Kiwi Yarns

Lisa Perese-Cullen won TikTok Creator of the year in 2024 - and has over a million followers across social media channels. What makes her a breath of fresh air in the loud, crowded and saturated space where everyone's vying for likes and follows is that since her unexpected rise to viral fame, she hasn't changed, put on a persona, or done anything differently. Lisa also has a very healthy take on knowing when to put the phone down, establishing good boundaries, and protecting her children. Her business, Harper James is a wonderful Kiwi success story. It was a punt, taking savings while completely broke - to design comfortable and inclusive underwear for everyday bodies without any formal fashion training.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is a Kiwi Yarns first. There's a guest - well actually there's two guests - but it's the same person...(let's see how this goes!) Australian comedic performer, improviser and writer Heath Franklin is with us. But first, you will see or hear the character he has brought to life - Chopper - based on the notorious Australian criminal Mark ‘Chopper’ Read- for 20 years. Then, we whip off the mo and you'll get to know Heath. We hear about what it's like playing a character for so long (the good and the bad), his love/hate relationship with social media, and that awkward meeting with the real Chopper Read. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jo Cummins and her co-founder, Viv Conway, created their powerhouse female-focused sex toy company Girls Get Off with a desire to create a spaces for women to feel empowered about pleasure and sexual wellbeing. It all started with a socially distanced drink in the driveway in 2020. Thousands and thousands of sex toys sold later - the duo has been instrumental in helping Kiwis change their attitudes and lifting the stigma that has surrounded female pleasure for generations. We also talk about why sex education needs to move beyond basic warnings and start focusing on consent, communication and mutual enjoyment. Plus there's some practical advice thrown in the mix for those honest conversations you should be having with your partner to build get that fire back in the bedroom! This episode of Kiwi Yarns is brought to you by Odoo, the all-in-one business management software. Head to https://www.odoo.com/r/DIr to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, meet the Two Raw Sisters - Margot Flanagan and Rosa Power. One of the remarkable things about these two and their hugely successful brand - is that really, it was born out of both of them having to deal with their own health struggles head on. The Christchurch sisters are NZ’s biggest selling plant-based cookbook authors and have just released their sixth cookbook - How We Cook. Funnily enough though, they want you to stop following recipe rules! We rip into why wellness culture is getting too overwhelming. And we discuss how they run business so well together whilst maintaining that sisterhood. This episode of Kiwi Yarns is brought to you by Odoo, the all-in-one business management software. Head to https://www.odoo.com/r/qh6w to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir John Kirwan returns to Kiwi Yarns for an in-person catch-up with Brodie. JK opens up about his recent chat with a Buddhist monk, uncovering informal meditation, and how phone fasting transformed his energy levels by keeping "Bob the Monkey" in check. We dive deep into the pressure facing our rangatahi today, the importance of learning resilience through failure, and why we need to focus on managing our imbalance rather than striving for perfect life balance. JK also shares progress on the Mighty Drive for 5 campaign, aiming to raise $5 million to bring mental health education to 250 schools on the waiting list. Plus, we talk AI, guitar playing, the Dairy Flat surf park, and JK gives a blunt breakdown of what New Zealand rugby must do to reconnect with fans. This episode of Kiwi Yarns is brought to you by Odoo, the all-in-one business management software. Head to https://www.odoo.com/r/Nyd to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kathryn Wilson wants every woman to feel empowered in a pair of shoes. That simple concept, combined with Kathryn's infectious passion and humility, has made her one of the most respected and loved designers here in New Zealand. We talk about all the challenges thrown the industry's way, and how a brand like hers continues to evolve whilst staying true to its values. The mother-of-two uses her knowledge and influence to inspire others. If we combine all the above, it's no wonder she's just celebrated 23 years in business! This episode of Kiwi Yarns is brought to you by Odoo, the all-in-one business management software. Head to https://www.odoo.com/r/EYW to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JessB is in for a yarn on how one transforms from professional netballer to becoming a central figure in Aotearoa's hip-hop scene. We talk about how hard it is in the music industry to measure "success", but why SHE no longer measures it by streaming numbers. Off the back of a very loud week in the music industry globally - with the fallout over Macklemore being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour because of his support for the people of Palestine - we talk about why politics and music are intrinsically linked. And we debrief about the abrupt end of her professional netball career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much loved comedian Chris Parker is just back from performing at Edinburgh Fringe, with a fresh batch of bed bugs to accompany a hugely successful UK Tour. We've spoken a couple of times before (because he's Chris Parker), so expect a chaotic ride through his new anti-tech movement, the good and bad of being a millennial, his irrational rages and the joy of unplugging from social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we catch up with news anchor, marathon runner, and the recent business owner, Wendy Petrie. The mother of three talks about how she is constantly reinventing herself to take on challenges - six years after her very public redundancy from TVNZ. Wendy talks about the importance of motherhood, why she loves doing hard things, and provides an inspirational insight into how it's never too late to give something new a crack! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Bailey is a name and face many will remember from 11 years ago - where - as head boy at Christchurch Boys High School he gave a speech at graduation. That speech was brilliant in its own right. But the delivery, from a young man, sitting in a wheelchair, who just a week prior had been told he had an extremely aggressive form of cancer and potentially weeks to live if untreated—was what reverberated around the world. Now Jake is 29 and life has been full, inspirational and packed with adventure. He's recently been on a remarkable mission to Antarctica and made a real career pivot by heading the Inspire Foundation. From best-selling books and speaking all around the world to running ultra-marathons, Jake proves how powerful resilience can be. We talk about how he studied resilience, and has spent a good chunk of his career passing on these valuable lessons. Amidst all his remarkable achievements, he is now focused on educating people about why we must stop shielding our kids from everyday challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Gibson, better known as Sam the Trap Man, drops by for a proper yarn about life in the bush. He opens up about how nature saved him from a wild patch in his youth, the harsh reality of professional trapping in Fiordland, and using native plants like koromiko as bush medicine. Plus, he breaks down why getting people back outdoors is the secret to fixing our environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're bringing back a favourite episode from 2025. In light of legendary fisherman Matt Watson's huge impact on protecting