Mark Richardson was a test batsman, who has gone on to become one of New Zealand's most sought-after broadcasters. 
 
He's one of New Zealand's best cricket commentators who's also been a host of the Crowd Goes Wild, Radio Sport breakfast, the Block, the AM Show and The Project. 
 
In this episode we talk about dealing with fame, arguing with Jacinda Ardern on live TV, his grumpy man persona on the Crowd Goes Wild, the full story of *that* viral video where Stephen Fleming 'abuses' him, his slowest-loser running races after tests, his over-the-top celebration after taking his first, and only, test wicket, the realities of working on Breakfast TV, if he believes everything he says and much, much more.   

This was a lot of fun and we had a ton of laughs across this one. Mark is such a complex, interesting, entertaining character and I hope we were able to showcase some of the ‘real' Mark Richardson here. 

Show notes | Episode 81 | Mark Richardson

1.28 Is Mark Richardson a podcast guy?

2.30 The time he and Grant Elliott nearly got beaten up on a golf course in Queenstown

8.20 The slowest man races

13.19 The Crowd Goes Wild

23.37 THAT interview with Stephen Fleming

31.02 Charting the broadcast journey: From CGW to The Block

39.11 The AM Show

49.51 Breakfast broadcasting and the work / life balance

53.56 “The best seat in the house”: watching Duncan Garner at work

55.51 Dealing with fame

58.32 What happened to the bowling?

1.02.22 The transformation into an opening test bat with help from Lance Cairns

1.11.28 Taking the wicket of Yousuf Youhana at 552/7

1.16.04 The cramp in India

1.21.28 Catching Shane Warne for 99 at the MCG

1.28.48 The mental strain of being Mark Richardson the international cricketer

1.31.57 Mark Richardson the cricket commentator

1.39.55 Facing express pace

1.46.22 Scoring a hundred at Lords

1.50.24 Emotion

1.52.06 Last words from Steven, Seamus and Mark

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On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Chris Cairns. 
 
Chris is one of the best cricketers NZ has produced. A powerful, big-hitting batter who could bowl as well as he could bat. For 15-years, Chris was an ever-present in living rooms across New Zealand smashing sixes and taking wickets on TV – a sporting hero. 
 
But on the 19th of May, 2014 it was revealed Chris was under investigation for match-fixing allegations, and his life has never been the same. In 2015 he was acquitted of charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice after an eight-week trial in London's High Court and in his words “dug a hole in Australia, disappeared from the spotlight and got on with life”. 
 
Then in August of last year he suffered a heart attack. He underwent four open-heart surgeries and had a spinal stroke, which left him wheelchair-bound and paralysed in his legs. Then in February he revealed he had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. 
 
it's been a hell of a ride. 
 
In this episode we talk about why his brush with death has changed his perspective on life, and why he's now open to talking about his trial, and things he wouldn't have in the past, how he mentally coped with two months of hell in London, how it felt to have former teammates testifying against him, If he regretted suing Lalit Modhi, the realities of living with paralysis, what it was like growing up with Lance and what the future looks like. 
 
This convo covered some pretty heavy areas, and a word of warning, there are a few graphic, raw descriptions of his health battle early in the ep. Chris' life has been a real rollercoaster, and we're grateful he felt comfortable and open enough to share so much of it in great detail. 

Show notes | Episode 80 | Chris Cairns

2.06: A day in life of Chris Cairns

5.41: How the cochlear implant changed communication with Lance Cairns

11.43: Aortic dissection and spinal stroke

18.22: Waking up to the reality of being paralysed and reflecting on life after the injury

25.41: Bowel cancer

33.25: Mental resilience, choice, and purpose

35.41: Looking ahead: getting back into work

36.58: Looking back: Cairns Fudge

40.20: London High Court in 2015, the mental toll of a two-month trial

43.57: Waiting for the verdict and the experience of sitting in the dock

50.33: Reflecting on the role of former teammates and the trial

53.25: The end of the commentary career

57.09: His friendship with Dion Nash (and Pilates)

59.42: Telling the story with detail: A book on the horizon?

1.00.53: Going back to the tweet from Lalit Modi

1.04.22: The transition from “son of” to New Zealand international

1.11.39: When did you realise you would be an international cricketer?

1.14.12: A man child?

1.16.03: Behind the scenes of the Young Guns

1.18.33: A look into the future and is Isabel Cairns a future tennis star?

1.23.25: A dad with a forgotten cricket career: T20 beige kits and a bowl-off with the West Indies

1.26.28: Cricket Max and Beach Cricket

1.30.27: Medical professionals

1.32.36: Rehab and explaining things in layman's terms

1.34.55: Last words from Steven, Seamus and Chris

 

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Jack is one of the most talented people we've met. He was described to us by one of his colleagues as journalism's Swiss Army Knife – a guy that does it all.

