white country band suing a Black blues singer for a name she's been using for 20 years – this ep, we debrief on the hectic week that was. Plus, how white people stepping down from positions of power can be one of the most productive anti-racist acts, and reflections on the recent Black Lives Matter protest in Sydney.

Episode 63: Towards Accountability (with Eunice Andrada)

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 09:00:00 +1000

As more people than ever before begin to grapple with systemic racism around the world, we’re seeing organisations, institutions and even entire industries being rightly held accountable for their racist past and present. To mark our first one hour show on FBi Radio, we reflect on the long, painful road to get Race Matters to where it is today. Plus – last week, as part of a collective of Filipinx-Australian writers, poet Eunice Andrada penned an open letter to Australian arts journal Verity La following their publication of a creative non-fiction piece deemed by many (including now, the journal itself) to be racist and misogynistic. We chat to Eunice about institutional critique and accountability in the literary world, as well as her work co-organising online Filipinx literary festival The Digital Sala. Content warning: this interview contains mentions of sexual exploitation, sex tourism and abuse.

Episode 62: Karen Whomst?

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +1000

We're back together in the studio this week, IRL! What better time to unpack the phenomenon of white women weaponising race (and often, tears) against Black and First Nations people. Why do they do it? And why is it so dangerous to claim victimhood over being called a Karen? Plus, stick around 'til the end of the episode for some exciting news about Race Matters moving forward.

Episode 61: Black Thoughts (with Ziggy Ramo)

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +1000

As the Black Lives Matter movement draws attention to ongoing systemic racism the world over, rapper Ziggy Ramo has just dropped an album that speaks so directly to this moment – but it was actually written five years ago. He takes us through his thought process around releasing the record now, how he decides when to engage with racist rhetoric, and disrupting Eurocentric standards of beauty. Listen to 'Black Thoughts' by Ziggy Ramo, out now on all streaming services.

Episode 60: Next Steps

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +1000

It's been a WEEK. Right now we're seeing growing and unprecedented recognition of racism and police brutality – in the States, globally, and of course, here on our soil. So where to from here? How do we sustain this energy today, tomorrow and forever? This episode we're talking about things you can do to keep up the fight against racism. We’ve made some steps, but we've got a long way to go, and a lot of work to do.

Episode 59: I Can't Breathe

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +1000

“I can’t breathe” were some of George Floyd’s last words, before his death at the hands of police. This was the same phrase Eric Garner repeated as he was fatally restrained by police in 2014. It’s also the same phrase that Dunghutti man David Dungay repeated in 2015 as he was fatally restrained by prison guards, here in Sydney. As Black Lives Matter protests continue in the States, there are impossible-to-ignore links to the ongoing colonial violence in Australia. We discuss the importance of taking action, paying reparations and constantly challenging white supremacy and anti-Bla(c)kness. Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode mentions the name of people who have passed away. This episode also discusses racialised violence and police brutality.

Episode 58: Why Don't You Say So? (with Carolina De La Piedra)

Mon, 25 May 2020 18:00:00 +1000

Between Doja Cat and Lana Del Rey, there is some hectic race-related controversy bouncing around pop music right now. We unpack Lana's dripping-in-white-woman-fragility Instagram rant. Plus, Carolina De La Piedra fills us in on what's going on with Doja, namely her alleged involvement in some incel, white supremacist chat rooms and the resurfacing of an unreleased track of hers based around a racial slur.

Episode 57: Never Have I Ever... Seen Myself On Screen

Mon, 18 May 2020 18:00:00 +1000

Mindy Kaling's new teen Netflix comedy-drama is being hailed as a watershed moment for South Asian representation. But what does that really mean, when the bar is already so low, if not non-existent? We talk about what Never Have I Ever got right, what it got wrong, and what it meant to us.

Episode 56: A Man Was Lynched Yesterday

Mon, 11 May 2020 18:00:00 +1000

Between 1920 and 1938, a flag bearing the words "A man was lynched yesterday" was flown from the headquarters of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People in the United States. But as the recent murder of Ahmaud Arbery shows, lynching is far from a thing of the past. This week, we unpack the ongoing struggle to confront and convince the wider community of systemic racism, and the role white people play in upending or upholding these systems. Warning: this episode contains discussions of racialised violence.

