The Melding Muse Podcast

Cam Howieson is a dedicated father, husband, and a phenomenal football player for Auckland FC, formerly an All White. Known for his resilience, calm demeanour on the pitch, and deep commitment to his family, Cam's journey in professional football is truly inspiring. We sat down for a wide-ranging kōrero that moves from his early life and challenging overseas trials with Tottenham, Chelsea, and Bur...

Luke Kemeys is a New Zealand Fellow Chartered Accountant and award-winning business advisor known for his straight-talking, practical approach to money and business. He runs nextAdvisory, where he works with business owners to turn financial complexity into clear strategies and better decisions. Luke is also the creator and host of Keep The Change Podcast a financial literacy platform aimed at hel...

Melodownz is an award-winning rapper, singer, and storyteller from West Auckland. Known for his sharp lyricism and soulful, genre-blending sound, honest narratives and cultural depth to his music. Making him one of the most respected voices in NZ hip-hop today & one of the GOAT. We sat down for a wide-ranging kōrero that moves from his deep connection to Avondale, to the personal values that g...

Andrés Pérez , más conocido como " El Gladiador ", es un futbolista colombiano retirado que se desempeñó como mediocampista. Reconocido por su técnica y visión de juego, tuvo una destacada carrera en el fútbol colombiano e internacional, siendo un referente por su liderazgo y capacidad para dirigir el mediocampo. Ropio records históricos y fue homenheado como leyenda viva del Deportivo Cali. Si te...

Corinna Stukan is a digital product executive, founder, and advisor with over 15 years of experience in FinTech, SaaS, and marketplaces — now serving as CEO of Bizzy. She is also the author of The Insights Driven Product Manager: The Essential Guide to Mastering Product Metrics and Uncovering True Data Insights. In this episode, we explore the world of FinTech in New Zealand and break down how to...

Mazbou Q is an artist, producer, content creator, and educator of Igbo-Nigerian descent known for his powerful lyricism, commanding presence & viral TikTok videos on Rap Science . Also known as The Rap Scientist , his innovative framework for analysing rap flow has led him to lecture at Harvard, Berklee, LSU, and more . As lead producer at UNCHAINED XL Production Co., he’s worked with brands l...

Emiliano Tade is a record-breaking football player & coach currently playing for Auckland United in New Zealand. Born in Argentina, he made the unlikely leap from law school to washing dishes to conquering the pitches of Oceania, becoming Auckland City FC’s all-time top scorer and a cornerstone of their international success. Known for his composure, vision, and deadly left foot, Tade has won...

AKAWUI is a 🇨🇦 🇨🇱 Canadian-Chilean artist blending Indigenous roots with powerful Latin and urban sounds. With a past as a trained MMA fighter, his music carries the same fierce energy and discipline, fueled by heritage, movement, and deep storytelling In this episode, AKAWUI opens up about reclaiming his Mapuche identity, the discipline and life lessons shaped by his MMA background, and staying a...

Colin Walker is a former personal trainer and is now the General Manager of Life Fitness New Zealand —a global leader in commercial fitness equipment, known for combining cutting-edge technology with premium design to help people live healthier, more active lives. Life Fitness is a true powerhouse in the wellness space, with a brand portfolio that includes Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Gr...

Timprovise is a TV presenter, stand-up comedian, actor, content creator, and all-around creative force from South Auckland. We dive into the making of his debut one-hour comedy special, The Kapahaka Dropout , the challenges of being a fair-skinned Māori comedian, and the importance of representation and building your own stage when none exists. We explore New Zealand’s comedy scene, tall poppy syn...

Oz is the driving force behind New Zealand’s largest combat sports platform , built from the ground up. He’s also developed proprietary boxing equipment and garments that are making waves in functional sportswear. Through his work with CSN and BX-F, he’s helping shape some of the country’s biggest MMA and boxing promotions—cementing their place as key players in the NZ combat sports scene. A lifel...

Andy is the Director and founder of Strategic Planning Co., where he helps construction companies streamline tendering and project delivery through fixed pricing strategies and 4D planning. With over 15 years of experience across construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing, Andy brings sharp commercial acumen and a strong focus on managing change. He’s also the host of Yarns with Andy, New Zealan...

