Born of Fijian heritage, but raised in the heart of Western Sydney, Isaac Nasedra accidentally stumbled into environmental forensics, due to a university admissions error, only to discover a lifelong calling to protect the Pacific.   From running for state parliament in a sulu, to challenging the status quo of "polite" activism, Isaac is on a mission to prove that Pacific Islanders are not just performers for consumption, but thinkers, philosophers and political forces.    Isaac speaks candidly to Wendy Mocke in this episode of Stories From The Pacific on ABC Radio Australia.

In this episode of Stories From the Pacific, our guest traces her journey from a curious child in Fiji — gazing out across the ocean — to a leading neuroscientist exploring how the human brain works. But for Dr Suhailah Ali, understanding the mind was only part of the story. She came to realise that science alone isn’t enough if we don’t also fight for the world we inhabit.  Now a passionate climate justice advocate, Dr Ali has moved beyond the lab to the frontlines, working with organisations like Jubilee Australia to hold powerful corporations accountable.  Joining host Wendy Mocke, she shares why climate change is not only reshaping our environment but how it’s also taking a profound toll on our mental health. More importantly, she explains why protecting the Pacific means caring for one another’s wellbeing — our spirits as much as our shores.  Listen on ABC Radio Australia.

From the rugby fields of Cairns, far north QLD, to representing his country by captaining the Kumuls, Rod Griffin has carved out a career defined by resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to giving back.   A proud Papua New Guinean who made his mark in the game, Rod has played for clubs like the Wests Tigers, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, and Ipswich Jets. But his legacy extends beyond the field, he's shaping the next generation of young athletes today. From professional footy to mentoring aspiring players, Rod’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose.   This edition of Stories From The Pacific was a repeat of the program broadcast on 23rd April 2025

In this episode of Stories From The Pacific, Wendy Mocke sits down with rugby icon Toutai Kefu — a powerhouse No. 8 whose story is deeply woven into Australian rugby folklore. Born into a family legacy that helped shape the game, Toutai rose from a Queensland debut sensation to a world champion, delivering one of the most unforgettable moments in Bledisloe Cup history.  From triumph to heartbreak and ultimately Hall of Fame recognition, this is a story of resilience, heritage, and the enduring strength of Pacific identity.

Aselu Vaguna O'Brien is a draftsman, climate advocate, and a man of many talents—though if you ask his friends, he's also just 'Strawberry,' the guy who won't stop talking about rugby or his love for fresh fruit. Born in Fiji and raised in Tuvalu, Aselu's journey has taken him from engineering to media, from construction sites to mapping coastlines that are disappearing before his eyes. Today, he's using technology to document Tuvalu's changing landscape and fighting to ensure his homeland has a future. This week's episode of Stories From The Pacific is a repeat of the show broadcast on 16th April 2025

What if healing didn't begin with blame, but with responsibility? Matt Brown's journey from a complex childhood in Aotearoa New Zealand to a barbershop chair sparked an unexpected global movement. What began as conversations between men hiding their pain became She Is Not Your Rehab, a call for men to stop outsourcing their emotional wounds to the women in their lives. Matt shares a powerful story of survival, courage and generational honesty, challenging long-held ideas about masculinity, trauma and accountability. This is a conversation about what happens when men choose to face their own wounds — and how that choice can transform families, communities and futures across the Pacific and beyond. Listen to this conversation with Stories From the Pacific host Bobby Macumber on ABC Radio Australia.

This is Namila Benson as you've never heard her before. One of the few Melanesian women to occupy space on mainstream television in Australia, Namila reflects on how her voice became her power. In this powerful conversation with fellow Wantok and Stories from the Pacific host, Wendy Mocke, Namila reflects on her childhood shaped by diaspora to a career spanning hosting, writing, mentoring artists and shaping media from the inside. She speaks candidly about identity, belonging and the courage it takes to stand fully in your own truth. This is a conversation about visibility, creative sovereignty and what it means to carve space when none is offered — and to use that space to lift others with you. Listen to this episode on ABC Radio Australia.

On Stories From the Pacific, host Wendy Mocke sits down with the brilliant Tommy Misa, a storyteller who reminds us that some of the deepest truths arrive wrapped in laughter.  From the queer bars of Sydney to the global stage of the Biennale, Tommy's work has carved out space for the misfits, the hard workers and anyone who has ever felt out of place under theatre lights. A master of the Samoan Clown, a former nutritional medicine student who followed a literal dream to the stage, Tommy creates art that is as fiercely funny as it is profoundly moving.  Together, they talk about finding home, the power of satire, and why the most enduring art is always about connection. Stories From the Pacific, on ABC Radio Australia.

Jennifer Faumuina leads some of America’s most demanding work - overseeing crime scene investigations and critical domestic violence programs - yet her journey into law enforcement began far from the mainland, in the tropical islands of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.  Now a sergeant with the Utah Department of Public Safety, Jennifer brings Pacific values of service, family and community into a profession where calm leadership, clarity under pressure and everyday courage are essential. As one of only a handful of Pacific Islanders in a large US police force, she carries both responsibility and representation on her shoulders.  In this episode of Stories From the Pacific, Jennifer shares how she found her path into policing, what it means to work at the intersection of justice and compassion, and why she views law enforcement not simply as a career — but as a profound commitment to protecting others.  Listen to this episode on ABC Radio Australia with host Bobby Macumber.

From a sandwich‑press burger and a pair of brown tongs came a signature — and a following. Māori Einstein's fast, funny cooking has travelled from Aotearoa to Adelaide, hitting millions of feeds and landing spots on Sunrise and 7NEWS. In this episode of Stories From The Pacific, host Bobby Macumber meets the person behind the handle: the name, the hustle, and what cooking has taught him about people. Moving between worlds has sharpened his sense of responsibility — to language, ancestors and future generations. With humour, intellect and deep cultural grounding, he reflects on carrying Pacific knowledge today, and why reclaiming language and story is both resistance and care. Listen to this episode on ABC Radio Australia.