Episode 55: Humour and Desire (with Janette Chen)

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:00:00 +1000

Chinese-Australian author Janette Chen walks us through translating formative experiences onto the page and the pivotal role stationery had in getting her started as a writer. You can read Janette's stories in Sweatshop Women Volume One and Two. Plus, Sara and Tanya catch up on what's been keeping us going this week as we continue to navigate isolation.

Episode 54: Privilege in Isolation

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:00:00 +1000

It’s been over a month since the government advised self isolation and social distancing across Australia. A LOT has happened since then... including some deeply misguided at best, unhinged at worst celeb moments (hey Madonna + Gal Gadot, we see you!). In this ep, we reflect on how experiences of the Coronavirus pandemic differs depending on your race, your socioeconomic status, your level of privilege.

Episode 53: Top of the List

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 18:00:00 +1000

One of the silver linings of this strange moment is that many of us are finding ourselves with a bit of extra time on our hands. Why not spend it with some of the art made by our communities? We put the question to you: what PoC-led media are you loving right now? Hear from listeners + past guests alike on what pop culture they can't get enough of. Plus, local pop icon and past guest Rainbow Chan tells us how she's practising self-care in social isolation. Full list of the media plugged in this ep: On My Block (Netflix) / @amandabb (Youtube) / Small Doses by Amanda Seales (Booktopia) / Spa Night (SBS On Demand) / HEAVN by Jamila Woods (Spotify) / Priya Krishna (Instagram) / Homebound (To be released; on Instagram @homeboundmovie) / The Family Law (SBS On Demand; Google Play) / Dragon Prince (Netflix) / Man Like Mobeen (Netflix) / Dear White People (Netflix).

Episode 52: (Re)connection (with DOBBY)

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +1100

If your artistic practice hinges on live performance, what does COVID-19 mean for you and your livelihood? We catch up with former Race Matters host and rapper DOBBY aka Rhyan Clapham to hear about how he's navigating these uncertain times as a musician. Plus, Soo-Min Shim reads us some quotes that are buoying her through isolation.

Episode 51: Self-care in Isolation

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +1100

In these incredibly tough times, how are you looking after yourself? We reached out to a bunch of past Race Matters guests and friends to hear how they're practising self-care while physically distancing. You'll hear from Courte Marsh, Nathan Sentance, Winnie Dunn, Chela, Johnny Lieu, Marcus Whale, Ying-Di Yin, Justin Tam, Manisha Anjali, Leah Jing Mcintosh, Ayeesha Ash, and of course, Sara Khan and Darren Lesaguis. We'd love to hear from you too – record a voice memo telling us one thing you're doing at the moment to care for yourself and send it to us: racematters [at] fbiradio [dot] com.

Episode 50: The Coconut Children (with Vivian Pham)

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +1100

Widely acclaimed not even a month after its publication, Western Sydney author Vivian Pham's 'The Coconut Children' is set to be one of the most loved debuts of the year. She chats about what drew her to the written word, how Sydney Story Factory changed the way she saw writing race, and reclaiming her own narrative.

From The Vault: For Us, By Us (with Ayeesha Ash)

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +1100

We dive into our vault, unearthing a conversation from 2018 with artist, 2019 FBi SMAC Award winner, and Artistic Director of Black Birds theatre collective, Ayeesha Ash – on representation on-stage, Rachel Dolezal, and the power of seeing Solange's Sydney Opera House debut.

Episode 49: Subtle Resistance, Big Gains (with Kirli Saunders)

Mon, 02 Mar 2020 18:00:00 +1100

Ahead of Blak Matriarchies, a panel as part of All About Women at the Sydney Opera House, Gunai woman Kirli Saunders joins us to chat about the power of Language, Blak ownership and empowering First Nations youth with her program Poetry in First Languages.

Episode 48: Felt Safe, Might Delete Later (with Sab D'Souza)

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 18:00:00 +1100

Has a Facebook group changed the way you connect with your ethnic identity? Artist and researcher Sab D’Souza explores online practices of diasporic youth through their work – so we're diving deep with them into the phenomenon of culturally-specific online communities.

Episode 47: Interracial Relationships

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 18:00:00 +1100

What role does race play in your romances? In the lead up to Valentine's Day, we unpack some of the complexities that come with interracial relationships, and the damaging simplicity of many of the recurring tropes used to depict them on-screen.