our oceans over the past year, this yarn is more relevant than ever. Matt shares his journey from childhood dinghies to wild TV stunts, and his crucial message about marine conservation. He opens up about the brutal reality of bottom trawling, the hidden truth behind commercial fishing, and the painful roofing accident that sparked his entire career shift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, podcaster and Pop Sock Media co-founder Melody Thomas joins me for a big, honest conversation about sex, relationships, burnout, business and what it means to be human. From launching an independent media company during COVID to creating the award-winning The Good Sex Project, Melody shares how burnout reshaped her life, why radical rest matters, and what she's learnt after years of talking to New Zealanders about intimacy, shame and communication. We dive into the realities of growing up in the '90s, the gaps in sex education, the rise of the manosphere, loneliness, feminism, ageing, marriage, motherhood, friendship and why talking openly about sex can genuinely change our lives. A funny, thoughtful and deeply human yarn about connection, curiosity and creating a kinder world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boh Runga comes from one of the country’s most loved musical families - her contribution to the music industry over the years has been a joy to witness. The Stellar* frontwoman, is looking ahead to Atomic 3.0 - the ultimate femme rock supergroup’s return to the stage.  We also look back on the meteoric success of Violent and the Mix album, why it only feels like yesterday but a lifetime ago at the same time. Boh, and sisters Bic and Pearl, grew up in a remarkably musical family - we discuss the lessons her parents taught her and why creativity has always been at the centre of everything she does. Plus, we shan’t forget her hugely successful jewellery business, and there’s her love for birds, and a cracking yarn about getting suspended from high school… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we take you to Brodie’s live shows in Rotorua with ultra-marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, New Zealand’s favourite internet Dad, How To Dad. And, then we are down the motu to hear from My Food Bag Founder Nadia Lim, Farm 4 Life legend Tangaroa Walker, and rising star musician Sam Cullen. Someone may have an accident on a rugby field, there may be a chicken caravan, and can How To Dad swaddle a 40-year old woman? It’s all in there folks, buckle in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brodie is taking a well-deserved 40th birthday sabbatical this week, so we are throwing it back to one of our absolute favourite chats. The brilliant Samantha Hayes is in for a massive yarn about her incredible two decades in broadcasting. From her early days walking out of small-town Milton into the big smoke to fronting the news, Sam has seen it all. We dive into the absolute chaos of her early reporting days, facing down heavy metal legends, and navigating the most tumultuous years of her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brodie Kane on turning 40, falling in love, running a media business. As told to mentor, Ali Mau. This episode is a little bit different. Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Ali Mau has been a career mentor and dear friend of Brodie’s since they first worked together at TVNZ in 2012. Ali takes the interview seat as Brodie reflects on life at 40, her continued success with Brodie Kane Media - six years after going out alone. What it’s like to fall in love for the first time at 39, why creating communities for women is one of her greatest joys, and her beautiful relationship with her mum, Jo Kane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Kiwi Yarns, I sit down with legendary New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. From The Whale Rider to The Matriarch, Witi's work has shaped generations of readers. But at 80 years old, he made a remarkable decision: to return to school and immerse himself in te reo Māori. The conversation moves from language and identity to climate change, leadership, ageing, courage and the importance of lifelong learning. Witi reflects on the moment that challenged him to begin writing in te reo, the rangatahi who helped carry him through a year of full immersion study, and why doing hard things keeps us alive. Along the way there are stories about whales, family, books, pounamu and what it means to leave the world a little better than you found it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you end your live show tour in Christchurch on a Sunday night in-front of a sell out crowd with one of the most loved faces on television (Jason Gunn) and a true queen of radio (and former princess of Dargaville Lana Searle)? An endless supply of stories that might have you taking out an ACC claim because your cheeks will suffer from laughing so much. Period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Wayne Cameron from the Little Ardroy Beef Company pops into the bach to chat about his massive year. From a simple farm concept to launching in over a hundred supermarkets, Wayne shares exactly how he made it happen as part of New World Emerge. We dig into what ethically raised beef actually means and why sometimes you just have to wing it to chase your dream.   This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge. New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves. Find out more at New World Emerge | New World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Little works right at the top of the music industry. But, his latest and most challenging project is much closer to home. He and his wife Gemma co-founded and built BIG FAN - is a not-for-profit, world class multi-purpose music space in central Auckland, just down the road from where he and Lorde wrote Pure Heroine. He wants to foster the talents of musicians, songwriters and those behind the scenes - no matter where they are at in their musical journey. We talk about what the role of the music producer is, and how his life changed after Royals. What it’s like to work with Taylor Swift, and a flashback to his days with Goodnight Nurse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about quitting your secure day job to become your own boss? This week, I yarn with Allie Hemmings, the former primary school teacher who did exactly that. Allie created ButterLuxe Co and won the 2025 New World Emerge startup award.  After discovering her son had a nut allergy, Allie set out to create a delicious, nut-free alternative. Through plenty of kitchen trials and sheer determination, Oaty Butter was born. Allie shares her open and honest journey as a neurodivergent founder, explaining how her ability to hyperfocus helped her master the complex science of food technology and commercial manufacturing. She shares how she built a nut-free oaty spread for her son and what it takes to get onto supermarket shelves. This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge.  