We have a chat with Neomai Kami & Tango about a video that circulated on social media recently. In this video, a child was 'rag-dolled' off a McDonald's counter by a man who was not his caregiver. Strong opinions were expressed in support of what this man did. However, not everyone agrees.

Neo and Tango express their views on the video and share their experiences with loved ones who are Autistic. We get a glimpse into their world and leave with a little more understanding. 

@_tango97_ (Instagram)
Tango Maile is a talented young Tongan woman that was born in the Northern Beaches and is currently living in Inner West Sydney. She is a Hospitality Team Leader and her goals are to open a restaurant/café one day and travel the world.

@lolelani85 (Instagram)
Neomai Kami is a beautiful Tongan mother of 4, living in Western Sydney. She is an Executive Assistant to Heads of School, and her goal is to use make a difference in the world by using her God given talents and abilities.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Fourth Night at the Brown Table

We have a chat with Sefa & Jess from the cast of The Amazing Race Australia 2021. We talk about what was going through their minds before/during/after the show, fav challenges and the elephant in the room - will they or won't they?

Jess - @jess_ioane (instagram)

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Fifth Night at the Brown Table

We have a chat with Brendon Tapua'i and Sanie Fa'atoatoa, two Pasifika actors who star in "Parramatta", a new series from Pelesasa Pics. We talk about chasing dreams, their journey to being on camera and a rap battle of the hashtags - "Justice4Nio" v "FreeMay"

Brendon - @brenkelenke
Sanie - @saniefaatoatoa

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Sixth Night at the Brown Table

We chat about the use of the N-Word by Pacific Islanders - do we get an exception to use it? During our conversation, we consider; the history of the word, the upbringing of Pacific Islanders in the US and the influence of music/movies on how this word is perceived.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Seventh Night at the Brown Table

We talk about recent events with the Royal Family - Meghan + Harry interview and the death of Prince Philip. We talk about questions asked within our community about the appearance of mixed-race children, the implications of that on the child and the sensitivity surrounding the subject of death.

And as usual, we have another victim lined up for Karaoke Call Up. If you want to be next, drop your number in our DMs.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Nights at the Brown Table

Twenty Eighth Night at the Brown Table

A short message to say THANK YOU for your support. We are shocked people other than our family listen, let alone people still listening a year later!

Another falls victim during a karaoke call up, turned battle, turned social catch up, turned Daddy dedication. 

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Ninth Night at the Brown Table

We have a chat with our fav Lauaki Masima about the election that is currently taking place in Samoa. 

How do we view election processes in the Pacific Islands? As diasporic Pasifika communities, do we view certain matters with a western lense and assume we know better? We focus on what role the diaspora can or should play and unpack the reasons behind the views we hold

Follow us on Instagram: @nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirtieth Night at the Brown Table

Laurel Hubbard has been selected to represent New Zealand in the next Olympics. This will make Laurel the first trans woman to compete as a woman.

We have a chat about 2 articles that were written about the news - Is this a fair decision? What is the underlying issue with Laurel's admission? How do we view trans people in our own lives?

Happy to be joined by our correspondent Lauaki Masima.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty First Night at the Brown Table

We catch up over the phone to talk about what we've been doing since lockdown started. We laugh and joke, but we are aware that there are many who are struggling during this time. Please reach out to loved ones and to us for support. Sila shares a great resource that is available for those who need financial support while in lockdown.

Be safe and take care!
From Sefa, Sila and Lamah.

Thirty Second Night at the Brown Table

Aaaaaaand... WE'RE BACK!

We chat about some podcasts that have caused controversy recently. We talk about their 'hot takes' on homosexuality, masculinity, and healthy relationships.

@nightsatthebrowntable_

browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty Third Night at the Brown Table

DOUBLE EPISODE BABY! It's your lucky day.

We chat about a recent statement that was made on another podcast demeaning people from a specific demographic in South Auckland, specifically young Pasefika girls from a certain high school.