Episode 46: Invasion Day

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 18:00:00 +1100

Ahead of Invasion Day 2020, we talk the ongoing colonisation of this country, what productive, positive allyship can look like, and shifting the focus from simply changing the date to changing the system. // Invasion Day rallies are happening all over the country on Sunday January 26 - we'll see you at the Warrang leg, starting in Hyde Park at 11am.

From the Vault: The Other-Race Effect (with Avani Dias)

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 18:00:00 +1100

Have you ever been mistaken for someone of a similar ethnic background? Journalist and triple j Hack host Avani Dias explains the psychology behind this phenomenon. Plus, we talk about how social media groups can foster a sense of community by shining a light on common diasporic experiences. This conversation originally aired in November 2018, on FBi Radio's breakfast show Up For It.

Bonus: A 2019 Retrospective

Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:00:00 +1100

When did you realise there is power in your race? For more than half the year, we've been asking each guest that comes on Race Matters that very question. So we thought we'd run through a few of them. In this episode, you'll hear from Bhenji Ra, Nayuka Gorrie, Abdul Abdullah, Benjamin Law, Min Jin Lee, Glenny Thomas, Lena Nahlous, Rainbow Chan, Damian Griffis, Ying-Di Yin, Justin Tam, Vicki Van Hout, Joel Bray, Candy Bowers, Aanisa Vylet, Soo-min Shim, Felicia Foxx and Jordy Shea. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of our guests this year for their stories, wisdom, humour and vulnerability. And thank YOU for listening. Here's to big things in 2020! x

Episode 45: Just Us (with Nessa Turnbull-Roberts)

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of suicide, depression and abuse. If this brings anything to the surface for you, or you just need to talk to someone, please see contact any of the following: Lifeline Crisis Hotline: 13 11 14 / eHeadspace: 1800 650 890 / Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 / Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 // On a recent Friday morning, Bundjalung woman Nessa Turnbull-Roberts submitted her Honours thesis, and a few hours later won the Young People's Human Rights Medal. We spoke to her about how she deals with the colonial oppression of universities, her thoughts on Reconciliation Week, and how she practices self-care after protests.

Episode 44: Cya 2019!

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:00:00 +1100

We reflect on the year gone by, and some of the incredible guests we've been lucky enough to have join us this year. Plus, we chat a couple of recent milestone moments, and our ones to watch for 2020.

Episode 43: Beyond the Walls (with Glenny Thomas)

Mon, 02 Dec 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Glenny Thomas from community arts organisation Phunktional talks us through how dance can be used to combat the damage of youth incarceration.

Episode 42: Kasama Kita (with Jordy Shea)

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Filipino-Australian playwright Jordy Shea on what drew him to drama, the importance of community and 'Kasama Kita' - his play currently showing at Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre.

Episode 41: Farewell Rhyan!

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Rhyan joins us one last time as an in-studio host, for an emotional and laughter-filled yarn with Sara about some of his favourite moments over the past year, and what Race Matters has meant to him. We love you Rhyan!

Episode 40: The Farewell (with Ying-Di Yin and Justin Tam)

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 18:00:00 +1100

When it comes to Asian representation in the media, what's changed over the past year? Following last week's reprise of their conversation around Crazy Rich Asians, we brought back Justin Tam and Ying-Di Yin to talk about Lulu Wang's 2019 film The Farewell, sidelining whiteness in ethnic narratives and the complexities of bi-culturalism.

Episode 39: Crazy Rich Asians (with Ying-Di Yin and Justin Tam)

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Does Asian representation in the media cut it? Publicist and actor Ying-Di Yin and writer and producer Justin Tam return to Race Matters this month to chat Lulu Wang's film The Farewell – but before they do, revisit their chat from last year, talking Crazy Rich Asians.

Episode 38: Cultural Appropriation

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 18:00:00 +1100

What actually is cultural appropriation? And why does it matter? This Halloween, we thought it apt to tackle the ever-controversial topic. Get your bite-sized lowdown right here.

Episode 37: Cancelled

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Political correctness gone mad, or a legitimate way of holding those with influence accountable in the internet age? This week on Race Matters, we tackle cancel culture.

Episode 36: Wiradjuri Movement (with Joel Bray and Vicki Van Hout)

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 18:00:00 +1100

What’s the connection between colonisation and gay dating app Grindr? And how do you deal with expectations when you make contemporary art through the lens of the world’s oldest living culture? We chat to artists Joel Bray and Vicki Van Hout about this and more, ahead of their two shows as part of Liveworks Festival of Experimental Art this October.

