Explore every episode of the podcast Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home

Dr. Shellie Morris (Wardaman, Yanyuwa) is a legend in the Northern Territory. Affectionately known as the ‘Mother of Music’, she’s spent the past 25 years writing songs with more than 70 remote bush communities.In that time, Shellie’s learned to sing in 17 different languages – many of which are considered ‘sleeping’ or close to extinction, including her own Yanyuwa tongue.

In this episode, Jen and Shellie head to Kakadu to visit Shellie’s sister Mandy Muir. On the way, Jen learns about Shellie’s emotional homecoming after being adopted at birth; the healing influence of her Elders, the Borroloola Songwomen, and the next generation of strong, cultural women who are keeping their languages alive through song. 

Find out more about Shellie Morris:

https://www.shelliemorris.com/ 

Listen to the full album Waralungku by Arrkula Yinbayarra:

https://arrkulayinbayarra.bandcamp.com/album/waralungku

Since releasing their fifth album, Ko Au Te Awa, Ko Te Awa Ko Au, and the first season of this podcast, Jen Cloher not only found their way home, they packed up their life and moved there. They’ve enrolled in a year long Te Reo Māori rumaki (immersive) language course at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki, Aotearoa, NZ.

“Rumaki means to immerse or drown”, Jen explains, “and for a beginner like me, drowning in the Māori language definitely sums up the experience.”

In this episode, Jen speaks with Anahera Neho-Cooper from Te Reo Maioha – a Māori language class based in Melbourne that utilises the well-loved Te Ataarangi method of learning. Jen also stops by Tauranga Moana to get some survival tips from their friend Ani Bennett, who has just completed a year long immersion.

For more on this podcast and for the best transcripts head to https://everybodystryingpodcast.com/

Find out more about Jen Cloher:https://www.jencloher.com/jen 

Show notes:

‘Being Human’ performed by Te Hononga o Ngā Iwi and Jen Cloher band at the Northcote Town Hall 2023. Recorded by Dave Manton for Double J.

‘Toku Reo Toku Ohooho’ performed by Waiata Takatāpui written by Te Tāwhiro Maxwell & Okeroa Huriwaka.

‘Whakatupuranga Rua Mano’ performed by students at Te Wananga o Raukawa written by Tipi Wehipeihana.

Taonga puoro composed and performed by Pānia Elmsly.

With thanks to Te Wānanga o Raukawa, Te Reo Maioha and Waiata Takatāpui.

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Jon Tjhia

Story Editor: Beź Zewdie

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

Animation: Charlie Budd

With thanks to: Three Triple R 102.7FM and Creative Australia.

Welcome to the second season of Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home. A podcast where Jen Cloher speaks with Māori and First Nations songwriters who are writing and performing in their languages.

Learn more at https://everybodystryingpodcast.com/

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Jon Tjhia

Story Editor: Beź Zewdie

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

Animation: Charlie Budd

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM and Creative Australia.

Breanne Peters (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atiawa) was born in Naarm (Melbourne) and didn’t know anything about her Māori heritage until a trip home to Aotearoa a few years ago that changed the course of her life. Now, the 18 year old artist is on a mission to heal intergenerational trauma so that future generations can have access to their language and culture. She is a passionate advocate for rangatahi Māori (young people) and has found community and support for her journey with the Naarm based kapa haka T’HONI. Breanne shares how singing vocals on Mana Takatāpui helped her to put words to what she had been feeling and how Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) has deepened her respect for First Nations people and culture in Australia.

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: https://bio.site/jencloher 

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke -Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Emma Donovan (Gumbangyirr, Yamatji) grew up singing gospel songs in her Nan and Pop’s band The Donovans. She soon went on to tour the world as one of the youngest members of the legendary Black Arm Band. Emma’s released four albums with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and is currently in the studio making her first solo album. Jen joins Emma and her daughters for an emotional Survival Day at Yabun Festival before heading to La Perouse in Sydney’s south where Emma shares about the lasting influence of Aunty Ruby Hunter on her music and language journey.

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: https://bio.site/jencloher 

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke -Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Anna Coddington (Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa) was catapulted into the public eye at age 15 when her high school band won a national songwriting competition. Since then she’s released four solo albums, received a degree in socio-linguistics, and has been dedicated to learning Te reo Māori at night classes — all the while raising two young boys. Her album ‘Aho’ (written entirely in the Māori language) recently won Best Te Reo Māori Album at the Māori Music Awards. Jen catches up with Anna at the APRA NZ Te Reo Māori Songwriting Hubs curated by Bic Runga. The story begins with a masterclass in Taonga Pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) from Reti Hedley.

Find out more about Anna Coddington: https://annacoddington.bandcamp.com/music 

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: https://bio.site/jencloher 

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke -Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Dr. Lou Bennett (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta) is songwriting royalty. A founding member of both the Black Arm Band and ARIA award winning trio, TIDDAS. Lou has spent her life dedicated to what she describes as ‘Sovereign Language Rematriation’ and her passion is traced back to her love for her people and Country. Lou takes Jen home to Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Victoria’s north west to share the heartbreaking story of the Djaara baby. On the way home they are greeted by an unexpected friend.

Find out more about Dr Lou Bennett: https://www.vic.gov.au/dr-lou-bennett

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: https://bio.site/jencloher 

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke -Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Theia (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) has earned a reputation for fearless pop music. Now her Māori language project, Te Kaahu o Rangi [Taite Music Prize] has caught the imagination of new fans worldwide. In this episode, Jen and Theia head out to the Waikato River to trace the origins of Theia’s rich songwriting ancestry, dig into the significance of Pai Mārire, and spend time at Theia’s beloved Taupiri.

Find out more about Te Kaahu: https://www.princesstheia.com/https://www.princesstheia.com/

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: https://bio.site/jencloher 

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke -Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Jen Cloher (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) was on tour in Aotearoa in 2019 when something happened that changed the course of their life. Four years later, Jen is a new person — about to set out on an international tour (Aus, UK, Europe and Aotearoa) for a new album that weaves their matrilineal language, Te reo Māori throughout. Before they can begin to document other Māori and First Nations experiences, Jen will need to face imposter syndrome, stare down shame, and walk open hearted towards their language and culture.

See tour dates and listen to Jen’s new album: jencloher.com

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts

Introducing Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home. A podcast where Jen Cloher speaks with Māori and First Nations songwriters who are writing and performing in their tribal languages.

See tour dates and listen to my new album: jencloher.com

Credits:

Executive Producer/Host: Jen Cloher

Producer/Engineer: Mike Williams

Story Editor: Karla Arnall

Cover Artwork: Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho

Layout and Design: Sebastian White

Web Design: Aron Lebani

With thanks to: Triple R 102.7FM, Australia Council for the Arts