Welcome to The Talanoa Lounge
The Lounge is Open — Why I Started This Journey
Talofa lava and welcome into the lounge,
If you’re here reading this — thank you. Truly. This space, The Talanoa Lounge, was born from the heart. It’s a space for real conversations — the kind we often push to the side, the kind our communities still struggle to have.
I’m Courts, and I’ve always known deep down that my purpose in this world would be through service — through helping, supporting, and walking alongside people. It’s been the common thread in everything I’ve done.
My journey started in customer service, then moved into telecommunications — and let me tell you, that was a challenge. But even then, it was still about serving people.
I thought I had found my forever in nursing. I loved being able to care, to connect, and to support others through their hardest moments. But then life rerouted me, and I found myself in a role that changed everything — working in suicide prevention and mental health.
And it clicked.
This is my heart work.
This is where I’ve felt the deepest sense of purpose and calling.
But even in doing this mahi, I couldn’t ignore what I kept seeing and hearing:
Our Pasifika people are still struggling in silence.
Still not reaching out.
Still carrying heavy loads in silence.
And I knew — something had to shift.
That’s why The Talanoa Lounge was created.
To start the hard conversations we don’t hear enough of.
To normalise mental health kōrero — and to strip back the stigma, the shame, the fear.
To show our people that looking after your mental health isn’t weak — it’s necessary. It’s strength.
This space isn’t about fixing anyone. It’s about holding space. For stories. For laughter. For vulnerability. For the real, raw, messy parts of being human — especially in our communities where we’ve been taught to stay silent and soldier on.
I know this platform won’t be perfect. I’m still figuring it all out (editing, tech hiccups and all 😅). But what I do know is that this space will always be real. It will always be rooted in compassion, connection, and cultural safety.
So whether you’re here to learn, to heal, to be seen — or just to feel a little less alone…
Welcome to the lounge.
With love,
Courts 🤎
If you or someone you know needs support:
AU: Lifeline 13 11 14 | 13YARN 13 92 76
NZ: 1737 – Need to talk? Free call or text 1737