Episode 35: Halal Gurls (with Aanisa Vylet)

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Aanisa Vylet wrote and stars in Halal Gurls, the world's first hijabi comedy series. We chat to her about her experience making the show, some of her early influences and why authentic, intelligent representation matters.

Episode 34: Shifting the Balance (with Lena Nahlous)

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 18:00:00 +1000

We know there's a lack of diverse representation in the arts, especially when it comes to positions of power. But we haven't always had the numbers to prove it. Executive Director of Diversity Arts Australia, Lena Nahlous, unpacks their recent report into arts leadership, diversity and inclusion, proving that we have a problem and directing us to start working on solutions.

Episode 33: Paris Report (with PM Kanza.)

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 18:00:00 +1000

In a Race Matters first, our resident globetrotter Rhyan Clapham talks race, identity and music with French rapper PM Kanza.

Episode 32: Farewell Georgia!

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 18:00:00 +1000

It's Georgia's last show! She reflects on the crushes she's manifested by way of interviewing them for past episodes. Plus, we look to the future, chatting Western Sydney crew ONEFOUR and how they're taking the world by storm.

Episode 31: We Are Golden (with Candy Bowers)

Mon, 02 Sep 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Writer, performer and educator Candy Bowers chats Black Girl Magic, reclaiming narratives and tells us the best icebreaker idea we’ve ever heard – tried and tested.

Episode 30: Come As You Are (with Damian Griffis)

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Damian Griffis is a proud Worimi man and a leading advocate for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living with disability. It was an honour to have him on today's show, for a truly insightful chat with Sara about intersectionality, the pros of approaching disability with a social model, and his upcoming panel at Sydney Opera House's Antidote in September. Plus – at the beginning of the show, Sara spoke about the crisis in Victoria at the moment, on the lands of the Djab Wurrung people. The sacred birthing trees of their lands are about to be knocked down to build a new highway by Victoria Roads. For directions to the protest and numbers to call if you can't physically make it there, head to dwembassy.com/.

Episode 29: Waltzing the Dragon (with Benjamin Law)

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Darren Lesaguis talks to author and broadcaster Benjamin Law about 'Waltzing the Dragon', his two-part doco exploring the long and oft-surprising history between Australia and China. They also chat negotiating identity across generations, and 'Growing Up Queer in Australia' – the recent, vital anthology Law has edited. Watch 'Waltzing the Dragon' on ABC iView, and find 'Growing Up Queer in Australia' in any good bookstore.

Episode 28: Gaosuwo (with Rainbow Chan)

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Sydney multidisciplinary artist and musician Rainbow Chan chats language, culture and identity and how they fit into her new album, Pillar. If you're in Sydney, catch Rainbow live at The Chippo Hotel on Friday August 23.

Episode 27: Shine Bright (with Min Jin Lee)

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Korean-American author Min Jin Lee talks today's America, her 2017 best-selling novel Pachinko, how home and language inform her identity, and why Rihanna's 'Diamonds' is the antithesis to tall poppy syndrome. The book Min recommends is Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation by David L. Eng and Shinhee Han. Plus – if you have some spare change this week, please consider donating to RAICES: https://www.raicestexas.org/

Episode 26: Creating Your Own (with Gerii Pleitez)

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Author and publisher Gerii Pleitez talks writing, relocation and bypassing literary gatekeepers as a woman of colour.

Bonus: Race Matters Live! (with Dixie Crawford and Barbie-Lee Kirby)

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Dixie Crawford and Barbie-Lee Kirby join Sara Khan for a special NAIDOC Week 2019 edition of Race Matters, recorded live at the Australian Museum.

Episode 25: A Queer Lexicon (with Peter Polites)

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Sexual preference? Or a masked vehicle for racial and economic prejudice? Darren Lesaguis and Western Sydney Greek-Australian novelist, Peter Polites, dive in to the ways cis-gay men navigate identity and desire, including the ways language has been used to define our relationships. Peter's second novel, The Pillars, is out this month. It's a satirical interrogation of the Australian dream of home ownership over a bed of queer noir.

Episode 24: Why is My Curriculum White? (with Dixie Crawford and Omid Tofighian)

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

An insightful conversation with academic, activist and Behrouz Boochani's translator Omid Tofighian, plus a snippet from the live edition of Race Matters as part of NAIDOC Week 2019.

