On this episode we speak to Philippa Murphy of BabyCues. Philippa offers a worldwide service that is committed to empowering families by teaching practical responsive care that establishes calm and fosters attachment.  Her dream is to eradicate colic and reflux, and we hear how she went from humble beginnings in Oamaru to working with some amazing families around the world.  Her story is one of determination and a passion to help the next generation. 

On this episode we have the pleasure to chat with Canterbury based jockey, Samantha Wynne.Samantha tells us about where her love of horses began, riding horses bareback, back home in Dublin. She also speaks about the challenges she faced early on, and how a chance move to NZ 8 years ago saw the start of a successful riding career.Her story is one of perseverance, determination and passion, and one that we are sure will resonate with many of our listeners across various careers.We thoroughly...

On this episode we have the pleasure to talk to Senior Constable Chris Hurring of the New Zealand Police. Chris is based in North Canterbury and is the Family Protection Officer for the region.Chris has been a positive driving force against domestic violence and has also headed an award winning programme called ReachOut, which we discuss today.He also works closely with Women’s Refuge and Aviva, and has some eye opening insights for us around domestic violence, and the false stereotypes...

Welcome to episode 40 of Smile and Pod!On this episode we feature broadcaster, Andrew Currie.Andrew has a vast and valuable background in the production of News and Current affairs, including time with TVNZ and Campbell Live, and also has a passion for sports coverage, which he channels through his company ‘We Are Canterbury.’He talks about life growing up in Temuka, how he discovered his passion for broadcasting, and the personal challenges he faced during his role covering the Canterbury...

Welcome to our first episode back post lockdown! We are so thrilled to return, and we relaunch with Greg Britt MNZM, better known as Elgregoe The Magician!Greg kindly chats to us about his career in magic, spanning over 40 years, and the personal rewards his work in education has manifested in his life. With over 450 television appearances and an award winning programme in schools, Greg was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for Services to Education - ironically after he himself...

Here at Smile and Pod we have been recording phone interviews during the lockdown to inspire and encourage our fans, and publishing these on our Facebook page. We've been so blessed with some fantastic and generous guests over the past two weeks, so we thought we'd package them into a highlight episode for our podcast audience to enjoy.A huge thanks these guests who feature on our Highlight Episode Two: Mike Minogue, Antonia Prebble, Rebecca Parnham, Sabrina Weber, Dave Nicholas, Anton...

In episode 38 we catch up with Daisy Dagg.Daisy is an author, well known for The Rugby Pantry Cookbook, as well as a blogger, interior designer and content creator for Instagram.We had the pleasure of recently chatting to Daisy in her home in Canterbury and found out more about her life growing up on a farm, boarding school and working on super yachts. Also how she came to terms with life as the wife of an All Black and the challenges that comes with being in the public eye.Thank you Daisy...

In episode 37 of Smile and Pod we have the pleasure of catching up with Ana Wilkinson Gee of Holi Boli.Ana was recently back in New Zealand, visiting from what is now her home base of rural India.We find out what prompted her to move with her young family to a remote village and how she changed the lives of local village women by teaching them sewing and design skills. What would transpire would be a wonderful ethical fashion brand, and the employment of 17 local village women.A truly...

Here at Smile and Pod we have been recording daily phone interviews during the lockdown to inspire and encourage our fans, and publishing these on our Facebook page. We've been so blessed with some fantastic and generous guests over the past two weeks, so we thought we'd package them into a highlight episode for our podcast audience to enjoy.A huge thanks these guests who feature on our Highlight Episode One:Urzila Carlson, Jen Young, Richie Hardcore, Mike Thorpe, Philippa Murphy, Kieran...

In this episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with Kiwi actress, Claire Chitham, in her Auckland home. Claire first appeared on Shortland Street as Waverley Wilson when she was 16 years old, and a five week contract soon turned into eight years on the soap.Claire speaks with us about how she was able to rediscover herself following the end of Shortland Street, and how her health and wellness has become a key part of her daily life. We must point out also, we were not alone in this...

On this week's episode we chat to Andrew McKerrow of the Salvation Army.Andrew is well known and respected in the racing industry, supporting industry members through a number of events and situations. He is always a smiling face and a comfort to those who are needing direction and guidance, but as we find out today he has not had the smoothest of journeys in his own life. Andrew kindly opened up and honestly talked about his struggle with addiction and loss, and also how his faith and...

This week's guest is Rebecca Parnham of Krama and Co.Rebecca is based in Canterbury and is a qualified social worker, who whilst on holiday in Cambodia with her husband was confronted with the disturbing reality of poverty and violence in the country. Not one to sit back and turn a blind eye, Rebecca formed Krama and Co which helps women of the remote villages in Cambodia to sell their products in New Zealand, with the profits returning back to the women in the village. Rebecca has also been...

