Movement - Podcast

Learn

Disruptive Voices of the Pacific

Disruptive Voices of the Pacific is a podcast that seeks to disrupt the silence around taboo issues, especially those of abuse & porn. There is a crises in the Islands. 2 in 3 women are abused and yet Church attendance is the highest in the world. As Christians, we are called to speak and act against oppression and injustice. The church is called to be part of the solution not the problem.


This podcast will seek to hear stories from survivors and perpetrators. We will hear from those who are on the front line addressing the problems. We will hear from leaders. Get ready to be disrupted and then to disrupt.

Episodes

  • Episode 45 - Pregnant at 15, Married at 16

    25 May 2023

    Vani grew up an abusive home that then caused her to go searching. Her's is another powerful story of courage, abuse, and redemption.

  • Episode 44 - Sex, Dating & Marriage?

    11 May 2023

    I have been surveying Fijians regarding what they were taught by their parents or church about sex, dating and marriage and whether that has helped them or not. In this episode I share some of the results from this survey as well as interviewing Talei on her experience around this issue as a young women growing up in Fiji.

  • Episode 43 - Breaking Free from Porn & Shame

    9 May 2023

    For many years Libby struggled with a secret porn addiction. It wasn’t until she spoke up about her struggle that she was able to find freedom. Listen to this inspiring interview as Libby shares with so much passion how she has found freedom.

  • Episode 42 - How to Tell if Someone is being Abused?

    26 April 2023

    It’s important that we are aware of what is going on in the lives of those around us. In a nation where abuse is so prevalent, how can we tell if someone is being abused and how do we help them. Letitia will answer these questions in this episode.

  • Episode 41 - How Do I Know if I'm in an Abusive Relationship?

    26 April 2023

    Abuse is way more than a black eye or a broken arm. It comes in many different forms. Tune into this episode as Letitia talks about the different types of abuse. Could you be in an abusive relationship and not know it?

  • Episode 40 - Empowering Teen Girls

    11 April 2023

    Recently Taru & Letitia ran a day for teen girls in Suva. They chat about some of the issues facing teen girls and how this day helped to address them.

  • Episode 39 - Do Abortions Happen In Fiji?

    11 April 2023

    Even though abortion is mostly illegal in Fiji, they still happen. In this interview Letitia chats with Uni from Life Runners, a pro-life organisation in Fiji seeking to raise awareness about the value of life and also offer help to those in need.

  • Episode 38 - Infedility. One Man’s Story.

    3 April 2023

    Tom shares his painful story of his wife cheating on him. What got him through?

  • Episode 37 - Can I Divorce My Abusive Spouse?

    3 April 2023

    Take a listen on what Pastor Moses OConnor has to say on this very important issue.

  • Episode 36 - Bringing up Young Men

    29 March 2023

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews Pastor Tiko. He is not only a father to his own sons, but also to many young men in Fiji. Ps. Tiko talks about what he has learned along the journey of raising sons to be honourable men who protect their families and communities.

  • Episode 35 - How Can Churches Better Address Abuse?

    28 March 2023

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia sits down with Rev. William Powell from the Methodist Church and talks about how he addresses abuse from the pulpit and what churches need to do to help both victims and perpetrators.

  • Episode 34 - Breaking the Culture of Silence

    22 March 2023

    Recently Pastor Maca did a Ted X Talk in Nadi on Disrupting the Culture of Silence. In this podcast Letitia and Maca talk about what happens to a nation when the women are silenced, what must be done to disrupt the culture of silence and why she chooses to speak up.

  • Episode 33 - The Courage to Leave

    21 March 2023

    Etta is a singer / songwriter and a mother of 7. In this episode of Disruptive voices of the Pacific she speaks out about what life was like for her in an abusive relationship and what gave her the courage to leave.

  • Episode 32 - Powerful Song from a Survivor of Abuse

    28 February 2023

    Dee was abused as a little girl by men she “trusted.” Her childhood was stolen from her, but she has survived. Listen to this powerful episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific which includes a song Dee has written.

  • Episode 31 - Abused by Her Husband but told to Submit by her Pastors

    16 February 2023

    Memcy’s ex-husband is facing court with 8 charges of sexual assault against her, yet when she reached out to her pastors for help, they told her to go home and submit to him. This type of advise has got to stop!

