Shows
The Sober ConnectionSeason 2 - Episode 4: My Chat with Hepa Te MoanaIn this episode of The Sober Connection, host Abi King engages in a candid conversation with Heps, who is navigating the complexities of wanting to quit drinking while still being drawn to it. They explore Heps' experiences with alcohol, the impact of his DJ career on his relationship with drinking, and the social dynamics surrounding alcohol consumption. The discussion delves into the benefits of sobriety, including increased productivity and self-awareness, as well as the fears and challenges associated with a life without alcohol. Heps shares his insights on accountability and the importance of ref...
2025-10-1855 min
Best SiiideJay Ruka - Crusading against colonisationIt all started with a dream... literally.Jay Ruka, the new co dean at Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary in New Plymouth, joins me on an episode to talk about religion and its relationship to colonisation and the reconciling of those two worlds in the modern day. We explore what it's like growing up within a household run by church leaders and how those influences rippled out into social circles.Surfing, church, colonisation, family and the churches role in settling Aotearoa as an English colony all play out heavily here. We also get into a very elaborate kōrero a...
2021-12-131h 35
Best SiiidePermission to feel - Monique Carmela - Best Siiide S3: Episode 7When was the last time you gave yourself permission to feel?Like, reeeeally feel!In a world where we often have been taught to suppress our "negative emotions" : sadness, anger, frustration and the likes - it can be hard to be ones authentic self. What does an authentic self look like and how can we get back to that when needed? Enter, Monique: 'Monique is trained in remedial massage, sound healing, biodynamic breathwork, energy healing and yoga. Through her own healing journey Monique has strengthened and attuned her intuition and has a direct channel to Source, offering healing, wisdom, and s...
2021-12-051h 56
Best SiiideBestSiiide S3: Episode 6: Don't give up your weapons - Netic RebelHow do you feel about the current state of the world? What have you been told about meditation? How do you keep your expectations of others in check?Mystic. Misfit. Librarian. Barbarian. Netic Rebel is a juxtaposition of many things and living proof that people should never be limited to the confinements of a box. In this conversation, Netic and I explore the craziness of the contemporary world (2021) and explore together what we know, what we think we know and what we don't know. Covering martial arts as therapy, spirituality being open to all and the indigenous perspective in a col...
2021-10-262h 49
Best SiiidePania Te Paiho - Best Siiide - Mana is a birthrightBefore starting Wahine Toa Hunting, Pania was a self confessed 'hood bitch doing hood things'.Now, many years later, Pania has travelled a journey of dealing drugs and stealing to now leading Wahine Māori on a journey of empowerment by teaching them how to use our natural resources to better themselves and their whānau whilst being invited to speak at soo many events that she can't even keep up with them all! I caught up with Pania to talk about mental health, colonisation and what she experienced when she died before she was brought back to life.--- Se...
2021-07-111h 08
Best SiiideBen D'arth - When light meets darkWhen the world gets a bit tough or times get a bit hard, where do you go and who do you turn to?In this episode of Best Siiide I catch up with introverted photographer, Ben D'Ath whose life took a dramatic shift when he was surprisingly involved in a house fire that destroyed his dwelling, nearly took his life and took time that Ben is now determined to reclaim.Teetering between dark moments of contemplating suicide, nightmares and self doubt we also experience incredibly illuminating moments of community support, nostalgia and a sense of purpose from Ben as he...
2021-06-281h 30
Best SiiideRangi Matamua - Best Siiide - Discovering your own star.When was the last time you intently looked at the stars? Professor Rangi Matamua stops in to talk with us about space, cultural appropriation, schooling, star wars and what the future looks like for Māori. We navigate how Māori need to be aware of just how protective of our culture and what it looks like to start becoming our parents or grandparents. Speaking about formal education, I share what I was afraid of and Rangi helps to navigate that space and offers an alternative view that might help a lot of us - especially Rangatahi/Youth, when looking at get...
