Between Two Beers Podcast

She ran the Bulldogs, steered Australia Rugby through one of their biggest controversies, and led NZ sport through its toughest years.So why don't more people know the real Raelene Castle?In this episode we sit down with one of the most significant sports executives the southern hemisphere has ever produced - and discover that the woman behind the headlines is nothing like the one in them.We cover the six phone calls she made in four hours that launched her career in sport, what was really happening behind the scenes during the Israel Folau saga, her relationship with Des Hasler, living publicly with alopecia, and why the moment a rugby league legend walked across a sideline just to introduce himself told her everything she needed to know about the game she'd just entered.Raelene Castle is generous, funny, tough as nails, and completely open in this conversation - it's so good, we need to re-share it with all our new listeners!Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve and Seamus sit down with coach Di Foster for their unofficial Q1 review - and it's a big one. New naming sponsor (they can't tell you who yet), a TV deal in the works, and their first ever full-time hire. On paper, the best quarter Between Two Beers has ever had.But Di isn't letting them off that easy.In this episode: why securing long-term partnerships changes everything, the embarrassing process breakdown that quietly cost them sales, what it actually means to understand your own value, and why getting what you want is just the beginning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 2020, during lockdown, Dai Henwood received a terminal cancer diagnosis. He kept it hidden. He kept doing stand-up. He kept doing interviews. He kept being Dai Henwood, while privately getting to grips with something nobody in his family had ever faced before.Four and a half years after his first appearance on the show, he sits back down with Steve and Seamus.Dai walks us through 52 rounds of chemo, 8 surgeries, a death ceremony in Japan, a three-part documentary, a book, and the moment he stopped acting like himself and started actually being himself.But this isn't a cancer story. It's a story about what happens when the fear of death is gone, and nothing remains but the joy of living.They talk about what a successful week actually looks like now. Why men need to hug each other more. The hardest thing he's ever done that isn't chemo. Why happiness is a calm emotion and most of us have never actually felt it.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Behind the scenes of Between Two Beers this week, Steve and Seamus break down the Kieran Read shirt scandal that has gripped our viewers, reflect on driving the former All Blacks captain to his parents' place, and tease what might be their most powerful episode yet.Dai Henwood returns to the show - 52 rounds of chemo, eight surgeries, and a conversation about life, death, and what actually matters.Plus: Steve's soul-searching session with Carl Sheridan, Seamus MCs the All Whites legends dinner before their 4-1 win over Chile, Easter chaos with four kids, and Bowie's Easter Bunny conspiracy letter.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers, and massive shout out to the legends at Stark for supporting this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kieran Read is one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. Two-time World Cup winner, Crusaders legend, and the man who replaced Richie McCaw as captain with 800 tests of combined experience suddenly out the door.But four years on from his first appearance on Between Two Beers, the most interesting chapter of Kieran's story is only just beginning.In this episode we get into the leadership journey from the very start - Rosehill College, the PE teacher who changed everything, displacing Reuben Thorne at the Crusaders, calling the Teabag lineout in the 2011 World Cup final, the Argentina moment where the coaches walked out, what Steve Hansen told him that stung, and why going to Japan felt like dropping 100 kilograms.Plus his $300K lads fund, a whiskey barrel in Reefton, and the Kieran Reed Human Endeavour leadership course.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve and Seamus sit down with their business coach Di for their first session of 2026 - and they're not holding back.On the table: a plan to 5x revenue in three years, double their audience in twelve months, and finally build the team around them that the business actually needs.They get into why growing your audience doesn't pay off in the same year, why neither of them are natural team builders, and why after six years of running on instinct, the numbers are starting to matter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruben Miller spent 22 years as a forensic scientist in New Zealand, working on more than 160 homicide investigations. This is the story of what it cost him.In this episode we talk about what it actually feels like to walk into a homicide scene, the forensic principle that guides every investigation, the case that still hasn't left him, and what two decades of witnessing violence quietly does to a person. We also get into PTSD, therapy, what resilience actually means versus what we tell ourselves it means, and how Ruben found compassion for people most of us would write off entirely.Ruben's book The Blood Says Otherwise is out now at all good bookstores and online.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by our friends at Barkers Clothing.