Authentic Leadership Podcast

Authentic Leadership Podcast

di Ivan Yeo

Stagione 1

Breaking the Silence: From Survival to Purpose — James’ Journey Toward Healing and Hope

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, James opens up about his journey from surviving childhood abuse, addiction, and mental health struggles to discovering purpose, healing, and hope. Together, we explore the realities many men face but rarely speak about—shame, silence, anger, anxiety, and the long road toward recovery. James shares how peer support, lived experience, community, and one person believing in him changed the direction of his life. From battling trauma to becoming a co-facilitator helping other men, his story is a testament to resilience, courage, and the strength that comes from speaking truth. This episode sheds light on: - The hidden struggles of male survivors - The importance of peer support and connection - Finding meaning after trauma - Healing through honesty, community, and compassion - Why one supportive person can transform a life - Reclaiming identity beyond diagnosis, past mistakes, or shame If you or someone you know is walking through pain, this conversation offers hope, understanding, and the reminder that healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone. Tautoko Tane: Male Survivors Aotearoa https://tautokotane.nz/ Tautoko Tane: Male Support Servces Waikato https://waikatosurvivors.org.nz/ Hoake Tātou – Walk With Me Called Hoake Tātou | Walk With Me, the presentations start in Southland in mid-September, and finish in Whangarei in March 2026. In total, 26 events will be held in 17 towns and cities, featuring a panel of presenters at each, including male survivors of sexual abuse. Visit https://tautokotane.nz/hoake-tatou-walk-with-me/#page-intro-block

Pioneer of the Game: Untold Story of Women’s Football in Aotearoa with Scottie

This episode traces an extraordinary journey through women’s football history, personal resilience and the quiet power of community. Scottie shares how a casual kick-around in Germany led her toward a national career in an era when women’s football barely had a place to stand. She talks about discovering the New Zealand team in the seventies, fundraising for international tournaments, training in church halls, wearing hand-me-downs from the men’s teams, and winning the inaugural 1975 Asian Cup long before the Football Ferns had any official recognition. Scottie speaks honestly about the joy and the pain, the friendships that endured, the selectors who overlooked her, and the way injury reshaped her playing career. She also reflects on being honoured nearly fifty years later and the meaning of finally receiving her debut cap after a lifetime of waiting. Beyond football, Scottie opens up about running half-marathons, stepping into kickboxing at forty-eight, and the deep friendships built through Muay Thai, teaching, and community. This is a conversation about courage, humility, sacrifice and the spaces that become our happy place. It is also a celebration of a woman who helped shape the foundations of the game in Aotearoa, long before the world was ready to see it. Puma celebrates Australian and New Zealand women's football trailblazers from 1975 https://www.puma-catchup.com/sports/we-celebrate-australian-and-new-zealand-womens-football-trailblazers-from-1975/ Asian Cup, 1975 from New Zealand History https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/asian-cup-1975 First Football Ferns and 1975 Asian Cup winners are still fighting to tell their story https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/494786/first-football-ferns-and-1975-asian-cup-winners-are-still-fighting-to-tell-their-story This article is more than 2 years old ‘We started it all’: The first Football Ferns are still fighting to tell their story. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/29/new-zealand-football-ferns-world-cup-story The rematch (and emotional reunion) that was 48 years in the making …https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/08/15/the-rematch-and-emotional-reunion-that-was-48-years-in-the-making/

Growing Up Between Cultures | A Conversation on Identity & Belonging with Aidan Hung

In this heartfelt episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Ivan sits down with Aidan — a young thinker whose honesty and depth reveal what it truly means to grow up between cultures. Adopted from China and raised in New Zealand, Aidan shares his journey of identity, confusion, and self-discovery. Together, Ivan and Aidan explore what it’s like to live between worlds — East and West, expectation and individuality, tradition and self-expression. They talk about anxiety, family expectations, and the courage it takes to question what’s been handed down to you. This is more than a story about youth or cultural identity — it’s a conversation about healing, authenticity, and learning to understand yourself in a world that doesn’t always make sense. ✨ A conversation that reminds us all to be kind to ourselves, to ask deeper questions, and to never stop learning who we are.

Take It From Us: 1,300 Shows Later — Sheldon Brown, The Man Who Brought Humanity to Radio

After more than 1,300 shows, Sheldon Brown reflects on the extraordinary journey behind Take It From Us — New Zealand’s longest-running mental health radio show. In this heartfelt conversation, Sheldon shares how he turned lived experience into purpose, using radio as a bridge for voices once silenced. From his early years caring for his mother, to decades spent amplifying others’ stories, Sheldon’s work has brought the essence of humanity — vulnerability, humour, and heart — into the public conversation about mental health. This episode is a tribute to a man who reminds us that healing begins with listening, and that true leadership often speaks softly.

