Hamish Williams and Kyle MacDonald speak with Corban Mita about how he challenged his own behavior to better his mental health. In doing so he confronted his own childhood trauma and learned how to break the cycle of abuse. Callers shared their own experiences about what works and where to reach out to for help.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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22 June 2025:  With geopolitical tensions escalating around the globe, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by fear and anxiety of what could eventuate. Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explore how this global instability affects our mental wellbeing, and discuss ways to regulate our emotions in uncertain times.

With thanks to NZ On Air.
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20 July 2025: People in rainbow communities experience disproportionately higher rates of family and partner violence and abuse.

Sandra Dickson is a researcher and community development practitioner with 30 years’ experience in Rainbow communities and family and sexual violence. She is a cofounder of Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, a community organisation focused on building Takatāpui and Rainbow communities without all forms of violence. 

She also has a personal story of being the victim of partner abuse, starting with emotional and psychological abuse, then transitioning into physical abuse.

She shares her journey of recovering her sense of self after leaving the relationship and going onto advocate for other LGBQT in abusive relationships with counsellor Mick Andrews and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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29 June 2025:  Around 15% of all mothers experience post-natal depression. Laura Gavin joins counsellor Mick Andrews and psychologist co-host Dr Isabelle Miclette after a period of darkness and despair after the birth of her daughter and how she made her way out the other side.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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29 June 2025:  Barney Koneferenisi became a double amputee at the age of eleven. After undergoing more than 40 surgeries, he embraced his disability and went on to excel in wheelchair rugby, representing New Zealand as part of the Wheel Blacks Paralympic team. Now an active advocate for accessible transport, Barney speaks with Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald about overcoming adversity and challenging ourselves to make positive changes for our health and wellbeing.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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13 July 2025: Preston O’Brien was born into a house marked by sexual abuse at the hands of his father. In response to this early trauma, he shut down emotionally, blocking out large parts of his childhood. To numb the pain and shame, he turned to drugs, alcohol, and sex - chasing dopamine in a life shaped by undiagnosed ADHD and unresolved trauma. He describes living in a state of passive suicide, repeatedly finding himself in life-threatening situations: car crashes, overdoses, being stabbed and shot - passively waiting for someone or something to end it all.

Eventually reaching rock bottom, Preston found sobriety and began a journey of healing. Now in recovery, he helps other men reconnect with themselves, each other, and their families.

 He shares his story with counsellor Mick Andrews and clinical psychologist Ingo Lambrech.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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27 July 2025: This week, we explore mental health in the workplace - how the environments we work in can support or strain our wellbeing. From rising workloads to unrealistic expectations, the pressure can quickly pile up. So how do we cope when it feels like too much?

Hosts Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald discuss the importance of being open about our mental health at work, and how honest conversations can lead to real change for individuals and workplace culture alike.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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Aotearoa’s methamphetamine crisis is escalating, with wastewater testing revealing a sharp rise in use; from 732kg in 2023 to over 1000kg in 2024.

Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explore the effects of meth addiction, the toll it takes on whānau, and the support services available for those seeking help.

With thanks to NZ On Air.

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08 June 2025: Mental health advocate Grace Curtis shares her journey of complex grief after losing her father to suicide at age 22. The author of newly released, The best is yet to come: A cool change for the mental health of all New Zealanders and a champion for peer support, she speaks with Hamish Williams and Kyle MacDonald about living with grief, the power of connection, and her vision for a brighter mental health future in Aotearoa.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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04 August 2025: This week Hamish and Kyle we delve into Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - the rise in diagnoses, growing public awareness, and the increasing number of people sharing their experiences. They explore what it means to receive a diagnosis later in life, how others respond, and why open conversations about ADHD are helping to reduce stigma and build understanding.

With thanks to NZ on Air.

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