In this special bonus episode, Open Minded crosses over with the Change Happens podcast. Host and EY Oceania Deputy CEO Jenelle McMaster joins JK for a wide ranging double interview. TRIGGER WARNING: This podcast episode deals with issues of suicide and suicidal ruminations. Listener discretion is advised. Why is change scary? It’s a big question. JK and Jenelle kick the episode off unpacking the uncertainty change produces, and talk about strategies to reduce and better manage this...

Mel Upton is the CEO of Positive Group APAC, a mental wellbeing company focussed on leadership training and group learning. She’s also a veteran of the legal industry and has led wellbeing programs throughout her 25 year legal career. Mel joins JK from a hotel room in Auckland on her first international trip since the start of the pandemic, another sign we are slowly finding our way back to some kind of normal. JK and Mel kick off the pod talking about Mel’s background in the legal industry,...

Robbie Hicks and Lachland Bradford are the hosts of the Funny Business podcast and co-founders of the Wellbeing Network.  After JKs recent appearance on Funny Business, the boys join us on Open Minded to provide an intimate look at the foundation of their business, and how they have embedded wellbeing into the core of their company. Rob and Lach share insight into how the strength of their friendship was instrumental in creating Funny Business and the Wellbeing Network, how their individual...

Nikki Hart is a NZ registered nutritionist and weight management expert. Nikki became well known as “The Evil Diet Witch” when she hosted the TV series ‘Eat Yourself Whole’ and ‘The Fat Chance’. In this episode, Nikki talks to JK about the connection between good nutritional practices and better mental wellbeing. They discuss the results of the recent ‘Smiles Trial’ study showing the correlation between eating more fruit and lower incidence of depression and other mental wellbeing...

In this episode, Jase Te Patu talks to JK about growing up between worlds in New Zealand, and finding his way to mental wellbeing through rediscovering the wisdom contained in the traditional wellbeing practices of Māori and other indigenous cultures. Jase gives JK the down low on the work M3 Mindfulness are doing in schools across the country, sharing stories of the work they’ve done with Māori youth to rediscover their heritage and rebuild their mana.  Through M3 Mindfulness, Jase is also...

JK is joined this week by Tazmayn Goode, a South African expat, who founded the 360 Academy and Wellness Hub to bring wellness programs to leaders and employees in businesses around Australia. She’s also in the process of launching Empowered, a program building pathways into the workforce for disadvantaged communities, from indigenous youth and refugees to women who have suffered domestic abuse, and people who are aging out of the workforce. Taz gives us her perspective on the Australian...

JK sits down with Tofe Evans, a young man with a big resume; author of ‘Everyone has a plan until shit hits the fan’, ultra-marathon runner, wellness coach, and business owner. Tofe talks candidly about his addictions to drugs, alcohol and external validation, and shares the tools he has developed to build practical resilience and overcome these struggles.  A big part of Tofe’s journey has been with The Man Kind Project, a global program providing wellness coaching for men. JK and Tofe dig...

Dr Hillary is the director of Leading Safety, a consultancy specialising in safety leadership, safety culture, human factors, and workplace health and safety.  She is a registered psychologist and works with organisations across all sectors to develop safe and healthy workplaces.  With a particular interest in mental health and wellbeing at work, she was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the New Zealand Health and Safety Awards 2019. After appearing on a couple of our...

Comedian and Celebrity Treasure Island contestant Joe Daymond joins JK to share his journey with self-acceptance, imposter syndrome and the turning points that have got him to where he is today. When Joey D returned home to NZ after travelling at the age of 21, he stumbled into the first and biggest turning point of his life so far. Realising his lifestyle didn’t align with his values and the people he surrounded himself with were not making him feel good, he made the tough decision to...

In this special Open Minded podcast episode, we share the recent live chat between Sir John Kirwan and Dr Fiona Crichton as they tackle the topic of re-entry anxiety, sharing tools and strategies to help us emerge from lockdown and transition well back into the workplace and our communities. As public spaces open up across many parts of Australia and New Zealand while we continue to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, it's no surprise that the prospect of re-entering the world might leave you...

Following the release of the 2nd edition of his hugely successful international best-selling self-help book, ‘The Happiness Trap’, Dr. Russ Harris joins Sir JK on Open Minded to discuss his journey with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and some of the techniques you can put into your day. With a background in medicine as a GP, Dr. Russ became increasingly interested in the psychological aspects of health and wellbeing, and increasingly disenchanted with writing prescriptions....

