Heartbeat Narratives

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTING · Meet Harry Baden, a wildland firefighter based in Montana who followed an unexpected path from Minnesota to Hawaiʻi and into a life of fire service. In this episode of Heartbeat Narratives, he shares the fun, camaraderie, and standout moments that come from working long days on the fire line with friends who quickly become family. Harry talks about how discipline, training, and his athletic background influenced the way he approaches both the physical grind and the mental focus the job demands. He talks about the balance between intense, high stakes work and the joy found in teamwork, laughter, and shared purpose. At its core this episode is about adventure, friendship, and finding meaning through service. Mahalo for listening!

Episode Highlights

01:01 From Minnesota to Hawaiʻi

01:39 College days, diving boards, and big energy

02:24 How Harry traded campus life for the fire line

03:40 Training days, chainsaws, and learning the craft

06:06 Life inside the flames and what it really feels like

10:07 Crew chemistry, trust, and lifelong friendships

12:57 Fueling the body for long days and longer hikes

16:38 Stories from the frontlines

24:14 Thinking about fire life? 

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• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

COURAGE TO COMMERCE · In this mini episode, we meet Reshma in the bustling marketplace at Katong Square in Singapore, where commerce and community come alive. She shares how losing her job at 50 sparked the courage to turn her lifelong love of fashion and handmade goods into a vibrant, affordable boutique. Reshma’s journey is a joyful reminder that reinvention is part of life and taking the courageous jump into entrepreneurship can lead to meaningful new beginnings. 

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

SPEARFISHING · In this episode, Cindy Kan shares her perspective as a waterwoman, spearfisher, and lifelong ocean lover. She reflects on how the Pacific has taught her balance and presence, shaping the way she moves through life both in and out of the water. Her story follows a path from Vancouver, Canada to the reefs of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi where learning to source her own food strengthened the kinship she feels with the islands. Cindy shares about turning points that led her to the practices that now ground her, including free diving and sustainable harvesting. Through her eyes, the ocean is both a teacher and an ice box, especially for a waterwoman who is always learning and loves a fresh seafood meal. Ocean enthusiasts and foodies, this one is for you!

Episode Highlights

01:44 Her heart belongs to Hawaiʻi

04:05 Discovering a deep love for the ocean

07:08 Memorable spearfishing adventures

16:13 Finding her place in a male-dominated sport

22:18 Connecting with the fish

22:57 Sustainable spearfishing

23:43 Honoring the ocean

29:05 Chefs, community, and invasive species

30:35 Favorite book: “Hawaiʻi’s Reef Fish: Food, Science, and Tradition”

33:37 The infamous fish picture (on the apps)

35:38 The perfect spearfishing day

40:20 Gratitude found in the ocean

Resources

Books: 

"Hawaiʻi’s Reef Fish: Food, Science, and Tradition" by Cassandra Pardee and Craig Omori

• Namea Hawaiʻi
• Native Books Hawaiʻi

"Native Use of Fish in Hawaii" by Margaret Titcomb

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

As Heartbeat gets close to turning one, I’ve been thinking about how much joy this whole pod-life journey has brought me. And with my birthday this month, it felt like the perfect time to share a fun bit of serendipity - I discovered a video time capsule from when I was sixteen. I popped in a few audio clips at the end so you can get a quick peek into my teen years (midwest accent and all). Aloha nui  -MNM 

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Aloha future me

02:09 — Roses, thorns & throwbacks

04:49 — Joy, but make it early-2000s

07:21 — Time

08:20 — The cassette tape that time-traveled

15:00 — 20 years later

17:27 — Sweet sixteen - meet mini me (circa 2005)

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
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• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

A serendipitous encounter in Kīhei opens the door to the enchanting world of Maui musician Don Lax, whose hurdy-gurdy and violin shimmer with their own personalities. Don shares the spellbinding history of these instruments and brings them to life with music that feels as if it drifted in from another era. As he and Molly talk story on the sidewalk of a grocery store, Don reflects on his globe-trotting childhood and the Christmas violin that set his musical path in motion. He also shares his rare gift for hearing and playing the song of a person’s soul, turning frequencies into melody - even offering a spontaneous musical interpretation of Molly’s heart. Don can often be found playing outside the Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods most Sunday nights from 6 PM to 8 PM. Enjoy the whimsy and wonder of this conversation!

Learn more:

Don V. Lax Website: https://www.mauiviolin.com/

Soul Song Readings: https://www.mauiviolin.com/soul-song-readings

Don V. Lax YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@donvlax

Episode Highlights

00:00 A chance encounter in Kīhei, Maui

00:47 Discovering the heart of the hurdy-gurdy

03:23 Violin magic

06:02 The beginning of a musical path

08:35 Playing the song of the soul

09:31 Music across Maui

10:44 The ocean’s healing presence

11:59  Follow your joy - why else be alive?

Photo credit: Don Lax

Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

Pop, pop, POP! It’s SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY! 🍿At Lani’s Island Snack Shack in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Cassi of Kravin' Munchies brings pure joy to every conversation about handmade treats and the laughter-filled energy of the shop. Cassi dives into the beginnings of those flavored popcorn experiments and the mouthwatering power of Lani's beloved teri burger (with mustard!) that customers can’t stop ordering. Be sure to support your favorite small businesses today! Enjoy this mini-sweet treat episode.🍬

Follow along:

🍧 Kravin' Munchies — https://www.instagram.com/kravinmunchies/?hl=en

🍔 Lani’s Island Snack Shack — https://www.instagram.com/lanisislandsnackshack/?hl=en

Photo Credit: Kravin' Munchies

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

Content Advisory: This episode contains sensitive themes, including discussion of suicide and suicide awareness. Please listen with care -  mahalo.

