Poly Rise

Episode 2: How NOT To Be Basic 

Heta and Vera share about navigating ways to live a life that is NOT basic. It is funny and real, shining light on the nuances of their own lives as Samoan women. Tune in to laugh, reflect and grow in this light hearted episode of Poly Rise. 

How NOT To Be Basic

1. Get over yourself 

• Book: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

• Philippians 2:3-4 

• HBO’s: Insecure 

• Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

1. Be honest with yourself

• Jeremiah 17:9 

• Poly Rise Episode 1: The Color Purple 

• Word of Life Pastor Andy Forsgren’s Quote - “When you know Whose you are, you know who you are.” 

1. Have compassion for yourself and others

• Tiktok Influencer: Annabell - @llebanna_zednem

1. Don’t Be A Gatekeeper 

• Proverbs 3:27 

Poly Rise Cover Art by Blessing Taufuiava 

Audio Editing by V.S.T.Peck 

Heta and Vera share their background, connection to American Samoa and Independent Samoa, what they do and what keeps them doing it. Tune in to hear more on:

• How does family dynamics shape our identity?
• What does cultural heritage have to do with who we are?
• Navigating the Samoan (and not so Samoan) lifestyle
• How our careers as educators shape us.
• Finding joy in teaching.
• The importance of parental involvement in a students education
• Reflections on teaching and passion

Heta and Vera put their most authentic selves on the air to share. Tune in often to hear more.

Want to be a guest speaker? DM Vera at vee simona

Heta references Nicki Minaj - Fly ft. Rihanna (We do not own the rights to this music)

Olivia Ilalio and Danielle Asiata introduce Poly Rise and share some of their thoughts on what's going on in American Samoa so listeners can get a feel for how the podcast will be conducted. The ladies share about youth vaping, marine debris, how scouting of local athletes is conducted in American Samoa,  fa'aaloalo (respect), prayer in schools and much more.

Make sure to take our marine debris poll.

Click here to learn more about the work Mark Manuel with NOAA Marine Debris is doing in the region (NOAA Marine Debris Program).

United by the Ocean" || Marine Debris in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

*Cover art by B. Taufuiava