Baskets Of Knowledge

Who are you when the labels you've built your life around no longer fit?

In Episode 207 of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Anna and Katie from Brave Conversation Club for an honest conversation about identity, authenticity, grief, spirituality, self-discovery and the courage to have the conversations many of us avoid.

Anna and Katie share their own journeys of moving beyond titles, expectations and the identities they once thought defined them. From corporate careers and personal loss to exhaustion, forced stillness and discovering parts of themselves they had kept hidden, this conversation asks an important question:

Are you living as your true self, or as the person you think everyone else expects you to be?

We explore why losing an identity can feel like grief, how one brave conversation changed the trajectory of both their lives, the importance of pausing and reflecting, and why we need to start showing up for ourselves.

In this episode, we explore:
• Identity and the labels we give ourselves
• Authenticity and being your true self
• Grief, change and life transitions
• Why constantly performing for others becomes exhausting
• Spirituality and bringing your whole self into the world
• The power of one brave conversation
• Why pausing and reflection matter
• How to start showing up for yourself
• Why you may already be enough

This is a conversation for anyone who has ever looked at their life and wondered: Who am I underneath all of this?

🎙️ Guests: Anna and Katie from Brave Conversation Club
🎧 Baskets of Knowledge – Episode 207

What happens when you meet someone again 100 podcast episodes after your first conversation?

Back in Episode 106 of Baskets of Knowledge, Ozair Sahib was an intern pharmacist beginning his professional journey. Now, 100 episodes later, he's back as a qualified pharmacist, Employee of the Year and intern coordinator  and this time, the conversation goes far beyond his career.

Ozair joins us to talk about career growth, confidence, identity, faith, friendship, leadership, personal development and the challenge of becoming a better version of yourself.

We explore what happens when university ends and real working life begins, why transitions can challenge your identity, how to maintain meaningful friendships when life gets busy, and what it takes to step into opportunities when you're not sure you're ready.

We also talk about faith and finding common ground between people, managing different personalities at work, looking after yourself physically and mentally, and why Ozair's proudest moments aren't the awards he's received but the moments where he's been able to help someone else.

And perhaps the biggest lesson?

You don't always need to change the whole world.

Sometimes changing one person's day is enough.

This is a conversation about growth, purpose, connection, confidence and the impact we can have on other people.

🎧 Listen to Episode 206 of Baskets of Knowledge with Ozair Sahib and discover what changed in those 100 episodes.

If you're navigating a career transition, finding your identity, building confidence, managing people or simply trying to become a better human being, there's something here for you.

Five years ago, Fatima Obidi arrived in New Zealand from Afghanistan with one suitcase and the challenge of starting again. Today, she is completing a Bachelor of Business at AUT, working four jobs, supporting her community and creating opportunities for other refugee women.

In this powerful conversation, Fatima shares her journey through language barriers, rejection, education, university, community, public speaking, career opportunities and the mindset that keeps her moving forward.

Her message is simple: “Just keep going.”

But there is much more behind those three words.

Hear how Fatima learned to say yes to opportunities, handle rejection, overcome the fear of judgement, build confidence and surround herself with people who help her grow.

🎧 Listen to Episode 205 of Baskets of Knowledge and discover why Fatima describes herself as unstoppable.

Can you really be happy if you can't control what happens to you?

In Episode 204 of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Manoj Patel, whose remarkable journey has taken him from rural India to working across eight countries, from Chartered Accountant to Mental Health Support Worker, and back into the classroom at 69 years old.

But this conversation isn't really about careers.

It's about perspective.

Manoj shares the mindset that transformed his own life after decades of chasing success, overcoming challenges and learning from people across different cultures.

Throughout this episode we explore:
• Why you can control your actions but never the outcome
• The hidden power of acceptance
• Why genuine human connection heals more than advice
• The role mindset plays in happiness
• Letting go of other people's opinions
• Why education changes more than just your career
• Mental health, empathy and the importance of simply being present
• What travelling the world taught Manoj about people

If you've ever struggled with uncertainty, stress, expectations or trying to control everything around you, this episode offers timeless wisdom that could completely change how you see your own life.

🎧 Listen now and discover why the greatest change doesn't happen outside of you.

It happens inside your mindset.

What happens when a 16-year-old has the wisdom most adults spend decades searching for?

In Episode 203 of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with youth advocate, storyteller, podcaster and Race Unity Speech Awards winner Malak Tamimi.

Growing up between Palestine and Aotearoa New Zealand, Malak shares how identity, culture, family and faith have shaped the person she is becoming.

This isn't simply a conversation about awards or leadership.

It's about finding the courage to own your story.

Together we explore:
• Growing up between Palestine and New Zealand
• The power of storytelling to create meaningful change
• Why authenticity beats perfection every time
• Winning the Race Unity Speech Awards through lived experience
• Youth leadership and creating opportunities for young people
• The importance of belonging and identity
• Balancing advocacy, school and life
• Building confidence and believing in yourself
• Mental health, resilience and avoiding burnout
• Creating impact through your own voice

Whether you're a student, parent, educator, leader or someone trying to find your own voice, this episode will leave you thinking differently about identity, courage and purpose.

🎧 Listen now and discover why your greatest strength may already be inside your own story.

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