The Guest Speaker

The Guest Speaker

por Grace & Blair
EducaciónNiños y familia
Temporada 2
From University at 16 to Yale: Dr. Jennifer Park’s Extraordinary Academic Journey
Dr. Jennifer Park is a researcher specialising in gaming disorder and online behavioural addictions, whose extraordinary academic journey began long before her work took her to Yale. After skipping two years of high school, Jennifer began a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Auckland at just 16 years old. By 18, she was conducting research into gaming disorder - an emerging field that would eventually become the focus of her PhD and take her from New Zealand to the United States. Today, Jennifer is a postdoctoral associate at Yale, researching the brains and behaviours of young people experiencing gaming disorder and exploring how we can develop more accessible and effective treatments for behavioural addictions. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Jennifer takes us inside the psychology of gaming addiction: why some games can be so difficult to put down, what happens when gaming begins replacing sleep, school and relationships, and what parents should actually look for before assuming their child has a problem. We also explore the rapidly changing world surrounding young people online - from sports betting and prediction markets to social media and AI chatbots - and why unprecedented access to these technologies is creating new challenges for researchers, parents and young people themselves. But Jennifer's story is also one of education, curiosity and opportunity. She reflects on leaving home for university at 16, deciding medicine wasn't actually the path for her, discovering public health and research, finding mentors who changed the trajectory of her career, and the chance conversation at a conference that ultimately led her to Yale. An episode about gaming, addiction and the attention economy - but also about what can happen when curiosity is encouraged early and you're willing to follow it somewhere unexpected.
T2 · E28
20 sept 2026
54:17
Becoming a New Zealand Police Officer with Roelien Du Plessis
Roelien Du Plessis first considered becoming a police officer at just 16 years old. But instead of heading straight into policing, her journey took her through university, elite sport, community rugby and youth mentoring - experiences that ultimately brought her back to the career she had once imagined. A former Head Girl, representative netballer and rugby player, Roelien studied Human Performance Science at the University of Waikato before building a career creating opportunities for women and girls through Waikato Rugby. Later, while mentoring young people through Blue Light, she realised the impact she wanted to make could lead her somewhere new: the New Zealand Police. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Roelien takes us behind the scenes of the journey from applicant to probationary constable. She breaks down the recruitment process, psychometric and physical testing, the SCOPE experience, life at the Royal New Zealand Police College, the academic and practical training involved, and what it actually feels like stepping onto the frontline for the first time. She also talks candidly about confidence, learning under pressure, firearms and driving training, the importance of fitness, working with people through difficult situations, and why being a good police officer is ultimately about far more than enforcing the law. For Roelien, it comes back to helping people - including victims, communities and even those who have made mistakes. For students considering policing, Roelien’s advice is refreshingly open: develop your people skills, get experience working in a team, look after your fitness, ask questions - and don’t feel pressured to follow anybody else’s timeline. Whether you join at 18 or later in life, the right path is the one that makes sense for you.
T2 · E27
6 sept 2026
55:03
Building Something From Nothing: Steph Wood on Entrepreneurship & Sol Goods
Steph Wood never imagined she would become an entrepreneur. Growing up in Western Australia, Steph struggled to find her place at school and left at 15 after securing a pharmacy traineeship. What followed was anything but a traditional career path: pharmacy, makeup artistry, building and architectural design, travel, surfing, and eventually a move to New Zealand. Each experience gave Steph another skill she would one day use to build Sol Goods, the New Zealand-made natural sunscreen and skincare brand she founded after struggling to find a reef-conscious, mineral sunscreen that could withstand long days in the ocean. What began with Steph making zinc in her own kitchen has grown into a brand stocked in around 120 stores across New Zealand, expanding into Australia and earning national recognition at the 2026 Viva Beauty Awards. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Steph shares what building a product business actually looks like - from bootstrapping her first production run and learning about formulation, testing and manufacturing, to understanding margins, finding sales channels, teaching herself Meta advertising and making plenty of mistakes along the way. But this conversation is about more than sunscreen. It’s about backing yourself before you feel completely ready, recognising that skills gained in one chapter can become invaluable in another, and understanding that there is no single timeline or pathway you need to follow. For anyone wondering what they want to do, changing direction, or sitting on an idea they’re afraid to pursue, Steph’s message is refreshingly simple: You’ve got time.
T2 · E26
25 ago 2026
54:53
How to Become a Clinical Psychologist | Caitlin Easter
Caitlin Easter is a clinical psychologist whose career has taken her across child development, mental health, care and protection, corrections and sport psychology. Growing up in Cambridge, New Zealand, Caitlin was far more focused on sport than becoming a psychologist. A talented netballer and swimmer, she became Cambridge High School’s inaugural Sports Captain before receiving the prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship to study at the University of Waikato. Initially drawn to the idea of sport psychology, Caitlin went on to complete postgraduate training in clinical psychology alongside a master’s focused on sport psychology. She shares what the pathway really involves - from undergraduate study and the highly competitive clinical psychology selection process to supervised client work, internships, oral examinations and becoming a registered psychologist. Caitlin also takes us inside the profession itself. She discusses working in prisons as a psychometrician, assessing children for developmental conditions including autism and ADHD, working alongside multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and navigating the emotional responsibility that comes with helping vulnerable people. We also explore the importance of supervision, self-reflection and boundaries; what makes someone suited to clinical psychology; how psychologists protect themselves from burnout; and why there is no single place a career in psychology has to lead. For students considering psychology, Caitlin’s story is an important reminder that you do not need to have your entire career mapped out at school. Her advice is simple: seek out different experiences, talk to people already doing the work, stay curious about what interests you - and give yourself permission to change direction along the way.
