At 17, Mitch Wilson thought he was just an exhausted teenager.

But dizziness, daily vomiting, and excruciating headaches escalated into something far more sinister: a brain tumour that went undiagnosed for over a year due to medical neglect. The delay cost him most of his eyesight… but not his spirit.

In this conversation, Mitch opens up about:

The terror of going to sleep wondering if he’d wake up completely in the dark

The angry, self-destructive years that followed

How a German shepherd called Blaze and para-cycling helped pull him back

Grief, therapy, purpose, and trying to figure out what life looks like now.

Now a world-class para-cyclist and newly married, Mitch is still figuring out what life looks like in the long term.

This is a story of survival, identity, sport, grief, love, and the stubborn refusal to give up. And it is one of those episodes that will stay with you.

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

Hamish Kerr was a guest on the podcast three years ago. Back then he had just won a commonwealth games gold medal and the podcast was still called “Runners Only.”

A lot has happened since then. Hamish Kerr is now the undisputed best high jumper on the planet- you name it, he has won it. Olympic Gold, Commonwealth Gold, World champion, Diamond league champion, Halberg sportsman of the year...

In this episode, Hamish opens up about the Paris Olympics- why he was in tears on the track in the packed stadium before going on to win gold.

How life has changed since becoming the best in the world.

How he overcame self-doubt and pressure.

And why he thinks he can still be better.

This episode goes beyond sport. It’s a deeply human look at the mindset of one of New Zealand’s most successful athletes.

Strap yourself in. This episode is one hell of a ride!

***

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.

They called him a radical, a rebel, even a terrorist.

But today, Tāme Iti calls himself a healer, an artist, and a teacher.

Tāme opens up about the moments that defined his extraordinary life - from his early days in Tūhoe country and the Māori protest movement of the 1970s, to the 2007 Urewera raids, his time in prison, and the deep process of forgiveness and creativity that followed.

We talk about the protests, the art, the controversy, and the humanity behind one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and misunderstood figures. Tāme shares stories about meeting Nelson Mandela, the moment police surrounded his home at dawn, why he shot the flag at Waitangi, and how he found peace after decades of resistance.

This episode is about mana, identity, and the power of transformation. It’s about what it means to forgive, to heal, and to truly know who you are.

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

In this deeply emotional episode, former All Black halfback Steve Devine opens like never before about the physical and mental toll of his rugby career.

After enduring around 40 concussions in his career with Auckland and the All Blacks, Steve ended up in some disturbingly low places: bedridden, depressed, and contemplating the unthinkable.

These days Steve channels his experience into helping others, both as a firefighter and as an advocate for better brain injury management in sport.

Some of the stuff we cover here includes:

The brutal injury list from his professional rugby career, from 12 ankle surgeries to broken bones and relentless concussions. 

The devastating impact his health had on his marriage and family life.

His transition into the New Zealand Fire Service, the trauma that comes with the job, and his advocacy for better mental health support for first responders.

His reflections on mental resilience, vulnerability, and why men need to get better at asking for help.

Then there are some cool old rugby yarns, including the bollocking he got from Eddie Jones as a young player and memories of playing with legends like Sir Michael Jones, Jonah Lomu, Andrew Mehrtens, and Richie McCaw, and what he learned from each.

This is an incredibly emotional episode from one of the real good guys.

*****

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 — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

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

Ten years ago Jake Bailey’s life changed overnight.

The Christchurch school head boy was diagnosed with stage-four Burkitt’s lymphoma, one of the fastest-growing cancers there is.

Just a week later, while undergoing chemotherapy, he delivered a now-iconic end-of-year speech that went viral around the world: viewed more than 50 million times and called one of the most inspirational moments of the decade.

Ten years on, Jake joins me on the podcast for an honest, funny, and moving conversation about survival, purpose, and what he’s learned about life on the other side of cancer.

In this wide-open conversation Jake shares:

• What really happened the week of that 2015 speech and haka
• The “nothingness” he felt at diagnosis and remission
• How to practice realistic optimism without “toxic positivity”
• Why community and asking for help are non-negotiable
• Using endurance sport to manufacture growth and grit
• Practical tools anyone can use to bounce back

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, packed with humour, humility, and practical lessons for anyone navigating tough times.

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

In the early 2000s Linda Vagana was one of the biggest stars in world netball- she played 64 tests for the Silver Ferns.

