Meet two of my awesome mates, Pietra Brettkelly and Sandy Burgham, who are two fabulous wāhine living life to the beat of their own drums, and saying No to the script society says women need to follow. So I thought it'd be bloody good fun to sit down and swap stories, and find out what makes their brave risk-taking brains tick.

Pietra is a documentary film-maker whose body of work includes Yellow is Forbidden and The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (yes, she was at this year's Oscars!), and was recently named an Arts Laureate of New Zealand. She also cycled for almost two hours to get to our interview!

At the age of 50, Sandy quit her high-powered corporate job and decided to go back to uni, design an app, write a blog and so much more. In 2016, founded Play CoLab - a collaborative practice deeply invested in innovative approaches to systemic, organisational and personal transformation. 

Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

Meet two of my awesome mates, Pietra Brettkelly and Sandy Burgham, who are two fabulous wāhine living life to the beat of their own drums, and saying No to the script society says women need to follow. So I thought it'd be bloody good fun to sit down and swap stories, and find out what makes their brave risk-taking brains tick.
Pietra is a documentary film-maker whose body of work includes Yellow is Forbidden and The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins. She is a member of The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (yes, she was at this year's Oscars!), and was recently named an Arts Laureate of New Zealand. She also cycled for almost two hours to get to our interview!
At the age of 50, Sandy quit her high-powered corporate job and decided to go back to uni, design an app, write a blog and so much more. In 2016, founded Play CoLab - a collaborative practice deeply invested in innovative approaches to systemic, organisational and personal transformation. 
Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

Kia ora and nau mai haere mai to Grey Areas with me, Petra Bagust. This is about growing up and going grey, in Aotearoa New Zealand because I’m getting older. And so are you. So how do we do it well?

I reckon we can do it with a bit of gorgeousness and gusto and break that ‘getting old’ mould just a little. Or maybe more than a little.

So join me as we climb into some of those topics that just aren't so clear-cut, maybe are a little chewy, a little crunchy… and let’s journey our way through them.

I've got a group of wonderful wāhine, and the odd beaut bloke, to chat with, and we're going to share some wisdom that we've discovered along the way. And I’d love for you to share your wisdom with me too, because everybody has something to offer.

Kia ora and nau mai haere mai to Grey Areas with me, Petra Bagust. This is about growing up and going grey, in Aotearoa New Zealand because I&rsquo;m getting older. And so are you. So how do we do it well?
I reckon we can do it with a bit of gorgeousness and gusto and break that &lsquo;getting old&rsquo; mould just a little. Or maybe more than a little.
So join me as we climb into some of those topics that just aren't so clear-cut, maybe are a little chewy, a little crunchy&hellip; and let&rsquo;s journey our way through them.
I've got a group of wonderful wāhine, and the odd beaut bloke, to chat with, and we're going to share some wisdom that we've discovered along the way. And I&rsquo;d love for you to share your wisdom with me too, because everybody has something to offer.

Growing up and going grey in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Grey Areas with Petra Bagust

Living off script | Pietra Brettkelly + Sandy Burgham

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist, author, and menopause researcher Dr Hillary McBride to explore what it means to truly come home to our bodies - to treat them like a best friend. Hillary’s work spans critical topics like trauma, eating disorders, and women's health, with a particular focus on menopause as a transformative experience.

Through her books, The Wisdom of Your Body and Practices for Embodied Living, Hillary advocates for a reconnection with our bodies, inviting us to listen to, honour, and celebrate our physical selves.

Using Hillary’s vivid metaphor of our body as a home, we discuss the absurdity of ‘living on the front lawn’ and basing our worth on this external perspective. She encourages us to find our way back inside the home and make the most of the rich experiences to be found within.

Hillary champions supportive environments where women can share their experiences free from judgement - her research demonstrates the positive and practical impact of women talking about menopause with each other… this information is too good not to share - come and sit with this wise soul who loves helping women find safety and solace in our very own bodies!

Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

In this episode, I sit down with psychologist, author, and menopause researcher Dr Hillary McBride to explore what it means to truly come home to our bodies - to treat them like a best friend. Hillary’s work spans critical topics like trauma, eating disorders, and women's health, with a particular focus on menopause as a transformative experience.
Through her books, The Wisdom of Your Body and Practices for Embodied Living, Hillary advocates for a reconnection with our bodies, inviting us to listen to, honour, and celebrate our physical selves.
Using Hillary’s vivid metaphor of our body as a home, we discuss the absurdity of ‘living on the front lawn’ and basing our worth on this external perspective. She encourages us to find our way back inside the home and make the most of the rich experiences to be found within.
Hillary champions supportive environments where women can share their experiences free from judgement - her research demonstrates the positive and practical impact of women talking about menopause with each other… this information is too good not to share - come and sit with this wise soul who loves helping women find safety and solace in our very own bodies!
Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

Making friends with my body - good friends! | Dr Hillary McBride

The tide is rising toward Megan’s 50th birthday, and we surf the currents of childhood memories to uncover how mermaids, like the best stories, delight us with their symbolic depth.

We reflect on my relationship with my mother, navigating the murky waters between closeness and independence. Megan shares how her mother transformed into an exuberant grandmother, becoming a lighthouse guiding her toward metamorphosis despite her own unfulfilled dreams.

We wade into the depths of parenting and self-love, exploring the complexities of aging amid impossible societal expectations. This episode rides the wave of generational bonds that, while often frustrating, anchor us.

As our conversation ebbs and flows through themes of self-acceptance and re-enchantment, we question conventional metrics of success and the power of ‘voice’ in shaping our narratives. Splashing through literature and art, we celebrate the significance of community and meaningful connections, steering us toward a more magical sense of purpose.

Join us as we surf these enchanting waves together!

Song Credit: Korimako, performed by Aro, written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker, published by Songbroker.

The tide is rising toward Megan’s 50th birthday, and we surf the currents of childhood memories to uncover how mermaids, like the best stories, delight us with their symbolic depth.
We reflect on my relationship with my mother, navigating the murky waters between closeness and independence. Megan shares how her mother transformed into an exuberant grandmother, becoming a lighthouse guiding her toward metamorphosis despite her own unfulfilled dreams.
We wade into the depths of parenting and self-love, exploring the complexities of aging amid impossible societal expectations. This episode rides the wave of generational bonds that, while often frustrating, anchor us.
As our conversation ebbs and flows through themes of self-acceptance and re-enchantment, we question conventional metrics of success and the power of ‘voice’ in shaping our narratives. Splashing through literature and art, we celebrate the significance of community and meaningful connections, steering us toward a more magical sense of purpose.
Join us as we surf these enchanting waves together!
Song Credit: Korimako, performed by Aro, written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker, published by Songbroker.

Diving into the wreck: on mermaids, motherhood and midlife | Megan Dunn

There were three things Susie Ferguson was never going to do; climb Mt Everest, run a marathon or write a book.

However a serendipitous podcast interview with my good friend Frank nudged her to capture her experiences as a war correspondent, radio journalist and woman - the result is "Bloody Minded." 

Susie shares her experiences of being bullied and even publicly shamed by a teacher while navigating the tricky dynamics of an all-girls school. 

Her candid reflections on enduring undiagnosed endometriosis while reporting from Iraq, display her resilience and humour. 

From her love story with husband Lee, to the intense bonds formed in war zones,and the challenges of transitioning into motherhood, Susie’s book is moving and memorable.

Join us for a heartfelt exploration of adaptability, determination, and the bonds that define our lives.

Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

There were three things Susie Ferguson was never going to do; climb Mt Everest, run a marathon or write a book.
However a serendipitous <a href="https://pod.link/1573525560/episode/bac4747a657b586f3e32f7a2943550d8">podcast interview with my good friend Frank</a> nudged her to capture her experiences as a war correspondent, radio journalist and woman - the result is "Bloody Minded." 
Susie shares her experiences of being bullied and even publicly shamed by a teacher while navigating the tricky dynamics of an all-girls school. 
Her candid reflections on enduring undiagnosed endometriosis while reporting from Iraq, display her resilience and humour. 
From her love story with husband Lee, to the intense bonds formed in war zones,and the challenges of transitioning into motherhood, Susie’s book is moving and memorable.
Join us for a heartfelt exploration of adaptability, determination, and the bonds that define our lives.
Song credit: Korimako, Performed by Aro, Written by Emily Looker and Charles Looker and published by Songbroker.

Living off script | Pietra Brettkelly + Sandy Burgham

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