alwaysourstories

07/08/2020

“Growing up…I felt really ostracised. Then when you add the complexities of not really understanding your sexuality, it sort of turned into - a lot of self hating…after coming out I realised I’m not the only one and that I can be black and gay and it’s not abnormal, its so natural. If you’re a good person, it doesn’t matter who you like - that’s the message we want to spread.”

Next week, I have two deadly guests on EP11 of - they are passionate advocates for mob in the LGBTQIA+ community and podcast hosts themselves! Their stories of strength have inspired and educated me so much and I can’t wait to share them with you too!

Can you ? 🖤💛❤️

04/08/2020

Beautiful, serene shot captured in Coonamble NSW, the home town of this weeks guest, Braidon Burns ✨

Have you heard the conversation yet?

As we’re seeing this surge of COVID-19 fear and threat again, I’m finding I need more and more stories of strength and resilience - if you’re feeling the same, this episode is truly for you 🙌🏾

I’ve also been thinking a lot about ways to connect more to country, to switch off and walk away from screens as much as possible during the day (as they feel too closely linked to all the anxiety inducing news 😖)

Hope all you mob are feeling ok - look out for each other and stay safe 🖤💛❤️

📸 via

03/08/2020

In interviews and general conversation, people often ask me who my role models are and while I struggle sometimes with answering that, because I’m lucky enough to find inspiration in so many moments with different individuals every day - there is one particular person whose story and strength is at the back of my mind as a constant source of inspiration and hope.

It might be surprising to some, but one of my biggest role models is actually one of my younger cousins. Having grown up in the care of his grandparents, facing trauma caused by a Mum and Dad who were constantly in and out of jail and around drugs - and a range of other obstacles and tough times, the ways in which he has emerged as not only incredibly successful, but also equally kind, generous and committed to giving back, never ceases to amaze me.

is a name you probably associate mostly with the , and while he is a great rugby league player, it’s the way he holds himself - and how he understands his position as a leader for the next generation - off the field, that I wanted to showcase in today’s chat.

We talk about his start in life, the realisations he’s had in the ways his childhood trauma has effected him today and his commitment to breaking the cycle, especially for his little brother Dray, who he now has in his care.

I’m so proud of Braidon and this episode, go check it out now where ever you get your pods! https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/always-was-always-will-be-our-stories/id1513056184?i=1000486889175
🖤💛❤️

01/08/2020

26/07/2020

CW: Su***de.

The latest published statistics (2017) reveal su***de as the leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people between 5 and 17 years old.

This issue is one of the hardest to discuss, but if we can have any hope of solving it, it has to be talked about. Thankfully, like my guest on today’s episode, there are incredible people out there committed to making a difference.

, proud Gamilaroi man and Newcastle Knights player, was set on a few things from a young age - he was going to play in the NRL and no matter what, he was going to find a way to give back to our mob when he got there.

Connor, alongside his amazing mum Jodie, dad Mark and younger brother Fletcher, have turned family tragedy into passion and hard work driven toward Aboriginal youth su***de prevention through their non-profit,

I’m privileged to have seen the work the association does on the ground and the impact it has on our young ones, so I couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing you Connor’s story and a glimpse into that work in today’s chat. In lieu of a sponsor this week, we have donated both the space and money associated to Cultural Choice Association and ask you to consider doing the same through their GoFundMe: https://gf.me/u/yf7p94 (linked in our bio also).

