The Hello Frequency

“Empathy is not just listening. It is recognising dignity, challenging dehumanisation, and choosing to act.”  In this powerful episode of The Hello Frequency , I sit down with Samira Ghoreishi for a fierce and deeply moving conversation on empathy, migration, anger, healing, and justice. Drawing from her Iranian roots, community work, and lived experience of displacement, Samira challenges us to m...

In this timely kōrero conversation, I sit down with counsellor, community organiser, facilitator and educator Gaayathri to reflect on empathy, solidarity and resistance in the context of the Definitions of Woman and Man Amendment Bill in Aotearoa New Zealand.  We explore why attempts to narrowly define ‘woman’ and ‘man’ are not acts of protection, but forms of exclusion that can harm intersex, tra...

The Hello Frequency returns for Season 3 with a new logo, music, and a reflective and intimate opening episode from me, your host Caya.    In this tender introduction, I honour the journey of the podcast so far - from the courage and curiosity of Season 1, to the grief, loss, and deep transformation that shaped Season 2. Season 3 begins on the 1st of May with a dedication to comradeship, solidarit...

In this episode, Caya is joined by Naveena, queer storyteller, writer, and proud Tauiwi/tangata tiriti living in Aotearoa New Zealand.  Together, we explore empathy as something deeply embodied: something we feel, practise, and return to through storytelling, poetry, vulnerability, community, and connection. Naveena reflects on how books and writing have shaped her understanding of others, how sha...

In this final episode of The Hello Frequency, Season 2, I reflect on a year shaped by empathy, losses, connections, healing, and profound transformations. Recorded from an empty home at the close of 2025 on the International Human Rights Day, this episode revisits the transformative conversations that defined this season, including from grief to belonging, care, solidarity, and the politics of emp...

This week, I’m honoured to be joined by Shawn for a deeply honest, beautifully grounded conversation. We talk shared histories, being consciously tangata tiriti in Aotearoa, living with ADHD, the subtle art of creating radical empathy, and why kindness sometimes means setting firm boundaries. We hope you’ll join us, bring your own authentic take on empathy, and practise it in the realities you nav...

Empathy is often seen as simple, just putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. But in today’s world, shaped by rapid change, layered and intersectional identities and belongings, and deep-rooted inequalities, empathy has become much more nuanced and challenging. In this episode, my generous guest, Erin, and I unpack the complexities of empathy: what it truly means to care about those whose exper...

In this powerfully grounded conversation, my guest, the insightful Ngahuia, and I explore the many layers of empathy. It is guided by asking ourselves, ‘What does it mean to truly see, feel, and stand with one another?’ From first introductions and the quiet comfort of a smile, to the deeper work of kindness, humility, and connection, empathy reminds us who we are and how we relate to the world ar...

In this special episode of The Hello Frequency, I’ve gathered a collection of memorable moments from our 2024 guests: the stories, insights, and sparks of wisdom that stayed with me long after the conversations ended. These short snippets capture the pulse of the year, including moments of clarity, laughter, and genuine connection. Tune in for a reflective and uplifting listen. For me, this episod...

In this thought-provoking episode, Ee Ling  (the author of Fire Dragon Feminism; https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/fire-dragon-feminism-9781350447820/) and I deepen our critical takes on empathy. We want it to be questioned and celebrated. Together, we unpack how empathy is framed in dominant social and political discourses, asking what is truly being promoted when we talk about “being empathetic.” Is...

In this heartfelt episode of The Hello Frequency , Archita and I take a thoughtful deep dive into what it truly means to live with empathy, not only towards others, but also towards oneself. We often talk about kindness as something we give away, yet forget that genuine compassion starts from within. With this episode, we’re back in real time, sharing conversations as they unfold , honest and root...

What does empathy really mean beyond the buzzword? In this episode (recorded in May 2025), Kiran and I delve into how empathy helps us understand others’ lived experiences, nurture equity, and move past “us versus them” thinking. A reflective listen on learning, openness, and the courage to connect.  Empathy isn’t just about feeling sorry for someone. It’s about taking the time to truly understand...

