Baskets Of Knowledge

In this week’s episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we’re thrilled to feature Priya, a person that continues to blow our mind through her simple yet empowering content.  Priya transformed her life by stepping away from the traditional “success checklist” to define purpose on her own terms. Raised with conservative expectations, Priya followed the typical path of education, career, and family but found herself asking, “Is this it?” Her story is a testament to the power of redefining success from within.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

Perspective as Power
Priya shows us how a shift in perspective, seeing life from new angles, can open up possibilities and unlock our potential. Her journey of questioning assumptions is a blueprint for anyone feeling stuck.

Redefining Success
Freeing herself from external expectations, Priya stopped living for others and began to pursue her passions. This step toward authenticity gave her the freedom to find genuine happiness and purpose.

Small Habits, Big Transformation
Through daily journaling, movement, and consistent small actions, Priya reconnected with herself, showing us that transformation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small, meaningful habits are key to lasting change. We also speak about her motivation to share this with the world.

Listen now to hear Priya’s inspiring journey and discover actionable insights to help you unlock your own potential and live with intention.

In our latest episode, we chat with Ryan Williams, an inspiring young leader from rural New Zealand who’s now thriving at Dartmouth College with the support of Crimson Education. From a small town to the Ivy League, Ryan’s story is packed with insights on authenticity, perseverance, and the power of community.

Key Takeaways:

Stay True to Your Roots: Growing up on a farm, Ryan’s connection to the land and his small-town values continue to guide him. He emphasises the importance of knowing your core values, especially when navigating new worlds.

Passion + Perseverance = Impact: What started as a simple science project on water quality led Ryan to international research forums and impactful sustainability work. His story reminds us that every big journey begins with a small step!

Embrace New Opportunities with Boldness: Inspired by a chance conversation, Ryan took the leap to apply to U.S. universities with Crimson Education’s help. Now at Dartmouth on a scholarship, he’s showing other Kiwi students that bold decisions can open doors.

Community and Collaboration: From youth councils in New Zealand to connecting with peers around the world, Ryan values community. His advice? Surround yourself with people who challenge you and expand your horizons.

Whether you're from a small town or a bustling city, his story is proof that your dreams are within reach.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

In our latest Baskets of Knowledge episode, we dive into an inspiring kōrero with Jai, a multi-talented artist navigating the worlds of music, mixed heritage, and personal growth. Jai shared his creative journey, from the initial struggle between choosing a "safe" career path in architecture to pursuing his true passion in music and art. Here’s what we learned:

Embrace Your Unique Path – Jai opened up about breaking out of conventional paths, pushing past societal expectations, and finding joy in his mahi.

Community Redefined – Sometimes, we think community means a big network. Jai redefines it as meaningful connections with even one or two people who truly support us.

Overcoming the Comparison Trap – Jai shared how releasing music helped him overcome perfectionism and stop comparing himself to others.

The Role of Faith & Reflection – His journey emphasises the importance of spirituality and self-reflection, especially in creative processes.

For an insightful and thought-provoking chat, check out this episode! 

Check out Jai's music on any music platform

https://open.spotify.com/artist/438HzgI0bWoNoGWgavban3?si=nKgPTKZRRYCa7z62cxIUIQ

Enjoy 

Prajesh and Tane

In our recent podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Avin, a remarkable young leader whose journey from Iran to New Zealand highlights the importance of empathy, identity, and community-centered support. Here are some powerful insights she shared:

Migration and Identity: Moving countries isn't just physical; it's about rebuilding identity. Avin's family left Iran, bringing two young children to a completely new culture. For her, blending Iranian roots with Kiwi culture was a journey of adaptation, pride, and sometimes, challenges. 

Listening to Community Needs: Through her work with refugee communities, Avin realised how crucial it is to create initiatives led by the voices of those we’re aiming to serve. She went from crafting her own ideas to building yoga sessions specifically requested by the community, a lesson in the value of active listening over assumption.

Breaking Down Language Barriers: Avin's story emphasizes that language shouldn’t be a barrier to opportunity. Many migrants and refugees face systemic obstacles simply due to language, regardless of their skills. 

Celebrating Wins & Inspiring Young Women: Avin’s recognition by GirlBoss NZ and her work in STEM serves as a testament to her commitment to empowering young women and making health resources accessible to diverse communities.

Avin’s story reminds us that real change comes from centering the voices of those we aim to help, embracing diverse perspectives, and being open to listen and adapt.

Tune in to the podcast to hear Avin’s full story, and don’t forget to share it with others who may find her journey inspiring!

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

Change is inevitable, but how we embrace it makes all the difference. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Adam McConnochie, co-founder of sustainable toothpaste company, Solid, on our podcast, Baskets of Knowledge. His journey is a testament to the power of transformation, both personally and professionally.

One pivotal moment in Adam’s life was a trip to India during his final year of high school. What started as a family vacation turned into a life-altering experience. This experience opened his eyes to the vastness of the world and sparked a curiosity to learn more about different cultures, global challenges, and what lies beyond our comfort zones.

In addition to his entrepreneurial journey, Adam has made significant contributions through his work with the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono. There, he focused on building connections between entrepreneurs in New Zealand and Southeast Asia, facilitating exchanges that allowed them to learn from one another. Adam’s role also involved creating leadership networks and fostering understanding between diverse cultures, which further fueled his passion for global collaboration. This interest also led to him being selected as an Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific leader. 

Highlights from our conversation revealed Adam’s deep commitment to sustainability and how he and his wife, Laura, built Solid, (@solidoralcare) their innovative toothpaste company. Adam shared the exciting milestone of launching the world’s first in-store toothpaste dispenser, offering a zero-waste solution to reduce the 16 million toothpaste tubes that go to landfill each year in New Zealand. 