2021-06-131h 32
Best SiiideZane Wedding - Te pū o te rākau / The essence of treesHave you ever felt lost? Not Māori enough? That you're nothing more than your job title? Kaitiaki, Zane Wedding, who slept in a tree for more than 60 nights continuously last year, was arrested after climbing a fence that blocked the Avondale site from being accessed by land stewards. Whilst his arm may have been broken, his wairua (spirit) has not been. Here I get to kōrero with the bro, in regards to why saving these trees is so important to the mental health, identity and environment of ALL New Zealanders. He shares his journey from being homeless at 14 on Auck...
2021-06-041h 17
Best SiiideThe Taranaki Retreat - Jamie Allen & Chris**How often have you just wished you could pause life for a second to get your shit together?TRIGGER WARNINGS: CONVERSATIONS AROUND SUICIDE, DEPRESSION, MENTAL HEALTH AND BEREAVEMENTThe Taranaki Retreat is a sanctuary for many and a safe haven for more many more. A small piece of paradise within Taranaki offering respite and the chance for people to get away from the pressures of life and go within themselves so they can arm themselves with the tools to then face the world with all its variables.Jamie Allen - Father, husband and...
2021-05-261h 02
Best SiiideChloe Swarbrick - The system is cookedNew Year, same ol' shit... well except now we have video!Thats right, we've stepped into the future and have finally taken the podcast to include video in it's 3rd season! Kicking off season 3, we catch up with Green Party Aotearoa New Zealand member of parliament and Auckland MP - Chloe Swarbrick.Heaps of gold nuggets in this kōrero, if not only to understand politics in Aotearoa a lot better. Chloe and I both agreed that there will be an inevitable part 2 to this as we didn’t even touch on New Zealand drug reform, her other baby (Chloe talk...
2021-05-0259 min
Best SiiideKindness Day 2021In this episode I sit down with Matua Mark and Bobby to talk about Mental health and how much Kindness can make a difference. 2020/2021 has been a crazy time for everyone but even without the contributions of Covid-19, contemporary stresses and modern anxiety seems to be spreading faster and quicker than ever. Just google "Mental health statistics NZ" and you'll see it but talk to two or 3 members of your whānau and see what conversations arise. The Taranaki retreat was built off personal experience and continues to function via community ambition: uniting the community together to be part of th...
2021-03-1434 min
Best SiiideRichie Hardcore - Accept the scaffoldingChampion Muay Thai kickboxer turned White Ribbon Ambassador and member of the their Trust, Richie Harcore is a passionate advocate for social change. Professionally he is in demand as a public speaker, personal trainer and fight coach. In his role as an Ambassador and in his professional public speaking engagements he campaigns to prevent sexual and domestic violence and also works as a sexual consent educator. In our kōrero we discuss toxic masculinity, addiction, how fighting helped him growing up and how growing up in West Auckland shaped his life into what it is now. Richie has been a...
2020-11-081h 38
Best SiiideWayne Capper - Te Kaitiaki (The Guardian)Wayne Capper (or Caps) was the first Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger for Te Kahui o Taranaki looking after 30 cultural sites (including many Pā) around Taranaki. In addition to that, the Australian born Māori man shares with us his experience in growing up in a household that took everyone in and how this shaped him as an adult. From a love of rugby league and community to battles with alcohol and owning his mistakes - Caps’ honest account of his life journey until this point will have lessons worth taking for everyone. Now a father of 7 but a role model to many...
2020-10-041h 59
Best SiiideDinnie Moeahu - The Big FighterThe Big Fighter who became the ambassador for The Little Fighters Trust.Entertainer / Business owner turned local politician - Dinnie Moeahu has never been a stranger to controversy and fighting. Since birth (arguably before that), Dinnie has been a part of the battle of standing up to oppression and standing for what is right. Carrying on the batton from his ancestors, Dinnie is running full steam ahead into a generational defining battle, being one of many leaders fighting to establish a Māori Ward.Big goals are nothing for Dinnie though - Taranaki Daily News Person of the year, TSB B...
