Best Stuff | Brodie Kane Media Podcasts (2025)

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Teacher and writer Sara Qasem on being Palestinian and living with grief after losing her father in the March 15 terror attacks 1:32:26

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5h ago1:32:26

1:32:26

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 …

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Veteran activist Tāme Iti on racism, te reo Māori, protesting, and how art saved his life 1:27:39

7d ago1:27:39

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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…

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Jon Bridges on the rising distrust in the media, being a middle-aged man in lycra, and the correct use of an apostrophe 1:17:34

14d ago1:17:34

1:17:34

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/elde…

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Rebecca Nelson: from street busking to singing for King Charles and being shoulder-tapped by the Navy - and the All Black who thought she was miming 51:17

21d ago51:17

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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 busk…

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Slingshot founder Annette Presley on helping young women, ambition, Telecom battles and the cost of success 59:09

28d ago59:09

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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 …

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Matt Watson’s painful epiphany that changed the course of his career - and what he’d do to overhaul New Zealand’s commercial fishing industry 1:26:26

1M ago1:26:26

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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 tru…

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Dame Jacinda Ardern on leadership, religion, kindness, the state of the world, and Rhythm and Vines 57:54

1M ago57:54

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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 …

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Meet Val Smith – New Zealand’s most-capped athlete and two-time lawn bowls world champion 1:13:07

2M ago1:13:07

1:13:07

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 …

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Trailblazing drum and bass artist MC Tali on how her fighting spirit drives her past all the people who say no: 'Proving people wrong has always been satisfying' 1:16:16

2M ago1:16:16

1:16:16

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 pro…

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Dame Julie Christie: 37 years of TV, from reality shows to documentaries, and the power of never taking ‘no’ for an answer 1:24:31

2M ago1:24:31

1:24:31

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 lead…

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Somatic sexologist Morgan Penn is on a mission to educate about consent - and shares the deeply personal reason why 1:21:38

2M ago1:21:38

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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 …

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Country music queen Tami Neilson on carrying both joy and sorrow, touring with Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, and music vs politics 1:24:09

3M ago1:24:09

1:24:09

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 …

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Guy Montgomery on cracking Australia, the terror of success, making spelling bees funny, and Sex and the City 2 1:30:58

3M ago1:30:58

1:30:58

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 …

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Outward Bound CEO Malindi MacLean is 'obsessed' with getting kids offline and outdoors. Hear how she plans to do it. 1:15:22

3M ago1:15:22

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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 hers…

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EJ Barnes on growing up with 'freak of nature' dad Jimmy Barnes, finding her own voice, and working with Phil Rudd 45:21

3M ago45:21

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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?…

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Russel Norman: Why he'd rather fight for the planet than hope, neoliberalism, and the attack on democracy 1:19:04

4M ago1:19:04

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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 t…

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Six60’s Chris Mac on the band’s future, the myth of balance, and why it’s time to ditch tall poppy syndrome 1:11:42

4M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

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 persona…

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Jo Kane - my mum, my inspiration, and the funniest woman I know 1:28:47

4M ago1:28:47

1:28:47

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 inte…

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Shorty Street star Theo Dāvid on playing Romeo - the original 'F-Boy' - fatherhood, and the theatre of WWE 58:55

4M ago58:55

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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 …

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Tanita Garnett beat cancer twice as a young girl - now she's chasing a Black Ferns jersey 55:21

4M ago55:21

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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 h…

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Changing the fear around menopause - and why we must Fix Iron First: A conversation with Dr Libby 1:22:03

5M ago1:22:03

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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 ess…

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Zoe Hobbs - Oceania’s fastest woman - on getting even quicker, not being ‘showy’, and the drama of the call room 1:07:29

5M ago1:07:29

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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 ep…

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Joe Daymond on being a sensitive people-pleaser and why Kiwi crowds are the toughest in the world for comedians 1:29:21

5M ago1:29:21

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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 Wainuio…

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Bailley Unahi wants to become New Zealand’s first female Winter Paralympian in over 20 years - and her attitude to life might just get her there 45:39

5M ago45:39

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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 tha…

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'Te Tiriti is your friend - it’s nothing to be scared of': Eru Kapa-Kingi on why tangata whenua rights benefit everyone 58:35

6M ago58:35

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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 th…

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Abigail Hannah on falling back in love with Aotearoa while healing from depression, and the issue with travel influencers 1:09:51

6M ago1:09:51

1:09:51

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…

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Black Caps great Martin Guptill on his treatment by New Zealand Cricket, dealing with death threats after the 2019 World Cup, and life as a stay-at-home dad 1:02:20

6M ago1:02:20

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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 Zealan…

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Actress Rebecca Gibney on the key to longevity, hosting Sensing Murder, dancing, and MMA 50:56

6M ago50:56

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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 Australi…

