When I Grow Up

• Representing Aotearoa with Stacey Waaka

  In this episode of When I Grow Up, Sienna dreams of one day playing professional rugby, representing the Black Ferns, and winning World Cups and gold medals - just like Stacey Waaka. Together with her Dad Ben, she sits down with Stacey to hear the story of one of New Zealand’s most inspiring athletes. From growing up with a huge whānau in the Bay of Plenty to performing on the world sports stage, Stacey’s journey is full of perseverance, courage, and determination. She’s overcome injuries, faced setbacks, and made bold choices to follow her passion - playing Sevens, Fifteens, and even Rugby League - all while proudly representing Aotearoa. This conversation covers: ● Growing up with a large whānau on a farm, moving between New Zealand and Australia, and the role being active and playing sport played in her early life ● Surviving a serious school bus accident as a teen, and the lessons it taught about courage and helping others in a time of need ● The journey from dreaming of playing netball to discovering rugby, navigating school competitions, trials, and big life decisions ● Life as a Black Fern - managing nerves, injuries, and the intense physical, mental, and emotional demands, plus standout moments on the world stage ● Staying motivated, fearless, and positive, while finding joy in the game and inspiring the next generation ● What she would tell her teenage self - and whether Ben could handle handing out oranges for the Black Ferns! From overcoming challenges to achieving at the highest level, Stacey’s story is a powerful reminder that with dedication, resilience, and heart, you can chase your dreams - and enjoy the journey along the way. Follow The Podcast on Socials: TikTok: Ben | Sienna | The Hits Instagram: Ben | Sienna | The Hits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Overcoming Injury and Inspiring Children with Emma Watkins

  In this episode of When I Grow Up, Sienna and her Dad Ben sit down (over Zoom) with Emma Watkins - formerly the Yellow Wiggle, now Emma Memma - as Sienna dreams of following in her footsteps as a children’s entertainer. From dancing around the house as a kid to performing for millions of children worldwide, Emma’s journey is full of perseverance, passion, and fun. Together, they talk about performing, rejection and chasing your dreams. In this conversation, we cover: ● Emma’s early love of dance and advice for teens who want to perform, dance, or create their own path ● Overcoming a serious high school dance injury that unexpectedly led her toward a career in children’s entertainment ● Auditioning, handling rejection, and learning to never give up ● Joining The Wiggles, putting on the yellow skivvy for the first time and navigating negative public scrutiny ● Life behind the scenes as a Wiggle — the intense schedule, celebrity fans, and surprising moments including almost crashing the Big Red Car! ● Why she decided to leave The Wiggles and embrace the next challenge with such positivity and ignore those who questioned her decision ● Creating Emma Memma, making sign language a core part of her work, and the joy of entertaining millions around the world ● What Emma would tell her teenage self… and whether she’d take “Ben Hen” on tour with her! From overcoming setbacks to creating new opportunities, Emma’s story is a reminder that the path to your dreams is rarely a straight line. Whether you’re a teen figuring out what you want to be or simply love a story about persistence, this episode is full of laughs, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes insights into life as a children’s entertainer. Follow The Podcast on Socials: TikTok: Ben | Sienna | The Hits Instagram: Ben | Sienna | The Hits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Finding Purpose Through Sport with Dame Valerie Adams

  In the first episode of Season 2, Sienna and her Dad Ben, sit down with one of New Zealand’s greatest athletes, Dame Valerie Adams - someone she hopes to be like! With Olympic gold medals, World Championship titles, and a career that has inspired a nation, Dame Valerie’s story is nothing short of legendary. What makes this conversation so special is Valerie’s honesty about the challenges she faced growing up - from struggling to fit in as a teenager, to finding her purpose through sport, and building resilience through setbacks and injuries. This conversation covers: ● Growing up with very little and feeling out of place as a teen because of her height ● Finding her purpose through sport and the mentors who guided her ● Handling setbacks, the effort it takes, and what it’s like competing on the world stage at the Olympic Games ● The achievements from Olympic Glory, becoming a Dame, having a Barbie doll made in her honour and where she keeps her medals! ● What Dame Valerie would tell her younger self and will she help Ben move rocks at home on the weekend!? This episode is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, you can achieve extraordinary things - and you don’t need to have it all figured out when you’re young (or at any age). Follow The Podcast on Socials: TikTok: Ben | Sienna | The Hits Instagram: Ben | Sienna | The Hits See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• When I Grow Up Season 2 Trailer

  Like most teenagers, Sienna Boyce is still figuring out what she wants to be - an actor, scientist, rugby player, singer, chef… maybe even a TikTok star. So, she’s teamed up with her Dad, Ben Boyce, to chat with incredible women from New Zealand and around the world who’ve built inspiring careers. Each episode dives into their journeys - from humble beginnings to big achievements - and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. The goal? To give Sienna (and young people everywhere) the confidence to dream big and discover what’s possible. And the best part? It proves that even the most successful people didn’t have it all figured out when they were young either! Follow The Podcast on Socials: TikTok: Ben | Sienna Instagram: Ben | Sienna | The HitsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Inspiration through comedy with Urzila Carlson

  Warning: Due to Urzila's job of making adults laugh, this episode may not be appropriate for younger ears as our episodes usually are. If you have a tween it should be fine, but any younger and you may want to listen through on your own first In Episode 17 of When I Grow Up, Sienna and her Dad, Ben, sit down with the hilarious Urzila Carlson to chat about her incredible journey in comedy. From her humble beginnings in South Africa to touring the globe and making audiences laugh on hit TV shows like 7 Days in New Zealand, The Masked Singer in Australia, and even starring in her own Netflix special, Urzila's story is nothing short of inspiring. Taking a Chance: Urzila shares how comedy wasn’t part of her life plan—it all began as a dare from her workmates to try stand-up. That one bold move changed everything, setting her on an unexpected path to becoming a world-class comedian. What You Grow Up With Doesn’t Define You: Growing up with little money in South Africa, Urzila faced challenges, including some frightening experiences that motivated her to seek a better life. Despite these hardships, she has always found ways to stay positive, laugh at herself, and embrace the lessons life throws her way—including the confidence it takes to stand up on stage. Failing to Succeed: Comedy doesn’t come easy, and Urzila talks candidly about learning through failure. She explains how the times she didn’t succeed on stage helped her refine her craft, her commitment to writing every day, and the importance of practicing relentlessly before performing. Her authenticity and ability to connect with audiences have become her superpowers, proving that embracing both the highs and the lows is key to success. This episode is packed with belly laughs and unforgettable stories—don’t miss it! About The Show: Sienna Boyce is 14 years old and constantly tells her Dad, Ben Boyce, what she wants to be when she grows up – an actor, scientist, rugby player, singer, chef or politician. Each episode of ‘When I Grow Up’ aims to showcase inspirational females from around Aotearoa and shine a light on them, what it takes to do their job and learn about their story of how they got to where they are so that Sienna can help make up her mind. This is a podcast to help the teenager in your life dream big. Follow The Podcast on Socials: TikTok: Ben | Sienna Instagram: Ben | Sienna | The HitsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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