Episode 23: Faboriginal (with Felicia Foxx)

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

We celebrate NAIDOC Week 2019 with First Nations drag icon Felicia Foxx.

Episode 22: Talanoa (with Emele Ugavule)

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Multidisciplinary storyteller Emele Ugavule talks about her work, her experience navigating various sectors of the arts industry, and how AI can promote cultural preservation.

Episode 21: Movement of the Archipelago (with Bhenji Ra)

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Talking movement, fluidity and gender with Sydney-based interdisciplinary artist Bhenji Ra. Grab tickets to Junglepussy at Oxford Art Factory, hosted by House of Slé + featuring a bunch of amazing guests, here.

Episode 20: Speaking Back (with Soo-Min Shim)

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Think arts writing has nothing in common with lasagne? Think again! Sydney-based arts writer and arts worker Soo-Min Shim explains all.

Check out Desire Lines as mentioned by Soo-Min. Plus, catch Ecologies of Being at Kudos Gallery from July 2.

Episode 19: 'Other' Voices (with Abdul Abdullah)

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Perth-born, Sydney-based artist Abdul Abdullah talks racial profiling, challenging people's prejudiced perceptions of race and culture through art, and King Keanu.

See Abdul speak alongside Omar Musa with live music from OKENYO on Wednesday 8 June at the Art Gallery of NSW. More info here.

Episode 18: Reconciliation?

Mon, 27 May 2019 18:00:00 +1000

A look into the history and nuance of Reconciliation Week with Sara Khan and Georgia Mokak. For further reading, see 'Decolonization is not a metaphor' by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang – available to read for free here.

Episode 17: Anger is Love (with Nayuka Gorrie)

Mon, 20 May 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Naarm-based writer and social commentator Nayuka Gorrie on the power of Blak women, self-care and the moment they realised their race was powerful.

Episode 16: How to Write an Autobiographical Novel (with Alexander Chee)

Mon, 13 May 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Intergenerational language, first times in drag and... Spider-Man fan fiction? Korean-American writer and essayist Alexander Chee talks to Darren about his best-seller How to Write an Autobiographical Novel and so, so much more.

Bonus: A Conversation with Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Sat, 11 May 2019 13:00:00 +1000

Bestselling author of Friday Black, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, on home, his experience as a young Black male writer, and his passionate take on the latest season of Game of Thrones (spoiler alert for Season 8 Episode 3 from 29:30 – consider yourself warned!).

This episode features tunes from ScHoolboy Q ft. Kendrick Lamar, Janelle Monae, Solange and Ramin Djawadi.

Episode 15: Coming to Voice (with Winnie Siulolovao Dunn and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah)

Mon, 06 May 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Sweatshop Western Sydney manager Winnie Siulolovao Dunn and author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah examine the power of writing from the margins.

Grab your copy of Sweatshop Women: Volume One here.

Episode 14: Unlearning (with wāni Le Frère)

Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:00:00 +1000

wāni Le Frère's very first spoken word performance was at an open mic, where he read his diary aloud at a friend's suggestion and moved audience members to tears. He then proceeded to fall in love with the artform via Tupac Shakur, John Coltrane and Nina Simone. Ahead of the Sydney premiere of Tales of an Afronaut at Griffin Theatre's Batch Festival, the Naarm-based artist speaks to Darren and Rhyan about the self, family, masculinity and what Nas’ Illmatic means to him.

Episode 13: The Archival Decolonist (with Nathan Sentance)

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 18:00:00 +1000

Have you ever considered who gets to decide what's put in a museum? Nathan Sentance, First Nations project officer at the Australian Museum, joins Darren and Sara to speak about the importance of Indigenous ownership over the histories and stories told by cultural institutions about First Nations peoples.

Read more of Nathan's work at Archival Decolonist, and follow him on Twitter.

Episode 12: Digebasse (with CHAII)

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 18:00:00 +1000

In Sydney for the first time, Persian-Kiwi rapper, audio engineer and producer CHAII joins Georgia and Rhyan in conversation on the site of the 4Elements Hip Hop Festival in Bankstown. Watch her stellar debut music video here.

Episode 11: I Got 5 On It

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:00:00 +1100

"I don't see myself casting as a white dude as the lead in my movie," Jordan Peele, director of Get Out – and the new and incredibly successful Us – has said. Darren and Sara chat about why Peele may feel this way, why it's an uncontroversial notion, and the importance of strong and varied representation in film.

Bonus: At Home with Nadia Hernández

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 17:00:00 +1100

An integral figure in Sydney's creative scene today, Nadia Hernández is a multidisciplinary artist based on Gadigal land. Over two days, Georgia Mokak and Rhyan Clapham shared tea and stories in Nadia's home, spanning reflections on her homeland Venezuela, the complexities of diaspora and the influence of both of these on her practice.

Episode 10: Cosas Antes y Después (with Nadia Hernández)

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +1100

In this episode of Race Matters, Georgia and Rhyan speak to multidisciplinary artist Nadia Hernández about her practice, homeland, and experience as a diasporic Venezuelan woman living in Sydney.

An extended version of this conversation with Nadia will be released later this week - to make sure you get it first, subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, or keep your eye on our Spotify and website feeds.

Episode 9: Brown Skin Girl (with Emily Havea and Leah Jing Mcintosh)

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +1100

This week on Race Matters, Tanya chats to Emily Havea, a Sydney-based actor, singer and dancer who is currently starring in a one-woman play titled Grounded, at Parramatta's Riverside Theatre. They talk growing up Brown in white spaces, creative communities of colour and Brown Skin Girl, an incredible play from Sydney theatre collective Black Birds that Emily has written and starred in. You also hear from Leah Jing Mcintosh, the founder and editor of Liminal magazine, about the Liminal Fiction Prize: a creative writing prize for and judged by Australian writers of colour.

Black Birds are doing another show this April. It's called Exhale and you can head here to find out more / buy tickets.

Grab tickets to see Emily in the already widely acclaimed Grounded here.

Find more information about the launch of Liminal's first print edition in Melbourne here.

We also begin the show with a few words about the Christchurch terrorist attacks that Tanya shared earlier in the day, on Monday Arvos. If you have the means, the New Zealand Council of Victim Support Groups and the New Zealand Islamic Information Centre are both running funds to support the victims and their families.

Bonus: A Conversation with Fariha Róisín

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 16:00:00 +1100

It's not every day that Fariha Róisín is in town. Now based in Brooklyn, the Australian-Canadian writer, editor, podcaster and delightful human was Sydneyside for a panel titled WoC Solidarity: Beyond Performative Allyship. You heard part of our interview with her on Episode 8 of Race Matters, but we felt so energised (and, tbh, smitten!) after our sprawling conversation with her that we wanted to make it available to you in full.

Support The Juggernaut by following them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and of course, by subscribing.

Keep up to date with Fariha on Twitter, Instagram and at her website.

This episode features tunes from Tommy Genesis, Gonjasufi, Swet Shop Boys and M.I.A.

Episode 8: Woke Brownie Points (with Fariha Róisín)

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Today on Race Matters with Georgia Mokak, we hear from Brooklyn-based Australian-Canadian writer, editor and podcaster Fariha Róisín. She speaks with Rhyan Clapham and Tanya Ali about growing up in Australia, diasporic experience and the importance of meaningful allyship. Later this week, we'll be releasing an extended cut of Rhyan and Tanya's conversation with Fariha – so keep an eye out on iTunes, Spotify and our podcast page.

Right at the end of today's show, we mention a really valuable resource – Aamer Rahman's video about reverse racism. Watch it here.

Bonus: International Women's Day (with Kween G)

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 12:00:00 +1100

In a special edition of Race Matters live-to-air on International Women's Day, Sara and Georgia catch up with Kween G for an in-depth chat about culture, gender and hip hop in Sydney.

Bonus: Hip Hop Feminism

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 10:00:00 +1100

How do you decide what is acceptable in the content you consume? Where do you draw your line? In this special episode of Race Matters, we explore feminism and queerness in hip hop, and how it's changed over time. You'll hear from Joan Morgan, Carolina Gasolina and Georgia Mokak, and hear tunes from Sampa the Great, Lauryn Hill and Okenyo, Miss Blanks & Jesswar.

If this topic is your jam, make sure you head along to Joan Morgan's talk at All About Women this Sunday March 10. All details at sydneyoperahouse.com.

Episode 7: Bakla in Blacktown (with Vonne Patiag and Joan Morgan)

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Today on Race Matters, Darren and Tanya are joined by Filipino-Australian writer, producer and director Vonne Patiag to talk about his 2018 short film Tomgirl, queerness and masculinity. How do we, of the diaspora, define or redefine notions of identity that follow us from overseas? Namely, what does it mean to be Bakla in contemporary Australia? You can stream Tomgirl on SBS on Demand, and catch Vonne speaking this Sunday March 10 at Sydney Opera House's All About Women festival, on a panel titled 'Man up.'

