Robyn Woods is a paramedic and a Pilates instructor and co-owner with REFORM Fitness Takapuna/Birkenhead.

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In this podcast we talked about:

• The journey of moving from South Africa to New Zealand

• The ins and outs of life working as a paramedic

• How important empathy is when working with patients 

• How she got into Pilates and what the hype is all about

• Going from Pilates instructor to business owner 

• Being upfront as a coach to get the best out of your clients

• Her future business dreams

Tune in to this episode wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Jacob Bindon is a Kiwi clothing designer and the founder of Shaggy, an independent New Zealand clothing brand built around bold design, creativity, and doing things a little differently. What started as Jacob pursuing his passion for graphic design has grown into a recognisable brand, a physical store, and a business he now runs alongside his wife, Anna.

In this podcast, we talked about:

• His journey in starting the Shaggy brand

• How Shaggy has evolved over time

• The highs and lows of running a business, and how he got through the moments where he wanted to give it all up

• Starting a physical store and his vision for where it could go moving forward

• His journey with graphic design

• The feeling of seeing complete strangers wearing his products in public

• The team effort of running the business alongside his wife, Anna

• What he wishes he knew when he first started out

This episode is absolute gold, especially for anyone interested in creativity, clothing, entrepreneurship, or what it actually takes to build something from the ground up.

Available now on all podcasting platforms, as well as YouTube.

Vince “Vinnie” Lia is a former professional footballer who played more than 200 A-League games across spells with Melbourne Victory, Wellington Phoenix, and Adelaide United. He also represented Australia at age-group level, playing at two FIFA U-20 World Cups under head coach Ange Postecoglou.

In this podcast, we talked about:

• What inspired Vinnie to get into football, and how his parents sacrificed their time to get him to training

• The feeling of signing his first professional contract

• Taking the risk to move to Wellington when the Phoenix were a brand-new club

• His love for playing for the Nix, and the various ups and downs of his time with the club

• The difficult period when the Phoenix were being sold, and the uncertainty that brought to the playing group

• His season-ending knee injury, and how he rehabilitated both physically and mentally to get back on the pitch after such a major setback

• Ending his career in Adelaide

• Playing at two FIFA U-20 World Cups

• Even who he still keeps in touch with from his playing days

Vinnie is an absolute champion, and this podcast was a lot of fun to record. Tune in to this episode wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Lucas de Jong is a Kiwi journalist, storyteller, and one of Seven Sharp’s longest-serving reporters. Raised in Ōpōtiki, Lucas has a real passion for rural New Zealand and can often be found travelling to the furthest corners of the country in search of a great yarn. Before joining Seven Sharp, he also worked for BBC World News in the UK and Singapore.

In this podcast we talked about:

👉 The joys and secrets of gardening👉 Growing up rurally, and what it’s like raising a family in the city👉 His journey with Seven Sharp👉 Why Lucas prefers stories set in rural communities, and his approach to crafting them👉 Working on Breakfast, including what it was like working with Paul Henry👉 Making the decision to volunteer on the Board of Trustees at his local school👉 The difference between covering light-hearted stories and serious world events👉 Even the infamous ZORB birthday story👉 And so much more!

Tune in to this episode wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Nathan Fouhy is a New Zealand hockey player and coach with experience playing in leagues all around the world. He has also built a strong following on social media, making entertaining hockey content across platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram. 

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In this podcast we talked about:

• The definition of success and how we often need to reframe that in our minds

• Experience playing in top European leagues alongside world class players

• His approach to coaching at a high level, and how he gets the best out of his players

• The feeling of representing your region as a North Harbour rep

• The state of hockey in the world, and why it is growing so rapidly

• How he built his social media platform “NMF Hockey”, which includes videos getting millions of views

• The difference between the elite players and those who are very good

This podcast is full of gold, and is inspiring for any up and coming athlete, no matter what sport you find yourself in. Make sure you check this podcast out on all podcast platforms and on YouTube.

Alicia Mabey is a health, wellness and fitness coach, mum of five, and the founder of Motivating Me. After starting out as a secondary school PE, Health and Science teacher, Alicia moved into group fitness, personal training, and later became a Director of Sport before accidentally launching what would become Motivating Me during lockdown in 2020. What began as free online workouts and wellness tips for mums has now grown into a complete wellness community helping people take small, realistic steps toward better health, fitness, mindset, and balance.

