Ask the Specialist: stories to inspire better healthcare | Podcast Guru

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Ask the Specialist is a podcast for health professionals who work with First Nations peoples in the place colonisers called the Northern Territory of Australia. Healthcare providers ask Arrernte, Larrakia, Tiwi, Warlpiri and Yolngu leaders their "burning questions" which span clinical to philosophical ideas. The Specialists are: Aunty Bilawara Lee, Pirrawayingi Puruntatameri, Rarrtjiwuy Melanie Herdman and Bernadette Nethercott, Jimmy Langdon, Sabella Kngwarraye Turner and Amelia Kngwarraye Turner.Ask the Specialist was supported by the Communicate Study at Menzies School of Health Research. Episodes 8-10 were created in collaboration with Purple House, the Djalkiri Foundation and NT Health. Ep 1-7:Hosts: Vicki Kerrigan and Stuart Yiwarr McGrathVoice over: Richard MargetsonSound production: Hamish RobertsonProducer/Executive Producer: Vicki KerriganEp 8-10 Hosts: Kelly Clark and Christine SandersonVoice over: Brendan Phelan and Natasha BertschiProducer: Caddie BrainExecutive Producer: Vicki KerriganFunding: Harry Christian Giese Research Into Action Award and Medical Research Futures FundArtwork: Amber YoungMusic from https://filmmusic.io "Cold Funk" by Kevin MacLeod

Recent Episodes

8. The “D word”, sorry business and smoking ceremonies

MAR 28, 2025

8. The “D word”, sorry business and smoking ceremonies

Discussing end-of-life care can be very challenging—what words should you use? Can you call someone by their name? In this episode, the Specialists discuss the language to use before and after someone passes away, and the policies and procedures regarding sorry business and smoking ceremonies. This is Ask the Specialist, and in our podcast, the Specialists are First Nations leaders from across northern Australia. In this episode, Arrernte, Walpiri and Yolŋu leaders answer some of the burning ...

29 MIN

9. “Skin and kin” and culturally safe communication at end of life

MAR 28, 2025

9. “Skin and kin” and culturally safe communication at end of life

Have you ever wondered how to handle end-of-life talks with First Nations peoples? In this episode, the Specialists explore how "skin and kin" defines family roles and responsibilities—and why the decision-maker isn’t always the “next of kin” as described on a hospital form. This is Ask the Specialist, and in our podcast, the Specialists are First Nations leaders from across northern Australia. In this episode, Arrernte, Walpiri and Yolŋu leaders answer some of the burning questions fro...

21 MIN

10. Supporting families and pain medication at end of life

MAR 28, 2025

10. Supporting families and pain medication at end of life

Learn how kinship roles shape who can visit a loved one—and why absence can be a sign of deep respect. Discover why some families might fear pain medication, and why the right setting for end-of-life care discussions isn’t always a hospital room. Providing care that is both clinically and culturally safe starts with understanding these perspectives. This is Ask the Specialist, and in our podcast, the Specialists are First Nations leaders from across northern Australia. In this episode, Arrern...

25 MIN

7. Perspectives on health and well-being

JUN 3, 2020

7. Perspectives on health and well-being

Some Aboriginal patients may have a different perspective on health compared to the western biomedical approach which underpins mainstream healthcare delivery. A culturally safe health professional has an awareness of differing worldviews and also reflects on their own culture and how they can change. In the final episode in this series, you’ll gain insights into Aboriginal perspectives on health and sickness. Ask the Specialist: stories to inspire better healthcare was created by Vicki Kerri...

16 MIN

6. Recognising and addressing racism

JUN 2, 2020

6. Recognising and addressing racism

"Hospitals aren’t a place that people really want to be, but is it that unpleasant for people that it's a horrible sort of racist place? What's it like being a patient there?” In this podcast, the Specialists address doctors’ questions about racism. For many Aboriginal people, hospital has a lot of negative connotations and for some that means they will choose not to accept hospital treatment. The Specialists also talk about why Aboriginal people don’t like going to hospital and w...

17 MIN