In Episode 21 of Open Minded, Dr. Stephen Hinshaw, renowned psychologist and expert on mental health and stigma speaks to Sir John Kirwan about mental health disclosure and inclusion in the workplace. Our first repeat guest on Open Minded, he draws on his years of experience as a professor and his research on children’s behaviour. Dr Stephen and JK explore the parallels of successful modern schooling and how these same strategies and developments can be applied to the workplace. See...

This special episode of Open Minded is taken from a recent live chat with Dr Siale Foliaki. With changing alert levels and lockdowns still affecting many of us in Australia and New Zealand, Sir John Kirwan caught up with Dr Siale on how they are both currently feeling, their advice on how to stay well and prioritise your wellbeing, the quality of sincerity in the workplace, with plenty of Q&A from the live audience. Dr Siale has over 20 years experience as a psychiatrist, primarily with...

In this episode Sir JK chats to Eroni Clarke, the former New Zealand rugby union player who played for Auckland, the Blues, the Highlanders and the All Blacks at international level. Eroni gives a deep insight into the protective factors for mental health in the Pasifika community, the impact lockdown is having, the need for courageous conversations and cultural competency, plus a wonderful answer on how his son Caleb copes with being compared to him, as the 21st former All Black whose son...

With ongoing lockdown levels and restrictions across many parts of Australia and New Zealand, it is normal to be feeling anxiety, overwhelm or maybe even some burnout symptoms with juggling home and work life. This special episode was taken from our live chats as part of our support of RU Ok Day 2021. Sir John Kirwan checks in with the incredible Shantelle Thompson OAM on how she is going and how she stays well and her coping strategies through lockdown. They also remind us of the importance...

In support of RU Ok Day 2021, Sir John Kirwan checks in with Australian actor, speaker and entrepreneur Sam Webb. Well known from Neighbours, Home & Away and a popular contestant on Survivor, Sam shares why he always prioritises self care, the tips he has for practicing vulnerability, how to really check in with a mate and the incredible story and work he is doing with Livin, the mental health charity he co-founded in 2013. This chat is packed full of advice for practicing vulnerability...

Beyond Blue is Australia’s most well-known and visited mental health organisation, focused on supporting people affected by anxiety, depression and suicide. They are the ‘Big Blue Door’ for many in the community: a safe and reliable place for millions of people to access information, advice and support, no matter where they are on the mental health continuum. Beyond Blue has huge awareness with almost 90 per cent of Australians knowing about Beyond Blue, and 13 million people reaching out...

As a leader or manager in any business, it can be incredibly tough and overwhelming to lead in these times right now. This special episode of the Open Minded podcast was taken from a recent live panel discussion with Sir JK about where to focus right now as a leader. Incredible perspectives from Dr Hillary Bennett from Leading Safety, Dave Wilson - Global Sales Leader at CISCO, Hamish White - CEO of NOW, and Sohail Choudhry, Chief International Business Officer & Chief Data and Technology...

With New Zealand returning to Level 4 lockdown with the spread of the Delta variant of Covid, this special episode was taken from a live chat between Sir John Kirwan and Dr Fiona Crichton, a health psychology specialist and Clinical Team Lead at Mentemia. Here they spoke about how they are feeling right now, what they are doing to cope with anxiety and uncertainty, and insights on what we can be doing to care for ourselves and those around us. We hope this chat helps and wherever you are,...

Do we really need 8 hours of sleep? Why am I waking up tired? Does an afternoon nap make me lazy? Along with teaching us the new word 'Tralse' in this episode, sleep expert Dr Tony Fernando busts some common sleep myths. We all know what a poor night's sleep can do to us, so Dr Tony offers up his advice along with insights for shift workers, larks and owls, plus an interesting take on the benefits of napping - one for the future of workplaces globally! Like this episode? Be sure to leave a ⭐...

Poppy Jaman OBE is an internationally respected mental health advocate, national policy advisor and social entrepreneur. A global voice of authority on workplace mental health, she is currently the CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance. Poppy is also a Director at Re=Balance and a Trustee for The Centre of Mental Health. In this episode Poppy shares her powerful, moving personal story, growing up as a 3rd generation British Bangladeshi in Portsmouth, UK to now being CEO of the City Mental...

Can we really rewire our brains? What makes a world champion special? Dr. Kerry Spackman shares his expert knowledge, personal experience, and advice for workplaces with Sir John Kirwan. He has worked with some of the most impressive people and companies on the planet, from the All Blacks and Formula One, to Sir Jackie Stewart and Lewis Hamilton on how to optimize their performance at the highest level. Dr Kerry let Sir John Kirwan pick his mighty mind on neuroscience (brain stuff), growth...