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'I've been able to get through because of the strength of other survivors': Ali Mau's powerful memoir reveals abuse, but also unimaginable strength 1:23:00

7M ago1:23:00

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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…

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Samantha Hayes on dealing with grief from all angles, interviewing Megadeth, auditioning with a cold sore, and being a perfectionist 1:30:57

7M ago1:30:57

1:30:57

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 M…

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‘The best thing I’ve ever done’: How full immersion kura changed former Silver Fern Courtney Tairi’s life 1:02:02

7M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

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 S…

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Understanding your Human Design profile with Charlotte Hill 58:00

7M ago58:00

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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 …

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Social media powerhouses Mike and Joelle Legg on going viral, setting boundaries, and navigating the wellness industry 1:07:32

7M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

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 …

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Dick Frizzell on growing up in Hastings, learning the rules of art, breaking them, and becoming a 'bad artist' 51:47

7M ago51:47

51:47

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 hi…

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Brynley Stent and Kura Forrester on their Singles Club, Sonny Bill Williams at Pizza Hut, rejection, and independence 58:52

8M ago58:52

58:52

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 r…

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Halberg Para Athlete of the Year, Anna Grimaldi, on removing the sleeves, ditching the pockets, and no longer hiding her disability. 58:18

8M ago58:18

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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 …

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How Richard Adams' deployment in Afghanistan inspired him to establish the disaster relief charity Taskforce Kiwi. 59:10

8M ago59:10

59:10

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 …

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Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner talks concerts, the Warriors, a roof, and Aussie Rules. 48:20

8M ago48:20

48:20

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 Executiv…

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Dr Waseem Alzaher on breaking the stigma around medicinal cannabis. 1:02:11

9M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

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, p…

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Kill the sugar and the chicken tenders too: a frank chat about food with Ganesh Raj (plus learn to eat well for less). 1:10:22

9M ago1:10:22

1:10:22

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 foo…

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Breaking down walls and killing off bad sex with Holistic Sex Coach Melissa Vranjes! 1:05:49

9M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

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 put…

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Summer Yarns: Suzanne Paul 54:33

9M ago54:33

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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 g…

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Summer Yarns: Justine Smith 50:42

10M ago50:42

50:42

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 winn…

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Summer Yarns: Sir John Kirwan 58:16

10M ago58:16

58:16

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 on…

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There's a Pav in the studio! Allyson Gofton delivers Christmas cheer for the last episode of the year! 1:03:32

10M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

I am absolutely fizzing at the bung to bring you our last guest for 2024! It’s Christmas week, so we are so lucky to have the absolute kitchen QUEEN, Allyson Gofton, here to send us all on our merry way. She hosted the best 60 seconds of television we used to have, Food in a Minute (campaign to bring it back), and the nostalgia in this chat is all …

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Olympian & surfing champion Billy Stairmand on the ups and downs of 2024 59:15

10M ago59:15

59:15

Pro surfer Billy Stairmand is gearing up for a summer at home with his dog Obie at his beloved Raglan after a massive year of surfing, including competing at the Paris Olympics (in Tahiti). Billy's been on the world stage for 14 years and still has the same energy and love for the sport, describing it as his dream job he's grateful for every day. W…

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Former Miss World New Zealand, and style queen, Amber Peebles 57:51

11M ago57:51

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Today’s guest is, in my opinion, one of the most stylish and sweetest women in Aotearoa. Amber Peebles is a former Miss World New Zealand, television host, and professional make-up artist, and is now the co-owner of luxury homewares company Isle of Omni. Warning: we use the words ooze (well I do) and moist in this podcast - in which if you didn't h…

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A full Olympic debrief with silver medallist Hayden Wilde - including what The Seine did to him 1:13:30

11M ago1:13:30

1:13:30

Can you remember the emotion we all went through watching Hayden Wilde's triathlon at the Paris Olympics? Well, be ready to go there again with a fascinating insight into that race. Our top triathlete has had a stonking year and we reflect on all the hard graft it's taken to reach the top. We find out where Hayden's remarkable sportsmanship comes f…

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The battle behind Ellesse Andrews' Olympic golds 52:48

11M ago52:48

52:48

What a ripper of an Olympics it was for Ellesse. The cycling superstar won two golds and a silver in Paris - only the second New Zealander (after Dame Lisa Carrington no less!) to win three medals at a single Games. Hear how she had to fight every step of the way in that brutal week to win. It's an incredible story! Fun fact: Ellesse was born FIFTE…

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The man who killed cancer - David Downs 53:23

11M ago53:23

53:23

David Downs is one of those clever humans who can put lots of interesting words next to his name. I will list a few for you: he is the CEO of New Zealand Story Group, he is a chairman, he is an ambassador, he is an author, he is a speaker, he is an actor. He is also a genetically modified organism and an ex-comedian - find out what he means by the …