Devastatingly, Connor suffered a serious achilles injuries yesterday in his latest game, so our hearts go out to him today too and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Throughout this discussion please remember, it is ok not to feel ok, but it isn’t ok not do do something about it, if you need help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

***deprevention

20/07/2020

15/06/2020

When I say ‘debutante ball’ what comes to mind for you? What if I told you that Aboriginal people have a history with the debutante ball that reaches back to the 1967 referendum, would you be surprised?⠀
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Debutante: Race, Resistance and Girl Power is the brand new podcast from none other than the dynamic duo that is Nakkiah Lui and Miranda Tapsell. From the 16th of June, through you’ll be able to follow their journey from a teatime etiquette lesson in London, where the deb ball began, along a trail to discover how First Nations women across the globe have made this tradition their own. ⠀
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Nakkiah and Miranda ask: can beauty, poise and politeness actually empower them? Or is it better to get angry and start shouting? ⠀
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I am absolutely thrilled to say, Nakkiah and Miranda are my guests on todays podcast. As huge admirer of both of their works, to say it was hard not to fangirl on this zoom call I had with them, is an understatement.⠀
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In this chat, we talk about the new podcast, feminism, sisterhood, beauty in a black body and why they love working together. I could gush on and on about why their voices and their presence in the public eye means so much to me and many others, but I’ll let them speak for themselves - go listen to EP3 NOW!! .

15/06/2020

Nothing brings me more joy than having and sharing yarns with some of our most inspiring role models and trailblazers - and thanks to your support, it doesn’t look like this podcast ride will be slowing down anytime soon! 🤩 Check our ep 2 with Tanika Davis here: https://anchor.fm/marlee-silva

01/06/2020

Thank you all so much for the incredible support of our first ever episode of ! I have to admit, it’s made pretty easy when your guest has such an incredible story to tell. ⠀
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If you’ve not had a chance to listen go look it up anywhere you get your podcasts today! And if you have, make sure you help us keep sharing vital stories by sharing it with your friends and leaving a review & comment! ⠀
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The work of ID. Know Yourself deserves to be yelled from the rooftops. These pics show a couple of young mentees from the ID Know Yourself program doing some Aboriginal art, painting their hands and making a handprint on their canvas with their totems and Aboriginal flags showing that they are young black and deadly 🖤💛❤️⠀
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01/06/2020

The first ever episode of 'Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories' is LIVE! https://anchor.fm/marlee-silva/episodes/EP1-Foster-kid-to-CEO--Isaiah-Dawe-eeq3pg

In today's chat 'Foster kid to CEO', I sit down with Butchella and Gawara man Isaiah Dawe.

Like thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids in Australia today, Isaiah grew up in foster care. During that time, he was forced to face unimaginable abuse from carers, to navigate a world without someone to call ‘mum’ or ‘dad’ and in the midst of it all, try and figure out his cultural identity and what I meant to be Aboriginal.

Hearing what Isaiah was forced to face, and what far too many kids are continuing to face in a system that fails them time and time again, will infuriate you.

But this story of survival and Isaiah’s ability to rise, overcome - and most astonishingly, build his own non-profit organisation called ‘ID Know Yourself’ where he’s now supporting kids who are just like him, in the care system - to be the family he never had - will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful and hungry to help him make change.

Support Isaiah's work by following his organisation on social media or read more at https://www.idknowyourself.com/

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share with your friends and family! Let us know what you think and who we should chat with next! Can't believe the day is finally here! Thank you all for your beautiful support of our mobs stories - we are the oldest storytellers in the world. Our voices matter.

24/05/2020

And the winner of our x giveaway is… !!! Thank you all for entering, your support means the world! Nicky please inbox us and we’ll get you those goodies and the line you want for your shout out in EP1 which drops IN JUST 7 DAYS!! Happy Monday you mob, I am so excited to finally bring this to you all! 🎧🎙🖤💛❤️

24/05/2020

The Pod Diaries EP2 | Happy Sunday you mob! In today’s rant you catch me weighing up the two-way street of value add for guests and the audience. I’ve edited a pretty long vid down to the juiciest bit but I promise I started the original vid by apologising for calling myself ugly in EP1 😂 have a good week legends! Only 8 days to go!!! 🖤💛❤️

22/05/2020

Your support means everything 🙌🏾 over 800 of you locked and ready to roll in 9 days when EP 1 drops! Have a great weekend you mob 🖤💛❤️

21/05/2020

ATTN The x giveaway closes tonight!
- Make sure you’re following both pages,
- Tag 3 friends in the comments below and make sure they’re following both pages as well!
It’s as simple as that! And you’ll win...
- A custom painting
- A tote bad
- A signed copy of ‘Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia’, and
- A shout out in EP1!!

