Heartbeat Narratives

This episode is a back porch conversation from the heart with Uncle John Kauhi, a humorous, resilient, heart on his sleeve kind of person who has lived a life full of unexpected turns. Born premature and fighting for his life from the very beginning, John has carried that same determination through growing up in Maunalua (Hawaiʻi Kai), Oʻahu, forming lifelong friendships, and working for years in road construction before building a new life between Las Vegas and Hawaiʻi. He opens up about battling stage four prostate cancer, navigating heartbreak, and finding his way through difficult moments without losing his capacity to love. With so much lived experience, John now finds joy in cooking for his kids and grandkids, connecting with old friends, creating art, and watching sunsets. He does his best to lean into aloha wherever he goes, even when the world around him feels less than friendly. This is a conversation about finding the reasons to "keep kicking for life." Mahalo for tuning in.Episode Highlights01:27 A miracle birth story02:34 Growing up Hawaiʻi Kai04:11 Exploring the bay and mountains05:23 Fishing, crabbing and change05:56 Volunteering and mentoring kids08:01 Caring for Hawaiʻi09:49 Cancer diagnosis and survival12:59 Faith 15:40 Forgiveness and letting go17:27 What makes his heart beat18:31 Family, friends and future plans19:36 Staying healthy20:23 Sunsets 21:08 ʻOhana is everything 21:38 Cooking and connection22:58 Friends are the foundation 23:41 Cancer testimony and lessons25:12 First jobs and teen years26:27 Roadwork to Vegas move28:00 Trades and homebuilding28:42 Art 30:31 Aloha story in Vegas35:16 Advice 37:16 For the kids   Listen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifySubstackYoutubeHeartbeat Narratives WebsiteGuest InquiriesInterested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest FormHeartbeat Narratives Book RecommendationsOur curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.orgCredits🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril🎸 Guitar: Amund GismervikA 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.

FLYING THROUGH LIFE · In today's conversation, we welcome Elfi, a longtime friend whose extraordinary life has taken her from growing up in postwar Austria to Alaska and eventually Hawaiʻi. Elfi shares stories from her 44-year career as a flight attendant, including flying through intense storms, visiting countless new cities around the world and becoming a passionate advocate for flight safety. She reflects on balancing the commitments of having family while traveling, and finding adventure through fishing, scuba diving, and exploring the natural world. At the heart of the conversation is Elfi’s spunky personality and her philosophy of staying curious and being present. Together, she and Molly talk about joy,  relationships, and the importance of bringing more grace into today's unsettled world. Enjoy!  Episode Highlights 02:01 Growing up in postwar Austria 02:27 The Alaska pipeline years 03:11 Hawaiʻi skies and family life 04:30 Joy and authority in the cabin 06:33 Flying the Alaska bush 07:34 Kenai salmon and counting fish 09:03 Flying in an unforgettable storm 12:48 Flight safety and advocacy 17:09 The moments that make travel special 18:00 Languages and a life in the skies 19:55 Finding comfort in order 20:54 The joy of motherhood 23:02 A little time travel 24:14 Imagining a teacup universe 25:28 Seeing Northern lights from above 26:45 Wondering about the ocean below 28:41 Always ready for an adventure 29:43 Flying through life together 31:42 What makes a flight attendant 32:45 Choosing kindness in unsettled times 34:29 Home is joy Listen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifySubstackYoutubeHeartbeat Narratives WebsiteGuest InquiriesInterested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest FormHeartbeat Narratives Book RecommendationsOur curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.orgCredits🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril🎸 Guitar: Amund GismervikA 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.

