| | Revive. Maintain. Preserve. | | This week on Episode 143 of the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, I sit down and talanoa with Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava, a storyteller and entrepreneur of Samoan and Niuean ancestry. He’s a music composer, vocalist, a content creator with an emphasis on Tagata Moana cultural revival and preservation, and the host and co-producer of the award winning podcast series ‘Sounds of the Moana’. Tau’ili’ili shares his recent Docu-Series, ‘Instruments of the Moana’ which he wrote and co-directed in collaboration with  @SOUNZ_nz  From September 2023 to March this year, he travelled to seven Pacific Island nations to discover the origins and fates of numerous ancient instruments from the Moana. We chat about the Knowledge Holders, and teaching future generations in the diaspora about the historical and cultural significance of these instruments. We also chat about two community organizations uplifting our people though their work. @mahimoanainc, who advocate for Moana Pacific composers through copyrights protection and language empowerment through sounds, and Tofā Mamao Collective, a group who is very important to Tau’ili’ili’s family. Follow Tau'ili'ili: • Email: [email protected] • IG: https://instagram.com/alphathinktank Instruments of the Moana Docu Series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjqwPJu2kmN6n22qCy7RKuK1MO1MBBw__&feature=shared Sounds of the Moana Podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjqwPJu2kmN69zwaiUOAheaG_ga-V7Ukm&feature=shared Mahimoana IG: https://instagram.com/mahimoanaincTofa Mamao Collective: https://tofamamao.com Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok 

| | Tui Pea Luva - 'weave than gift' | | This week on Episode 142 of the #readswithrosapodcast, I sit down and talanoa with Tongan author Mele Tonga-Grant, who recently released her debut poetry collection ᴛᴜɪ ᴘᴇᴀ ʟᴜᴠᴀ, meaning ‘ᴡᴇᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɢɪꜰᴛ’. Born and bred in Te Awa Kairangi, Aotearoa, Mele is passionate about working with the youth. We chat about her writing journey and honoring the stories of the 8 women who inspired her poetry collection, translating picture books into the Tongan language, marching alongside her tamariki in the Toitū Te Tiriti hikoi, the importance of the Māori & Tongan languages in her family, and much more! Follow Mele: • IG: www.instagram.com/mrstongagrant Purchase her book: • Website: www.milasbooks.com Follow the illustrator of her book: • IG: www.instagram.com/lucidluca Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

| | Finding a Point of Connection | | This week in Episode 141 of the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, I sit down for a korero with Māori Writer and Educator, Tina Makereti. We chat about her new book The Mires, which is officially out in the world TODAY! Happy Pub Day!!  We share laughs and chat about many things related to identity, writing and educator life. Tina also gives her flowers to the authors of some of the books she's been reading! (Check out the #bookbanner). As a bookstagrammer who advocates for Pasifika and Maori authors, every time I'm able to get one of our writer's on the show, it's a huge buzz!! I hope you enjoy this week's podcast & please excuse any fangirling, I tried my best to be calm :) Note: 'Tina wishes to apologize for misremembering the name of poet Sara Qasem, who will join her with Mahdis Azarmandi and Bariz Shah at WORD Festival for a session called 'The Power of Community'' Follow Tina: • IG:  https://instagram.com/tina.makereti • Author Website:  https://tinamakereti.com Purchase her books: • The Mires: https://ultimopress.com.au/collections/frontpage/products/the-mires • Where the Rekohu Bone Sings: https://penguin.co.nz • The Imaginary Lives of James Poneke: https://penguin.co.nz Upcoming events/appearances: 10th July - Author Chat • https://www.unitybooks.co.nz/news-and-events/author-talk-the-mires-by-tina-makereti Aug 5 - Writers on Mondays • https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/modernletters/about/events/writers-mondays Aug 30 - The Power of Community with Sara Qasem, Bariz Shah and Mahdis Azarmandi • https://wordchristchurch.co.nz/programme/the-power-of-community/ Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

