Talanoa Talk Now

Tune in and listen as our partners from the HIV/STD/TB/Viral Hepatitis Division under the Department of Health shed light on the importance of STI Awareness Month this April. This episode highlights the realities of sexually transmitted infections, encourages open conversations, and emphasizes the value of testing, prevention, and community awareness and more !  Stay informed, break the stigma, an...

Listen in on this episode of Talanoa Talk Now Podcast as we go mobile at the Women’s Conference, hosted by our partner Pae Male Auli. Listen in as we connect with participants, sharing powerful voices and perspectives on Healthy relationships, respect, safety, empowerment and more! Be part of the conversation real voices, real stories, real impact. 💜

From first impressions to lasting impact , hear our interns reflect on their summer at the Alliance, the projects that challenged them, and the connections that shaped their journey. Tune in for stories of growth, discovery, and what it truly means to be part of the Alliance.

In episode 2 of this conversation, Jaiyah Saelua, Rural Program Manager, continues to share updates and progress on moving forward with the Alliance Rural Fa'afafine Program, future plans, growing community connections, and the ongoing work to support fa'afafine individuals across the island, and understanding more about the faafafine community.

Press play because in this episode Jaiyah Saelua, Rural Program Manager, shares how the Rural Fa'afafine Program is breaking ceilings and barriers to support the faafafine community in American Samoa. She discusses the unique challenges they face while creating safe spaces at the same time. Jaiyah also shares on the program’s advocacy efforts and vision for a more equitable future. Tune in to hear...

In the final episode of Unveiling Victims , hosts Karoline Ilimaleota and Yasmin Potoa’e take a powerful deep dive into Changing the Narrative . This episode challenges the way society views and supports victims, exploring how we can break the stigma and reshape community perceptions. Together, they discuss the crucial role the media plays in representing victims and the impact of its portrayals....

Welcome back to the third episode of our four-part podcast series! Your hosts, Karoline Ilimaleota and Yasmin Potoae, are here again, ready to continue an important and eye-opening conversation about victim-blaming, with a focus on its cultural impact. In this episode, Karoline and Yasmin dive into the challenges of victim-blaming and how cultural misunderstandings can play a role in shaping these...

Welcome to the second episode of our four-part podcast series! Our talented intern hosts, Ms. Karoline Ilimaleota and Ms. Yasmin Potoae, are back to continue the vital discussion on victim-blaming from a cultural perspective. In this episode, Karoline and Yasmin are joined by Judy and Monica for a deep dive into the complexities of victim-blaming, stereotypes, and cultural boundaries. Together, th...

Welcome to the first episode of our exciting four-part podcast series! Hosted by our amazing intern volunteers, Ms. Karoline Ilimaleota and Yasmin Potoae, this episode dives deep into the topic of victim-blaming from a cultural perspective. Get ready for a lively conversation as Karoline and Yasmin share their unique insights on the concept of victims, stereotypes, cultural boundaries, and much mo...

2024 Summer Interns were able to recap with the Alliance training team on their experience while interning with the Alliance this past summer. Listen and learn more about the Summer Internship Program offered by the Alliance every summer.

Samoan author Mrs Nafanua Manns shares on her book SPEAK UP & BE FREE published in 2020. A daughter of American Samoa, visits home and speaks on how silence from child sexual assault must be broken, and voices must rise and speak out against the veil of tradition. She shares how this experience has affected her and her family thru out their lives and how they worked to rise up and move forward...

Continue to listen to Paulia Pelenato on behalf of DHSS, as she shares more on services that DHSS continues to provide for the community. She shares success stories as a team and department in moving forward with the work, the kind of impact their work has on the community, how important wellness is to the work they do and how they as a department practice self-care and wellness. She discusses mor...

Anyone and everyone should listen to Paulia Pelenato, assistant director for DHSS, share about all the services they provide for the people of Tutuila and Manu'a. This podcast reveals why DHSS is all about connecting the community to services and resources that they require and are available within the community, and how they are all about providing the best services for our people whether ind...

