Media chaplain and broadcaster Rev Frank Ritchie sits down with top New Zealand journalists to unpack that one story that most impacted them, personally and pro...
When Elesha Gordon opened up publicly about her workplace anxiety, she discovered many other journalists in the same boat. Now she’s leading Media Chaplaincy, tackling burnout, trauma, and stress in the industry. After years of threats, stresses and traumas as a reporter, Elesha Gordon shared her personal story in a blog. She was surprised to see how many fellow journalists had similar struggles, revealing the widespread pressures faced by those who work in news.Now at the helm of Media Chaplaincy NZ, Elesha leads a nationwide team of chaplains who are committed to providing confidential support and encouragement to media personnel at no cost.In this conversation with broadcaster and fellow media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Elesha discusses her experiences in journalism, how she’s helping others remain in media, and her long-term vision for mental health in the industry.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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40:49
Heather du Plessis-Allan | Locked Down, Left Behind
Struck by the disconnect between Wellington bureaucrats and frustrated Aucklanders stuck in Covid lockdown, Heather du-Plessis Allan held the country’s leaders to account in tenacious style.When Heather du-Plessis Allan visited the capital in 2021, she was taken aback by how indifferent Wellington bureaucrats seemed about the frustration building among Aucklanders trapped in a months-long Covid lockdown.Fueled by a frustration with the lack of scrutiny on the lockdown’s effectiveness, and strong backing from her Newstalk ZB audience, du-Plessis Allan’s persistent questioning of New Zealand’s top officials helped keep them accountable.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Heather reflects on her adaptation to talkback host on Newstalk ZB, her redundancy from Mediaworks, and how a shouting match with Jacinda Ardern helped form her into a tough interviewer.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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42:28
Abigail Dougherty | Terror in the Garden City
When the call came in about a mass shooting, visual journalist Abigail Dougherty jumped on the first plane to Christchurch. The images she captured powerfully communicated the sorrow of New Zealand’s darkest day.As Abigail Dougherty prepared to clock off for the week, a call came in about a mass shooting in Christchurch. Put on the next flight with nothing but her camera, her task was to capture the anguish of what would later be known as New Zealand’s darkest day.Abigail’s heart-wrenching photos and videos for Stuff in the aftermath of the mosque terror attack captured the horror of what occurred that day, providing a visceral accompaniment to reports of the shockwaves it was sending through the community.In this conversation with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Abigail recounts her surreal, emotional coverage of March 15, how she manages covering traumatic events, and how an unexpected trip to Papua New Guinea gave her a start in visual journalism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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51:09
Shayne Currie | A Tribute to Jodi
As broadcaster Simon Barnett came to terms with his wife Jodi’s fatal illness, Shayne Currie came alongside the family to tell their story. His tender piece allowed the family to process their grief and honour Jodi’s life.When it was clear his wife Jodi had just weeks to live, broadcaster Simon Barnett called NZME Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie to let him know it was the right time for an interview.Shayne’s sensitive and compassionate story – which enabled Simon and their four daughters to tell Jodi’s story, and reflect on her legacy of love – gave space for the family to process their grief and pay tribute to a “perfect” wife and mother.In this interview with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Shayne talks about the care he took communicating Jodi’s story, takes a look back on his impressive career, and analyses the rapidly changing face of journalism.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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42:44
Indira Stewart | The Hidden Cost of Poverty
As politicians argued about solutions to poverty during the election cycle, Indira Stewart took the discourse to street level, giving a voice to teens working full-time on top of schooling to support their whanau.Most aspiring reporters don’t have to juggle university, solo motherhood and a benefit to get their start in journalism. But Indira Stewart knew she was born to be a storyteller, and her determination to make it a reality against the odds would ultimately land her in one of the industry’s top jobs.Despite her success, Indira has never forgotten her roots, using her platform to highlight marginalised groups whose stories too often go unheard. During the 2023 election cycle, this saw her give voice to teens working full-time on top of schooling to support their whānau.In this kōrero with broadcaster and media chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, Indira discusses her journey from reality TV star to journalist, her determination to be a role model to Pasifika women, and the courage required to tell truths that are hard to hear.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Media chaplain and broadcaster Rev Frank Ritchie sits down with top New Zealand journalists to unpack that one story that most impacted them, personally and professionally.
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