Burning Bridges Podcast

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In this powerful episode, Shaymus Edwards opens up about a childhood marked by rejection, feeling passed between family members, unseen, unsafe, and disconnected. 

Those early wounds followed him into adulthood, where unresolved trauma led him down the path of meth addiction, poor decisions, and nearly losing everything that mattered most.

As a father living in Australia, Shaymus reached a turning point that changed the course of his life forever.

What followed wasn't just recovery—it was healing.

Immersing himself in his roots and culture, building meaningful relationships and finding strength through brotherhood, Shaymus shares his passion for energy, frequency, spirituality, fatherhood, family, culture and creating safe spaces.

This is a raw, emotional conversation about trauma, resilience, forgiveness, identity, and the incredible power of choosing a different path.

If this conversation moves you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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What happens when you take a chance on love... with someone on the other side of the world?

In this heartwarming episode of Burning Bridges, Anthony and Bella share their incredible journey from meeting online—Anthony in America and Bella in Australia—to building a beautiful life together on the Gold Coast with Bella's two children.

Their story is filled with laughter, honesty, and valuable lessons about modern relationships. They open up about navigating long-distance love, recognising red flags, staying true to their values, and the intentional steps they took to create a strong and lasting marriage.

Anthony also shares his experience of leaving the United States to start a new life in Australia, the culture shock, and why he believes Australians embrace a more relaxed, friendly, and carefree way of life.

Add in their shared love of fishing, boating, and adventure, and it's easy to see why these two are a perfect match.

This episode is a celebration of taking a leap of faith, trusting the process, and discovering that sometimes your soulmate is waiting for you on the other side of the world.

If you've ever believed in love, wondered whether online dating really works, or needed a reminder that the best stories often begin with one simple message—this episode is for you.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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Some people are defined by what happened to them. Others decide to rewrite the story.

Born and raised in Porirua, New Zealand, Tehira Nargino's journey has been anything but ordinary. Carrying the weight of his childhood trauma, he left home and ventured into a world few would expect—travelling internationally as a performer with one of Australia's most renowned male entertainment groups, Manpower.

But behind the stage lights was a man searching for purpose, identity, and healing.

Tehira went on to build successful businesses, owning multiple hair salons and establishing himself as an entrepreneur with a relentless drive to create more for his life. Today, he dedicates himself to something even greater: mentoring men, building brotherhood, and leading within his community.

In this deeply honest episode, Tehira shares the experiences that shaped him, the lessons he learned, and how he transformed adversity into purpose.

This isn't just a story about where Tehira has been—it's about the man he chose to become. 

Healing isn't about changing your past. It's about refusing to let your past decide your future.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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What does it take to challenge centuries of accepted law and change a nation forever?

In recognition of Mabo Day, Burning Bridges travelled to Melbourne to sit down with Bryan Keon-Cohen, the junior counsel who stood alongside Eddie Koiki Mabo and the Meriam people throughout the historic 10-year legal battle that culminated in the 1992 Mabo decision.

From 1982 to the landmark High Court decision in 1992, Bryan was at the centre of the case that would forever change Australia's understanding of Indigenous land rights and Native Title. In this powerful and deeply educational conversation, he shares firsthand accounts of the challenges, setbacks, political pressures and personal sacrifices that shaped the Mabo case.

Bryan speaks candidly about travelling to Murray Island, meeting with the Meriam people, working alongside Eddie Koiki Mabo. Drawing on his firsthand experiences in the Torres Strait and throughout the Mabo proceedings, Bryan provides rare insight into a case that recognised the traditional land rights of the Meriam people and paved the way for Native Title recognition across Australia.

This is more than a history lesson. It is a story of courage, persistence and purpose. Whether you're passionate about Indigenous rights, law, social justice or the power of standing firm in your convictions, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

The legacy of Mabo continues to shape Australia today. Understanding how that legacy was built is essential viewing.

Burning Bridges Podcast would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians on the land on which we live and pay respects to Elders past and present. 

Warning: This episode contains the names and discussions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are deceased. Viewer and listener discretion is advised.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Blucher — Indigenous boxing coach, father, and mentor — to talk about his life both inside and outside the ring. 

Andrew opens up about his upbringing, the sports he loved growing up, and the deep pain of losing his father.

Now a father himself, Andrew has channelled his experiences into coaching alongside Benny at All Star Boxing, where he proudly trained his two daughters as emerging fighters. 

He shares the realities of coaching in Queensland boxing, the struggles of finding quality matchups for female boxers, the shortage of fighters in the sport, and the behind-the-scenes challenges coaches and parents face navigating the boxing world.

This episode is a conversation about resilience, culture, fatherhood, and fighting for opportunities — both in life and in the ring.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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Born in Brisbane and raised in the rough streets of Sydney’s west, Ben “The Beast” Hussain’s story is built on struggle, identity, and raw survival.

