The Mina Amso Show

What factors shaped our decision to get into pharmacy from high school ? We discuss challenges with career choice we had to make at such a young age, while giving advice for school leavers and insights with Amy Chan, a friend of mine, a pharmacist and researcher, who talks about how she made her decision to study pharmacy and then PhD. Welcome to the Season 7 premiere of our podcast, where we expl...

Imagine traveling and eating as your day job? Lebanese-born Anthony Rahayel does just that. His love for Lebanon is unwavering and it shows in his travel episodes the last 10 years. He's won awards, produced over four thousand videos on YouTube, some of which has reached 15 million views! He has over 350k subscribers and followers on Instagram. Rahayel is truly becoming a food travel influencer yo...

He's passionate about bringing Iraqi people in New Zealand together, and he does it well with his team. Kiwi-Iraqi Johnny Burjony, migrated to New Zealand over 25 years ago, he still has a sense of that Iraqi-ness then, as he does now.  He talks about his passion project that has brought hundreds of Iraqis together over the last 10 years as Babylon Charitable Trust celebrates its 10th birthda...

Why chasing after girls in high School isn't the answer. Kiwi-Iraqi Civil project engineer Fady Ghanima answers that very question. Fady landed in New Zealand in 1994, that's 28 years ago. Spoke not a single word of English, mind you he was 5 years old. But how did he adjust growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand? How did he survive high school? How did faith change him? and what's life like now? Enjo...

What is it like to get a terminal brain cancer diagnosis at 40? and surviving that? Kiwi-Iraqi father of three Waseem Hermiz went through that last year.   He speaks openly about the ordeal on the podcast, how he dealt with the shock, how his family responded and the community in Australia and New Zealand. Waseem is a forensic scientist at the New South Wales State Government. He lives i...

Dr Maha Haddad is not your average typical Iraqi immigrant. You’d find her in the operating theatres one minute, and leading a church choir the next, all the while keeping her momma and wife duties up-to-date. She’s been in New Zealand for 28 years and she tells Mina Amso about the reality of being a doctor, moving from Iraq, living through war, the complexities of starting a family, holding on to...

A successful Iraqi florist, known and loved by the Iraqi community, Fadia Thomas made her voyage to New Zealand from Iraq 23 years ago. She worked her way up to become one of the most blossoming florists in Auckland, designed(almost) every Iraqi wedding. But there’s more to the hard-working immigrant than meets the eye. We talk weddings, starting a business, and surviving a pandemic.

Transitioning into a new way of life in New Zealand was a “cultural shock” for Iraqi-immigrant Mina Rassam. From Baghdad to Auckland to high school, with no English spoken and no friends to lean on. Here’s the story behind nine-year old Mina fighting the odds to become a successful kiwi-Iraqi lawyer today.

She's a lawyer, she's successful, what makes Mina Rassam so unique and bright. Take a listen to find out how she's kept the Iraqi mojo, alive. How she stepped into her career and the three things she could teach her 16 year old self. Join us for part two of the conversation. Watch Season 6 Episode 1 with Maysoon Rassam Here: https://youtu.be/iYRRciKoRRk Watch Season 6 Episode 2 Episode with Fadia...

Dr Rita Kettoola came to NZ at 7.5 years of age with her family from Iraq. We unpack stories of Rita’s journey of adapting to New Zealand life, New Zealand culture, playing New Zealand sports, namely netball and of course, Iraqi food.

No one in history has travelled the world without flying. Enters Torbjørn 'Thor' Pedersen. He’s on a mission as we speak to defy all odds and travel the world by foot, bus, train, car or ferry. No flying. His 'Once a upon a saga’ project has reached thousands of people and inspired millions. The long journey has earned Pedersen media coverage in more than 100 countries so far. He's been on VICE, B...

Thor Pedersen, the only man traveling the world (yes to every country), without flying, talks to Mina Amso in part two about his stopover in New Zealand, Lebanon and Iraq. He’s been tossed around by violent storms on board ships, and how he nearly died in Africa. He’s been beating the odds to complete his project, Once Upon A Saga, but is he close enough? Note: Thor left Auckland before the airing...