After retiring from elite sport, she became the General Manager of Duffy Books in Homes where she inspires kids to read. It’s a role she has been in for over 20 years.

In this conversation, we talk about life before, during and after netball. 

The sacrifices behind making it to the top of New Zealand sport, and how faith and family helped her stay grounded through it all.

We discuss the highs and lows of her career, including moments of rejection, self-doubt, and grief that shaped her resilience. Also, her thoughts on body image, the pressure of public scrutiny, and why getting emotional is a strength.

Linda is such a cool person- you guys are going to love this episode.

***

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.

Roger Farrelly is one of the most familiar voices on New Zealand radio. He has spent over three decades on The Rock as part of the legendary Morning Rumble.

I

n this deeply honest conversation, the man known to his fans as just “Rog” open’s up about the highs and lows of a life spent entertaining Kiwis, including some epic yarns about the wild and unhinged early years of the Rock.

We also discuss burnout, identity, mental health, the changing landscape of broadcasting, and what it takes to stay grounded through fame, criticism, and constant change.

Rog is much more than the guy with the deep voice and big laugh on the radio- I hope with this conversation, fans of Rog will get to see a different side to him.

Even if you are not familiar with Rog and his work on the Rock, I hope you’ll enjoy getting to learn more about this kiwi legend who has spent over 30 years performing at the top of his game.

This episode is a rare, behind-the-scenes look at man who’s seen it all, laughed through most of it, and come out the other side with humility, heart and no ego.

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

Heather McRae has been the principal of Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls for the past 17 years.

In this episode we talk about what really goes on inside elite private schools, how teenage girls are coping with phones and social media, the pressure of leading through crises like COVID and the floods, and what she’s learned about leadership, resilience, and raising strong young women.

We also talk about her childhood on a Wairarapa farm, her unexpected journey from organic chemist to educator, the importance of values and ethics in education - and why she’s quietly changed some of Dio’s oldest traditions.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or just someone interested in the future of education in New Zealand, this is a wide-ranging chat full of perspective, humour, and heart.

Topics include:

• Why she’s stepping down after 17 years
• The rise of “pink tax” and gender pay gaps
• How to spot when your teenager’s struggling (and what to do)
• Phones in schools — and what happened when Dio banned them
• The complicated impact of social media and Andrew Tate
• Why Heather's proudest legacy might be what students don’t see
• Public vs private education: does the $30K fee make a difference?

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 — I’m a podcast host, not a financial adviser, so this is just general advice. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

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

In this deeply honest, warts n all conversation, former All Whites goalkeeper Michael Utting opens about a life that’s been full of extreme highs and devastating lows.

Once known as one of New Zealand’s most gifted footballers, Michael’s career took him around the world, including nearly a decade playing professionally in South Africa.

But behind the success was chaos: alcoholism, a near-fatal car crash that left him with a broken neck, and later, a heart attack that left him clinically dead for 29 minutes. 

Then there is the scandal in his romantic relationships that made the national news. We talk about all of it in this conversation- the good the bad and the ugly.

Now in his mid-50s, sober and rebuilding his life, Michael reflects on the power of resilience, the weight of regret, and how helping others has given him new purpose.

As always, my goal with these discussions is to try and get to understand a person and their choices better through non judgmental long form conversation. Thanks for listening.

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

Bernice Mene is publicity-shy so this podcast appearance is a rare one (and a huge honor)

From captaining the Silver Ferns in her early twenties to raising three kids with her husband, former Black Caps captain Dion Nash, Bernice has spent a lifetime leading with purpose, empathy, and calm strength.

In this episode, we cover everything from her childhood in a powerhouse sporting family to the highs and lows of international netball, including what it was like debuting for New Zealand as a teenager, the crushing heartbreak of losing the 1999 World Champs final in Christchurch, and how injuries taught her resilience and perspective.

.

It’s also a love story: how she met Dion, the risks they took to build the incredible men’s skincare brand Triumph & Disaster, and the teamwork that’s kept their marriage rock solid for more than two decades.

Bernice is awesome. She is warm, wise, grounded, and humble. She has achieved so much, professionally and personally and after spending time with her it’s not hard to understand why. Everything she does, she does to the absolute best of her ability.

***

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

If I could ask you to do one big favour, 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.