Self-care is something we hear about often, but how often do we actually stop and think about what it means for us?
This question inspired Sista’s Mind & Bodi Tok Podcast, a five-episode series exploring self-care, mental health and wellbeing through honest and relatable conversations. The series was created to encourage more open conversations about wellbeing and to challenge the idea that self-care is something we can only think about when we are already exhausted.
Sista developed and produced the Mind & Bodi Tok Podcast, with Communications and Advocacy Coordinator Elsie and Creative & Technical Support Officer Umi taking on the roles of co-hosts.
MBT Podcast Hosts, Elsie Molou and Umi Nompavos
The two women’s shared experiences helped create a conversational and relatable space where they could explore their own understanding of self-care while inviting audiences to reflect on their own wellbeing.
Across the five episodes, the hosts explored topics including:
- Understanding what self-care really means
- Recognising burnout and when our bodies tell us to stop
- Stress and its impact on our physical and mental wellbeing
- Sleep, movement and caring for our bodies
- The difference between healthy self-care and coping mechanisms
- Reflecting on small changes that can support long-term wellbeing
The series also included local wellbeing practitioner spotlights, helping connect the conversations with services and support available in Vanuatu.
One of the most important parts of developing the podcast was recognising that self-care is not something many people regularly talk about or practise.
The original idea was to ask people in the community what self-care meant to them and what they did to look after themselves. However, conversations with other people working in the NGO space, friends, and family highlighted that many people were not familiar with the practice of regularly prioritising their own wellbeing.
Rather than presenting self-care as something expensive, complicated or unattainable, the series explored the small things people can do in everyday life. Like, getting enough sleep, taking a walk, spending time with loved ones, drinking water, exercising, taking a break, talking to someone they trust or simply giving themselves permission to rest.
The podcast also explored the realities of stress and burnout, particularly for people working in NGO, advocacy and social justice spaces where there can be pressure to keep going and continue supporting others.
Another key theme was self-care versus coping. The hosts discussed how people may turn to habits such as overworking, excessive screen time, withdrawing from others or other forms of temporary escape when they are stressed. Rather than judging these behaviours, the conversation encouraged listeners to ask whether their coping strategies are actually helping them in the long term.
The series also challenged the perception that self-care is a Western world practice. By grounding the conversations in the experiences of Ni-Vanuatu women and everyday life in Vanuatu, Sista aimed to make discussions about wellbeing feel more familiar, relevant and accessible.
For Sista, Mind & Bodi Tok Podcast was more than a communications product. It provided an opportunity to use storytelling and media to open up conversations around mental health and wellbeing.
The series also highlighted the importance of connecting audiences with local wellbeing practitioners and services. Practitioners such as Sue Harris of Yumi Heal Therapy and Bianca Weller of Relax Massage and Spa shared their knowledge and introduced different ways people can support their wellbeing.
Ultimately, the series reinforced a simple message: self-care is not about perfection. It is about recognising what we need and making small, intentional choices to support our wellbeing. And importantly, self-care is for everyone.
Sista would like to thank everyone who took the time to watch, listen, comment, share and join the conversations throughout the series.
And a special shout out to the wellbeing practitioners who shared their time, knowledge and services with our audiences and helped make these conversations possible.
Haven’t seen the episodes yet? We got you! Click on the links below to watch them:
