Between Two Beers Podcast

Steve, Seamus and Di sat down with two former Between Two Beers guests - Geoff Ross and Grant Baker, the founders behind 42 Below, Moa, Trilogy and Ecoya - and asked them one question: what would you do with the audience we have?

This episode is the debrief. The three of them unpack what came out of that room: why "trap money" killed a deal they were considering, why two people who've built a drinks brand said don't launch one, the difference between having a business and having a practice, and the shift from "what's next?" to just 10x-ing the thing that already works.

Plus: the value of doing the deep work when everyone else is letting AI write the shell, why the best takeaway wasn't the advice at all - and an Odoo listener question from Mary in Invercargill on how to build a business that runs without you.

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The silent epidemic harming Kiwi kids - and the survivor determined to end it.

For the first sixteen years of her life, Gloria Masters endured abuse most New Zealanders would refuse to believe happens here. She survived - and went on to become a teacher, a child psychotherapist and a communications trainer, dedicating her life to breaking the silence around child sexual abuse and giving parents the tools to protect their kids.

In one of the most confronting and important conversations we've had on the show, Gloria shares how she found hope in the darkest place imaginable, why she chose to hand the shame back to where it belongs, and the practical signs every adult should learn to notice.

⚠️ This episode contains discussion of child sexual abuse and suicide. Please take care listening.

If anything in this episode raises something for you:

If you want to get in touch with Gloria and her Charity for support here: https://www.gloriamasters.com/

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys are back behind the scenes of Between Two Beers. This week a golf simulator lands in the office, the Kane Williamson live podcast at Made, a debrief on meeting Grant Baker and Jeff Ross, Father's Day as a new dad, and Between Two Bets.

Plus Mark Law returns three weeks on from his episode - the book selling out through five reprints, where things sit with the fine, the Givealittle campaign for his new emergency-response inventions, and a few stories about strangers picking the wrong guy that didn't make the original cut.

Mark's Givealittle page is funding two emergency-response innovations he's developing - a firefighting tank for Black Hawk helicopters and a rapidly deployable bridge for disaster zones. To support that work: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/mark-law-and-his-kahu-nz-company-supported-by

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Louis Davis is the biggest content creator in New Zealand - 3.8 million followers, 3.5 billion views in a year, and TikTok Creator of the Year. But the numbers are, in his words, background noise.

In this episode he takes us back to where it started: a kid from Te Tai Tokerau whose mother told him at five that his words would change the world, a father who showed him what it means to love your family, and the teachers who saw something in him when his school reports said otherwise.

He talks about building a career no one gave him permission to have, why he moved home to raise his kids on his whenua, what he wants the world to understand about Māori fathers, and the philosophy behind being "delusionally aspirational" for as long as you can.

His new book, The Modern Dad, is out now.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every founder hits the point where the business stops being something they do and becomes who they are. Marcus Logan - "Marketing Marcus" - built his agency from a one-man band to a team of ten, and in this one-on-one with business coach Di Foster he gets honest about what that actually costs.

No boys in the studio this time - just Marcus and Di comparing notes on the things founders don't say out loud: why you don't need to pick one industry to have a niche, why "balance" is the wrong thing to chase, the rebrand from Via Digital to Sapiens, when to move people from contractors to employees, and how to grow hard in the season you're in without pretending it's sustainable forever.

An honest, practical conversation for anyone building something and figuring it out as they go.

Learn more about Marcus and Sapiens by visiting: https://www.sapiens.nz/

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Gemma McCaw has played over 250 times for New Zealand and been to three Olympic Games - but this conversation is about who she is when the hockey stops.

In a rare long-form sit-down, Gemma opens up on the reality behind high-performance sport, the grind and the near-misses, and what it took to be okay with herself beyond the medals.

She talks honestly about motherhood and the invisible load mothers carry, building an identity of her own, and the wellbeing philosophy she now lives and teaches. And yes - she tells the story of how she left Richie McCaw on seen, and what happened next.

Warm, funny and refreshingly open. This is Gemma, in her own words.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the scenes on a big week: Steve's son takes the stage at Clarence St Theatre in Hamilton, sharing the bill with some of New Zealand's best-known musicians - a proud-dad night to remember. Plus a Thunder Donk session that shaped a Monday, and a Saturday-morning football stand-off over throw-ins.

Then a proper catch-up with Nate Alley, ten weeks on from his episode. He figured a handful of people might hear it - instead 500+ messages landed from around the world, and blokes who'd never said a word started reaching out. Nate on burnout, divorce, the silence in the trade, and what happens after you finally say the hard stuff out loud.

Plus reflections on the Mark Law episode, and a look ahead to Gemma McCaw - out next!

Hambassadors is proudly sponsored by Stark Property.

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Mark Law passed New Zealand SAS selection at 18 - the youngest ever to do it - and his life since has read like fiction.

In this episode we trace the whole arc: a rugged Whangamōmona childhood, the New Zealand and British SAS, private security work in war-torn Angola, and a string of near-death experiences that would have ended most lives - a parachute that opened at 60 metres, an ambush he barely escaped, and a flesh-eating disease that nearly cost him his leg.

Then there's Whakaari. When White Island erupted in December 2019, Mark flew his helicopter to the island and helped carry survivors to safety - an act later recognised with the New Zealand Bravery Star, even as his company faced a WorkSafe prosecution over matters predating the eruption. It's a remarkable, at times harrowing conversation about risk, resilience, family, and what it takes to move toward danger when everyone else moves away.

Mark's book, Lucky, You're Tough, is out now.

This episode contains descriptions of the Whakaari/White Island tragedy and other themes that may distress some listeners.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first-ever guest steps into the Accidental Business Owners studio - and it's the man who markets our show, and who’s content you see on our social media channels.

Marcus Logan (aka "Marketing Marcus") runs Sapiens, the agency behind Between Two Beers and a stable of NZ's biggest podcasts. In 2026 so far, his team has driven 75 million views for Between Two Beers across social media and YouTube. This episode pulls back the curtain on how it's actually done.

Marcus gets into what he calls "platform-driven content" - making content for how each platform is actually watched, not just reposting your podcast everywhere - and why YouTube has become the number one podcast platform on the planet.

Plus, the leap from audio-first to video-first, the counterintuitive marketing truths most business owners get wrong: why a post with 80 of the right views can beat one with a million, and his business' rebrand from Via Digital to Sapiens.

Learn more about Marcus and Sapiens by visiting: https://www.sapiens.nz/

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Sean Fitzpatrick is one of the most decorated All Blacks of all time. A World Cup winner, one of the game's great captains, and the man who led the last New Zealand side to tour South Africa and win a series there.

With the All Blacks back in South Africa for the first full tour in 30 years, there's no better time to hear it from the man who did it.

We sat down with Fitzy for a wide-ranging yarn: the Sacred Heart teacher who gave him three messages he still lives by, the lineout throw he trained nine months to fix, the captaincy he never wanted - and the advice that made him a leader, "be comfortable in your own skin." Plus Jonah Lomu the shy giant, the 1996 series win in South Africa, and 20 years living in London.

Then he opens up on the part of his life most New Zealanders have never seen: chairing the Laureus Sport for Good academy, and travelling the world watching sport pull kids out of impossible situations - from India to Sierra Leone to a midnight basketball court in London. A different side of one of our most familiar sporting figures.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weeks ago, Israel Dagg sat down for what's become one of the biggest episodes we've ever released, and it turned his fortnight upside down.

So we brought him back to find out what all of that has actually been like: the messages from players he hadn't heard from in years, the days he had to switch his phone off, and why he'd still tell anyone in a dark place the same thing.

This is the first of something new - we're reconnecting with past guests a few weeks on, and we want your questions. Keep an eye on our socials for who's next and send them through.

Plus: The Foursquare conference saga that nearly took us both out, and the moment Steve had to physically hook Sir John Key off stage in front of 350 people. We recap Grant Baker's massive episode on why New Zealand needs a better attitude.

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Grant Baker started with nothing - biking to sales meetings and hiding the bike around the corner so clients wouldn't know he couldn't afford a car.

He'd go on to build and sell some of New Zealand's best-known companies: 42 Below vodka (sold to Bacardi for $138M), skincare giant Trilogy, and the automotive empire now known as Turners.

