The Podcasters Tolu convene to rank our Top 5 Dwayne Johnson/The Rock movies. We start by assessing the NBA Finals after the Miami Heat take Game 2 in Denver, and whether it changes our series' outlook. We rank movies starring Uncle Dwayne, from the beginnings of The Scorpion King to growing with and motivating the Gridiron Gang and evolving to hitching multiple vehicles to a helicopter in Hobbs & Shaw. Our top spots include the birth of a comedy super team, a jungle ensemble that reimagined a classic, and a jungle cult classic with a little bit of lightning, little bit of thunder. Quick discussion on whether or not Johnson appropriates or showcases Polynesian culture, before talking about how the Director of the new live-action "Moana" movie is not a Pacific Islander and how that could affect the telling of a Pasefika story. Forest reveals that if you Google "Moana" story writers, its all white faces. Transitioning to Taika Waititi's keynote address at The Hollwood Reporter's Diversity summit, where the New Zealand director said he's "tired of the diversity conversation, tired of the inclusivity conversation" and how advancing casting diversification and representation has been mistakenly taken to mean every show should have every type of person and ethnicity in it. We give Forest the time to defend his GOAT from the slander of Scottie Pippen, who called Jordan a "horrible" player. How much would we pay if there was a toll just to get on the freeway, like LA county is reportedly discussing.

We close out this episode with our shoutouts to Washington State Triple Jump champ Matthew Fiso; King Koda; Forest's nephew; Irae Hosea; Big Uce Radio Pasefika Food Festival featuring Iam Tongi and Tenelle, Lakewood, WA (July 29); @natpicking; everyone getting through their workweek; Big Brother Boat; Le Vasa Island Apparel; Junior Seau; and our Panel. Send us your questions or comments at [email protected] or message us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded 6/5/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

Founder of Le Vasa Island Apparel, Irae Hosea, joins the show to update us on what's new with The Brand and what festivals and events you can catch them at this Summer. We take time to talk through the uncertainties that come with trying to accomplish new things, trying to correct your self-talk when you're your biggest doubter, and holding space - for others to feel safe to be themselves around you, for your own mental health or even to have family prayer each night.

We also talk about the Iam Tongi Haters on Social Media sounding suuuper salty smh. Very helpful to sit down with the homies and share how we’re dealing with our day-to-days. Listen to all the life questions we're working through and then probably go to therapy yourself.

We wrap with our shoutouts to non-profit organizations like Central Valley Pacific Islander Alliance; Nephew Leo; Our Panel; Nora Jean Asolulu; Monica Miller and Harry, Leon and Alfred; Sami Jobes; Carl and Nackie of PasifikaByDesign; SamoanDoughBoiPhotography; 2023 graduates; Kimo the White Husky; RoseyKoiFish and Aynsley Broom (sippingkoko); Irae Hosea of Le Vasa Island Apparel.

If you've got a question or story you want us to research, send us an email at [email protected] or send us a message on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded 5/29/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

Long-time Dallas Mavericks fan and basketball lover, Migz, joins the show to discuss the Nuggets sweep of the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals, Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic's futures in the Big D, Iam Tongi winning American Idol, and whether elderly American politicians should be the ones proposing and voting on new legislation. This episode opens with us live-watching the final four minutes of the Lakers 2023 season and reacting in real-time to Los Angeles withering away late in the fourth quarter, after fumbling a 15-point halftime lead. Forest emphatically defends the allegations that the Lakers getting swept would tarnish LeBron James' legacy in any way, and we also dive into whether James or 7'4" French phenom Victor Wembanyama had more hype leading up to their NBA debut.

We then discuss Iam Tongi capturing America’s hearts on the way to becoming the Season 21 American Idol, and what it could mean to the future of other Pacific Islander musicians, artists and creatives. We close this episode reflecting on Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) recent return to The Hill and whether age or term limits should be imposed. Gets kinda ageist at the end but as people who have to live with the future that older generations won’t, I feel we should have more of a say into how our government informs and protects the people, water, land, etc.

We wrap with our shoutouts to Lew AhSoon and Sean AhPing; Travis Thompson, 6/23/23; Paul McCoy & Gina Han; Our Panel, Maddie & Ryan Polaski, IG: @TattoosBy.Woes, Le Vasa Island Apparel, “Right Place, Right Time” by OhHelloMarcus and SefaM and our Listeners. Also (unless you are driving) close your eyes and really *feel* that last :30s.

We Want To Hear From You: E-mail us your clarifying corrections, constructive criticisms, curious conundrums, cannabis creativeness, craved conversations and cheerful commendations at [email protected], or send us a shorter message on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded 5/22/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

We link up to discuss how the Lakers will have to play the fast-paced Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals; Ja Morant's recent suspension and how dumb his "friends" are; the 2023 schedules for the Chargers, Raiders and Seahawks; Iam Tongi reaching the Final 3 in American Idol and what he needs to do in the Finale to win it all; and then we close with Bouncer Tales: Dance Floor Support Dog, and Sticker Bush Tower Defense. Shout out one time for Humanity.

