Interview with Marisa Sposaro

This episode of Accent of Women features an interview with Marisa Sposaro, a long-time host at 3CR Community Radio. Host Zoe introduces Marisa, noting she has been with the station for half of its 50-year history and hosts the Dreamtime show focusing on prisoner justice. Marisa begins by recounting her childhood as a blind girl from an Italian migrant family, frustrated by limited access to books beyond Mills & Boon romances. She describes becoming rebellious, getting into punk and metal music, and later engaging in forest blockading in East Gippsland. A volunteer reader from Vision Australia introduced her to 3CR, where she found a community through Aboriginal music and activist programming. Marisa explains her passion for First Nations issues stemmed from spontaneous connections with Aboriginal women in Queensland, where she learned about genocide and stolen land. She mentions influences like Robbie Thorpe and elders such as Uncle Jack and Uncle Ray Jackson, who would help her navigate streets in Fitzroy. Marisa reveals that producing her show releases anger about injustice, and she becomes difficult during breaks. She discusses over-representation of First Nations people and those with disabilities in the criminal justice system, citing lack of police training and racial profiling. Marisa shares self-care practices like walking her dog and talking with others who understand justice issues. She outlines the Dreamtime show's broader scope, including commemorations for activists like Uncle Ray Jackson and Uncle Sam Watson, and covering inquests and rallies. Marisa lists past campaign involvements with Anarchist Black Cross, Friends of the Earth, and disability rights groups. She emphasizes independent media as a weapon for change and calls for more workshops on legal rights and defense committees. The episode concludes with credits and podcast information.

As heard by us

A measured interview on how personal anger can become political work through community radio.

Marisa Escozaro traces a life in community radio back to childhood: blindness, an Italian migrant family, limited access to books, and early feminist and activist instincts.

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Why you'd press play

You want to hear how personal anger can become a constructive practice through community radio.

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