In this episode he tells the full story of going all in - selling everything he owned to bet on one company, the years of "drinking from a fire hose," the midnight deals that nearly sent him broke, and facing a cancer diagnosis at the height of it all.

He reflects on his mentor Eric Watson, his partnership with Geoff Ross building 42 Below, why he believes the real key to success is how much pain you can endure, and how he came to back Kiwi driver Liam Lawson's rise to Formula One.

Now a Ferrari collector - 50 and counting - Grant shares hard-won lessons on ambition, resilience, giving back, and why you should never die wondering.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

or the first time in seven years, we got the whole team in one room and did something uncomfortable: we audited our own podcast.

Eight people, one question on the table - if we rebuilt this from scratch, what would it actually be? What came out of it changed how we think about nearly everything we make.

We sit down with Di Foster to work through what's changing and why: why "platform-driven content" is reshaping how they approach every show; treating YouTube as a shop window and audio as a routine, and what that means for the work; the football-team analogy for figuring out who plays which role as the team grows; managing contractors and when to bring them in-house; refining five company values down to three; and why the smartest growth move right now is consolidation - slowing down to speed up, no shiny new things.

An honest look at what it takes to keep building a podcast business well past the garage-and-a-microphone stage.

Thank you to Odoo for supporting Accidental Business Owners.

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Becki Ross was given two to three years to live. Diagnosed at 42 with stage four, incurable bowel cancer, she's a mum of two teenagers, a teacher, and one of those rare people who lights up a room the second she walks in.

When we recorded this, Becki had just been told her treatment options had run out - that the cancer was, in her words, "declaring itself," and that her time is now very short.

In one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had, Becki talks about planning her own funeral - the plywood coffin, the celebrant, the plan to climb in herself just to make everyone laugh - and about the parts that aren't funny at all: the fear, the reality of leaving her kids behind, and the perspective that's come with facing it head-on.

It's a conversation full of light and shade. We talk about the Cancer Crushers, the village of friends carrying Becki and her kids, the health system she's had to fight through, her daughter Maddie's unforgettable words, and the humour that's got her through all of it.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steven and Seamus go behind the scenes of the Izzy Dagg episode that's gone massive - the research calls, why Izzy almost didn't tell his story, and the reaction that's followed since.

Plus: the new dream guest list - who's next after Graham Norton - a big week for the team, emceeing the Master Builders House of the Year awards, and commentating Auckland FC v Tottenham.

A very special episode drops next Sunday too, and it’s very different to anything we’ve done before. Full tease in the episode!

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Israel Dagg had everything he'd ever chased - a Rugby World Cup, a young family, the life a kid from a Hawke's Bay state house could only dream of. Then he retired, and the question underneath it all hit at once: “if I'm not an All Black, who am I?”

In one of the most open conversations we've had on the show, Israel comes clean on the five years that followed - the addiction, the depression, and the spiral he kept hidden while the world saw a highlight reel.

After his mum passed away he hit rock bottom: he left his family, moved to Auckland, and spent a Father's Day alone in an apartment wondering how it got so bad. He's honest about what it cost the people who loved him, and clear that no one could have pulled him out but himself.

This is the story of how he did it - how ownership became the first step back, why nearly three years sober is the best decision he's ever made, and how he came to see that the happiness he'd been chasing had been in front of him the whole time.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are back from the World Cup with a case of post-event blues and a bigger question: we built our dream - but, is it still the dream?

In this consolidation episode, we share our lists about what we want the next two and a half years to look like - and discover how closely aligned we’ve become. Di digs into what "important" means now that the podcast is commercially sound, why neither of us is a natural galvaniser, and what it takes to bring the wider product team into the vision.

Along the way: the "multiplier" that makes a business partnership work, why your best hire is the one that clears your own roadblock, dream guests (the Obama-tier bar), Steve's hips, and a time-audit report card that doesn't quite go to plan.

A useful listen for anyone building something and trying to work out when to stop chasing and start consolidating.

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Justine Smith has been a fixture of New Zealand comedy for more than 30 years - a Seven Days regular and one of the few women who lasted in a room that pushed most others out.

She opens up on the comedy environment younger women were up against, the treatment she swallowed to keep going, and how she turned that guilt into becoming the person the next generation of female comics now comes to. She's also very funny about the rest of it - falling into comedy almost by accident, the terror of her first gig, and three decades of standing in front of a crowd talking about herself for a living.

And she tells the remarkable story of her own beginning: adopted as a baby, and reunited with her sister through a single phone call that almost didn't happen.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We debrief on Seamus' dream guest, Graham Norton - with Sammy and Char on the mics to break down how it went, and how dusty Steve was at the 5.30am start.

Then the boys dig into whether there's anything to the Argentina World Cup conspiracy doing the rounds, before Steve gets Che’s take on surviving the school holidays and the "spare part" phase of early parenting (plus the questions kids fire at you when you least expect it - did you know Baby Shark has 17 billion views?).

There's also a quieter moment as Seamus opens up about presiding over a close friend's dad's funeral, and what a room full of people saying goodbye teaches you about what actually matters. Plus the week's TAB bet and Che’s TVNZ punditry debut, Dr Evil jumper and all.

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He's spent nearly 30 years getting the world's biggest stars to open up - but Graham Norton rarely sits on the other side of the mic.

The most famous chat show host on the planet pulls back the curtain on his craft: the psychology of who sits where on that famous sofa, why the guests always outrank him, and the research ritual that's funnier than the show itself.

He also goes somewhere he almost never does - the San Francisco hippie commune that set him on his path, nearly dying in his twenties, becoming a debut novelist at 52, and how a chance love of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc became millions of bottles with his name on it.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can pour everything into the biggest thing you'll ever build - and still find the part you remember has nothing to do with the work.

Fresh off three weeks at the FIFA World Cup in North America, Steven and Seamus sit down with their business coach Di Foster for a proper mid-year debrief: the enormity of what they pulled off (19 daily shows, four partners, a whole TV operation), the studio they spent tens of thousands building and then didn't need, and the honest look at what they'd do differently.

Along the way: how you actually measure whether a big bet worked, the hire that changed everything, and the case for building rest into growth instead of chasing momentum forever.

Plus a listener question - how do you keep the core things humming while you're on the road? - brought to you by Odoo. Try Odoo free, no credit card required: http://odoo.com

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He's got a championship ring his own kids have never seen - it lives in a closet.

Scott Goldman is a high-performance psychologist who's spent 30 years inside some of the biggest teams in world sport, including the Golden State Warriors, and works across five professional franchises at once.

His whole philosophy flips how you think about success: you're not your talent, you're your talent times your environment. Get the environment wrong and the most gifted person in the room fails.

Recorded in a hotel room at the Football World Cup - this is Between Two Beers' first-ever episode made overseas - Steve and Seamus go deep with Scott on what actually separates the best teams from the rest, the science of intelligence in sport, why he keeps his trophies hidden, the luxury of choosing your own hardship, and how he stays a present dad while doing "cool shit with cool people" on the other side of the world.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys are back on home soil to unpack the most chaotic three weeks of the show's life.

They relive the Radio & Podcast Awards and unpack the World Cup experience: 19 daily shows in a row for Between Two Goals, the flying Kiwis march to the Egypt game, Finn Surman's header, and 45 minutes of the best football either of them has ever watched - before the Belgium reality check.

Along the way: a 6am video call with bucket-list guest Graham Norton (glass of wine and all), Steven Adams bounding up the stairs to find them at the Belgium game, Eli Just rounding out the tournament as the breakout star, a $666 game of credit card roulette, and one very hard-won premium economy upgrade.

Plus a look ahead to Monday's Between Two Beers with Golden State Warriors performance psychologist Dr Scott Goldman - recorded in San Diego.

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Jason Gunn is one of New Zealand's most beloved entertainers - but behind the energy, the warmth, and the laugh, is a man who has faced some of life's hardest moments.

In this episode, Jase opens up about suffering a heart attack at 47, and the moment lying in a hospital bed when his life's priorities became crystal clear. He talks about his son Louis - then a teenager - ripping up his radio contract and telling him "that's not what success looks like, Dad." And he shares the story of losing his mum Janice, the world's greatest storyteller, and what it means to carry someone with you after they're gone.

We also get into the rise of the Son of a Gunn show, the magic behind Jason and Thingy, hosting Dancing with the Stars, and why the most confident man in any room still gets incredibly nervous.

