We wrap up Season 3 of the Beyond the Narrative Podcast with Fiji’s first professional female surfer Hannah Bennett. Through our conversation, Hannah taught me so much about surfing. The world of surfing in Fiji is so much more than the stereotype of beach bums. “The pursuit of surfing in Fiji provokes ocean stewardship,” Hannah reminds us. Surfing provides key pathways for young people to connect with the ocean and their communities. We really appreciate all the profound insight Hannah shares about nature, intuition, culture and more. Happy listening!

You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, or on our website beyondthenarrative.org 

Our latest Beyond the Narrative episode features a young Fijian activist Ra'eed Ali, who is a remarkable example of the potential young people have to create change. He talks us through his story of how him and a group of friends started the social enterprise of Precious Plastic Fiji, which is doing fascinating work to upcycle plastic and create new systems of sustainability. One of my favorite stories in this episode is when Ali tells us a pivotal moment as a child - when his mother clearly explained to him that “if you don’t respect the land, the land will never respect you.” This episode is great to listen to if you’re looking for a little inspiration to get going on your own social change project. 

The latest episode of Beyond the Narrative is out today. In this show, we have a heartening chat with Temesia Tuicaumia. I deeply appreciate how he shares about his his personal journey of self discovery. He is someone who has done the deep work to build a strong foundation of self and really uncover what his purpose is. Give it a listen today and find out how he went from Tommy to Temesia. 

Season 3 of Beyond the Narrative kicks off with a lively conversation with musician Mia Kami. She is someone who thinks deeply about how to be a conscious storyteller, and how to communicate in a way that is respectful, honest, kind and true. We get to have a good talanoa about how we can be purposeful in our creativity, and how to avoid being just performative. This is also a special episode because we also get blessed with a live performance from Mia of her song “Healing.” 

On Episode 7 we sit down with Matisse Walken-Brown at the Beach House on Fiji’s Coral Coast. I’ve known Matisse through many years collaborating in the Pacific climate movement. During this conversation she describes herself as being someone who moves between worlds - or someone who “lives in the skies.” She’s always been someone with big ideas, boundless energy and the ability to make a lot of people feel at ease. We wanted to share this podcast because Matisse also centers so much insight on grief, healing and building a better world. For everyone at home and needing something to listen to - we hope this helps your day. 

I’m so excited to share this next episode featuring the incomparable Joseph Zane Sikulu. I’m lucky enough to have gotten to work with him for the past couple years doing climate organizing with the Pacific Climate Warriors. He's an ongoing example of how to strongly hold all the pieces of your life, and step into your whole self. One of the topics we dive into during this episode is how Pacific peoples already hold so much deep knowledge around organizing. Joe explains his family’s story of moving from Tonga to Australia, and how growing up he witnessed how activism has been part of his community for a long time. We are both passionate about unshackling any self doubt that young Islanders have about their space in the climate movement. We want others to know how to use the natural skills they've been taught by their elders and build something beautiful.

SEASON 2! I feel like I’ve known Jacynta for half a century, when in actuality it’s been just half a decade. She is a bright creative light in the climate movement, and she’s the perfect person to help kick off Season 2 of the Beyond the Narrative podcast. We had this conversation in the mountains outside of Apia, Samoa and really were able to dive into a garden of issues. In this episode, Jacynta shares so much wisdom around navigating her Samoan identity while living in the diaspora, her work creating space for other Pacific Islanders to step into the Australian climate world, and also gives keen insight into her fashion line.  I hope you can set aside some time to listen to Season 2. It will be released today at 12 noon Fiji time.

Have you wondered recently, what else might be in the fish you’re eating? In Episode 4, “What Lies Beneath,” we check in about the state of Fiji’s oceans with marine biologist Andrew Paris. He walks us through the ways that marine life is under threat - from micro plastics to people dumping car batteries in the water - and we also discuss some possible solutions. We love learning about the daily realities of field research for him, and it’s especially interesting to hear all the ways as a Fijian researcher, how him and his team honour communities and build traditional knowledge into the preservation work.

 In “Faith and Resilience”, Fulori Salusalu Manoa-Uluilakeba weaves together beautiful truths around holding onto faith and taking risks. She shows how we can navigate life so much better if we have the right relationships helping us along the way. Fulori is a brilliant academic researching Pacific diplomacy, as well as online learning spaces. She’s also a mother who has taken her family along with her on our educational journey. 

Don’t you love people in your life that just make you laugh? Chatting with Mereia was so much fun! True to form, she brought her beautiful full self and spoke so clearly to the need for Art in our lives.

I love the lesson here about creating and putting it out there regardless of the nay sayers and the haters! Just do it anyway. Not only live, but thrive in your areas of discomfort , thats the only way you will grow. Step out, be creative, push the boundaries and explore different things.