Behind the Lavalava
Welcome to Behind the Lavalava! Here, you will find authentic, firsthand perspectives on Pacific Island culture and life from a group of seasoned veterans. We share stories and express our opinions, all drawn from our own life experiences. This podcast places a special emphasis on all veterans, the people and cultures of the Pacific, and small businesses.
Podcasting since 2022 • 112 episodes
Behind the Lavalava
Latest Episodes
#112. Fa'alavelave 101: Breaking Down a Samoan Tradition
In this episode, we take a closer look at Faalavelave, an important Samoan tradition where family and community come together to support each other during big life events like weddings, funerals, or title ceremonies. We share real storie...
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Season 1
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Episode 112
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54:31
#111. THT Cyrus Returns: Men’s Mental Health & The National Anthem Debate
We're back with hip hop artist and returning guest THT Cyrus for a powerful and heartfelt episode. We dive into the hot-button topic: Should the American National Anthem be sung in other languages?—with surprisingly thoughtful and hila...
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Season 1
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Episode 111
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1:11:56
#110. What Every Young FOB Should Hear
In this episode, we briefly touch on the tense situation unfolding in L.A., sharing our hopes for peace and safety for everyone involved—civilians, law enforcement, and troops alike—without diving into politics. Then we shift into a heartfelt a...
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Season 1
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Episode 110
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38:23
#109. From Gorilla Battles to Village Leadership
In this episode, we kick things off with a funny and wild debate—could 100 random guys (or even 100 random Samoan guys) take down a silverback gorilla? Things get ridiculous fast, with jokes flying about stamina, primal instincts, and even gout...
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Season 1
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Episode 109
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48:00
#108. Mixing More Than Kava: Culture, Connection, and Care
In this episode, we dive into the world of kava—what it is, how it’s made, and why it holds such a special place in many Pacific Islander communities. We talk about what really goes on in a faikava and kalapu, the difference between ceremonial ...
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Season 1
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Episode 108
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33:48