Burning Bridges Podcast

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Uncle Tamahae Elkington was born in Porirua, Aotearoa, with spina bifida at a time when doctors didn’t know how to support children and their families with disabilities. 

Being hospitalised for two years from a baby, early institutionalisation planted a seed of anger he didn’t yet understand — an anger that followed him into adulthood.

Growing up tough, learning to fight in boys’ homes, surrounded by violence and survival, he found himself pulled into gangs and a life of crime. 
When his parents moved to Brisbane, Australia he joined them — but the cycle continued. Petty crime turned into heavier offences and prison became a reality.

To escape more prison time, he returned to Aotearoa. 
There, something shifted and he was made to attend Te Wananga Raukawa. Three years later he finishes with a degree. 

But the real turning point?
A men’s group.
He attended the same course 3 times, a total of 3 years. 

Through that journey, he re-discovered his worth, value and voice. 
He began healing and found solace in music, meeting people and travelling. 

Today, Uncle Tamahae proudly adorned with his moko kanohi, grounded in culture, wisdom, and self-awareness. 
Living with spina bifida, having lost his leg, and wheelchair-bound from the age of 16, he refuses to let anything define or limit him.

It is proof that:
* It’s never too late to heal.
* Your past does not decide your future.
* A disability does not disable your life.
* And no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise with dignity and mana.

We are deeply honoured to share this kōrero.

Share this with someone who needs hope ❤️ 
And let us know what part of Uncle Tamahae’s journey moved you the most.

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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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We step inside the mind of Benny Harrington, owner and head coach of All Star Boxing, as he shares his raw and inspiring journey. From growing up in a working-class Brisbane household to building champions in the ring.

With a childhood grounded in all types of sport, Benny excelled early, earning victories in squash, cricket, AFL and finding his true calling in boxing.

Now a husband, proud father and leader in Australia’s boxing community, Benny opens up about what it takes to rise above the noise, build a winning mindset, and train the next generation of elite fighters.

He speaks on the sacrifices, discipline , and relentless hunger it takes to make it - not just in boxing, but in life.

Whether you’re a fighter, coach, athlete of anyone chasing something bigger, this episode is your blueprint for greatness.

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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 Aotearoa, Corbin Mita carried a heavy weight no child should bear. After surviving sexual abuse, he found the courage to speak up—and the strength to heal through discipline, community, and combat. 

His mother did what she could with Western healing methods, but the real breakthrough came when he discovered martial arts—a space where pain turned into power, and silence turned into purpose.

Corbin found more than a gym—he found belonging. Fighting across New Zealand and overseas, he now trains out of Gold Coast, Australia, as a rising force in the IBC (International Brawling Championship). He takes us deep into his world—his daily grind, the mental warfare before every fight, and the soft moments shared with his fiancée Ella, who stands by him through every round in and out of the ring.

This conversation is raw, real, and heavy-hitting—just like his punches. 

Corbin speaks on the power of humility, the quiet strength in healing, and the fire that drives his relentless pursuit of greatness 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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Shubz first ever in person interview, he reveals his Manager Skye & they both delve deep into their own journeys, trauma, lessons and the plan to Heal The Nation - Iwi Whakamahu.

In this raw and deeply emotional episode, social creator Schubz opens up about growing up in New Zealand under the shadow of abuse — and how those wounds still shape his adult life. With thousands watching, Schubz uses his platform to call out injustice of pedophiles and corruption. He speaks candidly about trying to heal the boy within. 

Skye Sterling, an entrepenuner and well known from working in the media for 20 years NZ, Skye is carrying her own childhood trauma, now walks a similar journey — a mother fighting for peace, for purpose, and for her own healing.

Bonded through trauma, Shubz & Skye have found the courage to rise. 

Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation.  

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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 heartfelt season finale, we sit down with the inspiring Keilah Sauni—a woman who turned her childhood need for approval into a powerful drive for growth, healing, and success. 

Growing up in Auckland, Keilah always felt like she had to prove her love to be seen. 

