How To Make It Work

She turned the ocean into her workspace and all she needs is a camera to capture the magic. In this episode of How to Make It Work, I talk with Leonie Anholts, better known as SurfgirlNZ — a Raglan-based surf photographer and educator who’s empowering women to take their places in the surf line-ups.

Leo shares how she went from feeling lost in a male-dominated field to creating a thriving platform for women in surf photography — building a movement rooted in community and sisterhood. We talk about the female representation in surf culture, the art of surf photography, and what it really takes to make your passion your purpose.

What happens when two world-traveling performers decide to plant their roots in a small coastal town? In this episode, I sit down with Jess and Jay Ramirez, the powerhouse couple behind Raglan’s Freedom2Fly. After years of performing on global stages, from cruise ships to international festivals, they decided to ground their passion right here in Raglan. Together, they’ve built a dance and circus hub that gives local kids and teens the chance to quite literally fly — building confidence and connection along the way.

We talk about their journey from the stage to the studio, the challenges of running a creative business in a small town, and why they believe performing arts can change lives. Plus, a sneak peek into this year’s Freedom2Fly Fest — Raglan’s biggest performing arts celebration.

What if chocolate could heal — not just your heart, but the planet too? In this episode, I talk to Irma Schutte, founder of Mamamuti, a Raglan-based cacao brand rooted in love. Originally from South Africa, Irma shares how her background shaped her approach to health, and how cacao helps reconnecting with your own body.

We chat about the emotional and physical power of pure cacao, what it means to build a purpose-driven business, and how Irma is helping to change the cacao industry from the ground up. If you want to know what makes cacao so special — this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and maybe craving a cup of cacao yourself.

What happens when a digital designer swaps corporate branding for charcoal, paint, and live performance? In this episode of How to Make It Work, artist and designer Simon Dickey shares his journey from the world of big-name clients to the vulnerable, exhilarating space of creating art in real time. We talk about embracing self-doubt, finding flow and how to build a life where creativity is at the centre.

What if a photoshoot could feel like a homecoming to yourself? In this episode of How to Make It Work, photographer Nami Julia Hampe shares how she empowers women to step into their radiance through her “Goddess Shoots.” With roots in Germany and Japan and years of traveling the world, Nami has photographed over a thousand women — guiding them into self-acceptance. We talk about the power of being truly seen, and why helping women believe in their own light is at the heart of her work.

Why is self-doubt so much more common among women — and how can we rewire our minds to be kinder to ourselves? In this episode of How to Make It Work, I sit down with mindset and alignment coach Janelle Smith. She shares personal stories that inspired her to guide women through self-doubt, and how her work with NLP, meditation, and coaching helps women find clarity, confidence, and the reassurance that they are never alone on their journey.

What if work wasn’t just about productivity, but also about balance, healing, and tuning into something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with Diane Davies — a massage therapist, aromatherapist, yoga teacher, angelic reiki practitioner, tarot reader, and former social worker — to explore how she weaves wellness and spirituality into her work and life.

We talk about how yoga changed her perspective, and how her background in counselling helps her tailor treatments to each person. Diane also gives me a live tarot reading on air — with the cards revealing what Raglan might hold for me and my creative projects ahead. It’s an inspiring conversation about finding a different kind of success: one that blends body, mind, and spirit.

What does it take to run Raglan’s most iconic news publications? In this episode of How to Make it Work, I sit down with Jacqui Kay-Smith, owner and editor of the Raglan Chronicle and The Local Rag. From balancing community voices to keeping two different publications alive and thriving, Jacqui shares how she juggles storytelling, deadlines, and the heartbeat of our coastal town.

What if nutrition wasn’t about one-size-fits-all diets, but about listening to your own body? Maren Le Calvez is studying to become a clinical nutritionist while working at web design studio HNDRX — and she’s already turning her passion into practice. With a holistic, individual approach that recognises every body is different, Maren especially wants to focus on women’s health. She started out offering koha-based consultations and is now carefully building her own business, keeping her services affordable and community-minded as she grows. In this week's episode, she shares her journey of balancing study and work, and why making nutritional health accessible matters so much to her.

What does it take to turn a love of movement into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind fitness community? This week on How to Make It Work, we meet Birgit Junni-Rietkerk, the beat-loving founder of Booty Wonderland in Raglan. From her Dutch roots to teaching high-energy classes at 30 weeks pregnant, Birgit shares how she built a safe and inclusive space where fitness meets fun.