20/05/2020

Speak up and stand strong. Work to shake the fear of raising your voice, our ancestors fought for our chance to do just that and you’re stronger and wiser than you think ✨

19/05/2020

“To be an Indigenous woman is to be such a powerful, incredible, resilient human being. I just find that, that story is missed a lot by mainstream media.”

I said this on a recent episode of the when I was asked what we are trying to address with the stories we tell on - but it rings true for too and I without hesitation give those attributes to our males as well. We are such a strong people and there’s so many out there doing amazing things, whose stories need to be shouted from the roof tops!

This podcast, like so many of my brothers and sisters projects and side-hustles, is about offering rebuttals and challenges to the negative rhetoric and language of deficit which still plagues our portrayal in mainstream media.

It’s about showing the world just how amazing we are and the next generation of blackfullas that they can do anything they set their minds too 🙌🏾

P.s. Just 12 Days til ep 1 & 2 days to enter our giveaway with !!!

18/05/2020

“How are you recording from home?” 🎧 That’s the question I’ve been asked most since announcing this new pod so I thought I’d share a few of the ingredients that are helping me out and streamlining the whole process (I’m no expert of course, just sharing what I’m learning as I’m moving through it all!)
1. This pic captures the only gear I’ve been using to record and edit audio a Blue Yeti USB Mic, my headphones and literally just GarageBand - it’s simple, I’m not going for bells and whistles and it works.
2. .fm = life saver! Non-stop shop for building and distributing your podcast on all available platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts! And has free background music/transition sounds you can add in.
3. is the free online program I’ve been using to record audio with guests in isolation (records all guests audio separately, which is really important to maintain your audio quality), and
4. Each room is different and I’m finding soundproofing is all about trial and error - what’s working in my home studio (i.e. my bedroom) is a few rolled towels/blankets under the door, blinds down, closed windows (yes it becomes a sweat box) and it helps that it’s a carpeted, small room ✌🏽

17/05/2020

Happy Monday you mob! Enjoy this blooper reel of recording intros and outros for Ep 1! Just 2 weeks to go! Don’t forget to enter our giveaway comp, entries open until Friday! 🖤💛❤️

16/05/2020

GIVEAWAY TIME! The Silva sisters behind have teamed up to celebrate the launch of their side projects, and with a giveaway just for you!
WHAT YOU COULD WIN:
* A custom painting
* A tote bag
* A signed copy of 'Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia', AND
* A shout out on EP 1!
HOW TO ENTER:
* Follow both &
* Tag 3 friends in the comments below & make sure they're all following both pages too.
* BONUS ENTRY: Screenshot & tag in your insta story to show us you're subscribed to the podcast
ENTRIES CLOSE FRIDAY 22ND MAY
WINNER ANNOUNCED MONDAY 25TH MAY!

15/05/2020

16 DAYS UNTIL EP 1 IS LIVE! The background shot of this pic was taken on beautiful Dharrawal country where the podcast is mostly recorded, edited and produced. We send our respect and love to the traditional owners of this land and all countries who make up this continent, we acknowledge the 60 thousand year long relationship our people have with the land and we acknowledge how our sovereignty has never been ceded 🙌🏾 how lucky are we to live here! Whose country are you on today? 🖤💛❤️

15/05/2020

Going out on your own for the first time with a project like this can be really scary and hard to navigate. I’ve only been given the confidence and the tools to create my own podcast because of the support and launching pad I was given by the professionals. I think everyone has a story that deserves to be heard and I don’t want to be a gatekeeper to the tools you need, the lessons you learn or the knowledge you should have to do this, so I’ve been haphazardly vlogging my journey so far, in the hopes that by sharing it, someone out there might be able to take something from my experience and feel empowered to take a leap themselves. So introducing, the unedited, unsightly first ep of the pod diaries, recorded just two days ago when I launched this page and let the world know this pod is coming. I spill my thoughts on rawness, audio quality and why I think tiktok is a win for quality content over marketing strategies. Let me know if it’s interesting at all and I’ll share some of the other stuff I’ve been thinking about and managing down the track too!
P.s. I am aware I’m flexing my insecurities by making it black and white because my skin was looking hella wild. Soz I’m working on that too.

