Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett
Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett
Going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister was a journey with plenty of ups and downs along the way, but it taught me a lot. Now, with a mid life crisis reinvention under my belt, I want to share some of the advice I’ve learnt along the way – and I’ll be bringing some of my friends along to share their stories and teach me a thing or two as well.Social links:
Mea Motu on surviving domestic violence - and choosing to forgive
Warning: This episode discusses domestic violence and suicidal thoughts. This week, Paula's guest is boxing champion Mea Motu for an emotional interview as Motu discusses her experiences with domestic violence, why she got out for her children's sake, and why years later she learnt to put their fe…
45:44
How to be a great CEO with Rhiannon McKinnon
This week, Paula's guest is the CEO of Cassiobury, Rhiannon McKinnon. They discuss her pathway through the business community and moving to New Zealand, including her time as CEO of KiwiWealth, before getting her advice for the next generation of CEOs and business leaders.
44:28
How to live an adventurous life with Sir Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson
This week, Paula is joined by her longtime friends, adventurers and humanitarians, Sir Graeme Dingle and his wife Jo-anne Wilkinson. They discuss their many adventures together, Sir Graeme's mountaineering and the important work they are doing through the Graeme Dingle Foundation. They also share…
43:56
How to get through a health crisis with Barry Soper
This week, Paula's guest is a familiar name - Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper. He's Ask Me Anything's first returning guest, but Soper has a story to tell after a year of health difficulties. He discusses what he went through after heart surgery last year, and gives his insig…
36:46
How to run an ethical brothel with Antonia Murphy
This week, Paula's guest is Antonia Murphy, known for running the ethical brothel 'The Bach' in Whangarei from 2017 to 2019. They discuss how Murphy got into this line of work, and what the whole experience taught her about sex work, consent, and the lives of the women she came across. She also dis…
42:31
How to talk about your mental health with Sir John Kirwan
This week, Paula's guest is All Black great turned mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan. They discuss his thoughts on the current state of rugby, his views on ambition and a need for society to move away from extremes, and his latest business ventures. He then shares his advice on talking about a…
55:20
How to own your health issues with Susie Ferguson
This week, Paula's guest is RNZ journalist Susie Ferguson. They discuss her new memoir, Bloody Minded, and get a range of advice from Susie, including from her experiences reporting from war zones, going public with her endometriosis diagnosis and subsequent hysterectomy, and being a woman in a man…
41:20
How to make the rural move with Matt Chisholm
This week, Paula's guest is broadcaster and mental health advocate turned farmer, Matt Chisholm. They both discuss their mental health struggles and learning to identify when things are wrong, before Matt shares advice on moving to rural life and what we can learn from farmers.
36:56
How to find dignity in death with 'Coffin Confessor' Bill Edgar
Warning: This episode contains frequent strong language. This week, Paula's guest is 'Coffin Confessor' Bill Edgar. They discuss his unique career and what it involves - from airing secrets at funerals, to cleaning out people's homes, to even burying cash. He also shares his advice on dying and …
46:52Explicit
How to know when to quit with Jay Jay Feeney
This week, Paula's guest is long-time radio host Jay-Jay Feeney. They discuss her relationship with ex Dom Harvey know they are working together again and being an oversharer, before discussing Feeney's decision to leave radio, what prompted it, how she knew it was time, and reinventing yourself as…
40:24