In this season of gratitude, I’m excited to share an episode recorded with a close college friend of mine, Coco, an artist in every sense of the word. During a reunion at our alma mater in St. Paul, Minnesota, we revisit our college years and the beautiful, ever-evolving creative path they’ve carved through dance, theater, and - of course - the influence of Beyoncé(!).

Coco opens up about their journey of self-discovery and healing through art, including a pivotal memory of organizing a Suicide Awareness Show in honor of a close friend. Our conversation explores the power of performance, how confidence can be a choice, and what it means to find a sense of home within the arts community as a queer Black person.

Along with plenty of giggling, you’ll hear about our dramatic 19-year-old selves, our carefully curated Cowboy Carter concert outfits, and how Coco’s long-held creative ambitions are taking shape. Mahalo for listening with love.

Episode Highlights

00:47 College memories take center stage

01:18 From Sierra Leone to St. Paul

02:43 We had the walkie talkies

04:24 When creativity calls

04:47 A performance from the heart

06:31 Art as medicine

14:14 Reunion magic

17:51 Friendship forever

18:34 Titanic Dreams, because main character energy

19:48 Beyoncé love

20:38 Enter the Beyhive

25:58 Find home in the Twin Cities dance community

31:13 Confidence as a choice

33:32 Final bow

Instagram & TikTok: @unapologetically_coco
YouTube: youtube.com/@unapologeticallycoco

Photo Credit: Coco

Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

ZEST & ZIPLINING· Molly and Dina meet atop Mount Ulriken in Bergen, Norway, where Dina works as a zip line guide overlooking her ancestral homeland. It is the most beautiful "view from the office" you could imagine. She shares how growing up on a multigenerational family farm surrounded by sea, mountains, and animals shaped her love of nature and adventure. She talks about the rush of adrenaline that fuels her, from parachuting in Australia to cold water dips and the joy of helping nervous visitors leap into freedom on the zip line. The conversation weaves in sustainable tourism, language, and Dina’s lifelong love Japan. It is clear that she moves through her world with curiosity and enthusiasm, bringing that forward in everyone she meets. 

Episode Highlights

00:30 Dina’s love for the mountain 
01:16 The thrill of zip lining
01:55 Ancestry in Bergen
03:57 There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing ("Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær")
07:22 Visiting Norway with a leave-no-trace mindset
08:49 Adrenaline in everyday moments
13:06 Obsessed with Japan
15:45 Joy is better shared (but solo moments matter too!)

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
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• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

5 DAYS OF SILENCE · After ten years of dreaming about doing a meditation retreat, I finally found the courage to do it last month. In this solo episode, I share what it was like to spend five days in silence at a mountain retreat center in California. I had written it down as a New Year’s resolution because I LOVE exploring personal development strategies, but following through on this goal was SO HUMBLING. When I recorded this episode, I had just gotten back into the "real world," so I (very slowly) talk about the funny moments, spiritual downloads and realizations that floated in to my mind when there were no distractions.  I hope that this reflection can serve as a touchpoint for how silence can reset our minds and hearts if we give ourselves enough time to slow down. Mahalo :)

Episode Highlights

00:20 – POD NEWS! New website, listener survey, guest interest form! Plus, rate & review us - mahalo!

01:45 – Doing 5-day silent meditation retreat

06:42 – Daily breadth: a day in the life of a yogi, cultivating a meditation practice

13:14 – The vow of noble silence, meals, the four most important words, laughing

26:59 – Reemergence: From silence to society

31:40 – Closing bells

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
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• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.

In this episode, we share space and song with Kukui, a musician, law student, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi advocate whose life flows with aloha and mele (song, poetry, chant). This conversation is a testament to her love of music and how to her, mele is moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy). After seven years away, she returns home to Oʻahu with kuleana to teach and nurture others through oli (chant), cultural protocol, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).  Kukui was raised in a family of musicians and has always been surrounded by music. From Afrobeats to '70s throwbacks to classic Hawaiian melodies, she hopes to create more spaces where music and ʻohana come together to kanikapila (play music).

Kukui shares how patience and a “let’s learn together” mindset have shaped her path from her home in Waimānalo to studying at Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Through stories of spirituality and creative flow, she reminds us that mele transcends sound as identity, prayer, and the heartbeat of family. 

Episode Highlights

00:00 Welina mai, e Kukui!
00:32 Moving back to Oʻahu after 7 years
01:54 Big Mama Energy: teaching and mālama through spirituality and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
04:55 On patience: ʻAʻohe hua o ka maiʻa i ka lā hoʻokahi
06:27 “Let’s learn together”: Hawaiian Club at UH Hilo (Hui Keaomālamalama) & Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani
08:42 Waimānalo roots, learning Hawaiian before English
10:00 Lullabies forever: a musical ʻohana
11:58 The creative force and spirituality
17:22 Music and identity
20:32 Inspo: Afrobeats (Soso is a fav) and Hawaiian throwbacks (she loves Kanaka Waiwai)
22:46 Mele is the heartbeat of ʻohana
29:06 On the horizon

Enjoy mele from a special playlist Kukui created:

Apple Playlist: 8/8 vibez🌈💧

Spotify Playlist: 8/8 vibez🌈💧

Check out Nā Puke Wehewehe for Hawaiian > English translations.

Recorded August 2025

Photo credit: Kukui

Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Listen & Subscribe

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Substack
• Youtube
• Heartbeat Narratives Website

Guest Inquiries
Interested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest Form

Heartbeat Narratives Book Recommendations
Our curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.org

Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik

A Diversity of Experiences: Guests on Heartbeat Narratives share their own perspectives and experiences. Their views do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. We invite you to listen with an open mind and enjoy the joy and insight offered from many different vantage points.