15/05/2020

Going out on your own for the first time with a project like this can be really scary and hard to navigate. I’ve only been given the confidence and the tools to create my own podcast because of the support and launching pad I was given by the professionals. I think everyone has a story that deserves to be heard and I don’t want to be a gatekeeper to the tools you need, the lessons you learn or the knowledge you should have to do this, so I’ve been haphazardly vlogging my journey so far, in the hopes that by sharing it, someone out there might be able to take something from my experience and feel empowered to take a leap themselves. So introducing, the unedited, unsightly first ep of the pod diaries, recorded just two days ago when I launched this page and let the world know this pod is coming. I spill my thoughts on rawness, audio quality and why I think tiktok is a win for quality content over marketing strategies. Let me know if it’s interesting at all and I’ll share some of the other stuff I’ve been thinking about and managing down the track too!
P.s. I am aware I’m flexing my insecurities by making it black and white because my skin was looking hella wild. Soz I’m working on that too.

13/05/2020

Thank you all so much for the support already so early on in this new podcast journey, we’ve already got a handful of yarns recorded and in the pipeline to bring you weekly from Monday June 1st and they really are something special! But we know there’s so many stories out their ready to be captured and once we start, we’ve got no plans to slow down with releasing them. So, we want to know, if you could have a cup of tea and listen to a yarn from any deadly blackfulla around, who would it be? They don’t have to be famous, they just need a story to tell - the whole point of this project is to continue our 80,000 yr long tradition of sharing stories and learning and growing together as one mob 🙌🏾 If you want to hear someone on ‘Always Was, Always Will be our stories’ tag them in the comments below! 🖤💛❤️

12/05/2020

Today we launch the trailer for the brand new ‘Always was, always will be our stories’ podcast, named after the 2020 NAIDOC theme! Hosted by Gamilaroi and Dunghutti writer and Co-Founder of Tiddas 4 Tiddas, marlee.silva, this new pod captures yarns with some of our most inspiring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models and trailblazers! Check out the full trailer right NOW on Spotify or through the link in our bio and make sure you subscribe to be the first to hear EP1 when it drops on JUNE 1ST! If you dig it or know someone else who might like it too, share it with them! 🖤💛❤️Logo Artwork by .auaha
[https://open.spotify.com/episode/13nDSn378i1nqq5ppL7kFr?si=UMvg5KdZQEq8DLm-hkTxgg&context=spotify%3Auser%3A1267954110%3Acollection]

12/05/2020

Yaama, I’m Marlee Silva, a Gamilaroi and Dunghutti writer and the Co-Founder . Last year, I started my podcast journey with the help of the Mamamia network, where they introduced me to the podcast game and helped me record and produce two seasons of ‘Tiddas 4 Tiddas’ the podcast, which shared inspiring conversations with some of our most amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Tomorrow, I officially launch the first trailer for my new podcast ‘Always was, always will be our stories’, named after the 2020 NAIDOC theme! This new baby is the same premise - amazing yarns with deadly blackfullas, just this time I’ve allowed the brothers in on it too AND now it’s a solo production recorded, edited and produced by me - it’s officially a total blackout of a project! 100% mob owned, created and led 🤩 Stay tuned over the next couple of days when the trailer goes live and you’ll be able to subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts! Thanks for your support, please share the page with anyone you think will love it too and start the countdown! EP 1 is dropping JUNE 1!

11/05/2020