Baskets Of Knowledge

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...

In our latest  Baskets of Knowledge  episode, we dive into an inspiring kōrero with Jai, a multi-talented artist navigating the worlds of music, mixed heritage, and personal growth. Jai shared his creative journey, from the initial struggle between choosing a "safe" career path in architecture to pursuing his true passion in music and art. Here’s what we learned: Embrace Your Unique Path – Jai ope...

In our recent podcast episode, we had the privilege of speaking with Avin, a remarkable young leader whose journey from Iran to New Zealand highlights the importance of empathy, identity, and community-centered support. Here are some powerful insights she shared: Migration and Identity: Moving countries isn't just physical; it's about rebuilding identity. Avin's family left Iran, bringing two youn...

Change is inevitable, but how we embrace it makes all the difference. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Adam McConnochie, co-founder of sustainable toothpaste company, Solid, on our podcast, Baskets of Knowledge. His journey is a testament to the power of transformation, both personally and professionally. One pivotal moment in Adam’s life was a trip to India during his final year of h...

In the latest episode of  Baskets of Knowledge , we had the pleasure of speaking with Lewis Wall, founder of  The Student Hand , an early careers recruitment platform helping students in New Zealand connect with businesses for internships and graduate opportunities. Lewis, a recent graduate from the University of Otago, shared his journey from creating a labour hire service to pivoting into recrui...

In our latest podcast episode, we had an incredible conversation with Crissy Sanders, a 21-year-old public health graduate who has experienced more in the last few years than most do in a lifetime. Crissy shared her adventures working in Kiribati, a remote Pacific Island, and traveling solo through East Africa. She opened up about her philosophy of life—“Jump, don’t step”—embracing opportunities a...

This week we are really privileged to have Lori Thomson, a nursing student, who shares their candid and inspiring journey through personal challenges and academic pursuits. From battling eating disorders and societal expectations to excelling in clinical placements, this story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of human connection. Lori candidly discusses experiences with a...

In this week's episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we spoke to Sanskruti Banerjee, a law and commerce student at the University of Auckland with a passion for problem-solving, advocacy, and creativity. Sanskruti shared her journey of balancing multiple roles—from community work in mental health and sexual violence advocacy to her love for poetry and dance. Sanskriti discussed her involvement with...

Recently, we had the honor of speaking with Zoe Dzapasi, an 18-year-old student at Victoria University of Wellington, who shared her incredible journey of growth, self-discovery, and advocacy. Despite moving to New Zealand from Zimbabwe at 18 months old, Zoe has maintained a strong connection to her roots while navigating the challenges of belonging in a new country. During our conversation, Zoe o...

We all remember 2020, it was the year when everyone's lives changed. for some people it was terrible, for others they found a silver lining and for a majority it was OH NO!! Our guest this week found lock down a pivotal moment in his life. It was during lock down that Alex Witt decided to start running, this all came from the fact that he looked in the mirror and did not like what he saw. Alex...

A small project while she was at primary school was the catalyst to this week's guests foray into the world of entrepreneurship. Abbie Wood talks to us about how creating and selling bracelets at her grannie's market was her first step into realising that she had a creative brain but also a mindset that would foster the idea of creating value through her own enterprise as she got older. We...