One of our favourite episodes we've ever done, recorded in 2024 and re-released this week for all our new listeners.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seamus arrives feeling it: New baby at home. A World Cup project about to go live. A calendar that was built before either of those things was certain, now collapsing on top of each other.

He's saying yes to everything - commentary gigs, MC slots, the lot. And somewhere underneath all of it, he's saying no to the people who matter most without realising that's what he's doing.

This one covers the procrastination spiral that kicks in when everything feels urgent and equally important, why knowing the problem isn't enough to change the behaviour, and the question every business owner eventually lands on - what is this thing actually a vehicle for?

Turns out the answer sometimes involves goats. Thanks Di!

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Rob Cope has spoken to over 40,000 New Zealand parents about the dangers hiding in their children's online world.

In this episode, he delivers the talk every parent needs to hear - and pulls no punches doing it.

They cover the reality of what kids are accessing online, why good kids in good homes aren't protected, the neuroscience of screen addiction, what the government is getting wrong, practical tools to keep your kids safe, and Rob's Wild Dad movement getting fathers off their phones and back into their kids' lives.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Zealand drew 2-2 with Iran in one of the great All Whites performances - scoring twice, leading twice, and finishing top of Group G on goal difference. Eli Just became the first All White to score twice at a World Cup.

Steve and Seamus were inside SoFi Stadium in LA when it happened. This episode, recorded the morning after, is their unfiltered reaction from the ground - what the game felt like in the stadium, what Eli Just's night means for NZ football, and what the rest of the tournament looks like from the top of the group.

Watch Between Two Goals, streaming on TVNZ+ daily throughout the All Whites' World Cup campaign. Thank you to Ford for supporting Between Two Goals, and to Stark for supporting Hambassadors!

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Steve Braunias sat through every day of the Polkinghorne trial - the society murder that gripped New Zealand - and wrote the bestselling book on it. He liked the accused. He chatted with him every morning. And he more than entertains the possibility that Phil Polkinghorne is an innocent man.

In this episode, Steve takes us inside the eight weeks that felt like "a carnival": the forensic evidence that won and lost the case, the missing star witness Madison Ashton, the moment the prosecution's case fell apart, and why the national feeling that "he got away with it" collides with everything the facts say.

But this is also the story of one of New Zealand's greatest living writers. The Motley Crüe interview that ended with him thrown against a wall. The letter that got him sacked from the Sunday magazine. Failing out of journalism school, learning to type by copying out Sylvia Plath, and 46 years of skewering phonies and squares - plus the surprisingly tender stuff: his late brother Mark, his daughter Minka, and why his dream is to one day stop writing altogether.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Di Foster arrived ready to coach. Then she realised the smartest coaching move was to stop coaching.

In this episode she explains why: Between Two Beers is in ‘execution season’, and what sport understands about seasons and rhythms is something most businesses never name.

We get into why Steve and Seamus are slightly misaligned on what they really want, the delegation trap of "it takes 2 minutes to do but 15 minutes to explain," how to hand things over without interrupting the week, why the team can't keep running through the founders, and the one job Di's given the boys before the World Cup: be present, have fun, and produce a bloody good product.

Thanks to our partner Odoo - the all-in-one business management software that keeps you from drowning in admin. Everything you need on one platform, for one subscription. Start your free 15-day trial at http://odoo.com

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Futurist Frances Valintine (founder of Academy X and Tech Futures Lab) joins the show to map what New Zealand actually looks like in twenty years, and it's a sobering picture.

We're one of the fastest-changing populations on earth: ageing fast, with a birth rate well below replacement and a workforce shrinking from four people per retiree toward just two. Her warning is that we're already late to plan for it.

From there the conversation turns to AI and the future of work, where Frances is blunt - every job ahead will have an AI component, and the longer you wait to understand it, the harder it gets.

She unpacks how the technology is already changing the way we search, shop and make decisions, why New Zealand's greatest advantage in a chaotic world is trust, and how a small country might carve out a future by being the "slow but really good" partner the rest of the world relies on.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The boys are back behind the scenes, and the World Cup is almost here.

Seamus and Steve break down the wild Tim Payne phenomenon - how an All Whites right-back with 4,000 followers became bigger than the All Blacks in 48 hours after an Argentinian content creator made him the face of the tournament.

Seamus has known Tim since he was 16, and with Between Two Goals heading into the exact camp that's now the most talked-about in world football, the dream scenario of exclusive access starts to take shape.

Then it's all systems go for the trip: the daily Between Two Goals TV show following the All Whites across America and Canada, the mobile studio, walk-and-talk intros, and the small matter of Steve not knowing which city he's flying to.

Plus reflections on two cracking recent episodes - former All Blacks manager Darren Shand on 20 years inside the machine, and futurist Frances Valentine - and a well-earned shout-out to the newly honoured Dame Susan Hassall.

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Matthew Ridge is one of New Zealand's most recognisable sporting figures - All Blacks captain, NRL star, television personality. But behind the swagger and the highlights reel is a story most people have never heard.

Originally released in 2024 and one of our most popular episodes, we're bringing this one back because it deserves to be heard again.

Ridgey sits down with Steve and Seamus to tell it all. At 16, he was wrongfully convicted of aggravated robbery - three High Court trials, a 14-year sentence hanging over his head, and a sports career that nearly never happened.

He talks about growing up without his father, finding mental toughness through tennis, and the moment he got a voicemail from Graham Lowe asking if he wanted to play rugby league for Manly.

He opens up about the NRL years, the TV relationship with Marc Ellis - and he talks honestly about his meth use, functioning as an addict while the cameras rolled, and the moment he looked at a photo of himself and saw no light in his eyes.

This is Matthew Ridge like you've never heard him before.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been our biggest six months ever - landing on TVNZ+, heading to the World Cup, and sitting down with Steven Adams.

Steve and Seamus sit down with business and mindset coach Di Foster to pull back the curtain on how it all actually came together, the chaos behind the scenes, and what it really takes to turn a podcast into a mainstream media brand.

They break down the TVNZ deal, how they landed four World Cup sponsors at 100% conversion rate (and why that's actually a red flag), and the Steven Adams episode that had Seamus too nervous to speak for the first five minutes.

Plus - the mindset that keeps it all in check. Because the most dangerous thing you can do when things are going this well is start believing your own BS.

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For 20 years, Darren Shand was the most powerful person in All Blacks rugby that nobody knew about.

As Team Manager across four Rugby World Cups - including the back-to-back title wins of 2011 and 2015 - Shand sat above the coaches, managed the operation, and helped build the cultural architecture of the most successful international rugby team in history.

He worked alongside Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen, Sir Wayne Smith, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and some of the greatest players to ever pull on the black jersey.

He talks about the 2004 wake-up call that forced the entire culture to change. The private battles with depression. The end of his marriage. The moment a former Crusaders teammate came to his house to tell him he was fired.

He shares stories that have never been made public - including a stunning incident before the 2015 Rugby World Cup final that nearly ended his campaign entirely. And he gives his most honest assessment yet of what happened to the All Blacks after he left - and why Ian Foster never really had a chance.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

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This week on Hambassadors, Steve and Seamus reveal their biggest project yet: a dedicated All Whites fan show heading to Vancouver for the FIFA World Cup.

They're going in camp with the team, bringing the families, and building something that hasn't been done before in New Zealand sports media.

Also this week: a behind-the-scenes look at the Joseph Parker x Barkers event (with some Chatham House rules intel that stays in the room), gut health is officially on the agenda, and the guys reflect on the overwhelming response to the Nate Alley episode.

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Stacey Morrison has been a fixture of New Zealand television and radio for thirty years - but this is the story behind the story.

In this episode she opens up about growing up embarrassed by her Māori identity, a gruelling fifteen year journey to te reo fluency, the heartbreaking loss of her mum Sue, and finding the love she never thought she'd have with Scotty Morrison.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve sits down with our business and mindset coach Di Foster for a candid 1:1 coaching session.

They get into what it really means to be a 'good bugger' in business, whether values alone are enough to build something lasting, and the identity shift that happens when your business starts moving faster than you expected.

They also tackle the team question - why having the right people around you isn't just a nice to have, and what it actually takes to stop being the bottleneck in your own business.

Plus Di and Steve dig into the difference between identity and habits - and why getting clear on who you are might matter more than any morning routine.

