Dame Jacinda Ardern on leadership, religion, kindness, the state of the world, and Rhythm and Vines
It's taken seven years of asking (I'm very patient), but I finally get to sit down with our 40th Prime Minister, Dame Jacinda Ardern.
She's beaming in from the other side of the world, but we manage to squeeze in just under an hour to discuss her book, A Different Kind of Power, which is enjoying success across the globe.
We discuss her leadership and having no regrets about departing when she did.
Jacinda shares her insights into the state of the world right now, and why she believes empathy and kindness are more important than ever.
Oh yeah – and that time she tripped over at Rhythm and Vines...
--------
57:54
--------
57:54
Meet Val Smith – New Zealand’s most-capped athlete and two-time lawn bowls world champion
When you talk about (or even Google) celebrated athletes in this country, rugby players usually come up first.
But I want you to meet New Zealand’s most-capped athlete, who has played an astonishing 667 international matches for her country.
She is Val Smith, one of New Zealand’s most successful lawn bowls athletes. She’s a two-time world champion and has another nine world championship medals to her name.
She’s also one of the most wholesome interviews I’ve done in a while – guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart!
--------
1:13:07
--------
1:13:07
Trailblazing drum and bass artist MC Tali on how her fighting spirit drives her past all the people who say no: 'Proving people wrong has always been satisfying'
This week, we're with the trailblazing drum and bass star, award-winning vocalist, MC, producer, composer, music mentor and author - MC Tali, aka Natalia Sheppard.
The girl from rural Taranaki became Aotearoa’s - and one of the world’s - first drum and bass MCs, despite coming up against an industry and people who told her she couldn’t.
We will probably all learn a thing or two about how hard it is to MC a live gig! Tali is an absolute gem - we are lucky to have such a talent in the music industry, and she should be celebrated far and wide.
--------
1:16:16
--------
1:16:16
Dame Julie Christie: 37 years of TV, from reality shows to documentaries, and the power of never taking ‘no’ for an answer
Dame Julie Christie remembers the first show she made back in 1988 as if it were yesterday. Her passion for making television is just as strong 300-odd shows later.
Her eyes nearly roll to the back of her head when we mention the title "reality TV queen" that’s often thrown around to describe her, but there’s no denying Dame Julie was a global leader in the genre.
We discuss the decline of television and what she thinks New Zealand should and could be doing to save the industry here.
--------
1:24:31
--------
1:24:31
Somatic sexologist Morgan Penn is on a mission to educate about consent - and shares the deeply personal reason why
Morgan Penn is the guest I've been most intimate with (you’ll find out how and why - how’s that for a teaser?).
A lot has happened since we last spoke, but Morgan is still out there, openly sharing her journey and educating others. She believes we were never properly taught to value our bodies - and that feeling comfortable in your own skin is one of life’s greatest gifts.
As host of the hugely successful Sex.Life podcast, which has just wrapped its third season, Morgan recently shared a heartbreaking personal story in the final episode - and we talk about it today.
Morgan has always been incredibly open, trusting, and loving. If you’re up for it, there are genuine takeaways for everyone in this episode.
Note: This episode contains conversations about sex and sexual assault, and includes strong language. It may not be suitable for all listeners.
Welcome to Kiwi Yarns - those yarns you have where you sit down, put the kettle on, pour a whiskey or crack open a beer I honestly don‘t mind. Anyway! We‘re sitting down and we’re yarning to some great New Zealanders, their back stories, their front stories, even stories where they went sideways, we will go there. It’s a place where we celebrate the great people of this glorious nation.
New Zealand