The Nutters Club

A former advertising executive and recovering alcoholic is leading a nationwide effort to tackle what he describes as a growing crisis of disrespect and aggression in New Zealand society. Matt Zwartz, founder of the Respect NZ Charitable Trust, shared his story outlining his journey from a successful career in journalism, public relations and advertising to sobriety and social advocacy. Raised in...

One of New Zealand’s leading survivor advocates says the country has made significant progress in supporting victims of childhood sexual abuse, but major gaps remain in access to services and the justice system. Christchurch-based advocate Ken Clearwater reflected on a journey that began more than three decades ago when he sought help after reaching a crisis point. Clearwater revealed that at age...

Internationally recognised survivor advocate Gloria Masters has highlighted what she describes as New Zealand's "silent epidemic" of child sexual abuse, while sharing her own decades-long journey of recovery and healing. Masters, who grew up in West Auckland, revealed she experienced sexual abuse and trafficking throughout her childhood, beginning in infancy and continuing until the age of 16. She...

Award-winning filmmaker Paula opened up about a lifetime of hardship, resilience and devastating loss, offering listeners a candid insight into the realities of grief and recovery. Growing up in Hastings during the 1970s and 1980s, Paula described a childhood marked by freedom, responsibility and family challenges. Leaving school at 15, becoming a mother at 17, and later returning to education as...

Guest Lyndal Midgley spoke about growing up first on a remote Northland farm before moving to Auckland’s North Shore as a child. While her early years were idyllic, she described her teenage years as deeply turbulent, shaped by family conflict, emotional isolation and a growing mental health struggle. At just 15 years old, she overdosed at a Blue Light disco, an event she says became a turning poi...

A new virtual reality treatment developed in New Zealand is offering hope to people living with debilitating phobias and anxiety, using immersive technology to recreate the situations they fear most. Speaking on Newstalk ZB’s “Nutters Club”, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explored how exposure therapy is evolving through personalized VR exposure therapy powered by generati...

This week’s episode of The Nutters Club explored the lifelong impact of childhood trauma, the burden of anger, and the transformative power of forgiveness through the story of Glen Green. Growing up in East Auckland, Glen described a childhood marked by domestic violence, fear, and instability. As a young boy, he and his younger sister would hide upstairs while their parents fought. One defining m...

A New Zealand actress is using her personal story of addiction, mental illness and recovery to spark national conversations about stigma and healing, following the release of a new television series inspired by her life. Speaking on The Nutters Club , actress and writer Holly Shervey detailed how her series  Crackhead draws heavily on her own experiences, including being admitted to a psychia...

A New Zealand woman diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease has transformed a life-changing diagnosis into a remarkable journey of endurance, perspective and purpose, undertaking thousands of kilometres of long-distance walking across Europe. Jennifer Andrewes, originally from Dunedin, first noticed symptoms more than a decade ago, when an unexplained tremor began affecting her ability to p...

Hosted by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald alongside addiction specialist Suzy Morrison, this weeks episode of The Nutters Club explored how early life experiences can shape later struggles. Andrea recounted a childhood marked by instability, frequent moves, and shifting family dynamics, attending 13 different primary schools. While she developed humour as a coping mechanism and found some stability...

A deeply personal account of anxiety, loss and recovery took centre stage on this week’s The Nutters Club, as guest Cam Madsen shared his journey from a carefree coastal upbringing to confronting severe mental health challenges. Raised in the tight-knit beach community of Waihi Beach, Madsen described an upbringing that many would consider idyllic filled with surfing, rugby, music and strong famil...

This weeks episode of The Nutters Club, explored how everyday anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, and why understanding the process is key to recovery. The episode focused on panic attacks, intense physical episodes that can include sweating, racing heart, dizziness, and overwhelming fear. Williams shared his own experience with panic triggered by heights, recalling a frightening moment while...

The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, delved into the importance of initiating real-world conversations about mental health and the positive outcomes that can arise from such discussions. This week’s episode focused on how individuals can support others struggling with mental health challenges. ​The hosts emphasised the power of simpl...

Auckland man Shelwin Khan was just 14 when addiction first took hold. By 15, he had overdosed, blacked out and woken in a police cell before being admitted to a youth psychiatric ward. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager, he faced years of instability, cycling between substance use, hospital admissions and attempts at recovery. This week on The Nutters Club on NewstalkZB, Khan shared the...

This weeks episode revisited a remarkable act of generosity from December 2025, when a caller named Steve shared his struggles with health issues and mobility challenges. ​Steve, who lives alone and relies on a motor vehicle due to breathing problems and a tumour, revealed his car was in need of costly repairs. During the live broadcast, a listener named Katie from Christchurch offered to donate a...

The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, delved into the complexities of family relationships and their impact on mental health. The show, featured heartfelt stories and practical advice on navigating family dynamics, estrangement, and emotional challenges. ​ The discussion began with an exploration of why family relationships can be mor...

Guest Mike Lee shared his inspiring journey of overcoming severe physical and mental health challenges. ​ Mike, a former firefighter, lifeguard, and ambulance officer, recounted his experiences with a rare autoimmune condition, IgG4-related disease, which affects only 1.8 people per million. ​ His health struggles began in 2017 when he woke up with severe pain that led to a series of hospital visi...

In this weeks episode, Psychotherapist Kyle McDonald emphasised the critical role of perspective in maintaining mental health. ​ He explained that perspective helps individuals focus on what they can control, rather than being overwhelmed by external stressors or events beyond their influence. McDonald highlighted the importance of mindfulness and being intentional about the information we consume...

The Nutters Club, began its 2026 season with an inspiring episode on creating plans to support mental well-being throughout the year. ​ The episode centred on the challenges of New Year’s resolutions, which often feel burdensome or lead to feelings of failure. ​ Instead, the hosts encouraged listeners to reframe their goals in a way that motivates and supports mental health. ​ They emphasised the...

The final episode of The Nutters Club, on NewstalkZB, aired amidst the unfolding tragedy of a shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. Host Hamish Williams opened the show by addressing the devastating incident, which occurred just hours before the broadcast.  As details of the tragedy continued to emerge, Williams and producer Boris Sokratov shifted the focus of the show to highlight the...

Hamish Williams, host of The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB, recently welcomed the show’s producer, Boris Sokratov, to share his personal journey of battling two rare forms of cancer. The episode, which aired on Sunday night, focused on the intersection of physical health challenges and mental resilience. Boris revealed that his health struggles began in 2023 when he underwent two surgeries for a rar...

The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle McDonald, focused on the challenges the festive season can pose to mental health. ​The show explored how the holidays, while often joyful, can also bring stress, financial strain, and relationship tensions. ​ The hosts emphasised the importance of planning ahead to manage the season’s unique pressures. ​ The...

Anton Blank, a writer, researcher, and former social worker, shared his deeply personal journey of navigating identity, addiction, and recovery, offering a powerful insight into the challenges of growing up feeling different and finding purpose through adversity. Born in New Zealand to a Māori mother and a Swiss father, Blank’s childhood was shaped by a unique blend of cultures. ​Raised in a predo...

Warren Phillip, the General Manager of Essentially Men, experienced a personal journey of transformation, that coupled with the importance of mental health support for men has seen his work impact countless others. Speaking about his experience, Warren revealed how attending a retreat with his son over a decade ago became a turning point in his life, helping him confront his emotions and improve h...

In the latest episode of The Nutters Club, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle McDonald delved into the critical topics of perseverance, resilience, and mental health. This week’s discussion cantered on the importance of developing resilience and the ability to persevere through difficult times. ​With the cost of living rising and many facing job insecurity, the conversation explored how...