In this podcast we talked about:

👉 How her business “Motivating Me” started from a passion for health and wellbeing

👉 How obstacles and situations in her life led her to embrace change and new ventures

👉 Battling back from a snapped achilles, and learning to trust your body again

👉 How well-being isn't about perfection, but making progress one step at a time

👉 The danger of comparing yourself to both others and other versions of you, especially in the world of fitness

👉 How Alicia juggles her capacity in a world where we are all time poor

👉 The power of saying no

👉 What her dreams are for the future of Motivating Me

This episode is absolute gold. Available now on all podcasting platforms, as well as YouTube.

Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand sporting legend, best known as “The Beast” from his iconic career with the Warriors and the Kiwis. He is the Warriors’ all-time leading try scorer, a Dancing with the Stars NZ winner, boxer, father, and someone whose journey is a powerful story of resilience, redemption, and hope.

In this podcast we talked about:

• His recent return to the boxing ring

• The hard work of both cardio and skill that goes into preparing to box 

• His work with BBM

• His NRL career, and what he would go back and tell a young Manu starting his career 

• The 2011 finals run, and the strong connection and banter between the Warriors boys both on and off the pitch 

• Overcoming rock bottom and how there is always hope for everyone in every situation

• How being a father helped change his mindset and perspective on life 

• How judgement can be so damaging, and how our pasts don’t always define us

• Dancing with the Stars, and how it is one of the toughest things he’s ever done

• And so much more 

Manu is a great dude, and this podcast was deep and full of gold. Available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.

Kate Laidler is a New Zealand actor and a 2024 graduate of The Actors’ Program. Her most recent work includes the upcoming Netflix series East of Eden. She also appeared in the feature film The Sender as Frankie, as well as the short films Origami, In Her Steps, How We Say Goodbye, and The Siren — a project she both wrote and performed in.

In this podcast, we talked about:

• What inspired her acting journey, and the goals she hopes to achieve in the industry

• The differences between working on different types of projects, and how she approaches each shoot

• Her experience working with Netflix, and meeting one of her acting idols, Florence Pugh

• Getting into the writing process, including co-writing the short film The Siren

• The relief of signing with her first agency

• Her mindset heading into auditions, including how she deals with rejection

• Starring in the web series The Sender, which won the Best Cast award at the 2025 NZ Web Fest

• Even a nostalgic trip down Club Penguin and Poptropica memory lane

Kate is an absolute gem, and you’ll love this episode. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Mike Edward is a New Zealand actor, dancer, and co-founder of Dust Palace, Aotearoa’s leading circus theatre company. He has appeared in a wide range of productions, including Power Rangers, Spartacus, Wrecking Crew, Ladies Night, and, most notably, his iconic recurring role as Zac Smith on Shortland Street.

In this podcast, we talked about:

• His experiences as an actor in New Zealand, and how he has seen the industry change over the years

• His advice for younger actors, including not putting too much pressure on yourself when going for auditions

• How being a physical performer has shaped parts of his acting journey, but has also boxed him in at times

• His growing passion for teaching the younger generation

• His recent experience on Wrecking Crew, including getting to work alongside Dave Bautista

• His reasons for turning down certain roles

• What it has been like experiencing comic conventions as a Power Ranger

• His approach to fame and engaging with fans

• The pride he has in his kids

• Even one of his biggest fears in life

Mike is an iconic figure in the New Zealand entertainment scene, but he’s also just a genuine, down-to-earth guy. This episode is full of gold, and you can tune in wherever you get your podcasts. We’re on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.

Hannah Koumakis is a New Zealand entrepreneur, creator, and community-builder who has founded a range of projects under the “Dear” brand, including Dear The Series, Dear Brides, and Dear Community. Through her work, Hannah has created spaces that encourage authentic connection, personal growth, and meaningful conversation, especially for women across New Zealand.

In this podcast, we talked about:
• Hannah’s business journey, and how she founded a variety of projects under the “Dear” brand, including Dear The Series, Dear Brides, Dear Community, and more
• The heart behind Dear Community, creating a space for women aged 18–35 across New Zealand to connect authentically and develop friendships through various events
• The hustle of being an entrepreneur, and how Hannah manages her time and capacity
• The importance of journaling, and how it can support your wellbeing
• The journey of buying property
• How social media created a pathway for Hannah to engage with people and further develop her brand
• The ins and outs of budgeting

This episode is absolute gold. Available now on all podcasting platforms, as well as YouTube.