2020-09-132h 03
Best SiiideBONUS EPIIISODE - Luke McDowall - The AvatarI met Luke during a mens mental health walk (for lack of a better term) and was instantly inspired by him - as were all the other walkers.At 14 Luke was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (Sometimes referred to as T5 Transverse Myelitis). Seemingly out of nowhere, during a school day, Luke went from fine to having a tingly feeling in his legs then to 10 weeks in hospital and then a wheelchair. During this chat, Luke chronicles that journey alongside its many lessons and how oneness and synchronicity guide him everywhere he goes.A key phrase...
2020-09-081h 24
Best SiiideNot your regular Karen - Karen VenablesBorn in Otago and moving to Taranaki, after having travelled the world through culturally diverse areas like Africa and Ngaruawāhia, Karen has been gifted a world view staunchly foundationed in fairness and unconditional love. With a very global world view of society both professionally and personally, we get a front row seat to the initiatives that Karen has been a part of; From being a part of a school that initiates two hours of priming before school starts (exercise, a healthy breakfast etc) to ensuring that an important piece of her hometown was saved (as a prominent member of t...
2020-08-301h 40
Best SiiideLife Lessons, Hidings and Getting Told Off: Bobby Campbell-LukeYou know how there's that kid from your neighbourhood who grew up to go and amazingly crazy things?For me, Bobby is one of those.This conversation was one that has been scheduled and re: scheduled again throughout time and it felt great to finally getting around to have this kōrero (talk). Through our conversation we explore narratives of lineage (whakapapa), how growing up influences your imagination and the utter strength of femininity and how it can influence the world.This story of how we can learn to own our uniqueness as a loner is a freeing conversation. We, o...
2020-08-2348 min
Best SiiideTroy Kingi - 10 x 10 x 10The man, the myth - the dad from Hunt for the wilder-people: Troy Kingi. An indescribable people talent that people have been trying to box-in for years with titles like: actor, teacher, performer, singer or artist - yet he is soo much more than all of those.Challenging the status quo and doing the impossible are amongst may things that come up in this conversation. We explore his moving about as a child through Rotorua and Te Kaha to becoming a staple of the NZ Music scene and a familiar face on TV and beyond! From his relationship with the...
2020-08-021h 01
Best SiiideJesse Smith - I'm Very LuckyJesse Smith goes by too many names to mention but some attributes that are synonymous with those names are: happy, excited, stoked and a heart of gold.Born in Auckland then moving down to Taranaki so Mum & Dad could enjoy the surf, create fellowship and run their business (Seasons / Cheapskates, an iconic Taranaki surf shop that later included skate gear and then ultimately street culture that ran parallel to the upbringing of any Taranaki 90s kid) - Jesse is a man that warms the heart of everyone he passes. To say Jesse is an optimist would be a gross understatement. F...
2020-07-051h 26
Best SiiideChelsea Cook - A mothers instinctThere are many milestones to ones life.For many of us, having children is definitely one of them. The experience is often romanticised in movies and television from start (when people discover they're pregnant) to arriving home with babies and then on to shaping a future together. But what about the stuff we don't hear?Enter Chelsea -In a vivid recount of the birth of her eldest son, Cruz - Chelsea shares with us the plans that were ahead for her and her little family before an interesting experience with the medical facilities and staff within the hospitals of New...
2020-07-051h 24
Best SiiidePaul Rangiwāhia - A Mental Health Warrant of FitnessGetting your warrant of fitness, is pretty standard for those that own cars. Whist paying for it isn't always fun, ensuring the vehicles that carry us and our loved ones are operating efficiently, structurally sound and therefore safe - is always a part of the journey of owning a car.But what about owning our own lives?Do you check your own structures? Your own foundations? All the little bits and pieces (and the big bits & pieces!) that hold you: your body, your spirit and your mind - all together?Chance are you don't.In this episode, we catch up w...
2020-07-051h 17
Best SiiideBest Siiide BONUS EPISODE - Joel Buckley - Kayaking the North IslandThere’s something to be said for testing yourself physically. Whether that test is you going to the gym for the first time, the 100th time or even just walking to the shop and back. Well this episode epitomises that exact sentiment. Choosing to circumnavigate the north island of NZ on a kayak - Joel Buckley is always up for a challenge and the lessons it comes with. Here, Joel and I discuss the rugged landscapes of Aotearoa whilst admiring its warm people who have accepted him time and time again throughout his journey. Mentions of Turangi, Ruatoria and of co...
