Podcasts 

In 2020, we launched two podcasts, “Coming To the Mat” with Dr. Mere Sovick and S.H.E. (Sista Hemi Empawa) with Valorie Patrick. 

These two podcasts seek to inform, break cultural barriers, and invite listeners to hear real human stories.  While not always the most lighthearted episodes, both podcasts are so wonderful because they fight against the dehumanization of people from other backgrounds and cultures, and they do it through storytelling. Storytelling is better known as a common practice of passing on information and knowledge in all Pacific Island cultures. The art of storytelling is a way to sustain communities, validate  peoples’ lived experiences, history, and epistemologies. 

COMING TO THE MAT with Dr. Sovick, features stories from women from all walks of life across the Pacific, and the South Pacific island diaspora ( NZ, Australia and the USA), as well as expertise sharing their knowledge on current and past events related to the well-being of Pacific peoples, and the wide pacific diaspora around the globe.

Coming to the Mat podcast is also broadcast on two radio stations in Vanuatu - Radio Vanuatu and FM 98 and also by Radio Skidrow 88.9FM in Sydney, Australia hosted by Robert Anita on his show called ‘Melanesian Drum’. The show aims to bring together Melanesian communities around Australia and the Pacific by sharing information about Melanesian culture, history and emerging issues. Mr. Anita is a trained radio journalist volunteer from the Solomon Islands living in Australia. 

S.H. E. (Sister Hemi Empawa) with Valorie Patrick is a monthly podcast that is also aired on public and community radio. The S.H.E. podcast programs are broadcast by two radio stations reaching two different countries. It is broadcast by Radio Vanuatu in the national language of Bislama in Vanuatu, and by Fresh FM, a community radio station in Motueka, New Zealand. It is hosted by Valorie Patrick on her show called ‘YUMI TALEM’. Mrs. Patrick is a trained radio journalist volunteer and mother of two from Vanuatu.  She is also a New Zealand resident.  
S.H.E. is an educational podcast designed for women who have never married, are divorced, widowed, single mums from all economic and social backgrounds, and single mums who want to move forward. This is a monthly radio and podcast program specific to women’s issues and tailored with specific programs for each country.