A young, anxious introvert throws himself into acting, chasing the ego-hit and visibility of performance, only to discover he’s technically not a strong actor but gifted at something else: holding space. That realisation nudges him into directing and facilitation, where he can shape kinder, safer environments for others than the harsh, high-pressure auditions that once shredded his nerves. Theatre leads him to a deeper fascination with storytelling as a tool for connection, advocacy, and influencing the world — a skillset that ultimately proves more valuable to his mental health work than his formal sociology training. While studying a master’s in Text and Performance in London, he’s mugged at knifepoint in a park. The incident unleashes severe anxiety, voice-hearing, and an experience later framed as psychosis. Within weeks he’s cycled through several clinicians and given a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. With little information and no lived-experience stories to draw on, he chooses not to leave his studies but to make his unfolding mental health crisis the subject of his thesis and a touring theatre show. Returning to New Zealand, he enters early psychosis services, begins advocacy and poetry around mental health, and builds an identity around the schizophrenia label—only to be told years later that it was likely a misdiagnosis. The misdiagnosis shatters his sense of self and brings waves of guilt, anger, and confusion, but it also pushes him to re-examine power, diagnosis, and stigma—especially the way labels like schizophrenia, bipolar, and personality disorders get entangled with distress, gender, and “monstrous” media narratives. Over time, he shifts from seeing himself as broken or dangerous to using his experiences to design spaces where others who feel monstrous, anxious, or out of place can be held with honesty, agency, and dignity.

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, James opens up about his journey from surviving childhood abuse, addiction, and mental health struggles to discovering purpose, healing, and hope. Together, we explore the realities many men face but rarely speak about—shame, silence, anger, anxiety, and the long road toward recovery. James shares how peer support, lived experience, community, and one person believing in him changed the direction of his life. From battling trauma to becoming a co-facilitator helping other men, his story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the strength that comes from speaking truth.

This episode follows Scottie’s remarkable path through women’s football history and into the world of Muay Thai and community. From a casual kick-around in Germany to representing New Zealand during a time when women’s football had little support, she recalls fundraising for tournaments, training in church halls, wearing men’s hand-me-downs, and winning the inaugural 1975 Asian Cup long before the Football Ferns were officially recognised.

Scottie reflects on the joys, setbacks, lasting friendships, injuries that changed her direction, and the emotional weight of finally receiving her debut cap almost fifty years later. Beyond the pitch, she shares her journey of running half-marathons, taking up kickboxing at forty-eight, and building deep connections through teaching and Muay Thai.

This is a conversation about courage, humility, and finding community—a tribute to a woman who helped lay the foundations of the game in Aotearoa long before the world chose to notice.

In this moving conversation, Stephen Worthington reflects on his journey of letting go, healing, and rediscovering himself after loss. Leaving behind a stable career in the UK, Stephen travelled across Aotearoa in a van, seeking meaning beyond comfort and certainty. Through moments of solitude, awe, and self-reflection, he learned that growth often begins where stability ends. His story is a reminder that life’s beauty unfolds when we slow down, listen deeply, and allow ourselves to simply be.

In this heartfelt episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Ivan sits down with Aidan — a young thinker whose honesty and depth reveal what it truly means to grow up between cultures. Adopted from China and raised in New Zealand, Aidan shares his journey of identity, confusion, and self-discovery. Together, Ivan and Aidan explore what it’s like to live between worlds — East and West, expectation and individuality, tradition and self-expression. They talk about anxiety, family expectations, and the courage it takes to question what’s been handed down to you. This is more than a story about youth or cultural identity — it’s a conversation about healing, authenticity, and learning to understand yourself in a world that doesn’t always make sense.

After more than 1,300 shows, Sheldon Brown reflects on the extraordinary journey behind Take It From Us — New Zealand’s longest-running mental health radio show. In this heartfelt conversation, Sheldon shares how he turned lived experience into purpose, using radio as a bridge for voices once silenced. From his early years caring for his mother, to decades spent amplifying others’ stories, Sheldon’s work has brought the essence of humanity — vulnerability, humour, and heart — into the public conversation about mental health.

In this deeply honest and moving conversation, Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, joins Ivan to talk about life, leadership, and what it truly means to live with authenticity.

Shaun opens up about his journey — from growing up as a minister’s son to finding purpose through service, from confronting depression and bipolar disorder to leading one of the country’s most influential mental health organisations. He speaks candidly about fatherhood, vulnerability, and the lifelong process of learning to accept oneself.

This episode is not about titles or achievements. It’s about being human — the quiet courage to hold both strength and softness, to lead with heart, and to find meaning in suffering.

For anyone who’s ever struggled to feel “enough,” this conversation is a reminder that authenticity is not perfection — it’s presence, acceptance, and the willingness to grow.

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the power of storytelling as a pathway through grief, loss, and healing. Our guests share deeply personal reflections on how podcasts and peer support can create connection and hope in the aftermath of suicide.

Together, we discuss the importance of community, compassion, and cultural understanding in the way we hold space for grief.

The conversation also explores how workplaces and families can better support those who are grieving, the importance of celebrating lives rather than just mourning their loss, and the vital role of self-care for individuals supporting others. It’s an episode that reminds us grief is not something to “get over” — it’s something we grow through. Healing and grief can coexist, and through storytelling, we learn that we are never truly alone.