He's been a Breakfast host, a 6pm newsreader, he hosts one of NZ's biggest radio shows on Newstalk ZB, is a columnist for the NZ Herald, has moderated live election debates, now hosts TVNZ's Q and A and has seen more, and experienced more of the world – than any 35-year-old we know. 

In this episode we talk about how he was given Paul Holmes' radio job on ZB at the age of 25 with no radio experience, *That* interview with Winston Peters where Jack was called James – about 10 times, the time he was recording live TV while fearing for his father's life, dancing with Beyonce, going to a Les Mills grit class with Lorde, flirting with Ann Hathaway, covering Trump, why he left Breakfast TV, the things you don't know about Mike Hosking and so much more. 

Jack is such a slick operator, it made this chat so much fun. This was one of our favs, I know you'll enjoy it. 

Show notes | Episode 79 | Jack Tame

2.50: Steven's embarrassing correspondence with Jack Tame and a deep dive in some Worldle chat

8.51: Jack on the Late Night Big Breakfast: communication with Leigh Hart and the genius of Jason Hoyte

14.66: Les Mills workouts with Lorde, public recognition, Paddy Gower and John Campbell

19.55 Taking over from Paul Holmes on the Newstalk ZB Saturday morning show from the USA

30.14 Reflections on Paul Holmes and the brilliance of Mike Hosking

37.15 How do you judge your success? Ratings and validation

39.36 Back to the start: the makings of Jack Tame

43.35 Jack's dad goes missing in the bush

52.45 Winston Peters v James Tame

57.22 Q+A: the art of active listening and the work behind the camera

1.08.46 Starting out on One News while still at school

1.11.28 Reflections on being the US Correspondent for TVNZ

1.20.54 US politics broken down by Jack Tame

1.27.30 Interactions with celebrities: flirting with Miley Cyrus and Anne Hathaway

1.33.02 Red wine with Sir David Attenborough

1.37.24 Seven continents

1.39.41 The gruelling nature of Breakfast television

1.46.02 Work / life balance and the future of media

1.51.24 Marshawn Lynch and the Steven Adams come up

1.55.05 A star-studded nightclub in New York

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Josh is an All Blacks legend who played at two Rugby World Cups across 54 games for the All Blacks and was a cult hero in Dunedin, where he played over 100 games for Otago and the Highlanders. 

In this episode we talk about surfing with Tom Robinson, destroying his downstairs operation on the Crowd Goes Wild, what it was really like to play with and against Jonah, how he avoided food poisoning at the 95 World Cup, what it was like playing in NZ's first Super Rugby season, why schoolboy rugby is better than All Blacks rugby, how he won consecutive seasons of Celebrity Treasure Island and much, much more. 
 
Josh is not your average rugby player. He's a trained physio, he surfs, he paints, he's a reporter for Crowd Goes Wild, he restores Classic Cars, he's a family man, and a deep thinker. 

There was so much to talk about with Josh – and as he said at the end after nearly two hours – we barely scratched the surface! You'll enjoy this one. 

Show notes | Episode 78 | Josh Kronfeld

1.38: Surfing, “Back Yourself”, and “digging like a demented mole” on Jonah Lomu Rugby

6.01: The third ugliest man at the 1999 Rugby World Cup

7.55: Injuring his downstairs operation in preparation for an interview with Mahe Drysdale

16.33: The Crowd Goes Wild

20.55: Growing up in Hastings and the importance of schoolboy rugby

29.23: From 88kg to 100kg

35.00: Otago: rugby, beating the Lions, court sessions, the supporters club, and the University of Otago experience

48.52: From amateur to professional rugby

1.01.08: The 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa

1.05.50: Meeting Nelson Mandela

1.08.59: A Jonah Lomu interlude

1.14.44: Playing for money at Leicester Tigers

1.18.40: Injuries over the years

1.22.55: No nukes in my backyard

1.28.26: Retiring from rugby and travelling for a year across the USA and South America

1.35.48: Going back to the University of Otago as a 33-year-old ex-All Black

1.38.57: Celebrity Treasure Island

1.48.48: Would Josh ever consider being a team physio?

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Ryan Fox is one of NZ's best golfers and has won two European Tour titles and has 13 professional wins. 
 
In this episode we talk about how he celebrated his recent win in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic and what happens to the $500,000 dollar prize money, what it was like playing a hole with Tiger Woods – and we hear all his best Tiger stories, memories of his late, great mate Shane Warne, how Steve Hansen's advice helped him out of a funk, what makes Steve Williams such a good caddy and how his upbringing, surrounded by Kiwi sporting royalty, shaped his life. 

