Stand Up Again

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.

Mike Minogue’s career appears to be a steady ascent — from What We Do in the Shadows to Wellington Paranormal and national radio success. But behind the perceived highs were terrifying improv auditions, self-doubt, and years of chasing opportunities that could disappear overnight. In this episode, Mike reveals the devastating moment he was fired from a long-awaited project only five days before fi...

Karen McMillan is a 25-book international bestselling author — but behind her success is a story of profound loss and resilience. After caring for both parents through cancer and navigating clinical depression, Karen later faced her own diagnosis and the shock of redundancy. In this episode, she reflects on grief, faith, survival, and the leap into full-time writing that reshaped her future. This...

Hayley Holt’s career spans elite ballroom dancing, competitive snowboarding, and becoming one of New Zealand’s most recognisable TV presenters. But behind the highlights is a story of resilience shaped by sacrifice, public failure, and profound personal loss. In this episode, Hayley opens up about the realities of starting over, from stepping away from high-performance careers to navigating grief...

Joe Daymond is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable young comedians. From becoming the youngest comedian to sell out SkyCity to building a massive online following and starring in a Comedy Central sitcom, his rise has been fast and undeniable. But Joe’s path began far from the spotlight. Raised in a working-class community where nothing was handed to you, he learned early to fight for opportunit...

Pax Assadi’s career appears steady and successful — television roles, sold-out shows, and a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most versatile performers. But behind the momentum was doubt. After early success stalled and family responsibility grew, Pax stepped away from comedy to retrain for a new career, choosing stability over uncertainty. In this episode, Pax reflects on the tension between res...

Jess Stewart had everything that looked like success: a senior corporate role, financial security, and a life others admired. But beneath the surface, she was battling burnout and a growing sense that her life no longer fit. When a physical injury forced her to stop, Jess was confronted with what she calls “soul suffocation.” It became the moment she could no longer ignore. In this episode, Jess s...

Leigh Hart’s career looks like a string of cult hits : Moon TV, SportsCafe, Late Night Big Breakfast, and the wildly successful Wakachangi beer and SnackaChangi snack empire. But behind the perceived highs is a story of never quite belonging. From a childhood spent overseas to feeling like an outsider at boarding school, Leigh learned early to rely on his own instincts rather than fitting the moul...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.