🌱 In this heartfelt and thought-provoking episode (recorded in April 2025), Coral and I delve into the essence of empathy as a living, reciprocal connection, not only between people, but with all forms of life and the natural world around us. We explore what it truly means to listen deeply, to give others the space to express themselves without fear of judgement, and to honour the quiet interdepe...

In this candid conversation, recorded in April 2025, Komal, host of It’s a Nomaste From Me , and I explore the challenges of practising empathy and compassion in a world shaped by unequal systems of power and persistent injustices. At times, anger feels like the only natural response, but living in that state comes at a cost, particularly to our mental and emotional wellbeing.  Compassion ≠ taking...

In this episode (recorded in April 2025), Swakshadip and I unravel why compassion alone cannot bring systemic change and how true empathy lies in solidarity, critical reflection, and collective action. We explore what it means to step beyond comfort zones, unlearn ingrained assumptions, and actively fight for justice even when the struggle is not our own. This is empathy that transforms.  Remember...

Recorded in April 2025, this heartfelt conversation with Aatir explores the many layers of empathy, including how it shapes our work, our care for others, and even how we receive it ourselves. A health and disability sector worker, passionate human being, spiritual soul, and lover of horror films, music, and theatre, Aatir reflects on the stories and lived experiences that have shaped his relation...

Recorded in March 2025, in this conversation, my guest Sripriya, dives deep into the many dimensions of empathy, beyond the clichés of softness and sentimentality. Together, we explore how empathy is about making space not only for our own realities but also for those of others, without being consumed by negative emotions that can erode our own wellbeing.  Sripriya invites us to explore empathy as...

In this episode, Dulani and I explore how empathy begins with us: through self-reflection, understanding our own behaviours, and learning to respond with compassion rather than criticism. We talk about the importance of making an effort to see where others are coming from, even when we’re not on the same page, and how reflection, forgiveness, and discernment can transform our relationships. Togeth...

In this conversation (recorded in April 2025) , Jenny and I reflect on humility, human rights, and migration while reckoning with colonial pasts and the complexities of our present realities. We explore how race, ethnicity, gender, and dominant narratives shape experiences for people of colour, and why telling our own stories and knowing our histories matters. Together, we consider the difference...

The Hello Frequency is back :) YAY  In this episode, I return to The Hello Frequency after a much-needed pause. Following the passing of my mum in June 2025, I’ve been slowly finding my way back to the conversations I recorded earlier in the year. This season feels like a turning point. A reminder that even in the midst of grief, there is space for growth, healing, and unexpected silver linings. I...

This episode is personal and grief‑laden. If you’re managing loss, please take care. Seek the support you need in your respective locations. You are not alone.   My blog: https://queerfeministofcolour.wordpress.com/2025/06/12/to-mummy   Right now, I’m surrounded by grief and a quiet, aching tenderness. I know I need time. I need to care for myself before I can offer anything more of me to the worl...

My Dear Listeners,   As I step into the second season of The Hello Frequency , I find myself looking back with immense gratitude and a sense of quiet admiration at the journey this podcast has taken over the past year. What started as a personal exploration of empathy, across both human and non-human experiences, has evolved into a much larger, collaborative project. It has grown in ways I never e...

The Hello Frequency Podcast acknowledges the Tainui people of the Waikato region, where it was recorded. Respects to elders past, present, and emerging.  Welcome to the first episode of the second year of my podcasting journey. I’m joined by the insightful Suveen as we dive deep into the many layers of empathy : from compassion and spirituality to the ways it’s been boxed into limiting definitions...

Welcome to The Hello Frequency, My Dear Listeners. I am your host, Caya.  Post Recording Note on 28/11/2024 I am dedicating this last episode of 2024 to the Late Mr. M. H. Cegu Isadeen. To me, he was Haz'a papa. I still remember the day I met him, either in 2017 or 2018. He welcomed me with his spirituality. Everything about him was different-the rocky area he lived in, an open-air theatre or...

This is a Time for Grieving, but also a Moment to Reflect on Opportunities for Growth and Change.  In this poignant episode, Mish and I explore the intersections of grief, growth, and the opportunities that emerge from challenging times. We discuss how to be a better Treaty partner and cultivate genuine relationships rooted in an evolving understanding of mana whenua. Together, we reflect on the i...