On this episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with New Zealand and World Shot Put Champion, Tom Walsh.A builder by trade from humble beginnings in Timaru, Tom found a passion for sports early on in life. But initially shot put wasn't even on his radar. After discovering he had dyslexia Tom turned his learning approach around at school and is now inspiring New Zealand children to do the same with his work talking in schools. We find out what makes him tick mentally, how he's coping...

This week's episode features Verna McFelin MNZM, founder and CEO of Pillars NZ.Pillars is an organisation that supports children with parents in prison, supporting them through the challenges that arise as a consequence and pairing children with mentors to guide and inspire them. Unfortunately Verna has first hand experience of what that is like, as her husband was arrested and sent to prison in 1983 when she had four young children. He was arrested at home in front of the family and the...

On this week's episode we chat to former head of the Ministry of Social Development, Christine Rankin.Christine became one of the most polarizing figures in politics during her career, and faced some of the biggest media attention seen in New Zealand over a period of two years. She was spat on, abused and had bullets sent to her in the mail, She endured being at the front of the media for an intense amount of time.We chat to Christine about her experiences during that time, and how her legs...

He was part of one of the most powerful All Black teams in modern time, and All Black number 915, Frank Bunce, has become an icon in New Zealand Rugby. Growing up in Mangere, it was a fluke that he even got into rugby, as he will explain. And in this episode Frank also speaks fondly about his time in the black jersey, but also talks about some of the hard task masters and memories he has of the challenges during his 55 international matches. Frank also talks us through how his All Black...

This episode features Mind, Body and Success Coach, Clare Williamson.Clare is taking her extremely traumatising life lessons and her own journey, and turning it into an empowering tool for others to find their truth in life.For years she hid from reality, and it impacted her in ways she could never imagine. Now she has faced her past, and wants to help others find their own soul goal via her business, CWFullCircle. We can all learn something from the amazingly brave and tenacious, Clare...

Grant Pritchard's official role with Spark NZ may be that of a lawyer, but it's his amazing work in the mental health field as an advocate that has seen him make a huge impact.Following the death of his close friend and colleague in Australia, Grant vowed to never work anywhere that didn't face and acknowledge the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace. Grant and Spark NZ now have a community of over 600 employees utilising the mental health toolboxes available to them to...

In this week's episode we feature Mental Health advocate and entrepreneur, Gareth Edwards.Gareth hit headlines last year when he flipped a 93kg tyre for 24 hours with his friend Tom for mental health awareness, and this year he's decided to make an even bigger point.Giving A Flip is a campaign that will see him take on the tyre again, this time on his own for 60 hours in support of I Am Hope. Born in the UK, Gareth moved to New Zealand at age 15 and soon found that the key to fitting in was...

This week on Smile and Pod we meet Ryan Cooper and Alex Leighton of Mukpuddy Animation.When three like minded spirits met in animation school it would be the beginning of an almost 20 year journey to today, where they now employ over 50 people in their groundbreaking animation team.From humble beginnings in their parent's basement, to pitches in front of animation legends Disney and Pixar, Mukpuddy's journey is one of determination, friendship and passion. 

In our first interview for 2020 we chat to well loved comedian, Urzila Carlson.Urzila kindly joined us on Smile and Pod and talks about her childhood in poverty in South Africa, how she unwittingly started her career as a comedian at age 32 and how she deals with online bullying and trolling.Her outlook is honest and positive, but also no nonsense! You won't be able to help but fall in love with her, her humour and her honesty.

Join us as we revisit some of our interviews from the past six months, and thank you again for supporting our big leap of faith with Smile and Pod this year!This week we feature highlights former Nightline host Claire Robbie, former Olympic skiier Anna Willcox, Preston Hegel of the XCH Christchurch and actor Mike Minogue of Wellington Paranormal. We thank them again for making time for us, and sharing their personal journey with us here at Smile and Pod.We'll have more highlight episodes out...

Join us as we revisit some of our interviews from the past six months, and thank you again for supporting our big leap of faith with Smile and Pod this year!This week we feature highlights from Outrageous Fortune and Westside star, Antonia Prebble. Mentor, social activist and public speaker, Richie Hardcore talks masculinity. Brodie Kane of The Hits talks to us about her career in the army before broadcasting, and Brooke Howard-Smith of Target and X Games fame explains how he got his ego in...

Join us as we revisit some of our interviews from the past six months, and thank you again for supporting our big leap of faith with Smile and Pod this year!This week we feature highlights from neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis, rugby commentator Grant Nisbett, 2019 Young New Zealander of the Year Kendall Flutey, and founder of environmentally sustainable beauty company Ethique, Brianne West. We thank them again for making time for us, and sharing their personal journey with us here at...