Kiwi Yarns

Today’s guest is a remarkable young man with an incredible story. Abbas Nazari was just seven-years old when he and his family fled the Taliban in Afghanistan - and experienced a journey that would last for months - including being stuck onboard the Tampa. This was the boat that Australia horrifically turned its back on resulting in an international stand off 20 years ago. Abbas and his family were accepted to come to New Zealand to be resettled - and it’s from here this amazing man and his amazing family started a new life…The Fulbright Scholar has written After The Tampa: From Afghanistan to New Zealand and it's an absolute must-read, along with this absolute must-listen episode!Available at bookstores throughout NZ. 

We're lucky enough to have "Palmerston North's funny girl" with us today!Enter the hilarious and delightful comedian Laura Daniel - who lights up any screen or stage she graces. We walk about those first few gigs - including getting heckled by her dad.And, a really awesome love story between her and her fiancé AND comedian partner Joseph Moore. 

Matthew Saville and I recorded our first episode way back in August when he was JUST about to release his first feature length film Juniper.And, well, we all know what happened in August (Delta came) which meant his release date was postponed.So we thought we’d catch up again seeing as August feels like ten years ago, to chat about this amazing film I thoroughly enjoyed.Matthew has worked extensively as a writer, director, and actor across film, theatre, and television.Amazingly, for his first feature length he managed to secure award-winning actress Charlotte Rampling to travel across the world to play Ruth, the alcoholic Grandmother.Juniper will be out in cinemas across New Zealand from October 28.

Today’s guest is the extremely talented Makeup Artist Michael Ashton - a Kiwi with skills that are so world class, he’s got a quite a few famous clients.One of them being Adele. Yes I said Adele. And I think that word on its own says it all really. So, we’ll find out about how THAT eyeliner came to be and whether Michael can help me become friends with Adele too...

I've been hanging out to chat with investigative journalist and documentary maker David Farrier for a while now, so this big long decent yarn, best dissected with a long walk or maybe even a nice drink (or both haha).From his hilarious TV3 sign off from back in the day, to chasing Mongolian Death Worms, interviewing Colin Craig in the sauna, to now spending a lot of time looking into conspiracy theories - this guy is just so interesting and awesome.Here's the link to David's Webworm

Today’s guest Joe Daymond, a delightful young man who hails from Wainuiomata.He’s smart, he’s bloody funny and Joe is basically taking on everything - which is awesome to watch unfold.When he’s not selling out stand up comedy gigs, or featuring on Celebrity Treasure Island, he’s making an amazing show called Bouncers, for Comedy Central and Sky UK. Pretty epic for someone who has only been in the game four years!

WARNING: This episode discusses suicide and mental illness.It’s an absolute honour to speak to today’s guest - the 2021 Young New Zealander of the Year, Jazz Thornton.Jazz is a Mental Health activist, a TV and Film director, an author, not to mention a beautiful young woman who puts her heart and soul into everything she does.She is a shining light of hope in New Zealand, and she shares that light and that hope here and around the world with her own personal story.Jazz joins me as Mental Health Awareness Week begins here in Aotearoa.Where to find help and support: Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633 Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737 What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787) Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat Samaritans - 0800 726 666 Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757 Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Honestly, if you don’t walk away from today’s episode with a cup so full it’s overflowing, I’ll give you your money back (lol).Seriously though, this young woman is such a beautiful soul, an amazing role model and someone pretty brave to open up and share her story - the good, the bad, the funny and the sad.Jess Quinn has achieved so much, and can now add book author to her long list of awesomeness.Still Standing: What I've learnt from a life lived differently is available from 21 September at most bookstores.https://www.allenandunwin.co.nz/browse/book/Jess-Quinn-Still-Standing-9781988547299

We have two guests who are multi-sport legends.Simone Maier (2x Coast to Coast Longest Day Winner) and Emily Wilson (2019 GODZone winner with Simone) have had their fair share of success in endurance and adventure racing - their mental toughness, grit and determination is very inspiring.How cool then, that Simone and Emily have decided to pass on all their knowledge and experience to others - particularly women - so they can grow to be better versions of themselves. I am so here for that.These two are an absolute hoot to chat to. And to find out more about how you can draw some more inspo from them, here's their website: https://www.alevelup.co.nz/ 

Today’s guest is the remarkable young woman Siobhan Terry, and I think we’ll all have to keep an eye on her as she’s destined for big things.Siobhan has just featured on the global stage as part of a series called “We The 15”, which is sport’s biggest ever human rights movement to end discrimination. It aims to transform the lives of the world’s 1.2 billion people with disabilities who represent 15% of the global population. See here: https://www.wethe15.org/ Siobhan is a competitive para swimmer and loves spending her time with younger athletes encouraging them to follow their dreams. SHE IS AMAZING!