Meet Francine Clores, a recent medical school graduate with a heart that beats for two things: medical voluntourism and letter writing. Balancing her time between the Philippines, Maui and now Oʻahu, Francine is all about making real, tangible impacts. Whether she’s helping underserved communities get the medical care they deserve or sending handwritten letters to her grandma, she thrives in spaces where she can see the difference she’s making. In this episode, Francine takes us back to her roots in the Philippines, where she worked alongside other medical volunteers to bring healthcare to rural, indigenous communities. She balances the intensity of that work by indulging in a slower, cozier hobby - reviving the art of letter writing  where she gets lost in the simpler world of stationery, doodles, and stamps. Mahalo for sharing your time with Heartbeat Narratives.

Episode Highlights

0:24 Intro

1:22 Letter writing and mailing postcards

3:06 What makes your heart beat? What makes you feel alive?

3:58 Voluntourism during medical school in the Philippines, serving indigenous communities

4:23 "Bundok" (Tagalog) = mountain

5:26 The call of medicine

9:27 Deciding to go into the medical field

11:18 Holistic care for mental health

12:30 Family connections to Maui and Manila, Philippines

13:32 How our childhood societies shape us

15:05 Staying in Hawaiʻi to be a doctor

17:30 Collecting postcards as a kid

19:00 Rekindling joy: sending postcards from abroad

21:40 Receiving mail as a kid

23:34 Cathartic and creative  

25:52 "Mastermind" letter writing

26:50 Tangible keepsakes

28:53 Volunteerism: doing the work and being helpful

30:43 Nurturing all sides of us through our interests 

Show Art Photo Credit: Francine Clores

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

When life gives you perspective, share it. Born in Honolulu in 1937, Aunty June Naughton reflects on her lifelong spiritual journey to uncover what really matters. We get into some BIG questions about awe and purpose in this philosophical and honest episode. In her words, it all comes down to love: "Nothing is as important to who we are and what we are; it is the relationships we form with ourselves, with our God and with one another that are truly important." Aunty June shares about growing up in a Chinese neighborhood near Punahou, Oʻahu in the 1940s after the attack on Pearl Harbor, rollerskating through Maryknoll School's chapel and having an innate, childlike interest in Catholicism as an elementary student. She describes the power of expansive presence through Buddhist meditation as well as her internal struggles to answer questions about human existence. Is there a higher power - if so, then what? If not, then what? We follow her life path as she discerned the Catholic sisterhood, moved to New York to become a teacher and finally returned to Honolulu to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi. We are grateful to Aunty June for sharing her unfiltered reflections as she embraces her own spiritual journey in the wake of health challenges. We hope this conversation can be a catalyst for pondering. It is not intended to be prescriptive about what to think or believe, but rather document one individual's journey into love for life. Mahalo for listening.

Episode Highlights

0:23 Reflection on a lifetime of exploring spirituality

2:05 Born in 1937 in Honolulu

2:31 A love letter

4:27 Am I going to surrender?

5:49 Who is God?

7:10 Fighting doubt

7:40 Community is a reminder that we are trying and evolving

8:50 The power of silence (practicing Buddhist meditation since the 1970s)

11:05 Awe: Transitioning into the final years

13:02 Growing up in the 1940s in a Chinese immigrant community

15:06 Attending Maryknoll School; rollerskating in the church

16:01 Wanting to be a Catholic at age 6

17:37 We are all called to be mystics (called to experience God in a special way)

18:26 Awe and aliveness

20:14 "Just This" by Richard Rohr, learning to be open

21:21 Did Jesus know about quantum physics? Knowing vs. Being

23:34 Young adulthood - considering becoming a nun

24:37 Trying to figure it out: Is there a God or not?

25:27 Studying and working in New York

26:18 Moving back to Hawaiʻi to work with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi; sharing the spirituality of love with students to help them cross barriers

27:40 Encouraging students on their own spiritual journey grounded in their home culture

30:45 Grafetulness

32:02 Facing fear

33:24 Gratitude vibrates at a higher vibration

34:26 Love is the most important thing there is

36:01 Talking about spirituality is part of our growth

36:23 The word "love" is tiny, the feeling of love is expansive

36:45 Everyone's spiritual experience is different

Show Art Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

Postal workers got your back. That is the theme of this lively conversation with Reyna, a charming (and sassy!) mail carrier who loves their job. Reyna shares about what it is like delivering mail to the masses. Have you ever wondered where your carrier eats lunch, how many miles a day they walk, how they manage zillions of Amazon packages and what its like driving the little box trucks? Reyna gets into the details of the all funny and strange interactions with humans, dogs (and yard decorations) on their California routes. We end the episode with ways that we as residents can support our local mail carriers. Mahalo for tuning in! 

Episode Highlights

0:36 What it is like to be a carrier for the postal service

1:00 Background - Pearl City, Hawaiʻi and San Diego

1:57 Being a frontline worker during the pandemic 

5:02 Walking 12-15 miles/day

6:22 Arm strength and Amazon packages 

8:23  Growing relationships with families and their pets 

10:26 The eyes and ears of a neighborhood; rewards of the job

13:00 Where do you eat lunch?

