Down to Earth Conversations

In this episode I had the privilege of sitting down with lawyer, writer and podcaster Steven Moe.  Steven is someone whose life reflects his desire to see change in the world.  He loves to support other change makers, as well as role modelling fresh ways of approaching situations.

We talk about his podcast, The Seeds, and he shares how and why it came about. We also explore how he functions as a lawyer who wants to do good in the world. We talk about the ways businesses can structure themselves to have a positive impact on the world, and about being stewards who pass on to the next generations something worth having.  We discuss Steven's writing and why he serves on boards and advisory groups and how he does all of that while having a family.  There's a bit of everything in this kōrero!

Check out The Seeds at theseeds.nz for podcast links as well as articles and other bits and pieces. 

Follow The Seeds on Facebook or Instagram

And download a copy of Steven's latest book: Laying Foundations for Reimagining Business for free at theseeds.nz

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Counsellor, mum, and all around good sort Charlotte Cummings takes over the episode putting Andy in the hot seat.  She asks Andy about his journey with redundancy, parenting challenges and joys, his experience of depression and anxiety and subsequent experience of counselling, and where he sees the podcast going in the future. 

Connect with Charlotte at charlottecummings.com

To give a little to support the podcast head to givealittle.co.nz

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Jeff Chu is a New York Times best selling author, a reporter, and an editor. He is the co-curator and co-host of Evolving Faith - a conference, community, and now a podcast. And he's the teacher in residence at Crosspointe Church. 

We talk about how he became a writer, what he loves about journalism, and his book "Does Jesus Really Love Me? A gay Christian's pilgrimage in search of God in America."  We discuss how to honour those people who don't hold space for you, or even wish you harm.  And we talk about his latest offering, "Wholehearted Faith", and what makes it unique.

Find Jeff on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Check out Evolving Faith on Facebook or Instagram, or check out the Evolving Faith Podcast on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Since debuting on national television on IceTV in the mid-nineties, Petra Bagust has been a staple of New Zealand television and radio. She has brought us many iconic moments, including hosting breakfast after the tragedy of the fatal Christchurch earthquake. 

Throughout her media career Petra has always managed to find ways alongside her paid roles to make meaningful contributions to society, to bring awareness or aid in raising funds for good causes, or to champion things dear to her heart. More recently Petra has found herself working alongside episode 4 guest, Frank Ritchie, as a media chaplain - providing support to the media of Aotearoa. And let's not forget she's a wife and mum and all that goes with that. 

We talk about her media career and the different twists and turns that it has taken. How she's used the platform she was given for good. Some of the experiences she's had while supporting charities and causes, including a memorable moment in Nepal. Her move into media chaplaincy. Her journey learning te reo Māori and what a difference that has made for her life, despite the challenge. And she gives us a peek into her own upcoming podcast, due for release in March 2022. 

Find Petra at petra.nz or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, or just head to her link tree for all the links.

At petra.nz you can also sign up to the Grey Areas newsletter for news about it's launch and other developments. 

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Jay Geldard is a big man with an even bigger heart.  He has spent years of his life dedicated to seeing young people thrive, first as a 24-7 youth worker, and then as the national director of 24-7. Now he has now picked a fight with Tall Poppy Syndrome, trying to change the way New Zealanders see themselves and others, in an effort to reduce suicide rates and see people be all they can be. This new movement, E Tū Tāngata, is in it's infancy but already making waves throughout the country.

We talk about supporting young people, assisting Schools, tall poppy syndrome, taking pride in yourself, New Zealand's obsession with putting yourself down, complements and insults, changing culture, and bringing a bit of colour to the world.

It is raw and full of emotion. It is sure to inspire.

Learn more about E Tū Tāngata at etutangata.nz or find them on Facebook or Instagram

Or for 24-7 Youthwork, check out 24-7youthwork.nz or find them on Facebook or Instagram

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Sarah West is an Anglican priest in Auckland, tasked with being a chaplain to young adults as part of a community called Ordinary Saints.  She is active in matters of justice, including attending protests and organising action around issues she cares about. As well as that she is a fantastic artist and is a wife and mum too. 

We talk about being a priest, attending protests, embracing those of other faiths and perspectives, practical ways she is involved in climate justice, intergenerational connection, art and creativity and a whole lot more.

Check out Ordinary Saints on Instagram or check out The Ordinary Saints Podcast

And find Sarah's Art on Instagram or Facebook or her website Visio Lectio

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Dylan Jones from For Good Media joins me to talk about how he is using his film and production skillset to support others who are doing good in the world.  To tell important stories with good quality video.

We talk about his journey into film. How the company came about and what it's been like to forge this path in a fairly cut throat industry.  We talk fear, creativity, storytelling, holy moments, and much more.

Check out For Good Media at forgoodmedia.co.nz or connect with Dylan on Facebook or Instagram

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Mataio Faafetai Malietoa Brown - a.k.a. Matt Brown - is known for his business, My Fathers Barbers, and for the global movement that he started with his wife Sarah, She is Not Your Rehab, inviting men into a journey of healing and wholeness. 

Matt and Sarah recently released the best selling book, She is Not Your Rehab, unpacking the kaupapa of the movement with insights from Matt's journey and their journey together.  

Matt is a sought after speaker all around the world due to She is Not Your Rehab, yet still has a very grounded focus on family and friends. See his TedX talk that started the movement on YouTube.

We kōrero about hair art, barbershops, vulnerability, anger, healing, empathy, doing the internal mahi, and so much more. 

Find My Fathers Barbers on Facebook or Instagram 

Find She Is Not Your Rehab at sheisnotyourrehab.com or on Facebook or Instagram and find the book wherever books are sold. 

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Courtney Manu is your typical mum, wife, and business owner who just happens to have 13,000 Instagram followers.  She built the following around helping people become aware of ways to become financially confident, beginning by sharing her and her husband's own journey out of debt.

We talk about social media, debt, vulnerability, investment, generosity, and how family fits into all of this.

Follow Courtney on Instagram at @themanuss 

Find Manawatu Home Budgeting Service at mhbs.org.nz

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion

Today we hear from Dietrich Soakai.  A beautiful man with a huge heart, especially for rangatahi, or young people. Currently working for Voyce Whakarongo Mai in youth advocacy, Dietrich has spent a lot of time with young people helping them feel heard.

We talk about growing up in New Zealand as a Pacific Islander, how he discovered poetry and got into youth work and what he saw when those two things were held together, and what he is doing now in the area of child advocacy. 

Some te reo Māori, or Māori language terms Dietrich uses include te āo Māori, meaning the Māori world or way of engaging with the world; rangatahi - young person; tamariki - children;  pēpi - baby; and mana, which Dietrich uses in a way that loosely means worth or value as a person.

Look out for the challenge he leaves for us at the end of the kōrero.

Check out Voyce Whakarongo Mai on Facebook at facebook.com/VOYCEWhakarongoMai

Hear some of the Word the Frontline poets on Action Station's YouTube channel here

And hear some of Dietrich's own poems here

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at:

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

 

Music by Strahan:

Spotify: Strahan

Facebook: facebook.com/StrahanMusic  or  facebook.com/commonerscommunion

Instagram: @strahanmusic  or  @commoners_communion