This episode is proudly supported by Odoo, the all-in-one business management platform. Thanks to Odoo for supporting the show.

Got a listener question? DM us on social media and it could be answered on the next episode.

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Nate Alley grew up in Tokoroa without a father, got kicked out of school at 16, and spent the better part of a decade angry, lost, and making decisions he's not proud of.

Today he runs his own Sentinel Homes franchise in the Waikato, with nearly 200 million dollars in construction work completed over the last decade.

In this episode Nate speaks publicly for the first time about his upbringing, a failed first business, burnout, and divorce - and the moment holding his newborn daughter that forced him to confront who he was really becoming.

Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Steven Adams episode has gone global. NBA Twitter picked it up, US news sites started writing stories, and the clip of Steven's journaling practice has racked up millions of views. Steve and Che take you behind the scenes of watching it snowball in real time, from the 3am Instagram collab to waking up to floods of comments and mentions.

Plus, we make it official: Between Two Beers is going to the FIFA Football World Cup. Flights are being booked, the gear is coming, and it's happening in six weeks.

And before all of that, Seamus had the biggest case of head loss in his 43 years, his wedding ring went missing, sexy cameraman Sam got dragged into it, and somehow the storage cupboard is to blame.

Also on this week's show: a preview of our next Lowkey Legend episode with Nate Alley, the Reflections business turns one, a Joseph Parker x Barkers live event, and the TAB pays out $500 to five lucky listeners.

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In the most personal interview of his career, New Zealand's most beloved NBA export Steven Adams sits down with Between Two Beers exclusively to tell his full story.

From growing up the youngest of 14 in Rotorua, losing his father at 13, and never dreaming of the NBA - to rookie years alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden at the Oklahoma City Thunder, the infamous Draymond Green kicks in the 2016 Golden State Warriors playoffs, and signing a new Houston Rockets contract at 32 after a serious PCL injury, this is the complete Steven Adams story.

Steven opens up about going viral for sleeping on an air mattress despite earning millions, training with Dame Valerie Adams, speaking at MIT's Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, owning a regenerative dairy farm near Pukahina, investing in Auckland FC, and a six-year journalling practice that got him through his darkest moments.

Plus - 24 free basketball camps across New Zealand for 10,000 kids, and why giving back is the only thing that truly matters to him.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

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Steve cold emailed Jason Paris, the CEO of One New Zealand. He replied in three minutes. In this episode, Seamus and Steve sit down with business coach Di Foster to unpack what landing the biggest naming rights deal in Between Two Beers history actually means for the business, and what it exposes about everything they still haven't figured out.

Di doesn't let the celebration last long. With a One NZ contract signed, she turns the lens on the stuff both of them have been avoiding: Steve's got no emergency fund, no real Plan B, and a YOLO attitude to financial planning that works fine until it doesn't.

Seamus' catastrophising about $200 oil and backyard bunkers while quietly knowing the business needs reserves. And Di, despite decades of business experience, admits she's never actually felt financially secure either.

Thanks to our friends at Odoo for supporting the show!

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Stacey Jones has given 27 years to the Warriors - from foundation player to the coaching staff helping build the next generation.

In this episode, he opens up on the try that still haunts him from the 2002 NRL grand final, what it meant to be a household name in New Zealand before social media existed, and why he's never left the Wahs.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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We landed him. Steven Adams, New Zealand's most beloved basketball export and our number one dream guest for years, is coming to Between Two Beers.

In this episode of Hambassadors, Seamus and Steve take you behind the scenes of the biggest week in the podcast’s history. Four recordings in six days, a surprise Easter weekend email that changed everything, eight steaks on order, and two and a half hours with a seven-foot legend who had a flight to Houston that night.

Plus, a live appearance on TVNZ Breakfast, the Stacey Jones recording, a World Cup update, love languages, and a new full-time hire joining the team.

Hambassadors is proudly brought to you by Stark Property.--

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She ran the Bulldogs, steered Australia Rugby through one of their biggest controversies, and led NZ sport through its toughest years.

So why don't more people know the real Raelene Castle?

In this episode we sit down with one of the most significant sports executives the southern hemisphere has ever produced - and discover that the woman behind the headlines is nothing like the one in them.

We cover the six phone calls she made in four hours that launched her career in sport, what was really happening behind the scenes during the Israel Folau saga, her relationship with Des Hasler, living publicly with alopecia, and why the moment a rugby league legend walked across a sideline just to introduce himself told her everything she needed to know about the game she'd just entered.

Raelene Castle is generous, funny, tough as nails, and completely open in this conversation - it’s so good, we need to re-share it with all our new listeners!

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing.

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Steve and Seamus sit down with coach Di Foster for their unofficial Q1 review - and it's a big one. New naming sponsor (they can't tell you who yet), a TV deal in the works, and their first ever full-time hire. On paper, the best quarter Between Two Beers has ever had.

But Di isn't letting them off that easy.

In this episode: why securing long-term partnerships changes everything, the embarrassing process breakdown that quietly cost them sales, what it actually means to understand your own value, and why getting what you want is just the beginning.

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In April 2020, during lockdown, Dai Henwood received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He kept it hidden. He kept doing stand-up. He kept doing interviews. He kept being Dai Henwood, while privately getting to grips with something nobody in his family had ever faced before.

Four and a half years after his first appearance on the show, he sits back down with Steve and Seamus.

Dai walks us through 52 rounds of chemo, 8 surgeries, a death ceremony in Japan, a three-part documentary, a book, and the moment he stopped acting like himself and started actually being himself.

But this isn't a cancer story. It's a story about what happens when the fear of death is gone, and nothing remains but the joy of living.

They talk about what a successful week actually looks like now. Why men need to hug each other more. The hardest thing he's ever done that isn't chemo. Why happiness is a calm emotion and most of us have never actually felt it.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers.

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Behind the scenes of Between Two Beers this week, Steve and Seamus break down the Kieran Read shirt scandal that has gripped our viewers, reflect on driving the former All Blacks captain to his parents' place, and tease what might be their most powerful episode yet.

Dai Henwood returns to the show - 52 rounds of chemo, eight surgeries, and a conversation about life, death, and what actually matters.

Plus: Steve's soul-searching session with Carl Sheridan, Seamus MCs the All Whites legends dinner before their 4-1 win over Chile, Easter chaos with four kids, and Bowie's Easter Bunny conspiracy letter.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers, and massive shout out to the legends at Stark for supporting this show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran Read is one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. Two-time World Cup winner, Crusaders legend, and the man who replaced Richie McCaw as captain with 800 tests of combined experience suddenly out the door.

But four years on from his first appearance on Between Two Beers, the most interesting chapter of Kieran's story is only just beginning.

In this episode we get into the leadership journey from the very start - Rosehill College, the PE teacher who changed everything, displacing Reuben Thorne at the Crusaders, calling the Teabag lineout in the 2011 World Cup final, the Argentina moment where the coaches walked out, what Steve Hansen told him that stung, and why going to Japan felt like dropping 100 kilograms.

Plus his $300K lads fund, a whiskey barrel in Reefton, and the Kieran Reed Human Endeavour leadership course.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers!

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Steve and Seamus sit down with their business coach Di for their first session of 2026 - and they're not holding back.

On the table: a plan to 5x revenue in three years, double their audience in twelve months, and finally build the team around them that the business actually needs.

They get into why growing your audience doesn't pay off in the same year, why neither of them are natural team builders, and why after six years of running on instinct, the numbers are starting to matter.

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Ruben Miller spent 22 years as a forensic scientist in New Zealand, working on more than 160 homicide investigations. This is the story of what it cost him.

In this episode we talk about what it actually feels like to walk into a homicide scene, the forensic principle that guides every investigation, the case that still hasn't left him, and what two decades of witnessing violence quietly does to a person.

We also get into PTSD, therapy, what resilience actually means versus what we tell ourselves it means, and how Ruben found compassion for people most of us would write off entirely.

Ruben's book The Blood Says Otherwise is out now at all good bookstores and online.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by our friends at Barkers Clothing.

⚠️ This episode contains discussion of homicide, child death, trauma, and PTSD. Please take care.

If anything in this episode brings something up for you:

Mental health — Need to talk? Free call or text 1737, any time.

