This week on Hopeless Romantics, we get a chance to see the softer side of NZ broadcast legend Nickson Clark, and honestly, we’re still recovering.
Nickson lets us into the love story at the centre of his life with Sarah. Before the nappies and the gentle chaos of new parenthood, it was just the two of them figuring out who they wanted to be together and the kind of life they wanted to build.
We talk about the intentional way he and Sarah want to raise their son, why kindness is the non-negotiable in their home, and how becoming a parent has forced him to slow down, breathe and learn a whole lot of patience.
It’s honest, emotional and full of those little moments that remind us why love is always worth it.
Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz
LINKS:
Follow Nickson on instagram
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
CREDITS
Host: Ash London
Editor: Lily Gichard
Social Producer: Lily Gichard
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
34:02
--------
34:02
What Love Actually has ACTUALLY Taught Us About Love
Christmas has fully landed at Hopeless Romantics and honestly, we’re thriving. This week Damaris Treasure jumps back in with us as we revisit one of the greatest festive films of all time, Love Actually, and unpack what it has actually taught us about love.
We break down the big storylines that still hit hard as adults. Mark and Juliet’s placard moment, Harry and Karen’s heartbreak, Jamie and Aurelia’s whirlwind fantasy, Sarah and Carl’s almost-love, and the unexpectedly beautiful bond between Billy Mack and his manager. Some of it is romantic, some of it is messy, and some of it is just painfully real.
It’s our Christmas deep dive with a little Aussie/Kiwi/Brit honesty, a lot of laughter, and a few emotional gut punches along the way. Merry Christmas, darling.
Find every episode and discover your next favourite podcast on the rova app or rova.nz
LINKS:
Follow Damaris on substack
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
CREDITS
Host: Ash London
Producer: Ash London
Social Producer: Lily Gichard
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
32:42
--------
32:42
Kaylee Bell and The Magic Of A Good Christmas Love Song
We’re going FULL FESTIVE ROMANCE this week with the brilliant country superstar Kaylee Bell, who drops in to talk Christmas music, big feelings and the joy of giving back.
Kaylee tells us the story behind her brand new Christmas single, written years ago in a Nashville flat full of fairy lights and mates who loved the season as much as she does. After her little one arrived earlier this year and spent time at Starship, she wanted to do something meaningful. So now every Spotify playlist add sends one dollar to Starship. Absolute angel behaviour.
We also dive into our favourite modern Christmas songs, why December turns everyone into a nostalgic romantic mess, and how the season forces us all to slow down, take stock and maybe even admit who we actually want under the mistletoe.
It’s cosy, it’s silly, it’s heartfelt and it’s very us.
LINKS:
Listen to Kaylee's new Christmas track here
Follow Kaylee on instagram
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
CREDITS
Host: Ash London
Producer: Ash London
Social Producer: Lily Gichard
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
28:13
--------
28:13
'A Merry Little Ex-mas' Kicks Off Our Christmas Reviews
We’re officially in Christmas mode, team. Alice James is back and we’re diving straight into Netflix’s newest holiday movie, A Merry Little Ex-mas.
This week we break down the Alicia Silverstone and Oliver Hudson flick using our very scientific Hopeless Romantics scoring matrix. We talk daddy energy, vegan treacle tarts, snowstorms that don’t quite hit the mark, and the surprisingly relatable heartbreak of divorced parents trying to keep the peace at Christmas. Plus we unpack the chaos of their side characters, the lack of magic, and why Jameela Jamil’s character had us both yelling at the screen.
Stick around for our final score, what made us laugh out loud, and the big celebrity comeback energy that carried the whole thing. And yes, we manifest a Hilary Duff x Chad Michael Murray Christmas movie because the world deserves nice things.
LINKS:
Follow Alice on tikok
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
CREDITS
Host: Ash London
Producer: Ash London
Social Producer: Lily Gichard
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
--------
29:20
--------
29:20
Nobody Wants This Season 2: Love, Ick and Lost Riz
Alice James is back (now with added newborn!) to debrief season two, and honestly… we have a lot of feelings. We still loved the show, but the spark wasn’t quite sparking, and both of us found ourselves grieving the loss of Noah’s Seth Cohen energy. WHERE DID THE RIZ GO?
We get into it all: the muddled editing, the sudden plot jumps, the confusing ex-girlfriend coffee, the necklace disaster, and the supporting characters who should’ve carried the whole season. Sasha’s glow-up, Esther’s softer edges, Morgan’s chaos… all the good stuff was right there, but so much of it felt under-used.
If you watched season two and felt both loyal and sliiiiiiiightly disappointed, you’re very much not alone.
LINKS:
Follow Ash on tikok and instagram
Follow the podcast on instagram
Order Ash's debut novel Love on the Air
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast for everyone who loves love. Join Ash London as she navigates the worlds of real-life relationships, relishes in her favourite romantic stories, and ultimately attempts to better understand the human heart in all its glory.
New Zealand