Show notes | Episode 77 | Ryan Fox

1.29: Back in the ACC studios, a Covid test fail from Seamus, and Ryan tells us about fishing and golfing at The Fox with Eric Murray, Neil Wagner, and Wayne Smith

7.30: Ryan Fox on Shane Warne

17.28: Pro-am golf: friendly bets, banter, being outdriven by Martin Guptill, running it close with Tim Henman

21.48: Sleeping on a six-shot lead at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic

29.56: The aftermath of the win at the Ras al Khaimah Classic

41.34: A breakdown of costs on the golf tour

47.11: Learning from Steve Williams and stories on Tiger Woods

55.06: A practice hole with Tiger in 2019

1.01.16: The difference between the top 10 in the world and the rest

1.02.51: Riding the wave of a win and chats with Steve Hansen and Sir John Kirwan

1.07.46: Rubbing shoulders with ex-All Blacks and ex-pro golfers and getting recognised in public

1.10.12: Memories of Grant Fox the All Black and Merv Wallace the cricketer

1.19.12: Falling in love with golf and turning it into a professional career

1.25.20: Are golfers weird guys?

1.27.26: The Saudi Arabia project with Greg Norman

1.29.44: Some long drive chat

1.34.38: Ryan's relationship with golf in New Zealand

1.38.19: Quick fire golf chat: double Albatross, meltdowns, a hole-in-three, hardest shots, best foursome

1.43.45: Last words from Steven, Seamus and Ryan

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Chloe's story tests the limits of human endurance, and it may stretch your appreciation of what the human body and mind can achieve. 
 
She is probably the greatest ultra-marathon swimmer in history, and holds world records for the longest non-stop swim (124 km, 42 hours) and the most crossings of the English Channel (44). 

In this episode we talk about where her mental strength comes from, where her mind goes mid-swim - during the dark times, how she deals with shark danger, the time she nearly died 17 hours into a world record attempt, the time she had to abort a swim due to jellyfish stings, the mental anguish of swimming for 42 hours and what it does to the body and mind and so many other incredible stories. 

Chloe might be the toughest athlete we've talked to on this pod. The mental strengh it takes to do what she has done is inspiring – and makes you question the limitations you've put on yourself.. And shes so articulate at relaying her thinking at every step of the journey. I know you'll enjoy this one. 

Show notes | Episode 76 | Chloë McCardel

1.52: Seamus reveals his rules around water and his fear of the ocean

4.04: Setting the scene: “I wanted to be the best in the world at something”

8.27:Steven's swimming journey towards a 10km open water swim

11.45: Chloë on mental strength, your purpose, and finding your calling

13.33: The English Channel

23.51: Signing Steven up to the England to Belgium Relay Swim

26.33: Coaching athletes to open water swimming

30.07: Breaking down the mechanics of an ultra-marathon swim

35.04: The importance of the support crew

38.07: The failed triple crossing attempt in 2011: 30 minutes from death

43.12: Shark chat

47.34: The Cuba to USA 160km swim attempt

51.11: The 124km world record unassisted open water swim

59.25: Could you do further?

1.02.50: Media exposure and external support for the challenges 1.05.07 Do you learn more from success or failure?

1.07.02: Using her platform to raise awareness on domestic abuse

1.09.51: Mental strength v physical strength

1.14.28: Thoughts on “being the best in world at something”

1.17.05: Weird things seen in the ocean while open water swimming

1.21.00: Last words from Steven, Seamus and Chloë

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In this episode, we talk about how Dion met his wife, Former Silver Fern captain Bernice Mene, opening the bowling with Jeff Wilson in Otago, what really happened when Dion, Stephen Fleming and Matt Hart got suspended for smoking pot in South Africa, how he stumbled into a high-profile corporate career soon after retiring from cricket, and the lessons he's learned along the way. 

Show notes | Episode 75 | Dion Nash

1.42 Between two whiskies, and some grooming chat in the Triumph & Disaster headquarters

3.39 A re-visit of the White Line Fever podcast with David Higgins and Shane Cameron and some ND cricket BJ Watling age group reminiscing

7.01 The evolution of Dion Nash: from cricket to business

11.50 Growing up in Dargaville

18.07 The foundation of success: marriage to Bernice Mene

26.37 A Jeff Wilson interlude

32.41 From Auckland Grammar to Otago Uni to the Young Guns

42.39 Lords (56, 6/76 & 5/93)

47.04 Injury

53.24 South Africa 1995

1.09.27 Gilbert Enoka and Pilates

1.19.16 The end of his cricket career and the creation of the Cricket Players Association

1.30.15 Transitioning into a corporate career with 42below

1.41.50 Establishing Triumph & Disaster

1.53.34 Comparing the business career to the cricket career

1.56.14 Last words from Steven, Seamus and Dion

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We talk to PJ about why she walked away from radio at the top of her game, what she's planning next, her relationship with former co-host Jase – and the realities of breakfast radio, and we document Seamus' rough run attempting to slide into PJ's Instagram DMs from years ago.