PROVIDE, PROTECT, PREPARE · In this episode, Cypress Navarro-Acio shares his story of family, faith, and his path toward firefighting. Mahalo nui to the Ho‘omau Fire Academy for connecting us with him as a former cadet representing Class 020. From graduating high school during the pandemic to becoming a Division I soccer player, Cypress has continued to challenge himself and build the skills he hopes to bring into a career of service. His love of fitness and desire to serve ultimately brought him home to Hawaiʻi, where he hopes to give back to the islands that raised him. Cypress also shares the story behind reviving his family’s clothing brand, Almighty Hawaiʻi, with a deeper spiritual and community-centered purpose. Looking ahead, he hopes to build a strong foundation for his future family, break generational patterns, and create a youth-focused nonprofit. Through the Hawaiian value of ahonui, we’re reminded that seasons of waiting can also be seasons of growth, guided by provision, protection, and preparation. Mahalo for listening - and mahalo to all the first responders out there. We appreciate you! 🤙🏽 Episode Highlights 01:05 · Kapolei roots 01:50 · Graduating high school during the pandemic 02:29 · From Hawaiʻi to Vegas for soccer 04:26 · Sonoma State breakthrough 05:58 · When the team gets cut 07:21 · Culture shock in North Carolina 08:46 · Coming home 10:32 · New beginnings at the Hoʻomau Fire Academy 12:16 · Why firefighting? 15:27 · Faith, family & gratitude 16:53 · Strength in vulnerability 17:11 · Lessons from Lāhainā 19:20 · Aloha in action 20:52 · Maui inspiration 21:27 · Take the leap 21:58 · Serve while you wait 22:14 · Reviving Almighty Hawaiʻi 23:35 · Turning loss into purpose 25:57 · From soccer to firefighting 29:32 · Ahonui: the art of active patience 33:07 · 30 years from now... About Ho‘omau Fire Academy Ho‘omau Fire Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that mentors young adults interested in careers in public service. The academy provides hands-on training and mentorship while helping cadets prepare for the expectations of a career in the fire service. To learn more, visit: https://www.hoomaufireacademy.org Follow Cypress: @cypresszion Almighty Hawaiʻi: @alm1ghtyhawaii Hoʻomau Fire Academy: @hfa_808   Listen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifySubstackYoutubeHeartbeat Narratives WebsiteGuest InquiriesInterested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest FormHeartbeat Narratives Book RecommendationsOur curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.orgCredits🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril🎸 Guitar: Amund GismervikA 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.

PIZZA FOR THE PEOPLE · At Brooklyn’s iconic Luigi’s Pizza, owner and chef Giovanni Lanzo shares why quality pizza starts with family, passion, and staying true to his Calabria, Italy roots. With his 9-year-old son Luigi by his side, he reflects on finding joy in making pizzas,  even when his first -generation immigrant father hoped he would choose a different career path. Giovanni shares the importance of being present at meals without phones, and honoring tradition through authentic ingredients (Mutti tomatoes!). Even through celebrity visits, movie sets, and changing times, Luigi’s has remained a neighborhood gathering place where regulars come first. This conversation with Giovanni uplifts the fact that a pizzeria can transcend the role of a restaurant and be so much more as a home for connection, values, and community. And for our Hawaiʻi listeners, he leaves us with one final rule: no pineapple on pizza.🍍 Eat some great pizza: https://www.luigispizzabrooklyn.com/ Instagram @luigispizzaparkslope Episode Highlights 00:00 — The story behind Luigi’s Pizza 00:41 — Meet Giovanni and his son Luigi, carrying on a family legacy 01:02 — Pizza is joy 03:07 — Put the phones away and be present 03:54 — Keeping Italian traditions alive 04:41 — The Mutti tomato ritual behind every sauce 06:32 — Love what you do 08:17 — Celebrity guests and loyal regulars -  the heart of the neighborhood 09:42 — Lessons from Luigi 10:35 — No pineapple on pizza 🍍 Listen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifySubstackYoutubeHeartbeat Narratives WebsiteGuest InquiriesInterested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest FormHeartbeat Narratives Book RecommendationsOur curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.orgCredits🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril🎸 Guitar: Amund GismervikA 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.

COMING HOME · Aloha friends, this episode is for all this listeners who requested that I speak more about my life. I appreciate your feedback so much. In this conversation, the microphone is turned around, and I become the interviewee. A special mahalo to my friend, Love Chance, for being such a thoughtful and intentional interviewer, creating the space for me to share my own unfolding story. We meander through my path of reconnecting to my many ideas of home, what it was like growing up within the Hawaiian diaspora, navigating health challenges, discovering joy through meaningful relationships (and podcasting), and embracing vulnerability that comes with being "broken open." My hope is that this episode is a reflection on listening to your heart as you explore your own purpose, identity and intuition. Episode Highlights 0:00 — Host in the hot seat :) 1:28 — Opening pule (prayer) & setting the intention 2:10 — A visit from my grandmother 3:40 — The stories hidden in my name 7:13 — What I think about the most 10:14 — What interviewing others has taught me about joy 14:04 — Finding my way home to Hawaiʻi 17:01 — Hula, storytelling & cultural identity 20:16 — Family stories, ancestry & belonging 25:48 — Healing, hope & trusting my intuition 29:32 — What joy means to me 35:47 — What most people don't know about me 37:20 — Being "broken open" 40:30 — A blessing Cover Photo: Molly Mamaril Listen & SubscribeApple PodcastsSpotifySubstackYoutubeHeartbeat Narratives WebsiteGuest InquiriesInterested in sharing what brings you joy? Complete our Guest Interest FormHeartbeat Narratives Book RecommendationsOur curated reading list that inspires and connects: Heartbeat Narratives on Bookshop.orgCredits🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril🎸 Guitar: Amund GismervikA 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.