What We Talk About

The words 'renaissance man' is used to describe a person who's expertise span several fields, and gets thrown around a lot undeservedly. When Jonny Potts calls Cliff Twemlo a renaissance man, he's absolutely correct. Cliff was a nightclub bouncer, film maker, library music composer, extra, body builder and novelist, and renaissance man is perhaps the only way you can possibly describe him. Hear Jonny describe Cliff's history and what it is about Cliff Twemlo that obsesses him. 

Jonny is our second return speaker in What We Talk About, listen to his first episode featuring his obsession with Whanganui in episode 11.

Melanie Bracewell has been playing Neopets for most of her life. Hear her talk about stories from her Neopets past, Falling out with Neopets friends and how to come up with the perfect Neopets username.

It took a while for Guy Williams to work out what he would talk about for What We Talk About. After tossing up a range of subjects including Sneakers, Basketball Podcasts and Going on the Computer, Guy decided on Musicals. Listen in to hear Guy talk about his favourite musicals and what it is about them that appeals to him.

This is the first repeated obsession for What We Talk About, it was first covered by Abby Howells way back in Episode 7. Guy's sister Maria also covered her love for musical theatre in her episode on Lin-Manuel Miranda (Episode 34).

Cricket is a divisive subject, some people think it's incredibly boring, and some people think it is the best and most enjoyable sport. Louise is firmly in group number 2. Louise's interest in cricket has been with her since her childhood when her Dad would take her cricket games. Hear Louise talk about her obsession with cricket and some of her favourite cricket related memories.

When we asked Sam Smith to speak at What We Talk About we assumed he would talk about his obsession with ska band Reel Big Fish, considering his relentless #BringRBFtoNZ campaign. But Sam being an obsessive personality has more than one obsession, and after hearing him talk about Disneyland you will understand why he chose to talk about Disneyland.

Jamaine Ross is a self confessed Pro Wrestling nerd. As a kid, inspired by The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, Jamaine and his friends started a back yard wrestling federation. And lately Jamaine and some friends through comedy have started a Wrestling Podcast 'Two and a Half Count', this podcast led him to becoming part of the Auckland Pro Wrestling community. Hear Jamaine talk about the ins and outs of Professional Wrestling in New Zealand and how his obsession has developed over the years.

Do you remember at high school when there was that one person who fascinated you for no reason. You may not have been friends, you may have never even talked but something about them drew you in. For Guy Montgomery, that was Warren, hear him talk about his obsession with Warren in one of the weirdest episodes of What We Talk About yet.

Lots of people are obsessed with food. Not many people are obsessed with food the same way Rose Matafeo is obsessed with food. Once you've heard Rose talk about her favourite toys from her childhood, recipes, her food fantasies and her favourite youtube videos you might understand how deep this obsession goes.

Have you ever taken an online quiz, then taken it again straight away after because you didn't like the result? Natasha Hoyland has. She has done so many quizzes so many times that it has become an obsession. Hear Natasha talk about her obsession with quizzes here.

Nic Sampson has been in enough Bad Shakespeare performances in his life that it must be an obsession. Since high school, Nic's obsession has been fueled by terrible sets, bad acting and mimed trotting. Hear Nic tell you about some of his favourite bad Shakespeare experiences and about what makes bad Shakespeare so entertaining.