Mana Mind StrongHer

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, I sit down with Thelma, known professionally as MC Trey.Born in Lami, Fiji and of Samoan heritage, MC Trey is a singer, rapper, creative producer and community leader who has spent more than two decades shaping Australian hip hop, youth arts and Pacific storytelling.We talk about her early beginnings writing lyrics as a child, growing up surrounded by rap, reggae, gospel and island music, and how storytelling became the foundation of her work.MC Trey shares what creative wellbeing really looks like beyond the words, how she intentionally holds culture, care and safety in her work with young people, and why creating space for Pacific stories has always been at the core of what she does.Through her platform Tapastry, she continues to build spaces for community, creativity and connection, using music as a tool for expression, healing and impact.This conversation is about purpose, identity and the power of storytelling.

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, I sit down with Sheetal Deo lawyer, strategist and intersectional equity practitioner.Sheetal is the founder of Shakti Legal Solutions, an award-winning low-bono legal practice expanding access to legal supportand Lead Consultant at The Diversity Collective, helping organisations embed inclusive leadership in everyday practice.But this conversation goes far beyond titles.We talk about growing up with strong Indo-Fijian roots while navigating identity across cultures from Canada to Australia. Sheetal shares her journey of questioning expectations placed on women, navigating sexuality within cultural and religious contexts, and ultimately building a life that feels authentic to who she is.We also explore the deeper work behind systems, belonging and equity, and how curiosity asking why things are done the way they are has shaped both her career and purpose.Towards the end of the conversation, we touch on something deeply personal for both of us: neurodiversity. Having both been diagnosed later in life, we speak about the relief, reframing and self-understanding that can come with finally recognising how your mind works.This episode is about identity, courage, curiosity and the power of questioning the scripts we’re handed.

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, I sit down with Gloria Tabi-Binks (born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, now based in Australia) to talk about hair, identity, belonging, and what it really means to be enough.Gloria shares how wigs can become a survival tool in a society that rewards straight and sleek, and how returning to her homeland and seeing women wearing their natural hair freely became a turning point. It’s been two years since she stopped wearing wigs, and that decision became a catalyst for her work and the message behind #InspiringHairFreedom.We unpack the quiet pressures many Black women face in workplaces, why natural hair still feels rare in spaces that claim to be multicultural, and how “professional standards” can mask something deeper and more systemic. We also talk authenticity, the lessons that shaped her, how she nurtures her mana when the work feels heavy, and the message she wants women (especially Black and brown women) to hold close: you are enough.Listen in, reflect, and share this with someone who needs the reminder.Follow Mana Mind StrongHer for more stories centring identity, culture, and the strength behind becoming.

Afro-textured hair was once language, lineage and spirituality across African cultures. It carried tribe, status and story.Then colonisation shifted the standard. Glossy, straight hair became the global definition of beauty. Professional. Acceptable. Desirable.So what happens to generations of women and children growing up outside that standard?In this episode, Cynthia Simango mum, nurse and founder of Embrace for Every Curl shares her journey from Zimbabwe to America to Australia and how migration revealed a gap that was bigger than products.There were no shelves reflecting Afro textured hair.No widespread education.No cultural literacy in the chair.But the issue wasn’t just commercial. It was historical.Cynthia built Embrace for Every Curl to restore confidence, dignity and belonging not just for women but for the next generation learning to love their natural hair early.This is not just a hair conversation.It’s an identity conversation.And your curls were never the problem.

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, I sit down with Lizzie from FDWA Australia for an honest and deeply important conversation about domestic violence in our communities.Lizzie is a Fijian woman, a mum, a grandma, and a survivor of domestic violence. She shares her lived experience from over 20 years ago, a time when there was little awareness, limited support, and a strong expectation to stay silent for the sake of family, culture, and faith.We talk about how FDWA was born from a simple but powerful idea: creating a safe community space for Fijian women and families. A place where women are believed, supported, and not told to endure harm quietly.This conversation explores: • The reality of domestic violence in Fiji and the diaspora • How culture and faith can be taken out of context to excuse harm • Why silence is often mistaken for strength or respect • The importance of continuing talanoa, including within church spaces • How community-led organisations like FDWA support women through listening, safety planning, advocacy, and connection to servicesThis episode is not about blame. It’s about truth, safety, and breaking cycles that have gone unchallenged for too long.If this conversation resonates, I encourage you to learn more about and support the work of FDWA Australia and to continue these conversations in your own communities.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with Una, a woman who’s living proof that confidence is built, not gifted.We talk about what it looks like to put yourself out there before you feel ready, the mindset shift from dreaming to doing, and how business ownership will stretch you, teach you, and humble you, all at once. Una shares the behind-the-scenes reality, the lessons that only come from showing up consistently, and why resilience matters when things don’t go perfectly.This yarn is also a love letter to community. Because we have too much talent in our Pasifika circles to be moving quiet. Una’s message is simple, step out, support each other, and build louder together.

