Baskets Of Knowledge

This week we sat down with the incredible Georgie Chambers, a person whose journey is as courageous as it is inspiring.

Georgie opened up about her transformation from living in the shadows of insecurity, body image struggles, and an eating disorder… to becoming a coach, leader, and community builder who empowers others to choose themselves and step into courage every day.

One of the pivotal moments in her life came during her yoga teacher training, a pause that forced her to sit with herself, make hard decisions, and completely reset her path. Since then, Georgie has chosen herself over and over again, whether through leaving relationships, embracing cold water therapy for suicide awareness, or building communities where people truly connect beyond the surface level.

What struck us most is Georgie’s reminder that:

Life is about courage. Every day requires us to make choices – and every choice shapes who we become.

Her story is raw, real, and full of lessons that anyone, whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or simply figuring out your next step, can take to heart.

Some power moments from our conversation include

• Choose yourself: even when it feels terrifying, it’s the most empowering decision you can make.

• Courage is in the everyday: from tough conversations to getting out of bed, every act requires bravery.

• Failure is not the end: it’s proof you’re trying. The only real failure is giving up.

• Community matters: growth happens when we’re surrounded by people who lift us up.

• Don’t die wondering: life is too short not to take the leap.

You don’t want to miss this one. Listen to the full episode on Spotify or YouTube, search Baskets of Knowledge Podcast and join us in filling your basket with Georgie’s wisdom.

Connect with Georgie here to be part of her world @georgie_chambers

What’s one courageous choice you’ve made recently? Drop it in the comments.. we’d love to hear your story.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

On the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sat down with Vicki Tyler, a powerhouse in leadership, coaching, and human development , to unpack her incredible journey of resilience, self-discovery, and growth.

Vicki’s story is deeply human. She spoke about her early years, the challenges of navigating identity and belonging, and how those experiences shaped her drive to create spaces where people feel seen and valued. What stood out most was her belief that leadership is not about authority, but about the ability to listen, and become a catalyst to empower and guide others to step into their full potential.

One of the most powerful insights Vicki shared was about the "edge" where growth opportunities lie. She named her company The Grow Zone which represents that uncomfortable space where "what" happens meets "our response"  to it, as that is where growth occurs. While most of us shy away from the edge because it feels risky, Vicki reminds us that it’s exactly where transformation begins.

Beyond her personal journey, Vicki is a strong advocate for women in leadership,  helping women step into their voices, back themselves, and break through barriers in environments where confidence can so often be tested. Her work highlights that when women rise, entire communities benefit. Her current "195 Campaign" asks the same question to a woman in leadership, in every country in the world. With perspectives learned, she will use the findings to benefit young women in leadership around the globe.

In our conversation, she opened up about:

• Why authenticity is the foundation of leadership – when you show up as yourself, you give others permission to do the same.

• The ongoing work of balancing ambition with self-compassion.

This episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and practical insights for anyone on a journey of growth, whether you’re leading a team, a business, or yourself.

Tune in to the full conversation with Vicki Tyler on Baskets of Knowledge, now live on Spotify and YouTube.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

What happens when you stop adding… and start cutting?

In our latest Baskets of Knowledge episode, we speak with Sneha Villalva, a woman who has worn many hats; journalist, executive speechwriter, storyteller, and now, emerging speaker and soon-to-be author.

Her journey is anything but ordinary.

- She discovered her calling in the middle of a darkened dorm room, sick and reading a book that would change her life forever.
- She snuck into the Women’s World Cup for her very first front-page story.
- She’s given voice to leaders at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, all while quietly silencing her own.
- She’s navigated burnout, cultural pressures, and the grief of losing someone she loved far too soon.

And through it all, she uncovered a truth: the most powerful growth often comes from letting go.

That’s where The CUT comes in, a framework born from her life’s defining moments. We don’t reveal it here… you’ll need to listen to hear what it stands for and why it might be the exact shift you need right now.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How personal tragedy shaped Sneha’s outlook on time, priorities, and peace.

• Why perfectionism could be silently holding you back.

• The surprising link between words, self-talk, and the life you build.

• How owning your voice can change not just your career, but your confidence.

Listen on Spotify or watch on YouTube to step inside Sneha’s story and discover what The CUT could mean for you.

This week, we sat down with Pratishtha Purohit, founder of EduventureNZ, corporate trainer, social impact advocate, and mum,  to talk about her journey to New Zealand, the challenges she’s faced, and the generational ripple effect of her work.

Pratishtha’s story is one of courage, grit, and purpose:

- She moved to NZ after a life changing head injury left her partially deaf and without her sense of smell or taste.
- She carried the weight of her parents’ painful migrant exploitation experience and came determined to prove it could be different.
- She began her career here teaching second-chance Māori and Pasifika learners, eventually working across communities to bridge cultural understanding.
- She founded EduventureNZ to give international students and migrants the truth about life in NZ, no sugar coating, so they could be better prepared for the challenges ahead.
- She also runs Prana Inspire, helping solo mums from rural communities find pathways into high-paying, sustainable careers.

