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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.
Episodes
48 episodes
Episode 48 - How Kava Addiction Is Destroying Marriages in Fiji.
In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Solomone Koroi shares his personal journey of being trapped in kava addiction, how it affected his marriage and family, and the devastating impact he has seen kava have on many families in Fiji....
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Episode 47 - I Sold My Tattoo Business After Finding Jesus – Tattoos Are Demonic.
In this powerful episode, a former Samoan tattoo artist, Mua Posala, shares his journey from running a successful tattoo business to giving it all up after accepting Jesus Christ.He talks about learning the art through family traditions ...
Episode 46 - Is Tou'a Human Trafficking?
IS TOU'A HUMAN TRAFFICKING?In this episode, we tackle one of the most difficult questions facing our communities today.Drawing on the testimonies of former tou'a women, we explore the connections between family pressure, mo...
Episode 45 - When Christians say, "It's not the church, it's the individual".
What is the church? Is it a building, a denomination, or the people of God?In this episode, we explore what the Bible actually teaches about the church and respond to the common claim: "It's not the church, it's the individual." Through...
Episode 44 - How Kava Addiction Affected My Life, Family, and Ministry.
In this episode, I sit down with Fiji Senior Methodist Minister, Reverend Wilfred Regunamada, to discuss his personal battle with kava addiction. We talk about how kava affected his life, family, and ministry, the journey that led to his recove...
Episode 43 - Wives, Don’t Lose Yourself Trying to Fix a Man Who Refuses to Change.
In this episode, Akanesi Kaufusi speaks directly to the wives of faikava men and any wives struggling emotionally in their marriages. We discuss emotional neglect, boundaries, healing, supporting husbands with unhealthy habits, and ...
Episode 42 - Why Do So Many Pacific Men Treat Their Wives Badly?
In this episode of the, we discuss the shocking rates of domestic violence and sexual abuse against women in the Pacific and ask the hard question: Why do so many Pacific men treat their wives badly?We dive into culture, faikava, father...
Episode 41 - The Impact of Father Absence on Children.
In this episode of the Pacific Empowerment Podcast, I dive deep into the impact of father absence on children, especially within Pacific communities.Drawing on international studies and real-life experiences shared by women in the commun...
Episode 40 - How Touʻa Changed From Men to Women.
In this episode, we dive deep into the history and evolution of Touʻa in Tongan faikava culture.Was Touʻa originally a male role? How did it change over time from sacred ceremony into modern faikava settings? Drawing from academic resear...
Episode 39 - Pagan Origins of Kava.
In this episode, we go deeper than culture and tradition to uncover the true origins of kava. Where did it come from? What beliefs shaped it? And why does its history matter today?We explore ancient Tongan stories like Kavaʻonau a...
Episode 38 - When Culture Becomes an Idol: You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me
In this episode, I explore what happens when culture is placed above God, and why that becomes idolatry.After sharing that kava is classified as a drug, someone responded, “We know it’s true… but it’s our culture.” That statement reveals...
Episode 37 - Addiction Starts Early: What Kava Is Doing to Our Children.
In this episode, we unpack what addiction really is, what leads to it, and why early exposure to substances matters more than people think. From brain development to environment and culture, we break down how habits are formed and how they can ...
Episode 36 - My Estranged Relationship with Pacific Media.
This episode is about my estranged relationship with Pacific media - featuring some interesting interactions, a few receipts, and screenshots that speak for themselves 👀I also react to a recent faikava and tou’a video posted by ABC Paci...
Episode 35 - How Kava Was Used for Witchcraft in the Pacific.
Kava has long been a central part of Pacific culture, but its history goes deeper than many realise. In this episode, we explore how kava was traditionally used in spiritual systems, including rituals, divination, and communication with ancesto...
Episode 34 - Queen Salote College at 100: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
As Queen Salote College celebrates its 100th anniversary this week, I take a trip down memory lane and reflect on my years at the college.In this episode, I share the good, the bad, and the ugly of my high school years at Q...
Episode 33 - Patriarchy: Who Makes the Rules and Who Do They Benefit?
In this episode of the Pacific Empowerment Podcast, we explore the concept of patriarchy and ask an important question: who makes the rules, and who do those rules benefit?Looking at history, from the women’s suffrage movement to ...
Episode 32 - Power, Sex & Money: Confronting Abuse in Pacific Communities
In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Letitia Shelton, who grew up in Fiji and now serves across Fiji and Australia to have a bold and honest conversation about sexual abuse, exploitation, and the silence that often surrounds it in Pacific co...
Episode 31 - Tou’a: Exploited vs Willing Participation
In this episode, I take an honest look at the tou’a practice, focusing on the difficult topic many avoid, the tou’a who willingly engages in relationships with married faikava men.I share real testimonials from wives who were cheated on,...
Episode 30 - Epstein vs. Faikavastein: The Pattern of Predators
In this episode, I unpack the disturbing patterns behind Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, including the children’s photos and artwork found throughout his home, and what they reveal about how predators normalize their obsession.Then I turn the ...
Episode 29 - Ban Tou‘a Campaign Is Live - Sign the Petition Now!
In this episode, Akanesi Kaufusi launches the Ban Tou‘a campaign, calling for the protection of women, children, and families in faikava spaces.She shares the challenges she has faced online, the Pacific-wide support behind the movement, surviv...
Episode 28 - What 2025 Taught Me: Fearless, Courage & Unstoppable
This episode marks my final podcast for 2025 as I take a short break over Christmas and New Year, before returning after the holidays.In this episode, I reflect on my journey throughout the year - the growth of the podcast,...
Episode 27 - Hepatitis B in the Pacific: Hidden Liver Damage in Our Families
⚠️ DisclaimerThis episode is for awareness and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified doctor before testing or taking any medication.In this week’s episode, Kori Tameifuna shares h...
Episde 26 - Cyberbullying in the Pacific: Our Talk on 16 Days of Activism
This week, I sit down with Lizzie Wong to break down 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence and what it means for Pacific Island people. We talk through this year’s theme on ending digital violence and why online abuse is now ...
Episode 25 - Letting Go of Old Traditions: From Catholic Doctrine to Pacific Practices
In this powerful episode, Akanesi dives deep into how God has been speaking through Scripture - revealing that not all traditions passed down through generations come from Him. Using the recent Catholic shift away from the belief that Mary is “...
Episode 24 - Epstein, Power & the Pacific: Why No One Is Untouchable
In this powerful new episode of Pacific Empowerment, host Akanesi dives into the truth behind the release of the Epstein Files, and why this moment matters for our Pacific communities.In this episode, we uncover who Jeffrey Epst...