Straight Up with Niva and Beatrice

Journalist, author, mental health advocate and TV host Matt Chisholm is this week's guest. He talks to Niva and Beatrice about growing up in Otago, his early struggles with mental health and drinking, why he chose to be honest about his story, working in current affairs and being a TV host, what he has learned talking to people about his issues, and answers what he calls 'the best question' he's ever been asked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Actress, TV presenter and advocate Sonia Gray is this week's guest. She talks to Niva and Beatrice about starting her career in modelling and acting, representation in the entertainment industry, learning she was expecting twins, her and her family's journey with neurodiversity, making time for herself and what she learned from dabbling in reality TV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director, writer and Oscar nominated producer Chelsea Winstanley is this week's guest. She joins Niva and Beatrice to discuss the films that influenced her, the other wahine filmmakers that guided her way, and why that's led to her being so passionate about telling stories from brown creatives. She also discusses being honest about her own trauma, embracing forgiveness, and how her separation and giving up drinking have helped her find herself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chef and TV personality Monica Galetti is this week's guest. She joins Niva - her real-life cousin - and Beatrice to discuss moving to Wellington from American Samoa as a child, adjusting to her new country, how her love of food started at an early age, her TV and hospitality career in London, why she stepped back from MasterChef, and her experiences with race and gender in her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian turned author Chris Parker is this week's guest. He joins Niva and Beatrice to talk his recent marriage, growing up gay in Christchurch and going to an all boys school, the highs and lows of being an entertainer in New Zealand, how his platform has helped him challenge stereotypes, and why his new book, Here for a Good Time, is what he needed to read as a teenager. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multidimensional artist Lindah Lepou is this week's guest. She joins Niva and Beatrice to discuss moving to Samoa at a young age and adapting to life there, discovering her fa'afafine identity, discovering her love for fashion and her determination to make it in that career, and how becoming New Zealand's inaugural queer arts laureate does not mean her career is over. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newshub journalist and newsreader Mike McRoberts is this week's guest. He joins Niva and Beatrice in the wake of his successful documentary, Kia Ora, Good Evening, which detailed his journey with learning te reo and embracing his Māori identity. Mike discusses his decades in the media, covering war zones, working with Hilary Barry and Samantha Hayes, before detailing what he has learned from filming his documentary and how he plans to continue his education. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Fern turned TV broadcaster joins Niva and Beatrice for a lively conversation in the first episode of the new season. Robinson chats about being a pioneer in sports and media, covering the Beehive, meeting her golfer husband Marcus Wheelhouse, Celebrity Treasure Island, and her undying love of rugby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Niva Retimanu and Beatrice Faumuina are back for a new season of their Straight Up chats with luminaries from around Aotearoa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Silver Fern and police officer turned TV presenter Jenny-May Clarkson joined Niva and Beatrice on this week's episode to discuss what she's learned over her varied career. Beginning from her time as the youngest of six children growing up in rural New Zealand to hosting the country's top TV breakfast show, Clarkson talks about her lifelong determination and will to succeed, and how, despite her amazing career, she still battles insecurities while on air today. They also discuss the power in speaking your truth, her whirlwind romance with her husband, and embracing her culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former police officer Lance Burdett joined Niva and Beatrice on this week's episode to discuss his time on the frontlines while fighting depression and mental health struggles. As the country's top suicide negotiator, best known for his role in the 2009 Napier Siege, Burdett himself was pushing back against suicidal thoughts. But now that he has left the force, he is coaching and helping people reach their true potential and identify the same struggles in their lives. He discusses how he realised things weren't right and what he's learnt in the years sinceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sports Executive Raelene Castle joined Niva and Beatrice on this week's episode to discuss her life at the forefront of sports in New Zealand and Australia and her roles with Netball New Zealand, Rugby Australia and Sport New Zealand. Castle opened up about having sports stars as parents, her progress from the commercial world to public roles, and being a woman in a male dominated world. She also touched on her experiences with alopecia and why she went public with her condition, and gets into her decision to terminate Israel Folau's contract and what she would and wouldn't do differently now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Teeks - born Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi - joined Niva and Beatrice on this week's episode to discuss life behind the microphone for one of New Zealand's rising musical superstars. In his first podcast interview, Teeks discusses the reasons behind his stage name and why he feels like a different person on stage, maintaining a private life when you are in the public eye, surrounding himself with the right people, why he doesn't want to be boxed in as being just a Māori singer, and why his 'surrender' tattoo comes from a positive place.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drag queen, entertainer and community worker Edward Cowley - better known as Buckwheat - joined Beatrice and Niva on Straight Up to talk about his amazing journey from sneaking into clubs as a teenager to becoming one of the country's top performers. He discussed his journey with his sexuality alongside his family and faith, what it was like performing in the 80s and 90s, and how losing family to cancer changed his perspective on health.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer-songwriter, producer and musician Hollie Smith joined Niva and Beatrice for this week's episode to discuss the highs and lows of her music career. Smith opened up on the complicated relationship she has with her best-known song, Bathe in the River, the legal battle that had a major impact on her international career, and what it was like growing up in a musical family and touring the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radio host, TV personality, author and beloved broadcaster Toni Street joins Niva and Beatrice as this week's guest for Straight Up. Street talks about how the loss of three of her siblings impacted her family, the grief she's carried with her since, and what she learnt at the time and in the years since about loss, moving on and what people can do to support their loved ones. She also reflects on her successful career, her love of sports, and reflects on her health battles and her experiences with surrogacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black, Olympian, league star and boxing champion Sonny Bill Williams joins Niva and Beatrice for the first episode of Straight Up. Here, he reflects on his sporting career and personal life and how they have led him to where he is today - including the drive to succeed to support his family, moving overseas by himself as a teenager, the mistakes he made along the way, and how his faith and family have helped him grow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.