Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour sits down with Paula Bennett for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond politics. They talk about growing up, losing his mum young, volunteering, identity, privacy, Dancing With the Stars, being “quirky” in public life, and why trying to be someone else is a waste of time. There’s also talk of leadership, changing your mind, taking risks, and what actually makes public service worth it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paula Bennett sits down with the one and only Tom Sainsbury — comedian, writer, actor, director, and the man who once made a career out of taking the mickey out of her. They talk voiceover work, brand ambassadorships, introvert life, and the unexpected success of Tom’s hit true-crime parody Small Town Scandal, now back with Season 3. Tom explains how he builds dozens of characters, why Formica tables are comedy gold, and how the podcast is being adapted into an eight-part TV series with an international cast. They also look back on their Give Us a Clue days, compare notes on public life, and unpack the strange parasocial relationship they’ve had since 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode of Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett features entrepreneur and philanthropist Charlotte Lockhart, co-founder of the 4 Day Week Global movement. Charlotte opens up about her life, her years living in the Middle East, and the ideas that helped spark a worldwide rethink of productivity and work. She also speaks candidly about receiving an incurable stage-four breast cancer diagnosis after 17 years cancer-free, and the clarity it’s given her about what really matters. From reshaping workplaces to reshaping her own life, Charlotte shares insight, humour, and hard-won wisdom on how to live with purpose, protect your time, and focus on what counts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melodie Robinson is a force to be reckoned with. The former Black Fern, World Rugby exec and commentator joins Paula to talk ambition, identity and surviving in tough environments. Mel talks about growing up in a complicated household, fighting for basic resources in women’s rugby, breaking barriers at Sky Sport and building a career in male-dominated spaces. She shares her advice on bounce back routines, support networks, leadership and why intentionality matters more than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suzanne Paul is something of a national treasure. The pocket rocket first burst onto our screens in the 90s, promoting Natural Glow and its "thousands of luminous spheres." In the years since she's become a fixture on our screens and in magazines with a string of successes and a sprinkling of failures along the way. At nearly 70 she's launched a new podcast 'Fork's Sake' and is showing no sign of stopping. The infomercial queen joins Paula to talk about the difficult childhood that shaped her determined spirit, how she dealt with rejection after rejection and the advice that still guides her every day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.