We question the need to make such statements, the effect it has on the target audience, and what we can do to combat the effects it can have on our rising generation.

@nightsatthebrowntable_

browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty Fourth Night at the Brown Table

The Voice Australia announced their winner for 2022.

We chat about the controversy surrounding the announcement, our favourite contestants in singing competitions over the years and the music scene in Australia.

Check out the performances on YouTube, and/or follow these guys on IG:
 
@faithsosene
@jordantavitaofficial
@celestial.utai
@thndo.music
@lachiegillmusic

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty Fifth Night at the Brown Table

We have a guest on - Mataio!

We have a chat about his experience growing up a queer LDS member, and the effect that had on his formative years. He shares his coming out story and the struggle young teens go through during that time in their lives.

Remember, there's someone out there who thinks it's better to end their life than to be who they are. Be kind ya'll. Happy Pride!

P.S. There's a special lil' nugget at the end for ya. Ya'll welcome!

@mataiomusic
@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty Sixth Night at the Brown Table

We chat about Pasefika seasonal workers in Australia, the senate hearing, shortcomings of the Pacific-Australia Labour Mobility scheme (PALM) and how Pacific workers are being abused. We discuss Blackbirding of Pasefika people and how these programs, in some way, are a continuation of that awful practice. 

As always, we want ways to help.

1. Read up on some articles and watch/listen to the senate hearing. You can find that here: 
https://parlview.aph.gov.au/mediaPlayer.php?videoID=567875&operation_mode=parlview#/1

2. If you know people who are part of the labour scheme - reach out and make sure they have everything they need, particularly during these Winter months.

3. If you don't personally know anyone you can help, join a local effort in collecting things to send to regional areas.

4. Pressure your local MPs - squeak up!

Here are a few articles:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-11/pacific-island-scheme-wages-deducted-high-rent-inverell/12336278

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/apr/02/pacific-workers-not-backpackers-should-do-australias-regional-work-world-bank

https://theconversation.com/australia-needs-better-conditions-not-shaming-for-pacific-farm-workers-171404

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-17/blackbirding-australias-history-of-kidnapping-pacific-islanders/8860754

Thirty Seventh Night at the Brown Table

We chat about the policy of a nightclub in Brisbane that refused Moale James entry due to her Papuan reva reva facial markings. Moale James is a proud Papua New Guinean-Australian woman, who has documented her reva reva journey. You can find more detail about her story on her website (https://www.moalejames.com).

We talk about the fairness of the policy, whether the entry refusal was due to racial discrimination, stereotypes associated with tattoos or culutral markings and why Aussies call slippers/jandals/flip flops thongs.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirty Eighth Night at the Brown Table

In July 2022, there was a video circulating of an altercation between two groups of young men in Brisbane. During the confrontation, a young man was stabbed and sadly passed soon after. We express condolences to his family and loved ones.

We chat about the various responses to the video, the morality of sharing trauma porn videos depicting violence/death online and further digress into conversations about our own funeral plans.

browntableproductions@gmail.com
@nightsatthebrowntable_

Thirty Ninth Night at the Brown Table

Manti Te'o was a rising college football star that seemed like he had it all, including girlfriend Lennay Kekua. The only catch was - they never met in person and Lennay Kekua wasn't "real"

We chat about the netfix documentary "Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn't Exist"

Directed by Tony Vainuku and Ryan Duffy, we follow the story of Manti Te'o and how he was catfished by Naya Tuiasosopo (known as Ronaiah at the time)

We discuss whether Naya was remorseful, was Manti a victim or a participating member in the hoax and theorise on the identity of Chris. 

P.s
Please forgive Sila and her laughing - she is yet to go through sensitivity training.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

2022

Fortieth Night at the Brown Table

Apologies for the delay we recorded this ep a few months ago.

The NRL celebrate Women in League by wearing an alternate version of their team jersey for one round of the competition. This year Manly Sea Eagles included Pride colours as part of their design to showcase inclusivity. 

