The Guest Speaker

From high school’s high-pressure halls to the vibrant world of creative education, Holly Gascoigne has been on a journey of passion, perseverance, and pushing her own boundaries. In this episode, Holly opens up about navigating academic expectations, making the leap to university, and embracing the opportunities—and challenges—of studying abroad.

We talk about what it really takes to pursue a creative career, from finding your “why”...

From spinning tracks to spinning stories, Matt Hicks has always lived at the intersection of creativity and connection. In this episode, he takes us through his winding path in the entertainment industry - from a schoolboy with a passion for performance, to a DJ and event manager, to the filmmaker behind the feature film The Tavern.

Matt opens up about the five-year journey of bringing The Tavern to life, the unique and community-dr...

In this episode, drummer Felix Holton takes us behind the kit and into the heart of his music career — from realizing his passion for the drums at age 9 to touring the world with acclaimed New Zealand artist BENEE, playing stages like the O2 Arena in London and Coachella in California.

Felix opens up about the realities of the music industry, the vital role of education, and the delicate balancing act between a demanding tour schedu...

In this episode, we sit down with Megan Gray to unpack her journey from the whirlwind of high school to carving out a meaningful career in public service. Megan opens up about the pressures of academic achievement, navigating personal identity, and the mental health challenges that shaped her along the way.

She shares how relationships - both inside and outside the classroom - became a grounding force during turbulent times, and why...

This episode is a masterclass in wonder. We sit down with Mark Cairns, one of the UK’s top magicians and psychological mind readers, to unravel the fascinating journey that took him from a mathematics degree to captivating audiences with feats of mind-bending magic.

Mark opens up about the twists and turns that shaped his career — from his early academic achievements to finding his way into the prestigious Magic Circle. He shares ho...

In this episode, we sit down with Gemma Lee - founder, designer, and former competitive swimmer - to dive into her journey from the pool to the world of women’s wetsuits. 🌊

Gemma opens up about her high school years, the leap into fashion design, and how she turned a personal passion into a bold, beautiful brand. We chat about designing specifically for women, keeping things personal as you grow, and what it really takes to start s...

In this episode, we sit down with Cam Roigard who shares his journey from a young aspiring rugby player to becoming an All Black. He opens up about the resilience it took to get there, the challenges of balancing academics with elite sport, and the setbacks that shaped him along the way. Cam speaks to the power of surrounding yourself with good people, staying dedicated, and maintaining perspective in a high-performance world.

His...

In this honest and thoughtful episode, we sit down with Molly Oldershaw to unpack the journey from high school pressure to university independence. Molly shares how she navigated academic expectations, social dynamics, and shifting health while studying at Otago - and how these experiences helped shape her sense of purpose and personal direction.

From Castle Street party culture to moments of solitude and recalibration, Molly talks ...

In this honest and inspiring kōrero, we hear from Aircraftman Briarna Blackmore, who left school early and launched into a bold new path with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. From excelling academically and fast-tracking NCEA levels to deciding that the traditional school route wasn’t for her, Briarna shares the why and how behind making her own way.

💥 We cover:

• Choosing to leave school early and what led to that decision
• Life le...

In this inspiring episode, we dive into the journey of dancer Emily Carr, who left her hometown for Sydney to pursue her passion at a professional dance academy. Emily opens up about the pivotal decisions she made during high school, the importance of balancing academics and ambition, and the emotional and financial challenges of moving cities to chase a dream.

From navigating injuries to embracing social media and creative expressi...

In this episode, we sit down with Miriana Wetere-Ryder - a passionate dancer, teacher, and all-round inspiring person. From performing as part of The Royal Family under Paris Gobel in high school to now empowering the next generation through movement and mentorship, Miriana shares a story full of grit, growth, and purpose.

We discuss the balance between education and creativity, the challenges of backing yourself in the arts, and th...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Bain. An engineer, adventurer, and all-round thoughtful human - who reminds us that you don’t need to have it all sorted to take the next step.

From high school in Aotearoa to building drones in Timaru and chasing snow in Canada, Sam shares his story with calm honesty. We chat about how he got into mechatronics (thanks to a mix of maths and tinkering), why taking time to travel after uni helped...

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime McLean—a thoughtful, grounded educator who opens up about her journey into teaching. From high school uncertainty to shaping young minds in an area school, Jaime shares how mentorship, community, and a love for connection helped her find her way.

We chat about what it’s like working with students across different age groups, the rewards (and real challenges) of rural education, and why strong ...

In this episode, we sit down with the deeply creative and candid Alex Wilkinson—ceramics artist, businesswoman, and bold thinker who’s followed a less conventional path.

From exploring chemical engineering to pursuing business studies, Alex opens up about the winding journey that led her to a life of artistic expression through pottery. She shares her ongoing experience with mental health, how creativity has become a grounding force...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sophie Power—Partnerships & Engagement Coordinator at Canterbury Rugby, passionate people-person, and rising force in sport and event marketing.

Sophie opens up about navigating high school through the uncertainty of COVID-19, switching study paths, and boldly carving a career in an industry she loves. From studying geography to working pitch-side, she shares what it means to back yourself, find ...

In this episode, we sit down with Aidan McCoard, a site foreman who got into the trades young and never looked back — building a career he genuinely loves from the ground up.

Aidan shares how he followed his passion for the outdoors — from rugby, fishing and working with his hands to trying out multiple summer jobs to figure out what really fit. With a strong work ethic and a natural way with people, he’s found his place leading tea...

In this episode, we’re joined by Anna Smith, a medical student whose story is full of perspective, purpose, and quiet strength.

Anna reflects on her high school journey and the often intense leap into medical school — sharing how family, faith, and small moments of joy helped her find balance along the way. She opens up about the pressure to succeed in a competitive academic space, and why learning to value growth over grades has be...

In this episode, we chat with Eva Brakenrig, a proud Lincoln University student and future leader in the ag space, whose journey is full of quiet strength, practical insight, and deep connection to land and people.

Eva opens up about the highs and hurdles of navigating study and career in agriculture — from funding her education to carving her own path in a field traditionally dominated by men. She reflects on her time at high schoo...