We’re revisiting one of our most powerful and inspiring episodes with the legendary Leah Purcell—award-winning actor, writer, director, and proud Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri woman. Leah shares the deeply personal story behind The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, and how her mother, grandmother, and community shaped her fire as a truth-teller and creative force.

From her early days in Murgon to her rise on stage and screen, this yarn touches on family, cultural survival, domestic violence, self-determination, and the power of Blak women’s voices. Leah’s journey is one of perseverance, purpose, and deadly storytelling—and a reminder that when we back ourselves, we bring our whole mob with us.

Whether it’s your first listen or a return to a favourite, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and community power.

🔗 Resources from this episode:

• ABC News Feature: Leah Purcell weaves her Indigenous Songlines into new film Leah discusses how her personal history influenced her adaptation of The Drover's Wife. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka14nZDyv0s

• Eye For Film Interview: Leah Purcell about The Drover’s Wife
  A conversation about the challenges and inspirations behind her film adaptation.
  Read more: https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2021-03-18-interview-with-leah-purcell-about-the-drovers-wife-the-legend-of-molly-johnson-feature-story-by-jennie-kermode

• ACMI: Leah Purcell on reclaiming The Drover’s Wife
  An exploration of Leah's Blak feminist retelling of Lawson’s classic.
  Read here: https://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/leah-purcell-on-reclaiming-the-drovers-wife-with-the-legend-of-molly-johnson/Overland literary journal+3acmi.net.au+3The New Daily+3

• Flicks Interview: Leah Purcell on the long journey of The Drover’s Wife
  Insights into the political power of the western genre and Leah's creative process.
  Read here: https://www.flicks.co.uk/features/leah-purcell-on-the-long-journey-of-the-drovers-wife-and-the-political-power-of-the-western/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

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The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

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