Dr. Alia Bojilova former SAS lead psychologist, and the author of The Resilience Toolkit.

She’s worked with elite special forces soldiers, athletes, CEOs, people operating at the absolute edge of human performance.

But her story goes far beyond that.

In this conversation, we talk about everything from growing up in post-communist Bulgaria, where simple things like toilet paper, cheese and chocolate were rationed, to moving to New Zealand at 17 without speaking English, all the way through to working inside one of the most elite military environments in the world.

And then, there’s the moment where everything changes.

Alia shares, in incredible detail, the story of being taken hostage in Syria. A seven-hour ordeal involving armed militants, minefields, and the very real threat of an ugly execution.

But what’s remarkable isn’t just what happened: it’s how she processed it, what she learned from it, and how she’s used that experience to better understand human resilience.

Dr. Bojilova is a unique individual- she is a real breath of fresh air- smart, tough and very funny. I walked away from this one thinking differently. I hope you will too.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navajo Stirling is a UFC light heavyweight fighter and one of the most exciting fighters coming out of New Zealand right now. He is trained by the mixed martial arts guru Eugene Bereman at City Kickboxing in Auckland.

At the time of recording this intro, Navajo is in Seattle on a UFC lineup with Israel Adesanya…

Which is a really cool full circle moment- from the moment he decided he wanted to be a UFC fighter he followed the exact steps and blueprint created by Izzy.

This podcast is part of the Navajo Stirling story:

+ His upbringing in Upper Hutt…and only discovering the UFC while working at Foodstuffs and going to a co-worker’s house to watch a Connor MacGregor fight on TV.

+ What it actually takes to get to the UFC…the financial reality of it…and why so many people never make it.

+ His first time meeting and training his hero, Israel, after watching and imitating every single fight he had ever had on YouTube.

+ There’s also some great stuff in here about fighting itself: what it feels like to get hit, why he says everything slows down in the cage…and how he deals with pressure when he’s about to walk out. And then there’s the bigger stuff: purpose, potential and his fear of becoming just another “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.”

I think you will also enjoy this if you like learning about Kiwis who are out there chasing dreams and goals that seem impossible- its inspiring stuff.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of you may know Jenny-May Clarkson as the lady from Breakfast TV -but that chapter of her life is just a very small part of the Jenny May story.

After nearly 20 years in media and six years hosting Breakfast, Jenny-May stepped away at the end of 2025 without a clear next move, entering a terrifying new season of her life:  uncertainty and reinvention.

This korero is 2 and a half hours long…but just scrapes the surface of the incredible life (so far) of an inspirational Kiwi. We talk about: 

+ Why she walked away from a 20-year TV career. And the impact today from losing a sibling when she was 6 years old.

+ Why she loved playing with Dame Noelene Taurua but HATED her as a coach, And why she hates her Commonwealth Games silver medal (spoiler: its because it’s not a gold one)

+ The intensely personal decision to get her tā moko (kōwhai) and why doing full immersion te reo Māori was the hardest thing she’s ever done

+ What success means to her now and so much more.

I would love to say this is Jenny-May like you’ve never heard her before, but the truth is Jenny-May is always just Jenny-May- unapologetically herself- unfiltered, honest, warts n all. I already loved J-May before this…. but this definitely gave me an even deeper appreciation for her.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favour — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement. And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance — You can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals — no pressure, just good advice.

I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 — and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melie Kerr has just recently become the captain of the White Ferns Cricket team, now leading some of the women she idolised growing up.

This episode was originally released in October 2023, but it still remains one of my favourite episodes of all time, so I thought I’d reshare it in case you missed it the first-time round.

Melie made the White Ferns while she was still in her mid-teens.

It was while she was still at school, at age 17 she scored 232 not out against Ireland which was the highest score in women’s ODI cricket at the time.

She’s played all over the world, earned big contracts in India, bought her first home at 22, and is now in her mid-20s and playing some of the best cricket of her life!

But this episode isn’t just about cricket.

Melie talks very openly and articulately about her harrowing mental health journey and the moment her life nearly came undone.

She talks about the support of her family and close friends and the reality of recovery.

This is not an easy listen. But I think it’s an important conversation and one I think will help a lot of people. 

If any of the contents raise concerns for you or someone you care about, here are a list of resources from the Mental Health Foundation in New Zealand where you can connect with a professional:

Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)

Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234

Samaritans 0800 726 666

Aoake Te Rā 0800 000 053 Bereaved by suicide service.

And to check out Melies incredible “Treading Water” video series, click this link: https://outoftherough.nz/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robbie Magasiva is one of Aotearoa’s most recognisable actors.

He is possibly best known for his role as Will Jackson, a prison guard on Wentworth. But his IMDB page is massive:

He is part of the iconic Naked Samoans comedy group. He’s been in Shortland Street, The Lord of the Rings, Sione’s Wedding, The Strip with Taika Waititi and much more.

In this episode we chat about all sorts of stuff:

+ The good, bad and ugly of acting, including the anxiety that almost forced him off Wentworth.

+ A heartbreaking story about moving to NZ from Samoa at 10 and being ashamed of his Samoan nose. 

+ The devastation of watching his mum live with dementia diagnosis.

+ The sudden death of his brother Pua, the grief that followed, and what healing has looked like over time

+ A wild story about the best perk he has got from his mate, Taika Waititi and so much more.

By the time we wrapped this episode the thing that stood out most for me was the cool place Robbie is in now: grounded, self-aware, still ambitious, but far less interested in outside validation.

At 53, he is still pretending to be other people on camera. But off camera he is unapologetically himself.

Need to talk?

Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)

Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234

Samaritans 0800 726 666

Aoake Te Rā 0800 000 053 Bereaved by suicide service.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder, everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Innes has lived several sporting lives.

