Rephonic
Artwork for VAN Talks Podcast

VAN Talks Podcast

Victorian Aboriginal News
Reconciliation
Treaty
Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal News
First Peoples' Assembly Of Victoria
Aboriginal Culture
Truth-Telling
Dingo
Local Government
Aboriginal Rights
Koorie Heritage Trust
Victorian Treaty
Self-Determination
Traditional Owners
Cultural Heritage
Racism
Treaty Authority
First Nations Voice To Parliament
Victorian Government
Closing the Gap

Heading back to our roots and building on the work we undertook in the leadup to the 2023 Referendum, Victorian Aboriginal News (VAN) Talks focuses on the positivity that is Aboriginal Victoria. Covering everything from Voice, Treaty and Truth and Reconciliation through to Aboriginal businesses and Traditional Owner initiatives, the VAN Talks podcast is the only podcast that travels across the Sta... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes170Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNews CommentaryNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for VAN Talks Podcast

Latest Episodes

Send us Fan Mail

In this special episode on VAN Talks, a podcast normally hosted by Uncle Charles Pakana, Karina Wells, Uncle Charles's daughter, takes to the mic to interview the face of VAN. Uncle Charles talks about the impact his mentors and the... more

Send us Fan Mail

VAN's Charles Pakana sits down the Taungurung woman Kaley Nicholson, CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Corporation, to discuss Native Title in the Victorian context

Send us Fan Mail

NITV General Manager, Dan Bourchier, discusses his vision for the future of NITV and advises both journalists and consumers of media on how to maintain a truth-focused perspective.

YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson have recently been elected as Co-Chairs of Gellung Warl, the First People's Assembly of Victoria. In this episode of VAN Talks, Meriki and Djaran yarn about the future of Treaty in Victoria, sho... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Lamestream
LamestreamLamestream Media
7am
7amSolstice Media
The Imperfects
The ImperfectsHugh van Cuylenburg, Ryan Shelton & Josh van Cuylenburg
Conversations
ConversationsABC Australia

Recent Guests

Dan Bourchier
General Manager of NITV, veteran journalist
NITV (National Indigenous Television)
Episode: S05-E08: NITV General Manager speaks to the future of First Nations media
Meriki Onus
Gunngai and Gunnajumara co-chair of Gellung Warl
Glungell Warl / Co-Chair
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Djaran Murray-Jackson
Gunnai and Gunnajumara co-chair of Gellung Warl
Gellung Warl / Co-Chair
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Karen Diver
Aunty, referenced in cultural grounding session
Advisor / Cultural grounding facilitator
Episode: S05-E07: A new First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria with a new set of challenges for a new era
Sheree Lowe
Guest expert discussing kinship care in Aboriginal communities
VAT Show, Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization
Episode: S05-E06: Kinship care vs. western foster care system: How to embed culture in children's lives
Shankar Karsynathan
Former refugee from Sri Lanka, former Victorian Multicultural Commissioner, advocate for First Nations and immigrant communities
Victorian Multicultural Commission; advocate with First Nations communities
Episode: S05-E05: Can multicultural Australia lead the way in First Nations reconciliation?: the connection between new arrivals and 65,000 years of First Nations history
Uncle Andrew Gardiner
Wurundjeri Reserved Seat Holder, representative on the First People's Assembly of Victoria
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung
Episode: S05-E04: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung join list of TOs ready for Treaty
Dale Wandin
Member of the Wurundjeri Treaty Working Group
Wurundjeri Treaty Working Group
Episode: S05-E04: Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung join list of TOs ready for Treaty
Peter Bakker
Historian researching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military involvement in Australia
Historian, VAN Talks guest
Episode: S05-E03: Removal of the whitewash over Australia's military history

Host

Charles Pakana
Host focusing on Indigenous governance, treaty, and truth-telling discussions; long-standing host with a track record of engaging diverse voices.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Really Appreciate this podcast. Thank you.

    Have been listening to these episodes back to back. This podcast is a gem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Olly Phyllis
    Australiaa year ago
  • Uncle Charles is a legend doing something legendary

    Uncle Charles is not only a badass MC - who keeps an event running to time like nobody’s business while also keeping the audience engaged and sometimes laughing - he is a superb interviewer.

    The space he has created on VAN Talks, into which he invites diverse voices in to yarn, tell stories and share, is SO valuable and SO needed for us non-indigenous activists for justice.

