024. Healing Tides x SoCal PICRT: The Power of Mentorship and Collective Healing in Social Change Work

On today’s episode, I sit down with Isa Sasi of SoCal PICRT for a heartfelt conversation about healing, leadership, and what it really looks like to build community from the inside out. Together, we dig into the journey of stepping from volunteer work into paid activism, and all the growth and vulnerability that comes with finally getting to serve your people and make a living doing it.Isa shares her own full-circle story, from being a young college volunteer mentored by her executive director, to now taking space in advocacy and policy conversations that once felt intimidating. We reflect on what’s possible when someone sees your potential before you do, and how mentorship across generations both pushes and protects us. We get honest about burnout, the pressure to multitask, and how hard it is to balance caregiving at home with showing up for community.Healing, for us, isn’t the marker of fixing what’s broken. It’s the ongoing shift in how we relate, rest, and grow together. I ask Isa about those moments of interpersonal healing and the ways SoCal PICRT centers wellness, from weekly one-on-one check-ins to a brand new committee focused on self-care and collective joy. About Our Guest:The Southern California Pacific Islander Response Team (SoCal PICRT) is a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting and uplifting Pacific Islander communities across Southern California. SoCal PICRT focuses on culturally responsive outreach, health access, advocacy, and community engagement to ensure that NHPI voices are heard and needs are met. Their coalition is spread throughout Southern California covering Central Valley all the way down to San Diego. Through collaboration, education, and direct support, we strengthen community resilience and foster a space where Pacific Islander identities and experiences are celebrated.Isa Sasi is an Advocacy Coordinator with SoCal PICRT.  Resources mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Fresh Wave 5k: https://www.socalpicrt.org/events-1/fresh-wave-5k-fundraiser-1Where to find SoCal PICRT:Website: https://www.socalpicrt.org/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socalpicrt/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLL35ln1B0jjn-08D9BijlAWebsite: https://www.malayasolutions.comBook a consult for private coaching: https://tidycal.com/malayame/private-consultBook a consult for team coaching: https://tidycal.com/malayame/team-coaching-consultInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patti.malaya/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciadayleg/Newsletter : https://malaya.myflodesk.com/podcast