T2 · E25
18 ago 2026
54:38
Physiotherapist | Jessica Totman: Beyond Sports Injuries - Concussion, Chronic Pain & the Reality of Physio
In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Jessica takes us inside the pathway to becoming a physiotherapist: from choosing high-school subjects and applying for university, to practical exams, clinical placements and navigating those first years in the workforce. She also breaks down the different areas of physiotherapy many students may never have considered - including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neurological physiotherapy - and shares how her own career evolved from private practice and sideline rugby into concussion rehabilitation and chronic pain management. Jessica also opens up about a side of healthcare that isn't always taught in the classroom: the emotional weight of spending every day with people experiencing pain, learning to create boundaries, and recognising that being a great physiotherapist requires far more than simply understanding the human body. For students considering physiotherapy, healthcare, sport or rehabilitation, this episode offers an honest look at what studying and working as a physiotherapist can really look like — and why communication, empathy and connecting with people may be some of the most important skills you can bring to the profession.
T2 · E24
12 ago 2026
54:52
The Future of Recovery: Inside the World of Elite Performance Technology with Josh Kersten
Josh Kersten shares the remarkable journey from working hands-on in New Zealand to founding Prime Platinum - an international company providing cutting-edge recovery and longevity technologies to professional athletes, wellness facilities and high-performance clients worldwide. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, continuous learning, international business, and the future of human performance. Along the way, Josh explains the science behind cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and performance testing, while sharing practical lessons any student, entrepreneur or aspiring business owner can apply. In this episode we discuss: Why being a "jack of many trades" became Josh's greatest strength How a broken laser machine changed his life Building relationships with international manufacturers Entrepreneurship without a university degree The booming wellness and longevity industry Recovery technologies used by elite athletes Why measuring your health matters more than guessing The habits that create long-term performance Whether you're interested in business, entrepreneurship, sport, health or simply creating opportunities from unexpected beginnings, Josh's story is proof that curiosity, practical skills and relentless learning can take you further than you imagine.
T2 · E23
4 ago 2026
1:04:38
Dr. Riley Elliott: Inside the Mind of a Shark Scientist
Sharks made Dr. Riley Elliott famous - but this conversation is about much more than sharks. Riley is one of the world's leading shark scientists, a documentary presenter for Shark Week, BBC and National Geographic, and a passionate advocate for marine conservation. In this episode he shares how curiosity, purpose and hard work took him from a student in Hamilton, New Zealand, to researching great white sharks around the world. Whether you're interested in science, conservation, media, university or simply finding meaningful work, this conversation is full of practical advice and inspiring stories.
T2 · E22
28 jul 2026
1:02:50
Chloe Jones on The Future of Farming: Careers, Leadership & Opportunity
Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries, yet many young people have little idea of the incredible career opportunities it offers. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Chloe Jones - Operations Manager at Fonterra Farms, former National Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers, and a passionate advocate for the future of the food and fibre sector. Chloe shares her journey from a high school student unsure of what career to pursue, to studying Agricultural Science at Massey University, moving across the country for Fonterra's graduate programme, and building a career that combines leadership, strategy, business and farming. Along the way, we discuss the realities of university, scholarships, graduate programmes, leadership in your twenties, why communication is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, and how saying "yes" to opportunities helped shape her career. We also explore the incredible diversity within agriculture today - from science, technology and sustainability to business, operations and farm management - and why you don't need to grow up on a farm to find your place in the industry. Whether you're considering university, looking for career inspiration, interested in agriculture, or simply trying to figure out your next step after school, Chloe offers thoughtful, practical advice that will leave you feeling encouraged about the opportunities ahead. This conversation is a reminder that careers rarely follow a straight line - and sometimes keeping an open mind leads to opportunities you never imagined.
T2 · E21
21 jul 2026
47:11
Amy Coulton on Adventure, Tourism & Burnout
In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Amy Coulton, whose journey has taken her from a high school career expo in New Zealand to working across luxury superyachts, tourism, hospitality and adventure travel around the world. Amy shares how studying at Queenstown Resort College opened unexpected doors, what life is actually like working in tourism, the incredible highs of exploring places like French Polynesia and the Kimberley, and the very real challenges of burnout, long hours and protecting your wellbeing. Whether you're considering tourism, hospitality, adventure travel, or simply want inspiration to create a life that's a little less ordinary, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight. In this episode we discuss: Choosing an alternative pathway after high school Queenstown Resort College and studying tourism Building a career through internships and practical experience Working in the Cook Islands, Bay of Islands and beyond Life aboard luxury superyachts Burnout, mental health and finding balance Financial literacy and creating opportunities Why diverse skills can become your greatest advantage
T2 · E20
14 jul 2026
50:53
Brittany Day | Finding Her Passion in Personal Training
After pursuing tourism, having Covid completely change her plans, and later studying psychology at university, Brittany Day still hadn't found the career that truly excited her. It wasn't until someone casually suggested she'd make a great personal trainer that everything clicked. Today, Brittany is an award-recognised personal trainer and is helping people of all ages build confidence, strength and healthier lifestyles. In this episode, Brittany shares: - How she became a personal trainer in New Zealand - What qualifications and training are actually required - The realities of starting your own PT business - Working with beginners, injuries and building confidence - The truth about fitness advice on social media - Why personal training is about far more than lifting weights - Her future goals, including nutrition and owning her own gym Whether you're considering a career in health and fitness, love going to the gym, or you're still figuring out your own path after school, Brittany's journey is an encouraging reminder that the right career doesn't always happen straight away.
T2 · E19
8 jul 2026
53:52
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