⚠️ This episode contains discussion of homicide, child death, trauma, and PTSD. Please take care.If anything in this episode brings something up for you:Mental health — Need to talk? Free call or text 1737, any time.Depression & anxiety — Lifeline: 0800 543 354Domestic violence — Are You OK: 0800 456 789In a crisis right now — call 111 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you made the switch from ChatGPT to Claude yet?Steve and Che did - and they're not going back.In this week's Hambassadors they break down why they ditched ChatGPT, what Claude is actually doing for their business, and why one of them still can't bring himself to fully commit.Plus: the truth about what happens in the studio before guests arrive, Che's horror dentist bill, going solo at Homegrown, and why putting IKEA furniture together is a life lesson.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melie Kerr joins us fresh off being named White Ferns captain across all formats and scoring a T20 century on captaincy debut - the first woman ever to do so.But this episode goes well beyond cricket.Growing up in one of New Zealand's most celebrated cricket families, Melie was the kid who made her dad commentate 7am net sessions as if she was playing in a World Cup final. She went on to become the youngest ever White Fern, break records, and win that World Cup. From the outside, she had everything - her dream job and an amazing family. But behind it, she was fighting something nobody could see.Melie opens up about the panic attacks, the sleepless nights, the thoughts that scared her, and the moment she realised she needed help. She talks about the family intervention that changed everything, how Maddie Green became her lifeline, and what it felt like to sit in a hospital room reading from her journal while everyone in the room cried.She also talks about turning that pain into purpose - creating Treading Water, her video series built on the belief that one story might save one life.This is one of the most honest, important conversations we've had in six years.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing!If you or someone you know needs support, help is available.In New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counsellor. If you are in immediate danger, please call 111. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Che and Di sit down for a one-on-one to go through the 2026 goals - but this is the episode they couldn't record until now.A new baby. A house. A marriage. The past few months have changed everything for Che, and in this episode he and Di work through what that actually means for his personal and professional life heading into the year ahead.They cover the weight goal (and the moment Che realised Doc had been quietly protecting his diet during pregnancy), why Di wants him to cross "investment property" off his goals list and replace it with something else entirely, how routine works both for and against you, and the one question that closes the episode out: are you proud of where you are?An honest, and genuinely funny conversation. This is ABO at its best.Topics covered:Life with a newborn and the work-life juggleBeing a present father AND a providerThe weight goal, the why behind it, and Di's simple framework for making it stickInvestment property vs. investment plan - Di challenges one of NZ's most default financial goalsKnow your numbers: in business, at home, and in investmentsReflecting on the infamous episode from last year - and what was really going on behind the scenes

Liam Messam is one of the most beloved figures in New Zealand rugby. Two-time Super Rugby champion, All Black, World Cup winner, and a 20-year servant of the Chiefs. But behind the jersey is a story most people have never heard.Adopted at six weeks old into a Rotorua family that went on to foster close to a thousand children, Liam opens up about identity, belonging, and the household that gave him everything he is today.In this episode we get into the conversation with Gordon Titchens at 16 that changed the trajectory of his career, being cut from the 2011 World Cup squad and walking through Auckland Airport alone into a media scrum, what Chiefs Mana actually means and where it came from, why Gilbert Enoka personally called him to be part of the 2023 World Cup Human Library alongside Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu, leading the haka for the All Blacks after being voluntold by Keven Mealamu, getting a yellow card as a water boy at the World Cup, and completing an Ironman at 108kg with almost no marathon training.Plus lessons from Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams and Dave Rennie, why he signed his last Waikato contract for $1, and how losing his mum to dementia shaped the brain health supplement brand he's building today.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having our former headmaster Susan Hassall on the podcast sent us deep down memory lane.We go deep on NZ tuck shop nostalgia - the Juicies, the pies, the Cookie Time ritual - school discos, balls, prefects, wagging on a scooter, and what made Hamilton Boys' High so special.We also reflect on the response to the Susan Hassall episode, the 300,000 views on the trailer alone, the floods of comments from people whose lives she touched, and her line that stopped people in their tracks: why boys need love most when they're at their most unlovable.Plus we preview two massive upcoming guests - Melie Kerr, newly appointed White Ferns captain, who came in on game day and left us speechless. And Liam Messam - the most capped Chief of all time - whose story of leadership, culture and identity is one of the best conversations we've ever had.