| |  The Heart of a Warrior | | This week on the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, I sit down to talanoa with Samoan writer and motivational speaker Fa'apepele Hunkin, known as 'Pele' to many. She has become a beacon of hope, inspiration and strength, sharing her journey of resilience with others. She is the Author of, "HEART OF A WARRIOR, The Humble Journey of a Samoan Warrior," and has co-authored eleven best-selling anthologies. Pele’s mantra is: "Because I have the HEART OF A WARRIOR~My pain fuels my purpose.” Her journey exemplifies love, resilience, courage, and unwavering faith in adversity. Tune in to learn more! Follow Pele:  • IG:  https://instagram.com/peleinspire • Website:  https://www.peleinspire.com • Purchase book:  https://www.amazon.com/Heart-warrior-Pele-Hunkin/dp/1739742877 Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

|| Identity Talk 4 Educators || This week on the #ReadswithRosaPodcast I welcome to the show, Ghanaian/American Educator, Kwame Sarfo-Mensah. He's the Founder & CEO of Identity Talk Consulting, an Author, and the Host of 'Identity Talk 4 Educators Live' Podcast. He's an inspirational ambassador & revolutionary leader in the field of education, and a staunch advocate for teacher empowerment. He has spoken at numerous educational conferences and worked diligently to support the recruitment and retention of teachers of color in education. His family are currently living in Sierra Leone. Tune in as Kwame shares the identity & cultural struggles he experienced as a student who went to school both in the US and Ghana, his journey as an educator, starting his consultancy business, his new book that will be released in November, the vision & mission of 'Identity Talk 4 Educators Live' Podcast, and living abroad with his family. Follow Kwame: • Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/kwam_the_identity_shaper • Instagram: https://instagram.com/identitytalk4educatorslive • Facebook: https://facebook.com/identitytalk4educators • Website: https://www.identitytalk4educators.com • Twitter: https://twitter.com/identityshaper • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kwamesarfo-mensah5785 BOOK ONE: • Shaping the Teacher Identity: https://www.amazon.com/Shaping-Teacher-Identity-Lessons-Define/dp/1723480835/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=384M1ZUENME31&keywords=shaping+the+teacher+identity&qid=1550538112&s=gateway&sprefix=shaping+the+teacher+%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1-fkmrnull NEW BOOK - Learning to Relearn Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Relearn-Supporting-Culturally-Affirming/dp/1625316224/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BNeuoNqWm-scvLWtTd2nbEg4gqpi4yVhu5n7sdC4n5jGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.IIEBl6R4NFPcopxWUWPrGjCIMJ_VDxQMc03am9crNT8&dib_tag=se&qid=1719073755&refinements=p_27%3AKwame+Sarfo-Mensah&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Kwame+Sarfo-Mensah Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

|| My Nana’s my motivation in everything I do || This is our final installment of a special podcast series that we’ve been running throughout the Month of May, Celebrating Pasifika Women and honoring the work they are doing in their respective communities. Episode 138 coincides with Samoan Language Week and Samoa Independence Day, and marks the end of the Pasifika Readathon Challenge. This week on the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, we welcome Danielle Thomsen, a tama’ita’i Samoa who is also part Welsh, and was born & bred in West Auckland, Aotearoa NZ. She’s a Primary School trained Educator, a writer, a poet, a journalist, artist, business woman, and the Founder and Director of Tagata Atamai and Moana Creative Business Network. Tune in to hear her story. Follow Tagata Atamai: • Website: https://tagataatamai.co.nz • Instagram: https://instagram.com/tagataatamai • Facebook: https://facebook.com/tagataatamai • Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@tagataatamai Follow Moana Creative Business Network: • Instagram: https://instagram.com/moanacreativebusinessnetwork Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Tiktok • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow the #ReadswithRosaPodcast on: • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon Music #Polytube

Ia Orana✨. This week on Episode 137 of the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, we are continuing with our special series for the month of May, where we #CelebratePasifikaWomen. Tuatini Manate is a Tahitian Clothing Designer who has been living in Japan since 2020. She designs custom made dresses, costumes for Tahitian Dance Groups, and she proudly promotes her Tahitian culture through her creative works. Tune in to hear about Tuatini’s journey as a designer, as she shares the joys, challenges, and satisfaction of working on a new project, and the importance of getting enough rest. Follow Tuatini: • Instagram: https://instagram.com/tuatini.manate Follow Rosa: •  @readswithrosa on all sm platforms •   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to my Youtube channel and follow the #ReadswithRosaPodcast. #Polytube