The Alliance sets out to highlight the work of its many partners, and this episode features the work, vision & mission of Back on Track (BOT). Executive Director of BOT shares the story that laid the foundation for the work of BOT and how it has grown over time. She talks about the organization's specific goals and objectives and how effective it has been in achieving its mission, as well...

2023 Summer Internship Program(SIP) participants share their stories about their experiences, work, and learned lessons while spending their summer interning at the Alliance. They also share how the internships aligned with their career goals and aspirations, and whether their expectations were met, in terms of learning and professional development opportunities. How challenges or obstacles were a...

American Samoa's very own Dr Kuini Tuaau graduated from California Baptist University with her doctoral degree and has translated into the Samoan language a 'train the trainers' training workbook on eliminating child sexual assault within our community. Join us and understand the Dr's perspective on how using our Samoan language can help eliminate child sexual violence.

ASADSV in collaboration with Mary Bordonaro, owner, and founder of Malaga Creative Co, create workshops for the community including survivors/victims of violence and those who are interested in learning about journaling and poetry and how it can help you cope with trauma, practice self-care and thrive. Listen to how we as great storytellers are able to journal and own our stories for our wellness...

Project Specialist Karallyn Fitisone shares on updates of the Faafafine Rural Project which focuses on the faafafine community of American Samoa. Fitisone shares on goals of the project that included investigating and gathering information on this populations experiences of violence and their needs of support. This project also focuses on the experiences of those servicing this population, their e...

Researcher Karallyn Fitisone shares information on her research as well as her experience as a young Pacific islander researcher faced with several challenges and how she overcame them all while going to school at the same time.   She shares how her work is distinct from that of others, and the impacts she hopes her research will have on the youth of Am. Samoa.  This is a great 'lis...

Talanoa Talk Now sits down with advocates Dr. Celestine Nix, Mona Uli, and Farrah Sefo, all 3 who represented American Samoa thru the Alliance, at the Praxis International Advocacy Training.  Praxis International Inc. is a nonprofit corporation, that works towards the elimination of violence and offers advocacy learning with the Advocacy Learning Center(ALC) in partnership with the Office on...

Bet you didn't know American Samoa has a stalking law?  Tapumanaia Galu Satele shares how stalking is criminalized in American Samoa under code annotated 46.3525, what it means, and the Samoan terms we use to describe the law versus terms more commonly used.  Satele shares with Talanoa Talk Now what stalking can escalate to as well as some of the misperceptions that we as Samoans hold ab...

Executive Director of Catholic Social Service, Mrs. Nancy Tagaloa sheds light on the work and services they provide for those in need of support, especially when faced with challenges within families, individuals, etc.  She shares about who they serve and the empowerment and awareness which is key to their work and the support of others.  Make sure to tune in and listen in on this discus...

Ms American Samoa 2021-22, Hani Fuimaono shares on her interests and goals on advocating for mental health, self-worth, and self-love, in her capacity as the reigning beauty queen.  She describes what she believes what it means to be a modern woman and the qualities a Samoan woman should possess to make a notable difference, as well as sharing some of the best and simple ways to promote empow...

O se faatalanoaga i le leitio o le polokalame o vaiaso taitasi o le MO LOU SILAFIA, na mafai ona faasoa mai ai le atunuu i le tulaga o le atuatuvale ma le popole vale ao tapena atu ma le feagai ai ma aso fiafia i totonu o aiga aemaise foi nofoaga eseese.  Faafofoga i le faasoa mai o nisi e faatatau i mafuaaga o le atuatuvale aemaise o metotia ma vaifofo e mafai ona alofia ai lea faafitauli e...

Marcella Fitisone, founder of BROWN SISTERS CLUB shares on the vision and mission of the club, and how it is impacting today's youth.  Fitisone explains how the need for the club was determined and who the club serves, as well as plans for moving forward and expanding into other local high schools.  She shares on the challenges, processes, and support that she has experienced as she work...