Behind the Lavalava is a podcast about being Samoan. The title references the rectangular cloth that Americans may call a sarong. The principal host of the show is Johnny Sualevai. Occasional cohosts include Michael Tan, Milford Tiafala, and Spencer Harman. All of them are members of the Pacific Islander Veteran Roundtable. The cohosts are old friends. They all served in the Marines, and now they game online together. They are all husbands and fathers, and some are part of the Samoan diaspora. As they played, the conversation often turned to what it's like to be Samoan. They decided to create a podcast to share their insights with the rest of the world.

Being Samoan American can be complex. On one side, there's the culture of origin. All cultures are a combination of beliefs, morals, and traditions. Samoa is no exception. But Samoa is an American Territory, so there is an inevitable pull toward other ways of life. As a result, many Samoans' identity is an inextricable mixture of both Samoan and American ways. As discussed in the podcast, the two don't always coexist well.

In Behind the Lavalava, the cohosts give listeners the Samoan perspective on everyday matters. They consider the role of guns in school shootings. They list Samoan stereotypes. They talk about why there are so many Pacific Islanders in the military. They deplore the role of social media in changing Samoan culture. They revisit the story of Manti Te'o and wonder if Samoans in the US are more vulnerable to scams.

Johnny and his friends also like to talk to prominent Samoans. They invite Jesse Sapolu to talk about his days in the NFL. THT Cyrus shares his music and his hopes for a better world with the cohosts. Martial artist Ray Sefo's faith keeps him grounded and driven.

Behind the Lavalava is a show that increases Samoan visibility in American culture. The cohosts aren't afraid to have difficult conversations. As a result, the program has many insights about what it means to be Samoan. New episodes come out on a periodic basis.