Stan Walker’s story is one of survival, transformation, and purpose.

In this conversation, Stan opens up about the abuse and trauma of his childhood, the complicated relationship with his parents, and how those experiences shaped the man he is today. He reflects on the highs of fame after winning Australian Idol, the dark side of the music industry, and the battles he’s faced with public perception and health - including the life-changing surgery to remove his stomach after a genetic cancer diagnosis.

Stan also shares his journey of reclaiming his Māori identity, the cultural fire that projects like Mt. Zion and Aotearoa lit inside him, and why his purpose now is about building legacy, healing, and serving his community.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Stan’s experience growing up in an abusive household
• How trauma and family shaped his outlook on life
• The truth behind public rumours and industry pressures
• His stomach cancer journey and living without a stomach
• Reclaiming identity through te ao Māori and indigenous connection
• Why he values legacy, purpose, and family over fame

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re asking the BIG question:

👉 Is it time to rebrand Between Two Beers?

What started as two mates in a garage drinking beers has grown into a full-time business — podcasts, speaking, storytelling, partnerships. But now we’re wondering:

• Is the beer in our name holding us back?
• Are sponsors avoiding us because of it?
• Would a new name unlock new opportunities — or kill everything we’ve built?

We also dive into:

• Sponsors vs strategic partners
• The chaos of cashflow
• How to avoid the “too hard basket” trap in business

And yes, we’re genuinely asking… are we really going to do this?

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Al Brown is one of New Zealand’s most beloved chefs — but behind the TV fame (Hunger for the Wild, Masterchef), award-winning restaurants (Logan Brown, Depot, Federal Deli, Best Ugly Bagels), and his role as a Kiwi food icon lies a story of adoption, perfectionism, reinvention and resilience.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Al opens up about:

• Walking away from fine dining and Logan Brown
• Building Depot into one of NZ’s most iconic restaurants
• His drive for perfectionism — and the toll it’s taken
• Friendship, family, and what happiness looks like at 60
• Why fritters, pies and bagels matter in our Kiwi food story

This episode is funny, raw and deeply human — a look inside the life of a man who helped redefine New Zealand’s food culture. Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hambassadors, we cover it all: parenting chaos, podcasting lessons, new beers, and one unforgettable message from Laura McGoldrick.

Laura shares the powerful reminder that “one day you’ll put your child down for the very last time” - a truth about time, parenting guilt, and family that hit us both hard.

But it’s not all serious…

- Bon accidentally smashes Billy in the face during a parents vs kids football match.

- Seamus bombs with the worst MC joke at prizegiving.

- We reveal our very own Ambassador Hazy IPA (cheers, Good George).

- And we share the biggest interviewing lessons from 6 years of Between Two Beers.

Plus, movie rankings (Moana vs Predator?!), an epic Betterman event, and a sneak peek at our next guest — Al Brown.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Gurney is one of the greatest multisport athletes New Zealand has ever produced - but this podcast is about so much more than racing.

In this episode, Steve takes us far beyond the finish line.

We explore:

• Why winning 9 Coast to Coast titles didn’t bring him peace
• The childhood trauma that lit his fire
• How a near-death illness nearly ended everything
• His struggles with depression and identity
• Deep work on mental rewiring through NLP
• Navigating masculinity, aging and purpose after sport
• Stories from Dancing With the Stars, full-body waxing and being naked on Breakfast TV
• And what keeps him emotionally moved at the Coast to Coast finish line to this day

This is a masterclass in introspection, reinvention, and the quiet pursuit of peace - from someone who has truly lived multiple lives.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s really happening with Che & Di?

In this Accidental Business Owners sit-down, we unpack “the incident,” the viral clip that hit over 250k views versus where we’re at 10 weeks down the track.

Steve sets the scene, then Di breaks down why tough coaching landed, and Che explains the shift - speaking up, reducing cognitive load, and learning to say “no” without guilt.

We get into perception vs reality, the clip economy, unseen aftercare calls, cultural layers, and how values, relationships, and work collide. If you’re a founder, creator, or manager navigating candour, boundaries, and public scrutiny, this one’s gold.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Olympic BMX star Sarah Walker has lived through it all: the glory of an Olympic silver medal, the pain of breaking 18 bones, and the terrifying reality of a serious brain injury that changed her personality.

In this episode of Between Two Beers, Sarah reveals:

• The mindset shift that turned fear into bravery.
• How she rebuilt her confidence after devastating injuries.
• What it really takes to compete at the Olympics when one mistake can end your career.
• The influence of legendary sports psychologist David Galbraith and the lessons she carried beyond sport.

This is not just a story about BMX. It’s about resilience, mental strength, and how to keep believing when the world tells you to stop.

📌 Chapters & Key Moments Inside:

• Overcoming brain injury and the fear of never riding again.
• The Olympic final that changed her life forever.
• Breaking 18 bones and finding courage through pain.
• Mindset techniques that anyone can use to perform under pressure.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After his first appearance on Between Two Beers, broadcaster Mark Stafford never expected what would happen next. Listeners reached out to share how his raw honesty about mental health struggles gave them strength - and in some cases, even helped save lives.

In this special follow-up, Staffy joins us again to reflect on those messages, the impact his story has had, and what he’s learned about the power of speaking openly.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gilbert Enoka - the All Blacks’ long-time mental skills coach - shares the untold stories behind New Zealand rugby’s culture, resilience, and leadership.

Across 23 years and 304 tests and 2 World Cup victories, Gilbert worked with coaches and players like Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen, Ian Foster, and legends including Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and Tana Umaga.

In this episode, he opens up about:

• Building the All Blacks’ culture of standards
• The crisis of identity that nearly killed the haka
• Lessons from failure at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
• Why pressure is not the enemy, but a lifestyle
• “Gilbertisms” like Take the Sausage, Wishbone–Backbone–Funnybone, and Winge up, not down
• Working with Chelsea FC, England Cricket, and The NSW Blues

Whether you’re a rugby fan, coach, or leader, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve has returned from Block 1 of the Icehouse Owner Manager Program with fresh clarity - and as promised, he’s letting us in on the secrets he’s discovered: growth, overwhelm, and the little decisions that change everything.

In this episode:

• Why courageous conversations beat procrastination (eat the ugliest frog first)
• Culture > strategy (and how the Reflections team built culture remotely)
• Staying close to partners and your team (what appreciation actually looks like)
• Building a Hamilton studio so epic guests come to us - and we get our time back
• A very honest moment about “knowing your numbers” (assets, liabilities, equity)
• 
  

If you’re juggling family, cash flow, travel, and leadership - you’re not alone. This series documents the real learnings as they happen.

This episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long’ to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.