14:05 Friendships and teamwork

14:58 What are the qualities needed to make a good carrier?

16:23 Driving the mail truck

17:14 Doggies on the route!

18:46 Funny and weird interactions

20:20 Bella the Dog

22:52 Efficiency tricks 

24:18 How can residents be mindful of what carriers need? 

25:30 Postal workers got your back

27:14 What do you listen to on your route? 

28:00 Be nice to your postal worker :)

29:06 The ultimate icebreaker 

Show Art Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

Your favorite babyface giant slayer is behind the mic today! Nate Dube is dynamic, forward-thinking conservationist and pro wrestler based in Hawaiʻi. He has blended his two passions into one scrappy, value-driven character in the ring: "The Naturalist" Natron Richards aka THE Natural I.S.T." Nate is a self proclaimed 'āina advocate and feral beast wrestling to spread environmental awareness and inspire action. In Lion King-esque fashion, he is known to enter the ring with a native Hawaiian plant raised above his head as a nod to his love for planet Earth. In his day-to-day job, he manages the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) which protects Hawaiʻi's native forests from encroaching invasive species which threaten Hawaiʻiʻs food security, freshwater reserves and the aesthetic beauty of our islands. In his free time, he dons the black leotard, letʻs his hair loose and can be found among other athletes who have found a home in the bruiser lifestyle. Follow Nate at @thenatural_ist. Enjoy!

Episode Highlights

0:58 Introducing "The Naturalist" Natron Richards aka THE Natural I.S.T."

2:20 Always had dream of becoming a professional wrestler (and saving the planet)

3:50 Childhood memories with his grandfather and uncle watching WWF (World Wrestling Federation)

6:54 What does it feel like to be in the wrestling ring?

8:07 Professional wrestling in a vehicle for storytelling about conservation

10:27 Dedicated to conservation and invasive species management

11:28 Native Hawaiian land management

12:50 Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee

13:50 Hawaiʻi manages 4 of the 100 worst invasive species in the world

15:12 Mālama Maunalua

15:55 Conservation happens in the mountains, oceans and wetlands

16:20 What are the benefits of protecting our native forests?

18:40 The importance of native ʻōhiʻa trees for our water aquifers

20:18 How residents can protect native forests

21:57 Why do you care so much about the environment?

24:51 Wrestling can be a career path

25:56 The wrestling gimmick

27:18 "I'm meant to be doing this."

29:46 The greatest loss

32:38 Physical toll on the body

36:09 Come cheer on @thenatural_ist!

Show Art Photo Credit: @mattsuzakiphoto

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

This was a fun one. Bábàc Saiedi is our guest on today’s episode and his appreciation for Hawaiʻi’s culture, people and natural beauty resonates in his stories. When he moved from Oklahoma to Honolulu nearly ten years ago, he found a community of like-minded individuals where he could be his authentic self. He enjoys working in technology and spends most of his free time outdoors trying to eke out every sunrise and sunset. Early on, his friends introduced him to surfing and he fell in love with the adventures he’s had on his board - both awesome and wildly humbling. In this conversation, he shares the gratitude he has for surfing in that it creates a sense of “being in the now.” Hang loose, friends.

Episode Highlights

1:11 Falling in love with Hawaiʻi

2:10 Moving from Oklahoma, surfing his first wave

3:19 Finding community and feeling the freedom to be his authentic self

6:03 What connects you so deeply with Hawaiʻi? 

8:51 Observations and openness to learning about Hawaiian culture

11:33 Surfing brings you to the present moment

14:42 Memorable waves in Waikīkī

16:53 Taking waves - and life - at face value

18:08 THE WAVE (circa 2019)

23:53 North Shore ready

24:45 Staying fit and healthy as we age

26:17 The dream is living and retiring in Hawaiʻi

26:47 Hawaiʻi's cost of living: leave, earn and return

28:57 Share aloha, receive aloha

Show Art Photo Credit: @photosbybeccahawaii

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

In this episode, we are thrilled that Elaine (Molly's mom), joins us to share about the ins and outs of her career as a librarian. Her story is an example of a passion becoming a vocation. She followed her love of books (and bookmobiles!) from Minnesota to Honolulu to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to earn an M.S. in Library Information Science. We get into all the details about her life as a reference librarian - aka Google before Google - and the quirky encounters that happen when working in a public library. Elaine shares the many hats that librarians wear (or are perceived to wear), especially when library patrons have urgent needs - from taxes to horoscopes, car repairs to medical research, she's done it all over her 40 years as a librarian. Hopefully this will inspire you to snuggle up with a great book and get lost in another world. Enjoy!

