

Between Two Beers Podcast
Steven Holloway & Seamus Marten
Good questions. Great guests. Few beers... Steve and Seamus like asking good questions. And they love good answers. After over 20 years of friendship, they bought a microphone and started a podcast, allowing them to sit with, and learn from, the most interesting people they can access.From Kiwi legend Marc Ellis, to media personalities Jeremy Wells and Paddy Gower, Rugby coach extraordinaire Wayne Smith, sexologist Morgan Penn, and Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington... Between Two Beers has produced countless hours of incredible stories, career highs, lows and moments of raw vulnerability. And it’s only the beginning.Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2025 • 41min
One of Us Got Cancelled in King Country…
In this episode of Hambassadors, Che and Steven take you behind the scenes of Between Two Beers – but things don’t quite go to plan.We take you behind the scenes of a full-blown geography controversy when Che proudly welcomes a crowd in Ōtorohanga to “Waikato”. The silence that followed said it all.Along the way, the guys talk through:Bruce Holloway’s emotional recognition at the WaiBOP Football AwardsThe “King Country incident” and what they learned from itFive favourite Rules for the Modern Gentleman, inspired by GQHonest feedback, awkward moments, and lessons from leadershipBuying houses, book clubs, bets and behind-the-scenes chaosHambassadors is the Between Two Beers spin-off that gives you the real stories behind the mics – candid, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable.Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 19, 2025 • 1h 54min
How Brent Impey Shaped NZ Rugby & Media - $777M Deals & Silver Lake Drama
Brent Impey has shaped two of New Zealand’s most powerful industries - rugby and media.From negotiating a $777 million MediaWorks deal to steering NZ Rugby through the Silver Lake saga, Brent’s career has been defined by high-stakes leadership, big personalities, and even bigger decisions.In this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up about:How he saved NZ Rugby from financial collapse during CovidThe inside story behind the Silver Lake dealClimbing from a small-town lawyer to CEO of MediaWorksThe challenges of modern media, and why TV is a “sunset industry”What makes a great CEO and ChairmanHis battle with cancer, views on retirement, and what still drives him todayBrent’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and ruthless honesty — a masterclass in leadership from the man who’s been at the centre of NZ’s most controversial boardrooms.This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2025 • 39min
What I Learned from $36,000 of Business Coaching
In this episode of Accidental Business Owners, Steve shares his experience from the Icehouse Owner Manager Programme — what he learned about leadership, the brutal honesty of 360 feedback, and how it’s changing the way he runs Between Two Beers.Di and Steve unpack courage, confidence, and what it means to grow a creative business sustainably — without burning out or losing the magic.This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 12, 2025 • 1h 52min
Hayley Holt on Alcoholism, Motherhood & Crowd Goes Wild’s Glory Days (Re-Release)
This week we’re re-sharing one of our favourite episodes ever, with Hayley Holt.Hayley has lived an incredible life – and there’s so much to learn at each chapter. One of NZ’s highest profile broadcasters is on the podcast this week! We find out what young Hayley was like, the path from dancer to snowboarder, her difficult relationship with booze, her TV career and her challenging road to motherhood. …And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 8, 2025 • 31min
Stan Walker’s Unexpected Story & Our Wild Night at the All Blacks
Go behind the scenes of the Stan Walker episode and inside the madness of a typical Hambassadors recording.This week, Steve and Che share:- What happened after Stan Walker’s interview (when he started singing in the studio!)- A night at the rugby packed with familiar faces (Taika, Foxy, Sharyn Casey, Brodie Kane & more)- Bree Tomasel’s wisdom on making decisions and starting messy- A few new “Hambassadors” life hacks and off-camera laughsIf you love the Between Two Beers deep dives, you’ll love this honest, chaotic, and funny peek behind the curtain.Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 5, 2025 • 1h 52min
Stan Walker on Overcoming Childhood Abuse, Cancer & Finding His Purpose
Stan Walker’s story is one of survival, transformation, and purpose.In this conversation, Stan opens up about the abuse and trauma of his childhood, the complicated relationship with his parents, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. He reflects on the highs of fame after winning Australian Idol, the dark side of the music industry, and the battles he’s faced with public perception and health - including the life-changing surgery to remove his stomach after a genetic cancer diagnosis.Stan also shares his journey of reclaiming his Māori identity, the cultural fire that projects like Mt. Zion and Aotearoa lit inside him, and why his purpose now is about building legacy, healing, and serving his community.What you’ll learn in this episode:Stan’s experience growing up in an abusive householdHow trauma and family shaped his outlook on lifeThe truth behind public rumours and industry pressuresHis stomach cancer journey and living without a stomachReclaiming identity through te ao Māori and indigenous connectionWhy he values legacy, purpose, and family over fameThis episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 1, 2025 • 30min
The Rebrand Question: Is It Time to Change Our Name?