Depression & anxiety — Lifeline: 0800 543 354

Domestic violence — Are You OK: 0800 456 789

In a crisis right now — call 111

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Have you made the switch from ChatGPT to Claude yet?

Steve and Che did - and they're not going back.

In this week's Hambassadors they break down why they ditched ChatGPT, what Claude is actually doing for their business, and why one of them still can't bring himself to fully commit.

Plus: the truth about what happens in the studio before guests arrive, Che’s horror dentist bill, going solo at Homegrown, and why putting IKEA furniture together is a life lesson.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing!

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Melie Kerr joins us fresh off being named White Ferns captain across all formats and scoring a T20 century on captaincy debut - the first woman ever to do so.

But this episode goes well beyond cricket.

Growing up in one of New Zealand's most celebrated cricket families, Melie was the kid who made her dad commentate 7am net sessions as if she was playing in a World Cup final. She went on to become the youngest ever White Fern, break records, and win that World Cup. From the outside, she had everything - her dream job and an amazing family. But behind it, she was fighting something nobody could see.

Melie opens up about the panic attacks, the sleepless nights, the thoughts that scared her, and the moment she realised she needed help. She talks about the family intervention that changed everything, how Maddie Green became her lifeline, and what it felt like to sit in a hospital room reading from her journal while everyone in the room cried.

She also talks about turning that pain into purpose - creating Treading Water, her video series built on the belief that one story might save one life.

This is one of the most honest, important conversations we've had in six years.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing!

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available.

In New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counsellor. If you are in immediate danger, please call 111.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Che and Di sit down for a one-on-one to go through the 2026 goals - but this is the episode they couldn't record until now.

A new baby. A house. A marriage. The past few months have changed everything for Che, and in this episode he and Di work through what that actually means for his personal and professional life heading into the year ahead.

They cover the weight goal (and the moment Che realised Doc had been quietly protecting his diet during pregnancy), why Di wants him to cross "investment property" off his goals list and replace it with something else entirely, how routine works both for and against you, and the one question that closes the episode out: are you proud of where you are?

An honest, and genuinely funny conversation. This is ABO at its best.

Topics covered:

👕 Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing.

0:00 — Intro & what this episode covers

0:45 — Che's new baby - how it's actually going

5:57 — Di's take: stepping up to the plate

14:30 — The weight goal: 130kg → 120kg and why

15:33 — Doc was quietly protecting his diet during pregnancy

27:06 — What Che actually wants

30:19 — What the past few months have really meant

31:27 — Wrapping up

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Liam Messam is one of the most beloved figures in New Zealand rugby. Two-time Super Rugby champion, All Black, World Cup winner, and a 20-year servant of the Chiefs. But behind the jersey is a story most people have never heard.

Adopted at six weeks old into a Rotorua family that went on to foster close to a thousand children, Liam opens up about identity, belonging, and the household that gave him everything he is today.

In this episode we get into the conversation with Gordon Titchens at 16 that changed the trajectory of his career, being cut from the 2011 World Cup squad and walking through Auckland Airport alone into a media scrum, what Chiefs Mana actually means and where it came from, why Gilbert Enoka personally called him to be part of the 2023 World Cup Human Library alongside Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu, leading the haka for the All Blacks after being voluntold by Keven Mealamu, getting a yellow card as a water boy at the World Cup, and completing an Ironman at 108kg with almost no marathon training.

Plus lessons from Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams and Dave Rennie, why he signed his last Waikato contract for $1, and how losing his mum to dementia shaped the brain health supplement brand he's building today.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing.

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Having our former headmaster Susan Hassall on the podcast sent us deep down memory lane.

We go deep on NZ tuck shop nostalgia - the Juicies, the pies, the Cookie Time ritual - school discos, balls, prefects, wagging on a scooter, and what made Hamilton Boys' High so special.

We also reflect on the response to the Susan Hassall episode, the 300,000 views on the trailer alone, the floods of comments from people whose lives she touched, and her line that stopped people in their tracks: why boys need love most when they're at their most unlovable.

Plus we preview two massive upcoming guests - Melie Kerr, newly appointed White Ferns captain, who came in on game day and left us speechless. And Liam Messam - the most capped Chief of all time - whose story of leadership, culture and identity is one of the best conversations we've ever had.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers, and massive shout out to the legends at Stark for supporting this show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan Hassall arrived at Hamilton Boys' High School in 1979 as a 22-year-old English teacher. She stayed for 46 years. In 1999, she became the first woman in New Zealand to be appointed headmaster of a boys' state school — a role she held for exactly 25 years.

In this conversation, Susan shares what she's learned about love, leadership, loss, and what it takes to raise good men. We talk about her mantra — "you can pretend to care, but you can't pretend to show up" — the Greek concept of aretē that became the school's cornerstone, why she believes vulnerability is the most important quality in a leader, and what people get wrong about teenage boys.

Susan also opens up about working through breast cancer without missing a day, losing her deputy Graeme Robinson to a heart attack in her office, the death of her husband James, and why the years immediately after school are the most critical for young men.

Whether you're a parent, a teacher, a coach, or just someone trying to figure out what matters most — this one's for you.

⚠️ This episode contains a discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7) Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Check out their range at barkersonline.co.nz

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In this special episode of Accidental Business Owners, we welcome our first-ever guest to the show: actor, radio host, and entrepreneur Mike Minogue!

Two years ago, after appearing on the Between Two Beers podcast, Mike pitched us an idea that seemed too good to refuse: creating a corporate speaking bureau featuring our podcast guests. We launched B2B Speakers, and it was an immediate hit.

But today, we are announcing a "conscious uncoupling". In this honest conversation, we pull back the curtain on what happens when a side hustle grows faster than your capacity to manage it. We discuss why we are stepping away, how Mike is taking the reins, and the rebranding of the business to Frank Speakers.

In this episode, we cover:

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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Tim Brown is best known as the co-founder of Allbirds - the New Zealand-born footwear brand that became a global phenomenon.

But before Silicon Valley, before the IPO, and before building one of the world’s most recognisable sustainable fashion brands, Tim was an All White, representing New Zealand on the world stage.

At just 31 years old, still in his prime, he made a decision that shocked many: he walked away from professional football.

In this episode, we explore the mindset behind that choice - and how the lessons from elite sport shaped the foundations of Allbirds.

We talk about:

This is a conversation about ambition, discipline, perspective, and taking the long view — from the pitch to the boardroom.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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In this episode of Hambassadors, we take you behind the scenes of a chaotic fortnight.

Steve confesses to messing up the opening line of the Halberg Awards and embarking on the world's longest, most stressful ad-lib in front of a live audience.

Seamus (a former goalkeeper) breaks down the "Phoenix Nightmare" - THAT viral own goal by Josh Oluwayemi - and explains why he wanted the ground to swallow him up just watching it.

Plus, we cover Steve’s obsession with his 94% sleep score, a $42 taxi ride that ruined the night, meeting Chris Wood’s dad, and the massive reaction to our episode with Dr. Lucy Hone.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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Brad Thorn is one of the most unique champions New Zealand sport has ever produced.

A dual-code legend, Brad achieved what almost no one has - winning NRL premierships, World Cups, Super Rugby titles, and earning the right to wear the All Blacks jersey at the highest level.

But behind the trophies is an obsession with discipline, standards, and doing the work that others won’t. In this conversation, Brad reflects on the mindset that shaped his career - the moments that hardened him, the sacrifices required to chase the black jersey, and why he believes “champions do extra.”

We talk about walking away from millions to start again, the lessons he learned from the toughest environments in sport, and what it really takes to become a master of your craft. An unforgettable episode with one of the greats.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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We’re kicking off 2026 with a big change! Di walks into the studio with a completely shaved head, addressing the "elephant in the room" immediately.

But this episode isn't just about the new look - it’s about looking forward. Di introduces the "10,000 Days" framework: the idea that at mid-life, we have roughly 10,000 days left to live. The question isn't just what your net worth will be when you're 80, but whether you had a "sh*t ton of fun" getting there.

We also get into a heated debate about "parenting scorecards" (do you really need data to know if you’re a present dad?).

In this episode, we cover:

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers!

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This episode includes discussion of grief, loss, and mental health, which some listeners may find distressing.

Dr Lucy Hone is one of the world’s leading voices on grief, resilience, and how humans survive life’s hardest moments.

