#69: Melodownz – The Price of NZ Fame, Collabs With Denzel Curry and Untold Stories
Melodownz has been on my guest hitlist since starting the show. From tagging in Tāmaki to collaborating with Denzel Curry and Israel Adesanya, and launching a hot sauce brand, running Kava Corner interviewing some of NZ's biggest names, Melowdownz has never been one to stay in his lane. In this episode, we unpack his journey from growing up in Avondale by his solo Mum, the impact of losing close friends to violence and suicide, to the deep personal reflections that have shaped his work today and advice for young people. We explore his early influences, mental health, youth mentoring, and the realities of life behind the music. We also talk about his highly anticipated new album, Melo & Bass, and what this next chapter means for him as both a creative and a man. A candid and powerful kōrero with one of Aotearoa’s most thoughtful voices in hip hop. Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow! Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ Melowdonz Insta – https://www.instagram.com/melowdownz/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde
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#67: Jase Te Patu – Fixing NZ’s Mental Health Crisis, Tips For Mental Wellness and Purpose
Jase Te Patu has lived many lives. World-class athlete, international performer, TEDx speaker, and founder of one of Aotearoa’s most impactful mental health programmes for youth, Hauora Aotearoa. But his story starts in Whanganui, raised by his Nan and Koro, having never met his mum and losing his dad to absence. In this conversation, Jase opens up about the belief he carried for years, that he was unworthy and unlovable, and how that pain drove his pursuit of excellence. We talk about grief, identity, and the state of youth mental health in New Zealand. We also talk about hope, what keeps him going, and what a better future could look like if we’re willing to show up and do the work! Hope you enjoy this episode! Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow! Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Jase Te Patu - https://www.instagram.com/jasetepatu/?hl=en Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde
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1:04:44
#67: Barbara Edmonds – NZ's Future Finance Minister, Growing Up Broke, What Jacinda Was Really Like
The first "honourable" guest on the pod, Barbara Edmonds wears many hats, former Cabinet Minister, specialist tax lawyer, and mother of eight. In this episode, she shares her path into politics, from living in poverty to what she’s learned along the way, and the often unseen realities of life in Parliament. We unpack what it was like working alongside Jacinda Ardern, how she balances family and public service, and the pressures that come with both. Barbara also offers her take on what many young people misunderstand about politics and the economy, and why bridging that gap matters. A thoughtful, grounded conversation with New Zealand's future Finance Minister, Really enjoyed this ep! Hope you do too, regardless of where you sit politically. Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow! Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ Barbara Edmonds Insta – https://www.instagram.com/barbara_edmonds_mp_/?hl=en Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
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1:05:22
#66: Max Tebbs – How I Built a 6 Figure Business At 18 and Worst Mistake With a Supercar
From Cleaning Cars at 13 to Building a Business at 18 – Max Tebbs’ Unfiltered Story. At just 18 years old, Max Tebbs has already built one of Wellington’s leading car detailing businesses. But behind the five-star reviews and growing team is a teenager who started with nothing more than a sponge, a goal, and a relentless drive to prove what’s possible. In this episode, Max opens up about the early days of fundraising for refugees by washing cars at 13, the grind of signing his first studio lease at 17, and the lessons he’s learned from building a business while still finishing high school. We talk about where his business mindset came from, the hardest moments no one sees, his ambitions to grow Clean Car Collective, and the pressure of being young in a world that often doesn’t take you seriously. Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow! Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Clean Car Collective – https://cleancarcollective.co.nz/ Max Tebbs – https://www.instagram.com/max.tebbs/ Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde
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#65: Mungo Bates – Building The Uber of Moving, Going Broke Young and Rebuilding
From fixing phones and running a clothing brand at school, to losing everything and moving to Wellington with nothing, Mungo opens up about the tough moments that shaped him. We talk about his four years managing musician Rhys Rich, becoming a dad at 19, and how he built a removals business from the ground up. Now based in Australia, Mungo reflects on what he’s learned along the way, about work, pressure, family, and figuring things out as you go. A conversation about resilience, mistakes, and moving forward. Really enjoyed this ep, I hope you do too! Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow! Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/ Mungo Bates Insta – https://www.instagram.com/mungobatees/ Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/ Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/ Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/4ZArq1WSsV1pMID1dkHbBL?si=ae3f007dd7794cde
Beyond the Surface is a long-form podcast hosted by Noa Woolloff, featuring some of New Zealand's biggest names. From Paddy Gower, TJ Perenara, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Roberts to Guy Williams, Noa discusses the tools, strategies and stories that have shaped their lives.
The goal: to stamp out tall poppy syndrome and create a platform for more conversations about mental health.
New Zealand