Between Two Beers Podcast

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Russell Packer.  Russell is a former rugby league player who played for the Warriors, Tigers, Dragons and Kiwis across a 13-year professional career in the NRL.  After retiring from league two years ago, Russell returned to NZ with his family and is now a businessman, leading a property development project in his hometown of Foxton.  Russell’s footy career was divided by one major incident. In 2013 he was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting a man outside a pub in Sydney.  It’s a definitive part of Russell’s story, and the impressive man he is today is reflective of the lessons he learned about himself through his darkest days.  We talk about what happened that night in Sydney, how he passed the time in jail and how it changed him, how he got back into the NRL and became a senior leader, *that* time he pissed his pants for the Warriors, his MBA journey and thirst for learning, the realities of raising an autistic son, volunteering in the community and giving back.  Unfortunately we had a slight technical glitch about a quarter-way through the pod and lost some of the chat about his childhood and the Warriors – which you will later hear referenced.  Russell’s life has been one hell of a ride and the thing that stuck with me on this one is his appetite for self-improvement. His thirst for learning and growing, and being a better man is really impressive. If you only know Rusty from a headline, this ep will change your perception of the man. We’re so proud to be able to tell his story.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. And follow us on Insta and Tik Tok to see the best video clips from each ep.    This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Sarai Bareman.  Sarai is one of the most powerful, and influential women in world sport.   She has been FIFA’s chief women’s football officer since 2016, when the role was first created.  Her mandate included doubling the sport's global female player base from 30 million to 60 million and she's ultimately responsible for all levels of the game – from grassroots through to elite international competition – across 200 countries. Quite a big gig.  In this episode we talk about her relationship with her brother, UFC superstar coach Eugene Bareman – and their humble beginnings, the chaos and stress caused by the Auckland shootings on the morning of the first World Cup game in NZ, how she worked her way up from a bank teller in West Auckland to the biggest job in women’s football, the misogyny, corruption and abuse she encountered along the way and all the best ‘pinch yourself’ moments from her epic rise.  This one was pretty special – and after making it to the end – you'll be able to see why Sarai holds the position she does.  She’s sharp, articulate, empathetic – and perhaps most importantly, authentic. There’s no Fifa talking points in this one, it’s Sarai Bareman as you’ve never heard her before. One of our all time fav eps.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. And follow us on Insta and Tik Tok to see the best video clips from each ep.  This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve and Seamus reflect on New Zealand's biggest low key legends, their favourite moments from the women's World Cup, Mikie Havoc and Jeremy Wells, and take an ADHD test.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Dean Lonergan.  Dean is one of New Zealand’s biggest and best events promoters. The many credits to his name include David Tua v Shane Cameron, Fight For Life, Joseph Parker, the Auckland nines, Manny Pacqiou v Jeff Horne and many, many more.  He was also a former professional rugby league player with the Canberra Raiders and the Kiwis, before he retired at 26 and did breakfast radio in New Zealand for over a decade.  There’s a lot to unpack in the life of Dean.  In this episode we talk about his biggest business failures and how he ended up $1.8million in debt, what happened at DUCO and why he walked away, the art of selling, the Morning Pirates on radio Hauraki, Fight For Life, family and fatherhood.  This was a super engaging and entertaining chat. Dean has lived one hell of a life and has an endless supply of great yarns from working with the biggest names in NZ and Aussie sport.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. And follow us on Insta and Tik Tok where we cut up all the best video clips from each ep.   This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Sonia Gray.  Sonia is one of New Zealand’s best-known faces, most recognisable for being the Lotto presenter for the last 15 years. But she's much more than that; she’s a model, actress and writer who’s starred in shows like Xena: Warrior Princess, Shortland Street, Wheel of Fortune and Young Hercules and she’s acted in Sione’s Wedding, Love Birds and the Netflix film The Royal Treatment.  Most recently, Sonia has turned her attention to helping others.  Sonia has ADHD and a neurodivergent daughter and was the executive producer of a documentary, which screened on TVNZ and gives a brilliant insight into the lives of families with kids whose brains work a bit differently.  