  • Episode 30 - Her Husband Has Cheated on Her for 15 Years

    2 February 2023

    Our first interview of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific for 2023 is with Lola. It’s a painful story of affairs and infidelity. Unfortunately these stories are all too common. Lola speaks up to warn others of the red flags and the destruction that unfaithfulness in marriage causes. Lola has found support, help and hope.

  • Trailer

    31 January 2023

    A short trailer explaining what Disruptive Voices of the Pacific is all about.

  • Episode 29 - Should I Send My Abuser to Prison?

    16 December 2022

    God is a God of justice. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific you will hear from Peter Shultz who lives in Fiji and works in the prison system to rehabilitate sex offenders. Peter talks about the importance of seeking justice.

  • Episode 28 - It’s Time to Hear from a Perpetrator

    15 December 2022

    It’s time to hear from a former perpetrator! We have heard the stories of a number of survivors of abuse, but in Disruptive Voices of the Pacific it’s time to hear the story of a former perpetrator of abuse. Thank you Turaki for your courage to share about your past. Thank goodness there is hope in Jesus for those who repent and change their ways.

  • Episode 27 - Have you Spoken to Your Children about Porn?

    6 December 2022

    Have You Spoken to your Children about the Harms of Porn? In this episode you will hear an interview that Letitia did with Wise in 2020. At the age of 13 he was exposed to porn. No one in his life had ever warned him about porn and the damage it can do. That silence led him down a very dark path. Let’s not be silent! As adults we must educate ourselves on the harms and how to speak to the children in our life about porn. www.defendyoungminds.com is a brilliant resource to help you in this important discussion.

  • Episode 26 - Are We Listening to the Pain?

    6 December 2022

    “Are We Listening to the Pain?” Our communities are full of pain. Are we willing to listen to the pain in order for healing to come? The book of Lamentations is 5 chapters on the destruction of a city. God gives voice to the grief and suffering of a city and He calls us to do the same. This episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific is another powerful story of abuse from Amelia. Let’s hear the cry and ask God what can we do to see an end to abuse?

  • Episode 25 - How Porn is Harming Men

    6 December 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Ps. Manasa speaks passionately about the harms of porn on men and why men need to take responsibility.

  • Episode 24 - Shame Dies When Stories are Told

    5 December 2022

    Shame dies when stories are told. In Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Mele shares why, years after the event, she is telling her story of abuse.

  • Episode 23 - Why Do Women Watch Porn?

    5 December 2022

    Why Do Women Watch Porn? You are probably shocked to hear that women do watch porn. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific Letitia speaks into some of the reasons why and also plays an interview that she did via zoom with a young Fijian woman in 2021.

  • Episode 22 - Should I Date a Guy Who Watched Porn?

    24 November 2022

    Should I date a guy who watches porn? In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, author of 'He Choose Porn over Me', Melinda Tanka Reist talks about the dangers of being in a relationship with a man who watch porn.

  • Episode 21 - Abused for 10 Years by a Man in Her House

    18 November 2022

    For over 10 years Pastor Maca Tabuya endured severe abuse from a man in her home. Today she still suffers from injuries from that abuse. In Disruptive Voices of the Pacific Maca shares her story in order to challenge the church to disrupt its silence, and to create spaces where people can be healed.

  • Episode 20 - I Started Sex Work at 14

    15 November 2022

    Letitia interviews Sara, a young woman who started sex work on the streets of Suva at just 14. What led her into this industry? Everyone has a story. Hear Sara's on Disruptive Voices of the Pacific.

  • Episode 19 - Helping Needy Widows & Abandoned Teens

    15 November 2022

    Nox leads Aruka, an organisation that he started in order to help needy widows and abandoned teens. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific be inspired by what can be done by a man with a vision.

  • Episode 18 - Suicides in Fiji have Doubled

    15 November 2022

    In the past year suicides in Fiji have doubled. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia chats with Jere, the manager of Lifeline Fiji, on the vital services they offer and how the church can help create an emotionally healthy Fiji.

