Parents We've Met

Today on the couch we have actor, content producer and mum, Rebecca Randell, though to most of New Zealand she would be better known as Dawn Robinson from the country's longest running drama, Shortland Street.  Rebekah is refreshingly open as she shares with Dayna and Jenny the emotional journey that her and her hubby Bevan went on to become parents, hunkering down in those exhausting first months with a colicky newborn and the delight that she’s now finding in slowing down and embracing simple moments with her daughter.   With Jenny’s help they address the familiar tension of being a busy parent while also wanting to feel ‘productive’ and the magic that can come from re-orientating ourselves to a slower pace with lower expectations in order to lay those all-important ‘lifelong rocks’ for our kids.  Trigger warning: This podcast episode mentions topics related to miscarriage and loss. If you or someone you know is affected by pregnancy loss or infertility, we encourage you to seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. Your well-being matters.  You can find more about our Space ante-natal programme here:  Parents We’ve Met is brought to you by Parenting Place – a charity with a heart for New Zealand families. Explore our self-guided online courses and hundreds of free parenting articles and ideas HERE.  Instagram / Facebook / Tik Tok @parentingplacenz 

Having uncomfortable conversations, recognising blind spots and saying sorry well –  this meaty episode is equal parts earnest and fun. A small disclaimer  - this episode contains mention of sensitive topics around mental health and includes a sprinkle of mild swearing so just be aware if the kids’ are around.  Richie Hardcore is a dad to two boys, a social activist with a Masters in Sociology, a Muay Thai trainer, speaker, advocate and educator working in the space of family and sexual violence protection.   Sitting on the couch with Jenny and Dayna he takes a deep dive into some of the topics and ideas that are close to his heart, including some that don’t get a lot of public airtime. We also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his fatherhood journey and the opportunity it has offered him to peel back layers of past hurt to grow and heal.   With intelligence and candour, Richie reflects on his own upbringing, his journey as a Muay Thai champion, and the importance of giving our boys and young men social permission to be authentic to themselves.   Trigger warning: This podcast episode contains mentions of sensitive topics, including suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please seek support from a mental health professional or connect with Lifeline Aotearoa by texting 4357. Your well-being is important.  Parents We’ve Met is brought to you by Parenting Place – a charity with a heart for New Zealand families. Explore our self-guided online courses and hundreds of free parenting articles and ideas HERE.  Instagram / Facebook / Tik Tok @parentingplacenz 

One of New Zealand’s most-loved TV presenters (former host of The Project), Kanoa Lloyd joins Jenny and Dayna for a thoughtful kōrero on motherhood, her career and the joys of raising a child with all their glorious quirks and qualities.   With Jenny’s expert guidance, we address those big old ‘red-brain’ feelings (namely anger!) that can surface when you become a parent, and the challenge of having a flexible mindset to roll through the waves and changes that inevitably come with this parenting gig.  Kanoa inspires us with tales from her own childhood, and how intentionally she seeks to grow confidence and a great work ethic in her daughter by involving her in everyday tasks (even grating cheese!) that affirm her as capable.   Parents We’ve Met is brought to you by Parenting Place – a charity with a heart for New Zealand families. Explore our self-guided online courses and hundreds of free parenting articles and ideas HERE.  Instagram / Facebook / Tik Tok @parentingplacenz 

Jenny and Dayna are excited to share the couch with New Zealand musician and songwriter Nathan King who has reunited with his former band Zed (after two decades – where did that time go?!) to create a fresh new album, Future Memory.  A doting dad to three young people, Nathan chats candidly about family life and his music career, but also about the complexities of raising a neurodiverse child, from the emotional toll it has taken on the King family unit to the love and resilience that has grown out of their struggles. He and his wife Rachel have navigated many highs and many lows, as you’ll hear in this episode, learning about their son’s unique neurology and advocating for him in a system that they feel isn’t well set up to support his needs. They also delve into some juicy topics like emotions and love languages, quoting psychologist Dr Gordon Neufeld who offers parents some handy tools to help children grow into adults who can ‘turn mad to sad’ and express themselves in healthy ways.   Strap in for a chat filled with hope, wisdom and solidarity for parents facing similar struggles with raising neurodivergent kids.  Parents We’ve Met is brought to you by Parenting Place – a charity with a heart for New Zealand families. Explore our self-guided online courses and hundreds of free parenting articles and ideas HERE.  Instagram / Facebook / Tik Tok @parentingplacenz