Key Learnings from this Episode:

• Labels matter, being called a “migrant” can unconsciously place people on the back foot. True inclusion begins with “I belong.”
  
• Community connection is power, understanding Te Ao Māori and working across cultures opened deeper perspectives on what NZ really is beyond the surface.
  
• Tell the reality, not just the dream, preparing migrants with honest expectations can protect mental health and prevent disillusionment.
  
• Impact is generational, helping one person often changes the trajectory of entire families and communities.
  

Listen now on Spotify or YouTube for a raw, inspiring, and thought-provoking conversation that will change how you see migration, belonging, and the ripple effect of our actions.

He did it. Four marathons in one day. But the real story? It wasn’t about fitness.

On this week’s episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we welcome back Scott Casey-Woolridge, one month and one day after his huge challenge: a marathon ski, row, bike and run… all in a single day.

We spoke to him before the event. He was excited, focused, and ready.

Now, on the other side of it?

We talk about the raw truth, the comedown, the emotion, and the deeper impact this challenge had on him.

Yes, he pushed through pain, physical pain, mental fatigue, even slipping mid-run in the pouring rain.

But the part that stuck with us the most?

That quiet moment. Hugging his dad at the finish line. The journey that wasn’t just 42km x 4 but years of personal growth, healing, and owning his identity.

This wasn’t just about finishing a challenge.

It was about choosing to show up.

For himself. For others. For the version of him he wanted to become.

He raised over $7,300 for mental health support. But what he really raised was a conversation — one about purpose, community, and resilience.

This conversation is full of insight, honesty, and emotion.
If you’ve ever felt like giving up… if you’ve ever had that voice in your head say “just stop”… this is for you.

Here are a few takeaways that stuck with us:

• A problem shared is a problem halved, community matters more than we think.
  
• We are capable of so much more than the stories we tell ourselves.
  
• Don’t make statements. Make decisions. There’s power in choosing.
  
• Your “hard thing” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Own it.
  
• Let yourself feel it all. The pride. The pain. The meaning. It’s all part of the process.
  

If Scott’s story moved you, let him know.

And if you’re sitting on your own version of “what’s next,” this might be the sign you needed.

Drop a comment, share it forward, and take one small step toward your own challenge.

We’re all more capable than we realise.

It started with a student refusing to put their phone away.

Chris Valli was a teacher, father, husband, and community man. On paper, everything looked “fine.” But beneath the surface, he was juggling too much, teaching by day, musical theatre by night, a strained marriage, and a growing sense of disconnect within himself.

And then, in one moment of exhaustion and reactivity, it all came crashing down.

A classroom incident.
An investigation.
Public headlines.
A lost job. A lost identity.

But that wasn’t the end.

In this raw and honest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Chris opens up about his downward spiral, the toll of unacknowledged mental health, and what it means to slowly rebuild a life, not with perfection, but with purpose.

We explore what happens when you lose everything you thought defined you and the surprising tools that can help you find your way back. Things like:

Honest conversations
Creative expression
Connection with others
And yes, putting the phone down

This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth.

It’s about learning how to sit with discomfort long enough to hear what your life is trying to tell you.

Key Lessons from Chris:

Burnout doesn’t scream, it whispers until you break.
Vulnerability isn’t a breakdown, it’s a breakthrough.

Cellphones are more than distractions. they’re often emotional shields.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, look after your wellbeing first.
Your story is still yours, even if others try to rewrite it.

Now, Chris is telling his story on his terms, with courage, clarity, and the hope that it might reach someone else who's quietly falling apart.

His upcoming book Put the Phone Away isn’t about screens, it’s about presence.
It's about what happens when you're forced to stop scrolling, stop performing, and start healing.

Today, Chris is a writer, a partner, a father.
But more importantly, he's someone who's done the work to face himself.

If you've ever felt like you're just holding it together… this episode is for you.

And maybe, just for a moment, "Put the Phone Down"

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

What does courage look like when life throws you into unimaginable grief?

How do you keep showing up when the future you built disappears overnight?

In this weeks episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we speak with Roslyn English OAM, community leader, musician, cancer survivor, and proud recipient of the Order of Australia Medal.

At the youthful age of 80, Roslyn is still learning, growing, and giving back.

But behind her accolades is a story of raw, heart-wrenching resilience.

•  The sudden loss of her husband in 1989.
  
•  Raising three young daughters alone.
  
•  Living hour by hour in the depths of grief.
  
•  Rebuilding her life from scratch, one courageous step at a time.
  

Roslyn shares how she created her metaphorical “Bucket of Courage”, a concept born from heartbreak that now inspires her keynote speaking.

This episode is not just about loss. It’s about:

•  The power of community (shoutout to Gosford Musical Society)
  
• Why grief deserves conversation, not silence
  
• Reinventing yourself at any age
  
• And how everyday courage changes lives
  

Key Learnings from this Episode:
🔸 Grief is love with nowhere to go  and we all experience it in different forms
🔸 Don’t underestimate small wins sometimes, surviving the next hour is the win
🔸 Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s choosing to show up anyway
🔸 Community and creativity can be powerful tools for healing
🔸 You are never too old to learn something new or start again

Whether you're navigating loss, supporting someone who is, or needing a reminder that courage lives in you too, this episode is for you.

