Talofa lava and welcome to PEP Talk, the podcast brought to you by Pacific Enterprise People. I'm your host, Marie Young.

PEP Talk brings you alongside some of the Pacific Enterprising Pioneers of contemporary culture and commerce in the 21st century. Some names you would have heard of, and some names you need to hear of. This podcast is about elevating, celebrating and sharing our authentic narratives through the treasures we reap from life's challenges. I'm really excited that you're listening today. It's an honour.

My special guest today hails from the villages of Pu'apu'a in Savai'i, and Lufilufi and Fasito'outa in Upolu, Samoa. He was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He is Pesetā Fa'amatuainu To'oto'olea'ava Lama Tone, founder of New Pacific Architecture. Born in New Zealand, but moving to Samoa in his late teens, Lama had a lifelong love of sport that began with basketball. His natural height caught the attention of a scout for the local rugby team, and before long, Lama was a professional rugby player for Samoa's national rugby team, Manu Samoa. Starting in 1996. Lama travelled the world with his teammates, in the process being inspired by the work of great architects. In 2001, something happened that would alter Lama's course, permanently. Find out what happened in this candid interview.

Talofa lava and welcome to PEP Talk, the podcast brought to you by Pacific Enterprise People. I'm your host, Marie Young. PEP Talk brings you alongside some of the Pacific Enterprising Pioneers of contemporary culture and commerce in the 21st century. Some names you would have heard of, and some names you need to hear of. This podcast is about elevating, celebrating and sharing our authentic narratives through the treasures we reap from life's challenges. I'm really excited that you're listening today. It's an honour.

My special guest today hails from the village of Nayavuira in Ra, Fiji, and Sydney Australia, where he is the first Pacific professor ever at the University of Sydney.

His name is Professor Jioji Ravulo, and we are excited to have him on the show today.

Professor Jioji is the Professor and Chair of Social Work and Policy Studies in the Sydney School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney. His research and areas of interest include mental health and well-being, alcohol and other drugs, youth development, marginality and decoloniality.

He is passionate about creating and implementing social work educational and research approaches that are engaging and engaged.

Nuanced with a genuine commitment to the dynamic inclusion of cultural diversity and its differences, Professor Jioji is super keen to create collaborative spaces for students, community groups and industry partners. He is involved in various community-based research and co-design initiatives, including projects that support health literacies across equity groups, enhancing service delivery models for young people and their families, promoting the inclusion of diversity in educational settings and supporting the meaningful inclusion of indigenous perspectives and practices.