The Zeducation Podcast

In this episode of The Zeducation Podcast, we are joined by Neil Gaught FRSA — founder and CEO of Neil Gaught & Associates, an award-winning author, and the creator of the Single Organising Idea approach.

We unpack what it really takes to build a purpose-driven organisation where purpose isn't just a slogan on the wall, but a leadership system that shapes decisions, culture, and results—especially when pressure is high.

If you're a CEO, manager, or leader responsible for building culture and trust, this conversation will give you practical frameworks you can apply straight away.

Subscribe for more leadership conversations that help you level up in your career and life.

Feel free to reach out Neil Gaught for more information about him and his services.

Neil's website: https://neilgaught.com/ Neil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-gaught-frsa-5583a4a/

Don't Leave Your Culture at the Door: Indigenous Leadership with Michael Moka

In this episode, Michael Moka – founder of Indigenous Growth – shares how he went from a "Once Were Warriors"-type upbringing to Head Boy at Kelston Boys', uni graduate, corporate professional, and now business owner helping organisations honour culture through leadership.

We talk about:

• How his story shaped the way he leads and serves

• 3 practical tips to fast-track your growth from manager to senior leadership

• What makes Indigenous Growth different from typical leadership programmes

If you're a leader (or future leader) who wants to move up without leaving your culture at the door, this kōrero is for you.

In this episode of the Zeducation Podcast, we sit down with two powerhouse leaders working on the frontline of mental health and addictions for our people.

🎙 Dr Alexander Stevens II – senior Māori academic and kaupapa Māori researcher at AUT, and mental health, addictions & trauma clinician with StandingTallNZ.org

🎙 Pulotu Master Bruce Levi – Service Manager, Pacific Mental Health & Addictions, Integrated Care North, Health New Zealand | Counties Manukau. Together we talanoa about:

• What leadership really looks like inside a pressured health system

• The realities Māori and Pasifika whānau/aiga face in mental health and addictions

• How kaupapa Māori and Pacific frameworks shape the way they lead and serve

• The personal toll of this mahi – and how they protect their own wellbeing

• Honest career advice for Māori and Pasifika wanting to work in health

If you care about leadership, equity, and the future of Māori & Pasifika wellbeing, this kōrero is for you. 👇🏽 Next steps If you found this valuable, please like, comment, and subscribe. Share this episode with someone working in health, education, or community leadership.

AI is replacing tasks and some jobs. But what about leadership? I sit down with Second Half's Tyrone Tangata-Makiri and Kamilla Witehira to unpack people-first AI, trust, and how leaders can turn tools into impact.

Make sure to tune into this Zeducation podcast episode to learn more. The Zeducation podcast is dedicated to helping you with your leadership and career development!

We interview Johnnie Timu, founder of Brown Pride, a South Auckland movement serving our community with monthly markets for local entrepreneurs, kai and toy drives for families, support for the homeless, free haircuts and barber training, merch courses, youth programs, and open talanoa for mental health. In this episode we unpack the values behind Johnnie's mahi, the shift from victim mindset to owner mindset.

🎙️ On this Zeducation podcast episode, our guest is Nora Swann — a bold voice and changemaker in Aotearoa's fashion industry. She's the founder of Nora Swann Ltd, Fusion Fashion, and the Dressed in Confidence programme, and for over a decade, she's been helping people use fashion as a powerful tool for confidence, identity, and leadership.

But Nora's message goes beyond the clothes we wear. It's about how we show up in every room — with purpose, pride, and presence. Whether she's curating runways or mentoring future leaders, Nora reminds us that fashion isn't just about style — it's strategy.

👗 In this episode, we explore:

• How fashion can influence confidence and leadership

• Why style and self-worth are deeply connected

• What it means to lead unapologetically through how you show up

If you're into purpose-driven leadership, personal branding, or just want to show up more confidently in life and work — this episode is for you.

🧵 Let's unpack the fabrics of influence.

🔔 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on leadership, personal growth, and purpose-driven living.

Dr. Priyanta Ravi, a neuropsychologist, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer leading the charge in transforming how we think about burnout, leadership, and mental wellness in the workplace. With decades of clinical insight and strategic experience across healthcare and business, she's helped organizations flip burnout into brilliance by applying neuroscience-backed strategies that actually stick.

In this episode, we're diving deep into what burnout really does to your brain, why high performers are most at risk, and how leaders can build cultures that heal instead of harm. If you're tired of surface-level wellness tips and want real, actionable tools to protect your energy and lead with clarity, this conversation is your blueprint.

Mental health isn't just a personal issue — it's a leadership responsibility.

In this Zeducation podcast episode, we're joined by Tayyaba Khan, CEO of South Auckland's Counselling Services Centre, an organization that's been on the frontlines of crisis support since 1986.

With over 15 years of experience across refugee resettlement, human rights, and mental health—spanning the Red Cross in Australia and the UK to New Zealand's Ministry for Ethnic Communities—Tayyaba brings bold leadership to broken systems.

We dig into what it really looks like for leaders to show up in a mental health crisis — not just for their teams, but for their communities. From building culturally safe spaces to leading with integrity and faith, Tayyaba shares practical insights for anyone who wants to lead with impact.

If you're in a position of influence, this episode is a wake-up call: mental health is everyone's responsibility — especially yours.

What if struggling in school didn't mean struggling in life?

In this episode, we sit down with Varun—once a C and D student packing boxes in a warehouse—now a respected sales strategist, business leader, and founder of Synergy Consulting. He shares how he helped scale a business to $250 million, the practical leadership skills school never taught, and how he's teaching his own children to solve problems through strategy and action.

Varun also opens up about the challenges he faced as a leader, the lessons that helped him grow, and the mindset shifts that made the difference. If you're looking to lead with impact, grow in your career, and build a life that works—this conversation delivers real insight and real tools.

Our guest Varun is also kind enough to share his free resource and details if you want to get in touch!

FREE RESOURCE: https://www.synergyconsulting.co.nz/playbook

CONTANT VARUN: https://www.synergyconsulting.co.nz/bio

Can you build a successful business or career without sacrificing your family?

In this episode, Ray Everest—entrepreneur, tech founder, and father of four—shares the real, practical strategies he uses to lead with excellence at work and at home.

From setting boundaries and building systems to managing guilt and redefining legacy, this conversation is your blueprint for aligned leadership. If you're chasing growth but don't want to lose what matters most, this episode is for you.

Also avaliable on YouTube