In this heartfelt episode, Brooke Conway reflects on the themes of identity and belonging as she traces her path from San Francisco to Samoa, Hawaiʻi, and Sicily. She shares how the spirit of aloha (and some incredible meals along the way) have helped her build connections and navigate healing. A chance meeting with Pono Shim became a turning point in her growth and offered her wisdom that continues to guide her through grief, motherhood, and her Social Work career. Brooke speaks to the power of values like akahai (grace) and oluolu (gentle strength), especially in moments of personal and collective challenge. This episode invites you to reflect on you own stories and to respond to the world with compassion. Mahalo for listening! Episode Highlights 00:33 Introduction to Brooke Conway 02:31 San Francisco to Samoa to Hawaii: Where might we land? 05:37 Three homes 08:26 Sicily: reconnecting with ancestral roots 13:45 Food as aloha, connection, identity 16:21 Meeting Uncle Pono Shim: right place, right time 17:54 Unlocking the healing medicine 22:43 Sitting with the aloha practice during difficult times 26:03 Leaning in to akahai (grace) during her grandmother's passing 31:15 Stories as medicine 33:26 Mental health and wellness - aiming for unity from "above the sides" 34:48 Oluolu (gentle strength) 37:39 Weaving the aloha values into Social Work 39:39 Nelson Mandela interview with Oprah: Action and Unity vs. Humility (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoRiqZHCjiE) 41:15 Nelson Mandela as centered in self, not self-centered 42:45 Watching current events with a critical eye: Is there an aloha response present? Am I seeing this situation through heavenʻs perspective? Am I seeing the world through the lens of my trauma? 46:21 Is my hana my trauma response - or is it divinely inspired? 48:26 Aloha and motherhood: kids are our greatest teachers
In this heartfelt episode, Brooke Conway reflects on the themes of identity and belonging as she traces her path from San Francisco to Samoa, Hawaiʻi, and Sicily. She shares how the spirit of aloha (and some incredible meals along the way) have helped her build connections and navigate healing. A chance meeting with Pono Shim became a turning point in her growth and offered her wisdom that continues to guide her through grief, motherhood, and her Social Work career. Brooke speaks to the power of values like akahai (grace) and oluolu (gentle strength), especially in moments of personal and collective challenge. This episode invites you to reflect on you own stories and to respond to the world with compassion. Mahalo for listening!
Episode Highlights
00:33 Introduction to Brooke Conway
02:31 San Francisco to Samoa to Hawaii: Where might we land?
05:37 Three homes
08:26 Sicily: reconnecting with ancestral roots
13:45 Food as aloha, connection, identity
16:21 Meeting Uncle Pono Shim: right place, right time
17:54 Unlocking the healing medicine
22:43 Sitting with the aloha practice during difficult times
26:03 Leaning in to akahai (grace) during her grandmother's passing
31:15 Stories as medicine
33:26 Mental health and wellness - aiming for unity from "above the sides"
34:48 Oluolu (gentle strength)
37:39 Weaving the aloha values into Social Work
39:39 Nelson Mandela interview with Oprah: Action and Unity vs. Humility
41:15 Nelson Mandela as centered in self, not self-centered
42:45 Watching current events with a critical eye: Is there an aloha response present? Am I seeing this situation through heavenʻs perspective? Am I seeing the world through the lens of my trauma?
46:21 Is my hana my trauma response - or is it divinely inspired?
48:26 Aloha and motherhood: kids are our greatest teachers