He debuted for the All Blacks when he was 19, scored two tries on debut at Cardiff Arms Park, and went on to play 17 tests.

He then switched codes and playing rugby league in England with Leeds then eventually to the Manly Sea Eagles in Australia, where he won the 1996 Premiership.

In this era of his sporting life, he is a highly respected player agent, helping guide young players through the pressures of high-performance sport.

This podcast is part of the Craig “Postie” Innes story:

+ What the All-Blacks culture was really like in the late 80s and early 90s, and some great stories about bus etiquette, scalping tickets and being coached by Grizz Wylie.

+ His controversial move from rugby to league for money, and reflections on winning the NRL and being part of the Manly Sea Eagles dynasty.

+ We also about Craig’s longest career as a player agent and his thoughts and concerns on the future of the sport.

Postie is genuinely one of the good guys. I have known him in passing for 20ish years, but he is such a low key and humble guy that I really had no idea of the extent of his achievements as a player, so this was fun. 

I really hope you enjoy this episode

Dom

[email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dame Joan Withers is one of New Zealand’s most influential business leaders. Whether or not you know the name, you definitely know the companies she has been involved with. 

She is the former Chair of The Warehouse, former CEO of Fairfax NZ and The Radio Network, and director across some of the country’s biggest organisations, including ANZ, TVNZ, Auckland Airport, Mercury, Sky and more.

She also does not do many podcasts, which makes this conversation feel even more special - especially given how open she was about some incredibly personal subjects.

Dame Joan talks candidly about ageing and cosmetic surgery, marriage, attraction, and what it takes to keep a relationship strong for more than five decades.

And in the most devastating part of the episode, Joan opens up about the devastating sudden loss of her only son, Jamie, 4 months earlier, and what grief teaches you that no boardroom ever can.

There is also lots of great business stuff- what being on a board really looks like, why she is leaving ANZ after 13 years, the behind the scenes of the deal that saw Fairfax purchase Trade-Me for $700 million, the toll of being the leading news story for something negative and much more.  

This was the first time we met, and the conversation was not what I expected. I can imagine in her natural habitat of the board room she could be terrifying…but in the studio for this podcast Joan was open, kind, gracious and charming and I loved every minute of our chat.

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

If I could ask you to do one big favour, for me and for yourself, it would be to consider getting KiwiSaver advice from Generate, like I did.

The decisions you make with your KiwiSaver now could have a big impact on how much you have to live on in retirement. And if you’ve never had KiwiSaver advice before, you could be missing out.

Generate has a strong track record of long-term performance, you can check out their latest returns on their website.

They also have advisers who can come to you and help you figure out the right KiwiSaver setup for your goals: no pressure, just good advice.

I met with one when Generate came on board as a sponsor back in 2023 — and honestly, I wish I’d done it sooner.

Head to generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom to book a chat

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Craig Kirkwood was a really good runner- his marathon PB was 2 hours 13 minutes and he made the NZ Commonwealth Games team. 

Now he has become a world class coach, working with everyone from weekend warriors who want to do a faster Park Run, through to elite athletes like Hayden Wilde, Sam Tanner and Sam Ruthe- the 16-year-old who has been setting the running world on fire with his record-breaking times in the mile. 

This podcast is part of the Craig Kirkwood story.

+ His early years in Timaru, including an unforgettable encounter with coaching guru Arthur Lydiard.

+ His running years including training in Kenya, and the disappointing of falling short at the Commonwealth Games.

+ His predictions for the future of Sam Ruthe

+The hilarious story of how he first met Triathlon legend, Haydn Wilde and his reflections on their coach/athlete split

+Then I put your questions to Craig. This section of the podcast is packed with tips and suggestions for anyone who wants to start running, or runs but wants to do it better.

You’ll love this conversation if you are into running. For everyone else, it is an peak into the mind of one of New Zealand athletics great modern coaches.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast, New Zealand golf legend Michael Campbell opens up like never before.

"Cambo" is one of the greatest golfers NZ has ever produced. His pinnacle was in 2005 when he beat Tiger Woods at the peak of his powers to win the US Open.

This podcast has plenty of incredible golf stories and we drop a lot of big names like Nicklaus, Norman, Daly and Fox. But this is so much more than a golf nostalgia conversation.

We talk about māori identity, mana, grief, family, humility, the cost of success, tall poppy culture, trust, and the strange limbo of achieving your life’s biggest goal , then having to figure out who you are afterwards.

This conversation is funny. It’s emotional. It’s honest. And it even has a story about a solo haka in front of Nelson Mandela!

***

Massive thanks to my long-term podcast sponsors, Generate.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns for their clients- you can see their latest returns for yourself on their website.

I became a client when they came on board as the show sponsor and it’s been a gamechanger for me personally- I’m kicking myself for not doing it years earlier.

You can book a no obligation chat with one of their awesome KiwiSaver advisers at generatekiwisaver.co.nz/dom

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/pds

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And just a reminder — everyone’s situation is different, so I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kelsey Waghorn is a Whakaari/White Island survivor and former guide who suffered severe burns and has undergone ongoing surgeries and rehab.

This chat paints a detailed picture of who she was before December 9, 2019, what happened during the eruption and how the years since have looked.

She shares her story on her own terms and in her own words, including recovery milestones, the messy middle, and what it means to keep turning up.

This podcast first came out in May 2023. I decided to rerelease it because Kelsey has just put a book out called “Surviving White Island”, so if you like this conversation, I have no doubt you will love to learn more about this incredible Kiwi in her own words through her book:

I loved spending time with Kelsey Waghorn and I have no doubt you will as well.

Check out Kelsey's Book here:

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/mn/buy/kogan-international-surviving-white-island-40936296/?gad_campaignid=22002998298&gad_source=1

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.