Listen Now

If you’re tuning in to this particular episode, It's likely because sometime since Friday, September 4, 2020  you saw a headline and/or read an article, post, or tweet that said something along the lines of “Pacific nation of Palau invites US to build a military base to counter China.” This is the episode about that letter.  [Note: This episode contains some strong language and mentions about sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.]

Yes, it’s more than half-way through the year and yes 2020 has been utter rubbish— so clearly, there are A LOT of things to discuss. This is a checking-in trailer to let you know about some of the upcoming topics currently in production: Anti-Blackness and colorism in the Palauan community  Sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and intimate partner abuse  My experiences with religion in the Palauan community  MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-IN: Coping with toxic family and friends So be sure to subscribe via any of the usual podcast platforms, YouTube, or keep an eye out at merirei.com for forthcoming hot takes and unpopular opinions from yours truly! And as always: Please don’t drink and drive, don’t drink and dial, don’t drink and text, don’t drink and tweet... Don’t drink and doing anything that you may regret come morning because come morning, you will regret it!

Back in 2016, I was fortunate enough to have a chat with then-presidential candidate Surangel Whipps Jr in Portland, Oregon about his run. Fast forward to 2020... Surangel Whipps Jr hasn't issued an official declaration, but he is running, and he did make time for a sit-down sesh to answer some crowdsourced questions before his meeting with the Palauan community on Oahu for this first Sha Nanigans podcast of the year. 

Just recently, Senator Uduch Sengebau Senior of the 10th Olbiil er a Kelulau passed through Honolulu on her way back to Palau and she made time on a Saturday morning to give us an update on where she’d been and discuss some pretty difficult issues that we’re both very passionate about— from the importance of voting and electing women into political positions to domestic violence and sexual abuse in Palau. 

As images of kūpuna being arrested for protecting Mauna Kea have been displayed all over the world, I’ve watched how those images have affected people differently and spent a good bit of time reflecting. I wanted to share some of my own thoughts and feelings because what I saw and how I feel about the Protectors of Mauna Kea are very much shaped by the history of the greater Micronesian region (particularly Palau) and how it played a major role in my formative years. That same history has impacted my work as an adult and connects #BeingMicronesian with Indigenous struggles going on throughout the world today.

This year has been a wild ride and we’re only a little more than halfway through it, but I finally podcasted!  Tune in as I cover a fairly wide range, not necessarily in-depth, because I just haven’t been on top of my podcasting game this year. Updates on #BeingMicronesian, touching on #ProtectMaunaKea, discussing some social media things, and (of course) mental health things.  CONTENT WARNING: Graphic violence, sexual harassment, and an attempted sexual assault (11:00-31:55)

I sat down outside a coffee shop in Honolulu on March 23, 2019 for a casual conversation with Senators Uduch Senior and Rukebai Inabo. We discussed the work they’re doing inside and outside OEK, the rights and resources available for abuse and assault victims in Palau, the housing market, and got updates on their airport lawsuit.

  I had an entirely different episode to publish as my introductory 2019 episode. Really, I did. But every time I think I’m done recording, I open the Facebook app and there’s a whole new instance of Blechidelry™ that completely throws me… So consider this a mini episode because I’m literally just addressing yoga. Well yoga and the collective Blechidelry™ that’s become ever-so-pervasive in Palauan society.  [Disclaimer: For years, plenty of you have pointed out that I am a veritable "Ngalek er a Ngebard," that ak "meses chemadech," or that I'm not a "real Palauan." That said, you can't be mad at me for speaking up, because I don't count. Right?]

In getting so much positive feedback about the issues I’ve been discussing this year, I need to give credit where it’s due: to my Papa. This bonus mini episode was inspired by the “For the Qultures” podcast episode on toxic relationships and is based on advice from my Papa about healthy relationships versus unhealthy relationships.

In a long-overdue (and unscripted) episode, I talk frankly about #BeingMicronesian, how it came about and what it’s become. I also talk about how it’s affected me in the Mental Health Check-In. You even get a bonus bit about my Palauan-American upbringing and how things from my SmolSha days shaped my perspective and activism today.

The Special Weekend News Overview is an attempt to separate the news section from the rest of the podcast, per listener feedback, because the hearing the news is a whole standalone traumatic experience on it’s own. This episode is a recap of Wyndham Palau, Senate President Hokkons Baules and House Speaker Sabino Anastacio's letter to Minister Faustina Rehuher-Marugg, and the Palau China Resort that's being planned in Elechui. I also discuss a recent Marianas' Variety article titled "Human Traffickers Get a Slap on the Wrist in Palau" and provide audio from a human trafficking sting operation that intended to send women to Palau from the Philippines AND I brought back audio from the infamous 2014 House JGA oversight hearing where House Speaker Anastacio and Delegate Isechal went off on then-Attorney General Victoria Roe.

Discussing OUKERDEU Dr. Patrick Tellei's brilliant Palauan mic drop moment; following up on our Legislative Leadership and their never-ending jaw-dropping moves; learning about the "Palau China Resort" that's being planned in Elechui; introduction to the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and the amazing Crisis Text Line!

This special episode features OUKERDEU Dr. Patrick Tellei's Speech at the 7th Opening Session of the 10th OEK from July 10, 2018.

Special bonus episode follows up on the Palau Wyndham development project and sends Sha on quite the investigative mission!

Join me as I try to reconcile statements from the Senate President and House Speaker about the Wyndham Palau resort that's to be built in Aimeliik with statements made by Palau's Ambassador to Taiwan. I then provide what is possibly the world's fastest lesson on WWII and the United Nations. I'll close out the episode with more facts and figures about domestic abuse and sexual violence in the Republic of Palau and another reminder about the importance of direct action and holding the leadership accountable!

News update about Palau Pacific Airways, an overview of the South Seas Mandate and what it did to Micronesia after WWI but before WWII, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's study about childhood trauma modifying DNA.

Episode 11 kicks off by discussing leadership and accountability. Feature segment "Gloves TF Off" addresses predatory behavior in the Palauan community. Mental Health Check-In looks at victim-blaming and how to talk to sexual assault survivors.

After a long sabbatical, Sha Merirei is back to podcasting! This episode she briefly touches on the suspension of the MAVNI program, tells a story about an ax-wielding lunatic, and talks about mental health and self-care.

Bringing back this episode, originally recorded for “Islanesian Experience” about the term API and how I’m salty AF about being an Asian afterthought.

Clip from my last podcast episode addressing revenge porn. Summary: If you are party to revenge porn, you are trash. That is all.