Sir Steve Hansen is one of the greatest All Black coaches of all time. He is a true legend of the game. 

The stats don’t lie:

+ 107 test matches as head coach over 8 seasons

+ Only 10 losses, for a win record of 87%

+ World rugby coach of the year 4 times.

+ Two Halberg awards for NZ coach of the year.

In this exclusive and very rare podcast appearance from the man known as “Shag” he opens up about the moments he got it wrong, his thoughts on what makes a great leader, the art of difficult conversations, the time Keven Mealamu told him off, why he warned Richie McCaw he was going to cost the All Blacks the 2015 Rugby World Cup and plenty more rugby stuff.

We also talk about some deeply personal stuff, like his wife Tash’s cancer journey and how that changed his outlook on life. 

This will possibly be a side of Sir Steve Hansen that you have never seen before.

Steve’s not just a coaching legend and an inspiring leader, he’s wise, humble, and very funny. I loved our time together and I hope you do too.

***

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

If I could ask you to do one big favor — for me and for yourself — it would be to consider joining Generate, like I did, and like over 170,000 other Kiwis already have (including Dame Lisa Carrington and Finn Butcher).

Generate have a track record of delivering strong long-term performance, which will really pay off by the time you reach retirement. You can see their latest returns on their website.

And if you're not actually sure what your KiwiSaver plan is meant to be doing - Generate have advisers who can come to you and give you no pressure advice.

Switching to Generate is super easy- you can do it online in a few minutes. All you need is some ID, like your passport or Driver’s licence and your IRD number and you’re good to go.

I did it when they came on board as a show sponsor in 2023 and I regret not doing it sooner. 

Head to https://www.generatewealth.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.

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

Dr.Libby is one of the most trusted voices in nutrition and wellness. 

She has a PhD in nutritional biochemistry and 14 best selling books to back it up. Her latest life changing book is “Fix Iron First.”

Dr.Libby is passionate about educating others on stress, women's health, and the emotional drivers behind our food choices.

To put it simply- she’s awesome. And this is a small part of the Dr. Libby story.

I tried to balance this episode so we could tick two boxes: 

1.   Get to know a little bit more about Libby as a person- who she is when she’s not working. 

2.   Pick her brains and get some nutrition-based advice that we can all use to improve our own lives (sharing your Qs from social media).

I’m hoping all of us can get learn a thing or two from this conversation, like:

+ The real reason you might be tired all the time.

+ Why perimenopause needs more honest conversation

+ The emotional side of eating—and why beating yourself up about it doesn’t help

Plus, Dr. Libby shares personal reflections on aging, relationships, and how she built her iconic brand in the wellness world.

This was the first time we met, and I loved our very early morning podcast (7.30am) and I hope you do too.

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

Tim O’Connor is the long-standing headmaster of Auckland Grammar School.

When he started the job in 2012 he became only the 11th headmaster at Grammar in the schools 156 year history.

In this conversation, Tim shares the highs and lows of his 13-years at Grammar.  And his 10 years as the head of my old school, PNBHS, before that.

This podcast offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the culture, discipline, and deep traditions that define Auckland Grammar.

We talk about everything from navigating risky behaviors and toxic masculinity to fostering mental resilience and identity in teenage boys.

Tim opens about his own path through education, the mentors who shaped him, and the leadership lessons he picked up at Harvard that now guide his everyday decision-making.

This is more than a conversation about a school. It’s a masterclass in leadership, vulnerability, and the future of education in a digital world.

It’s hard to think of many people who have done as much for young men in New Zealand in this century as what Tim O’Connor has done.

I enjoyed my time with Tim, and I think you will too.    

***

This episode is sponsored by Generate Kiwisaver.

Generate win awards all the time. That’s because they are great at what they do, which is Generating wealth for their clients.

When it comes to your retirement savings, no one wants to be caught short, so do your future self a favour and get some FREE No Obligation KiwiSaver advice from Generate.

Generate have a track record of delivering strong long-term performance for their members – which will really pay off by the time you reach retirement.

And they’ve got advisers across the country to help make sure your investment is set up best for you.

Head to: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

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

Daniel Rankin is a dog dad to a cute little pug called Fraser, he’s a content creator, a self-taught baker and a Samoan man who’s redefining masculinity one cheeky, flirty, sexy, flour-covered reel at a time (Follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/mancancooknz/).