Episode Highlights

0:40 Elaine's book idea was the origin of "Heartbeat Narratives" podcast

1:41 The power of bookmobiles

2:38 Choosing to be a librarian from a young age

3:41 Summers in the library, picture books, daytime reading

5:14 Do you suggest ways to engage kids in reading more readily?

5:32  Molly "borrowing" books as a toddler

6:47 The big leap! Moving from Minnesota to Hawaii to enter a Library Information Science Master's program

9:59 Remembering 1979 at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa

11:12 Saying "yes" to opportunities

12:09 Blossoming in Hawaiʻi

12:50 Home

13:50 Inspiring the second librarian in the family

14:28 The Google before Google, the best bibliographies

15:50 What it was like being a public reference librarian

16:46 Librarians are frontline workers

19:44 What types of people are drawn to the librarian profession?

21:29  Questions about tax forms, car repairs, the list goes on...

22:45 Best and strangest interactions at the public library

25:50 Favorite reads and selecting books

29:00 E-books and e-readers are changing the literary landscape

30:41 Libraries are valuable community centers

32:28 How can patrons make your work as a librarian easier?

34:08 Get to know your librarian - they will help you with everything!

34:53 Career highlights

36:55 Was there a book that changed your life?

38:14 What does good storytelling look like to you?

39:38 Harry Potter: reading the right book at the right time

42:14 A career of variety

44:07 Passion as vocation, and it all started with a good book

Show Art Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

In today’s episode, we are traversing through Copenhagen with a new friend, Tim Jansen! Tim is a birdwatching enthusiast and has an incredible knack for sharing travel tips for the city of Copenhagen in Denmark. Originally from the Netherlands, Tim is a student and biking tour guide that Molly met in September 2024. He was so knowledgeable, kind and well-versed in the history and urban landscape of the city that she was inspired to ask him if he’d be willing to be a Heartbeat Narratives guest. Thank goodness he said “yes!” to an overzealous podcaster girl from Hawaiʻi. He shares about pursuing a Master’s degree in Forest and Nature Management, bird and agroforestry research in Uganda and his love of observing Dutch woodpeckers and nut hatches. 

Episode Highlights

1:25 Originally from the Netherlands studying Master's degree in Copenhagen

2:59 Love being in nature watching birds

3:33 What sparked your interest in birds?

4:53 Favorite bird and bird song

6:42 Are there must-see birds on your watch list?

8:13 Ugandan project studying birds and the agroforestry landscapes/systems that attract them

9:30 Results of research

11:11 Be on the lookout for mute swans, the national bird of Denmark

12:33 Are there birds in the Netherlands that you're most familiar with?

13:26 For visitors to Copenhagen what are the top three things you recommend doing?

1. Explore Kristiania

2. Add more days to explore other neighborhoods

3. See the City Center

Show Art Photo Credit: Tim Jansen

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

Welcome to our first interview of Heartbeat Narratives! We welcome Taylor who shares her love with others through baking. Sourdough bread is her speciality and she even launched her own company called Sweet T's Test Kitchen. Taylor reflects on her time in Hawaiʻi as a student, details her "sourdough journey," and how she puts a vegan twist on all of her favorite Mexican dishes from her youth. As the cherry on top of the episode, we also hear about her full-time job working in animal welfare at the local humane society. Taylor's story is rooted in empathy and we know that her positivity and love for others will shine through this conversation.

Episode Highlights

1:16 California to Hawaiʻi and back 

2:11 Hawaiʻi still feels like home

3:58 Bringing joy to others through food

7:42 The origins of Sweet T's test kitchen

9:47 Childhood recipes with a vegan twist: tamales and pozole

10:55 The greatest compliment

12:05 Memorable encounters with customers

13:17 Inspiration from Nana and Grams: grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate milk shakes

14:49 The process: balancing baked good orders and working hybrid

17:33 Working full-time in animal welfare

21:01 Empathy and sharing love

Show Art Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik

Aloha friends! Welcome to Heartbeat Narratives, a podcast about the people, places and passions that we love. Through storytelling, guests from Hawaiʻi and around the world explore what what brings them joy. Host and producer, Molly Mamaril, intends for this podcast to be an uplifting space for listeners to glimpse the inner lives of different people. Her hope is that we will recognize that everyone has a valuable story and that we can cultivating more meaningful relationships by leading with curiosity. Starting with you, what makes your heart beat?  

Episode Highlights

0:23 Welcome to Heartbeat Narratives!

3:37 Molly's backstory between Hawaiʻi and Minnesota

5:40 Studying journalism and environmental science + discovering the Hawaiian worldview grounded in oral history

7:25 Hula: storytelling through movement

9:51 The origins of Heartbeat Narratives: the stories of our neighbors

11:03 Highlighting everyone's experiences

12:13 Podcast love

13:21 Uncle Pono Shim and finding the lōkahi (unity)

14:53 Aloha

15:59 Being an observer to great storytelling

18:07 Deeper conversations and new friendships

19:00 Mahalo for listening

Host and Producer: Molly Mamaril

Guitarist: Amund Gismervik