Authentic leadership doesn’t start on a stage — it starts at home.
In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Ivan and Eva Chen explore the unseen leadership of parenting as a migrant mother: navigating culture, exhaustion, racism, and advocacy in systems that don’t always listen.
From pregnancy and birth to school and identity, Eva shares what it means to raise children between worlds — and why a 52% maths result can be a win.
A powerful reminder that leadership lives in advocacy, emotional safety, and protecting wellbeing.
This video features an intimate, honest conversation between Ivan and Chris, exploring how lived experience of trauma and survival shaped a lifelong commitment to suicide prevention, education, and social change. Chris reflects on creativity as an early lifeline, his unexpected path into teaching and research, and his work around adolescent suicide, men’s mental health, grief, and male survivors of trauma. Together, Ivan and Chris challenge assumptions about masculinity, therapy, and help-seeking, highlighting the power of presence, companionship, and lived experience. The conversation calls for more humane, gender-responsive approaches to mental health—grounded in reality, choice, and the simple truth that healing often begins by not suffering alone.
Ivan talks with Scottie about her journey representing New Zealand in women’s football, including a dangerous post-match incident overseas. They reflect on the early days of the women’s game, the lack of recognition, and the passion, resilience, and pride that came with playing for love of the sport.
Dr. Alexander Stevens II joins Ivan for a deeply human conversation about purpose, identity, and service, beginning with the story behind his name and the journey to completing his PhD. Drawing on lived experiences of violence, trauma, and recovery, Alexander reflects on what shaped his commitment to supporting others through healing and change.
The episode explores racism and bias in Aotearoa, the strength of dignity and mana, and the challenges of doing kaupapa Māori work within Western systems. Alexander also shares how his research led to the creation of StandingTallNZ, a culturally grounded resource supporting men who disclose sexual harm. The conversation closes with reflection, humour, and a grounding karakia on resilience, care, and hope.
Ivan and Dan explore the hidden cost of mental health misdiagnosis and how diagnostic labels can fracture identity without resolving distress. Together, they examine why healthcare systems often treat people in isolation, leaving individuals to rebuild their sense of self alone when diagnoses change but symptoms remain.
The conversation moves into the tension between personal responsibility and collective care, highlighting the limits of clinical solutions without relational support. Drawing on lived experience, they unpack the value of peer support, co-design done with care, and why meaningful mental health recovery must be social, emotional, and community-based—not just clinical.
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 powerful conversation, Kitty Ko reflects on her journey from mentee to mentor, revealing how compassion, resilience, and truth have shaped her life’s work. From building one of New Zealand’s first Asian mental health support networks to pursuing her PhD while living with kidney disease, Kitty embodies what it means to lead with heart. Her story reminds us that authentic leadership begins with humanity and the courage to keep showing up for others.
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/
In this episode, I sit down with Darryl Bishop MNZM to talk about authentic leadership and the future of mental health. We look back on our time working together on Like Minds, Like Mine—one of the most successful and internationally recognised public health programmes designed to challenge stigma and discrimination around mental distress. Widely respected and admired in Aotearoa and beyond, the programme remains a powerful example of what’s possible when lived experience leads the way.
Darryl and I also explore the changes within the mental health sector, the realities of working in not-for-profit organisations, and the challenges still facing many in the field today. It’s an honest and inspiring conversation that connects the past, present, and future of mental health leadership.
Darryl is currently the Group CEO of Ember Group, with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale health projects, and holds qualifications in leadership, mental health, and psychology.
Jordyn Elyse shared her journey from childhood to motherhood, exploring her identity through separation, grief, and vulnerability. She lives her life with authenticity, showing up truthfully—with love and passion. This was a conversation I’ll never forget: a soul-to-soul exchange that many will deeply relate to, touching on heartache and kindness, beauty and grace.
Ivan Yeo and Kevin Harper (He/him), CEO and Chief Enabler of the Changing Minds community, delve into the meaning of authentic leadership in this thought-provoking episode. Kevin, a visionary leader with both wisdom and an inquisitive mind, shares his journey—from the individual to the community, society, and beyond—exploring how challenging and rewarding it can be to lead with authenticity. Their honest conversation centres on lived experience and raises important questions about what it truly takes to be an authentic leader. A powerful and insightful episode you won’t want to miss.
