Kiwi Yarns

I am extremely grateful that over the years I’ve worked with some wonderful New Zealanders - and today’s guest is no exception. He’s a kind, caring and hilarious soul who graces our television screens every morning on TVNZ's Breakfast. Matty McLean delivers us our weather with a smile on his face and a warmth you simply can't fake. And my word he tells a GREAT yarn (numerous included in this episode)!

Aesha Scott keeps me entertained with her bright, bubbly and refreshingly honest daily life updates on her Instagram stories. But Aesha will also be known by many as the hard-case Kiwi who took centre stage on the highly addictive reality show, Below Deck. She’s recently back from an epic travel journey across the United States in a converted ambulance. Aesha has an extremely positive and amazing outlook on life, and I'm pretty sure I had a smile on my face through this entire episode - she's an absolute gem!

When I saw today’s guest cross the finish line a few weekends back at the Tarawera Ultramarathon I knew immediately I wanted to talk to her. Ruth Croft smashed the 102 kilometre race (yes, that says 102 kilometres) - with a course record of 9 hours, 21 minutes and 3 seconds. Ruth's running journey is a fascinating one in which she admits over the course of her career she has fallen in and out of love with it on more than one occasion. It's a fascinating look into what goes into training for such a massive race. What's next you ask? Nevermind 102 kilometres, Ruth's now preparing for a 100 mile race in the US (and yes, that says 100 miles)! Legend!

Today's guest is beaming in from sunny Nelson. Jessie Cross is someone who has fit quite a lot into her 28 years. She has a background in law and science, working in the legal industry and in social enterprise. But, like many, when Covid hit last year she lost her job. Jessie then set up “The Not so Redundant Club” to support other people who have lost their jobs. She has since completed a yoga teacher training course and started working for the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum - and has just received the inaugural Kāmahi Trust Coaching scholarship. A great young woman out there doing her bit for the world!

Today's guest is Brad Smeele - a legendary world champion wakeboarder, and an extremely talented Kiwi who spent the better part of a decade killing it on the world stage. In 2014, Brad won a global award for “Trick of the Year” for nailing a double tantrum to blind (we will find out about what that is but know it's a big trick) - the first person in the world to do so. But, that very trick would a few weeks later change his life - Brad took a heavy crash trying to land it - and broke his neck so badly he was left quadriplegic. By his own admission, he's battled through some pretty dark times since the accident, but hearing how he has navigated through that is a remarkable story. He's currently in the middle of finishing a book, and learning how to dive - so you can only imagine how epic his outlook on life is!

Today's guest is someone who’s played a very significant part in shaping not only my career, but I dare say thousands of journalists around New Zealand. Jim Tully was a graduate in the inaugural year of Canterbury University’s Journalism programme - a programme he would go on to run for 25 years - teaching bright-eyed, excited students who were ready to take on the world. This year, he was honoured with a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to journalism and education, just over 50 years after he walked into the Auckland Star for his first journalism job in 1969. He tells a great yarn!

Chris Parker is a very charismatic, talented and award-winning comedian and actor, and it would be fair to say he was a shining light for many people during New Zealand’s 2020 lockdown 1.0 and 2.0. When we were all stuck in our homes, Chris took to Instagram and basically could nail every type of lockdown character there was - from iso-baking, to at-home travel blogs, even mastering Dr Ashley Bloomfield. He basically became a public service we were all crying out for. He also learnt the art of felting, which resulted in his work being displayed in Auckland Museum! He's such a wonderful soul!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s guest is a bright, bubbly 24-year old woman I now have the pleasure to call a friend. Georgie Ferris brings a whole new meaning to “living everyday as if it’s your last”, because she is very realistic about the fact that she won’t get as many days as most of us.Everyday, Georgie's body is failing her. She has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and a number of really awful complications brought on by that. But Georgie's outlook on life is remarkable. There's no doom and gloom and there certainly doesn’t seem to be any fear. She's a young girl making the most of every single day by belting out a pretty epic bucket list - to make sure she does everything she’s always wanted to do.

Welcome back everyone! I’m so excited to speak to more great New Zealanders this year, and my first guest for 2021 is the wonderful Kristina Cavit, Founder & Director of The Kindness Institute.Kristina is one of those people, who seems to spend most of the hours in her day helping other people.In 2018 she was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to youth and community, one of a number of awards she’s received.Kristina spends time working with marginalised communities facing stress and trauma here and around the world.There are so many remarkable things she has done, and is continuing to do, and it was an absolute pleasure to have some of her time. I hope you enjoy!

Today’s guest is the wonderful Wendy Petrie - who for the past 14 years has greeted us on our television screens bang on 6pm, on New Zealand's biggest news show, One News. This year, Wendy was very publicly made redundant - and dealt with it in the utmost professional and dignified manner. The superstar journalist, presenter, mother, marathon runner, is always so positive and discusses life without the news.