With his father deported and raised by a single mother, from a young age, he struggled to find his voice, both literally and in the classroom, making it hard to learn, connect, and fit in. 

That struggle made him a target, and the bullying only fueled something deeper inside him — a refusal to ever be pushed around again.

Ben found his way into a boxing gym and from there, the hunger grew and the discipline sharpened. Today he is ranked #1 in the super middleweight division, with a record of 13-2 and 8 knockouts.  Holding titles across WBC, WBA, IBO and Australasia.

But what separates Ben isn’t just his achievements — it’s his mindset. 

This is a fighter who has stepped into the ring with a broken jaw and damaged knuckles and still chose to go to war. No excuses, no fear, just pure grit and determination. 

In this episode, we dive into the journey behind the fighter — the mentality that drives him and the sacrifices that come with chasing greatness.Now training out of All Star Boxing and preparing for his next big fight on the Melbourne stage, Ben is more focused than ever. 

But beyond the titles and the violence of the sport, his greatest pride is being a father and protecting the life he’s built. He lives by keeping his circle small, valuing loyalty over numbers, and staying locked in on what truly matters.

This is more than a boxing story, its proving that no matter where you start, you can fight your way to the top.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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In this episode, we dive deep into Luke Brown’s story—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Raised in a small Australian country town, Luke built a successful life on the outside—a thriving business in the agriculture industry, a strong family foundation, and lifelong friendships. But behind the success, there was struggle.

As a young man, Luke battled a drinking problem—blackouts, trouble with the law, and nights he couldn’t even piece back together. In a culture that shrugs things off with “you’ll be right, mate,” accountability was hard to face, and even harder to accept.

This episode explores the turning points—losing a mate, watching a close friend battle terminal illness, and the emotional weight that forced Luke to question everything. Despite his success, he felt stuck… like he was living the same day over and over.

“It’s not enough for me.”

That realisation became the catalyst.

What started with running and small wins in social golf turned into something much bigger—the Going Pro journey. A bold mission to qualify for the 2027 Australian Open at 44, using discipline, purpose, and public accountability to change his life.

Now off the drink and training full-time, Luke is all in. 

This is a conversation about identity, pressure, mateship, loss, and what it really takes to take control of your life—when most people would settle.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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In this raw and emotional episode, Vika Pasefika opens up like never before. From growing up in a tough Samoan household to arriving in New Zealand unable to speak English, Vika shares the pain of being bullied—and how that pain turned him into the bully.

Behind the violence was something deeper. Untold trauma. Abuse by someone trusted. Silence that followed him for years.

From fighting in the streets to becoming a father, Vika’s turning point didn’t come easy. Now in Australia, he’s finally facing the demons he once buried.

Today, Vika leads the UCE Movement—mentoring youth, supporting mental health, and running men’s groups focused on healing and suicide prevention.

A powerful conversation about trauma, identity, and what it really takes to break the cycle.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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This episode we speak openly to Aperehama-Rua, Coley, and Haati Bei about the journey to set things right after the past Hīkoi of Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation, and the path they are now walking through UTU.
 
Discussing personal thoughts, experiences, and actions behind two of the organisers Aperehama and Coley, and the movement that began with the intention of healing our people. 

And Haati Bei, Aperehama’s whānau, shares her own journey of keeping her family close while navigating a hostile environment.
 
The kaupapa began with powerful intentions. The vision was to create a space of healing and unity. A place where people could come together, reconnect, and walk forward stronger.
But the journey became complicated. Questions were raised. Trust was tested. People were hurt. What started as a movement of healing slowly became surrounded by confusion, division, and pain - between organisers, supporters and the public.
 
In this kōrero we hear the heartbreak of how a space that began with hope and healing slowly became tangled in lies, pain, and despair. But we also hear something just as powerful — how through those experiences true friendships were formed that became whānau. And within a small group, now known as the LITT Krew, still believed in the Kaupapa and creating a space of whakawhanaungatanga, connection, and healing along the journey.
 
Aperehama and Coley speak honestly about the weight they have carried since then — the guilt, and the feeling of knowing that things did not unfold the way they were meant to. With that comes the courage to face those feelings and walk forward with intention.

Now they are walking a different path.
A path that leads back to Rātana Pā.
A journey of UTU — not revenge, but restoration. 
A return to balance. 
A way of putting right what has been thrown out of alignment.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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From growing up in Aotearoa surrounded by family to stepping into new territory on the Gold Coast, Corbin and Ella share their journey of ambition, adversity, and unwavering commitment to each other.

Together, they reflect on the setbacks that forced them to level up — not only individually, but as partners.  We talk love, leadership within a relationship, navigating hard conversations, and building a life aligned with shared goals.

This episode dives deep into, communication, resilience, and what it truly means to build a strong foundation for love and family.

A reminder that love doesn’t avoid challenges — it grows through them.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.