Seven players opted not to play that round because they felt the Pride Flag representation clashed with their 'cultural and religious beliefs'. 

We discuss this decision of the players, as majority of them were Pasefika

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Forty First Night at the Brown Table

In March 2023 OneFour released a video recording of their backstage confrontation with police before the walkout of Paulo Aokuso. 

They were stopped by police for 'not cooperating' when told they could not perform, their song was also not permitted to be played during the event. OneFour has been banned from performing in NSW their home state since they debuted onto the music scene. 

We chat about the validity of the ban, the right way to do a poo, the film Everything Everywhere All At Once and go on so many tangents your head might spin.

Listen to OneFour on your chosen music streaming platform, including their latest single COMMA'S.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Forty Second Night at the Brown Table

"Red, White and Brass" (directed by Damon Fepulea'i) is a feel-good comedy that follows the antics of Maka (played by John-Paul Foliaki) as he attempts to secure tickets to the big rugby match - France v Tonga - not just for himself, but his entire church congregation.

We chat about our favourite scenes, characters and the difference it makes when our stories are told by our people. 

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Forty Third Night at the Brown Table

Lisa is navigating her way through the tumultuous terrain of high school when she finds herself at the center of a love-web at school. While trying to maintain a relationship with her very conservative Tongan mum - chaos ensues.

We chat about our thoughts on the film Inky Pinky Ponky starring Amanaki Prescott-Faletau, directed by Damon Fepulea’i & Ramon Te Wake. 

Check it out via the link - https://youtu.be/7pLjWgiFGTc

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Forty Fourth Night at the Brown Table

2023 was busy, but we wanted to make sure we popped in to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year before it was all over.

We chat about our 2023 year in review, what we did for Christmas and a tip on how one might cope with the lonely nights.

Stay safe out there - no glove, no love!

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Forty Fifth Night at the Brown Table

We are back for 2024! We discuss what Spencer Leniu called Ezra Mam during the first round of the NRL. We chat about the incident and why we think it is/isn't racist. 

We also discuss OneFour rapper YP's return to church and how church members can be cringe with people we consider as celebrities

Forty Sixth Night at the Brown Table

A new article has since been released from the perspective of one of the boys that were shipwrecked on 'Ata -  

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/may/13/the-real-lord-of-the-flies-mano-totau-survivor-story-shipwreck-tonga-boys-ata-island-peter-warner

Recorded: 13/05/2020
browntableproductions@gmail.com

First Night at the Brown Table

"And I must say tonight that a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it America has failed to hear?" - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Third Night at the Brown Table

We talk about the Candace Owen response video, protests in Australia and why Sila has a nasty mind.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Fourth Night at the Brown Table

We talk about the tragic death of Solomone Taufeulungaki, the influence of Drill Rap on Pasifika teens, and ways that youth can express themselves without resorting to violence and crime.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Sixth Night at the Brown Table

We talk about mental health, toxic masculinity, and some coping mechanisms. The experiences shared in this podcast belong to the speaker. 

Seek the help of a professional, because we aren't.

Thanks to Dali and Mone for joining us this week.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Eighth Night at the Brown Table

We talk about childhood memories, travel and why we started the podcast

@nightsatthebrowntable
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Thirteenth Night At The Brown Table

We talk about a problematic reaction to the testimony of Ahad Nabi, the nuance of Pacific humour and our passion for Passions.

@nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Seventeenth Night at the Brown Table

We chat about the expression 'Culture Vulture', who we think the expression applies to and surprise one lucky person with a phone a call they never asked for...but were blessed to receive #When

If you would like us to serenade you at a random time, slid into our DM's with your details (we will be verifying phone numbers submitted to ensure it belongs to you) and hopefully you'll get a surprise call too!

IG: @nightsatthebrowntable_
browntableproductions@gmail.com

Twenty Third Night at the Brown Table

Three Pacific Islanders having a laugh, sharing our views and the lens through which we see the world.

NightsAtTheBrownTable_

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks