Kiwi Yarns

Much loved comedian Chris Parker is just back from performing at Edinburgh Fringe, with a fresh batch of bed bugs to accompany a hugely successful UK Tour. We've spoken a couple of times before (because he's Chris Parker), so expect a chaotic ride through his new anti-tech movement, the good and bad of being a millennial, his irrational rages and the joy of unplugging from social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we catch up with news anchor, marathon runner, and the recent business owner, Wendy Petrie. The mother of three talks about how she is constantly reinventing herself to take on challenges - six years after her very public redundancy from TVNZ. Wendy talks about the importance of motherhood, why she loves doing hard things, and provides an inspirational insight into how it's never too late to give something new a crack! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Bailey is a name and face many will remember from 11 years ago - where - as head boy at Christchurch Boys High School he gave a speech at graduation. That speech was brilliant in its own right. But the delivery, from a young man, sitting in a wheelchair, who just a week prior had been told he had an extremely aggressive form of cancer and potentially weeks to live if untreated—was what reverberated around the world. Now Jake is 29 and life has been full, inspirational and packed with adventure. He's recently been on a remarkable mission to Antarctica and made a real career pivot by heading the Inspire Foundation. From best-selling books and speaking all around the world to running ultra-marathons, Jake proves how powerful resilience can be. We talk about how he studied resilience, and has spent a good chunk of his career passing on these valuable lessons. Amidst all his remarkable achievements, he is now focused on educating people about why we must stop shielding our kids from everyday challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Gibson, better known as Sam the Trap Man, drops by for a proper yarn about life in the bush. He opens up about how nature saved him from a wild patch in his youth, the harsh reality of professional trapping in Fiordland, and using native plants like koromiko as bush medicine. Plus, he breaks down why getting people back outdoors is the secret to fixing our environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're bringing back a favourite episode from 2025. In light of legendary fisherman Matt Watson's huge impact on protecting our oceans over the past year, this yarn is more relevant than ever. Matt shares his journey from childhood dinghies to wild TV stunts, and his crucial message about marine conservation. He opens up about the brutal reality of bottom trawling, the hidden truth behind commercial fishing, and the painful roofing accident that sparked his entire career shift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, podcaster and Pop Sock Media co-founder Melody Thomas joins me for a big, honest conversation about sex, relationships, burnout, business and what it means to be human. From launching an independent media company during COVID to creating the award-winning The Good Sex Project, Melody shares how burnout reshaped her life, why radical rest matters, and what she's learnt after years of talking to New Zealanders about intimacy, shame and communication. We dive into the realities of growing up in the '90s, the gaps in sex education, the rise of the manosphere, loneliness, feminism, ageing, marriage, motherhood, friendship and why talking openly about sex can genuinely change our lives. A funny, thoughtful and deeply human yarn about connection, curiosity and creating a kinder world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boh Runga comes from one of the country’s most loved musical families - her contribution to the music industry over the years has been a joy to witness. The Stellar* frontwoman, is looking ahead to Atomic 3.0 - the ultimate femme rock supergroup’s return to the stage.  We also look back on the meteoric success of Violent and the Mix album, why it only feels like yesterday but a lifetime ago at the same time. Boh, and sisters Bic and Pearl, grew up in a remarkably musical family - we discuss the lessons her parents taught her and why creativity has always been at the centre of everything she does. Plus, we shan’t forget her hugely successful jewellery business, and there’s her love for birds, and a cracking yarn about getting suspended from high school… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we take you to Brodie’s live shows in Rotorua with ultra-marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, New Zealand’s favourite internet Dad, How To Dad. And, then we are down the motu to hear from My Food Bag Founder Nadia Lim, Farm 4 Life legend Tangaroa Walker, and rising star musician Sam Cullen. Someone may have an accident on a rugby field, there may be a chicken caravan, and can How To Dad swaddle a 40-year old woman? It’s all in there folks, buckle in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brodie is taking a well-deserved 40th birthday sabbatical this week, so we are throwing it back to one of our absolute favourite chats. The brilliant Samantha Hayes is in for a massive yarn about her incredible two decades in broadcasting. From her early days walking out of small-town Milton into the big smoke to fronting the news, Sam has seen it all. We dive into the absolute chaos of her early reporting days, facing down heavy metal legends, and navigating the most tumultuous years of her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brodie Kane on turning 40, falling in love, running a media business. As told to mentor, Ali Mau. This episode is a little bit different. Best-selling author and award-winning journalist Ali Mau has been a career mentor and dear friend of Brodie’s since they first worked together at TVNZ in 2012. Ali takes the interview seat as Brodie reflects on life at 40, her continued success with Brodie Kane Media - six years after going out alone. What it’s like to fall in love for the first time at 39, why creating communities for women is one of her greatest joys, and her beautiful relationship with her mum, Jo Kane. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Kiwi Yarns, I sit down with legendary New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. From The Whale Rider to The Matriarch, Witi's work has shaped generations of readers. But at 80 years old, he made a remarkable decision: to return to school and immerse himself in te reo Māori. The conversation moves from language and identity to climate change, leadership, ageing, courage and the importance of lifelong learning. Witi reflects on the moment that challenged him to begin writing in te reo, the rangatahi who helped carry him through a year of full immersion study, and why doing hard things keeps us alive. Along the way there are stories about whales, family, books, pounamu and what it means to leave the world a little better than you found it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you end your live show tour in Christchurch on a Sunday night in-front of a sell out crowd with one of the most loved faces on television (Jason Gunn) and a true queen of radio (and former princess of Dargaville Lana Searle)? An endless supply of stories that might have you taking out an ACC claim because your cheeks will suffer from laughing so much. Period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Wayne Cameron from the Little Ardroy Beef Company pops into the bach to chat about his massive year. From a simple farm concept to launching in over a hundred supermarkets, Wayne shares exactly how he made it happen as part of New World Emerge. We dig into what ethically raised beef actually means and why sometimes you just have to wing it to chase your dream. This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge. New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves. Find out more at New World Emerge | New World Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel Little works right at the top of the music industry. But, his latest and most challenging project is much closer to home. He and his wife Gemma co-founded and built BIG FAN - is a not-for-profit, world class multi-purpose music space in central Auckland, just down the road from where he and Lorde wrote Pure Heroine. He wants to foster the talents of musicians, songwriters and those behind the scenes - no matter where they are at in their musical journey. We talk about what the role of the music producer is, and how his life changed after Royals. What it’s like to work with Taylor Swift, and a flashback to his days with Goodnight Nurse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever thought about quitting your secure day job to become your own boss? This week, I yarn with Allie Hemmings, the former primary school teacher who did exactly that. Allie created ButterLuxe Co and won the 2025 New World Emerge startup award. After discovering her son had a nut allergy, Allie set out to create a delicious, nut-free alternative. Through plenty of kitchen trials and sheer determination, Oaty Butter was born. Allie shares her open and honest journey as a neurodivergent founder, explaining how her ability to hyperfocus helped her master the complex science of food technology and commercial manufacturing. She shares how she built a nut-free oaty spread for her son and what it takes to get onto supermarket shelves. This episode was brought to you by New World Emerge. New World Emerge is a national initiative, backed by Foodstuffs, to support new and emerging suppliers onto supermarket shelves. Find out more at newworld.co.nz/who-we-are/foodstuffs-emerge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, sit down and get your eye and earholes around this. The first of Brodie’s nationwide live tour of Kiwi Yarns begins in Auckland, with our beloved Comedian Tom Sainsbury and our one-of-a-kind, out-the-gate yet beautiful singer-songwriter Anika Moa. There are wigs, harmonising VERY badly, and an obscene amount of belly laughs and possibly some bits that enter into dangerous territory. Not to be missed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ash London is an Australian broadcaster who now calls New Zealand home, and works at The Edge Radio Station, on a show that is literally her name - that’s how good she is. Not only is she good, the talented broadcaster talks about why she sees it as her duty to protect the radio industry for future generations, making sure she helps the young women who will eventually replace her. How refreshing is that?! Ash talks about losing her dad at a young age, and why therapy has been a huge part of her life, learning to hold onto grief and joy at the same time. And, being daughter of an immigrant, Ash uses her platform to spread awareness and discuss injustices in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when you release your first album in eight years, open a sandwich shop, move back to New Zealand, and navigate a separation all at once? This week on Kiwi Yarns, we sit down with Gin Wigmore for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had. Gin opens up about heartbreak, rebuilding after divorce, raising two boys, and why she throws herself headfirst into everything she does. From her whirlwind love story that took her from New Zealand to Los Angeles, to buying and transforming a rundown motel in Palm Springs, her life has never followed a conventional script. We also dive into her new album Beautiful Mess, her incredible new Kingsland deli, and the simplistic beauty of the tramp stamp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our beloved actress, Sara Wiseman has spent three decades gracing our screens - from stunt work during the Xena: Warrior Princess era to starring in A Place To Call Home and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. You better believe we'll find out what it takes to become an ape at "ape camp". Sara also discusses the moments that nearly made her quit acting and why she finds taking acting classes just as important now as ever. And my word, does Sara love adventures! From trekking the Camino de Santiago, hiking Yosemite and a fascinating story about the "Vine of the Dead" - the a powerful psychoactive Amazonian tea Ayahuasca. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when one of the most respected coaches in world MMA starts using his platform to tackle violence outside the cage? This week on Kiwi Yarns, we sit down with City Kickboxing head coach Eugene Bareman. From coaching UFC stars like Israel Adesanya, Dan Hooker and Kai Kara-France, to launching the Walk Without Fear Trust after the tragic loss of friend and fighter Fau Vake, Eugene opens up about purpose, leadership and the responsibility that comes with influence. We talk about the rise of MMA in Aotearoa, the reality behind UFC culture, why martial arts can transform lives, and the lessons Eugene wants young people to hear before it’s too late. There’s also plenty on family, discipline, adversity and what keeps him grounded through the chaos of life at the top of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices