Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Tan.
Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The story goes that in an online video game lobby, after countless hours of trash talk and shooting the breeze, an idea was presented to a group of friends to start a podcast. Soon after, a vote was decided on a family-friendly name and Behind the Lavalava was born. The word “lavalava” is a Samoan term meaning clothing and a colloquial to the idiom “cut from the same cloth”. We tell stories and voice our opinions, drawing from life experiences our audience can relate to. We are your average, everyday Samoan men who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. We discuss topics and issues pertaining to a variety of Samoan people; topics ranging in relevance to people straight from the Samoan islands to those raised abroad. We also weigh in on random controversial topics from major news media. The idea is to provide a microscopic view into Samoan life and issues that aren’t talked about enough, through the scope of our unique perspectives as U.S. veterans, homegrown Pacific Islanders, as well as those with Pacific Islander heritage raised in the U.S.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest unseen obstacle is the work involved in producing quality listenable episodes. Recording, editing, and publishing is a tough task, but the promotional/marketing aspect for our podcast requires a tremendous amount of attention as well. As a father and husband that values quality time with family, finding and maintaining a balance between leading a podcast and staying involved with my family has been my biggest learning experience along the way. Collectively, I think for the rest of us, it has been a smooth experience. Sure, there are scheduling conflicts…which is expected. But I feel confident in saying that, since none of us really knew what to expect or had deep aspirations in the podcast space, it has fairly been a pleasant journey. For most of us, podcasting has become a therapeutic experience and a platform for our voices. It is our living legacy. Recently, we lost one of our cast members, Fesauai Thompson, to leukemia. I’d say that losing him has been our saddest moment so far. I believe he elevated the podcast with his invaluable insights and friendship. Fesauai was a fighter, and he didn’t want people to think otherwise. His memory will live on in the hearts of our cast members and the people who loved him.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Behind the Lavalava is a podcast channel. The current cast includes me and five others: Atimua Migi, Fatu Seanoa, Johnny Sualevai, Milford Tiafala, and Spencer Harman. I am proud of my cast members and how we get to exercise a freedom that many other countries refrain its people from observing. What sets us apart from others is the genuine, individual experiences we bring to discussions, and our podcast isn’t based on seeking clout or providing clickbait. I want to establish relationships and build a strong social support network with our audience. Because we love food, we are adding a food review feature of local restaurants in Utah to our social media platforms.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Because all our sessions are recorded remotely on zoom, it didn’t affect how we conducted our podcasting. The pandemic proved how resilient our country is despite the hardship we faced. A majority of Americans albeit the essential workers within health care, transportation, and law enforcement definitely stepped up, although strained and fatigued irregardless of the decline in manpower. The crisis provided proof that many jobs can be successfully accomplished virtually and efficiently. I learned the importance of media awareness and critical thinking during a pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://behindthelavalava.buzzsprout.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthelavalava/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/behindthelavalava/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/behindthelava2
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCio5dNRVUSLOXoT6m-pQkCQ
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/ulupopoart/
Image Credits
Behind the Lavalava Cast