This week we continue with our special series for the month of May, where we #CelebratePasifikaWomen, and in Episode 136, we are also celebrating #RotumanLanguageWeek. Ruby Macomber is an award-winning poet, essayist, researcher, and creative non-fiction writer, with Rotuman, Taveuni, Ngā Puhi and Scottish roots. She has been published in Landfall, Kate Books, Metro, Awa Waine and Starling, and in 2023 she was named the NZ Young Writers Festival - Young Writer in Residence. Alongside her university studies, she volunteers at the Auckland Commodity Law Centre, and through Youth Arts NZ and Te Kahui, she helps facilitate creative writing workshops, around reflective self-expression for Rangatahii (youth), in vulnerable and under-served community . Tune in to hear Ruby’s ongoing learning as a writer, her journey of self discovery and cultural identity, the importance of representation and the Rotuman writers who have paved the way for young writers like herself, her contribution to COP27, and the importance of her Nan and why everything leads her back to Rotuma. Follow Ruby: • Instagram: https://instagram.com/@rubyrma • CRY SIS #Cop27: https://www.pasifikavoices.com/film/cry-sis/ • Te Kahui: https://www.youtharts.co.nz/projects/te-kahui • Anthology (Katuivei): https://www.masseypress.ac.nz/books/katuivei • Article: https://www.pantograph-punch.com/posts/loose-canons-ruby-macomber • Taiohi Inside by Te Kahui: https://shop.moanafresh.com/products/taiohi-inside-by-te-kahui Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on all sm platforms  • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and follow my Youtube Channel •   ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠

|| Liberation is a Journey || This week on Episode 135 of the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, we continue with our special series for the month of May, where we #CelebratePasifikaWomen.  ‘Alisi Tulua migrated with her family from the Kingdom of Tonga to the U.S., when she was 13 years old. She has 15 years of experience in community-based work across non-profit spaces, advocating for advancing the rights of Pacific Islanders. Her advocacy work is rooted in community-driven approaches and nurtured through the unrelenting encouragement, investment, and belief of NHPI (Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) elders, leaders, and the women of color who have mentored her. 'Alisi is a leader in her own right and she wears many hats across various community spaces. She is currently the California Program Director at Asian American Futures, an organization that envisions a future in which all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are valued as essential parts of the American narrative. Check out my talanoa with 'Alisi, as she shares her migration story, Tongan Proverbs, and the importance of: building community and relationships, visibility and presentation, building trust and cultural protocols, mentorship for young leaders, the funding ecosystem, her work at AAF, and more! Follow 'Alisi: • Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/manava.o.moana • AAF: https://asianamericanfutures.org Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on all sm platforms • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and follow my Youtube Channel •   ⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@readswithrosa⁠⁠

|| Moving culture forward, creating cultural impact. || This week on Episode 134 of the #ReadswithRosaPodcast, I talanoa with Lani Tuitasi, a Sāmoan-American living in London. Lani is a ‘Cultural Strategist’ and the Director of Cultural Innovation at Cashmere Agency. Cashmere is the world’s first culture agency and they specialize in creative solutions that are rooted in culture, helping brands to make a more meaningful impact.  If you’ve ever been curious about advertising and brands, or what a ‘Cultural Strategist’ does, then you should definitely tune in. Lani is passionate and purpose-driven, and she shares a lot about what her job entails, and what it means to shift culture, inspire, and be impactful. She also talks about what it means to help brands ‘find their cultural space, where they can show up credibly’. With every journey there is learning, unlearning, and life lessons. Lani takes us through her ‘healing era’, and the books that helped her figure things out.- - - - - - -This podcast is the first of 5 that will be released during the month of May, highlighting the stories of some pretty amazing & inspirational Pasifika women. (I know, I say that all the time 😊) Follow Lani: • Instagram: https://instagram.com/lanituitasi • Email: [email protected] Follow Rosa: • @readswithrosa on all sm platforms • ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/readswithrosa⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe and follow my Youtube Channel •   ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@readswithrosa⁠ #polytube