The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast
The Hello Frequency Lifestyle Podcast is a captivating exploration of human experiences through candid dialogues. I, Caya, delve into the power of empathy, inviting individuals to share their authentic stories and unravel the threads of empathy for positive transformations and healing. Please visit here to view the transcripts of my podcast episodes and to engage with me, if you wish to review or comment: https://thehellofrequencyalifestylepodcast.buzzsprout.com
The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast
When Protection Becomes Exclusion
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In this timely kōrero conversation, I sit down with counsellor, community organiser, facilitator and educator Gaayathri to reflect on empathy, solidarity and resistance in the context of the Definitions of Woman and Man Amendment Bill in Aotearoa New Zealand.
We explore why attempts to narrowly define ‘woman’ and ‘man’ are not acts of protection, but forms of exclusion that can harm intersex, trans, non-binary, gender-diverse people, and ultimately all of us. The conversation moves beyond simple opposition to ask deeper questions, such as Where does fear come from? Who benefits from confusion? How do we respond with both political clarity and relational empathy?
Gaayathri offers a powerful framing of empathy as a ‘360-degree concept’. The one that asks us to stand firmly with those harmed, while also understanding how fear and uncertainty are being used for political gain. The episode also reflects on coloniality, feminisms, safety, and the responsibility of cisgender people to show up, in the context of the current Bill being proposed, through submissions, conversations, relationships, and solidarity.
At its heart, this episode asks: Does exclusion ever make anyone safer? And if not, what kind of courage, tenderness and action do these times require from us?
Citation: Cayathri & Gaayathri. (2026). When Protection Becomes Exclusion. The Hello Frequency, A Lifestyle Podcast.
Remember, in a world where discord echoes loudly, let empathy be our pluriversal language!
Does exclusion actually make anyone safer?
In this episode of The Hello Frequency, I speak with Gaayathri about empathy, solidarity and the Definitions of Woman and Man Amendment Bill in Aotearoa.
We reflect on why narrow biological definitions of womanhood and manhood are not protective. They are colonial, exclusionary and harmful. We also talk about fear, confusion, political power, feminisms, and the responsibility of cisgender people to show up for trans, intersex, non-binary and gender-diverse communities.
Gaayathri reminds us that empathy is not passive. It asks us to see who is harmed, understand where fear is being manufactured, and take action with clarity and care.
This kōrero conversation is an invitation to submit, speak up, have the hard conversations, and pull on whatever thread of justice is closest to you. Because they are all connected!