You'll also hear from American author Joan Morgan talking Lauryn Hill, hip hop and feminism – and you can catch her speaking more on all of those things this weekend at her talk at All About Women too. Grab tickets from sydneyoperahouse.com.

Also, Solange dropped her album When I Get Home last week and we have THOUGHTS!

Stay tuned for a special Race Matters podcast featuring an extended chat with Joan Morgan and further exploration of feminism, queerness and inclusion in hip hop, out this Wednesday.

Episode 6: Dumb Racism (with Tyree Barnette)

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 18:00:00 +1100

This week on Race Matters, Sara Khan and Darren Lesaguis are joined by writer Tyree Barnette, who is a part of the Western Sydney Sweatshop collective – a literacy movement devoted to empowering groups and individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Exploring his piece Being an African-American in Australia, we discuss the hierarchy of Blackness in Australia, comparing American and Australian notions of racism, and how to turn feelings of rage, violation and powerlessness into hope and resistance. Catch Tyree speaking as part of the Nick Cave x Sweatshop readings at Carriageworks on Saturday 2 March – 11am, and it's free! You can purchase writing from Sweatshop from their website.

Episode 5: Sisterhood in Hip Hop (with Diola and Zeadala)

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 18:00:00 +1100

On today's episode of Race Matters, Ryan Clapham and Georgia Mokak are joined by musician, producer and radio host Diola, and South-West Sydney based artist Zeadala, who are on the lineup for this Friday's Artivista at the Red Rattler in Marrickville - A night of Women in Hip Hop. They talk moments at which generations of sisterhood - newcomers and pioneers - meet to share and reflect on their stories, and where new paths are forged for young women and non-binary folk to thrive in the hip hop community. Find out what Diola and Zeadala believe is the driving force behind many of these people being people of colour.

Episode 4: Resisting Assimilation (with Nancy Denis)

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Where were you when Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations? This Wednesday marks 11 years since the day. On this week's episode of Race Matters, Sara shares her experience of the day, how far we've come, and how far we have to go. Sara and Darren are also joined by queer Haitian-Australian, actor, singer, dancer and all round powerhouse, Nancy Denis. You might remember her from her role in last year's production of The Rolling Stone, set in Uganda, where she plays the homophobic 'Mama' outing the man who impregnates her daughter, resulting in his death. Today, she talks modes of assimilation as a black woman growing up in white Australia, white fragility, and theatre moments that made her proud. Warning: strong language.

Episode 3: Down Under Lovechild (with Kaiit)

Mon, 04 Feb 2019 18:00:00 +1100

This week on Race Matters, Rhyan and Georgia are joined by up-and-coming superstar Kaiit. Connecting on the phone from hometown Melbourne, Kaiit talks her experiences of being a First Nations woman in the music industry and gives some advice to her younger self. Rhyan also outs Georgia as the maker of a very sweet welcome card when she was in town last year for Klub Koori. Cute!

Episode 2: Stop Calling Me (with Barbie-Lee Kirby)

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +1100

This week's Race Matters spans identity, icons and Invasion. Sara and Rhyan are joined by special guest Barbie-Lee Kirby, a Ngemba/Wailwan, Baakindji and Yuwaalaraay woman. Barbie is a NASCA board member and the CEO of We Pledge, an initiative that seeks to connect Indigenous female high school students with Indigenous professional women across various industries. The crew speak on the huge Invasion Day rallies around the country, and the need to #changethenation rather than simply change the date. They also reflect on the importance of community coming together at Yabun, and the powerful, joyous comeback of deadly 2000s legends Shakaya, who performed at the festival.

Episode 1: Reclamation (with Marcus Whale)

Mon, 21 Jan 2019 18:00:00 +1100

Welcome to Race Matters! In our first episode of 2019, hosts Darren Lesaguis and Georgia Mokak are joined by musician, co-host of FBi Radio's Sleepless in Sydney and multidisciplinary artist Marcus Whale. They discuss Marcus' experience of the Sydney music scene, his band BV's upcoming reunion show, and the importance of reclamation and creations of language and dialects. Darren and Georgia also chat about an epic astronomical phenomenon that so happens to coincide with the Race Matters 2019 debut!