00:00 - Opening

00:50 - Lakers defeat Dubs in 6, advance to Western Finals vs DEN

15:10 - Ja Morant's latest suspension

24:55 - NFL schedule review (LAC, LV, SEA)

50:00 - Iam Tongi and American Idol Finale strategy

1:02:53 - Bouncer Tales - Dog in Bar, Home Defense

1:12:30 - Shout Outs

Let us know your thoughts/comments/suggestions by messaging us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @ballinesian, or email us your angry content/conversation ideas, Hogwarts Legacy build hacks and best weed high snack recipes at [email protected]. Recorded 5/15/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

We are joined by writer and host of The Polytickin Podcast, Maniac Marcus; a.k.a. Marcus Luther King, Junyah; b.k.a. OhHelloMarcus, to discuss Jeannie Mai's casual waving away of the Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in AANHPI Month and her later written apology; whether funding should be diverted from AAPI to just-PI initiatives; Samoan families renting out their land to foreign businesses; Harry Potter houses and Hogwarts Legacy; encouraging and uplifting Pacific Islander creativity; building up The Polytickin Podcast; and Bouncer Tales: The Drama Continues. Make sure to do some knee stretches during the first 40 minutes of this episode because after that, we jump jump around like House of Pain. Have that ibuprofen on standby, jtbs.

We are Pacific Islander writers, speakers, producers - who want to grow a community and space for Pacific Islander creatives of any form. If you've ever wanted to start your own podcast, write and record music, brainstorm and write stories or books, make a music video, but not known where to start, we think we can help or know someone who can. See below for contact info. If you have any questions about how we record or produce our weekly shows: Zoom, Adobe Audition, SoundCloud RSS Feed to podcast servers.

Listen to OhHelloMarcus and SefaM on The Polytickin Podcast wherever you get your podcasts from, follow them on Instagram @thepolytickinpodcast and subscribe to their special $5 Rare Tier on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=89424628

Follow the Ballinesian Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @ballinesian, or email us with your uplifting spirit animal comments, life questions you think of when you're really high or topics you want researched to see what the data says at [email protected].

Recorded 5/8/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

We launch into our 2023 NFL Draft recap with Mike Fiso breaking down all the Seahawks picks, Forest Duldulao joins us to talk about the Raiders class led by 7th overall pick Tyree Wilson and I'll give my piece on the Chargers choosing to get a weapon for Justin Herbert in WR Quentin Johnston. Also why the Chargers selecting USC Edge Tuli Tuipulotu has us jacked for all the future T'z getting thrown up in Powder Blue #LoveToSeeIt We then explain who we think the Draft's Winners and Losers are: The Cardinals are on one of our Winners list and also on one of our Losers lists! And a triple Shout Out to the PI players who were drafted or signed with NFL teams this weekend 👏🏽 So much packed into this draft recap episode, enjoy! If you know something we don’t, have a question you’d like to pose, or want to shout out or shit talk, email us at [email protected] or send a DM on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded 5/1/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

This episode we dive DEEP into the early picks of the NFL Draft's 1st Round, Alabama's Bryce Young is set to go first overall but no one knows what will happen! We start with a quick 4/20 recap before beginning to discuss Aaron Rodgers finally being traded to the New York Jets; who we think the Panthers, Texans, Cardinals, Colts, Seahawks, Lions and Raiders should draft with the first seven picks; who might be left for the Hawks and Chargers at Nos. 20 and 21; we list off Hall of Famers taken in the first round in past drafts by Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Seattle; and our Shout Outs! Email a comment, question or suggestion to [email protected] or send a message on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded, 4/24/23, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

April showers, May better have those bouquets. 💐 We convene to discuss Hawaii’s Merrie Monarch Festival, American Samoa’s 123rd Flag Day, Iam Tongi's American Idol path to victory, the Lakers series outlook after taking Game 1 in Memphis while Ja Morant (hand) may not be available again, what NBA Playoff series are over after one game, Eagles' QB Jalen Hurts' new record-setting contract extension negotiated by Klutch Sports' Nicole Lynn, Jacob Batalon in Reginald the Vampire, and Bouncer Tales: How easy it is to spot your fake ID, and much more sprinkled in between. Send in your comment or question to [email protected] or send a DM on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @ballinesian. Recorded 4/17/23, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

Something for anybody in this episode. We reconvene after Easter weekend (Shoutout Jesus Christ) and get into the NBA Playoffs set to begin with the Play In, MVP race and Award Fatigue, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden tries to invite Iowa to the White House, who and what we want to see in the live-action remake of Disney's "Moana" (The Rock should be the Dad and let someone else be Maui {see: hair plugs}), WWE combines with UFC in new company, Drake's "Search & Rescue" rekindles Kanye beef and more new music, and our Shout Outs (Long Live King Koda; Katie Peneueta; Anime suggestions: Demon Slayer, Naruto, One Piece, One Punch Man, Scissor Seven, Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, Kuroko, Haikyuu, Food Wars; SamoanDoughBoi Photography; GloboxSarai). Comments or questions can be emailed to [email protected] or check out our pages and Drop in the DMs on Instagram, Facebook or Tik Tok at @ballinesian. Recorded 4/10/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.

Grab a water and kick up your feet, this 1:38hr episode went deep (Not in our feelings, that's for another episode) into this week of sports and news: March Madness, including Junior F Alissa Pili leading Utah to the Sweet 16; NFL Free Agency news, including G Isaac Seumalo to the Steelers and Marcus Mariota to the Eagles; the Patriots and Coach Bill Belichik peeping the Polynesian Pipeline; and TFG says he'll be arrested today, but will he ever go to prison? Recorded 3/20/2023, Zoom. Sponsored by www.levasaislandapparel.com.