  • Episode 17 - How Not to Marry an Abuser

    15 November 2022

    How Not to Marry an Abuser. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Father of 4 and pastor, Moses OConner shares how he has taught his two girls how to watch guys closely before getting into a relationship. He also talks about some of the red flags to look for and then challenges guys to become men through finding godly male mentors.

  • Episode 16 - Why Do Women in the Pacific Stay Silent?

    14 November 2022

    Why do women in the Pacific stay silent? In Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Liliana discusses with Letitia the obstacles that keep women silent in Fiji, what has shaped her to speak out and why a woman’s voice is so important.

  • Episode 15 - Is it OK to be Single?

    14 November 2022

    Is it Ok to be single. In Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews her single friend Kesa on what it’s like being in your late 40’s and single.

  • Episode 14 - Adopted, Abused & Living on the Streets

    14 November 2022

    Adopted, abused and living on the streets. This describes the first 13 years of Edwina’s life. A former sex worker, she is now running a Safe House and farm to support those with no home. Tune in for another episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific.

  • Episode 13 - Why is the Unity of the Church Important?

    14 November 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia and Ben Morrison discuss the importance of church unity, fathers and reaching our communities. Ben is a local pastors with a passion for all three and doing a great job!

  • Episode 12 - Can Women Lead & Speak in the Church?

    3 November 2022

    Can women lead and speak in the church? Daniel is a local pastor in Fiji who has women preaching and leading regularly. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific we discuss his biblical basis for this, what is added to the church when women lead and how having women in leadership is an important part of seeing an end to abuse.

  • Episode 11 - I Was in an Abusive Marriage for 20 Years

    3 November 2022

    This episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific features a powerful story from mother of 9 and business woman Elisabeta on how she survived an abusive marriage and what made her finally leave.

  • Episode 10 - Help! I Need Counselling

    2 November 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, trained counsellor Koila talks about the importance of getting counselling after abuse. In a nation where there is still a lot of stigma around getting help, Koila talks about the damaging effects on our lives if we don’t get help.

  • Episode 9 - Kingdom Culture vs. Fijian Culture

    1 November 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific Letitia & Master Mika discuss Kingdom Culture verses Fijian Culture.

  • Episode 8 - What Type of Leaders are Required to End Abuse?

    28 October 2022

    What type of leadership is required to end abuse? This episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific is an interview with local Fijian Pastor Stuart Yagomate. He talks about what he is doing in his church to create equality, to train young men and what it means to be a pastor.

  • Episode 7 - From Sex Work to Safe House

    24 October 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews Sesenieli, a former sex worker who now runs a safe house for sex workers in Fiji. Sesenieli shares her story of growing up, how she entered the sex trade and what it’s like being a sex worker on the streets of Fiji.

  • Episode 6 - A Story of Abuse

    20 October 2022

    At the age of 3 Wakanesi was abused by an older man in her village. In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Wakanesi talks to Letitia about how that impacted her as a girl, how she has found healing and how she now encourages the women of Fiji to break the silence.

  • Episode 5 - When Your Husband Leaves you for Another Woman

    18 October 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews Mere who suddenly faced the devastation of her husband leaving her for another women. Mere talks openly of how she has made it through one of the toughest times of her life. (Mere's voice has been disguised to preserve anonymity)

  • Episode 4 - Does Sex Trafficking Exist in Fiji?

    17 October 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews former police officer Linieta Navonu. She served in the police for for 35 years and 20 of those years were in the child abuse and sexual assault services. Linieta shares heartbreaking stories, we discuss sex trafficking in Fiji and also Breaking the Silence.

  • Episode 3 - Affairs & Porn in the Methodist Church

    17 October 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia interviews Rev. Wilfred Regu from the Methodist Church. Last week it was reported that Pastors in the church are watching porn & having affairs. Tune in as the Reverend speaks into these issues and more.

  • Episode 2 - Fiji Free from Porn

    14 October 2022

    In this episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, Letitia chats with Iliesa Fonolahi from Free Fiji from Porn. They discuss the terrible harm that porn does to individuals and communities. Iliesa also shares his personal story of being affected by porn and why he now speaks against it.

  • Episode 1 - What is this podcast all about?

    11 October 2022

    In this introductory episode of Disruptive Voices of the Pacific, our host, Letitia Shelton, outlines why she's doing this podcast.