Shaun Robinson on Mental Health, Leadership, and Loving Who We Are

In this deeply honest and moving conversation, Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, joins Ivan to talk about life, leadership, and what it truly means to live with authenticity. Shaun opens up about his journey — from growing up as a minister’s son to finding purpose through service, from confronting depression and bipolar disorder to leading one of the country’s most influential mental health organisations. He speaks candidly about fatherhood, vulnerability, and the lifelong process of learning to accept oneself. This episode is not about titles or achievements. It’s about being human — the quiet courage to hold both strength and softness, to lead with heart, and to find meaning in suffering. For anyone who’s ever struggled to feel “enough,” this conversation is a reminder that authenticity is not perfection — it’s presence, acceptance, and the willingness to grow.

Holding Space for Loss: Conversations on Grief and Hope: Conversation with Mark Wilson

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the power of storytelling as a pathway through grief, loss, and healing. Our guests share deeply personal reflections on how podcasts and peer support can create connection and hope in the aftermath of suicide. Together, we discuss the importance of community, compassion, and cultural understanding in the way we hold space for grief. The conversation also touches on how workplaces and families can better support those who are grieving, the need to celebrate lives rather than only mourn their loss, and the vital role of self-care for people supporting others. It’s an episode that reminds us grief is not something to “get over” — it’s something we grow through. Healing and grief can coexist, and through storytelling, we learn that we are never truly alone. Support and Resources in Aotearoa New Zealand Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak with a trained counsellor. It’s completely confidential and available 24/7 anywhere in Aotearoa. Other Helplines and Support: Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 | Free text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youthline: 0800 376 633 | Free text 234 Samaritans: 0800 726 666 Community and Bereavement Support: Solace Support Auckland — a group offering comfort and understanding for those who have lost a loved one. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups/group/solace-support-auckland Community Support Groups — find peer-led groups across Aotearoa. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups Suicide Bereavement Groups — spaces for shared healing and understanding. https://mentalhealth.org.nz/groups?category=SuicideBereavementGroups Aoake te Rā – Bereaved by Suicide Services — free, nationwide support for individuals and whānau affected by suicide.https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/

From Incarceration to Inspiration: Dave Burnside on Recovery, Peer Support, and System Change

In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Dave Burnside — a lived experience leader whose story spans addiction, incarceration, and recovery, to becoming a national voice for peer support and prison reform. Dave shares how one pivotal moment in a prison cell sparked a journey of transformation, leading him to champion lived experience in education, policy, and leadership. We discuss the power of peer support, the challenges of working within systems that often silence marginalised voices, and the urgent need to empower communities to lead change. Dave’s courage to turn inward, reimagine identity, and use his story for collective transformation is both humbling and inspiring. If you’ve ever wondered how lived experience can truly reshape systems, spark hope, and create movements for justice and wellbeing, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Finding Home by Leaving Home: The Power of Humanity and Women’s Leadership with Sarah Hammouda

What happens when you step outside your comfort zone and say yes to the unknown? 🌍 In this inspiring conversation, Sarah Hammouda shares her journey from New Zealand to Canada on a working holiday visa — a leap that turned into two years of adventure, resilience, and leadership lessons. From tiny staff housing and freezing winters to skiing to work and finding lifelong friends, Sarah discovered the power of humility, teamwork, and women’s leadership. We also explore how leaving home helped her rediscover what home really means, the importance of preparation, and how challenges become opportunities for growth. Whether you’re thinking about working overseas, curious about leadership, or simply love hearing real human stories of courage and connection, this episode is for you. ✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share — new stories and conversations every week.

From International Student to Father and Leader Raymond’s Migration Journey in Aotearoa New Zealand

From international student to NZ Police bridge-builder—Raymond Wong on trust, empathy, and community. Disclaimer: Raymond Wong is no longer employed by the New Zealand Police. The views and reflections he shares in this interview are offered in a personal capacity and do not represent the views of New Zealand Police. Raymond Wong reflects on his journey from arriving in Aotearoa as a Malaysian teen to becoming New Zealand’s first full-time Asian Ethnic Police Liaison. He speaks about language shock and early migrant challenges, why community policing matters, and how trust is built through humility, listening, and presence. The kōrero spans safety and common-sense prevention, working alongside traumatised families, the emotional load borne by police, and the role of empathy in serving diverse communities. Raymond also shares how whānau support underpinned his 22-year career, why Auckland’s multicultural reality is a strength, and what new migrants can do to thrive while staying grounded in gratitude and responsibility.

Navigating the 1.5 Generation: Cultural Identity, and Mental Health with Bevan Chuang

Exploring the 1.5 generation’s journey through migration, cultural identity, mental health, neurodivergence, and the impact of social media. This conversation examines the lived experiences of the 1.5 generation, particularly in relation to migration, cultural identity, and mental health in New Zealand. It highlights the challenges of navigating intergenerational expectations, language barriers, and the added complexities of neurodivergence. The discussion explores authenticity, personal expression, and the influence of family dynamics on shaping identity. It also discussed the creativity and storytelling emerge as powerful tools for leadership, connection, and personal growth, showing how even small actions can ripple into meaningful change. 1.5 generation, cultural identity, migration, mental health, neurodivergence, intergenerational differences, authenticity, communication, personal growth, storytelling, creativity, leadership, online criticism, constructive feedback, social media, community support, personal expression, connection

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