New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves. Find out more at newworld.co.nz/who-we-are/foodstuffs-emerge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, sit down and get your eye and earholes around this. The first of Brodie’s nationwide live tour of Kiwi Yarns begins in Auckland, with our beloved Comedian Tom Sainsbury and our one-of-a-kind, out-the-gate yet beautiful singer-songwriter Anika Moa. There are wigs, harmonising VERY badly, and an obscene amount of belly laughs and possibly some bits that enter into dangerous territory. Not to be missed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ash London is an Australian broadcaster who now calls New Zealand home, and works at The Edge Radio Station, on a show that is literally her name - that’s how good she is. Not only is she good, the talented broadcaster talks about why she sees it as her duty to protect the radio industry for future generations, making sure she helps the young women who will eventually replace her. How refreshing is that?! Ash talks about losing her dad at a young age, and why therapy has been a huge part of her life, learning to hold onto grief and joy at the same time. And, being daughter of an immigrant, Ash uses her platform to spread awareness and discuss injustices in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you release your first album in eight years, open a sandwich shop, move back to New Zealand, and navigate a separation all at once? This week on Kiwi Yarns, we sit down with Gin Wigmore for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had. Gin opens up about heartbreak, rebuilding after divorce, raising two boys, and why she throws herself headfirst into everything she does. From her whirlwind love story that took her from New Zealand to Los Angeles, to buying and transforming a rundown motel in Palm Springs, her life has never followed a conventional script. We also dive into her new album Beautiful Mess, her incredible new Kingsland deli, and the simplistic beauty of the tramp stamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our beloved actress, Sara Wiseman has spent three decades gracing our screens - from stunt work during the Xena: Warrior Princess era to starring in A Place To Call Home and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. You better believe we'll find out what it takes to become an ape at "ape camp". Sara also discusses the moments that nearly made her quit acting and why she finds taking acting classes just as important now as ever. And my word, does Sara love adventures! From trekking the Camino de Santiago, hiking Yosemite and a fascinating story about the "Vine of the Dead" - the a powerful psychoactive Amazonian tea Ayahuasca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when one of the most respected coaches in world MMA starts using his platform to tackle violence outside the cage? This week on Kiwi Yarns, we sit down with City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman. From coaching UFC stars like Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Kai Kara-France, to launching the Walk Without Fear Trust after the tragic loss of friend and fighter Fau Vake, Eugene opens up about purpose, leadership and the responsibility that comes with influence. We talk about the rise of MMA in Aotearoa, the reality behind UFC culture, why martial arts can transform lives, and the lessons Eugene wants young people to hear before it’s too late. There’s also plenty on family, discipline, adversity and what keeps him grounded through the chaos of life at the top of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We see our country's Armed Offenders Squad in the most serious of circumstances - but who are the people behind the helmets and balaclavas? This week I met the amazing Sergeant Eseta Autagavaia, who, alongside being one of the few women in New Zealand Police's AOS, also plays netball at a professional level. She talks about how physically and mentally challenging getting into the AOS was, and how that experience and being on the netball court complement each other. From pre-planned jobs to unpredictable moments demanding calm under pressure, she shares how her mindset is her biggest weapon. A fascinating look at the life of a pretty inspiring young woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning comedian Pax Assadi is having a massive month as his new book, Mortified, hits the shelves. The book contains the most embarrassing things that have happened in his life, including a legendary mishap in a Pakistani mosque. Pax wants us all to lean into our cringe, and why he’s over the curated perfection we see on social media. We talk about his family’s escape from Iran, and his Baha'i faith, the concept of progressive revelation, and how his spiritual beliefs shape his view of a fractured world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura McGoldrick is everywhere. And that’s an understatement. The Sky Sport Presenter is in the bach this week for a really solid heart-to-heart. From our accidental wedding in Vegas, to the raw reality of motherhood and navigating devastating miscarriages. Laura is hands down one of the most talented broadcasters on our screens, and it’s through hard work, hard slogs and dogged determination. She deserves the flowers every day of the week. How she shuts out the noise of being in the public eye, how she does it all and still has time for more - and, is Ashwagandha the key to her success (spoiler: we don’t think so). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week is an incredibly special episode with Jono Ridler - the open water, ultra marathon swimmer who, on Saturday 4 April, 2026, completed a 1367 kilometer swim - the length of the North Island. Jono didn’t do this swim for accolades or records, he did this swim because of his love for the ocean, and to raise awareness that we aren’t doing enough to protect it. Jono’s Swim4TheOcean campaign is a call to end bottom trawling - because we are the last country still doing it in the south Pacific High seas. Hear how he got through the hard days, the jellyfish stings, the shark sightings, the vomiting, the cold water, the rough seas. This is a remarkable story, and in my opinion, will go down as one of the greatest endurance feats ever by a New Zealander. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week meet the fabulously hilarious comedian, Courtney Dawson. We discuss her experience as a young mum, her Te Reo Māori journey and the highs and lows of performing stand-up comedy. When her jokes bomb, she leans into it! Courtney talks Celebrity Treasure Island, I test out her work as an Agony Aunt, and how to make the most of a trip to Australia for a court hearing (hint: it involves Dreamworld). Courtney Dawson will perform at the NZ International Comedy Festival from May 1st to 24th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the super talented Alex Tarrant - star of NCIS Hawaii - reflects on the often windy and bumpy road that has led him to where he is today. It wasn't until a significant life event that he realised acting and the industry surrounding it were his "people". And, on the podcast, we learn for the first time about this significant life event that occurred when he was at high school. Alex is based in Hawaii and has landed brilliantly big roles both locally and abroad as his star continues to shine. The latest role, one of the most challenging for him thus far, is playing 28th Māori Battalion hero Haane Manahi in Sgt Haane. SGT HAANE will have ten days of Special Commemorative Screenings 20-29 April 2026 including ANZAC DAY, followed by a wide release from 30 April. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of miscarriage. If you need support, please find more information at https://wheturangitia.services.govt.nz/miscarriage/support-resources Meet the beautifully talented writer, actor, playwright, and novelist, Elisabeth Easther. You'll surely remember her as "Evil Nurse Carla" on our beloved Shortland Street back in the 90s. Now, a best-selling author with Seed, she shares how and why the novel was more than a decade in the making. And, while it's fiction, it is based on real-life experiences, personal loss, and the messy, complicated reality of fertility struggles. Elisabeth shares her stories of miscarriages, resilience, and how she turned pain into something meaningful through storytelling. Also hear some cracking yarns about her fantastic parents, why she'd win the Olympics if reading books was a sport and discover her pretty solid knowledge of birds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of mental ill-health and suicide. Support is available any time from Lifeline, details at https://www.lifeline.org.nz/ This week on Kiwi Yarns, I sit down with Kate Thompson - star of the recently released documentary No Tears On The Field. The film follows a grassroots women's rugby