In this episode, Lucy shares the tools and insights she’s developed through her work in resilience psychology - and through personal tragedy, after losing her 12-year-old daughter Abby in a sudden accident.

We talk about why grief isn’t just about death, but about any unwanted change we’re forced to endure, why so many of us struggle with “grief literacy,” and how opening up honest conversations about loss can help people breathe again.

This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit http://tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. In New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counsellor. If you are in immediate danger, please call 111.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hambassadors, things get way too honest. Steve finally confesses to his most embarrassing "new dad" moment involving a big night out and a change table, while Seamus opens up about separation anxiety.

Plus, we break down the absolute scenes from the Horgan Cup golf tournament, where Seamus managed to get New Zealand legends like Mark Ellis, Matthew Ridge, Patty Gower, and Ryan Fox to record personal roasting intros for the players.

We also go behind the scenes of the powerful Cameron George interview, discuss why Seamus ruined his sensory deprivation float tank experience, and tease this week's incredibly emotional episode with Dr. Lucy Hone.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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This week on Between Two Beers, we sit down with Cameron George, the CEO of the New Zealand Warriors.

Cameron is one of the most influential figures in modern New Zealand sport - and in this conversation, he opens up like never before about the journey that shaped him, and the brutal years that nearly broke the club.

We dive deep into the Warriors’ extraordinary 1,038-day COVID exile, the personal toll it took on players, staff and families, and how that period ultimately forged the culture and resilience we see in the club today.

Cameron reflects on leadership under pressure, the people who carried the organisation through its darkest stretch, and what it takes to build belief inside an NRL club representing an entire country.

We also explore his upbringing in rural Australia, his unlikely path through horse racing and governance, his relationship with owner Mark Robinson, and why “people first” has always been at the centre of everything he does.

This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit Racing & Sports Betting Online in New Zealand | TAB to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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Te Radar is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive storytellers, but his career never followed a plan.

From anarchic comedy and improvisation to the runaway success of Off The Radar, this conversation explores how curiosity, chance, and saying “yes” shaped a life in television, documentary-making, and storytelling.

In this episode of Between Two Beers, Te Radar reflects on growing up curious, the moments that felt like a dream come true, why everyone has an interesting story, and what he believes truly separates New Zealand from the rest of the world.

It’s a thoughtful, funny, and a truly Kiwi conversation about serendipity, people, and not realising how lucky we are until we stop and look around.

This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to another episode of Hmbassadors!

This week, Seamus gives a six-week update on his new life as a dad, Steve reflects on life with four kids and why his memory is officially "cooked" after a few serious petrol station run-ins - plus, the great debate of 2026 continues. Could it be the end of us?

We also recap our recent "Re-ignite" studio opening before diving into a massive sports segment.

With the Halberg Awards coming up, we look at the nominees for New Zealand’s Favourite Sporting Moment and share our own top picks - including Seamus's glory days as the "snake in the grass" at the Ethnic Soccer Festival and Steve's attempt at the Kipchoge challenge.

Plus, we answer listener questions from the Fun Bag about the most underrated Between Two Beers episodes and the one question we regret not asking a guest.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Enjoy!

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He is the secret weapon behind Chelsea FC, the England Football team, the South African Proteas, and NATO’s Command Group. Yet, Owen Eastwood has no coaching qualifications, describes himself as an "imposter," and often refuses to watch the actual games his teams play.

In this episode, we sit down with the most in-demand performance coach you’ve never heard of.

We discuss the "mystical" session where he made hardened NATO generals cry, why he stays silent for three months before coaching a new team, and the "ancient code" of belonging that now drives billion-dollar organisations.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB. Got a hunch? Get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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For years, Mike McRoberts was the most recognisable and trusted face on New Zealand television, sitting at the 6pm news desk, delivering the biggest stories in the country. What most people never saw was where that job took him.

In this episode of Between Two Beers, Mike opens up about reporting from war zones, covering humanitarian disasters, and what it actually took - mentally and emotionally - to be the face of the news for so long.

He reflects on moments that still stay with him years later, including being detained overseas, witnessing the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, and why the job became “a special kind of hell” at times. But this conversation goes deeper than war stories.

Mike also speaks candidly about identity, growing up “culturally malnourished,” and how learning te reo Māori later in life forced him to confront parts of himself he’d long ignored. It’s an honest discussion about responsibility, belonging, and the personal toll of carrying other people’s stories for decades.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB. Got a hunch? Get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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Welcome back to a brand-new year of Hambassadors! We're kicking off 2026 with some "edgy" fashion choices, high-stakes goals, and a look at the guests we're manifesting for the year ahead.

In this episode, Seamus explains why he’s bringing back the Eric Cantona-inspired popped collar (and whether he cleared it with Barkers first). Meanwhile, Stephen shares a harrowing New Year’s Eve tale from Whangamatā involving cocktails, a beach trolley, and a police breathalyser checkpoint.

We also put our 2026 goals to the test by letting AI critique them. Things get personal when the AI roasts Steve’s "operationally empty" fatherhood goals and his "content sabotage" betting strategy. Plus, we reveal our 2026 Guest Hitlist, featuring everyone from Jimmy Carr to Hamish & Andy and Graham Norton.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

0:21 – The Popped Collar

8:10 – The New Year’s Eve Ordeal

11:15 – 2026 Goals

16:58 – AI Roasts our Goals

20:15 – Summer Content

34:00 – A Voice Note from Staffy

49:00 – Our Top 5 Dream Guests for 2026

54:50 – Our upcoming ep with Mike McRoberts

Featured in this episode: Check out our private documentary service at reflections.life to record your family stories before it’s too late.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes insights from Between Two Beers!

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Greg Foran has led at a level very few people ever will.

From running Walmart US - a business with over a million employees - to serving as CEO of Air New Zealand through some of its most challenging years, Greg has made decisions where the consequences affected millions of people.

In this conversation, Greg takes us inside what that responsibility actually feels like. We talk about making calls that wipe billions off company value, leading through crisis and chaos, operating in China when the rulebook doesn’t apply, and why losing the top job earlier in his career ended up changing everything.

We also dive into his mindset: fear of failure, discipline, curiosity, people-first leadership, and why paying and trusting frontline workers matters more than most executives realise.

This is a rare, honest look at leadership when the stakes are real - and when getting it wrong isn’t an option.

This episode is a re-release of our conversation with Greg Foran from 2025.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on! Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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This week we’re re-releasing a classic episode with All Black legend Ali Williams, initially recorded in 2024.

At the time of recording, Ali had recently launched Auckland FC with his wife Anna Mowbray, so we dive deep into his goals and vision for the team (much of which has come to fruition since). We also go into the best stories from across his rugby and All Blacks career, as well as an open conversation about the loss of his father.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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We’re back with another compilation of our favourite moments from the epic year that was 2025.

This time, we’ve canvassed some highlights from our incredible guests across the realms of business, entertainment, and culture, including:

We hope you enjoy the recap and stay tuned for brand new episodes coming soon, happy holidays!

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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What a year! We’ve had the privilege of speaking to some of New Zealand’s best and brightest sporting stars in 2025, so we’re proud to present a compilation of some of our favourite moments from across the year, including:

We hope you enjoy the recap, stay tuned for another Best of 2025 episode coming next week too!

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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It’s the final Hambassadors episode of the year, and Seamus drops a bombshell.

After keeping it quiet for nine months, Seamus reveals he’s had a baby, sharing what life has been like behind the scenes and how he managed to keep such a massive moment under wraps.

The boys also take time to reflect on the year that’s been - the highs, the challenges, what they’ve learned, and how Hambassadors has grown along the way. Most importantly, they say a huge thank you to everyone who’s listened, supported, and been part of the journey in 2025.

Enjoy, and we’ll see you in the new year. 🍻

Hambassadors is brought to you by Stark and Between Two Beers is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB.

Steve and Seamus are dressed by Barkers.

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This week we’re re-releasing one of our most powerful and memorable episodes of the year - a conversation that many of our new listeners may have missed when it first came out. Dr Alia Bojilova is the former Lead Psychologist of the New Zealand SAS, a United Nations peacekeeper, bestselling author of The Resilience Toolkit, and one of the most remarkable humans we’ve ever had on the show.

