Aloha
My name is Molly Noelaniokekai Mamaril, and I am the host and producer of Heartbeat Narratives, a Honolulu-based podcast that celebrates joy through the lived experiences of everyday people.
Heartbeat Narratives is grounded in the belief that every single person has a story worth sharing, and that by leading with curiosity and aloha, we can build bridges between one another. Sometimes it just starts with talking to our neighbors. Imagine if you had a meaningful conversation with one new person each day - the level of empathy we could cultivate collectively is endless.
My personal joy comes from sitting down with individuals in Hawaiʻi, and around the world on my travels, and inviting them to share about the passions, places and people that they love. From postal workers to firefighters, hula practitioners to librarians, we will hear the stories behind their journeys of joy. I aim to amplify voices that remind us of our shared humanity.
My ʻohana is from many places and I like to think of myself as a child of the of the world with responsibility to uplift the homes of my ancestors. We are from Hawaiʻi, the Philippines, Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Aotearoa, and Norway. I was born in Honolulu, moved to Minneapolis when I was three, graduated from college in the Twin Cities and moved back to Hawaiʻi in 2012. It was my hope to connect further with my Hawaiian and Filipino roots - and also escape the icy winters. Something about growing up in the heartland of the continental U.S. inspired a yearning within to connect meaningfully with the islands.
I hold a B.A. in Communication & Journalism from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and a M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Management from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I also serve as the co-host for the Above the Sides podcast which honors the legacy of Uncle Pono Shim. It is about weaving the Hawaiian values of the Aloha Spirit into our day-to-day lives so that we can tell stories that transcend the binary that divides society today.
Beyond podcasting, I’ve enjoyed serving in various roles in conservation, ʻāina-based education, public health, and community-based economic development. You can usually find me traveling to new cities, hiking or daydreaming by the ocean.
Mahalo nui loa for your openness.
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