Talk With A Courageous Heart

What if courage has nothing to do with confidence? In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Jane Choi, Senior Professional Practice Fellow at the University of Otago's Faculty of Dentistry, to explore what courage has looked like throughout her life and career. Jane shares how she never truly felt ready for many of the opportunities that shaped her journey, including an int...

What does it take to dedicate your life to God? In this episode, I sit down with Fr Tien Cao , a Catholic priest serving in Timaru, New Zealand, to explore the journey behind his vocation. Fr Tien shares how he wrestled with doubt, questioned whether priesthood was truly his calling, and ultimately found peace in saying yes. Together we discuss faith, courage, purpose, discernment, and the challen...

What happens when people see your disability before they see your ability? In this episode, Andrew sits down with New Zealand para-athlete Josh Chisholm for an honest conversation about growing up with dwarfism, overcoming self-doubt, finding purpose through sport, and learning to keep going during life's toughest moments. Josh shares the challenges of being judged by appearances, the importan...

What happens when the person you trust breaks your heart? In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, Anna Mae shares her deeply personal journey through heartbreak, betrayal, and healing. After being cheated on twice, many people would understandably give up on love. Instead, Anna Mae chose a different path. With honesty and vulnerability, she reflects on the pain she experienced, the lesson...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, Andrew sits down with Professor Haizal Mohd Hussaini, Professor of Oral Pathology at the University of Otago, Muslim chaplain, leader, and educator. Professor Haizal shares his journey from Malaysia to New Zealand, the lessons he has learned through faith and service, and what courage truly means in the face of adversity. The conversation also explo...

What if one of the biggest keys to surviving difficult seasons in life is truly knowing who you are? In this heartfelt episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Amy Armstrong, Chaplain of the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin and the University of Otago, for a deeply honest conversation about courage, identity, faith, loneliness, and supporting people through pain. Amy reflects on: Moving...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, Andrew Bothalage sits down with Anagi Wijeratne, a Mortgage Adviser in New Zealand, to talk about courage, sacrifice, rebuilding life from zero, and the reality of starting over in a new country. Anagi opens up about: Leaving a stable banking career Moving countries with his family Going months without a job Building a company from the ground up Hel...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Mickey Treadwell, a young Dunedin City Councillor, for a conversation about courage, leadership, uncertainty, and stepping up when no one else would. We explore: What courage really means. Why uncertainty is necessary for growth. The pressure of leadership at a young age. His journey into local politics. Representing vulnerable commu...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, Andrew sits down with one of his closest friends, Jeff, for a conversation filled with humor, honesty, faith, marriage, loss, and fatherhood. Jeff shares his journey of waiting for marriage in his 30s, supporting others through difficult seasons, walking beside his wife during an ectopic pregnancy, and learning what it truly means to be emotionally...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , I sit down with Elly Cabal Roberts for a deeply honest conversation about pain, healing, faith, forgiveness, and wounded hope. Elly shares her journey of: Growing up hearing painful words as a child Learning to forgive her mother through compassion Navigating marriage, suffering, and vulnerability Waiting and praying to start a family Wrestling wit...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , I sit down with Er Abringe to talk about a journey many people can relate to… insecurity. Growing up, Er struggled with comparison, feeling not enough, and trying to fit in just to feel accepted. That search for belonging led him down the wrong path. But everything changed when he discovered his purpose. Er shares how he went from insecurity to bec...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , I sit down with Diana Ingle to explore a journey shaped by faith, courage, and resilience. Diana shares the moment she was instantly healed from a tumour after a simple prayer. But beyond that powerful experience, she opens up about the deeper challenges that followed, including personal loss, seasons of doubt, and moments that tested her faith. We...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , I sit down with Don Sherman — a Sri Lankan entertainer, chef, and TV personality with nearly four decades of experience. From fame and recognition to starting over from zero in a new country, Don shares what courage really looks like behind the scenes. We talk about: Walking away from comfort and success Building a life again from scratch in Austra...

What does courage look like when life does not go the way you planned? In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , Kathy shares her journey through change, loss, faith, and motherhood. From moving from the Philippines to New Zealand and starting over, to facing pregnancy loss and learning to let go of control, Kathy opens up about the moments that shaped who she is today. She also reflects o...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , I sit down with Stephen Mischewski, a CrossFit athlete, husband, and father, to explore how courage shows up in everyday life. Stephen shares how one simple mindset shaped his journey. Just say yes. From stepping outside his comfort zone at a young age, to pushing through physical limits in CrossFit, to embracing the responsibilities of marriage an...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Father Justin Lee for a thoughtful conversation about faith, generosity, and the meaning of unconditional love. Father Justin reflects on his journey of faith and shares why a life of generosity leads to true happiness. We also talk about a powerful truth at the heart of Christianity. Nothing in life can come between us and God’s lov...

In this episode of Talk With A Courageous Heart, Maria Roxette shares a simple sentence that changed the way she saw her future. “You’re going to be 32 anyway. Might as well be 32 with a degree.” Like many of us, Maria faced the fear of starting over. Leaving a job, losing a steady income, stepping out of her comfort zone, and feeling like life might be on pause for a few years. But that one sente...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Matt for a thoughtful conversation about courage, responsibility, and what truly changes when life demands more from you. We often think we understand courage in theory. But when you become responsible for others, when someone depends on you, courage becomes something very real. It shows up in everyday decisions, sacrifices, and the...

In this deeply moving episode of Talk With the Courageous Heart, I sit down with Dana Hobbs, a woman whose strength is shaped by love, loss, and unwavering compassion. Dana shares her journey through profound grief, including the loss of her son at just 15 years old due to a brain aneurysm, and how that experience reshaped her faith, her relationships, and her outlook on life. Instead of hardening...

In this episode, I sit down with Mr Shaw, my former high school principal, for a deeply reflective conversation about life, leadership, and the unexpected paths that shape who we become. We talk about his early dream of joining the Air Force, the disappointment of rejection, and how a simple decision led him toward teaching and education. From there, the conversation opens into what it truly means...

In this heartfelt and honest episode, Iffah opens up about her journey of self growth, knowing her worth, and choosing herself in relationships and in life. She shares how learning to set healthy boundaries, protect her energy, and choose her circle carefully has helped her become more confident and grounded. We talk about relationships, self confidence, waiting for the right person, trusting the...

In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart, I sit down with Verona, a mum, wife, dental hygienist, and entrepreneur who is building her own dental hygiene clinic from the ground up in Christchurch. We talk about courage in everyday life. From motherhood and self doubt to starting a business, taking risks, and learning to keep going when things feel overwhelming. Verona shares why she chose to...

In this episode of Talk With A Courageous Heart , I sit down with Tracey for an honest and deeply human conversation about living with depression, motherhood, confidence, and everyday courage. Tracey is a proud mum of two who brings warmth and care wherever she goes, yet quietly navigates depression and low confidence, especially during the winter months. She shares what helps her through heavy se...

What does real love truly mean? In this episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , Ian Naghi reflects on love, faith, and sacrifice through the example of Christ. He challenges the idea that love is only about protection or provision and invites us to consider a deeper kind of commitment. Would you be willing to lay your life down for the person you love? This conversation explores courageous love,...

In this heartfelt episode of Talk With a Courageous Heart , Dilunika shares her journey through motherhood and how it has shaped her strength, patience, and kindness. We talk about the realities of being a working mum, balancing long days with family life, and the quiet resilience it takes to keep showing up for your children every day. Dilunika reflects on how motherhood has taught her to grow, t...