Kiwi Yarns

Journalist, podcaster and Pop Sock Media co-founder Melody Thomas joins me for a big, honest conversation about sex, relationships, burnout, business and what it means to be human.

From launching an independent media company during COVID to creating the award-winning The Good Sex Project, Melody shares how burnout reshaped her life, why radical rest matters, and what she's learnt after years of talking to New Zealanders about intimacy, shame and communication.

We dive into the realities of growing up in the '90s, the gaps in sex education, the rise of the manosphere, loneliness, feminism, ageing, marriage, motherhood, friendship and why talking openly about sex can genuinely change our lives.

A funny, thoughtful and deeply human yarn about connection, curiosity and creating a kinder world.

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Boh Runga comes from one of the country’s most loved musical families - her contribution to the music industry over the years has been a joy to witness.

The Stellar* frontwoman, is looking ahead to Atomic 3.0 - the ultimate femme rock supergroup’s return to the stage. 

We also look back on the meteoric success of Violent and the Mix album, why it only feels like yesterday but a lifetime ago at the same time.

Boh, and sisters Bic and Pearl, grew up in a remarkably musical family - we discuss the lessons her parents taught her and why creativity has always been at the centre of everything she does.

Plus, we shan’t forget her hugely successful jewellery business, and there’s her love for birds, and a cracking yarn about getting suspended from high school…

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This week, we take you to Brodie’s live shows in Rotorua with ultra-marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, New Zealand’s favourite internet Dad, How To Dad.

And, then we are down the motu to hear from My Food Bag Founder Nadia Lim, Farm 4 Life legend Tangaroa Walker, and rising star musician Sam Cullen.

Someone may have an accident on a rugby field, there may be a chicken caravan, and can How To Dad swaddle a 40-year old woman? It’s all in there folks, buckle in.

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Brodie is taking a well-deserved 40th birthday sabbatical this week, so we are throwing it back to one of our absolute favourite chats. The brilliant Samantha Hayes is in for a massive yarn about her incredible two decades in broadcasting.

From her early days walking out of small-town Milton into the big smoke to fronting the news, Sam has seen it all. We dive into the absolute chaos of her early reporting days, facing down heavy metal legends, and navigating the most tumultuous years of her life.

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Brodie Kane on turning 40, falling in love, running a media business. As told to mentor, Ali Mau.

This episode is a little bit different. Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Ali Mau has been a career mentor and dear friend of Brodie’s since they first worked together at TVNZ in 2012.

Ali takes the interview seat as Brodie reflects on life at 40, her continued success with Brodie Kane Media - six years after going out alone. What it’s like to fall in love for the first time at 39, why creating communities for women is one of her greatest joys, and her beautiful relationship with her mum, Jo Kane.

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This week on Kiwi Yarns, I sit down with legendary New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera.

From The Whale Rider to The Matriarch, Witi's work has shaped generations of readers. But at 80 years old, he made a remarkable decision: to return to school and immerse himself in te reo Māori.

The conversation moves from language and identity to climate change, leadership, ageing, courage and the importance of lifelong learning.

Witi reflects on the moment that challenged him to begin writing in te reo, the rangatahi who helped carry him through a year of full immersion study, and why doing hard things keeps us alive.

Along the way there are stories about whales, family, books, pounamu and what it means to leave the world a little better than you found it.

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What happens when you end your live show tour in Christchurch on a Sunday night in-front of a sell out crowd with one of the most loved faces on television (Jason Gunn) and a true queen of radio (and former princess of Dargaville Lana Searle)?

An endless supply of stories that might have you taking out an ACC claim because your cheeks will suffer from laughing so much. Period.

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This week, Wayne Cameron from the Little Ardroy Beef Company pops into the bach to chat about his massive year.

From a simple farm concept to launching in over a hundred supermarkets, Wayne shares exactly how he made it happen as part of New World Emerge.

We dig into what ethically raised beef actually means and why sometimes you just have to wing it to chase your dream.

This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge. New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves.

Find out more at New World Emerge | New World

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Joel Little works right at the top of the music industry. But, his latest and most challenging project is much closer to home.

He and his wife Gemma co-founded and built BIG FAN - is a not-for-profit, world class multi-purpose music space in central Auckland, just down the road from where he and Lorde wrote Pure Heroine.

He wants to foster the talents of musicians, songwriters and those behind the scenes - no matter where they are at in their musical journey.

We talk about what the role of the music producer is, and how his life changed after Royals. What it’s like to work with Taylor Swift, and a flashback to his days with Goodnight Nurse.

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Have you ever thought about quitting your secure day job to become your own boss?

This week, I yarn with Allie Hemmings, the former primary school teacher who did exactly that. Allie created ButterLuxe Co and won the 2025 New World Emerge startup award. 

After discovering her son had a nut allergy, Allie set out to create a delicious, nut-free alternative. Through plenty of kitchen trials and sheer determination, Oaty Butter was born.

Allie shares her open and honest journey as a neurodivergent founder, explaining how her ability to hyperfocus helped her master the complex science of food technology and commercial manufacturing. She shares how she built a nut-free oaty spread for her son and what it takes to get onto supermarket shelves.

This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge. 

New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves. Find out more at newworld.co.nz/who-we-are/foodstuffs-emerge

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