Now living in Australia, she shares her powerful transformation story—from emotional struggle to building a thriving successful beauty business, and stepping fully into her purpose as a coach, mentor and leader. 

We talk blended family’s and the love and support she receives from her husband. How learning to communicate in a relationship is key, sharing her truth and real emotion. 

This conversation is a reminder that healing is possible, your story holds power, and your past doesn’t define your future.Get ready for truth, triumph, and the kind of wisdom that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

This episode is a mix of emotion, empowerment, and straight-up gems on mindset shifts, entrepreneurship, and redefining what “success” really means. 

Oh—and yes, we laughed a LOT.

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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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The Cuzzys: Love, Kai & Real Talk w/ TJ & KrystalIn this heartwarming and unfiltered episode of The Cuzzys, we sit down with TJ & Krystal — partners in life, love, parenting, and business. 

From navigating the highs and lows of building a blended family to creating a home where their tamariki come first, this kōrero is full of laughs, hard truths, and deep connection.

They open up about their raw journey as step-parents, the challenges of merging two worlds, and how they made love and unity the foundation of their whānau. 

But that’s not all — TJ & Krystal also share how their passion for traditional Māori kai turned into The Cuzzys, a thriving business that’s not just about food, but about feeding the soul of the community.

If you’re all about real stories, cultural pride, and the power of love, this episode is a must-watch.

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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 soul-stirring episode, Sam Jones holds nothing back.

Once knee-deep in the underworld—crime, drugs, violence—Sam spiraled through addiction and jail time, hitting rock bottom not once, but three times. But rock bottom became the foundation for a powerful comeback.

A young father with everything to lose, Sam made the decision to confront his demons for the sake of his kids—and himself. Through jail and rehab, he found his way to healing through the practice of 9D breathwork, unlocking deep traumas and transforming prison into purpose.

Now supported by a strong wife and armed with clarity, Sam is on a mission: to guide other lost souls—addicts, convicts, and wounded men—toward their own redemption.

This episode is heavy. It’s honest. It’s full of grit, grief, and grace. 

If you’ve ever believed you were too far gone to change, Sam’s story will prove otherwise. 

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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 your heart breaks — literally and emotionally — and you have to rebuild your life from the inside out? 

Nikki Farkas joins us to share her courageous story of surviving sexual assault, a life-threatening heart attack, brutal bullying in school ,emotionally abusive relationships, and the silent longing for a mother’s love. 

With honesty and grace, Nikki speaks about the struggles of co-parenting, the deep connection with her father, motherhood and how her youngest daughter became the mirror that helped her rediscover love.

This episode is a testament to how healing begins when we choose ourselves.

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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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Justin Cox - Given up as a baby, moving through three adopted parents. Beaten. Abused. Bullied. Addicted. Suicidal. 

But something inside him refused to die. In this emotional conversation, JC opens up about his darkest moments — and the pain that nearly destroyed him.

Through meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual growth, JC discovered that healing doesn’t mean forgetting — it means facing the past with courage and compassion.This episode will move you.J

C’s story reminds us that peace isn’t found in perfection — it’s found in perseverance.

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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 powerful episode, we sit down with Marcus Schultz, the owner of Breathe Health Clubs Morayfield, to hear his raw and inspiring journey of resilience, transformation, and unshakable determination. 

Marcus shares his story from adversity in his childhood through to his time in the Australian Army, detailing the physical and emotional toll it took on him—including injuries that led to an addiction to pain medication. 

He opens up about the dark reality of suicidal thoughts and just how close he came to ending it all. Despite the pain, Marcus saved every cent he could, achieving the incredible milestone of owning a home and a business by the age of 21. 

But life threw more challenges his way, instead of giving up, he used the weight of those failures to pivot into something even greater. Now, as the owner of Breathe Health Clubs Morayfield, Marcus is more driven than ever to grow and expand his business.

This episode is a testament to the power of turning pain into purpose—and you don’t want to miss 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.