The Candid Kiwi

Kia Ora and welcome to episode thirty seven. This episode I introduce you to my eldest son, Masaru. He just graduated in May of this year. So I have him sit down with me and talk about some of the ups and downs in his short life here. I love that I was able to capture a little of his story and be able to share it with you. Please come listen to his story and get to know us a little more. Ka kite ano au i a koutou.

Kia Ora and welcome to episode thirty six. Meet Ashlee. Ashlee was visited by detectives one night and told her husband had been shot twice and had died. The events that have unfolded in her life since then have been mind boggling. Ashlee shares with us her story of coming to grips with the tragedy and betrayal of that night and her path forward with healing and coming to grips with her new reality being a single mum with five kids. Ashlee teaches us how she’s been able to move forward. She’s published three books and has a blog about her path. She speaks publicly and has coaching available on her website. Sitting with Ashlee taught me a lot and I hope it does for you as well. Ka kite ano au i a koutou

Kia Ora and welcome to episode thirty five with me. In this episode I talk about a breakthrough therapy session I had with Kate and share it with you all. I talk a little about this long winter and the ups and downs with my seasonal depression with it. I also touch on parenting and how that’s going with my four kids and Dru by my side. It’s been a little tough. But we keep going right. I hope you can find comfort in this episode. I hope something can help you not feel alone, or maybe a little more educated or just supported more in your roles. Thanks for listening. Ka kite ano au i a koutou

Kia Ora. Welcome to episode 34 with my friend Phil. Phil was brought up in California in a religious family. He started feeling and knowing he was ‘different’ when he was around four years old. Phil liked boys but he also knew that he needed to hide that to fit in. Phil talks to us about his life of confusion as he tried to navigate his childhood. Then when he became a teen he realized there was a name for how he was feeling. Gay. He was met with bullying, however, when he confided in a trusted friend and his high school found out. His days were met with violence and verbal abuse. His parents kicked him out of home and then he became homeless. He tried to make it work but one night gave up and attempted suicide. He was saved and then found a new vigor for life and graduated high school and went to college. Phil has been married to his husband since it was legal in Idaho and has been with James almost 22 years. He’s now an educator for Paul Mitchell and is thriving. Come listen to a story of courage and connect with Phil. Ka kite ano au i a koutou

Kia Ora and welcome to episode thirty two. This is my friend from my childhood, Matthew. We grew up together for almost the first decade of my life. Then they moved to Hamilton and that’s where things took a turn for the worst for Matthew. In his story, he recounts the bullying that happened to him in highschool and how it made him want to take his own life. He’s here with us today, however, so he leads us on his journey of why he didn’t and what life has looked like since. It’s so important to be aware and kind. Matthew’s story is a reminder to be good to each other and to help and speak up where we can. Come listen to his moving story. Ka kite ano ou i a koutou.

Kia Ora. Welcome to my thirty first episode. I’ve been absent for a couple of months this summer and so talk about what I’ve been up to and why it’s been hard to keep up with the blog. We went on a trip in our van and school started as well as MTB season. I worked all summer. This is a first for me for a long time. Thanks for being here. Hope you’ll listen. Ka kite ano ou i a koutou.

Kia Ora and welcome to the beginnings of my mother’s story. She tells us stories from her childhood from the ages of 0 -12 years old. I only knew roughly 10% of what she told me. It was amazing to sit and listen to the epic stories of my mothers childhood. How she and my Uncles and Aunties survived is a modern day miracle. These adventures are what childhood in the 50’s in NZ were made of. Life is certainly different now. So sit back and relax for an hour and come listen to my mothers stories of her childhood. You won’t regret it. Ka kite ano au i a koutou.

Kia Ora. Welcome to episode twenty nine, Healing Kiwi Travels. This episode is me talking about my recent trip back to NZ and Australia last month. It’s a quick one week trip to see Bro B one last time. I mixed in seeing my family as well as some high school mates along the way. I learned a few things about myself and share what I learned with you in this episode. I’m glad you’re here and hope you enjoy my continued story. Ka kite ano au i a koutou.

Kia Ora and welcome to episode twenty eight. You get to meet Jared and hear his amazing story. What Jared has done in his life is stunningly beautiful. He’s worked hard and become successful and has put his whole heart into all of his work. From Law firm Kirkland and McKonkie then Young Living, Zulu grill, voice of the vanishing and now Amare Global, Jared has ventured to help make this world a better place. And after listening to his story you’ll see he’s done exactly that. He makes you want to do more and be more just by being around him. He’s one of the good guys and I’m so grateful he took time out to share with you all his story of passion. His biggest passion is his three beautiful children as well. So come listen to Jared’s story and you’ll end up loving him as I do. Ka kite ano au i a koutou