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, Tasha sits down with Western Sydney–based diversity consultant Shazya Khan to talk about identity, migration and what real inclusion should look like.They explore Shazya’s journey as a Fijian-Indian woman who migrated to Australia as a teenager, the reality of being one of the only women of colour in certain spaces, and why representation in leadership and policy still matters. The conversation also touches on migrant skills being underused, barriers women of colour face in workplaces, and what systemic change could look like in practice.This episode is for anyone navigating identity, career and belonging while trying to push for something better than “just be grateful you’re here.”

From the heart of Manila to the streets of Sydney — Brenda’s journey is one of ancestral pride, personal grief, and unwavering purpose.In this stirring episode, Brenda unpacks the legacy of colonisation in the Philippines, the quiet strength of her mother Electa, and the birth of a movement grounded in shared humanity kapwa. When her mother passed in March 2020, Brenda turned her grief into a legacy of impact, founding Women of Colour Australia a love letter to her mum, and a mission for us all.We speak about:✨ Internalised oppression and reclaiming identity✨ The beauty of accents as ancestral gifts✨ Creating safe and powerful spaces for Women of Colour✨ Building community from the ground up no playbook, just purpose✨ Her vision for WoCA: from executive leadership to systemic change“When I speak, I speak with the spirit of my ancestors. My accent is not a flaw it’s the sound of my land.”This episode is a celebration of women who take up space, build movements, and remind us that we are all connected.

In this episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, I sit down with Diane Omuoyo , a woman who truly personifies the convergence of pageantry, technology, and purpose.A celebrated Superstar of STEM and former Ms World Universal titleholder, Diane brings both elegance and intellect to her mission of driving inclusive change in tech. From advocating for accessible education to shaping ethical innovation and safer digital spaces, her story is one of vision, impact, and resilience.We dive into her professional journey across the tech sector (including her role at Splunk), her reflections on being a woman of colour in STEM, and the powerful ways she combines advocacy and innovation to uplift others.Tune in as Diane shares her insights, challenges, and hopes for the future and what advice she has for the next generation of changemakers.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts

In this raw and soul-stirring episode, writer and cultural storyteller Fale Tumanu joins us to talk about the power of speaking truth, reclaiming identity, and honouring ancestral wisdom through storytelling.Fale shares how her nana’s voice shaped her path, what it means to decolonise through words, and why silence especially around trauma no longer serves us.We talk about faith, grief, family, and the fire it takes to stand in your story even when it’s uncomfortable.This episode is a reminder that your story matters. And sometimes, the most revolutionary thing you can do is speak it.

In this powerful episode of Mana Mind StrongHer, we sit down with the women of the Pacific Women’s Collective (PWC)—Rosaline, Kesaia, Sigrid, Christine, and Alice.They share what empowerment looks like from their lens, the strength in Pacific identity, and how collective sisterhood can inspire change across generations.✨ We talk: • Cultural identity as a superpower • Starting conversations that matter • Their vision for the future of Pacific women • How PWC came together and how you can support the movement🎙️ It’s not just talk—it’s legacy in the making.

In this episode, I sit down with Wilma—co-founder of Pasifik Flava, the powerhouse food truck blending Fijian 🇫🇯 and Tongan 🇹🇴 flavours with heart, heritage, and hustle.We talk about the power of self-belief as a woman of colour, using cultural identity as strength, and the bold decision to create change from within. Wilma shares how she and her husband built a business rooted in culture and legacy—not just for today, but for the generations to come.From being the first to serve kava mocktails in Sydney to representing Pasifika excellence at major events like the Cronulla Sharks Jersey Round, this episode is a reminder that visibility matters—and that it always starts with belief in yourself.✨ “We don’t just serve food—we serve identity.”🎧 Listen now for a story full of flavour, resilience, and representation.

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Chantal a resilient single mother who fled Syria in search of safety, healing, and a future for her children. What followed was a journey marked by grit, heartbreak, and relentless determination.From navigating the challenges of resettlement in Australia, to applying for a life-changing scholarship (three times!) against a pool of over 300 women Chantal’s story is one of quiet strength and unshakable purpose. Today, she sits on boards advocating for refugee women of colour and has found her voice in parliament spaces.This conversation is about choosing hope when the odds are stacked against you and the strength it takes to build a life on your own terms.

In this episode, Annette shares her powerful story starting as a young refugee girl in Sydney wrongly placed in an ESL class due to the colour of her skin. What began as an early experience of racial bias became the foundation of her mission. Witnessing the ongoing impact of systemic inequality on Black women, Annette founded Amplify Black Women, a platform built on three pillars: mental health, financial literacy, and professional development.This conversation is raw, honest, and empowering a reminder of the power in using your voice and creating change where it’s needed most.

Mana Mind StrongHer – Unfiltered is a raw and real space for women reclaiming their stories, culture, and confidence. Hosted by Natasha Khan, this podcast features honest conversations with women of colour who are navigating healing, identity, entrepreneurship, and generational growth.From mental wellness to cultural truth-telling—this isn’t just a podcast. It’s a movement.