Stand Up Again

Behind the sold-out arenas and worldwide success, Russell Howard has a story of resilience and the determination to keep going. In Episode 32 of Stand Up Again with Sophie and Nick Rado, the internationally acclaimed comedian reflects on his journey from earning just £70 a week and questioning his future, to becoming one of Britain's most successful stand-ups. Russell shares how his father&#39...

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect opportunity and start putting your hand up? From The Crowd Goes Wild to The Morning Rumble on The Rock, Andrew Mulligan has built an extraordinary broadcasting career by embracing change, backing himself and giving every opportunity a red-hot go. In Episode 31 of Stand Up Again with Sophie and Nick Rado, Andrew shares his unconventional journey th...

From New Zealand stages to the Australian tour of SIX the Musical, Geena Hutton is proving that a career in musical theatre takes more than talent. It takes resilience, self-belief and the courage to keep going when the answer is often no. The Kiwi -born performer has built an impressive career, with theatre credits including Jersey Boys, Madagascar the Musical, Mary Poppins and & Juliet. Now...

After more than 46 years in policing, Detective Inspector Scott Beard has investigated some of New Zealand’s most high-profile crimes, including the Grace Millane case. Scott joins Sophie and Nick to share what really happens behind a major homicide investigation, from confronting danger and delivering devastating news to families to facing intense international media scrutiny. He opens up about t...

From the ages of 13 to 17, Angela Alexander was locked in a basement by her father and stepmother, enduring years of psychological abuse, neglect and shame while the outside world had no idea what was happening. Everything changed when a school social worker recognised something was wrong and helped Angela escape. Angela shares the long road of therapy and healing that followed, reconnecting with...

On Episode 27 of Stand Up Again with Sophie and Nick Rado, we talk with Kiwi ultra-runner Sophie Woods, who just completed the gruelling 2,000km Via Alpina across eight countries in under 28 days, setting a new fastest known time and becoming the fastest person to complete the route. Behind that extraordinary achievement is a deeply personal journey. Sophie opens up about unsuccessful IVF, grievin...

Welcome back to Stand Up Again with Sophie and Nick Rado. On Episode 26, we talk with sex and relationship therapist Jo Robertson about sex, relationships, parenting and keeping our kids safe in an increasingly complicated online world. Jo shares practical advice for tackling the “tricky chats” many parents struggle with, from pornography and consent to online safety and healthy relationships. She...

When life pushed Ben Logan to breaking point, he discovered that the same skills needed to survive in the mountains could help him survive almost anything. Former professional triathlete and Logan Performance founder Ben Logan joins Sophie and Nick to share a remarkable story of resilience, leadership and finding purpose through adversity. After a childhood impacted by domestic violence, Ben found...

After the birth of her first child, Jacqlin Richards experienced severe postnatal depression and spent three months in hospital. Today, she’s a parenting expert and international number-one bestselling author. Jacqlin joins Sophie and Nick for a funny, candid conversation about what happened in between, from confronting her own childhood experiences and becoming a self-confessed “shouty mum”, to l...

What does it take to survive 34 years at The Rock? Roger Farrelly joins Sophie and Nick on Stand Up Again podcast to talk 4:30am alarms, radio disasters, Dancing with the Stars, staying relevant and somehow still enjoying the job after more than three decades. Roger Farrelly has spent 34 years at The Rock and 32 of them doing breakfast radio, which is either an incredible career achievement or a s...

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and suicide. Dean Clarkson’s story is an extraordinary example of turning adversity into purpose. After experiencing sexual abuse as a child, Dean later spent two decades as a victim of domestic violence within his marriage. At his lowest point, he attempted to take his own life. But what followed is a...

Executive leader, keynote speaker and Lifeline ambassador Mary Haddock-Staniland shares her extraordinary story of resilience, identity and belonging. Growing up in Matamata, Mary faced bullying and the challenge of understanding who she was at a time when conversations around gender identity were far less visible. She shares her journey to becoming her authentic self, the people who quietly helpe...

