SOVEREIGN

About SOVEREIGN

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.

Publisher

RTRFM

Category

arts

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Aug 2023

Latest episode

30 Jan 2025

Latest episodes

37 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Jan 2025

   Ep 36: Manifestations, Music and Paul Mescal (You’re Welcome)…

   Your favourite podcast besties are back! SOVEREIGN returns for 2025 bigger and funnier than ever; in IJ’s words its the year of elevation. Today’s episode is a lucky dip of books, music, manifestations, cats and Paul Mescal (you’re welcome). Join the girls each fortnight for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

2. 

   18 Dec 2024

   Ep 35: IJ’s lessons in solo travel

   Fresh 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 each week for chats about First Nations affairs, fashion, culture and relationships.

3. 

   12 Dec 2024

   Ep 34: SOVEREIGN SPECIAL GUEST: Brodie George

   Walmajarri-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 above anything else and that might be why she’s won the hearts and respect of consumers across the country. Her swimming line Jalayimiya Swim (https://jalayimiyaswim.com.au/) stole the spotlight in 2022 with bright, bold designs and a Country-conscious philosophy that strives to shine a light on the oldest continuous living culture in the world. She joins IJ to yarn about the struggle of business ownership, authenticity and the importance of representation.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

16,016,378

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

17

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

0

Contact SOVEREIGN

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.