This week, we’re asking the BIG question:👉 Is it time to rebrand Between Two Beers?What started as two mates in a garage drinking beers has grown into a full-time business — podcasts, speaking, storytelling, partnerships. But now we’re wondering:Is the beer in our name holding us back?Are sponsors avoiding us because of it?Would a new name unlock new opportunities — or kill everything we’ve built?We also dive into:Sponsors vs strategic partnersThe chaos of cashflowHow to avoid the “too hard basket” trap in businessAnd yes, we’re genuinely asking… are we really going to do this?This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2025 • 2h 9min
Al Brown’s Painful Adoption History, The Struggles Behind TV & Culinary Fame
Al Brown is one of New Zealand’s most beloved chefs — but behind the TV fame (Hunger for the Wild, Masterchef), award-winning restaurants (Logan Brown, Depot, Federal Deli, Best Ugly Bagels), and his role as a Kiwi food icon lies a story of adoption, perfectionism, reinvention and resilience.In this wide-ranging conversation, Al opens up about:Walking away from fine dining and Logan BrownBuilding Depot into one of NZ’s most iconic restaurantsHis drive for perfectionism — and the toll it’s takenFriendship, family, and what happiness looks like at 60Why fritters, pies and bagels matter in our Kiwi food storyThis episode is funny, raw and deeply human — a look inside the life of a man who helped redefine New Zealand’s food culture. Enjoy!This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2025 • 49min
Laura McGoldrick’s Parenting Truth, Our New Beer & The Worst MC Joke Ever
In this episode of Hambassadors, we cover it all: parenting chaos, podcasting lessons, new beers, and one unforgettable message from Laura McGoldrick.Laura shares the powerful reminder that “one day you’ll put your child down for the very last time” - a truth about time, parenting guilt, and family that hit us both hard.But it’s not all serious…- Bon accidentally smashes Billy in the face during a parents vs kids football match.- Seamus bombs with the worst MC joke at prizegiving.- We reveal our very own Ambassador Hazy IPA (cheers, Good George).- And we share the biggest interviewing lessons from 6 years of Between Two Beers.Plus, movie rankings (Moana vs Predator?!), an epic Betterman event, and a sneak peek at our next guest — Al Brown.Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 21, 2025 • 1h 38min
NZ’s Greatest Multisport Athlete: Steve Gurney on Coast to Coast Glory & Near Death Experiences
Steve Gurney is one of the greatest multisport athletes New Zealand has ever produced - but this podcast is about so much more than racing.In this episode, Steve takes us far beyond the finish line.We explore:Why winning 9 Coast to Coast titles didn’t bring him peaceThe childhood trauma that lit his fireHow a near-death illness nearly ended everythingHis struggles with depression and identityDeep work on mental rewiring through NLPNavigating masculinity, aging and purpose after sportStories from Dancing With the Stars, full-body waxing and being naked on Breakfast TVAnd what keeps him emotionally moved at the Coast to Coast finish line to this dayThis is a masterclass in introspection, reinvention, and the quiet pursuit of peace - from someone who has truly lived multiple lives.This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.