Chances are you’ve seen his topless baking videos on Instagram or TikTok:

Sometimes with some guilty pleasure cheesy songs

Usually with his adorable little dog Fraser

And ALWAYS with some sex appeal and visible torso.

But in this conversation, you’ll get to know the man behind the wild social media success

We talk about:

+ Growing up overweight in Samoa and learning to cook out of necessity as a teenager living alone in Auckland

+ How heartbreak, business stress, and COVID led him to therapy, and a new chapter of vulnerability and healing

+ The intense behind-the-scenes effort that goes into a single one-minute video

+ Going viral with 10M+ views and what Neil Patrick Harris has to do with it

+ And how many unsolicited dick pics he gets on an average week.

Dan is introspective, thoughtful, vulnerable and quietly powerful. He might be your new favourite follow on social media. 

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

In the history of rugby in New Zealand there have been a total of 1,223 All Blacks. Of that elite group, a much smaller number go on to be known as All Black legends. 

GRANT FOX most definitely has legend status- he is a genuine New Zealand rugby icon.

He wore the number 10 jersey and is considered one of the greatest goal kickers of all time. 

He was part of the team that won the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987.

When he retired as a player, his involvement with the sport continued in the roles of coach, broadcaster and All Black selector.

(He is also the dad to one of the world’s top golfers).

In this brutally honest and wide-ranging conversation, the man known as “Foxy” opens-up like never before.

We talk vulnerability, regret, fatherhood, legacy, and walking away from the game that defined him.

Some of the topics include

• Life after the All Blacks
• The emotional cost of coaching
• What it means to be a good dad and husband
• Watching Ryan Fox make his own name
• The real reason he walked away from rugby

*** 

Thanks to Generate for sponsoring this episode.

Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns.

Book a chat with an adviser at: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited.

To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

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

When it comes to true crime podcasting in New Zealand, Ryan Wolf is in a league of his own.

Even if you've never pressed play on his gripping podcast Guilt, you've probably heard about it in the news: this is the series that’s led NZ Police to re-examine their own investigations on major cases.

And the wildest part? Ryan is completely self-taught. No big media company behind him, no big studio. 

Just a husband and dad of 2 kids under 5 who is producing world-class content from a spare room in his house.

In this episode, we unpack how this trained lawyer, former Shortland Street actor and part-time house flipper accidentally became one of Aotearoa’s most important storytellers.

We chat about his non negotiables: like support of the victims’ families and the importance of prioritizing truth and making a difference over entertainment.

If you're already a Guilt fan, this is a must-listen.

If you’re not, chances are, by the end of this, you will want to give it a listen.

Or at the very least, you’ll be introduced to an inspiring guy who is doing incredible work.

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

Cecilia Robinson is a true powerhouse in New Zealand business.

She’s the founder of some of this country’s most well-known and loved companies, including Au Pair Link, My Food Bag, and more recently, Tend, a healthcare platform she started with her husband James where their goal is to make Kiwis the healthiest people in the world.

She’s been named New Zealand's Young Entrepreneur of the Year, NEXT Businesswoman of the Year, and has been a trailblazer in showing what’s possible when passion, purpose, and clever business strategy collide.

This might be Cecilia's most revealing interview yet. From launching a multimillion-dollar company out of a student loan, to enduring the heartbreak of pregnancy loss while building a business, Cecilia shares the real story behind her success.

Some ground we cover includes:

The origins of My Food Bag (and how she launched it while pregnant)

The immense pressure and scrutiny of entrepreneurship

Cecilia's fertility journey, the heartbreak of losing multiple pregnancies

Why she’s fighting to ban social media for under-16s

And her current mission to revolutionize healthcare in New Zealand with Tend.

Cecilia is one of New Zealand’s most influential business leaders. This is her story like you've never heard it.

***

Thanks to my long term sponsors the incredible team at Generate KiwiSaver.

These guys have one job to do and they do it very well- and that is to Generate Wealth for their clients. 

I switched my Kiwisaver over to Generate from a different provider when they came on board as a sponsor and I wish I had done it years earlier- switching is real straight forward and easy- you can literally do it online in 5 minutes.

Generate have a track record of delivering strong long-term performance for their members – which can really pay off by the time you reach retirement.

And, they have advisers across the country to help make sure your investment is set up best for you.

Head to: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

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

Dr. Ben O'Keeffe is one of the best rugby referees in the world—and he's also a fully qualified doctor, specializing in ophthalmology.