season in Taranaki, and the backstories of what it takes to get to the field. Kate talks the rise of women’s rugby in New Zealand, the realities of balancing farm life with sport, and the importance of community. She also opens up about mental health in rural areas, losing loved ones, and the role rugby plays in keeping her grounded. Plus, her relationship with her mum is something pretty special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when you're staring down a $700,000 mortgage and suddenly lose your job? For beloved broadcaster Brodie Kane, redundancy at the start of the pandemic was the push she needed to build her own media empire. We talk about the reality of being your own boss, redefining home ownership by buying with her mum, and why she still identifies as a girl from Waikuku Beach. This episode was made possible thanks to our friends at enable.me. Financial coaching and strategic advice. Pay down debt. Grow wealth. Retire well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when two very different minds click in all the right ways? The Rock's Jay Reeve and Duncan Heyde (aka Jay and Dunc) on the special relationship that’s powered their success on-air and beyond. From side hustles to global podcast growth, and maintaining healthy relationships while staying busy, the lads open up about how they navigate it all. There’s plenty of honesty around mental load, family life, and the general chaos that comes with chasing every opportunity that life throws. We also discuss what keeps the lads grounded! We talk about the power of strong connections, strong partners, and being good dads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From growing up in South Auckland to performing on the world’s biggest opera stages, Pene Pati shares a wonderful yarn of the long road (including all the speed bumps) that got him there. His is a story about resilience, family, identity, and the challenges he still faces before he walks out infront of an audience. He opens up about the pressure of the industry, the reality of rejection, and why he still sometimes feels like an outsider in the traditionally European opera world. Let's not forget the great joy he brings us with being one-third of our beloved Sol3 Mio! We talk the sacrifices that come with living overseas, and the big dreams he still carries. One day, he hopes the world’s biggest opera houses will be singing Māori and Samoan songs too. Tenor: My Name is Pati is out now in New Zealand cinemas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine being responsible for a heart no bigger than a walnut.  This week I sit down with Dr Kirsten Finucane, the legendary former Chief Surgeon at Starship, to talk about a career spent performing life-saving miracles on New Zealand’s most vulnerable children.  Kirsten opens up about the grit it takes to handle high-stakes surgery and why she finally decided it was time to trade the operating theatre for conservation work in Central Otago.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello there beautiful listeners! Brodie, Gracie and Tegan here with some exciting news to share and, we wanted you to be the first to hear it from us.This year, we're bringing you Let Her Finish. The podcast will appear right here, so nothing for you to do. We cannot wait to see you all in a couple of weeks xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The media landscape in Aotearoa is changing at breakneck speed and we’re all feeling the noise. Brodie sits down with The Spinoff’s Toby Manhire to talk about the reality of the newsroom today. From the closure of Newshub to the rise of AI, Toby shares why he’s still optimistic about journalism in an election year. Plus, he gives us his personal plan for avoiding total news burnout. Find out more about Toby's upcoming event, 'Breakfast with Papers' here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm joined by yoga teacher and dancer Renee Stewart, who opens up about forging her own path from the global dance stage to the world’s most remote corners. If there was ever a competition for 'coolest parents' at parent teacher interviews, Renee could be a front runner with Rachel Hunter and Rod Stewart.  Renee shares what it’s really like to cross the terrifying Drake Passage to reach Antarctica, and the pull back to her Kiwi roots. It’s a warm, honest chat about movement, mental tools, and finding your own flow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm joined by an absolute legend of the Aotearoa drag scene in the bach this week.  Edward Cowley, better known as the iconic Buckwheat, joins me to mark a massive milestone: the 40th anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform Act. From the secret nightclub stairs of the 80s to being a Samoan father of three, Edward shares it all with heart and a bit of sparkle. We dig into the grit behind the glamour, why Pride is still so vital in 2026, and the power of a really good headpiece. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're joined by Olympic gold winning coach Bev Priestman for a deeply personal conversation. Bev opens up about the 'survival mode' she had to endure following the Canadian football team drone scandal at the Paris Olympics. We talk about finding peace in North Canterbury, the challenge of leading our Wellington Phoenix, and why she’s ready to earn back the trust of the game she loves.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Kiwi Yarns, and welcome to our new bach!  We're kicking off 2026 with a man who has clocked up billions of views just by being his gorgeous self.  Louis Davis opens up about the 'delusional confidence' his parents gave him, and how he navigated the jump from a small town in the Far North to rubbing shoulders with Hollywood stars like Jason Momoa.   We also speak about the dark side of social media, and Louis shares his mission to change the stereotype of Māori men.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What a year it’s been. A huge thank you to all our incredible guests for joining us and sharing their stories. The kōrero throughout 2025 has been raw, real, uplifting, entertaining and inspiring. In this bonus Best of episode, we revisit some of our favourite moments from the past year, featuring Samantha Hayes, Matt Watson, Tami Neilson, Eru Kapa-Kingi, Martin Guptill, Sara Qasem, Jo Kane, Russel Norman, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Paul Henry. We can’t wait for more outstanding yarns in 2026. Mā te wā. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final episode of the year, I thought it fitting to invite someone whose job is literally to explain things, and ask him to put it all into context. Not all of it is good news, but it’s important we reflect on the good, the bad and the ugly in this tumultuous world. Fear not, though - award-winning journalist, good friend and Stuff’s Explainer Editor Lloyd Burr joins me for plenty of laughs, a dose of therapy, some wisdom and advice, and a proper go at brioche buns. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful support. Look out for Kiwi Yarns highlights over the next few weeks, and I’ll see you for more yarns with brilliant Kiwis in 2026. Mā te wā! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ella Monnery is the voice of Christmas in the Park, belts out bangers at Synthony, and takes the main stage at Rhythm and Vines — but it’s only this year that she has focused on her solo career. With the support of her partner - producer and rapper Kings - she’s stepping confidently into a new phase. From The Voice Australia to a nine-month cruise-ship contract, Ella has always been singing - and loving it. But challenges remain, including vocal surgery next year. And yes, we’re dressed as Christmas decorations for this delightful chat in honour of the season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The aura of Matu Ngaropo hits you straight away, which is why it’s easy to see how he’s one of those performers who can do it all - and do it all well. Matu works across film, television, and theatre. He took on one of the biggest roles of his career when he landed the part of George Washington in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, performing across Australia and New Zealand an astonishing 700 times. We geek out over what it takes to do something like that - and look ahead to another major role he has coming up in New Zealand next year, in & Juliet. A fabulous kōrero with a wonderfully talented human! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Niki Bezzant never set out to become New Zealand’s “menopause woman”, but the journalist, author, and speaker is really leaning into that title now. It was the Healthy Food Guide founding editor’s own experiences that made her realise how little support there was for women. Today we cut through the bullshit and hear how brilliant Niki is at helping us understand hormones, health, and happiness in menopause, midlife, and beyond (which is also the name of her best-selling book!). And for my lovely male listeners - yes, this one’s absolutely for you as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Almost everyone has an opinion on Paul Henry. Good or bad, people have certainly made up their minds about one of the country’s best-known broadcasters. But should we pump the brakes on always thinking about his time on Breakfast? Is there more to Paul Henry than those controversial one-liners from way back when? The new The Chase New Zealand host sits down to chat about all the other things that make up Paul Henry. Your mind may or may not change about him - but give it a crack! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claire Turnbull is a nutritionist, best-selling author and professional well-being speaker. What makes Claire so powerful is her lived experience. This isn’t some self-proclaimed “guru” pushing an agenda - Claire cuts through the shit and tells it like it is. She cares because she’s been through it too: navigating disordered eating, dyslexia, depression, anxiety, postnatal psychosis, a brain injury, and now parenting a neurodiverse child. Hearing Claire speak earlier this year was a game changer for me - and I hope this episode can be that for you too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

René Heyde left his 14th school in Year 12 after a teacher told him he was “useless”. He wasn’t. He was a kid surviving a traumatic childhood, just trying to find his way. A few years later, after a chance ride through the streets of Christchurch, René was wearing a New Zealand jersey at the 1974 Commonwealth Games - and bringing home a bronze medal. At the closing ceremony, he and a team-mate even stopped the Queen’s Land Rover in its tracks. Fifty years on, at 70, René cycled nearly 4,000 kilometres across Australia to raise money for Cholmondeley Children’s Centre - the place that helped him through his toughest years. René’s story is a reminder that no matter where you start, it’s never too late to grab life by the handlebars and ride it for all it’s worth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She never set out to be the greatest rugby player of all time - she was just a little girl who loved sport. We’re lucky that girl was Portia Woodman-Wickliffe - a trailblazer for women’s rugby here in Aotearoa and across the world. At 34, she’s the top try-scorer in New Zealand rugby history, but that’s never been her “why”. We talk equality in sport, media coverage (or lack of it), and the future of the game - plus Barbies, babies, curly hair and midwifery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning journalist Lisette Reymer is Stuff’s senior correspondent and author of No, I Don’t Get Danger Money. Lisette spent three years as Newshub’s Europe Correspondent - and it’s fair to say what she witnessed and covered during that time is almost hard to comprehend. Eight trips to Ukraine during the war, Donald Trump’s indictment, the October 7 attacks on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, the Queen’s death, the Tokyo Olympics - and that’s just the beginning. A former Breakfast colleague of mine and a girl who grew up on a Waikato dairy farm, Lisette tells some incredible yarns! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Qasem is a Palestinian teacher and writer who immigrated to Aotearoa at a young age and is now based in Ōtautahi. In 2019, Sara lost her father, Abdelfattah, who was killed at the Al Noor Mosque by an Australian far-right terrorist who opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch - killing 51 people and injuring dozens more. Through spoken word poetry, Sara advocates for and raises awareness of the Palestinian people. Her story, words, and perspective are powerful, moving, and not to be missed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than five decades, Tāme Iti has been at the forefront of the pursuit of Māori rights in Aotearoa. From being silenced from speaking te reo as a child, to finding strength in protest and tackling challenges head-on in remarkable ways, he has never stopped questioning the status quo. Tāme is as well known and respected for his art as for his activism, and says the former saved his life and played a vital role in his healing. This conversation, alongside reading his new memoir Mana, came at an especially meaningful time for me. I hope you enjoy this kōrero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I hope Jon Bridges takes this the right way when he reads it - he’s genuinely one of the good guys in New Zealand media. With a television career spanning more than three decades, the comedian-turned-producer of some of the country’s biggest shows says it’s largely down to him saying “yes” to the jobs people ask him to do. And who in the Gen-X/elder millennial age bracket could forget Bridges’ luscious locks on Ice TV in the late ’90s? We talk about the dire state of the media and the public’s distrust, his passion for road cycling, fertility, and the proper use of apostrophes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest shares an incredible story of never giving up on what you love. Rebecca Nelson is practically on speaking terms with King Charles, having wowed him with her singing voice five times. Most of her gigs - from performing the national anthem at Gallipoli to entertaining a sell-out, rugby-mad crowd at Twickenham - grew out of her time busking on the streets. Rebecca now serves in the Royal New Zealand Navy and is the founder of Te Kiwi Māia, which provides rehabilitation, recovery, and respite for personnel and first responders who have sustained physical or psychological injuries while serving Aotearoa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we meet tech entrepreneur and philanthropist Annette Presley. Annette started her first business at 24, co-founded one of New Zealand’s earliest internet providers, Slingshot, took on Telecom in the early 2000s (and won), and was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and women. Her latest mission? To support women and children through health, education, leadership, and wellbeing programmes via the Annette Presley Dream Foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is probably the most famous fisherman in all of Aotearoa. Matt Watson only ever wanted to fish, and the kid who used to drag his dinghy up a steep boat ramp for the hour-long walk home has turned his passion into a remarkable career. Matt is such a brilliant storyteller that you’ll be hooked on this one (see what I did there). But truly - what a guy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's taken seven years of asking (I'm very patient), but I finally get to sit down with our 40th Prime Minister, Dame Jacinda Ardern. She's beaming in from the other side of the world, but we manage to squeeze in just under an hour to discuss her book, A Different Kind of Power, which is enjoying success across the globe. We discuss her leadership and having no regrets about departing when she did. Jacinda shares her insights into the state of the world right now, and why she believes empathy and kindness are more important than ever. Oh yeah – and that time she tripped over at Rhythm and Vines... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you talk about (or even Google) celebrated athletes in this country, rugby players usually come up first. But I want you to meet New Zealand’s most-capped athlete, who has played an astonishing 667 international matches for her country. She is Val Smith, one of New Zealand’s most successful lawn bowls athletes. She’s a two-time world champion and has another nine world championship medals to her name. She’s also one of the most wholesome interviews I’ve done in a while – guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're with the trailblazing drum and bass star, award-winning vocalist, MC, producer, composer, music mentor and author - MC Tali, aka Natalia Sheppard. The girl from rural Taranaki became Aotearoa’s - and one of the world’s - first drum and bass MCs, despite coming up against an industry and people who told her she couldn’t. We will probably all learn a thing or two about how hard it is to MC a live gig! Tali is an absolute gem - we are lucky to have such a talent in the music industry, and she should be celebrated far and wide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dame Julie Christie remembers the first show she made back in 1988 as if it were yesterday. Her passion for making television is just as strong 300-odd shows later. Her eyes nearly roll to the back of her head when we mention the title "reality TV queen" that’s often thrown around to describe her, but there’s no denying Dame Julie was a global leader in the genre. We discuss the decline of television and what she thinks New Zealand should and could be doing to save the industry here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Morgan Penn is the guest I've been most intimate with (you’ll find out how and why - how’s that for a teaser?). A lot has happened since we last spoke, but Morgan is still out there, openly sharing her journey and educating others. She believes we were never properly taught to value our bodies - and that feeling comfortable in your own skin is one of life’s greatest gifts. As host of the hugely successful Sex.Life podcast, which has just wrapped its third season, Morgan recently shared a heartbreaking personal story in the final episode - and we talk about it today. Morgan has always been incredibly open, trusting, and loving. If you’re up for it, there are genuine takeaways for everyone in this episode. Note: This episode contains conversations about sex and sexual assault, and includes strong language. It may not be suitable for all listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tami Neilson’s just back from touring the US with her now-dear friend Willie Nelson - and Bob Dylan (yes, you’ll get the tea on what that was like...). She’s also released her latest album, Neon Cowgirl, and shares some truly stunning stories about how it came together - particularly how she’s recently learned to carry both joy and sorrow, in life and in music. Tami doesn’t shy away from a powerful kōrero on the problematic history of country music - and how she’s still navigating it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guy Montgomery has absolutely nailed it. The Billy T and Fred Award-winning, Logie-nominated comedian, writer, and television host is responsible for making spelling bees funny, doing podcasts long before most (and doing them well), and cracking into Aussie television. He's one of Aotearoa’s most internationally successful comedians, but he's back home with his latest stand-up show, I've Noticed So Many Things, It'd Be Unfair to Keep Them to Myself (Auckland, August 15). This chat goes everywhere - from Guy opening up about how success has filled him with anxiety, to a wider discussion on how technology is eating away at creativity and the entertainment industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Malindi MacLean, the first woman to lead Outward Bound as CEO. She took on the role while seven and a half months pregnant - and shares the many challenges that came with it. Malindi is also the co-founder of B416, a movement calling for a minimum age of 16 for social media in Aotearoa. Remarkably, she’s never had social media herself - and is determined to help shift our habits around screen time. This is a candid and powerful conversation with the 36-year-old former professional cyclist, whose story is as thought-provoking as it is inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EJ Barnes is the proud daughter of Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes. In this fascinating episode, she reflects on growing up in a family where music always came first - joining her first band with her siblings at just six years old. And what was it really like having Jimmy Barnes as your dad during the wild years of the ’80s and ’90s? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russel Norman left politics when he stepped down as Green Party co-leader ten years ago - but he still has plenty of skin in the game. In this wide-ranging discussion covering democracy, neoliberalism, the political spectrum, climate change and billionaires, we explore the state of the world - and what Russel believes must happen if the planet is to survive. The introverted kid from Brisbane, who now leads Greenpeace Aotearoa, never set out to be an activist - but at this critical moment, he’s urging more people to become agitators for change. This is a fascinating conversation, no matter where you sit on the political spectrum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six60 have been soundtracking Kiwi summers since ages ago - and they’ve got the accolades to prove it. The lads have spent a staggering 586 weeks on the New Zealand Singles Chart and a massive 1,232 weeks on the Albums Chart. In this episode, Chris Mac - the wildly talented, theatrical bassist - shares how five very different musicians (and personalities) have become one of the most successful bands in Aotearoa’s history. There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way, but Chris believes the best is yet to come (cough new album cough). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest is a little bit special. Actually - she’s very special. My mum swam the Cook Strait at 40, has completed multiple marathons and Ironman events, and now, as she nears 70, she’s preparing for yet another epic physical challenge. And she did it all while raising my brother and me. In this episode, the lines blur a bit over who’s interviewing whom, as we chat about our endurance achievements, mental toughness, future goals, and just how damn proud we are of each other. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Theo Dāvid is currently deep in rehearsals for Auckland Theatre Company’s Romeo and Juliet - and even if you’re not a Shakespeare geek, he shares some beautiful insights into why this 400-year-old writer and his works are still so relevant today. A proud Samoan who grew up in South Auckland, Theo now lives in Mission Bay (his mates give him plenty of stick for that) with his beautiful partner and their two young boys. But the place closest to his heart is Huntly - and he explains why with real warmth and eloquence. Plus, Theo reveals the harmless little white lie he told to land his gig as an ambulance driver on our much-loved Shortland Street. *Note: this episode contains some strong language. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanita Garnett is 22 years old and has already beaten cancer twice. She picked up a rugby ball at 14, and by 16, she’d made the Tasman Mako training squad. Now recovering from a tough ACL injury, Tanita opens up about the physical and mental challenges of rehab - and what keeps her going. She’s also a qualified joiner, choosing a trade to support herself while chasing her rugby dreams. Tanita is a remarkable young woman. Her story - and the way she talks about her “why” - is nothing short of inspiring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Dr Libby Weaver - a thirteen-time bestselling author and internationally acclaimed nutritional biochemist. For years, Dr Libby has dedicated herself to empowering people to take control of their health through education and practical insights. Her current focus is on raising awareness about iron - one of the most overlooked yet essential aspects of wellbeing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to better understand their body and take charge of their health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aotearoa’s sprint queen, Zoe Hobbs, is the first - and so far the only - New Zealand woman to run the 100 metres in under 11 seconds, clocking a personal best of 10.96 s. She was also the first Kiwi in nearly 100 years - man or woman - to reach an Olympic 100 m semi‑final, finishing 14th overall and edging ever closer to a global podium. In this episode, she lifts the lid on elite sprinting, sharing the science, mindset, body mechanics and determination that drive the world’s fastest people down the most‑watched straight in sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Daymond is a comedian, writer, director and content creator, currently touring Australia with his latest show, Hope I Made You Proud. It’s a journey through his career - from living in his car, to cleaning caravans in the middle of the night, to performing on stages around the world. I last caught up with Joe - a proud Fijian Māori from Wainuiomata - over Zoom in 2021, and let’s just say, putting us both in a studio for a proper chat was always going to be a bit dangerous. We talk about his endgame, why he’s feeling a bit in limbo, and - fair warning - it occasionally feels a little like a therapy session. Plus, we play a game about what to do when you bump into someone you hate at the supermarket, and Joe explains why Kiwi crowds are the toughest in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bailley Unahi suffered a spinal cord injury at just 19 years old while studying at Otago University. She was at a flat on Castle Street when the balcony collapsed at the start of a Six60 gig in 2016. It was a life-changing moment - one that Bailley not only faced head-on, but turned into a positive. She shares how grateful she is for everything that has happened since. Bailley admits she finds it hard to say no to new opportunities, and it’s her relentless determination and drive that have brought her closer than ever to securing a spot on the Winter Paralympics team for 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we meet Toitū te Tiriti spokesperson and Auckland Law School academic Eru Kapa-Kingi. Eru became the face and voice of Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, which saw more than 50,000 people descend on Parliament late last year to demonstrate the unity of Māori and Tangata Tiriti, and to oppose the Treaty Principles Bill. It was a historic moment - one that many New Zealanders, myself included, were extremely proud of - and it marked a changing of the guard, with the emergence of a new generation of young Māori leaders. Eru reflects on what it was like to be part of this shift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest has a job that, on the surface, many would describe as a "dream job" and say, "oh, how lucky!" While there’s no denying that the titles “travel blogger,” “travel writer,” and “travel photographer” have a certain allure, Abigail Hannah’s backstory is truly fascinating. Born in Aotearoa, Abigail spent most of her childhood growing up in rural India, a place that felt like home. She later returned to New Zealand alone to begin her studies, and was diagnosed with depression some months afterwards. Abigail shares her experience of navigating one of the darkest periods of her life, and how falling in love with New Zealand - by reconnecting with nature - changed the course of her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He holds the record for the highest ever ODI score for New Zealand, and over a 13-year international career, he represented his country in 367 matches. He is also New Zealand’s all-time leading T20 run-scorer. Yet Martin Guptill reveals that he had little say in how his international career ended - it was almost as if he was “ghosted” by New Zealand Cricket. Now, he's taking time to process and reflect on what was a remarkable career, and insists he still has plenty more cricket left to play. Guptill offers a fascinating insight into the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final and the now-infamous final - with the emotions surrounding both still clearly evident. Throughout it all, his family has played an integral role - something he says he is grateful for every single day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Gibney is everything I’d hoped she’d be – and more. If I say Packed to the Rafters, Halifax f.p., The Flying Doctors, Sensing Murder – you say Rebecca Gibney. Rebecca Gibney – and I don’t think you can refer to her by just her first name – has been a fixture in film and television for over 40 years, working across both Aotearoa and Australia. And while she celebrated her 60th birthday last year – making it clear that her foot is still very much on the throttle – Rebecca Gibney was honoured with a thoroughly deserved Hall of Fame Logie: a lifetime achievement award recognising her exceptional career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've known Ali Mau for 13 years. We first met when I started working as a producer on Q+A at TVNZ, and she was the host of Fair Go. She took me under her wing, taught me how to do piece-to-cameras, and has been a mentor and dear friend ever since. Like many others, I did not know about the abuse she had suffered as a child until I read her book. It is confronting and brave, and by the end, it hit me in both the gut and the heart. But what it - and this interview with Ali - shows is a strength beyond words. We also explore her career, her passions, and an incredible story about her competing at Horse of the Year. *Warning: this episode discusses sexual abuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samantha Hayes was just 23 when she became the presenter of Nightline - the country's youngest presenter at the time. Since then, she has cage-dived with sharks without the main part of the cage (wild), brought the Mongrel Mob and Black Power together for an interview for the first time, and been in most Kiwis’ living rooms as co-anchor alongside Mike McRoberts on ThreeNews. 2024 was tumultuous, to say the least, for Sam. She was dealing with the end of her relationship with the father of her two children when the very public and shocking announcement of Newshub’s closure came barreling through. Sam also lost a very dear friend in 2024. As you’ll hear, these are all things she is processing while learning to navigate a new life - whilst still maintaining utter professionalism and storytelling as she now presents the news solo for ThreeNews in its relatively new format with Stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Silver Fern number 151, Courtney Tairi. The former netball international and award-winning broadcaster was born and raised in Sydney, but, in her own words, her whānau and blood are Kiwi. Tainui is her tribe, Waikato is her river, Maungatautari is her mountain, and her subtribe is Ngāti Korokī/Kahukura. Courtney has just left Sky Sport after ten years, stepping out on her own as an independent wahine in media. She also shares the monumental change in her life after completing full immersion kura. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest works in a space that, I’ll admit, I am not remotely close to being an expert on. But when I heard Charlotte Hill, founder of True North, speak at a women’s event late last year, I was intrigued enough to open my mind and learn more. And what better way to do that than right here on Kiwi Yarns! Human Design claims to provide insights into energy dynamics, decision-making, and life purpose, with the goal of helping people better understand themselves. This episode is a fascinating discussion, and even if this isn’t typically your sort of thing, I encourage you to give it a listen. I think there could be a lesson in there for everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike and Joelle Legg have over a million followers on every social platform they’re on and are loved worldwide for their funny, relatable marriage content. They met at a flat viewing 19 years ago, have two boys, and recently swapped the hustle of Tāmaki Makaurau for a quieter life in Whangamatā. Joelle opens up about her experience with postpartum depression and the vital support Mike provided, while Mike reflects on his transition from owning Auckland’s Boxing Alley gym to becoming a full-time content creator - setting a goal to make a viral video every day! But with social media playing such a big role in their lives, how do they protect their kids from screens? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist, illustrator, and designer Dick Frizzell is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable artists, with a ginormous back catalogue (I don’t know if you call it that in the art world) of famous works spanning pop art, stunning landscapes, commercial illustrations, and even school journals. We explore all things art, from Dick's journey to finding his place in New Zealand’s art scene to his soon-to-be-released book, Hastings: A Boy’s Own Adventure - a memoir he describes as a nostalgic love letter to his hometown of Hastings in the 1950s and ’60s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester are two brilliantly talented comedians, actors, and writers. They’re also close friends who have just bared their souls in a new TV show all about being single. The Billy T Award winners travelled up and down the motu in search of love, delivering plenty of laughs along the way. But Bryn and Ku’s Singles Club also reveals a rarely seen, more personal side of both of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is triple gold medal-winning Paralympian Anna Grimaldi, fresh off a Halberg Award win and delivering one of the best speeches of the night. The personal milestones Anna has achieved since becoming a para athlete are nothing short of remarkable. While we often focus on sporting achievements, it’s equally fascinating to look beyond the results and gain insight into the person behind the headlines. This is a compelling, open, and raw discussion with Anna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Adams is a former British Army officer who served in Afghanistan. He shares how his experiences there moved him to establish Taskforce Kiwi, a disaster relief charity made up of Defence Force veterans and former emergency service workers. The organisation provides crucial support to communities, offering assistance during and after natural disasters—which, as we know, are becoming all too frequent. His incredible mahi has earned him a place as a semi-finalist in this year's New Zealander of the Year Awards. *Warning: This episode discusses suicide. For free help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now, full disclosure—today’s guest is an Australian. But before you hit skip, this Australian has played a monumental role in bringing some of the biggest events the country has seen to our largest sporting stadium, creating lifelong memories for hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Therefore, he gets a crack! Nick Sautner is the Chief Executive of Eden Park and during his time there, he has - in my opinion - made the stadium come alive. From World Cups to global rockstars, Nick wants Eden Park to be recognised as our national stadium. He has plans for a roof and played a key role in securing approval for the park to host 12 concerts a year—after a long, hard-fought battle with residents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fascinating chat this week with Dr Waseem Alzaher, the founder of Cannabis Clinic - the country's largest prescriber of medicinal cannabis. The 36-year-old moved to New Zealand from Iraq when he was seven. While he admits to having had a challenging start to his medical career, grappling with his identity and purpose, he has now found his path, playing an integral role in the rapidly growing field of alternative therapy for Kiwis across the country. We discuss the challenges he has faced along the way, and the stigma that still exists within the healthcare industry and society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If this episode doesn't get you even a little bit inspired or fired up, I'll give you your money back! Ganesh Raj graces our TV screens with the hit show Eat Well for Less, and it's there where his passion for food education grew. Now, this top chef dedicates a massive chunk of his life to ensuring as many people as possible have access to good food for their dinner tables. Ganesh says the first 12 years of your life shape your food and cooking experiences as an adult. He shares stories from his upbringing, adding fascinating context to this idea. You'll hear just how passionate Ganesh is about making cooking accessible for all - and you'll also discover a mind-blowing way to make some DELICIOUS chicken! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the first episode of the year and I thought we’d come in really hot! Today's guest is certified holistic sex and relationship coach and educator, Melissa Vranjes. Melissa loves to empower women, encouraging us to embrace our sexuality, and it doesn't necessarily start (or finish) in the bedroom. What I love about people like Melissa is she puts herself out there in a space (ie sex) that we are still relatively new to talking so openly about. You'll enjoy it, even if you start off a little prudish... *This episode comes with a content and language warning. If a frank discussion about sex isn't your thing you might want to give this one a miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we re-visit my yarn with a NATIONAL TREASURE. Sure, Suzanne Paul was born in England but she is our official infomercial queen. But it’s not just thousands of luminous spheres that make us all love her - her dogged determination and work ethic through every part of her career is so inspirational. Gosh, talk about someone who never ever ever gives up! She's remarkable! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we re-visit my yarn with the first comedian I ever saw live and rest assured she’s been a favourite ever since! The award-winning Justine Smith took her first gig as a dare - and to sound cliché the rest is history. But, as you'll hear, the rest took time, patience and bloody hard work. She won the Billy T Award in 2003, and has been the winner of the Award for Best Female Performer from the NZ Comedy Guild an incredible four times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we re-visit a yarn I had with a man, I feel like it’s fair to say, we all know and love - Sir John Kirwan. JK had a remarkable rugby career as a World Cup winning All Black, played rugby league for the Auckland Warriors, has been a respected international coach, and of course is a major figure in Aotearoa as a mental health advocate. Being one of the first high profile New Zealanders, to talk about depression and mental health, JK plays a massive role in this space - he is remarkable to watch and learn from. He also has a wine company, is an amazing TV Presenter and Rugby commentator, and really bloody fantastic man. This podcast was EVERYTHING I needed to hear at the moment - so I best let him invoice me for one of the most valuable therapy sessions ever! Hope you get something from it too.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices