While Kiwi Yarns is on a bit of a break, I'm sharing some of my favourite episodes!

This interview with Ruby Tui was one of my first interviews on Kiwi Yarns, from back in 2020! She came to my house and we had a great chat - will definitely hit her up for another catch up because there is LOTS to catch up on!

Ruby Tui is a ridiculously talented woman who not only lights up the rugby field, but has the exact same effect when she walks into a room. Her warmth, generosity and humbleness makes her one of New Zealand's favourite rugby players. She's always worked incredibly hard to get to where she is - and does not take that for granted. Listening to Ruby's outlook on life and attitude towards the job she loves doing is pretty special.

Happy New Year! Sharing a couple of favourite Kiwi Yarns while the show is on a break. This is a must-listen.

Today’s guest is a remarkable young man with an incredible story. Abbas Nazari was just seven-years old when he and his family fled the Taliban in Afghanistan - and experienced a journey that would last for months - including being stuck onboard the Tampa. This was the boat that Australia horrifically turned its back on resulting in an international stand off 20 years ago. Abbas and his family were accepted to come to New Zealand to be resettled - and it’s from here this amazing man and his amazing family started a new life…

The Fulbright Scholar has written After The Tampa: From Afghanistan to New Zealand and it's an absolute must-read, along with this absolute must-listen episode!

Available at bookstores throughout NZ.

Today’s guest is one of our country’s greatest athletes.

Dame Sophie Pascoe is our most decorated Paralympian and is the youngest person to be appointed a Dame - in the 2022 New Year’s Honours for her services to swimming.

She is a remarkable woman, a truly special role model - we are so lucky to have her!

It’s also been a massive year away from the black line for Sophie - she got married this year, and her and her husband Rob will be welcoming their first child in 2024.

This is a remarkable episode, I'm so grateful Sophie shared this with us. X

Today’s guest is the first comedian I ever saw live and rest assured she’s been a favourite ever since!

The award-winning Justine Smith took her first gig as a dare - and to sound cliché the rest is history. But, as you'll hear, the rest took time, patience and bloody hard work. She won the Billy T Award in 2003, and has been the winner of the Award for Best Female Performer from the NZ Comedy Guild an incredible four times.

Today’s guest is TimProvise.

He's a man I'm so glad I stumbled across on social media - sampling Aotearoa's best pies on his hilariously brilliant show Bakery Run. And then when I went down the TimProvise rabbit hole, he became my favourite roving sports reporter. The absolute hectic banter, and the way he brings out the best and funniest yarns with some of the biggest names in sport, he’s just my kind of guy.

Such a cool chat with a very clever man!

Today’s guest is a very familiar face on our TV screens, the wonderful Entertainment Editor and Film Reviewer for Newshub - Kate Rodger.

She has been all over the world, interviewed the biggest actors in the world, and knows everything there is to know about the film industry. Kate has this divine voice and delivery style that lures you in - even if you didn’t like the movie she’s talking about, you’re entranced!

Kate also took a massive one for the team recently, and talked publicly about dealing with menopause.

This is such a fantastic conversation, thank you Kate x

Well I’m not mad about the fact that this week’s guest is yet another wonderful Kiwi success story - another brilliantly smart woman who’s made a name for herself on the global stage for all the right reasons.

Brianne West is the founder and former CEO of Ethique - the world’s first zero waste beauty brand.

As it stands, Ethique has prevented more than 28 million plastic bottles from beauty and household items from being made and disposed of in landfills.

Her next target? Plastic drink bottles. What a woman! She cannot be stopped and we shan't get in her way!

We absolutely love and celebrate success stories here at Kiwi Yarns, and today’s episode is no exception.

I have LOVED watching the rise of Emma Lewisham, since she and her stunning skincare products came on the scene in 2019. Now, Emma Lewisham is a global brand stocked at the likes of Mecca and Harrods, and stars are jumping over themselves to wear it.

A fascinating insight into the mind of an incredibly smart, super cool, and humble businesswoman.

Today’s guest is actually, quite possibly, the nicest man you’ll ever meet.

Sam Smith is a comedian, a writer, a musician (but not to be confused with the other Sam Smith haha), he’s a dentist (yes that's correct), an MC, AND he won this year’s first season of The Traitors alongside Anna Reeve.

Not only is Sam one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet, and has all those mad skills, he lives life with MS and he's legally blind.

But as you'll hear - he lets NOTHING slow him down. I am lucky to call him a friend and find him so damn inspirational. You'll love this one.

Today’s guest quite possibly could’ve learnt to drive before he walked…

Third generation driver Jono Lester hails from mighty Palmerston North and was born and raised at the Manfield circuit - set up and operated by his family. He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and aunty. It’s like he has petrol in his veins!

It's fascinating hearing about the highs and lows of his career thus far, and what he's learnt along the way.

Hear about how happy he is back racing home with FHK Racing - the New Zealand GT racing team - and their grand plans!

Fun facts: he had his first crash when he was nine, and he's also an ultra marathon runner.