He emphasised that small, manageable changes can create a significant positive impact on the environment. One inspiring example was how they reuse glass jars, creating a sustainable loop that makes customers realise that they are part of the solution, not the problem.

Adam also spoke about the importance of finding joy in the sustainability journey, whether it’s through small habits like cutting down on waste, choosing products that reflect your values, or simply being more conscious of our daily choices. 

He reminded us that personal growth often comes from unexpected places, like his trip to India, and how curiosity and openness can lead to greater understanding and impact.

Adam’s story is a powerful reminder that change, though often challenging, can lead to new opportunities, personal growth, and a positive impact on the world around us.

Get your fix of Solid here: https://solidoralcare.co.nz/

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

In the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we had the pleasure of speaking with Lewis Wall, founder of The Student Hand, an early careers recruitment platform helping students in New Zealand connect with businesses for internships and graduate opportunities. Lewis, a recent graduate from the University of Otago, shared his journey from creating a labour hire service to pivoting into recruitment, driven by a passion to help students overcome the challenges of finding their first career break.

What struck us most was his perspective on taking bold steps. From his first business idea to facing 33 iterations of The Student Hand, Lewis has embodied the concept of "easy to do, easy not to do." It’s easy to quit when the path gets tough, but the real growth comes from sticking to it, learning from failures, and building connections.

He also highlighted how growing up in a family where entrepreneurship was present helped shape his mindset. Traveling from a young age gave him a global perspective that continues to influence his approach to life and business.

For students, his advice is simple: don’t be afraid to reach out and seize opportunities. Every connection can open new doors, and no question is too small to ask.

If you're a student seeking internships or a business looking for talent, The Student Hand might just be the platform that connects you with your next opportunity. You can check out more at The Student Hand or connect with Lewis directly on LinkedIn.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

In our latest podcast episode, we had an incredible conversation with Crissy Sanders, a 21-year-old public health graduate who has experienced more in the last few years than most do in a lifetime.

Crissy shared her adventures working in Kiribati, a remote Pacific Island, and traveling solo through East Africa. She opened up about her philosophy of life—“Jump, don’t step”—embracing opportunities and pushing boundaries beyond comfort zones. Whether it was booking a last-minute trip to Africa or working with a women's refuge, Crissy emphasised that the biggest growth comes when you leap into the unknown.

Her passion for public health shined through in her work on infant nutrition in Kiribati. Crissy and her team’s efforts in educating mothers on nutrition and hygiene were a testament to the power of small, community-focused actions that create long-lasting impact.

 What we loved most about our chat was Crissy’s genuine openness. From dealing with stray dogs during her morning runs to navigating scholarship rejections, her determination and resilience left a mark.

Her advice? Take the jump. Trust yourself to figure things out as you go, because the rewards often lie beyond the fear.

Curious to hear more? Tune in to the full episode on Baskets of Knowledge podcast. 

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

This week we are really privileged to have Lori Thomson, a nursing student, who shares their candid and inspiring journey through personal challenges and academic pursuits. From battling eating disorders and societal expectations to excelling in clinical placements, this story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of human connection.

Lori candidly discusses experiences with anorexia nervosa, bipolar disorder, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Lori shares how these challenges have impacted their life and how they found strength to overcome them.

Despite facing adversity, Lori found their true calling in nursing. Lori shares experiences in clinical placements, the importance of connecting with patients, and the rewarding moments that have shaped her career.

We also delve into other parts of Lori's story, one of them being the experiences of performing as a Drag King!

Whether you're a nursing student, healthcare professional, or simply looking for an inspiring story, Lori's journey will resonate with you. 

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

In this week's episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we spoke to Sanskruti Banerjee, a law and commerce student at the University of Auckland with a passion for problem-solving, advocacy, and creativity.

Sanskruti shared her journey of balancing multiple roles—from community work in mental health and sexual violence advocacy to her love for poetry and dance. Sanskriti discussed her involvement with Dear Em, a collective focused on supporting young women, and her leadership in various places where she worked to create opportunities for underrepresented students.

We spoke about the importance of South Asian representation and her efforts through the South Asian collective, Jhumka Journey.

Throughout the episode, we explored her experiences in various leadership roles, her pride in her cultural identity, and the challenges of balancing a busy life as a student and change-maker. Sanskruti also shared her thoughts on the value of pursuing passions, staying grounded, and the importance of guilt-free rest.

This episode highlights Sanskruti's journey of resilience, advocacy, and staying true to what drives her.

Enjoy

Prajesh and Tane

Recently, we had the honor of speaking with Zoe Dzapasi, an 18-year-old student at Victoria University of Wellington, who shared her incredible journey of growth, self-discovery, and advocacy. Despite moving to New Zealand from Zimbabwe at 18 months old, Zoe has maintained a strong connection to her roots while navigating the challenges of belonging in a new country.

During our conversation, Zoe opened up about encountering racism as a teen and how it shaped her view on identity and resilience. Her TED Talk, where she addressed the expectations placed on her as a black girl, became a powerful platform for expressing her experiences. 

Zoe’s passion for storytelling doesn’t stop there—she founded the board game "Ngano," inspired by Zimbabwean folklore. She’s also part of Create Happy Media, a youth-driven content platform where collaboration and youth empowerment take center stage.

As a recent member of the Y25 cohort, Zoe continues to advocate for young girls, helping them find their voices and amplify their stories. Her journey is a reminder to all of us that the power of storytelling and believing in ourselves can create real change.