She’s also just released a 10-part podcast series that analyses her lived-experience of neurodiversity to better understand how we can support and celebrate the many Kiwis that fall under that umbrella.  In this ep we talk about all the best stories from Lotto to cricket and Tana Umaga, Ryan Gosling, Wheel of Fortune and Shortland Street. And the second half delves deep into the world of neuro-diversity – a really open and informative discussion which affects at least 20% of Kiwis. Sonia was a really cool guest with great chat and a hell of a story to tell. I personally was touched, and learned a lot from this episode and am sure you will too.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube.    This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Hambassadors, Steve and Seamus work through all of the most annoying things they say, they reflect on a week of public speaking and episodes with Duane Dalton and Josh Komen, why Fletch and Vaughan broke the record for most swear words on an episode and answer your questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Josh Komen.  Before I start with the bio, can I just say – stick with this one. It’s one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever told.  At the age of 23 Josh was one of the fastest runners in New Zealand. Then, in a blink of an eye, he became one of the sickest.  Josh was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia not once, but twice. This diagnosis took him on a 10 year battle of deep depression, an allogeneic stem cell transplant, being put into a coma, developing graft vs host disease, multiple complications, all while experiencing multiple heart attacks – and somehow in the middle of this hell – he climbed Everest and went on 200 Sky Dives.  Today, 10 years after he received his deadly diagnosis, he is alive, strong, healthy and happy.   Not only did he survive but he began to thrive. Josh reclaimed back his health, through patience and persistence and is now married and a father.  Through his suffering, Josh has learnt so much about the human condition and in this episode we cover it all.  Strap in – Josh is an absolute legend.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. And follow us on Insta and Tik Tok where we cut up all the best video clips from each episode.  This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Madeline Sami.  Madeleine is one of New Zealand’s funniest, and most prolific, comedic talents.  She’s an actor, musician, comedian, writer and director, who you might have seen as the star of Box-office success the Breaker-Upperers, or her new show Deadloch, or as the host of the Great Kiwi Bake Off, or Shortland Street, or Super City or Sione’s Wedding....she’s done a lot – her IMDB page is ridiculous..  In this episode we talk about her weirdest jobs, best accents, relationship with Lucy Lawless, Onehunga up-bringing and the loss of her father, Taika Waititi and the highs and lows of fame, Super City, Tom Sainsbury and so much more.  Madeline is one of the most entertaining – and coolest - guests we’ve had. Funny, thoughtful and a wicked storyteller this was one of our favs – and we can’t wait for you to hear it.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. A huge thanks to those supporting the show on patreon for the cost of a cup of coffee a month, to get involved head to Between Two Beers.com.   This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the latest episode of Hambassadors we chat about Steve getting scammed, our fashion wars, out celeb’ing Brodie Kane, and answer all of your burning questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Duane Dalton.  Duane was a New Zealand surf lifesaving and sprint kayak rep who became the co-founder of the Pita Pit franchise in New Zealand. He was also married to Silver Ferns star Tania Dalton who tragically passed away from a brain aneurysm in 2017.  In this episode we talk about the tricky early days with Pita Pit and how he brought it to NZ, the transition from PE teacher to business owner, his fairytale grassroots rugby story and the success of the Tania Dalton foundation.  We also talk about the devastating loss of Tania and the tools he used to deal with that trauma and raise three brilliant kids who are now all exceptionally talented athletes and top humans.  Duane was recommended to us as part of our low-key legends series, and we're so thankful we get to share his story. Some parts of this conversation were incredibly vulnerable and difficult, but his messages and outlook on life in the wake of tragedy - are equally as important.  There’s no blueprint to follow when dealing with loss and trauma, but the way Duane has handled himself, his business and his family across the last six years is inspirational. You’ll get a lot from this ep, Duano is a legend.  Listen on iheart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube.   This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer garden studio. Enjoy.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.