Alexandra Vranyac-Wheeler is the CEO of Master Electricians, a 100-year-old professional trade organisation made up of more than 10,000 members across the coutnry. 

In the episode Toni and Alexandra chat about the new perspective she's bringing to the organisation as it's first ever female CEO, the work she's doing to incentivise more young people to get into the trades, and the ever-impossible juggle of work-life balance, especially as a mum of two. 

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Ensuring your kids are properly fed can feel like an impossible task, especially if they're picky or have dietary requirements.  Rebecca Bruce is a paediatric dietician and mum of two who understand how hard it can be to feed your kids with healthy, delicous, simple food. 

If you're interested in Rebecca's Women's Wellbeing Reset, you can find more information here: https://shop.smartnutrition.nz/pages/womenswellbeingreset and you can use the code COAST15 to get 15% off!

Or if you'd like to see Rebecca in person you can at Tiny Giants Paediatric Specialists https://tinygiants.co.nz/

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This week on We Need To Talk we're bringing back one of our favourite episodes from the past few years.

It's very likely you or someone you know has experienced vertigo at some point in your life. There are many different causes of vertigo, as it's a symptom and not an illness itself. Luckily, the New Zealand Dizziness and Balance Center specializes in discovering the cause of feelings of vertigo and dizziness and fixing the symptoms in as little as just one session. 

In this episode Toni chats with Lisa Goulart and Denise Taylor about the different ways they can treat vertigo, from physiotherapy and ear, nose and throat specialists to psychotherapy. 

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Last year we heard Becky Bouterey's story of her years long battle with withdrawal after using topical steroids to treat her eczema, leading to her seeking treatment in Thailand. Now after months of treatment, Becky's returned home better than she's been in a long time. 

Toni caught up with Becky to chat about what the treatment actually involved, how she's holding up now that she's back in NZ, and why she believes the treatment should be brought to our shores.

Click here to listen to Toni and Becky's first chat from last year.

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In 2021, Charlotte Lockhart recieved a terminal stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis and was given just 3 - 5 years to live. She's now closing in on that 5 year mark and is feeling better than ever. 

From traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to unexpected helpers like kombucha, Charlotte talks about the work she's doing to stay healthy, and how the experience has helped her realise what's truly important in life.

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It’s not uncommon to think that as we get older our biggest chapters are behind us, and that once we hit ours 40s or 50s it’s too late to make any real change. Jayne Kiely proves this completely false, transitioning from elite athlete to TV personality. Then at 50 she completely reinvented herself again, proving it’s never too late to try something new.

In the episode, Toni and Jayne chat about how growing up the child of undertakers influenced her life, the natural transition from pro athlete to media personality, why she decided to make such a radical change once she hit 50 and so much more.

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All the best episodes of We Need To Talk from 2025 together in one podcast!

0:00 Weightloss solutions with Sarak Kennedy and Dr Richard Goldfarb

Weight loss drugs are all over the news at the moment, Ozempic being the most well known. With Wegovy, a similar drug to Ozempic, recently being approved for use in New Zealand it doesn't seem like the talk's going away any time soon. 

In this episode Toni chats with Sarah Kennedy and Dr Richard Goldfarb about why weight loss drugs are becoming so popular, how they actually work, and any potential side effects they may cause. Also, they chat about Calocurb, a natural alternative made from hops grown right here in New Zealand.

25:50 Anal cancer care is disappointing with Dr Mary Birdsall

You may know Dr Mary Birdsall as the fertility queen of New Zealand with her work helping kiwi couples realise their dream of starting a family. But Mary recently went on her own terrifying health journey with her battle with anal cancer.

This experience has helped Mary gain a deeper understanding of what some her own patients have been through, and she's not entirely impressed by the standard of healthcare in New Zealand.

In this episode, Toni and Mary chat about how she discovered she had cancer, the treatment and recovery process, and why Mary thinks it's so important to discuss anal cancer.

You can find Mary's Anal Cancer Support Services here

Or listen to her podcast Anal Cancer all you wanted to know but were afraid to ask

45:40 Using Human Design to understand yourself better with Charlotte Hill

Everyone goes through phases in life where they question all the decisions they've made. Whether they're in the right career, if their relationship is right for them or if they're eating right. These are all decisions your Human Design could help you make. 

In this episode Toni is talking with Human Design expert Charlotte Hill about what Human Design is, how it can help you be more confident in your decision making, and even analyzing Toni's Human Design chart to help her understand her body and mind better

1:17:20 The dangers of topical steroids with Becky Bouterey

For four and a half years, Becky Bouterey has been battling withdrawal from topical steroids. Becky began using topical steroids to help manage her eczema that she has been dealing with since childhood. 

In this episode, Toni chats with Becky about her life since she stopped using topical steroids, and her upcoming treatment that's taking her to Thailand

1:36:40 7 habits to aging well with Dr Libby

We all strive to age as gracefully as we can. To stay strong, healthy and energetic as the years go on, but that is much easier said than done. Dr Libby has spent her career as a nutritional biochemist and wellness guru helping us answer this question. 

In the episode, Dr Libby gives Toni her 7 habits to help you age well, from the ones we all know like nutrition and exercise, to simple things like stopping to watch the sunset. Plus, why Dr Libby's on a campaign to help people understand the importance of iron. 

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Headaches and neck pain are so common in the modern world, especially at this time of the year. But just because it's common doesn't mean you should put up with it. 

Helen Tufui is the founder of The Headache Clinic, who got in contact with Toni to help with her own neck pain that other treatments couldn't help.

In the episode Toni and Helen talk about the simple excercises you can do at home to begin strengthening your neck, why headaches become so much more common during the holidays, and the pillow Helen has created with headaches and neck pain in mind. 

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This time of year can be especially hard for families around the country. So if you have the ability and want to give back this Christmas, here are some of the best places to do so. 

• Variety – The Children’s Charity Donation
• Christmas JoyStore
• Kiwi Christmas Books
• World Vision
• Nurturing Families

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Need inspiration for gifts for this Christmas? Look no further than Toni's Christmas Gift Guides. From young kids to your father-in-law, there's something for everyone in these guides.

• Sticky Golf 
  • Mighty Ape
  • Stickygolf pro.com
• Harbinger Lifting Palm Grip
• Callahan Denim overshirt
• Swandri Singlet
• Linen Resort Shorts
• Blazepod Trainer Kit
• Honda Outdoors Cordless Lawn Trimmer
• Cygnett Magnetic Powerbank
• Vintage Golf Equipment
• DJI Mini 5 Pro
• Gilbert Enoka: Become Unstoppable
• Adidas Samba

Prices as of 10/11/25

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