Baskets Of Knowledge

What does it take to go from standing outside the principal’s office for failing school exams… to becoming the founding director of two of New Zealand’s most innovative restaurants… and now, a transformative coach reshaping lives? In this deeply moving and powerful episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we sit down with  Chandni Sahrawat  , entrepreneur, advocate, and coach  to unpack a life story tha...

What if  period equity  wasn’t just a cause but a business model? What if advertising could fund free period products without putting the burden back on women? That’s exactly what Aditi Gorasia is doing with  Ads on Pads,  a social enterprise changing the game. In this episode, Aditi shares the deeply personal story behind her mission to eliminate  period poverty  in Aotearoa and beyond. From hand...

"If you can, you will."  The mindset behind doing the impossible. On the latest episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we sat down with someone who doesn’t just talk about growth—he lives it. Meet  Scott Casey-Woolridge : recent university graduate, CrossFit coach, and the man behind a physical and mental challenge that will stretch what you believe is possible. Last year, Scott rowed over 4...

This week on  Baskets of Knowledge , we had the privilege of speaking with Kartini Clarke, a law student, neurodiversity advocate, political changemaker, and powerful voice for young people in Aotearoa. Kartini’s story is one of perseverance, identity, and the courage to challenge systems that weren’t built to support everyone. Raised in rural New Zealand, Kartini faced bullying, cultural isolatio...

In the latest episode of the  Baskets of Knowledge  podcast, we sat down with Joe Harawira, the CEO and co-founder of Wai Manuka, a unique beverage brand born in Whakatāne, New Zealand, and deeply rooted in Māori culture. Joe’s journey from the military to high-performance sport, and now to entrepreneurship, is a story of grit, purpose, and innovation. Joe’s path to leadership wasn’t linear. He be...

What happens when you tick all the boxes, graduate from uni, land the job, follow the ‘right’ path, but still feel something’s missing? That was Sarah Kelsey in 2019. She had a business degree, a corporate job offer, and a life that looked perfect on paper. But deep down, she was asking herself: “Why am I doing this?” “What’s my purpose?” ❓“How come I still don’t understand how to manage my own m...

Raised in South Auckland, Leilani Faaiuaso’s journey is a powerful testament to cultural pride, intergenerational learnings, and community service. In this  Baskets of Knowledge  episode, Leilani opens up about what it means to grow up as a Samoan woman in spaces where brown faces were few and far between, from her scholarship experience at St Cuthbert's College to thriving in the corporate wo...

In this week’s episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we sit down with the incredible Eman Ghandour, a passionate advocate for migrant and refugee communities, and founder of the inspiring Khawat Network. Eman shares her journey from Jordan to Aotearoa, navigating the complexities of identity, culture, and belonging. As a proud Jordanian migrant, Eman’s story is one of resilience, growing up in Dunedi...

This episode might just wake you up. We sit down with Wyndi Tagi, international speaker, business founder, cancer warrior, proud Māori wāhine, and unapologetic force of nature. Her story? It’s not just inspiring, it’s a roadmap for what it means to live on your own terms, challenge norms, and lead with heart. Wyndi is the co-founder of WE Mana, an accounting and business advisory firm that grew in...

In this powerful episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we sit down with Rhys Blisset, a young man whose story is nothing short of extraordinary. From surviving a childhood shaped by domestic violence to launching a movement that’s gaining national attention, Rhys is using running to create real change. Founder of  Run for Change , Rhys ran 137 kilometers to raise over $16,000 for Women’s Refuge NZ, t...

This week, we had the privilege of speaking with Louisa and Kath, the dynamic duo involved with  Hold On to Your Friends,  a student-led initiative that’s transforming the culture of safety and care within Dunedin’s vibrant student community. Their mission? To ensure students can enjoy their university experience without compromising safety or well-being. What is Hold On to Your Friends? Born out...

Most people know Stanley Henry as the founder of The Attn Seeker, a powerhouse agency redefining organic social media. His company is everywhere, on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, helping brands craft authentic, attention-grabbing presences online. But this episode of  Baskets of Knowledge  isn’t about business strategies or viral content. It’s about Stanley the man. We uncover the real story behind...

