The Nutters Club

Dr. Carlton Irving’s life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of purpose. ​ From a challenging childhood marked by frequent moves and financial struggles, to becoming an advanced paramedic and eventually a doctor, his journey is one of overcoming adversity and striving to make a difference.

Born in Ōpōtiki, Dr. Irving grew up in various neighbourhoods, often facing tough circumstances. ​Despite his chal...

Richard Anderson, born in Wellington and now residing on the Kapiti Coast, Anderson shared his experiences with schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, and anxiety, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of living with mental illness. ​

Anderson first noticed signs of mental health struggles in his late teens, describing his initial experiences as "spiritual" before they evolved into psychosis. ​He recounted believing he was J...

Elizabeth, a recovering alcoholic and creator of the stage play REHAB, shared her inspiring journey of overcoming addiction and finding purpose on Newstalk ZB’s The Nutters Club. Now 16 years sober, Elizabeth reflected on her struggles with alcohol addiction, her path to recovery, and her efforts to break the stigma surrounding addiction. ​

Born in Christchurch and raised in East Auckland, Elizabeth began drinking at the age of 15 ...

Dave Burnside, a former addict and ex-offender, has transformed his life from one of crime and addiction to becoming a highly effective advocate for recovery and community support. Dave shared his journey, beginning with a troubled childhood marked by neglect, substance abuse, and crime, and after entering recovery experiencing  in a string of academic and professional successes.

Born in 1959, Dave grew up in Auckland, in ...

Mental Health Awareness Week has prompted a wave of discussions about the importance of mental health and practical strategies for improving wellbeing. ​The Nutters Club took the eve of the week to explore various approaches, from mindfulness to community connection, with listeners sharing personal insights and experiences of what they would like New Zealanders to be most aware of during this years awareness week.

The show highligh...

Australian journalist and published author Jonathon ‘J.Mo’ Moran, shared his personal journey through mental health struggles, his upbringing in Canberra, and his path to becoming a journalist. J.Mo, who recently published “Mental as Anyone”, reflected on his experiences growing up with a bipolar mother and navigating his own mental health challenges.

Born in Canberra, he described the city as a place of roundabouts, coffee culture...

On this weeks NewstalkZB’s The Nutters Club, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald delved into the critical role relationships play in mental health. The show featured callers sharing personal stories, challenges, and triumphs, highlighting the complexities and rewards of human connection.

MacDonald emphasised that relationships are foundational to emotional well-being, citing connection and community as key eleme...

Guest Hamish, a 47-year-old biotechnology graduate from Auckland, has shared his deeply personal journey of battling addiction, depression, and grief. Sharing his story with Hamish Williams and Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald on The Nutters Club, he sheds light on the complexities of mental health and the transformative power of vulnerability, community, and self-reflection.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in West Auckland, Hamish exce...

A groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving the mental health of New Zealand’s youth is gaining momentum. ​ Wade Jackson, founder of Covert Theatre in Ponsonby, Auckland, has developed the "Resilience Playground," a program that combines improvisational theatre techniques with principles of positive psychology to equip children with essential life skills.

The Resilience Playground targets children aged 8 to 12, a critical age be...

This week The Nutters Club talked about the intersection of competitiveness, mental health, and community connection, and shed light on the positive and negative impacts of striving for success. ​ The conversation explored how competitiveness can motivate individuals but also lead to emotional challenges if not managed healthily. ​

The discussion began with reflections on the All Blacks rugby match at Eden Park, where fans from opp...

Chris Hobbs, a New Zealand actor known for his role on Shortland Street, spoke with NewstalkZB’s The Nutters Cub about his journey through addiction, recovery, and personal growth. After spending years in Australia and Los Angeles pursuing acting, Hobbs returned to New Zealand, where he has embraced a new perspective on his career and life. ​

Hobbs revealed that his struggles with addiction began in his 30s, years after he had esta...

Ivan, a Malaysian-born New Zealander, shared his story on his tumultuous upbringing, his journey to New Zealand, and his work in mental health advocacy. Born in Singapore and raised in Malaysia, Ivan grew up in a household marked by instability due to his father’s gambling addiction and involvement in organised crime. Constantly moving to evade threats, Ivan’s childhood was far from ordinary, leaving him with deep-seated anxiety, d...

Nick Scott, a passionate motorcyclist and content creator, is relaxed and reflective as he shares his mental health journey. Speaking on the Nutters Club radio show on NewstalkZB, Scott revealed how his struggles with anxiety and depression led him to a breaking point. However, the unwavering support of his friends and fellow riders helped him regain stability and purpose. ​

Scott described how his mental health deteriorated after ...

20 July 2025: People in rainbow communities experience disproportionately higher rates of family and partner violence and abuse.

Sandra Dickson is a researcher and community development practitioner with 30 years’ experience in Rainbow communities and family and sexual violence. She is a cofounder of Hohou Te Rongo Kahukura, a community organisation focused on building Takatāpui and Rainbow communities without all forms of violence...

29 June 2025:  Barney Koneferenisi became a double amputee at the age of eleven. After undergoing more than 40 surgeries, he embraced his disability and went on to excel in wheelchair rugby, representing New Zealand as part of the Wheel Blacks Paralympic team. Now an active advocate for accessible transport, Barney speaks with Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald about overcoming adversity and challenging ourselv...

13 July 2025: Preston O’Brien was born into a house marked by sexual abuse at the hands of his father. In response to this early trauma, he shut down emotionally, blocking out large parts of his childhood. To numb the pain and shame, he turned to drugs, alcohol, and sex - chasing dopamine in a life shaped by undiagnosed ADHD and unresolved trauma. He describes living in a state of passive suicide, repeatedly finding himself in life...