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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
23 episodes
Episode 23 - Discussing Academic Papers on the Tou‘a
In this week’s episode, I discuss academic research on the role of the tou‘a - the woman serving kava, and what these studies reveal about women’s experiences inside faikava spaces.I focus on the work of Hilda A. Port,...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:00:08
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Episode 22 - When Research Misses Reality: Why Kava Studies Don’t Reflect Pacific Life
Episode Description:In this episode, I analyze Dr. Apo Aporosa’s article of the University of Waikato, "De-mythologizing and Re-branding of Kava as the New ‘World Drug’ of Choice” - a paper that defends kava as safe and c...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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59:35
Episode 21 - What If Faikava Men and Wives Changed Roles?
Kava addiction has become a silent epidemic in the Pacific, breaking homes, stealing time, and blinding our people to their God-given purpose.In this episode, I read the first testimony from a Samoan wife of an addicted 'ava man.T...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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43:42
Episode 20 - Is Kava Safer Than Alcohol and Drugs?
Many believe kava is safer than alcohol or drugs, but is it really? In this episode, we take an honest look at the hidden effects of kava, alcohol, and drugs on our Pacific communities.We begin by comparing their impact on addiction, he...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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41:27
Episode 19 - Is It a Kava Problem or an Individual Problem?
In this powerful episode, I dive into two major conversations happening right now - one global, one close to home.First, we look at the historic peace deal between Israel and Palestine that was signed this week - a moment the worl...
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38:53
Episode 18 - First Policy on Social Kava Use & the Untold Stories of Wives of Faikava Men
In this week’s episode, I talk about the first-ever policy on social kava use introduced by Otago University - a bold and necessary step toward bringing structure, safety, and accountability to kava practices.I also continue wit...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:03:08
Episode 17 - The Dark Side of Faikava and Tou‘a
In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I read out the testimonies of women who have served as tou‘a in faikava circles and bravely shared their experiences of sexual abuse. These are stories that have been silenced for too long - ...
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1:02:52
Episode 16 - Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History
In this episode, I dive into the stories of fierce women throughout history - biblical heroines like Deborah, the prophet and judge who led Israel into battle, and Queen Esther, who risked her life to save her people. I’ll also sh...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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23:05
Episode 15 - Charlie Kirk on Marriage & The Testimonies from Wives of Faikava Men
In this episode, I begin with the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk and explore his powerful views on marriage, family, and faith. From there, we shift closer to home, sharing raw, real testimonies from the wives of faikava men. These voices unco...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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53:59
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
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
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
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
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
Episode 9 - How to Build Wealth Without Losing Your Soul
What does it really mean to be rich the right way? In this episode, we dive deep into the truth about money, success, and faith. From Shannon Sharpe’s recent downfall to the story of Job’s unshakable faith, and even the billion-dollar ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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25:13
Episode 8 - Why Most People Quit Too Soon
In this heartfelt episode of Pacific Empowerment, we honor the life and legacy of George “Fiji” Veikoso, whose journey from humble beginnings in Fiji to becoming the voice of the Pacific is a true testimony of persistence and passion. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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20:51
Episode 7 - Leadership & Marital Affairs
We start this episode by talking about the recent CEO-employee affair at the Coldplay concert, and the lessons we can all learn from it. From there, we dive into a topic many avoid: Leadership, Marriage, and Affairs.Why do some leaders ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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44:14
Episode 6 - The Power of Speaking Up
In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we dive into the importance of speaking up against injustice, even when it feels like you're standing alone.I explore the stories of global heroes like Rosa Parks, Malala Yousafzai, Nelson M...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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25:13
Episode 5 - Tackling Tall Poppy Syndrome in the Pacific
In this episode, I open up about the real challenges I’ve faced building Siuhuu, a fully operational e-commerce platform for the Pacific, and how Tall Poppy Syndrome is blocking the growth our region desperately needs.
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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49:46
Episode 4 - How to Break the Cycle
Is faith alone enough to truly change us? In this episode, we dive deep into a topic often considered taboo in our Pacific communities: the connection between faith, hidden wounds, and true healing. Growing up in the church, many of us were tau...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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28:08
Episode 3 - How to Build Mental Toughness
In this episode, I dive deep into what it really takes to build mental toughness - especially as a Pacific Islander navigating the pressures of life, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. I share stories from my own journey, lessons from books...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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20:41
Episode 2 - How I Changed My Mindset
In this episode, I share how I transformed my mindset - from self-doubt and pressure to self-belief and purpose. I talk about the principles I applied, the steps I took, and the books that helped me grow, including Think and Grow Rich ...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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29:27
Episode 1 – Humble Beginnings
In this first episode, I open up about my childhood, the struggles I’ve faced, and the journey that led me to become an entrepreneur. I share the real story behind why I started this podcast - to inspire, uplift, and empower Pacific Islanders t...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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26:49