About this podcast
Besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna are just navigating life in their 20s and all the craziness and uni deadlines that come with it.
Each fortnight, these Sistagirls bring love and comfort to the ears of mob and other beautiful people with yarns about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships, all while championing the sovereignty of sisterhood.
Produced by Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna.
Photography by Cole Baxter.
Artwork by Lavinia ‘Nijalya’ McKenna.
Theme Music by Flewnt and Tani Walker.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 36 episodes
- Ep 35: IJ’s lessons in solo travelFresh from Mauritius and South Africa, IJ chats about her lessons in solo travel! SOVEREIGN is a new RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls…
- Ep 34: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST: Brodie GeorgeWalmajarri-Gooniyandi women Brodie George is thriving in business. Growing up in Fitzroy Crossing, 400km east of Broome in WA’s Kimberley, Brodie values community and culture…
- Ep 33: The Rind Legacy: A Fusion of Cultures in PerthIn this episode, Sharlene explores her family history; the remarkable story of the Rind family, an iconic presence in Perth, Western Australia. From their roots in the late 19th…
- Ep 32: A SOVEREIGN Travel GuideTrying not to cry because it’s Sharlene and IJ’s last time together for 2024… The duo catch up on what’s been happening and invite big sister and producer Dani into the studio…
- Ep 31: SOVEREIGN Bodies (Part Two)Part Two of Sharlene and IJs conversation about reclaiming body sovereignty. SOVEREIGN is an RTRFM podcast by besties Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna. Join the girls each…
- Ep 30: SOVEREIGN Bodies (Part One)Today, IJ shares her date from hell which begs the question…is it okay to have racial dating preferences? The girls share how to look out for red flags when so called…
- Ep 29: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST Narissa CullenIn this fortnight’s episode we’re thrilled to welcome Narissa Cullen, a proud Waanyi woman and the visionary behind Narissa Creative Studio. As a talented makeup artist…
- Ep 28: A Year of Staunch RepresentationPeak behind the curtain so far! In this special anniversary episode IJ McKenna is joined by producer Danielle Raffaele to chat about the year that was; the laughs, the drama…
- Ep 27: It’s a SOVEREIGN Birthday!Sharlene and IJ are celebrating one year of SOVEREIGN! On today’s episode, we’ve picked some of our favourite SOVEREIGN moments and yarns in celebration of this special…
- Ep 26: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST Shannon McGuireOn today’s episode of SOVEREIGN, Sistagirls IJ and Sharlene welcome Wadjuk, Balardong woman and fashion trailblazer Shannon McGuire into the big red studio. Shannon’s work in…
- Ep 25: SPECIAL EPISODE The Seven SistersIn Aboriginal cultures across WA, the constellation of the Seven Sisters is embedded in lore as a tale of desire, forbidden pursuit and magic. And though it’s unique to the…
- Ep 24: Girl, so confusing…Charli XCX, Girl Beef and Female FriendshipFeuds, beef, comparisons and never knowing where you stand…why are female friendships so confusing! Today, Sharlene and IJ unpack female friendships and the entertainment…
- Ep 23: SOVEREIGN Bookclub (Part Two)We all need a SOVEREIGN bookclub in our lives… Luckily Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna have you covered on this episode of SOVEREIGN where they share stories that have moved…
- Ep 23: SOVEREIGN Bookclub (Part One)We all need a SOVEREIGN bookclub in our lives… Luckily Sharlene Baloch and IJ McKenna have you covered on this episode of SOVEREIGN where they share stories that have moved…
- Ep 22: It’s (another) SOVEREIGN reunion (Part Two)Back for part two of Sharlene and IJ’s reunion… The yapping continues with a discussion of some of their favourite tracks of all time as well as their thoughts on the ongoing…
- Ep 21: It’s (another) SOVEREIGN reunion! (Part One)It’s (another) SOVEREIGN reunion! After too much time apart the girls are back in the big red studio to…well…yap. In part one the girls debrief about their recent trip to…
- Ep 20: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST Amber Ugle-HaywardOn today’s episode, Sharlene yarns with her big sister, Amber Ugle-Hayward, a proud Noongar woman with connections to Ballardong, Menang, Wilman and Kaneang Noongar country…
- Ep 19: Energy Drinks, Lettuce and Hectic Yarns…The IJ Starter PackStrap in, IJ is here for a solo episode of SOVEREIGN. This fortnight our Sistagirl answers your questions; from relationships to living alone and moving to the big smoke…
- Ep 18: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST Leanne DolbyOn today’s special episode of SOVEREIGN, IJ sits down with Bardi, Nyikina, Yamatji and Dija powerhouse, Leanne Dolby. The sisters discuss all things Blak excellence and…
- Ep 17: “No One Really Cares About Your ATAR”: SOVEREIGN goes back to schoolUni is back, school is well and truely in session and the corporate schedule is filling up! With all the craziness of putting their noise back in the books, the girls give their…