Moved to New Zealand in 1997 from Iraq, Dr Maysoon Rassam and her family had to endure some real twists and turns, with surprises at every corner, just so they call New Zealand home. Some things came at a price, was it worth it?

We continue our conversation with Kiwi Pharmacist Jasmin Dodge, who in March this year(2022), celebrated a decade working full-time as a volunteer in Tonga. She says Tonga has a lot to offer for those keen travellers. But what's life like working abroad in a Pacific Island pre and post major natural disasters like cyclones and a volcanic eruption, and of course COVID-19?

PART ONE Kiwi Pharmacist Jasmin Dodge remembers exactly where she was and how she felt when Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai, a submarine volcano, erupted in January this year (2022) near the Pacific Island of Tonga. A once in a life time event in a millennium, the eruption was said to be a hundred times more powerful than the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Correction: About 80% of the population’s housing in...

In Part One of our interview last week, Catholic speaker and consultant Hudson Byblow opened up about his painful breakup with his ex-fiancé. This week Byblow talks to Mina Amso about how he healed and shares golden ‘aha-moments’ on how you can heal from trauma as well. We have 'aha-moments' reading from global leadership coach John Maxwell's Book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Law #8 The Law o...

Hudson Byblow remembers breaking up with his fiancee. His heart broken, he found himself walking up the steps of a church. He kneeled to pray, overcome with sorrow, he wept. Experiencing pain of the soul like never before. He came out two hours later a different man. What happened in that church? We have 'aha-moments' reading from global leadership coach John Maxwell's Book The 15 Invaluable Laws...

Hiking 40 mountains before 40. That was her way to becoming more consistent and intentional. Did she accomplish what she set out to do? We drop ‘aha- moment’ quotes from John Maxwell's book - 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Get the Book and Learn More on How to Become More Intentional Today https://amzn.to/3Dhglsf This is an affiliate link. A small amount will go to help support The Mina Amso Show....

She had stomach pain. And she felt it bad. She'd pass out and didn’t know why. Years later and after many doctor visits and countless specialist appointments the diagnoses was made. This is Shannon Hadrup. And this is her endometriosis story. March is Endometriosis month in New Zealand.

She struggled at school and was illiterate at age 23. Now 26, Brit Kelly has finished one-year bible school, about to start theology degree and is looking at writing and publishing books worldwide. How did this transformation happen in three years? Aha-moments in this episode have come with reference from John Maxwell’s book - The 15 invaluable Laws of Growth. Purchase yours today https://amzn.to/...

Talitha Pereira isn’t your average 19 year-old. She personifies positive self-talk and self-confidence. But at 19? How does she do that? I discover what she heard at 13 that shifted everything else. We have 'aha-moments' from the amazing John Maxwell’s book - the 15 Invaluable Laws of growth. Get your copy on your phone here https://amzn.to/3Dhglsf This is an affiliate link. A small amount will go...

Over The Top Life-Loving Optimist and Graphic Designer Romwell Ramos joins Mina to chat about how he needed more meaning at a critical time in his life, and how he created/discovered/began unleashing that. Andy Rolston also joins Mina and we have 'aha-moments' from the amazing John Maxwell’s book - the 15 Invaluable Laws of growth. Get your copy on your phone here https://amzn.to/3Dhglsf This is a...

Welcome to Season 5 of The Mina Amso Podcast.

Welcome to Season Five. Picking your course at university can seem like a child lost in a park with no parents. That’s how Pharmacist and mother Angelica Jonesi felt in her first years of study and how her desire for self-awareness led her to a more fulfilled next few years. Leadership Coach Andy Rolston also joins Mina and drops ‘aha- moments’ quotes from John Maxwell's book - 15 Invaluable Laws...

What a great end to the year, in this episode me and Andy Rolston talk about the challenging year that has been, our highlights and lowlights, the wisdom gained, and the ultimate tip we personally learned and will share with you. We hope it helps you on your personal journey of success. Thank you for listening and for your support. If you liked this episode please consider supporting the podcast o...