The Guest Speaker

Kate Goodman was a high-achieving student who loved school, thrived in structured environments, and always expected she would go to university - but like many students, she had little idea what career she actually wanted. In this episode, Kate shares how she navigated that uncertainty, choosing to study psychology, criminology, and art history based on interest rather than a defined career path -...

Luke’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood shaped by the ocean, small community living, and hands-on learning laid the foundation for everything that followed. In this episode, Luke shares how his pathway into hospitality wasn’t driven by academic success, but by practical skills, people, and a willingness to work hard. Navigating school with dyslexia and struggling in trad...

Steph Woodall grew up in Cambridge with her sights set on becoming an architect - until one unexpected rejection and a gap year changed everything. In this episode, Steph shares how that pivot led her into the world of health and nutrition - from discovering fitness during a year at home, to studying at the University of Auckland, and eventually qualifying as a registered dietitian. What followed...

Rebecca grew up around the ocean in the Bay of Islands, where a love for sailing started early and steadily evolved into a career on the global stage. In this episode, Rebecca shares how she turned that passion into a profession — beginning with a rigging apprenticeship in Auckland and building her career through hands-on experience, technical skill, and strong industry connections. What followed...

Caleb Carter’s journey begins in the small coastal communities of the Coromandel, where fishing, diving, and a hands-on upbringing shaped the foundations of a career that would eventually take him to the global stage of fine dining. In this episode, Caleb traces his path from a self-described “ratbag” student who struggled with school to washing dishes at Luke’s Kitchen as a teenager. What began a...

Jaime Leigh grew up in Katikati, went to a small-town college, and always knew she wanted to be a hairdresser — even before she understood where that path could lead. What she didn’t know was that it would take her from a polytech classroom to Peter Jackson film sets, and eventually to Hollywood, where she would become a BAFTA and Emmy Award-nominated hairstylist. In this episode, Jaime shares the...

Nathan Wallis has become one of Aotearoa’s most trusted voices on how kids’ brains work — not because he talks at people, but because he translates complex neuroscience into language that feels human, doable, and kind. In this episode, Nathan takes us behind the “neuroscience educator” title and back to a childhood marked by chaos, ADHD, and moving in and out of safe homes — where school wasn’t ju...

Ellen Butler’s story begins on the Coromandel Peninsula, where a childhood filled with surf lifesaving, sport, and community shaped the social, confident foundation she would later take into the world of superyachts. In this episode, Ellen traces her winding path from “top end of average” student to flight-attendant hopeful, to au pair in Sydney and France, and finally to a 90-metre Russian-owned...

From top-of-the-class student to front-line social worker, Clare Ennis has quietly built a career around something you’ll never see on a pay slip: dignity, advocacy, and deeply human care. In this episode, Clare traces her path from high-achieving “you-could-be-a-doctor” teen to working with young parents, students, and communities with high and complex needs. We talk about what it was really like...

Mitchell Lamb went from Cambridge classrooms and water polo training to rafting some of the world’s wildest rivers, and now helps teenagers turn whitewater into a way of life. In this episode, Mitchell traces his journey from “relatively academic kid” to Program Director at World Class Academy, a travelling high school for adventure athletes that treats rivers, trails, and cultures as the curricul...

From a small-town childhood to founding The Darling Room, Victoria Toye opens up about her work behind building a people-first beauty practice: education, empathy, and emotional intelligence. She traces the early spark that led her into beauty therapy, the science that underpins her treatments, and the quiet confidence she cultivated to take up space in the industry. We dive into holistic care as...

From “class clown” to Officer of the NZ Order of Merit, Dai Henwood opens up about the real work behind making people laugh: curiosity, grit, and character. He traces the spark from Wellington College to Victoria University, the moment he realized he was a comedian, and the work ethic he learned watching his parents. We dive into people skills as a superpower, saying yes to scary opportunities, an...