2019-12-221h 28
Best SiiideBest Siiide Season 1 Finale: ‘I like Truth’ - Jordan RiversDancer turned speaker turned social influencer turned conscious thinker - Jordan Rivers has a voice that he is barely using. Jordans online social presence is not only one of numbers but one of impactful and meaningful conversations which constantly challenge "common sense" and "normal" social standards of acceptance. Sprinkles of humor and dashes of seriousness - Jordan has a unique ability to bring attention to the topics that we need to be talking about but for some reason we aren't.Exploring privilege, systemic racism, shame, blowing up on instagram and a whole range more - our conversation effortlessly flows between...
2019-12-221h 42
Best SiiideNicola Ngarewa - The DisruptorBorn & Bred in Patea of Aotearoa, Nicola Ngarewa learned about what it means to be resourceful and the importance of community from the very beginning.A self confessed "Bad student" turned corrections officer turned school principal, Nicola has become laser focussed on creating a society which our young people can have access to every opportunity that they need to create the life that they can see in their minds eye. The future is now, yet the future needs to get back to some core "old school" values - Creating a "Free Range" learning environment as opposed to "Machine Farmed" learning...
2019-12-1654 min
Best SiiideBest Siiide Episode 015: Hemi Coates - “Lets just run with it"Can you read?If yes, then you're already ahead of Hemi - who says that reading was constant battle as a kid.Originally from the small town of Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand - Hemi is an enthusiastic entrepreneur who is a massive advocate for failing forward and not letting paralysis by analysis win the war.The owner of multiple successful enterprises including Eat a rainbow (A food service helping parents feed their kids all the nutritious and colourful kai they need in a time poor world) and Manaaki Adventures (Adventure tourism showing our visitors the special...
2019-12-091h 08
Best SiiideBest Siiide Episode 014: Tania Reid - There’s more inside of youOn Saturday night (November 23rd 2019) Tania Reid became the Australian National Boxing Federation's Australasian Lightweight title.But the story will started a very long time ago.From moving around a heap as a kid to searching for her biological father - Tanz has always been a fighter and this conversation illustrates that.Tanz shares never-before-heard details surrounding the circumstances around her birth and the mental health issues that have weaved their ways in and out of her life. 41-year-old Tanz (she’ll kill me for that) went into the bout as underdog with the odds stacked against her, having never wo...
2019-12-011h 30
Best SiiideMichelle Matangi - Tough LoveHave you ever followed your gut and regretted it? Or have you only regretted not following your gut? Following my gut feeling lead me to Michelle. We had never met and I had never looked into her journey but amongst multiple conversations with different friends and acquaintances I had a gravitation towards getting in contact with Michelle and get her to share her journey. Outer body experiences, the trapping feeling of traffic and a family history of mental health issues are the just the tip - there is a great big story here and Michelle doesn’t hold back. The po...
2019-11-251h 34
Please Blow My Mind PodcastHohepa Te Moana — Use your BAD PAST to CREATE a FUTURE WORTH LIVINGAt 6 years old when his parents separated, Hohepa Te Moana aka Heps had no idea how this defining moment would forever affect the rest of his life. Bouncing from house to house and sleeping wherever possible helped him forge an innate ability to create relationships with most he crossed paths with and maintain no judgments as everyone has their story.
Today Heps uses his past to cut a path to a future worth living by creating opportunities for social movements and hosting conversations on his podcast, Best Siiide, that gives you insights, connections and t...