Visit Changing Minds
On the Authentic Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Gary Sutcliffe to hear about his incredible journey through mental health—one that eventually led him into the mental health workforce during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Later in life, just as he and his wife were preparing for retirement, their plans were disrupted by a rare condition called aphasia. It brought unexpected challenges, but together, they found new ways to navigate this unfamiliar terrain. Through it all, Gary remained a steady anchor, not just for his wife but for others around him. Tune in to the episode to hear how his story unfolded—with honesty, strength, and heart.
In this conversation, Eva Chen MNZM reflects on her journey, shaped by family values and quiet but powerful leadership. She shares how challenging authority can be done with grace, and how systems—not communities—often create the biggest barriers. From misaligned translations to the myth of “hard-to-reach” groups, Eva speaks honestly about the gaps she’s witnessed.
She also challenges the stereotype of underqualified Asians, naming how cultural pressures and systemic bias contribute to underemployment. Through it all, Eva stays grounded in service. For her, true leadership is about lifting others up—not seeking the spotlight. One of her proudest moments? Seeing her children helped by strangers she once supported herself.
Being an Asian woman representing her community while staying true to herself has not been an easy path for Eva Chen MNZM. She describes her journey as one of constant learning — shaped by purpose and grounded in service. For Eva, it has always been about the people.
In her earlier years, Eva often faced discrimination. Her youthful appearance led to assumptions and misjudgements — at times even being mistaken for someone’s mistress. These experiences were deeply shaped by patriarchal and authoritarian structures, where women were confined to traditional roles and judged by how they looked. Navigating those expectations, particularly within a collectivist culture, added another layer of complexity. Even today, she observes how these biases can persist, especially in spaces where women from collective cultures are still treated differently based on appearance or age.
Eva’s hope is to empower the next generation of female leaders who come from similar cultural backgrounds — not by telling them who to be, but by sharing what she has learned through lived experience.
In collectivist cultures, asking hard questions is often avoided for fear of appearing rude. But Eva leans into that discomfort. She believes direct conversations with communities reveal truths that data alone can’t show. It's something she often reminds government officials — if we truly want to serve, we must listen first.
Eva’s community spirit is wide-reaching. She is a natural collaborator who builds capacity in others by working alongside different organisations. During COVID-19, she witnessed the gaps in support for ethnic and migrant communities. But Eva didn’t wait for solutions to be designed — she acted. Whether it was visiting a migrant in hospital, or quietly delivering food to families in crisis, she responded without needing recognition, simply because it was needed.
As a former international student and now a mother without extended family support, Eva knows intimately how isolating it can be — especially when caring for a sick child. These lived experiences have shaped her into a deeply empathetic and values-led leader. One of her guiding mottos remains: “Any help is better than no help.” And for those who know her, that’s not just a saying — it’s how she lives.
Eva’s children found a sense of belonging through learning kapa haka, which later inspired them to study te reo Māori. That journey of cultural grounding deepened their identity and shaped Eva’s understanding of connection, belonging, and bicultural practice in Aotearoa.
Over time, Eva’s advocacy extended well beyond her immediate community. She became the CEO of the Wellbeing Charitable Trust, a SKIP Champion. She serves as Co-Chair of Auckland Council’s Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel, continuing her commitment to whānau-centred wellbeing and cross-cultural collaboration.
One of the most meaningful projects Eva has led is the Hawaiki Project — a cultural exchange connecting Indigenous communities in Taiwan with Ngāti Manu in Aotearoa. The project began by bringing Taiwanese Indigenous youth to New Zealand, followed by a reciprocal visit where Ngāti Manu travelled to Taiwan. It took a massive effort to raise funds and make it happen, but the impact was profound.
This project is special because it focuses on genuine connection, not just cultural exchange, but deep and lasting friendships. It traces the shared ancestral roots between Māori and Indigenous Taiwanese peoples, supported by genetic and linguistic research. For many of the young people involved, it offered a stronger sense of identity, belonging, and pride — and showed what’s possible when communities come together with shared purpose and heart.
Sometimes leadership begins with collapse.
In this opening segment of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Lisa shares a raw turning point — depression, serious injury, chronic pain, and a spiritual awakening that dismantled her business identity.
What started as a Kundalini practice for “better flow” became a reckoning: sobriety, surrender, and choosing healing over hustle. From letting go of expansion and ego to moving through grief, ADHD, and dark nights of the soul, this conversation explores what it means to rebuild from truth.
A powerful reminder that authentic leadership emerges when life strips away who you thought you were.