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers, and massive shout out to the legends at Stark for supporting this show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan Hassall arrived at Hamilton Boys' High School in 1979 as a 22-year-old English teacher. She stayed for 46 years. In 1999, she became the first woman in New Zealand to be appointed headmaster of a boys' state school — a role she held for exactly 25 years.In this conversation, Susan shares what she's learned about love, leadership, loss, and what it takes to raise good men. We talk about her mantra — "you can pretend to care, but you can't pretend to show up" — the Greek concept of aretē that became the school's cornerstone, why she believes vulnerability is the most important quality in a leader, and what people get wrong about teenage boys.Susan also opens up about working through breast cancer without missing a day, losing her deputy Graeme Robinson to a heart attack in her office, the death of her husband James, and why the years immediately after school are the most critical for young men.Whether you're a parent, a teacher, a coach, or just someone trying to figure out what matters most — this one's for you.⚠️ This episode contains a discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out: Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7) Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or free text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youthline: 0800 376 633 or free text 234Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Check out their range at barkersonline.co.nz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Accidental Business Owners, we welcome our first-ever guest to the show: actor, radio host, and entrepreneur Mike Minogue!Two years ago, after appearing on the Between Two Beers podcast, Mike pitched us an idea that seemed too good to refuse: creating a corporate speaking bureau featuring our podcast guests. We launched B2B Speakers, and it was an immediate hit.But today, we are announcing a "conscious uncoupling". In this honest conversation, we pull back the curtain on what happens when a side hustle grows faster than your capacity to manage it. We discuss why we are stepping away, how Mike is taking the reins, and the rebranding of the business to Frank Speakers.In this episode, we cover:The Origin Story: How a late-night drive led Mike to pitch the B2B Speakers concept.The "Too Good" Problem: Why the rapid success of the business actually became its biggest stressor.Burnout & Capacity: Balancing a startup with radio shows, podcasts, and new babies.The Breakup: How to navigate a business exit without ruining a friendship.Frank Speakers: The future of the agency under the Frank Management umbrella.The Power of "Turning Up": Mike's philosophy on consistency and why building trust takes 3–5 years.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Brown is best known as the co-founder of Allbirds - the New Zealand-born footwear brand that became a global phenomenon.But before Silicon Valley, before the IPO, and before building one of the world's most recognisable sustainable fashion brands, Tim was an All White, representing New Zealand on the world stage.At just 31 years old, still in his prime, he made a decision that shocked many: he walked away from professional football.In this episode, we explore the mindset behind that choice - and how the lessons from elite sport shaped the foundations of Allbirds.We talk about:Missing his moment at the World CupIdentity, ego, and high-performance environmentsKnowing when to leave the party earlyThe pressure of building a global brandWhat success really feels like on the other sideThis is a conversation about ambition, discipline, perspective, and taking the long view — from the pitch to the boardroom.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hambassadors, we take you behind the scenes of a chaotic fortnight.Steve confesses to messing up the opening line of the Halberg Awards and embarking on the world's longest, most stressful ad-lib in front of a live audience.Seamus (a former goalkeeper) breaks down the "Phoenix Nightmare" - THAT viral own goal by Josh Oluwayemi - and explains why he wanted the ground to swallow him up just watching it.Plus, we cover Steve's obsession with his 94% sleep score, a $42 taxi ride that ruined the night, meeting Chris Wood's dad, and the massive reaction to our episode with Dr. Lucy Hone.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad Thorn is one of the most unique champions New Zealand sport has ever produced.A dual-code legend, Brad achieved what almost no one has - winning NRL premierships, World Cups, Super Rugby titles, and earning the right to wear the All Blacks jersey at the highest level.But behind the trophies is an obsession with discipline, standards, and doing the work that others won't. In this conversation, Brad reflects on the mindset that shaped his career - the moments that hardened him, the sacrifices required to chase the black jersey, and why he believes “champions do extra.”We talk about walking away from millions to start again, the lessons he learned from the toughest environments in sport, and what it really takes to become a master of your craft. An unforgettable episode with one of the greats.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're kicking off 2026 with a big change! Di walks into the studio with a completely shaved head, addressing the "elephant in the room" immediately.But this episode isn't just about the new look - it's about looking forward. Di introduces the "10,000 Days" framework: the idea that at mid-life, we have roughly 10,000 days left to live. The question isn't just what your net worth will be when you're 80, but whether you had a "sh*t ton of fun" getting there.We also get into a heated debate about "parenting scorecards" (do you really need data to know if you're a present dad?).In this episode, we cover:The Big Reveal: Why Di shaved her head and the "interesting assumptions" people make.The 10,000 Days Rule: A framework for reverse-engineering your life from age 80.The "Shit Ton of Fun" Metric: Why financial freedom means nothing if you're miserable achieving it.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode includes discussion of grief, loss, and mental health, which some listeners may find distressing.Dr Lucy Hone is one of the world's leading voices on grief, resilience, and how humans survive life's hardest moments.In this episode, Lucy shares the tools and insights she's developed through her work in resilience psychology - and through personal tragedy, after losing her 12-year-old daughter Abby in a sudden accident.We talk about why grief isn't just about death, but about any unwanted change we're forced to endure, why so many of us struggle with “grief literacy,” and how opening up honest conversations about loss can help people breathe again.This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit http://tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. In New Zealand, you can call or text 1737 anytime to speak with a trained counsellor. If you are in immediate danger, please call 111. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hambassadors, things get way too honest. Steve finally confesses to his most embarrassing "new dad" moment involving a big night out and a change table, while Seamus opens up about separation anxiety.Plus, we break down the absolute scenes from the Horgan Cup golf tournament, where Seamus managed to get New Zealand legends like Mark Ellis, Matthew Ridge, Patty Gower, and Ryan Fox to record personal roasting intros for the players.We also go behind the scenes of the powerful Cameron George interview, discuss why Seamus ruined his sensory deprivation float tank experience, and tease this week's incredibly emotional episode with Dr. Lucy Hone.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Between Two Beers, we sit down with Cameron George, the CEO of the New Zealand Warriors.Cameron is one of the most influential figures in modern New Zealand sport - and in this conversation, he opens up like never before about the journey that shaped him, and the brutal years that nearly broke the club.We dive deep into the Warriors' extraordinary 1,038-day COVID exile, the personal toll it took on players, staff and families, and how that period ultimately forged the culture and resilience we see in the club today.Cameron reflects on leadership under pressure, the people who carried the organisation through its darkest stretch, and what it takes to build belief inside an NRL club representing an entire country.We also explore his upbringing in rural Australia, his unlikely path through horse racing and governance, his relationship with owner Mark Robinson, and why “people first” has always been at the centre of everything he does.This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit Racing & Sports Betting Online in New Zealand | TAB to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Te Radar is one of New Zealand's most distinctive storytellers, but his career never followed a plan.From anarchic comedy and improvisation to the runaway success of Off The Radar, this conversation explores how curiosity, chance, and saying “yes” shaped a life in television, documentary-making, and storytelling.In this episode of Between Two Beers, Te Radar reflects on growing up curious, the moments that felt like a dream come true, why everyone has an interesting story, and what he believes truly separates New Zealand from the rest of the world.It's a thoughtful, funny, and a truly Kiwi conversation about serendipity, people, and not realising how lucky we are until we stop and look around.This episode is brought to you by TAB. Download the TAB app or visit tab.co.nz to get your bet on. R18. Bet responsibly.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to another episode of Hmbassadors!This week, Seamus gives a six-week update on his new life as a dad, Steve reflects on life with four kids and why his memory is officially "cooked" after a few serious petrol station run-ins - plus, the great debate of 2026 continues. Could it be the end of us?We also recap our recent "Re-ignite" studio opening before diving into a massive sports segment.With the Halberg Awards coming up, we look at the nominees for New Zealand's Favourite Sporting Moment and share our own top picks - including Seamus's glory days as the "snake in the grass" at the Ethnic Soccer Festival and Steve's attempt at the Kipchoge challenge.Plus, we answer listener questions from the Fun Bag about the most underrated Between Two Beers episodes and the one question we regret not asking a guest.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He is the secret weapon behind Chelsea FC, the England Football team, the South African Proteas, and NATO's Command Group. Yet, Owen Eastwood has no coaching qualifications, describes himself as an "imposter," and often refuses to watch the actual games his teams play.In this episode, we sit down with the most in-demand performance coach you've never heard of.We discuss the "mystical" session where he made hardened NATO generals cry, why he stays silent for three months before coaching a new team, and the "ancient code" of belonging that now drives billion-dollar organisations.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB. Got a hunch? Get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For years, Mike McRoberts was the most recognisable and trusted face on New Zealand television, sitting at the 6pm news desk, delivering the biggest stories in the country. What most people never saw was where that job took him.In this episode of Between Two Beers, Mike opens up about reporting from war zones, covering humanitarian disasters, and what it actually took - mentally and emotionally - to be the face of the news for so long.He reflects on moments that still stay with him years later, including being detained overseas, witnessing the aftermath of devastating earthquakes, and why the job became “a special kind of hell” at times. But this conversation goes deeper than war stories.Mike also speaks candidly about identity, growing up “culturally malnourished,” and how learning te reo Māori later in life forced him to confront parts of himself he'd long ignored. It's an honest discussion about responsibility, belonging, and the personal toll of carrying other people's stories for decades.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB. Got a hunch? Get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to a brand-new year of Hambassadors! We're kicking off 2026 with some "edgy" fashion choices, high-stakes goals, and a look at the guests we're manifesting for the year ahead.In this episode, Seamus explains why he's bringing back the Eric Cantona-inspired popped collar (and whether he cleared it with Barkers first). Meanwhile, Stephen shares a harrowing New Year's Eve tale from Whangamatā involving cocktails, a beach trolley, and a police breathalyser checkpoint.We also put our 2026 goals to the test by letting AI critique them. Things get personal when the AI roasts Steve's "operationally empty" fatherhood goals and his "content sabotage" betting strategy. Plus, we reveal our 2026 Guest Hitlist, featuring everyone from Jimmy Carr to Hamish & Andy and Graham Norton.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.0:21 – The Popped Collar8:10 – The New Year's Eve Ordeal11:15 – 2026 Goals16:58 – AI Roasts our Goals20:15 – Summer Content34:00 – A Voice Note from Staffy49:00 – Our Top 5 Dream Guests for 202654:50 – Our upcoming ep with Mike McRobertsFeatured in this episode: Check out our private documentary service at reflections.life to record your family stories before it's too late.Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes insights from Between Two Beers! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Foran has led at a level very few people ever will.From running Walmart US - a business with over a million employees - to serving as CEO of Air New Zealand through some of its most challenging years, Greg has made decisions where the consequences affected millions of people.In this conversation, Greg takes us inside what that responsibility actually feels like. We talk about making calls that wipe billions off company value, leading through crisis and chaos, operating in China when the rulebook doesn't apply, and why losing the top job earlier in his career ended up changing everything.We also dive into his mindset: fear of failure, discipline, curiosity, people-first leadership, and why paying and trusting frontline workers matters more than most executives realise.This is a rare, honest look at leadership when the stakes are real - and when getting it wrong isn't an option.This episode is a re-release of our conversation with Greg Foran from 2025.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB, download the new app today and get your bet on! Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're re-releasing a classic episode with All Black legend Ali Williams, initially recorded in 2024.At the time of recording, Ali had recently launched Auckland FC with his wife Anna Mowbray, so we dive deep into his goals and vision for the team (much of which has come to fruition since). We also go into the best stories from across his rugby and All Blacks career, as well as an open conversation about the loss of his father.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're back with another compilation of our favourite moments from the epic year that was 2025.This time, we've canvassed some highlights from our incredible guests across the realms of business, entertainment, and culture, including:Simon BarnettJay ReeveToni StreetGreg ForanBill BaileyGirls Get OffAl BrownJared SavageBrent ImpeyDr. Alia BojilovaGeoff RossWe hope you enjoy the recap and stay tuned for brand new episodes coming soon, happy holidays!This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What a year! We've had the privilege of speaking to some of New Zealand's best and brightest sporting stars in 2025, so we're proud to present a compilation of some of our favourite moments from across the year, including:Steve WilliamsRyan FoxDame Noeline TauruaIan FosterMarius van der PolSarah WalkerSean FitzpatrickGilbert EnokaClayton McMillanGordon WalkerWe hope you enjoy the recap, stay tuned for another Best of 2025 episode coming next week too!This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the final Hambassadors episode of the year, and Seamus drops a bombshell.After keeping it quiet for nine months, Seamus reveals he's had a baby, sharing what life has been like behind the scenes and how he managed to keep such a massive moment under wraps.The boys also take time to reflect on the year that's been - the highs, the challenges, what they've learned, and how Hambassadors has grown along the way. Most importantly, they say a huge thank you to everyone who's listened, supported, and been part of the journey in 2025.Enjoy, and we'll see you in the new year.

This week we're re-releasing one of our most powerful and memorable episodes of the year - a conversation that many of our new listeners may have missed when it first came out. Dr Alia Bojilova is the former Lead Psychologist of the New Zealand SAS, a United Nations peacekeeper, bestselling author of The Resilience Toolkit, and one of the most remarkable humans we've ever had on the show.In this episode, Alia takes us inside the extraordinary story of the time she was taken hostage by Syrian rebels while serving with the UN, and how she used curiosity, composure and human connection to survive an ordeal with almost no chance of escape. But this conversation goes far beyond the hostage event. We explore her upbringing in post-communist Bulgaria, elite athletic career, the science behind resilience, her relationship with her husband Jamie (an SAS soldier and former BTB guest), motherhood, leadership, identity, and the psychology of navigating adversity.It's an episode that has stayed with listeners long after they finished it - and with so many new followers discovering Between Two Beers, we wanted to bring it back into the spotlight.If you're new to the show, this is one of the most compelling stories we've told. If you heard it the first time, it's well worth revisiting. Enjoy this special re-release with Dr Alia Bojilova.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's our last episode of ABO for 2025! Steve and Di look back on a defining year of podcasting and the lessons that will shape what comes next. From finding flow state and working as an introvert, to protecting creative energy, navigating pressure, and building a sustainable pace.Steve opens up about the personal and professional growth he's experienced through the OMP business course from the Icehouse, how his approach to creative work has shifted, and why the next year is less about doing more and more about doing what matters.We also chat about prioritising wellbeing, avoiding burnout, creating space for creativity, and maintaining purpose.Thank you to everyone who tuned into the show this year, we love what we're building and can't wait to be back in 2026!This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Between Two Beers we speak with Carl Sheridan - a low-key legend whose story stopped us in our tracks.Carl is a performance coach, designer, rugby mentor at Te Awamutu College, and a dad from Pirongia who volunteers more than 25 hours a week to help the next generation of young men. He's what we'd call a community hero - someone who shows up, gives back, and genuinely changes the lives around him.But behind all of that is a tough backstory, Carl has battled depression, anxiety, and a decade-long eating disorder, and has since turned that pain into purpose by mentoring young people who need support the most. His mission is simple: inspire more of us to help in our communities — and make service feel within reach, not out of it.In this episode we talk about what it actually means to live a meaningful life, how to rebuild yourself after your darkest years, the importance of local role models, what drives Carl's dedication, and the powerful personal manifesto he shares at the end.A quick note: this episode discusses sensitive mental health topics including bulimia, anxiety, and depression. Take it at your own pace, pause if you need to. If anything comes up for you, text or call 1737 any time, or check the support links in the show notes.This episode is brought to you by our proud sponsors TAB - and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this reflective episode of Hambassadors, Steve and Seamus look back on where they were in 2022 living in different cities, unsure of the future, juggling day jobs - and compare it to where they are now, closing out 2024 with a full-time podcast business, a team, and a clearer sense of purpose.The conversation centres around their first ever coaching experience with Shaun Goldsbury, who helped them start to think seriously about vision, values and what might actually be possible if they backed themselves. A voice note from Shaun brings some of those early ideas back to the surface - and prompts a conversation about how much has changed (and what hasn't) in just three years.There's also a voice note from Luke Kemeys (Keep The Change), sharing his own reflections on growth and how looking back can help shape what comes next.Plus: stories from their BetterMan keynote, Barkers suit fittings, 12 Pubs of Christmas, and a great listener Q&A.This is the second-to-last Hambassadors of the year, with one more to come before the break.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura McGoldrick lives one of the busiest lives in New Zealand media - juggling motherhood, broadcasting, live sport, travel, and a calendar that barely leaves room to breathe. But behind the glamour, highlights and viral moments, Laura opens up about something most parents know all too well: the constant feeling of Mum Guilt. Laura shares the reality of parenting with Martin Guptill, raising their kids around sport, and the pressure of trying to be everywhere at once.She talks about the moments that have shaped her, the chaos of her job, and the stories she has never shared publicly until now – including a wild Vegas trip, a knockout moment at the Cricket World Cup, and the best advice she ever received from legendary broadcaster Phillip Leishman.This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seamus and Di Foster sit down for a 1:1, reflecting on the highs, lows and lessons that shaped 2025. From business wins to personal growth, they unpack what actually moved the needle, and whether Seamus hit the goals he boldly set 12 months ago.They also look ahead to 2026: what they want to build, what they want to fix, and how they plan to keep evolving as accidental business owners navigating the messy middle of work and life.If you're building something of your own, this one's full of honesty, reflection and a few surprises.Accidental Business Owners is brought to you by Icehouse and Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers.Between Two Beers is supported by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russell Packer has lived one of the wildest arcs in rugby league - from a teenage prop playing men's footy in Levin, to 100+ NRL games, prison, the threat of deportation, an MBA from one of the world's top business schools, and a completely different life after footy.Russell opens up about the parts of his story most people don't see - the demons, the damage, the work, and the daily battle to be better for his partner Lara and their kids.We talk:•⁠ ⁠Discovering Wim Hof, ice baths and chasing healthy extremes•⁠ ⁠Growing up in Foxton, playing men's league at 14 and life lessons from Levin Lions•⁠ ⁠The Sydney assault: what actually happened, the court case and media narrative•⁠ ⁠A year in jail, isolation, anger, acceptance and the moment his daughter broke him•⁠ ⁠Rebuilding his life and career after prison•⁠ ⁠Nearly being deported from Australia and what that meant for his family•⁠ ⁠Studying business, getting into AGSM and graduating with an MBA•⁠ ⁠Moving into business: subdivisions, fencing and learning by failing•⁠ ⁠Curiosity, reading, and a lifelong thirst for knowledge•⁠ ⁠Raising an autistic son and becoming more empathetic and less judgmentalThis episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Hambassadors brought to you by Stark, Che lifts the lid on his surprise wedding - a secret ceremony disguised as a casual party. Some guests arrived late, one turned up straight from the golf course, and others missed the memo entirely. No suits. No first dance. Just speeches, chinos, and a whole lot of love.Elsewhere, Steve confesses to flooding a Queenstown hotel room with a poorly timed bath, we break down insights from a $36k leadership course, and uncover Steve's true introverted nature.There's also fashion tips from the Barkers wardrobe upgrade and a voice note from Sharyn Casey that sparked a deeper chat about discipline and identity.Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers and this episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Geoff Ross built one of New Zealand's most iconic global brands - 42Below Vodka - then walked away at the top. Today, he's leading a different kind of revolution: carbon-positive farming.From selling vodka to the world, to Trilogy Skincare, Ecoya, Moa, and pioneering sustainable agriculture at Lake Hawea Station, Geoff's career spans some of New Zealand's most successful and forward-thinking ventures. In this conversation, he opens up on:The backlash from Country Calendar's most-watched and how he handled itBuilding brands like 42Below, Trilogy and moreThe mission to make NZ farming climate positiveHis partnership with wife Justine and their family journeySpearfishing, Antarctica dives, near-death experiences, and life perspectiveWhether you're interested in entrepreneurship, branding, sustainability or just great storytelling - this episode delivers.Watch through to the end for reflections on leadership, vision, and why Geoff believes New Zealand's best days are still ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We started 2025 with a list of big goals… and quickly realised most of them were useless.In this episode, we break down why traditional goal-setting failed us, what happened when we focused on just two things, and how clarity, resilience, and self-awareness changed everything.We also talk about:– The importance of risk profiles & ambition– What “being in the arena” really looks like– Growth vs. parenting, balance, and burnoutThis episode was brought to you by Xero. Supercharge your business with the help of Xero accounting software. With more ways to pay, clearer cash flow, and powerful insights all in one place, you can say ‘so long' to endless admin and hello to business control like never before. Try Xero free for 30 days, terms apply.Subscribe or follow us wherever you get your podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three years since our first episode, Ryan Fox returns to the podcast - and a lot has changed over that period.Fox has been on an incredible run, but it didn't all come easy - and behind the scenes there were serious challenges for his family.The perspective that came from loss, and the fine line between professional success and personal struggle, he shares what it really takes to compete on the PGA Tour, the process of rebuilding after injury, and how becoming a father has changed the way he sees the game and himself.The episode also explores the mindset work that helped Fox stay grounded through chaos, his growing friendship with Rory McIlroy, and the remarkable rise of his own event, Chasing The Fox. Across two hours, he opens up about the lessons, the pressure, and the people who helped him through it all - including his father, Grant Fox, whose reflections bring the conversation full circle.This is an honest, personal look at one of New Zealand's most successful athletes - a conversation about golf, resilience and what really matters when the cameras are off.This episode is brought to you by the TAB. Got a hunch? Download the new app today and get your bet on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.