In this episode, Alia takes us inside the extraordinary story of the time she was taken hostage by Syrian rebels while serving with the UN, and how she used curiosity, composure and human connection to survive an ordeal with almost no chance of escape. But this conversation goes far beyond the hostage event. We explore her upbringing in post-communist Bulgaria, elite athletic career, the science behind resilience, her relationship with her husband Jamie (an SAS soldier and former BTB guest), motherhood, leadership, identity, and the psychology of navigating adversity.

It’s an episode that has stayed with listeners long after they finished it - and with so many new followers discovering Between Two Beers, we wanted to bring it back into the spotlight.

If you’re new to the show, this is one of the most compelling stories we’ve told. If you heard it the first time, it’s well worth revisiting. Enjoy this special re-release with Dr Alia Bojilova.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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It’s our last episode of ABO for 2025!

Steve and Di look back on a defining year of podcasting and the lessons that will shape what comes next. From finding flow state and working as an introvert, to protecting creative energy, navigating pressure, and building a sustainable pace.

Steve opens up about the personal and professional growth he’s experienced through the OMP business course from the Icehouse, how his approach to creative work has shifted, and why the next year is less about doing more and more about doing what matters.

We also chat about prioritising wellbeing, avoiding burnout, creating space for creativity, and maintaining purpose.

Thank you to everyone who tuned into the show this year, we love what we’re building and can’t wait to be back in 2026!

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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This week on Between Two Beers we speak with Carl Sheridan - a low-key legend whose story stopped us in our tracks.

Carl is a performance coach, designer, rugby mentor at Te Awamutu College, and a dad from Pirongia who volunteers more than 25 hours a week to help the next generation of young men. He’s what we’d call a community hero - someone who shows up, gives back, and genuinely changes the lives around him.

But behind all of that is a tough backstory, Carl has battled depression, anxiety, and a decade-long eating disorder, and has since turned that pain into purpose by mentoring young people who need support the most. His mission is simple: inspire more of us to help in our communities — and make service feel within reach, not out of it.

In this episode we talk about what it actually means to live a meaningful life, how to rebuild yourself after your darkest years, the importance of local role models, what drives Carl’s dedication, and the powerful personal manifesto he shares at the end.

A quick note: this episode discusses sensitive mental health topics including bulimia, anxiety, and depression. Take it at your own pace, pause if you need to. If anything comes up for you, text or call 1737 any time, or check the support links in the show notes.

This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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In this reflective episode of Hambassadors, Steve and Seamus look back on where they were in 2022 living in different cities, unsure of the future, juggling day jobs - and compare it to where they are now, closing out 2024 with a full-time podcast business, a team, and a clearer sense of purpose.

The conversation centres around their first ever coaching experience with Shaun Goldsbury, who helped them start to think seriously about vision, values and what might actually be possible if they backed themselves. A voice note from Shaun brings some of those early ideas back to the surface - and prompts a conversation about how much has changed (and what hasn’t) in just three years.

There’s also a voice note from Luke Kemeys (Keep The Change), sharing his own reflections on growth and how looking back can help shape what comes next.

Plus: stories from their BetterMan keynote, Barkers suit fittings, 12 Pubs of Christmas, and a great listener Q&A.

This is the second-to-last Hambassadors of the year, with one more to come before the break.

Hambassadors is brought to you by Stark. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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Laura McGoldrick lives one of the busiest lives in New Zealand media - juggling motherhood, broadcasting, live sport, travel, and a calendar that barely leaves room to breathe. But behind the glamour, highlights and viral moments, Laura opens up about something most parents know all too well: the constant feeling of Mum Guilt. Laura shares the reality of parenting with Martin Guptill, raising their kids around sport, and the pressure of trying to be everywhere at once.

She talks about the moments that have shaped her, the chaos of her job, and the stories she has never shared publicly until now – including a wild Vegas trip, a knockout moment at the Cricket World Cup, and the best advice she ever received from legendary broadcaster Phillip Leishman.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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Seamus and Di Foster sit down for a 1:1, reflecting on the highs, lows and lessons that shaped 2025. From business wins to personal growth, they unpack what actually moved the needle, and whether Seamus hit the goals he boldly set 12 months ago.

They also look ahead to 2026: what they want to build, what they want to fix, and how they plan to keep evolving as accidental business owners navigating the messy middle of work and life.

If you’re building something of your own, this one’s full of honesty, reflection and a few surprises.

Accidental Business Owners is brought to you by Icehouse and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

Between Two Beers is supported by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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Russell Packer has lived one of the wildest arcs in rugby league - from a teenage prop playing men’s footy in Levin, to 100+ NRL games, prison, the threat of deportation, an MBA from one of the world’s top business schools, and a completely different life after footy.

Russell opens up about the parts of his story most people don’t see - the demons, the damage, the work, and the daily battle to be better for his partner Lara and their kids.

We talk:

•⁠ ⁠Discovering Wim Hof, ice baths and chasing healthy extremes

•⁠ ⁠Growing up in Foxton, playing men’s league at 14 and life lessons from Levin Lions

•⁠ ⁠The Sydney assault: what actually happened, the court case and media narrative

•⁠ ⁠A year in jail, isolation, anger, acceptance and the moment his daughter broke him

•⁠ ⁠Rebuilding his life and career after prison

•⁠ ⁠Nearly being deported from Australia and what that meant for his family

•⁠ ⁠Studying business, getting into AGSM and graduating with an MBA

•⁠ ⁠Moving into business: subdivisions, fencing and learning by failing

•⁠ ⁠Curiosity, reading, and a lifelong thirst for knowledge

•⁠ ⁠Raising an autistic son and becoming more empathetic and less judgmental

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.

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In this episode of Hambassadors brought to you by Stark, Che lifts the lid on his surprise wedding - a secret ceremony disguised as a casual party. Some guests arrived late, one turned up straight from the golf course, and others missed the memo entirely. No suits. No first dance. Just speeches, chinos, and a whole lot of love.

Elsewhere, Steve confesses to flooding a Queenstown hotel room with a poorly timed bath, we break down insights from a $36k leadership course and uncover Steve’s true introverted nature.

There’s also fashion tips from the Barkers wardrobe upgrade and a voice note from Sharyn Casey that sparked a deeper chat about discipline and identity.

Hambassadors is brought to you by Stark.

Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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Geoff Ross built one of New Zealand’s most iconic global brands - 42Below Vodka - then walked away at the top. Today, he’s leading a different kind of revolution: carbon-positive farming.

From selling vodka to the world, to Trilogy Skincare, Ecoya, Moa, and pioneering sustainable agriculture at Lake Hawea Station, Geoff’s career spans some of New Zealand’s most successful and forward-thinking ventures. In this conversation, he opens up on:

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, sustainability or just great storytelling - this episode delivers.

Watch through to the end for reflections on leadership, vision, and why Geoff believes New Zealand’s best days are still ahead.

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We started 2025 with a list of big goals… and quickly realised most of them were useless.

In this episode, we break down why traditional goal-setting failed us, what happened when we focused on just two things, and how clarity, resilience, and self-awareness changed everything.

We also talk about:

– The importance of risk profiles & ambition

– What “being in the arena” really looks like

– Growth vs. parenting, balance, and burnout

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode!

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Three years since our first episode, Ryan Fox returns to the podcast - and a lot has changed over that period.

Fox has been on an incredible run, but it didn’t all come easy - and behind the scenes there were serious challenges for his family.

The perspective that came from loss, and the fine line between professional success and personal struggle, he shares what it really takes to compete on the PGA Tour, the process of rebuilding after injury, and how becoming a father has changed the way he sees the game and himself.

The episode also explores the mindset work that helped Fox stay grounded through chaos, his growing friendship with Rory McIlroy, and the remarkable rise of his own event, Chasing The Fox. Across two hours, he opens up about the lessons, the pressure, and the people who helped him through it all - including his father, Grant Fox, whose reflections bring the conversation full circle.

This is an honest, personal look at one of New Zealand’s most successful athletes - a conversation about golf, resilience and what really matters when the cameras are off.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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Six years, hundreds of conversations, and one dodgy Six years, hundreds of conversations, and one dodgy Blue Yeti Microphone later - we’re celebrating Between Two Beers’ 6th birthday with a special Hambassadors episode!

Steve and Che look back on the journey from a garage in Glenview to a full-time gig - revisiting the moments that shaped the show, from Eric Murray’s “BDE” to Ryan Fox’s office golf, tears with Jason Gunn, and the episode that changed how they saw storytelling forever.

