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Pacific Empowerment
Pacific Empowerment Podcast was founded by a Tongan woman entrepreneur, Akanesi Kaufusi, to uplift and inspire Pacific Island people to take bold action, chase their dreams, and dream as big as they dare. This podcast challenges the limitations of traditional thinking and cultural expectations that often hold our people back. It’s a space to break free from fear, take risks, and rewrite what’s possible - no matter your background or environment. Your situation doesn’t define you. Your vision does.
Podcasting since 2025 • 14 episodes
Pacific Empowerment
Latest Episodes
Episode 14 - TOU'A: Women’s Testimonies from the Faikava
In this episode, we dive into the history and role of the tou‘a - women who serve kava in Tongan faikava circles, and why Tonga’s practice is different from other Pacific regions. We explore how the role connects to kinsh...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:01:26
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Episode 13 - Why the Old Mindset Needs to Change
In this episode, I sit down with Laki Mafi, founder of Legacy in Motion, to dive deep into men’s mental health and healing. We begin with an open conversation about the faikava culture and tou‘a issues from a man’s perspe...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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1:07:06
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How to Deal with Bullies
In this powerful episode of Pacific Empowerment, Akanesi Kaufusi opens up about facing online bullies after speaking out on faikava and the harmful customs that silence women. Instead of letting the attacks win, she transformed the exp...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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37:18
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Episode 11 - Surviving Domestic Violence
In this episode, I sit down with domestic violence survivor Lizzie Wong as she bravely shares her personal story. Today, Lizzie works in a Domestic Violence Center, supporting survivors and strengthening services across communities. Sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:28:12
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Sexualising Women in Kava Sessions, Church Donations, and the #MeToo Movement
In this powerful episode, we tackle three big topics that are shaping conversations in our Pacific communities.First, we address the growing issue of sexualising women in modern kava sessions - how a respected cultural role is being dis...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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28:21
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