Seeds

Jarrod is a sociologist at the University of Canterbury and the author of " Patched: The History of Gangs in New Zealand" which was a finalist for best non-fiction book in the New Zealand Book Awards in 2013 (and is also the most stolen book in New Zealand).  He recently co-edited " Criminal Justice: A New Zealand Introduction" .  In this interview we discuss his life and what has led him to becom...

Erica is involved in a wide variety of different groups and organisations and we talk with her about all of them and her role as an Experience Curator, Photographer, Community Weaver, #ChChAmbassador and Social Intrapreneur (working with existing organisations to help them grow).  The interview begins with her memories of coming from China to New Zealand as a child, studying architecture and then...

Michelle is the Chief Executive Officer of Kilmarnock Enterprises which is a social enterprise established 60 years ago.  I interviewed Michelle for the first episode of the podcast about her own story but in this follow up episode we focus more on Kilmarnock itself and the challenges it has faced in recent years as an organisation.  In particular we talk about developing a great culture as well a...

Camia worked as an architect in Europe for many years before she made her home in Christchurch after the earthquakes.  In this interview we talk about community building, the role of architecture in that and the key lessons learned on her journey.  We also discuss the XCHC, transitional architecture with the pallet pavilion and her work now with Ohu (Office for Holistic Urbanism). https://ohu.nz/...

Leighton is the Chief Executive of the Rātā Foundation which provides millions of dollars in grants to community groups and charities each year.  In this interview we talk about his life and journey to taking on this role at the end of 2017.  We also learn about his motivations, influences, mentors, the key experiences which have shaped him and the meaning of "True North". http://www.ratafoundatio...

Franca is an Environmental Social Scientist with a curiosity about many things in the world so we discuss topics ranging from her childhood in Germany, her research on transnational sovereignty, climate change and love of poetry and the importance of engaging each other across disciplines to both challenge and innovate. Links discussed provided by Franca: DFG project on Sovereignty in the transnat...

Sam is mayor of the fast growing Selwyn District and is one of the youngest mayors in New Zealand.  We talk about his childhood, the decision to pursue a political career and what he has learned on the journey.  In particular, he reflects on the people who have played a role in his life and encouraged him and what sort of legacy he wants to leave behind.  We also cover his involvement in other thi...

Dorenda has studied and worked in Design for nearly all of her life and founded The Britten Institute.  In this interview we discuss what application principles of design and design led strategy have in other areas (beyond those we would traditionally think about).  We also learn about a life spent trying new things and pushing boundaries that included several years in Papua New Guinea and helping...

Michael co-founded Code Club Aotearoa and in this interview we talk about the work that organisation is doing with primary aged school children to teach them how to code.  We also talk about his background on rural farms in New Zealand and experience living for several years in the Amazonian jungle before he got into his career in IT.  We also discuss his involvement in Canterbury Tech - and what...

Amy Marsden is a co-founder of Te Mapua which translates as "the precious children" and works to provide camps and other activities for kids in need.  In this interview we talk about her early life and what influenced her to work full time with children.  We also talk a lot about her Maori heritage and the impact that has had on her thinking and approach to the work she does now and in particular...

Joanna is the President of the Auckland District Law Society.  She is also the founder of Pidgeon Law in Auckland which is a boutique property and commercial law firm.  She has been involved with a variety of not for profit and charity committees such as the Selwyn Foundation and Auckland City Mission and these are discussed in the interview.  We also talk about growing up with a famous lawyer fat...

Jonathan Lee is a professional photographer who has traveled the world taking photos and through them telling amazing stories.  In doing this he often supports social enterprises and other great causes.  In this interview we talk about his early life in Hong Kong, immigrating to the United States as a child, what formed him and gave him a sense of direction, his involvement in the Beacon Food Fore...

Ben set up the social enterprise Fill Their Lunchbox and in this episode shares his journey.  We learn about his childhood and hard times during high school, losing a friend during the Christchurch earthquakes and his resulting depression and how all these factors led to his being inspired to start Fill Their Lunchbox which not only feeds children who wouldn't get a lunch otherwise but also works...

Growing up in an international family that spanned the globe, working as a lawyer before starting to work for a variety of charities particularly in the health sector and then becoming the CEO of the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation in Melbourne, Australia which the is the largest and oldest community foundation in Australia and funds many charities and social enterprises. Catherine Brown is the...

Traveling the country at 11 as a boy soprano, studying acting and working as a professional actor and then working internationally as an opera singer before becoming an activist with Greenpeace, working with Sustainable Cities and the "Redesigning Resources Business Leadership Group" then founding the Hillary Institute to honour those around the world doing great things in mid career and working w...

On falling in love at first sight, the impact of a friend passing in your 20s, a lifelong love of skiing and travel, co-founding a marketing agency, deciding to retire but then getting a prognosis you never expected to receive and what you learn from that. John Hammond co-founded marketing agency Beck & Caul.

Growing up in the Philippines with dreams of Space and interplanetary travel, how a scholarship to the International Space University in France has led to a unique career as an international space consultant, co-authoring "Realizing Tomorrow: The Path to Private Spaceflight", working as Chief Impact Officer at Singularity University and the study of how to leverage exponential technologies for glo...

Growing up on a Yorkshire Dales hill farm, living in South East Asia during the Vietnam War era, pursuing an academic career, founding the Hawthorn Press, developing 'Stroud Common Wealth' and establishing community land trusts and social businesses and what that term "Common Wealth" actually means. Martin is a former academic, business consultant, Quaker, publisher with Hawthorn Press, founder of...

Growing up in Rotorua, being involved in the fishing industry and co-founding the New Zealand Salmon Company in the mid 1980s, working as Chief Executive at the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce for more than 20 years and the leadership lessons learned over his career.  Peter Townsend is about to retire as the Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce. Visit: https:/...

Ambitions to be a superhero as a child and how that affected the decision to become a policeman and then work for many years as an anti-human trafficker, the highs and lows, including burn-out and depression and what you learn through that. Gary Shaw is now the Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Kathmandu. 

Growing up in Italy, working as a researcher of economic models at the Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, joining the finance world as an investment banker before co-founding OPES Impact Fund which focuses on investing in early stage social enterprises in Africa and India. Elena Casolari is the Co-founder and Executive President of OPES Impact Fund and she is also a Board Member of Social Enterpris...

Joining the Peace Corps in 1964, studying at Harvard Business School and then joining the faculty before being involved in co-founding the Social Enterprise Initiative there. Dr James Austin is Emeritus Professor at Harvard Business School in the Eliot I. Snider and Family Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus Co-Founder Social Enterprise Initiative Harvard Business School. http://www.hbs...

What the Eden Project is, the concept of weaving together entertainment with education, operating as a global social enterprise with expanding operations in China, Australia, America and a proposal for the red zone in Christchurch. David Harland is the CEO of the Eden Project in England which has large biomes at the site in Cornwall in which there are a wide variety of plants from all over the wor...

Growing up in Kenya and what life is like in the city of Nairobi, what impresses about Western culture when viewed from an African perspective, how community is different, the opportunities people may take for granted here and what it means to find your purpose.  Mark Ambundo has been in New Zealand for less than a year and in this conversation gives his unique perspective on what we probably take...

On what makes coming home from overseas so special, working with entrepreneurs as 'Start-Up Activator' at Ministry of Awesome, the scary/exciting moment you decide to launch out on your own and finding joy and purpose by taking the time to slow down. Kit Hindin is the Start-Up Activator at the Ministry of Awesome which was founded after the earthquakes to make things happen in Christchurch.  They...