Enjoy 

Prajesh and Tane

What does it take to go from standing outside the principal’s office for failing school exams… to becoming the founding director of two of New Zealand’s most innovative restaurants… and now, a transformative coach reshaping lives?

In this deeply moving and powerful episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Chandni Sahrawat , entrepreneur, advocate, and coach  to unpack a life story that will stay with you.

-  From surviving societal pressure and a cry for help in her teenage years…
- To arriving alone in New Zealand with no accommodation, no support, and no plan B…
- To reshaping how Aotearoa views Indian food, migrant rights, and female entrepreneurship…

Chand’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and radical authenticity.

Whether you know her through her leadership at Cassia, Sidart, or her new chapter in transformational coaching, this episode will make you rethink what success really looks like and why work-life balance is a myth.

Key Learnings:

✅ Your past doesn’t define your future  even if you’ve hit rock bottom
✅ There’s power in starting from the bottom (yes, she started as a hostess in her own restaurant)
✅ True leadership means being in the trenches with your team
✅ Burnout is real  and recognising it early is a superpower
✅ You don’t need to “have it all figured out” to take the next step

But perhaps the most important takeaway?

You don’t have to wait for a crisis to do something meaningful.

Chand reminds us that we all have potential  even if we can’t see it yet. And that the right mentor, the right moment, or the right mindset shift can change your life.

#BasketsOfKnowledge #ChandniSahrawat #PodcastNZ #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneurship #MigrantVoices 

What if period equity wasn’t just a cause but a business model?
What if advertising could fund free period products without putting the burden back on women?

That’s exactly what Aditi Gorasia is doing with Ads on Pads, a social enterprise changing the game. In this episode, Aditi shares the deeply personal story behind her mission to eliminate period poverty in Aotearoa and beyond.

From handing out free pads as a Women’s Welfare Officer at the University of Auckland…
To launching a startup where brands advertise on period product packaging to fund access for those who need it most…
To pitching to global brands, standing firm on values, and saying no to ads that don’t empower…

She’s building a business that’s commercially smart, values-led, and impact-first.

 We cover:

• Why profit and purpose must co-exist

• The challenges of being a young, Indian woman founder in a male-dominated startup space

• The power of lived experience in shaping ethical entrepreneurship

• And why sometimes not putting pads in the bathroom turned out to be the greatest gift of all, the chance to hear real stories

Aditi doesn’t just talk equity. She lives it. Whether it’s saying no to alcohol and diet pill sponsors, or choosing people over profit in her earliest deals, her leadership is bold and brave.

Some key learnings include

1.  "Only money can do money’s job." Social impact needs sustainable funding and that’s not a dirty thing.
   
2. Don’t wait for permission. If no one else is solving it, maybe it’s your job.
   
3. The best data is often in the stories people are too scared to tell, unless you create a safe space for them to share.
   
4. Your values aren’t marketing. They’re your compass. Use them.
   
5.  Changing the world doesn’t start with shouting. It starts with listening.
   

Tune in to the full episode now on Spotify & YouTube

Know someone who needs to hear this? Share it.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

"If you can, you will." 

The mindset behind doing the impossible.

On the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sat down with someone who doesn’t just talk about growth—he lives it.

Meet Scott Casey-Woolridge: recent university graduate, CrossFit coach, and the man behind a physical and mental challenge that will stretch what you believe is possible.

Last year, Scott rowed over 465km across 30 days. This year? He’s taking on four back-to-back marathons in a single day, ski, row, bike, and run, all while fundraising for I AM HOPE, a youth mental health charity in Aotearoa.

But this conversation goes deeper than distance.

We spoke about:

• How physical endurance events like Misogi (Japanese-rooted concept: “do one thing a year so hard it shapes the rest of your year”) helped Scott reframe his life.

• The brutal honesty of his mental health journey, including navigating generational trauma and anxiety.

• Why self-talk is the real battle, and how his dad’s words — “You’ve always got 20% more in the tank”, became his internal compass.

• The power of shifting from arrogance to humility, from expectation to action.

Scott’s story is about choosing your hard, on purpose. It's about how showing up for one painful kilometre teaches you to show up for yourself in the messy, mundane moments of life.

This episode isn’t just inspiration, it’s activation.

Whether you're someone who’s already pushing the edge or someone trying to find your footing, Scott’s story will meet you where you are.

Learn more about Scott’s mission and support his fundraiser through the link in the comments or here https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/scoots-2025-misogi

Connect with Scott here:

Email - ⁠[email protected]⁠

Insta - @scott.cw

Cell - 027 559 1570 

Let’s keep normalising conversations about mental health, building resilience, and doing things that scare us, because that’s where growth begins.

Enjoy 

Prajesh and Tane