    I’m learning so much and loving every minute. Thank you Uncle Charles, please keep doing what you do. We appreciate you.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rebjmccann
    Australia2 years ago
  • New Favourite Podcast!

    Uncle Charles’ is skilful and curious as an interviewer. I learn a lot every episode and look forward to each new one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mon is so over this
    Australia2 years ago
  • Exceptional podcast

    Charles Pakana delivers an incredible podcast - a must listen for all non-Aboriginal people who are curious and interested to expand their knowledge of local Indigenous perspectives and experiences. Absolutely love it!! Thank you for making this podcast so accessible for everyone. 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    howquabliss
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging host who conducts thoughtful, respectful interviews with diverse Indigenous voices.
Provides accessible insights into complex topics like treaty and truth-telling.
High-quality content that broadens understanding of Aboriginal Victoria and reconciliation efforts.
The host builds trust and keeps conversations informative and engaging for non-Indigenous listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S04-E18: Blackfire hits the ground running with new album
Q: What is happening on the 26th of January event and how is it shaping the band's ongoing visibility in Victoria?
The event at Treasury Gardens on January 26, broadcast from 3KND with PBS partnership, will feature the full band plus additional Victorian artists, aimed at celebrating Indigenous music from Victoria and engaging a broad radio audience.
S04-E18: Blackfire hits the ground running with new album
Q: How has the national and international reception differed for Blackfire in recent years, particularly amid political changes and shifting attitudes toward Indigenous music?
Overseas airplay has grown significantly, with audiences in Scotland, Ireland, England, and beyond embracing Blackfire; domestically there is more challenge due to political climates and venue closures, but the band continues to find new generations of listeners abroad while seeking to reengage local audiences at home.
S04-E18: Blackfire hits the ground running with new album
Q: Tell us about the makeup of this particular album and how production has evolved for Blackfire, especially with Solar Eclipse?
The album builds on a production approach that involves heavy collaboration with producer Rick Evans, pre-assembly in the demo stage to define parts and sounds, and a push to present a world-music-influenced rock sound that can compete with major producers while remaining true to indigenous storytelling.
S04-E18: Blackfire hits the ground running with new album
Q: The formation of the group, which was named after a documentary, can you tell us who was in it and what the goal was?
The band formed from a mix of previous projects, with Kelly McGuinness, Bradley Brown, and others coming together; Selwyn Burns joined with a vision for original music, and the group chose the name Blackfire inspired by a documentary, aiming to educate and empower the Indigenous community through music.
S04-E15: Victorian Treaty Deep Dive with Rueben Berg (Part 3 of 3)
Q: What is the significance of cultural safety standards, and how might organizations engage with this process?
Cultural safety standards will be developed by the Future Assembly in collaboration with communities, defining what cultural safety means and enabling organizations to opt in to an accreditation process endorsed by the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, signifying genuine cultural competence.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About VAN Talks Podcast

What is VAN Talks Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on First Nations leadership, governance, and reconciliation in Victoria and across Australia. Episodes frequently feature Indigenous leaders, historians, and policymakers discussing treaty processes, truth-telling, place-based storytelling, and community-driven solutions in health, housing, education, and economic development. A notable strength is its mixture of on-the-ground governance conversations with culturally grounded perspectives from elders, scholars, and activists, often linking local outcomes to national conversations about Australia's democratic future.

A standout quality is the host's ability to bring diverse Indigenous voices into tangible policy and community actions, making complex topics accessible wh... more

Where can I find podcast stats for VAN Talks Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for VAN Talks Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to VAN Talks Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does VAN Talks Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for VAN Talks Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for VAN Talks Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for VAN Talks Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does VAN Talks Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers VAN Talks Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to VAN Talks Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with VAN Talks Podcast:

1. Lamestream
2. 7am
3. The Imperfects
4. Conversations
5. Philosopher's Zone

How many episodes of VAN Talks Podcast are there?

VAN Talks Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 170 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact VAN Talks Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for VAN Talks Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for VAN Talks Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for VAN Talks Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of VAN Talks Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on VAN Talks Podcast?

Recent guests on VAN Talks Podcast include:

1. Dan Bourchier
2. Meriki Onus
3. Djaran Murray-Jackson
4. Karen Diver
5. Sheree Lowe
6. Shankar Karsynathan
7. Uncle Andrew Gardiner
8. Dale Wandin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days