They also chat about the realities of building a podcast from scratch, near-quit moments, first sponsors, crying on mic, and the people who’ve stuck around since day one.

If you’ve ever wondered how Between Two Beers came to be - this one’s for you.

Also the guys are hosting the BetterMan's Quiz and Some Other Shizz 2025 at Eden Park on Friday November the 28th.

What is Quiz and Some Other Shizz, you ask? And who are BetterMan?

Quiz and Some Other Shizz, according to BetterMan, is "Like a regular quiz but on steroids. Not literally, of course." No, think stag do levels of fun with a bunch of games and a bit of banter and competition.

We'll run the quiz and have a yarn at some stage and help raise some funds for charity.

Now, who are BetterMan?

Founded in July 2023, BetterMan is the brainchild of former athletes' Ged Robinson (rugby for the Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Rebels), Todd Astle (cricket for Canterbury, Black Caps) and Todd’s brother Ryan Astle (football for the under-7 Hokowhitu Zodiacs).

They take the best bits of team sport, combine it with positive psychology principles and run events and talks to help Kiwi guys become better versions of themselves.

So, wrangle your mates, hit up your workplaces (this is a great option for an end of year Christmas party) and grab yourself a ticket.

Note, the event is open to men and women.

The event is being brought together with the help of Loffty (https://www.loffty.com/), who are an online mental health assessment platform.

For more details and tickets head here:

https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/betterman-presents-quiz-some-other-shizz-2025/auckland/kingsland

Hambassadors is brought to you by Stark

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An absolute honour to spend an hour with the great Bill Bailey

In this wide-ranging conversation, Bill opens up about friendship, grief, family, creativity, and what really matters after a lifetime on stage. It’s honest, warm, and full of the humour and curiosity that make him one of the world’s most loved comedians.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

In this episode we cover:

• His friendship with the late Sean Lock and the lessons he left behind

• His relationship with his 93-year-old father and the wisdom passed down through generations

• What success and happiness look like today

• A lifetime of creativity, music and curiosity

• Why walking, conversation and nature are essential for mental well-being

Bill also talks about his upcoming NZ tour.

Tour Dates:

Monday, November 3rd, 2025 – Opera House, Oamaru

Tuesday, November 4th, 2025 – Wolfbrook Arena, Christchurch

Thursday, November 6th, 2025 – Trafalgar Centre, Nelson

Saturday, November 8th, 2025 – Toitoi Events Centre, Hawke’s Bay

Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 – Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

Friday, November 14th, 2025 – The Civic, Auckland

Monday, November 17th, 2025 – Regent on Broadway, Palmerston North

Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 – TSB Stadium, New Plymouth

Friday, November 21st, 2025 – Sir Howard Morrison Theatre, Rotorua

Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 – Globox Arena, Hamilton

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In this episode of Accidental Business Owners, Che and Di sit down for an honest, vulnerable chat about weight loss, self-discipline, and self-acceptance - and how those themes spill into every part of life and business.

From the pressure of public goals to the quiet guilt of slipping habits, this is a conversation about more than just food or fitness. It’s about control, compassion, and finding balance when life feels full.

Che opens up about how his weight loss journey has evolved - from external targets to internal growth - while Di reflects on learning to listen to her body, slow down, and let go of perfection.

Whether you’ve struggled with body image, burnout, or balance, this one will hit close to home.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

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Sam Spratt is one of New Zealand’s most successful and fearless jockeys.

In this episode, Sam opens up about the brutal reality of life in the saddle — the crashes, the comebacks, and the constant risk that comes with chasing victory. She talks about her remarkable two-decade career at the top of NZ racing, the brain injury that nearly ended it all, and the mental fight to return to the sport she loves.

We also dive into her journey as a new mum at 40, the weird fitness required to be a jockey, how prize money actually works, and what it’s really like competing against your friends every weekend.

It’s an honest, raw, and inspiring look at resilience, motherhood, and the wild world of New Zealand racing — from one of its true trailblazers.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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In this episode of Hambassadors, Che and Steven take you behind the scenes of Between Two Beers – but things don’t quite go to plan.

We take you behind the scenes of a full-blown geography controversy when Che proudly welcomes a crowd in Ōtorohanga to “Waikato”. The silence that followed said it all.

Along the way, the guys talk through:

Hambassadors is the Between Two Beers spin-off that gives you the real stories behind the mics – candid, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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Brent Impey has shaped two of New Zealand’s most powerful industries - rugby and media.

From negotiating a $777 million MediaWorks deal to steering NZ Rugby through the Silver Lake saga, Brent’s career has been defined by high-stakes leadership, big personalities, and even bigger decisions.

In this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up about:

Brent’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and ruthless honesty — a masterclass in leadership from the man who’s been at the centre of NZ’s most controversial boardrooms.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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In this episode of Accidental Business Owners, Steve shares his experience from the Icehouse Owner Manager Programme — what he learned about leadership, the brutal honesty of 360 feedback, and how it’s changing the way he runs Between Two Beers.

Di and Steve unpack courage, confidence, and what it means to grow a creative business sustainably — without burning out or losing the magic.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

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This week we’re re-sharing one of our favourite episodes ever, with Hayley Holt.

Hayley has lived an incredible life – and there’s so much to learn at each chapter. One of NZ’s highest profile broadcasters is on the podcast this week! We find out what young Hayley was like, the path from dancer to snowboarder, her difficult relationship with booze, her TV career and her challenging road to motherhood. …

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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Go behind the scenes of the Stan Walker episode and inside the madness of a typical Hambassadors recording.

This week, Steve and Che share:

- What happened after Stan Walker’s interview (when he started singing in the studio!)

- A night at the rugby packed with familiar faces (Taika, Foxy, Sharyn Casey, Brodie Kane & more)

- Bree Tomasel’s wisdom on making decisions and starting messy

- A few new “Hambassadors” life hacks and off-camera laughs

If you love the Between Two Beers deep dives, you’ll love this honest, chaotic, and funny peek behind the curtain.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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Stan Walker’s story is one of survival, transformation, and purpose.

In this conversation, Stan opens up about the abuse and trauma of his childhood, the complicated relationship with his parents, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. He reflects on the highs of fame after winning Australian Idol, the dark side of the music industry, and the battles he’s faced with public perception and health - including the life-changing surgery to remove his stomach after a genetic cancer diagnosis.

Stan also shares his journey of reclaiming his Māori identity, the cultural fire that projects like Mt. Zion and Aotearoa lit inside him, and why his purpose now is about building legacy, healing, and serving his community.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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This week, we’re asking the BIG question:

👉 Is it time to rebrand Between Two Beers?

What started as two mates in a garage drinking beers has grown into a full-time business — podcasts, speaking, storytelling, partnerships. But now we’re wondering:

We also dive into:

And yes, we’re genuinely asking… are we really going to do this?

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

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Al Brown is one of New Zealand’s most beloved chefs — but behind the TV fame (Hunger for the Wild, Masterchef), award-winning restaurants (Logan Brown, Depot, Federal Deli, Best Ugly Bagels), and his role as a Kiwi food icon lies a story of adoption, perfectionism, reinvention and resilience.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Al opens up about:

This episode is funny, raw and deeply human — a look inside the life of a man who helped redefine New Zealand’s food culture. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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In this episode of Hambassadors, we cover it all: parenting chaos, podcasting lessons, new beers, and one unforgettable message from Laura McGoldrick.

Laura shares the powerful reminder that “one day you’ll put your child down for the very last time” - a truth about time, parenting guilt, and family that hit us both hard.

But it’s not all serious…

- Bon accidentally smashes Billy in the face during a parents vs kids football match.

- Seamus bombs with the worst MC joke at prizegiving.

- We reveal our very own Ambassador Hazy IPA (cheers, Good George).

- And we share the biggest interviewing lessons from 6 years of Between Two Beers.

Plus, movie rankings (Moana vs Predator?!), an epic Betterman event, and a sneak peek at our next guest — Al Brown.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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Steve Gurney is one of the greatest multisport athletes New Zealand has ever produced - but this podcast is about so much more than racing.

In this episode, Steve takes us far beyond the finish line.

We explore:

This is a masterclass in introspection, reinvention, and the quiet pursuit of peace - from someone who has truly lived multiple lives.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

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