A new podcast is helping create a safe space for people within the AFL industry with unique and inspiring life stories to have important conversations, in an industry so often closed off to intimate details.
Talkin' It Up, hosted by Warumungu/Yawuru woman, Megan 'Megzy' Waters and Minang and Yingaarda man and former AFL footballer, Andrew Krakouer, combines the broadcast flair and natural storytelling the two have developed on their highly successful show, Yokayi Footy with a more celebratory and expansive exploration of Indigenous culture, amplifying voices connected to societal issues.
"The main intention [of Talkin' It Up] is to kind of get to know the players and the people that we're interviewing on a little bit more of a deeper level," Waters told National Indigenous Times.
She said the guest experience on Yokayi - whilst "amazing" - only allowed a short period of time for interviews.
"So, through this broadcast series, it gives us an opportunity to kind of delve a little bit deeper into their personal stories and what makes them tick outside of football and what they're passionate about," Waters said.
"For First Nations people, it's like you're sitting in harmony, you're listening in on a conversation with just a couple of your friends. It's really casual. It's funny, it's from the heart and the good thing is they're relatively short, digestible episodes."
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Her conversation with St Kilda player Liam Henry, reveals the positive aspect of being able to spend a considerable amount of time talking to a person, rather than the short, sharp nature of Yokayi.
"He's from Fitzroy Crossing, he grew up on Country," Waters said, "and for half an hour we're literally talking about what it was like growing up, what it was like living on Country now, what it's like living off Country."
The podcast's deep dive nature often results in serious and difficult conversations that are both challenging for hosts, guests, and listeners alike, but also reveal the humility and gentle nature of Waters.
The conversation with VFLW player and founder of social advocacy enterprise 'Waangkiny', Courtney Ugle, whose mother was murdered by her partner when Courtney was 19, is at times a challenging listen, but one filled with bravery, hope, and Courtney's "glass half full" approach.
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Whilst the story told is traumatic, Waters' gentle nature allows the conversation to open up and viewers to get the full breadth of the extreme bravery of Courtney and her story, which involves a professional career for the Bombers in the VFLW, and working at the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, Djirra.
[The conversation] was really quite emotional," Waters said, "there was no hiding."
"Her story is really something that's so powerful and it can be quite raw and it's very educational for mob, but also non-First Nations people as well, there's an opportunity to really learn more about our community."
It is the same with Henry, with Waters noting he is open about his drive to get out of his community and act as a role-model.
"We know too well there's problems with suicide and alcohol and drugs…and he talks about that," Waters said.
"He's like, 'I recognize that, but I wanted to break that, and I wanted to make something of myself. I was permitted an opportunity. I wanted to take it and now I want to be a role model to show other young ones that if I can do it, you can do it'.
"It's quite inspiring; he actually blew me away. Even though he's only 22 the way that he spoke and how passionate he was…this kid's going to go a very long way."
Highlighting the recent appearance on the podcast by Noongar woman and soon-to-retire Matildas goalkeeper, Lydia Williams, Waters said Talkin' It Up didn't necessarily have to just be focused on Australian Rules Football players.
"We're really intrigued by, the footy adjacent sort of people, which is why we had somebody like Lydia Williams come on," Waters said.
"It just felt really relevant, hugging her, and, given her status as an athlete [and] being one of the longest serving Matildas…but knowing that she's a normal woman and really passionate about community and our mob…[it's] just a bit more of a deep dive into getting to know the people that we love and watch all weekend on the telly".
For an industry obsessed with statistics, minute details on the running of the game, and too often a hyper-masculine culture, Talkin' It Up is a revelation.
For both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, it reveals a human side to people we so rarely see on the television, and one that is a must listen — for footy and non-footy fans alike.