2019-11-2153 min
Best SiiideGirls Minds Matter (GMM) - Bonus EpisodeGirls Minds Matter (GMM) invited the community to an evening of connection and conversation around mental wellbeing. GMM is an organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering girls and young women to explore the challenges of mental and emotional wellness. Brooke, Elle, Sorcha, Michelle and Kayla share their own journeys from struggle to wellness and share their vision for this community of young women.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bestsiiide/message
2019-11-191h 32
Best SiiideAyman Aneece aka The Mad Arab - Is God Lonely?Born in Cairo, Egypt before immigrating to Aotearoa at the ages of 3 & 4 respectively - Ayman (Entrepreneur, Metal Head and self confessed "Bounty Bar") & Hoss (Illustrator, Hip Hop fan and casual anarchist) Aneece, tell a story which is so dramatic, comical and diverse that it could be the script to a TV Series.Flowing backwards and forwards between the two brothers, this episode forces listeners to have an open mind and be prepared to have your own beliefs and values questioned. Strict parents, pursuing passions, long distance relationships and experiencing airports pre and post 9/11 are some of the jaw dropping and...
2019-11-191h 55
Best SiiideLorella Doherty - A Whale of a problemLike many, I came across Lorella via her mahi creating Ngātoro - a plastic whale that was created using recycled plastic. As I touched base, to learn the story and dig into the “Why” of her passion project, it wasn’t long before it became clear that this was merely one part to a huge resume of creations dedicated to raising our awareness to Kaitiakitanga/Guardianship. That being; our awareness of our duty as humans to look after the planet and ALL of its inhabitants. During this episode - we learn how a lonely little girl that was raised on the...
2019-11-111h 13
Best SiiideLucky Diamond Rich - “Be careful of the shiny shit"If you were going for a world record - what world record would you like to have?How about the worlds most tattooed person?Greg Paul McLaren a.k.a Lucky Diamond Rich born in New Zealand but a self professed "proud Australian" having spent most his life there. The bro has tattoos from his eyelids down to his million dollar man. The record books say he is 100% tattooed but during our conversation that number could easily be 400%Life experience spills out of Lucky in everything he says and does. If you ever see him in the flesh, please don't...
2019-11-0430 min
Best SiiideElle Belushi - The PhoenixWho are your heroes?Growing up, I was always fascinated by comic books and super heroes. In retrospect, it was probably the escapism they provided me as a kid, which allowed me to get away from all the surrounding drama. Nowadays, with the current renaissance happening in film, it's pretty amazing to see this characters come to life on the big screen and to be able to bring to life that child-like imagination.The experience in recording this episode was very similar. Having next-to-no interaction with Elle, previous to this episode, I had no expectations or knowledge of her background...
2019-10-271h 05
Best SiiideHow to predict the future - Adnan BelushiWhat does your future look like?For many people on the planet today, that is the very reason why they get out of bed. Adnan is one of those people.Weaving through topics such as: Futurism, meditation, relationship struggles, family struggles, immigration and becoming a dad - Adnan and myself manage to share many lightbulb moments whilst laughing through similar tragedies and crying at different "successes" in each of our lives.Ted Talker, Entrepreneur, Husband and Revolutionary - Adnan shares with us ways to prepare for the future with both practical and impractical methods to help take control of your...
2019-10-271h 01
Best SiiideAsh Herman / Hxrman - Things are not as they appearEpisode 007Age is often used as the number to tally ones life experience. But is that an archaic thought now? Many of us have passions and aspirations we want to pursue but due to external voices telling us we can’t or shouldn’t - our internal voice usually joins them which leads to aspirational paralysis.Rapper, Recovering Addict and Political Enthusiast, Ash Herman a.k.a Hxrman opens his mind and heart on everything from his music to his theories on depression and pharmaceuticals--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bestsiiide/message
2019-09-231h 58
Best SiiideEzel Kokcu - A Really Bad DaughterAre you sitting on the fence with an idea you've had but have yet to action it?Migrating to New Zealand at a very young age, Ezel was introduced to hard work as a strong family tradition from the get go. Unfortunately she was also introduced to discrimination, tall poppy syndrome and put in a box due to things beyond her control. Inexperienced, underage and a name thats too hard to pronounce or say over the phone so people just didnt talk her - we get to hear how to climb these obstacles and use the chip that can be p...
