Kiwi Yarns

Today we re-visit my yarn with the first comedian I ever saw live and rest assured she’s been a favourite ever since! The award-winning Justine Smith took her first gig as a dare - and to sound cliché the rest is history. But, as you'll hear, the rest took time, patience and bloody hard work. She won the Billy T Award in 2003, and has been the winner of the Award for Best Female Performer from the NZ Comedy Guild an incredible four times.

Today we re-visit a yarn I had with a man, I feel like it’s fair to say, we all know and love - Sir John Kirwan. JK had a remarkable rugby career as a World Cup winning All Black, played rugby league for the Auckland Warriors, has been a respected international coach, and of course is a major figure in Aotearoa as a mental health advocate. Being one of the first high profile New Zealanders, to talk about depression and mental health, JK plays a massive role in this space - he is remarkable to watch and learn from. He also has a wine company, is an amazing TV Presenter and Rugby commentator, and really bloody fantastic man. This podcast was EVERYTHING I needed to hear at the moment - so I best let him invoice me for one of the most valuable therapy sessions ever! Hope you get something from it too.

I am absolutely fizzing at the bung to bring you our last guest for 2024! It’s Christmas week, so we are so lucky to have the absolute kitchen QUEEN, Allyson Gofton, here to send us all on our merry way. She hosted the best 60 seconds of television we used to have, Food in a Minute (campaign to bring it back), and the nostalgia in this chat is all there. I was so excited to meet Allyson and to hear about her amazing career, her journey to becoming a mother, and her outlook on life.  She was even more amazing than I had imagined possible - and she brought Pavlova and homemade relishes and sauces in. HOW GOOD. Merry Christmas everyone and thank you so much for your continued support. Cannot wait to rip back in next year.

Pro surfer Billy Stairmand is gearing up for a summer at home with his dog Obie at his beloved Raglan after a massive year of surfing, including competing at the Paris Olympics (in Tahiti). Billy's been on the world stage for 14 years and still has the same energy and love for the sport, describing it as his dream job he's grateful for every day. What's amazing about Billy is he isn't afraid to open up about his feelings, and the highs and lows of being a professional athlete. He's a great role model for surfing, and an integral part of our sports culture.