He’s been a member of the NZSAS – New Zealand’s elite special forces unit - and is now an America’s Cup-winning grinder with Emirates Team New Zealand.

In this episode we talk about what it takes to pass SAS selection, his insane physical feats (including breaking NZ’s 500m indoor rowing record), how he emailed his way into Team New Zealand, what it’s like grinding in the cyclor cockpit, the pressures of running the team’s comms systems, and how he balances it all with being a father of three.

We also hear about his time managing MIQ during Covid, a wild story about “Goose Eggs”, and his new project - “The Forge” - an intense personal development course that sounds like Outward Bound on steroids.

This was a quietly extraordinary chat. Marius isn’t someone who loves the spotlight, but the more we heard, the more impressed we were - and it sounds like everyone who’s worked with him feels the same.

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 reveal the stories that didn’t make the final cut of our chat with Jay Reeve - and why.

We also dive into some spicy listener questions, including:

– The biggest lies we’ve told on the podcast

– Guests we’ve disagreed with

– Our most cringeworthy podcast moments

– And… a surprising discussion on female pleasure

Watch or listen to Hambassadors wherever you get podcasts!

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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

Dame Noeline Taurua is one of New Zealand’s most successful and respected coaches — and one of the most compelling minds in high performance sport.

In this raw and revealing episode, Noeline opens up about her journey from a childhood shaped by violence, to leading the Silver Ferns to World Cup glory just eight months after taking the job. We talk about the pressures of elite coaching, the spiritual wisdom she receives from a monk advisor, and how she juggled motherhood with one of the toughest jobs in sport.

We also dive into her Māori identity, her unconventional coaching methods, the heartbreak of missing out on the Ferns job the first time, and how she built a culture that brought a team back from rock bottom.

It’s honest, wise, emotional and powerful — a masterclass in resilience and leadership.

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 1:1 episode, Steve sits down with Di Foster for a raw, honest conversation about the busy trap so many business owners fall into — and how to escape it.

They unpack:

• The art of saying no without guilt
• How to reclaim your time and energy
• Why "busyness" is often just bullshit
• The fear of letting go – and what happens when you finally do
• Imposter syndrome, and backing yourself
• Di’s personal goals, mindset shifts, and what she’s still learning on her journey

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or unsure when it all stops — this one’s for you.

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.

Jay Reeve opens up about the behind-the-scenes magic of Jay & Dunc, the wild ride of building Pals into one of NZ’s most beloved drinks brands, and the personal battles that shaped him — including IVF, fatherhood, and what real male friendship looks like in 2025.

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 on Hambassadors, we react to an unexpected Leigh Hart clip where he rates our show(!), sparking a trip down memory lane to their 2020 lockdown episode - complete with tales of divorce, DIY TV, and late-night chaos.

We also dive into:

- The Golden Era of New Zealand television – has anything topped SportsCafe, Back of the Y, or Eating Media Lunch?

- The top “icks” giving women the ick in 2025 (spoiler: some of them are brutal)

- Plus the usual mix of hot takes, deep dives, and behind the scenes podcast moments

Watch or listen wherever you get podcasts!

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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

In this episode, we sit down with one of New Zealand’s most quietly influential tech investors and founders: Rowan Simpson.

As employee #3 at TradeMe and an early investor in Xero, Rowan helped build two of NZ’s biggest startup success stories.

But his story goes far deeper than money. He shares how he went from near-bankruptcy to the $750M TradeMe exit, his role in backing Kiwi founders, his philosophies on parenting, time, failure, AI—and why ‘business is like a rollercoaster’ metaphor is bullshit.

🧠 Topics include:

– The TradeMe origin story (and the nightmare before the sale)

– Why “fail fast” is bad advice

– Lessons from Xero, Vend, and a year of world travel

– How to pitch to investors (and how not to)

– Saying no, picking your 3 things, and building a life of purpose

– Sport, family, AI, and the future of New Zealand tech

📍 Watch, listen, and subscribe on YouTube, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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 special Accidental Business Owners episode, we mark our first year of going full-time on Between Two Beers - and one year if working with Di.

We tackle:

- The frenetic pace of building your own business (📅 slave to Google Calendar)

- Why everything takes longer than expected—and how to build in buffer

- The power of saying “no” to protect your time, energy, and brand

- Unlocking growth: the difference between working in your business vs on it

- Practical mindset: “Do what’s in front of you”… and outwork your own expectations

💡 Featuring a Xero listener question asking, “What’s the one piece of advice you wish you’d had before starting your own business?” Tune in for relatable, real-talk, and actionable takeaways from the past 12 months.

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.

Robyn Malcolm is a national treasure.

From Outrageous Fortune to After the Party, this is Robyn like you’ve never seen her.

She talks going sober, acting alongside Antony Starr, solo parenting through stardom, the power of older women on screen, her sons’ hilarious texts, and why she’s not holding back on the current Government.

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

Enjoy.

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

In this episode of Hambassadors we go behind the scenes of our recent podcast with Ian Foster, unpacking the making of the blockbuster interview — what went into it, what surprised us, and why it might be our best work yet.

We share a few unseen moments, voice messages from listeners, and wildly mixed YouTube feedback — from teary-eyed praise to brutal radio-sport-style takedowns. 

There's insight into our into our creative process, from guest prep to managing “fluffy vs gritty” lines of questioning.

Plus: Auckland City's 10–0 Club World Cup loss, a chaotic Sex.Life unboxing segment, a 4-year-old’s hilarious voice note, and teasers for upcoming bangers like Robyn Malcolm and a mystery SAS legend.

Hambassadors proudly brought to you by Stark.

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