Zoë Eisenberg — Photo credit: Geoff Souder

UPDATE: In the intervening years since this interview came out, my old podcast, Aravinda Show, has been retired. To listen to this classic episode, see the episode list over at the podcast page →

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the wonderfully creative producer and author Zoë Eisenberg.

Zoë had been in the back of my mind to interview for months, ever since I discovered the documentary that she helped bring to life, Aloha from Lavaland. I recall seeing it first on Kickstarter over a year ago, and the film quickly became one of my all time favorite documentaries. (I show it to whoever will share an hour of their time, and still haven’t gotten tired of it.)

What is quite ironic is that we recorded this interview, and talked all about the lava flow of 2014, just a few days before a brand new lava flow began in Puna in early May. This new flow feels more aggressive and has already claimed over 30 homes. And, as I mentioned in the previous episode, has forced thousands of people to evacuate the Puna district. The flow has continued to spread since then. We still don’t see an end in sight, so this discussion of the lava is quite timely. (Thankfully I’m moving to an area unaffected by the flow.)

We also discuss her reasons for being vegan, and her excellent vegan cook book she co-wrote with celebrity chef Ayinde Howell. And, in a surprising turn, we wrap right back around to one of the stories shared in the very first episode of Season 2, of the day when Sean and Ashley made their first vegan ice cream. It’s safe to say there are some good surprises in this episode.

Once again, as you listen to this interview, I ask that you please send love/light, prayers, or whatever kind of positivity that resonates with you to the thousands of residents displaced on Hawaii Island, as well as the many who have decided to stay and are being exposed to sulfur dioxide gas being released by the new volcanic vents.

The silver lining I see in all this is that events like these bring the community together like nothing else, and we learn more about that in this interview.

In closing, it has been an honor to interview these seven remarkable people. Season 2 was just wonderful, and I hope to do a third season later this year, but, as I mention at the end of this episode, that’s up to you. If I see enough iTunes reviews and impact, then I will take that as a sign to continue. Until then, I want to extend my deepest thanks to all of my guests. I’ve learned so much and have been so inspired by each of you, and I radiate the deepest gratitude for that. Mahalo nui loa!

Enjoy, and be sure to SUBSCRIBE.

— Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono —

Show Notes

1. Aloha from Lavaland — the incredible documentary about the 2014 lava flow on Hawaii: AlohaFromLavaland.com
2. Zoë & Phillips’ Film Company: LarkinPictures.com
3. Watch their film “Throuple” on Amazon Prime (which is also set on Hawaii; it’s an unforgettable fictional story and so unique)
4. Passionate example from Town Hall meeting about why they didn’t try to divert the lava on YouTube
5. Pele, the mythical creator of the Hawaiian Islands
6. The Lusty Vegan: A Cookbook & Relationship Manifesto for Vegans and Those Who Love Them
7. Hear the whole story about the 1st time Sean & Ashley made vegan gelato in episode 0201 of the Aravinda Show
8. Info on my upcoming book that we mention: “Ten Thousand Hours in Paradise”
9. IMDb page for Zoë & Phillips’ upcoming movie “Stoke”
10. Video of “Aloha from Lavaland” on a Hawaiian Airlines flight
11. Help me make more of this podcast by supporting my work on Patreon
12. Follow Zoë’s beautiful photos and acrobatic videos on Instagram: Instagram.com/Zoeisenberg/
13. Find info on all of Zoë’s films and publications on her website: ZoeEisenberg.com

Harry Uhane Jim – Lomilomi Giver, Healer, Author

UPDATE: In the intervening years since this interview came out, my old podcast, Aravinda Show, has been retired. To listen to this classic episode, see the episode list over at the podcast page →

Two weeks ago today, I had the honor of interviewing renowned Lomilomi giver, healer, teacher, and author Harry Uhane Jim.

It was an interview that I’d been looking forward to for a long time. Last week, I edited it, equalized the audio, recorded the intro, made the show notes, and did all of the other steps that result in an episode that is up to the level of quality you’ve come to expect from me.

Since then, the Puna District on the southeastern edge of Hawaii Island, near where Harry used to live, has experienced unprecedented volcanic eruptions right in the middle of residential areas, plus hundreds of small (and one very large) earthquake. As of this publication, thousands are under mandatory evacuation notice, and the future is still uncertain. No one knows when these eruptions will end or when the new volcanic vents will stop oozing deadly fumes.

So as you listen to this interview, please send love/light, prayers, or whatever kind of positivity that resonates with you to the thousands of residents displaced on Hawaii Island. And if you happen to be on Hawaii as you listen to this episode, I hope that Harry’s words in this interview provide some comfort in these trying times. Harry’s healing energy is perfect for a time like now.

I was first exposed to Harry’s work through his book Wise Secrets of Aloha, where he shares some secrets of the oral tradition of Hawaiian healing.

In short, Harry is a remarkable storyteller and healer, and if you are at all interested in the Hawaiian Islands, you will be fascinated by what he has to say in this interview, from the secrets of the ancient walls of Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau (the ruins of which are now preserved as a national park), to the immediacy of the potent healing practice of Ho’oponopono.

By the end of the interview, we even learn a Hawaiian Chant! There’s a lot packed into these 59 minutes, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

Talking to Harry was an honor, and it was easily one of the most enjoyable and profound interviews I’ve ever conducted. I want to extend a huge MAHALO NUI once again to Harry for sharing some of his morning with us! I can’t wait to see you again, my friend.

Enjoy, and be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss any of the rare interviews I have coming up.

Mahalo nui loa!

Show Notes

1. Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Park website
2. Hurricane Iselle (Tropical cyclone that we mention, strongest to make landfall on the Big Island of Hawaii in recorded history.)
3. Harry’s Book: “Wise Secrets of Aloha”
4. Read more about ‘ōhi‘a lehua wood being used for the railroads in this official report from 1911: Report of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry of the Territory of Hawaii
5. Learn more about Harry at his website: HarryJimLomilomi.com