Kiwi Yarns

Today’s guest is Campbell Johnstone.He is the first openly gay All Black - after making the decision to come out on national television last year.Since then, Campbell has become an amazing advocate for inclusion and diversity in sport. And, the title "first openly gay All Black" is one he's happy to sit with if it helps create change. It's also wedding year for Campbell and his fiancé Ben - find out what Campbell suggested for the wedding that's meant he's banned from organising it haha!

Today’s guest is in my opinion - one of the coolest local body politicians you will find. And yes I said cool and politician in the same sentence!Richard Hills has been on Auckland Council since 2016 - he became the youngest person on council and lord knows we need more young people in local government!You can actually hear the passion in his voice - he is genuinely in the job to make the city a better place - it's so lovely to hear!Richard is one of the good ones, and I hope you enjoy listening to a lovely man with a brilliant heart as much as I did!

Today’s guest is a man who knows a thing or two about putting a world class event on. Karl Budge is the man who made the ASB Classic a massive success, and an award-winning event, luring in massive names like Serena and Venus Williams. How he got them to come is absolutely fascinating!Karl played a huge role in the success of the amazing Sail GP event in Ōtautahi last year - and has worked on a number of global sporting events.All this from a kid that left school at 16, because he was a 'dreamer" and his dreams didn't quite work at school. A really really insightful conversation!

Today’s guest is columnist, MC, public speaker and cabaret club vixen Verity Johnson - what an epic array of titles!Verity is an extremely talented writer whose funny, thought-provoking and relatable columns have seen her writing successfully for our biggest news organisations since she was 18 - but her first column was published in the New Zealand Herald at 16.Cabaret club vixen really pricks up my ears too so I’m keen to find out more about that. Clue: she left the media and ran away to join the male strip club! It's a great yarn!

Today’s guest is 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 one of the first high profile New Zealanders, to talk about depression and mental health, JK plays a massive role in this space - he is remarkable to watch and learn from.He also has a wine company, is an amazing TV Presenter and Rugby commentator, and really bloody fantastic man.This podcast was EVERYTHING I needed to hear at the moment - so I best let him invoice me for one of the most valuable therapy sessions ever! Hope you get something from it too. 

Today’s guest is Auckland MMA fighter Carlos Ulberg - aka “The Black Jag”.Carlos is part of the hugely successful City Kickboxing team - and it's a gym that’s described as "an old warehouse on the edge of the city" but has garnered global attention for it’s impressive array of extremely ridiculously talented UFC fighters - like Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker.He wants to be the best light heavyweight fighter in the world, and listening to him share his story of where he's come from and how he intends on doing it, is a fascinating insight into the mind of a professional athlete.

This podcast features a Kiwi entrepreneur with a colorful past including X Games success, nightclub ownership, and charity work. The host and guest share funny stories about hidden camera shows, discuss digital transformation with NFTs and Bitcoin, and explore the speaker's creative pursuits and love for technology. They also plan a lavish barbecue with Sato beef short ribs and dream of a luxurious hiking trip to Abel Tasman.

Today’s guest is our super talented New Zealand Sail GP team strategist - Liv Mackay.Liv is also in the New Zealand team for the first ever women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona this year - so a massive year ahead!Liv is a great role model not only for younger sailors, but she isn't afraid to speak about the lack of female representation in the sport too. She spends a lot of her downtime (which she has bugger all of!) at local yacht clubs inspiring others to get involved.

Married at First is coming back to New Zealand this year, so if you’re looking for love and would like to bare your soul on national television - this could be your year! And, today’s guest will be right in the thick of helping guide the couples in a show that blew up to one of the most popular Reality TV shows in the world.John Aiken has been sitting on the couch as the relationship expert across the ditch for Married at First Sight Australia since it began and he has absolutely seen it all.And look while he’s here lets take advantage and get some solid relationship advice along the way too!

Today’s guest is one of the country’s greatest and most loved rugby players.A true gentleman of the sport, Keven Mealamu played 132 tests for the All Blacks - just two players have played more. He won the Rugby World Cup twice and made more than 150 appearances for the Blues in Super Rugby. He is loved by those who played with him, those who played against him, and I think it's fair to say we all love him (well you definitely will after this!).