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Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Cate Prestidge from New Zealand. Cate is a lecturer at the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) where she teaches communication and media.

In this episode, the focus is on The New Wave — a powerful storytelling project led by Cate.

Originally created as a book sharing immigrant stories from Kirikiriroa, The New Wave is now being reimagined as a podcast — a format that makes the project more accessible, easier to archive, and less resource-intensive, while expanding its reach and impact. But at its heart, the mission remains the same: raising awareness about migration, encouraging compassion, and creating meaningful conversations across cultures.

Cate explains how The New Wave is not just about teaching students media production, communication skills, or technology. It’s about equipping them with the human skills our world so desperately needs — the confidence to connect with people from different backgrounds, the curiosity to listen, and the ability to find similarities while respecting differences. The message is simple yet powerful: we are all human.

Along the way, Cate shares parts of her own migration story — from her first childhood trip to Australia (which unexpectedly turned into a red-light district adventure!) to later moving there with her family after her husband received a great job offer. She speaks openly about the challenges of starting over in a new country, while acknowledging the privilege of moving between New Zealand and Australia — countries that share language and cultural similarities — and how much more complex migration can be for others.

This conversation centers on empathy, awareness, and connection — and on how storytelling through The New Wave can help bridge divides, build understanding, and remind us of our shared humanity.

If you want to share your story of migrating to New Zealand and living in Hamilton and you want to be part of "the new wave", please get in contact with Cate under:

[email protected]

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna  🌏❤️ 

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Hi everyone,

Please welcome back with me Ashley Russell from New Zealand.

In this third conversation with my friend Ashley, we come full circle on her journey of living abroad. We briefly reflect back on Part 1 and 2, where Ashley shared the emotional rollercoaster of preparing to move from New Zealand to the UK, her expectations, and the challenges of starting from scratch — especially when it came to making friends, fitting in, and finding a sense of home.

Now, Ashley is back in New Zealand (for good… or at least for now). A phone call from her sister — announcing a baby and an upcoming wedding — changed everything. For Ashley, the decision was instant. Family has always been her biggest value, and being present for the first baby of this generation mattered more than anything else.

She also reflects on what finally shifted for her in the UK before moving back: changing jobs, finding her people, and realising that much of the anxiety she experienced wasn’t about her social life after all, but about staying in a job that wasn’t right for her. Through consistency, staying open, and not giving up too soon, she eventually built a community — without doing anything drastically different.

Ashley also opens up about her relationship with music. What once felt like pressure and expectation slowly turned back into joy through open mics, friendships, and creating without needing it to “become” anything.

This episode is a honest reflection on choosing family, trusting your values, and understanding that no experience abroad is ever wasted — even when the path takes an unexpected turn. And who knows… this might not be the last chapter of Ashley’s life overseas.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna  🌏❤️ 

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

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website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

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Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Will Duncan from the US. Will has dedicated his life to explore the world. One big experience was living in Uganda for a few months as a volunteer at an orphanage which also inspired him to write a book.

Join me in conversation with Will, whose journey of exploring the world began with a family trip to the Galapagos Islands—a trip that sparked a lifelong passion for travel. Growing up in a family with a global footprint—his grandfather a navy chaplain and his father often living abroad—Will’s path was already intertwined with the wider world.

From studying economics, Chinese, and art history to traveling through the former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, England, Iceland, Chile, India, Japan, and beyond, Will has embraced countless opportunities to live and learn abroad. Along the way, travel shaped him profoundly, cultivating empathy, adaptability, and resilience in uncomfortable situations.

One of the most transformative experiences came when Will spent several months volunteering at an orphanage in Uganda. He shares a vivid account of daily life there, the challenges faced by the children and volunteers, and the ways he contributed—from helping with the finances to helping wherever needed.

Will also opens up about the emotional impact of these experiences and how they inspired him to write Specks of Dust, a book inspired by a true story of a boy from the orphanage who sought a better life in the US. Through imagination and lived experience, Will brings the story to life, reflecting the lessons and growth that travel and service have given him.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna  🌏❤️ 

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Hannah Elam from Alaska, USA. Hannah went on a student exchange to Costa Rica when she was sixteen, and today she’s taking us down memory lane. 

