Finding Timor-Leste's Soul in the Sea | Dedy Kayaka

Finding Timor-Leste's Soul in the Sea | Dedy Kayaka

What if the key to protecting the ocean isn’t science alone - but connection? In this episode of 68 Cups of Blueberry Tea, I sit down with Dedy Kayaka, founder of Underwater Cinema, a grassroots movement helping Timorese people reconnect with the ocean through storytelling, education, community action and first-hand experiences beneath the surface. Growing up in the mountains of Balibo, Dedy never imagined the ocean would shape his life. Despite living in an island nation surrounded by water, he felt disconnected from it—just as many Timorese do. Everything changed the first time he looked underwater and discovered a world of colour, beauty and wonder that he never knew existed. More than a conversation about marine conservation, this is a story about identity, belonging, hope and the power of reconnecting with nature. As Dedy reflects, perhaps the ocean doesn’t just surround Timor-Leste - it connects us all.

Built in Chaos - Jean Vezina, CEO Caltech

What do you do when you arrive in a country that’s been completely rebuilt from the ground up… and nothing you need exists yet? For Jean Vezina, the answer was simple: you build it. In this episode, Jean shares his journey from arriving in Timor-Leste during a time of chaos and reconstruction, to founding Caltech Group - an organisation that grew not from a grand master plan, but from solving one problem at a time. From building roads for peacekeepers, to creating businesses simply because they didn’t exist, to turning plastic waste into desks for schools - this is a story of resilience, adaptability, and showing up when it’s hard. We dive into: * What it really means to build in uncertainty * The mindset of “fixing what’s missing” * Why sustainability only works when people, planet, and profit align * And the simple philosophy that underpins it all: just keep showing up

Sparrow Force & the Debt of Honour with Ed Willis

In this episode of 68 Cups of Blueberry Tea, Gabrielle sits down with historian Ed Willis to explore a chapter of history that remains largely overlooked - the experience of World War II in Timor-Leste. While Australian forces operated in the region, it was the Timorese people who bore the brunt of the conflict. Through his work, WWII in East Timor, Ed brings to light the stories, sacrifices, and landscapes that hold this history - many of which are still little known in Australia today. This conversation moves beyond dates and events to examine memory, responsibility, and the human cost of war. It’s a reflection on what gets remembered, what gets left behind, and why these stories still matter. If you’re interested in history, place, and the deeper connections between Australia and Timor-Leste, this is an episode worth sitting with.

Being Bolder with Birgit Hermann

What if discomfort is the point? In this episode of 68 Cups of Blueberry Tea, I sit down with Birgit Hermann - leadership coach, author, freediver, and ultramarathoner - to explore why she repeatedly places herself in environments where comfort disappears. From the Sahara desert to arctic ice to high-stakes leadership rooms. Birgit shares what endurance has taught her about clarity, courage, and staying steady under pressure. This isn’t a conversation about achievements. It’s about the psychology of choosing discomfort - what it reveals, what it costs, and how bold impact truly begins.

Jarryd Goundrey - From Infantry to Stand-Up

What does it look like to return to the same country - once as a soldier in uniform, and years later as a touring comedian with a microphone? In this episode of 68 Cups of Blueberry Tea, Gabrielle sits down with Australian stand-up comedian Jarryd Goundrey while he’s performing in Dili, Timor-Leste. But this isn’t just a chat about tour life and punchlines. Jarryd spent seven years in the Australian Army before stepping away from military life and eventually finding his way to the comedy stage. We talk about identity after service, the uncomfortable silence that can follow structure and purpose, and how humour can become both shield and spotlight. We dive into: * The shift from military discipline to the unpredictability of stand-up comedy * What really happens when a joke bombs — and how you win a room back * Mentoring new comedians and earning your place on stage * Inter-service rivalry (yes, the Navy makes an appearance) * And what it means when your work genuinely connects with someone in the audience This conversation is honest, funny, and reflective - a look at reinvention, resilience, and the courage it takes to build a second act. If you’ve ever pivoted, stumbled, or started again, this one’s for you.