After 38 years in suicide prevention, Barry Taylor believes the work is not simply about stopping death—it is about understanding distress and discovering what might invite someone to live. Drawing on his professional knowledge and lived experience of chronic depression and anxiety, Barry speaks about compassion, personhood, hope, purpose and the courage to remain present with another person’s pain.

From saving his allowance for dance lessons in Singapore to performing in Disney’s The Lion King, Jai Jamali’s journey reflects courage, discipline and perseverance. His story reveals the unseen work behind a dream—and how he now uses everything he learned to help others discover confidence through movement.

Born in France with French and Mexican heritage, Victoria Rey grew up across Nigeria, Kenya, Belgium and Madagascar before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand as a GP. Her story explores migration, belonging, family legacy and the human side of medicine—reminding us that home can be carried through the people we love, and that good healthcare begins by seeing the person beyond the illness.

Growing up between Mandarin and English, Annemarie Wen discovered that language is more than words—it is a gateway to friendship, culture, identity and belonging. Her story offers a thoughtful glimpse into navigating two languages and finding connection across different worlds.

What happens to the stories that are never written down? Jenny Janif MNZM and Esteban A. Espinoza explore how poetry and storytelling preserve cultural memory, carry migrant histories, challenge injustice and honour those who came before us.

Growing up across China, Vanuatu and New Zealand shaped Rachel Gu into a bridge between cultures, generations and communities. Her story reveals why young people must be genuinely heard, supported and included in decisions about the future they will inherit.

After losing her father to suicide at 12, Dr Shelley Brunskill-Matson transformed her lived experience into a commitment to ensuring bereaved children are seen, heard and given a voice. Through her research and the creation of Tony’s Place, Shelley reveals how meaningful care begins with listening—and how knowing we matter can help all of us come home to ourselves.

Katie’s journey from New York’s corporate fashion world to yoga, Reiki, spiritual exploration and travel is a story of courage and self-trust. Through uncertainty, resistance, and unexpected turns, she learned to listen to her inner voice and follow a life that felt authentically her own.  

What does real grassroots leadership look like?

In this conversation with Eva Chen MNZM, we explore the quiet work behind Wellbeing Charitable Trust—listening to families, responding to unmet needs, building trust, and helping communities support one another. From parenting programmes and family violence advocacy to COVID-19 support and culturally responsive emergency response, Eva's journey shows that meaningful change often begins with one relationship, one act of care, and one person willing to step forward.

At 27, Charline left France for New Zealand—not because she had already found herself, but because she was ready to discover who she could become. Through courage, unexpected kindness, her grandmothers’ encouragement and the freedom she found in dance, Charline learned to choose herself without apology. This is a story about refusing to be diminished, protecting your energy and having the courage to live fully as yourself.