In Episode 19 of Stretton Unfiltered, we take you inside 12 years of working within women’s prisons and the reality of what it takes to break the cycle of crime. This is the story behind RAW, Reclaim Another Woman. A model built not from theory, but from working alongside some of the most complex, high-risk women in New Zealand.

Women, many had normalised criminal lifestyles and outcomes Since 2014, RAW has challenged that narrative. What started as a response to intergenerational offending, violence, poverty, and limited opportunity has grown into a deeply connected  and successful model of reintegration. One grounded in inclusion, accountability, community, and real pathways forward.

In this episode, we speak honestly about the early chaos, the missteps, and the lessons learned inside the prison system. We unpack the realities of working within prison walls, supporting women inside and at the point of release, and building trust where it has largely been broken. We talk about the transitional homes, the farm sanctuary, and the long-term commitment required to support change beyond the gate.

This is not a polished success story. It is a real account of what it takes to interrupt cycles of crime and create possibility. RAW is more than a charity. It is a lifelong living system of support, shaped by the women themselves, and grounded in pono, tika, and aroha.

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This is not an easy listen… but it’s an important one. In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Annah sits down with Missy Wepper to unpack a life shaped by trauma, survival, addiction, and ultimately, accountability. From early childhood abuse and life in state care… to years inside the prison system… to navigating life on the outside after decades institutionalised, Missy shares her story with a level of honesty that is both confronting and deeply grounding. 

This is not about excuses. It’s about context. It’s about understanding what sits behind behaviour… and what it actually takes to change. What emerges is something many people never see…the long, lonely work of rebuilding a life. The discipline it takes to walk away from everything you’ve known. And the reality that change is possible… but only if you choose it.

A conversation about survival, systems, responsibility… and what it really means to start again.

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In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Annah sits down with New Zealand Silver Fox Modelling Agency owner Rebecca Swaney for a conversation that goes far beyond modelling.

From buying a business on instinct to building a nationally recognised agency representing women 30+ and beyond, Rebecca shares the reality of backing yourself, learning on the fly, and creating space in an industry that historically overlooked mature women.

This is a story about:

• Starting with just 11 models and building something meaningful
• The shift towards diversity and representation in fashion
• The emotional reality behind running a solo business
• Why women don’t “age out” anymore
• And what it really looks like to close a business with grace

It’s honest, reflective, and quietly powerful.Because this isn’t just about modelling. It’s about visibility, identity, and the courage to evolve.

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What does it take to create a business that people will go out of their way for, and keep coming back to? In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Annah sits down with Haley Bicknell, owner of Punnet, a rural café in Tamahere that has quietly become one of the Waikato’s most enduring and consistently busy destinations. Not because it follows the rules, but because it breaks them. From its beginnings on a strawberry farm to a multi-layered business employing 40 staff, Haley shares what it really takes to build something that lasts. This is a conversation grounded in the realities of running a high-volume, people-driven business, where growth doesn’t always feel like success, and where burnout can sit just beneath the surface. Together, they unpack:

• Why “being busy” doesn’t always mean being profitable
• The power of defining a clear core purpose and actually living it
• What it takes to scale a business while maintaining consistency
• The hidden toll of customer-facing roles and leadership burnout
• How stepping back, not pushing harder, can sometimes save a business
• Why hiring well and building the right team changes everything

Haley also shares her experience of hitting breaking point, putting the business on the market, and ultimately choosing to rebuild it differently, with stronger systems, better support, and a renewed sense of purpose. For business owners and operators, this episode is a reminder that longevity isn’t about chasing growth. It’s about creating something people genuinely want to be part of, and building a team that can carry it with you. A thoughtful, honest conversation about business, resilience, and redefining what success actually looks like.

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Grit Before Grace:

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Wise Heart:

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What does it really look like to love someone through chaos… and still find your way back to yourself? In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, we sit down with Nikki, her story will stay with you long after the conversation ends.

From a stable upbringing to a life shaped by low self-worth, abusive relationships, and years of fear, Nikki bravely shares what it was like to live inside a world that felt impossible to escape. We talk about the quiet realities so many women carry, staying when it hurts, protecting children while breaking inside, and the invisible weight of believing you’re not worthy of more.

Nikki opens up about life alongside Ben through prison, addiction, violence, and the turning point that changed everything. Not overnight, not easily, but through accountability, honesty, and the slow rebuild of two people choosing something different.

This is a conversation about survival, about what it costs to stay and rebuilding yourself from nothing. It’s also about hope. About forgiveness. About the possibility of change, even when everything says otherwise. And most importantly, it’s a reminder that if you are in something hard, you are not alone. There is support. There are people who will stand beside you. Taking that first step is enough.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, stayed longer than you should have, or wondered if life can look different, this conversation is for you.

Resonated with something in this conversation?

Explore more of the work we do with RAW here: www.raw.org.nz

Where to get help? waikatowomensrefuge.co.nz

24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE: 07 855 1569

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Grit Before Grace:

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Wise Heart:

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Some of the women who fall the hardest…are the ones holding everything together. From the outside, it can look like capability. Success. Control. But underneath, it can be pressure. Responsibility. And decisions made quietly, just to get through.