This episode first dropped in 2023, shortly after Ben made headlines for the intense backlash (including death threats) he received after officiating the Super Rugby Final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs. Since the Super Rugby 2025 final is again between these two fierce rivals, I thought I'd re-release the episode ICYMI the first time

round.

In this conversation, we unpack Ben’s unique double life as a top-level rugby referee and an eye surgeon.

We talk about his journey through medicine, his passion for the game, and how he deals with pressure, criticism, and the spotlight that comes with both careers.

I originally invited Ben on the podcast after his honest Instagram post went viral—calling out some of the horrific messages he received post-match. But beyond the drama, he's just a bloody inspiring Kiwi, doing incredible things with humility and focus.

If you missed this episode the first time around, now’s the perfect time to catch up.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bens Dual Career

02:55 The Journey Through Medicine

05:48 Transitioning from Medicine to Refereeing

09:10 Balancing Rugby and Medicine

12:00 The Life of a Professional Referee

14:52 Understanding the Game and Its Rules

18:00 Decision Making Under Pressure

20:52 The Impact of Refereeing Decisions

23:56 The Role of a Referee in the Game

27:09 Refereeing as a Career Choice

30:00 Training and Preparation for Referees

33:01 The Importance of Experience in Refereeing

36:16 Understanding Referee-Player Dynamics

39:25 Accountability in Refereeing

43:38 Review Processes and Continuous Improvement

49:14 The Impact of Social Media on Referees

54:57 Navigating Public Criticism and Mental Health

01:01:01 The Role of Support and Community in Refereeing

01:10:44 Referee Relationships with Players

01:14:36 The Dynamics of Refereeing

01:16:20 Nervousness and Preparation Before Games

01:19:34 Emotional Challenges and Accountability

01:22:21 Learning from Mistakes and Apologies

01:23:49 Controversial Decisions and Their Impact

01:24:51 Weird Rules and Laws in Rugby

01:26:36 The Importance of the Whistle

01:28:56 Referee Milestones and Achievements

01:30:59 World Cup Aspirations and Team Dynamics

01:33:45 Media Attention and Public Perception

01:36:29 The Future of Refereeing and Safety Concerns

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

In 2011, 22 year old Troy Hall was young, fit, and working hard to turn his life around after years of addiction and violence.

Then, on a rainy day in Tauranga, everything changed: A freak accident involving overhead power lines left him clinically dead, twice.

What followed was months in hospital, countless surgeries, extreme burns, the loss of body parts, and a long road through depression, trauma, and recovery.

In this emotional and brutally honest chat, Troy opens up about his old life in gang culture, his near-death experience, and the grueling mental and physical recovery that followed.

He talks candidly about suicidal thoughts, fatherhood, body image, self-worth, and how it’s taken him over a decade to finally feel proud of himself.

I feel like the words ‘raw’ and ‘powerful’ get a bit overused in the podcast space these days. But this conversation is most definitely those things. 

Troy's story is one of resilience, perspective, healing, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling stuck, hopeless, or not good enough—this episode is for you.

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

Dillon Boucher is one of New Zealand’s most decorated basketballers. In this wide-ranging conversation he opens up about everything: from being cut from the Olympic team and his relationship with Steven Adams, to his championship runs with the Breakers and being labelled a thug for how he played.

He also shares personal struggles around imposter syndrome, family sacrifices, leadership, and transitioning from player to executive in the sport he loves.

Whether you know him for his stare-downs on court or his legacy off it—this is the real Dylan Boucher.

🔗 Topics include:

• 2002 Tall Blacks World Champs run
• Life as a Breakers icon (and getting his jersey retired)
• Supporting Steven Adams’ journey
• His most emotional career moment
• Leadership, legacy, and life after the final whistle

Dillon is a guy who has devoted his entire life to NZ basketball so this was a huge honour to sit with him and pick his brains for a long form conversation like this. I loved the chat and I hope you do too.

**** 

This episode is sponsored by Generate Kiwisaver.

Choosing a KiwiSaver provider with strong long-term performance matters- and Generate is an award-winning KiwiSaver provider with a track record of delivering strong long-term returns.

Start planning now—Book a chat with an adviser at: https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom/

Because the choices you make today will shape the retirement you’ll have tomorrow.

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Management Limited. To see their Product disclosure statement go to their website. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

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