In this episode, we dive into the world of surfboard shaping with Lou Aitken — where creativity, craftsmanship, and a love for the ocean collide. Lou shares her journey of discovering a passion for board building, sparked by family influence and hands-on experiences in the surfboard factory. From touring workshops as a kid to building their very first shortboard, this story captures the excitement...

In this episode, we sit down with Monique Brownlee, a radiographer whose career offers a behind-the-scenes look at how medical imaging brings healthcare to life. Monique breaks down the difference between radiographers—the professionals who capture images—and radiologists, the doctors who interpret them. From high-tech imaging rooms to real-world patient care, she explains how teamwork, precision,...

In this episode, we sit down with Mya Dunsmore, a dedicated nurse whose journey offers an inside look into one of the most essential — and often underappreciated — professions in the world. From her first steps into nursing school to the challenges of long shifts and the deep rewards of patient care, Mya shares what it really takes to thrive in healthcare. She talks about the social nature of nurs...

In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca Davies-Colley, a Speech-Language Therapist and Audiologist who bridges the worlds of communication and hearing health. From helping children find their voice to supporting adults through hearing loss, Rebecca shares how her work transforms lives through understanding, connection, and care. She takes us through her academic journey—from university lectures...

In this episode, we sit down with Micah Wilkinson, an Olympic Bronze Medalist sailor representing New Zealand who has turned the art of racing under pressure into lessons on mindset, teamwork, and growth. Competing on the world stage, Micah shares what it takes to make high-stakes decisions in seconds, how he builds mental resilience on and off the water, and the habits that keep him performing at...

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Putt, a vineyard manager at Craggy Range Vineyard—one of New Zealand’s most iconic family-owned wineries. Located in Hawke’s Bay beneath the striking Te Mata Peak, Craggy Range is renowned for its terroir-driven wines, world-class sustainability practices, and stunning scenery. Nick shares his journey from navigating high school pressures to studying horticul...

From his school days in New Zealand to studying at the University of Canterbury and now building a life and career in Canada, Ben Hawken shares his path to becoming a structural engineer. In this conversation, he opens up about his time at UC — from lectures to labs to building a supportive community — and how those experiences shaped his career and outlook on life. Ben also reflects on the versat...

From school’s easy routine to the rigorous world of the Defence Force, Taylor Ede has been on a journey of challenge, growth, and unexpected opportunities. In this episode, Taylor shares how she went from weighing her next steps after graduation to enlisting in the Army, navigating extended basic training during COVID-19, and later transitioning into the Air Force. We talk about what it really tak...

From high school’s high-pressure halls to the vibrant world of creative education, Holly Gascoigne has been on a journey of passion, perseverance, and pushing her own boundaries. In this episode, Holly opens up about navigating academic expectations, making the leap to university, and embracing the opportunities—and challenges—of studying abroad. We talk about what it really takes to pursue a crea...

From spinning tracks to spinning stories, Matt Hicks has always lived at the intersection of creativity and connection. In this episode, he takes us through his winding path in the entertainment industry - from a schoolboy with a passion for performance, to a DJ and event manager, to the filmmaker behind the feature film The Tavern. Matt opens up about the five-year journey of bringing The Tavern...

In this episode, drummer Felix Holton takes us behind the kit and into the heart of his music career — from realizing his passion for the drums at age 9 to touring the world with acclaimed New Zealand artist BENEE, playing stages like the O2 Arena in London and Coachella in California. Felix opens up about the realities of the music industry, the vital role of education, and the delicate balancing...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Gray to unpack her journey from the whirlwind of high school to carving out a meaningful career in public service. Megan opens up about the pressures of academic achievement, navigating personal identity, and the mental health challenges that shaped her along the way. She shares how relationships - both inside and outside the classroom - became a grounding f...

This episode is a masterclass in wonder. We sit down with Mark Cairns, one of the UK’s top magicians and psychological mind readers, to unravel the fascinating journey that took him from a mathematics degree to captivating audiences with feats of mind-bending magic. Mark opens up about the twists and turns that shaped his career — from his early academic achievements to finding his way into the pr...