In this episode, Hannah shares how her dream of doing an exchange year began after a family trip to Mexico, where she met an exchange student from Chile — a conversation that sparked her curiosity about life beyond the US. 

Determined to make it happen, Hannah researched programs, fundraised through garage sales, and had the full support of her family — including her dad, who even worked extra to help her dream come true. She talks about her experiences with her host family, including changing families midway through the year, and reflects on moments of challenge, like navigating cultural differences, language barriers, and getting constant attention for being foreign.

Hannah shares valuable advice for future exchange students: be open to new experiences, embrace the culture, and don’t let fear stop you from speaking a new language — mistakes are part of learning. She also highlights the friendships she built with other students from around the world, and how the experience taught her independence, resilience, and courage.

The episode also touches on her perspective of having a dad living abroad in New Zealand, exploring the beauty and challenges of long-distance family life and reconnecting after years apart. 

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna  🌏❤️ 

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
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website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Michele Taleetha from Singapore. Michele left home to live in New Zealand for 7 years before she decided that it was time for her to go back home. And here is her story.

In this episode, I chat with Michele, who was born in Singapore but carries Indian roots through her ancestors. We start our conversation by talking about identity and the assumptions people often make based on appearances — and how those moments can be turned into opportunities to educate and connect.

Michele shares fascinating insights about Singapore’s diverse history and her own reasons for leaving home to study marine biology in New Zealand — a path not available to her back in Singapore. She opens up about the challenges of starting over, finding real friendships by staying true to herself, and building a life from scratch in a new country.

One phrase that truly stood out was when Michele said, “In Singapore, a life was made for me — in New Zealand, I built a life for myself.”

After seven years abroad, Michele made the heartfelt decision to return home to Singapore — not out of necessity, but from a deep wish to be close to her family and make the most of their time together. She beautifully reminds us that everything in life is ever-changing, and sometimes we only realize it when the change is already happening.

From finding belonging abroad to rediscovering home, Michele’s story is a reminder that life is short, unpredictable, and always evolving — and that home can mean many things along the way.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna  🌏❤️ 

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

On the 17th of September, I celebrated seven years in New Zealand! Looking back to the day I left Germany and arrived here, so many memories and emotions come flooding back — the excitement, the happiness, the sense of freedom, and of course, the challenges along the way.

I’m incredibly grateful to be able to call New Zealand my home now.

When I first set out on this journey, I had no idea what to expect. I left with an open heart, ready for an adventure — unsure whether I’d stay longer or return home after a year, depending on where life would take me.

Seven years later, I’m happily settled with a permanent job, a permanent visa, and wonderful people around me who have become like family.

This is just a little life update — a reflection on my seven years in New Zealand and what’s been happening in my world lately.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
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website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

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Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Kane Power from New Zealand— award-winning podcast producer, editor, audio consultant, speaker, and founder of Precision Podcasting. But most importantly fellow travel enthusiast. 

Originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, Kane moved to London with his wife to pursue music and new opportunities, but soon discovered the challenges of making a living in a competitive city and finding a true sense of belonging. At work, his Kiwi roots often made him the subject of jokes, a daily reminder of feeling different, yet he and his wife eventually built a circle of friends where they felt at home.

Kane opens up about how travel shifted his perspective — from once being the kind of traveler who planned every detail in a spreadsheet to now embracing spontaneity and trusting in the opportunities that unfold along the way. For him, freedom is the perfect word to capture what travel means: the chance to experience places, food, and people in a way that broadens horizons and deepens compassion.

We also discuss safety and the role of intuition when traveling. While loved ones’ messages about global news can add stress, Kane emphasizes the importance of preparation, research, and above all, trusting your common sense — like taking the longer route instead of a dark alley or simply listening to your instincts. He believes that building this inner compass is one of the most valuable skills travel teaches.

From heartwarming Airbnb memories to reflections on belonging in New Zealand and London, this conversation captures Kane’s enduring love for travel, connection, freedom, and the unique moments that make the world feel both vast and familiar.

If you want to get in touch with Kane, you can check out his website:

https://precisionpodcasting.com/

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

Have you ever wondered if you should book the travel insurance or not? I most certainly have, every single time when I booked a trip. And I have to admit that I often did not book the insurance! But todays guest might change my view on it forever. And maybe yours, too. Please welcome with me SSSD from New Zealand.  

In this episode, Triple SD shares how his love for travel began as a child and grew through unique adventures abroad. From nearly being stranded in Samoa to meeting a partner online and flying to the US, his journeys have been full of unexpected twists. But nothing prepared him for breaking both legs just weeks into his trip overseas—an experience that put his travel insurance to the ultimate test.

He explains how having insurance not only saved him from massive medical bills (over $55,000 NZD!) but also allowed him to focus on healing, even when challenges felt overwhelming. Inspired by his grandmother’s advice to “always carry an umbrella because you never know when it will rain,” Tripple SD now encourages every traveler to consider the true value of being prepared.

This is a powerful story about resilience, cultural connection, and why travel insurance might be one of the most important tickets you ever book.

Find Triple SD and his show on FreeFM 89.0 or on Instagram under:

https://www.instagram.com/deep_insessionz/

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Carla Smith from the UK. Carla has moved to New Zealand in late 2022 and has experienced first hand how hard moving countries can be on your mental health. I am grateful to have her here today, sharing her story with the world.

In this episode Carla is sharing her journey of living abroad th began with an unexpected breakup — a life shake-up that would lead her to places she never imagined. Originally from the UK, she never thought of leaving home until a friend invited her to a ski resort in the French Alps to lift her spirits. That spontaneous trip turned into something much bigger. She fell in love with the lifestyle and soon became a chalet hostess, landing the job by being honest about what she could (and couldn’t) do — and by staying true to herself.

From seasons in the Alps to life on the island of Alderney, Carla embraced the ups, downs, and wild stories of seasonal life — some of which even made their way into a podcast she co-hosted during the pandemic, capturing the chaotic, boozy, and often hilarious tales from resort workers and guests.

But beneath the adventure, Carla always prioritized her mental health. She shares openly about her experiences with therapy, the importance of building a support network abroad, and the role of self-compassion — something she believes every traveler needs in abundance. She speaks candidly about a mental health dip after arriving in New Zealand, and how her therapist helped her recognize the enormity of the transition she had just made.

As she prepares to leave New Zealand for Canada due to limited visa options, Carla reflects on the bittersweet reality of leaving behind not only a life she built, but also a loving relationship. With grace and emotional honesty, she talks about navigating heartbreak, embracing uncertainty, and choosing excitement over fear as she steps into her next chapter.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM

Click here to get in touch

Hi everyone,

Please welcome with me Alan McElroy from Ireland. Alan is an Irish comedian who is sharing his story of how he got into comedy and how he made his way to New Zealand around 15 years ago.

In this episode, we talk about how his comedy career began in Ireland, what brought him to the other side of the world, and how life abroad shapes his humor. Alan shares how everyday moments — from long-haul flights to cultural quirks — inspire his jokes, and why being a comedian means constantly seeing the world through a slightly different (and funnier) lens.

We also explore the tricky topic of accents in comedy — why some, like French and German, feel ‘safe’ to use on stage, and how cartooning them can make humor more playful than offensive. Alan opens up about living with ADHD, how it fuels his creativity, and what it's like raising a daughter who’s half Irish, half Kiwi. With a mix of wit, honesty, and cultural insight, this episode is a laugh-filled look at expat life, identity, and finding comedy in the everyday.

Thank you so much for being here. I appreciate every single one of you!

Love,
Hanna

🌍 Enjoyed this conversation?
Don’t forget to follow the podcast, share it with a fellow adventurer, and leave a review — it helps others discover these inspiring stories from around the world.

✨ Stay connected:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanna_worldwide_and_friends/

website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2110137

or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Podcast Index, iHeartRadio, Podchaser, Deezer and PlayerFM