Maths is boring, right? Not if you’re learning from Subash Chandar K, a Top 10 Global Teacher Prize finalist, the winner of the KiwiBank NZ Local Hero of the Year, and the brains behind the YouTube channel Infinity Plus One. By day, he’s a humble maths teacher at Ormiston Junior College. By night, he’s running live-streamed tutorials, breaking down tough maths concepts, and helping thousands of st...

Over the last few weeks you may have heard, seen, tasted or missed out on the pre- pro- biotic sodas made by Moodi. This product has taken the market by storm! In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Kate Gatfield-Jeffries, co-founder of Moodi, a mental wellness supplement brand redefining the way we consume pre- and probiotics. From law and business sc...

In the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Ronan Payinda, a medical student who didn’t just stop at mastering anatomy but decided to build a whole digital health startup called SurgReady. But what really stood out was his heart for the community, especially his work with refugees and advocating for health equity. Ronan's passion for supporting...

In this episode, we had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible  Briana Belford , a 19-year-old university student whose journey is a tapestry of kindness, culture, and courage. From navigating her Pacific heritage in academic and personal realms to embracing grief as a teacher of life's impermanence, Bri shared stories that resonate deeply. Key Learnings: Kindness as a superpower :...

What does it take to transform adversity into purpose? In this inspiring podcast episode, we explore the story of Khadija Usman, an entrepreneur, coach, and community builder who has turned her challenges into a global mission to empower others. Born in Pakistan, Khadija grew up navigating the complexities of two worlds, her homeland and her second home, the UK. Her life took unexpected turns, fro...

On the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we had the privilege of sitting down with Angad Chauhan, a recently graduated doctor and an inspiring individual with a journey that transcends borders, disciplines, and challenges. Angad’s story is one of resilience, curiosity, and an unrelenting pursuit of purpose. From grappling with tough decisions as a high school student to immersing himself in...

On the latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we’re thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Cairo Akehurst, a 17-year-old student from Christchurch who is proving that age is no barrier to innovation. Cairo is the founder of Cattle Credit, a startup transforming the agricultural industry by leveraging satellite data to monitor and reduce methane emissions, one of the most potent gree...

What does it take to transform a bold idea into a game-changing product? In our latest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we chat with Mrinali Kumar, co-founder of EatKinda, the world’s first cauliflower-based ice cream. Mrinali shares how she turned her passion for food technology into a thriving business, carving a unique path in the plant-based market. From growing up in a hardworking migrant fam...

In our last  Baskets of Knowledge  episode for 2024, we sat down with the incredible  Sam Landers , a young man from rural Taranaki, who’s rewriting the rulebook on what’s possible. From missing out on medical school the first time around to running  200km for charity , refereeing rugby finals, and embracing imposter syndrome, Sam’s story is one of grit, growth, and purpose. Sam’s achievements are...

In the latest episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we had the privilege of speaking with Nimeesha Odedra. Her story takes us from the challenges of migration to the triumph of building a business with her mother, showing us what’s possible when we refuse to give up. Key takeaways this week: The Migrant Experience: As a migrant woman in New Zealand, Nimeesha faced the double burden of systemic biases...

What drives someone to create meaningful change from the age of 5? Meet Tara Shepherd—a trailblazer, advocate, and environmental leader whose journey is as inspiring as it is impactful. Tara’s story begins with her experiences at Ronald McDonald House, where she saw firsthand the importance of community and compassion. At just five years old, she began advocating for others, and that passion has o...

In this week’s episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we’re thrilled to feature Priya, a person that continues to blow our mind through her simple yet empowering content.  Priya transformed her life by stepping away from the traditional “success checklist” to define purpose on her own terms. Raised with conservative expectations, Priya followed the typical path of education, career, and family but found...

In our latest episode, we chat with Ryan Williams, an inspiring young leader from rural New Zealand who’s now thriving at Dartmouth College with the support of Crimson Education. From a small town to the Ivy League, Ryan’s story is packed with insights on authenticity, perseverance, and the power of community. Key Takeaways: Stay True to Your Roots: Growing up on a farm, Ryan’s connection to the l...