This week we feature Jen Young, Mindfulness Educator and founder of Intentional Generations.

Jen has gone through some big life lessons, starting at just age 8 when she lost her older brother to cancer.

After graduating from Otago University Jen starting having some big challenges with anxiety and mental health, and made some huge decisions to put her own wellness first and walk away from the corporate world.

What followed would be an amazing journey of self discovery and helping others through her business, Intentional Generations.

You'll love Jen's honesty, and bubbly attitude. She's a real example to the next generation!

We are celebrating our 18th episode of Smile and Pod by releasing our interview with one of New Zealand's brightest business stars.

Brianne West is the founder and CEO of Ethique, the world's first zero waste beauty brand. 

She started Ethique by literally making shampoo and conditioner bars in her kitchen in Christchurch, and has since been named one of the 100 top global thinkers by the US Foreign Policy Magazine.

Brianne was also named 2019 New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year. 

With over 5 million plastic bottles now eliminated through Ethique's products, Brianne is vowing to not stop there.

And not only is Ethique ethical, they donate 20 percent of the company's profit to environmental charities, their products are hands down amazing. You won't want to go back to the bottle after trying them. 

Brianne is direct, driven and determined, and you'll love her attitude to life and business.

In our 17th episode we feature Christine Langdon, Chief of Good and founder of The Good Registry.

The Good Registry is an organisation created to help people give simply, sustainably and kindly by allowing people to give a donation as a gift.

Christine's journey takes us from Wellington to New York and back again, and we learn of her career as a journalist (including a run in with a riot in the Bronx) and also how she walked away from two 'dream jobs' with no plan ahead of her to open up more space in her life for possibility. 

Her story to follow her passion to help others will open your eyes to your own possibilities.

This week's episode features Kiwi actor, writer, and producer, Mike Minogue. 

You may know Mike best as Officer Minogue from the hit movie, What We Do In The Shadows, TV2's Wellington Paranormal, or from his hit web series, The Watercooler Show.

But Mike's journey into the world of television and film has actually come at a later part in his life. 

He's had an interesting journey of self discovery, starting out as a paperboy in his home town of Levin. He was also a door to door salesman and even a furniture removal specialist in Sydney for three years.

But Mike always knew there was something missing creatively, and his path would soon cross with some of the biggest names in the business.

In this episode we talk to New Zealand sports commentary legend, Grant Nisbett.

Known affectionately as 'Nisbo', Grant has called over 300 rugby test matches and has also been the voice of some of New Zealand sports most memorable, and also toughest, moments.

Appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2018 for his services to sport broadcasting, Grant talks to us about his journey from calling games secretly into a tape recorder at Athletic Park, and also about how he kept his cool in the one point thriller that was the the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final. 

Grant has remained humble and professional through many phases of his career, and still has some big events he'd love to tick off his bucket list as a sports fan. 

Even if you aren't a sports fan, his storytelling and worth ethic will definitely capture your attention.

In our 14th episode we talk to author and social change activist, Jo Bailey.

Jo is a respected author and storyteller. She is the founder of 'Uniting Canterbury Women', a group formed following the horrific Mosque shootings in Christchurch in March to help women from all cultures to unite and share their journey and stories. 

Jo is also a cancer survivor, a solo mother and also had to face what no mother should when after beating breast cancer, her six year old son suffered from a stroke. 

Through all her challenges she has remained positive, grateful and resilient. Her story will inspire and encourage many others to follow her example.

Episode 13 features one of New Zealand's most loved radio and television hosts, Brodie Kane.

Brodie grew up in North Canterbury in Waikuku Beach, before a chance encounter at Rangiora High School saw her discover the army. 

Hear about her remarkable journey from boot camp to the jungles of Brunei, and how she made her way into the world of journalism on both radio and television covering some of New Zealand's darkest days. And also find out how her time on Fair Go measures up in her career experiences. 

Her chat includes some straight talking about body image, work environments and dealing with mental health and negativity as well.

There's something for everyone in this episode!

This week we are thrilled to release our 12th episode which features an entrepreneur from Central Otago.

David Diehl formed the travel agency Boys Trip with two of his childhood friends from Alexandra back in 2006, and what started out as a small conquest has gone from strength to strength to become one of New Zealand's biggest event travel planners.

During those years David forged a successful career in television, moving around the country, working as a director and camera operator on some of the world's biggest sporting stages. 

But recently he made the call to simplify his life and make his young family and his own business a priority, moving back to Otago to focus on Boys Trip and spending more time at home. 

You'll find his journey and career path interesting, and it might just inspire you to start your own business and follow your own passion too.

Our latest episode features a woman who has been known to many New Zealanders since she first appeared on Nightline on TV3.

Claire Robbie had found her passion in broadcasting, but her personal life soon saw her moving to Hollywood. 

Despite living a life that appeared glamorous on the outside, partaking in lavish parties and mixing with some of the biggest names in the entertainment business, Claire soon realised she was absolutely miserable.

She found herself again after discovering yoga and meditation as a hobby, and decided to come back to New Zealand to find her own path again.

Now a teacher of yoga and mediation, Claire has some remarkable words of wisdom for us all.

We are celebrating our tenth episode with a very special guest!

Smile and Pod is a podcast made to encourage and inspire listeners to follow their dreams, by focusing on stories of people who are successful in their field of choice.

This week we are thrilled to feature Kiwi actress, Antonia Prebble.

Those who fell in love with Outrageous Fortune will remember her best as rebellious teen Loretta West and more recently as Rita West in the Outrageous Fortune prequel, Westside. 

Her story covers her journey from child actor in Power Rangers to household name in New Zealand, her insecurities around her career as an actress, and overcoming a house fire leading up to the birth of her first child. 

Antonia is determined, generous and extremely humble. We were very grateful for her time and advice.

Please enjoy this talented woman's story!