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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.
14 Episodes
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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 kinship, culture, and power, and how it has shifted over time with church influence, migration, and modern kava clubs. Most importantly, we share real testimonies from women who have served as tou‘a, bringing to light their lived experiences of dignity, pressure, and in some ...
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 perspective — a side of the discussion we don’t often hear. Laki also shares his personal healing journey, the importance of breaking stigma around men opening up, and the mindset shifts needed for growth. To wrap up, Laki offers marital advice for couples, drawing from both his pe...
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 experience into fuel for growth and empowerment. Drawing wisdom from books like Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly, and Ryan Holiday’s The Obstacle Is the Way, Akanesi shares practical strat...
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. She is also the founder of the non-profit Fijian Diaspora, dedicated to empowering Pacific women survivors of domestic violence. Together, we talk about resilience, healing, and creating a future where both men and women are safe, healed, and becoming better human...
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 distorted, and what this means for our traditions and values. Next, we look at church donations: the heart behind giving, what the Bible actually says about generosity, and how manipulation from the pulpit can hurt families and communities. Finally, we dive in...
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 journey of YouTube’s MrBeast - we’ll explore how wealth can either build you up or break you down. You’ll hear how the Bible warns against the love of money, why poverty can push people into desperate choices, and how laziness and poor mindsets have held back ou...
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. We dive into the powerful lesson of Napoleon Hill’s Three Feet from Gold — a story that reminds us why so many give up just before success. I’ll also share my own journey of building Siuhuu and the struggles that test me daily, plus the inspiring story of...
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 risk everything behind closed doors? What role do grief, pressure, or ego really play? Drawing from Esther Perel’s The State of Affairs, I unpack the deeper reasons behind infidelity - not just lust, but emotional disconnection, identity loss, and the 80/20 ...
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 Mandela, and biblical figures like Moses and Esther - ordinary people who used their voices to spark extraordinary change. We also confront the culture of silence in Pacific Island communities, where tradition, respect, and faith are sometimes used to protect ...
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. From constant messages asking to “collaborate” while quietly trying to copy the platform, to seeing funding and energy wasted on reinventing what already exists, I share what it’s really like to build something that challenges the status quo in the Pacific. We talk about why it...
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 taught that faith and prayer alone would change us - but why do cycles of hurt, anger, and generational trauma still continue? We explore why faith and inner work must go together, how unhealed wounds affect the way we treat ourselves and our loved ones, a...
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 like Think and Grow Rich and The Secret, and the mindset shifts that helped me overcome self-doubt, cultural expectations, and emotional challenges. If you’ve ever struggled with negative thoughts, criticism, or feeling like you're not enough - this ep...
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 by Napoleon Hill. I also reflect on how these changes challenged cultural expectations and helped me start healing and building confidence. I hope this episode encourages you to work on yourself, believe in your vision, and take the first step toward a better yo...
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 to believe in their dreams, take action, and create change. This is where it all begins. Support the show You can watch the video podcast on https://www.youtube.com/@pacificempowerment
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