Show notes | Episode 74 | Polly Harding

1.28 The journey from Melbourne to Masterton (or Mount Bruce)

6.40 PJ or Polly? And baby Campbell on the way

9.26 Polly lights up Seamus and his rough run attempting to slide into her Instagram DMs from years ago

18.55 Jase Hawkins and Producer Alex on PJ – including the time she shat on the bedroom floor

22.02 How much of yourself can you share on air?

28.31 Back to the start of the journey: becoming a station voice, starting on ZM, dealing with imposter syndrome, and finding her on-air personality

33.37 “An arranged marriage”: the origins of Jase and PJ

40.50 Australia comes calling

49.42 Authenticity and relatability: is any of it an act?

52.16 The realities of working breakfast radio and the impact on normal life

55.46 Leaving Jase and PJ and the decision to come home

1.05.51 Contrasting lifestyles: living off the grid v an Instagram account of over 100 thousand followers

1.10.34 Celebrities: charity boxing, sliding into DMs, intimidating interviews

1.16.56 Radio stunts, getting married on air, and First Dates NZ

1.20.33 Last words from Steven, Seamus and PJ

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Last week we flew to Gisborne (Thanks to Air New Zealand's Grabaseat) to talk to Lance Cairns about his incredible life. In the first 30 minutes we'd heard stories about Don Bradman, Johnny Cash and the Queen!

It was a conversation that wouldn't have been possible for nearly 50 years due to his hearing impairment, but thanks to his cochlear implant – we had an afternoon we won't ever forget

Show notes | Episode 73 | Lance Cairns > Final

2.03 “Welcome to what?!”

3.25 Pearls of wisdom from Lance Cairns

6.31 50 years of hearing impairment

12.04 Cochlear implant: A life changing experience

17.48 Six sixes at the MCG

23.30 Jeremy Coney and the new guitar, Sir Ian Botham, Sir Elton John, and Johnny Cash

29.46 Growing up in Picton: the unlikely cricketer and a brush with death at the age of 9

36.48 Cricket chat: coaching, bowling workload, and playing senior cricket at a young age

42.56 Working and playing international cricket

44.23 Facing the fastest bowlers in the world

48.25 A unique batting style that masked an incredible bowling career

53.22 Glenn Turner and the end of a career

54.09 Back to school: cricket, wagging and getting the cane

58.45 The loss of two children – Hayden and Louise

1.07.00 Christopher Cairns: the young cricketer

1.14.04 The relationship with Christopher Cairns

1.18.37 Cairns, Hadlee, Wright, Boock: an impressive golf foursome

1.21.07 Last words from Steven, Seamus and Lance

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In this episode with Kieran Read we talk about Richie McCaw's engine, getting bounced by Shane Bond, the secret sauce of great leadership, what happened in that Ireland haka, and why he choked out Richie Mo'unga when he met him for the first time at Owen Franks' wedding.

Show notes | Episode 72 | Kieran Read

2.02: Running a Hotmail operation in 2022, trail running, weight loss, and a regular day in Kieran Read's life post All Blacks career

7.32: Kieran Read: not what you'd expect

9.34: The Black Clash: “This is your greatest achievement on the sporting field”

15.18: A cricket prodigy with BJ Watling and Anton Devcich

21.19: Kieran Read v Richie Mo'unga at Owen Franks' wedding

28.16: Growing up in Counties Manukau: Joeli Vidiri, playing for the Steelers, Rosehill College and Wesley College

40.33: The foundations of leadership: connection, authenticity, accountability

47.30: All or Nothing: behind the scenes of the Amazon Prime documentary

51.57: Taking over the All Blacks captaincy

54.33: Kieran Read on Richie McCaw

1.00.40: Vulnerability and using your platform to push positive messages

1.07.21: Dealing with injuries and having the will to play through and recover

1.11.21: Another Richie McCaw interlude

1.14.35: Rehabilitation from head injury (Vestibular Rehabilitation Treatment)

1.19.23: The sensitivities of talking about head injury in the current climate

1.22.40: The 2019 World Cup in Japan

1.30.09: The haka: how or who makes the call between Ka Mate and Kapa o Ponga?

1.36.01 kieranread.co.nz

1.38.50: Matt Heath, the Alternative Commentary Collective

1.40.14: Last words from Steven, Seamus and Kieran

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