In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Nadene shares the story behind what happens when that pressure builds over time… and eventually gives way. Not all at once. Not dramatically.
But slowly.

A business growing faster than the support around it. A refusal to ask for help. A belief that it can still be fixed. Until it can’t. What follows is a journey through the justice system, prison, and everything that comes after.
The reality of being seen differently.
The weight of rebuilding.
And the quiet work of starting again. Because this is not a story about failure. It is about what happens when capable women carry too much, for too long…and what it takes to rebuild from there. Through RAW, this is something we see often. Not women defined by their worst moment. But women who choose, step by step, to move beyond it.

Take a moment to listen.

Resonated with something in this conversation?

Explore more of the work we do with RAW here: ⁠www.raw.org.nz⁠

Where to get help? ⁠waikatowomensrefuge.co.nz⁠

⁠24 HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE: 07 855 1569⁠

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Some days in retail are about beautiful clothes.
But at Annah Stretton, it has always been about something much more. In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, Annah and Sami sit down with Angela Gilmour, who spent 17 years in their flagship Christchurch store, to take you inside the Annah Stretton retail experience. This is a brand built on the belief that clothing should be designed not just for a woman’s shape, but for her story.
That what she wears can lift her up, restore confidence, and help her step back into her own light. But what truly sets this experience apart is the people behind it. Our retail teams are not there to simply sell clothes.
They are carefully chosen, developed, and empowered to deliver something far greater, an experience that meets women exactly where they are, and helps them see themselves again. Angela shares what really happens behind the fitting room curtain…
The quiet moments.
The turning points.
The transformations.

For business owners, this episode offers a powerful look at a retail model that prioritises connection over transaction, and shows how investing in exceptional sales teams can elevate an entire brand experience. Because when your people are exceptional, your retail becomes unforgettable. This conversation is a reminder that great retail is not just about product.
It is about purpose, people, and the courage to do it differently.

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What does it take to build something special? To dream up a space that's part cupcake haven, part fashion sanctuary, all heart, and actually pull it off?

In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, we sit down with Millie Rose founder, dreamer, doer, and the unstoppable force behind Millie Rose Boutique in Timaru. From emailing her way into her very first supplier relationship, to baking through the night and helping hundreds of women feel good in their own skin, Millie unpacks the unfiltered reality behind the six-year journey that was equal parts hustle, hope, and heartbreak.

We talk about the power (and pain) of saying YES, the lessons that arrive with every “no,” and what it means to pivot and keep going, until you know it’s time to walk away. It’s about community, courage, creative burnout, and the quiet strength it takes to call it when your head and your heart are pulling in different directions.

If you’ve ever had to back yourself when no one else would, reinvent on the fly, or redefine what success really looks like , this conversation is for you.

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International Women’s Day got us thinking.

About women. About impact. About purpose.

And about why Life Changing Clothes has always meant so much more than fashion.In this episode of Stretton Unfiltered, we unpack a simple idea that has shaped so much of what we do
Give to Gain.Not financial gain.
Not applause.
Not recognition.But the kind of gain that comes from showing up for other women. From backing them when it matters. From building connection, opening doors, and creating change in the places where it’s needed most.We talk honestly about the work behind the work.
The social impact journey.
The wins, the failures, the lessons that only come from doing the mahi.From RAW to Hopefish to Sisterhood Social, this conversation goes right to the heart of why supporting women in all spaces matters so deeply to who we are.If you’ve ever believed that giving your time, your voice, or your energy can change lives — this one is for you.

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Grit Before Grace:

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Wise Heart:

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This week on Stretton Unfiltered, Sami and Annah dive into the story behind Sisterhood Social, a new platform designed to help women over 40 build meaningful friendships and connections.

Fresh off the back of their very first Sisterhood Social event, they reflect on what happened when nearly 40 women walked into a room full of strangers and left feeling connected, inspired, and part of something bigger. From courageous solo arrivals to fast-paced icebreaker conversations, the night proved just how much women value genuine connection.

In this episode, Annah and Sami talk about:
• The unexpected moment that sparked the idea for Sisterhood Social
• Why making friends as an adult can be harder than we think
• The difference between surface-level conversations and meaningful friendships
• How the Sisterhood Social platform works and why it’s designed specifically for women 40+
• The importance of safety, identity verification, and thoughtful matching
• What they learned from the first trial event and the powerful feedback from attendees

They also explore the broader question many women quietlyask themselves: Where do you go to meet new friends when you’re no longer in school, raising young children, or surrounded by built-in social circles?

Sisterhood Social aims to answer that question by creating a trusted space where women can connect, share interests, build friendships, and enrich their lives.

If you’ve ever wished for deeper conversations, new perspectives, or simply more women in your world who “get it”, this episode is for you.

Learn more or register at sisterhoodsocial.co.nz.

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Rag Trade To Mag Trade:

Ebook available here

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Grit Before Grace:

Ebook available here

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Wise Heart:

Ebook available here

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