Support and Resources in Aotearoa New Zealand

If this conversation brings up difficult emotions or memories, please know that help and connection are always available.

Reaching out for support is a sign of strength — you are not alone.

Need to talk?

• Call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counsellor. It’s completely confidential and available 24/7 anywhere in Aotearoa.

Other Helplines and Support:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 | Free text 4357 (HELP)

• Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

• Youthline: 0800 376 633 | Free text 234

• Samaritans: 0800 726 666

Community and Bereavement Support:

• Solace Support Auckland — a group offering comfort and understanding for those who have lost a loved one. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups/group/solace-support-auckland

• Community Support Groups — find peer-led groups across Aotearoa. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups Suicide

• Bereavement Groups — spaces for shared healing and understanding. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups?category=SuicideBereavementGroups

• Aoake te Rā – Bereaved by Suicide Services — free, nationwide support for individuals and whānau affected by suicide.https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/

Further Information and Resources:

• Mental Health Foundation – Main Site https://mentalhealth.org.nz/ Suicide Prevention Resources https://mentalhealth.org.nz/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention-resources

• Accessing Mental Health Services https://mentalhealth.org.nz/help/accessing-mental-health-services

• Suicide Prevention in the Workplace https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/resource/suicide-prevention-in-the-workplace Helplines & Support https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines

• In Crisis? Find Help Here https://mentalhealth.org.nz/help

• Suicide Prevention – Changing the Narrative on Suicide. How to communicate safely about suicide in media, online and at events (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKkdxgKx1Vw&t=28s

• Suicide Prevention and Community Support Webinar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz75-aVHhLI

In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Dave Burnside — a lived experience leader whose story spans addiction, incarceration, and recovery, to becoming a national voice for peer support and prison reform. Dave shares how one pivotal moment in a prison cell sparked a journey of transformation, leading him to champion lived experience in education, policy, and leadership. We discuss the power of peer support, the challenges of working within systems that often silence marginalised voices, and the urgent need to empower communities to lead change. Dave’s courage to turn inward, reimagine identity, and use his story for collective transformation is both humbling and inspiring. If you’ve ever wondered how lived experience can truly reshape systems, spark hope, and create movements for justice and wellbeing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

What happens when you step outside your comfort zone and say yes to the unknown? 🌍 In this inspiring conversation, Sarah Hammouda shares her journey from New Zealand to Canada on a working holiday visa — a leap that turned into two years of adventure, resilience, and leadership lessons. From tiny staff housing and freezing winters to skiing to work and finding lifelong friends, Sarah discovered the power of humility, teamwork, and women’s leadership. We also explore how leaving home helped her rediscover what home really means, the importance of preparation, and how challenges become opportunities for growth. Whether you’re thinking about working overseas, curious about leadership, or simply love hearing real human stories of courage and connection, this episode is for you.

At 18, Raymond Wong arrived in Aotearoa as an international student, navigating language barriers, culture shock (remember when shops closed at 5!), and the challenge of finding his place. Two years later he joined NZ Police, eventually becoming the country’s first full-time Asian Ethnic Police Liaison (2003). Over 22+ years he helped pioneer community policing with Asian and refugee communities—building trust in places where police were once feared, recruiting local volunteers, and using his multilingual skills to bridge crises big and small. As a father, cases like the kidnapping of a young girl hit close to home, reminding him that empathy is the heart of service. Raymond reflects on resilience, teamwork, and humility—crediting colleagues, community, and his wife’s steadfast support. From tracing his roots back to Fuzhou to mentoring younger staff, his message to new migrants is simple: stay humble, listen, learn, and use common sense about safety. This is a story of becoming—a migrant, a parent, and a bridge-builder—shaped by Aotearoa New Zealand.

Exploring the 1.5 generation’s journey through migration, cultural identity, mental health, neurodivergence, and the impact of social media. This conversation examines the lived experiences of the 1.5 generation, particularly in relation to migration, cultural identity, and mental health in New Zealand. It highlights the challenges of navigating intergenerational expectations, language barriers, and the added complexities of neurodivergence. The discussion explores authenticity, personal expression, and the influence of family dynamics on shaping identity. It also discussed the creativity and storytelling emerge as powerful tools for leadership, connection, and personal growth, showing how even small actions can ripple into meaningful change.

This conversation unpacks cultural norms and social expectations across Asia and New Zealand, exploring how they shape class, identity, and communication. It examines the influence of language and intent, the rise of social media in reshaping relationships, and the loneliness faced by young men. Through storytelling and creativity, the discussion highlights the power of community, the importance of celebrating achievements, and the role of empowerment in fostering genuine connection.

In this conversation, Ivan and Monika explore the intersection of yoga, spirituality, and community healing. Monika shares her journey from marine science to becoming a yoga teacher and caretaker of Golden Yogi, emphasising the importance of bridging scientific understanding with spiritual practices. They discuss the significance of creating a safe space for individuals to heal and connect, the diverse offerings at the studio, and the personal experiences that shape their understanding of energy and community. Monika's insights into the interconnectedness of all things and the power of intention resonate throughout the dialogue, highlighting the transformative potential of yoga and mindfulness. For more information on Golden Yoga, visit https://goldenyogi.co.nz/