Lucas Coelho is a design leader & product innovator. As the Co-founder and GP at Ryft Ventures , Lucas invests in cutting-edge AI-driven companies that solve complex challenges for SMBs. He’s also the Co-founder of Colab Cohorts, a top product management program that empowers practitioners across Australia & New Zealand. With a career spanning roles like Chief Transformation Officer at Bas...

Seymore is a DJ, athlete, and content creator — to dive deep into his journey of music, culture, and self-discovery. From dominating Auckland’s DJ scene to performing an electrifying Boiler Room set , Seymore opens up about the industry's challenges, the importance of staying grounded and reconnecting with his Māori heritage. We explore how ego, community, and gratitude shaped his career, why...

Edd Rivera is a Mexican comedian who has left a lasting impression on New Zealand’s comedy scene since his arrival. Today, he thrives as a stand-up comedian, writer, tattoo artist & viral content creator. His debut solo show, A Mexican Without Borders, has captivated sold-out audiences across New Zealand in both English and Spanish. Beyond the stage, Edd has contributed to the Te Reo Māori rem...

Jackson Holdaway is a filmmaker, artist, and content creator. In this episode, we discuss his creative journey, his passion for storytelling, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. From creating magic-like video edits to working with household content creators internationally, from humble beginnings. Jacks shares his thoughts on sacrifice, staying motivated, and the importance of authenticity...

New Zealand has a lot of stories to tell. From art & design, entrepreneurship, music, fashion, film, sports, gaming, & whatever is in between. We’re not just about making content We are here to create a movement. An avenue for people to come together and push each other to be better every day. To turn ideas into actions - and step out of the deadly comfort zone. Welcome to The Melding Muse...

Jason Ennor is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO and Director of  MyHR , New Zealand’s first combined HR software and advisory service providing quality HR support to organisations of all sizes. Jason shares the incredible journey of building MyHR from the ground up, transforming it into a leading HR service provider combining innovative software and human expertise. We dive into the challenges of scaling a...

Cecilia Lara, widely known as the “Latin Kiwi,” is a radio host, content creator and entrepreneur who has become a vibrant voice for the Latin American community in New Zealand. Cecilia and her husband Luis have built a rich legacy, including two iconic restaurants that brought the flavours of Latin America to the heart of Auckland. Her platform serves as a cultural bridge, bringing together the b...

Corey Friedlander is a New Zealand-based drummer known for his work in the metal and rock music scenes. He gained recognition as a highly skilled and technical drummer and he is now a producer and co-owner of the production studio and music label BEATSPUN . Corey has played with several bands, most notably City of Souls, In Dread Response, Mark of Man, 8 Foot Sativa , and more. He has also been in...

SKIP THE BOAT is more than just a brand. Since its inception, its mantra has remained constant: to inspire and empower people to chase their dreams. From unmatched underground shows to wearable stories through their garments,   SKIPTHEBOAT  evolves constantly, and it's becoming a beacon of resistance against mediocrity. Resembling a cult-like dedication, followers of the movement are more than mer...

At only 20 years of age, Alejandro Tellez is a young, promising MMA and Muay Thai fighter from Colombia, training out of the prestigious MMA gym City Kickboxing. A humble but ferocious athlete hungry to conquer the big leagues of Mixed Martial Arts. Now under the guidance of one of the best coaches in the world, Eugene Bareman, I can’t wait to see him rise through the ranks making his dream come t...

A "mean as kōrero" with rapper & musician Swizl Jager. His bi-lingual lyrics, blending Te Reo Māori and English, coupled with a background in metal, allow him to produce an eclectic range of music. Born and raised in Tauranga Moana, of Ngaiterangi and Te Rarawa descent. His innovative approach captivates audiences of all ages and backgrounds. His songs have been featured on various TV shows, i...

Last week I cracked the Weedka bottle as I sat down with the powerful Emma Kirkman. In her own words “A bad as b**** out there living life”. She opened up about her journey of introspection and self-discovery. Driving her down a path of reconstructing her role and the value of great employee experiences. We covered A LOT from AI & the “risks” to facing your fears and realising your ideas. So l...

Yes! Finally, a design episode is here and my guest today is none other than Brendan Jarvis. A leading voice in the UX community with his podcast BRAVE UX, but he’s also the guiding force behind UX Research Lab, The Space in Between. ☕️ Over a cup of coffee, We delve into the heart of UX research and its pivotal role in shaping product design. We share our journeys of weaving AI (Artificial Intel...