The Bittersweet Podcast is a weekly discussion that explores a range of topics from pop-culture, careers and relationships to identity politics. Hosts, Wintana Kidane and Rahel Ephrem, share their personal experiences while interviewing a range of guests and like any good podcast, their warmth, humour and honesty makes you feel like you’re a part of their crew.
The podcast was born as a response to the lack of representation of people of colour in Australian media and a desire to spark conversations around cultural context, self-discovery, and to share diverse stories and perspectives with local and global audiences.
In this Colour Box Studio interview, Kidane & Ephrem discuss their creative platform, the importance of representation and their new studio space.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
Bittersweet is a company & a creative platform that’s all about engaging our audience in meaningful ways. We create podcast episodes and YouTube videos to dive into topics like identity politics, self-discovery, career, and relationships. We also love to connect with our audience through social media content, where we share thought-provoking discussions, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and updates about our latest projects. In addition to that, we host panels and events to foster collaboration and community/commercial partnerships. We’re all about building a creative community where people can come together, share ideas, and spark conversations.
How did you start your creative practice and why?
Our creative journey with Bittersweet began because we noticed a lack of representation of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) in Australian media. We felt that our voices were not being heard, and there were limited spaces or platforms for us to share our stories and perspectives. So, we took matters into our own hands and started teaching ourselves the skills needed to create engaging content. We learned along the way, exploring different avenues and connecting with other talented creatives and individuals who supported us on this path. It was a journey of self-driven learning, determination, and community building. We wanted to create a space where BIPOC voices could be amplified and heard, and we are proud to have started this creative practice with Bittersweet. It has been an incredible journey so far, and we continue to strive for representation, inclusivity, and meaningful connections through our creative work.
Tell us about your past creative projects. What has been your most treasured highlight so far?
We’re proud to have undertaken several creative projects with Bittersweet. We have produced over 100 podcast episodes and conducting 40+ interviews. Through these episodes, we’ve been able to explore a wide range of topics and amplify diverse voices, fostering meaningful conversations within our community.
In addition to our podcast, we’ve organised events such as “Sip and Paint” and “Vision Board” workshops, creating spaces for our audience to come together and engage in creative and interactive experiences. Furthermore, we’ve collaborated with non-profit organisations in panels and workshops and directed a creative campaign with Shea Moisture Australia.
We are particularly proud of the recent opening of our own studio space in West Footscray. This has been a significant milestone for us, as it provides us with a dedicated creative hub where we can bring our ideas to life and connect with our community in a more intimate setting. We recently hosted a launch event in late March to celebrate the opening of our studio space, and it was an unforgettable moment for us.
Who or what inspires your practice?
As black women ourselves, our inspiration comes from a deep desire to create accurate media representation in Australia. We have personally experienced the lack of representation and the need for diverse voices to be heard in the media and creative industry. We are driven to create content that reflects our experiences and amplifies the voices of our communities.
Additionally, we are inspired by the younger generation who may face similar challenges and lack of representation. We want to be role models and inspire young people who, just like us, are navigating their own creative journeys. We want to show them that it is possible to create meaningful and impactful work, and that representation matters in all forms of media and creative expression.
Where do you feel most creative and why?
We both feel most creative when we are surrounded by our community, immersed in the abundant and flourishing culture of BIPOC in Australia, and tapping into conversations that are being had on a more global level through social media. The energy and vibrancy of our community inspire us to think critically, engage in meaningful conversations, and constantly seek new ideas and perspectives.
Social media provides us with a platform to connect with people and communities beyond our physical reach, allowing us to draw upon a diverse range of perspectives, experiences, and cultural contexts. We find inspiration in the conversations, movements, and trends that are happening on a global scale, and we strive to incorporate these ideas and insights into our creative practice.
What do you hope audiences take from your work?
Ultimately, we hope that our work leaves a positive impact on our audience, inspiring them to continue learning, growing, and creating change in their own lives and communities.
What future projects are you looking forward to?
We are really excited about continuing to create content, and exploring new topics and ideas that are important to our community. We are always looking for ways to improve and evolve our content, and we look forward to experimenting with new formats and platforms in the future.
In addition to creating content, we are also looking forward to growing and building the Bittersweet community through events, workshops, collaborations, and partnerships.
Whose work are you digging at the moment?
The Disruption (@thedistruptionent)
Talking Trophies (@talkingtrophies)
The Feed Room (@ the.feed.room)
RIDDIM AU (@riddim.au)
Where can we find and follow you online?
Social media: Instagram | Tiktok | Linktree