2019-09-161h 12
Best Siiide"Maori are lucky they got saved by the British" - Andrew JuddSelf professed 'Recovering racist', Andrew Judd polarised the nation with his stance to support the creation of a Maori Ward in the New Plymouth District. Though thats not where Andrews journey began. Growing up in Masterton, New Zealand - with a mother who immigrated to our country, Andrew was no stranger to discrimination growing up - from both a receiving and giving end. Moving through his experiences, almost chronologically, we discover his views on how we can all overcome discrimination and even how to use it on your side.Throughout life we're forced to make unpopular decisions. They often prove t...
2019-09-081h 33
2 Guys, 1 Goal. Business & Life StoriesProcrastination and How to Get Past itToday we are lucky to joined by the inspirational HepsFX the star of the popular Bestsiiide podcast. We're talking procrastination and strategies to get around it.
2019-09-0630 min
Best SiiideBrooke Barrett - Living above the lineHow many of us have fallen to a narrative or story which was created for us? For example - people telling you you’re funny, so you therefore establish yourself as the funny person?But what about the skinny girl?The bad student?Have you ever played into a story created for you by someone else?Vivid nightmares, borderline schizophrenia and being accused on of having an eating disorder when she didn’t have one at all are just a sample of the hurdles that Brooke Barrett has overcome thus far.A woman of many talents (including fashion design, modelling, stat...
2019-09-0257 min
Best Siiidebonus episode: GREEN SCHOOL NEW ZEALANDI was fortunate enough to head out to the sight for the first Green School in New Zealand. Green School Bali is the first Green School which has set the standard in many ways academically, culturally and holistically. Imagine a school that taught us to achieve within ourselves as much as it taught us to achieve financially and academically. The Green School concept has been heralded as bringing about a challenge to our current system of education. Encouraging its students to flourish through wellness, curiosity and trial & error - the school has also met its resistance with people questioning its...
2019-08-311h 35
Best SiiideEverything happens for a reason - Sam RapiraBeing a champion in anything is a long journey and requires a lot of commitment. Whilst a lot of sports receive a lot of support, others are breaking new territory and are yet commanding the financial backing thats needed to propel the sport and its contenders into the necessary spotlight to maximise their opportunities. Enter: Sam Rapira Alongside his family (Brother, Jake. Mum, Tich and Wife, Jess) Sam has created an everlasting legacy that spills out from within the boxing ring into the community of New Plymouth and Taranaki that will never die. Not only did Sam have 70+ amateur fi...
2019-08-2624 min
Best Siiide14 diets by 14 - Michelle YandleDo you watch what you eat?A simple question which is anything but simple to answer.Nutrition Coach. Teacher.Author. Healthy Food Ambassador.Cat Lover. Recovered Yo-Yo Dieter. TED Talker and all around good bitch, Michelle Yandle - was placed on 14 different diets by age 14 and (like many of us) was made to feel insecure about what she eats.This podcast was fun at the time, but as I listened back before uploading it online I found myself relating to the conversation and its contents far more deeply than I did than when we recorded it. I had flashbacks of man...
2019-08-1248 min
Best SiiideI'll never go back to jail - Todd Williams aka Louie KnuxxBeing a Hip Hop fan and a proud product of Taranaki - this was a little bit of a fanboy moment for me. Todd Williams, (stage name Louie Knuxx) according to every magazine you read and every search you make online is an artist, rapper and musician. But what they don't tell you is that the man is a better-than-he-thinks student, introspective teacher and just a fuckin' good dude. With a rap career spanning over two decades he shares how he went from rapping in his bedroom to eating shrimp on a yacht in Prague drinking champagne whilst sharing th...
2019-07-291h 51
Best SiiideWelcome to the Best Siiide PodcastJust introducing myself and letting people know not only who I am but why I’ve decided to get into podcasting. I actually shared more about my personal life than I intended in this prelude episode - I think that people who know me really well might even be a little caught off guard by some of the things that I mention. Why are we here? Who am I and why is this podcast going to change the world?--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bestsiiide/message
2019-07-0910 min