Clinical nutritionist, mother of four and founder of Odi Nutrition, Gina Urlich joins Stand Up Again for an honest and powerful conversation about health, resilience, stress and the lessons that can come from facing our own mortality. Gina shares the deeply personal story of her diagnosis, undergoing gruelling treatment and major surgery, and the moment she realised that being healthy and doing “a...

What does it really take to succeed at the highest level of sport, and what happens when your greatest opponent is your own mind? Former professional footballer Paul Ifill joins Stand Up Again for a candid conversation about the pressures of elite sport, the mindset behind high performance, and the challenges that followed life on and off the pitch. Paul opens up about overcoming a gambling addict...

Born with cerebral palsy and told his greatest challenges would be walking and talking, Cam Calkoen has gone on to inspire audiences around the world as an internationally renowned motivational speaker. In this inspiring episode of Stand Up Again, Cam shares what it was like growing up with cerebral palsy, navigating the challenges of school life, and the mindset that helped him turn adversity int...

How does a barefoot Kiwi kid become the entrepreneur behind some of New Zealand's biggest business success stories?  In this inspiring episode of *Stand Up Again*, Sophie and Nick Rado sit down with Grant Baker—the businessman behind 42 Below Vodka, Turners Auctions, Ecoya and other multimillion-dollar ventures.  Grant shares how humble beginnings, relentless ambition and a willingness t...

From convicted murderer to internationally respected psychologist, resilience expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author, Dr Paul Wood shares one of New Zealand's most extraordinary stories of redemption. In this powerful episode of Stand Up Again, Dr Paul takes Sophie and Nick back to his troubled childhood, the devastating loss of his mother, addiction, gang culture, and the choices that le...

What does it take to turn adversity into an extraordinary life? In this powerful episode of Stand Up Again, Sophie and Nick Rado are joined by internationally acclaimed comedian, actor and impressionist Craig Gass. Known for Family Guy, Sex and the City, King of Queens and The Howard Stern Show, Craig shares the remarkable story behind his success. Growing up as the only hearing person in a deaf f...

Author Bonivon Dyer spent 13 years bringing her fantasy series The Blood Maker Fables to life. What began as a vivid dream became a long creative journey marked by harsh criticism, self-doubt, and moments when she nearly walked away from writing entirely. In this episode, Bonivon shares the emotional toll of rejection and the grief of questioning a lifelong calling. A conversation about perseveran...

Senior Constable Bryan Ward is one of New Zealand’s most respected police officers. A Queen’s Service Medal recipient and co-creator of the children’s series Bryan and Bobby, he has spent nearly three decades serving communities nationwide. But his life of service began with heartbreak. At 24, Bryan was blindsided by the end of a five-year relationship that left him shattered and directionless. A...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Matilda Green, we explore her passionate advocacy for the B416 (Before 16) movement and the growing health crisis of device addiction. Matilda shares her own family's struggles with screen time, why social media platforms are designed to keep us hooked, and the alarming research linking excessive screen use to declining brain development and the emerging phenomen...

Matilda Green became a household name after finding love on The Bachelor, transforming from a media sales professional into one of New Zealand's most recognizable content creators, broadcasters, and advocates. But behind the public success came unexpected challenges. Overnight fame, online scrutiny, the pressures of social media, and the constant juggle of career ambition, marriage, and raising th...

Gloria Masters’ life is not defined by what happened to her, but by what she chose to do next. A survivor of severe childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking in New Zealand, Gloria spent years carrying the weight of silence, shame, and trauma. But her story doesn’t end there. In this episode, Gloria shares the moment she decided to come forward, confronting both her past and a system that often...

Mark Richardson’s career has unfolded across three distinct chapters, from representing the Black Caps, to becoming a mainstay in New Zealand broadcasting for over two decades, to now stepping into the world of financial advising. But the transitions weren’t seamless. Behind the profile and perceived success were moments of burnout, pressure, and professional setbacks, none more impactful than his...

Shara Lee Porter's son went missing and after national media attention and an 11 day community search he was found dead. How does someone stand up after losing their child This is a Frank Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.