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Real Life With John Cowan

John Cowan hosts ‘Real Life’, a weekly nationwide chat show on Newstalk ZB featuring a different high-profile guest every week. John talks with them about their life, their upbringing, their passions and their view of the world.

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All Episodes

23:33

Alan Thorp - Habitat For Humanity Group CEO

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/06/15

Alan Thorp is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, a role he’s held since 2021. With a background as a Chartered Accountant and a Master’s in Theology from Regent College in Vancouver, Alan brings a unique mix of head and heart to his leadership. Since joining Habitat in 2007, he’s taken on key roles including CFO, COO, Deputy CEO, and National Director. Alan is passionate about building stronger communities and leads efforts to create safe, stable housing for

en-US

22:21

Brian Kelly MNZM - Radio legend

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/06/08

Brian Kelly MNZM has been named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting. Raised in Whanganui, he began his career in 1970 with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, selecting songs for national radio. He later moved into sports journalism and broadcasting, building a career that has spanned 55 years. Kelly has been a prominent voice on Coast FM and has spent four decades as New Zealand’s voice of motorsport. Since 2021, he has hostedThe Country Sport

en-US

25:15

Hoani Hotene - Comedian

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/06/01

2025 Billy T Award winner Hoani Hotene (Ngāti Hauā) is a comedian from Petone, Lower Hutt. Bursting onto the Wellington comedy scene in 2020, Hoani quickly made a name for himself with his high-energy, alternative style. He won Best Newcomer at the 2021 Wellington Comedy Awards, took out the 2022 Wellington Raw Quest final, and was crowned Funniest New Comedian of the Year after winning the Raw Comedy National Grand Final. In 2024, he was named Breakthrough Comic by the NZ Comedy Guild. Hoani brings

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21:50

Sian Simpson - Businesswoman

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/05/25

Siân Simpson is an award-winning global businesswoman, community builder, and broadcaster. She is a sought-after public speaker and whose online content has received around 10 million views in the past year.Sian is founder of Public Rally and Bountifull Media.Public Rally is a community and content agency with globally focused clients in the technology, music, AI, crime, legal and education sectors. It builds world-class communities and content strategies to support its clients with ambitious

en-US

23:59

Andrew Little - Candidate for Wellington Mayoralty

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/05/18

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

28:15

Derek Lind - Musician

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/05/11

Derek Lind has been writing songs and making music since the late 1970s, with seven albums to his name — including his latest,SOLO(2015). His songwriting has earned him two NZ Music Awards and a nomination for the APRA Silver Scroll, thanks to his honest, thoughtful lyrics that connect personal stories with bigger, universal themes. Critics have praised him for his humanity, compassion, and the depth in his work. Alongside music, Derek is also a visual artist and Elam School of Fine Arts graduate

en-US

22:26

Rachel Paris - Author

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/05/11

Rachel’s debut novel,See How They Fall, will be published this year by Hachette in Australia and New Zealand and by Penzler Publishers in the United States. The screen rights have been optioned by a Hollywood production company, and Rachel is part of the 2024/2025 International Thriller Writers Debut Authors Program. She holds a Master of Creative Writing (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland, where she was awarded the Phoenix Prize for best creative portfolio. Before turning to

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22:01

Buzz Moller - Musician

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/05/04

Buzz Moller is a New Zealand musician and actor, originally from Upper Hutt. He went to Upper Hutt High School, Rathkeale College and later studied at the University of Auckland. He met longtime collaborator Andrew “Mac” Macaskill, and the pair formed the beginnings of the band Voom after jamming at the Sweetwaters Festival in the early '80s. Since then, Buzz has led the band through decades of indie magic, releasing cult-fave albums like Now I Am Me and Hello, Are You There?—the latter named one of

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21:27

Adam Kay - Author and Comedian

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/04/27

Adam Kay is a BAFTA-winning author, screenwriter, comedian, and former junior doctor, best known for his brutally funny memoirThis is Going to Hurt. The book became a global sensation, spending over a year at number one in the Sunday Times bestseller list, selling millions of copies, and being adapted into a hit BBC/AMC series starring Ben Whishaw, which earned Adam a BAFTA for Best Drama Writer. He’s also one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors, with titles likeKay’s Anatomy, the

en-US

24:00

Josephine Bartley - Auckland City Councillor

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/04/13

Josephine Bartley has been showing up for the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki community for over a decade — first on the Local Board, then as a city councillor. She’s the first Pacific woman elected to Auckland Council, and she’s not afraid to get stuck in, whether it’s helping clean up after floods, pushing for fewer liquor stores, or standing up for safer streets. She grew up in Māngere, raised by hardworking Sāmoan parents who came here chasing a better life. Inspired by people like David Lange, she studied

en-US

20:28

Sir Peter Leitch - The Mad Butcher

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/04/06

Born in Wellington in 1944, Peter struggled at school with what would now be recognised as dyslexia. He left Wellington Tech at age 15 and worked as a telegram delivery boy before securing his first butchery job in Seatown, where he learned the trade. After moving to Auckland, Peter opened his own butchery on Rosella Road, where a sign outside his store reading "Rosella Meats, home of the Mad Butcher" gave him his famous nickname. He grew his business significantly, particularly through radio

en-US

25:05

Kahira Olley MNZM - Domestic Abuse Advocate

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/03/30

Kahira Olley (Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Toa), after experiencing family violence for 25 years, established the Save Our Babies Charitable Trust and initiated programmes to support and empower victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Rotorua. Her initiatives offer a safe space for women and girls to talk about their experiences and receive guidance and support. As well as support groups, they include a community fitness group, a free school lunch programme, free clothing through

en-US

22:33

Hon. Paul Goldsmith

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/03/23

Paul Goldsmith is a dedicated New Zealand politician, currently serving as the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister of Justice, Minister for Media and Communications, and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations. Born in Mt Eden and educated at Auckland Grammar, he now lives in Epsom with his wife and four children. Elected to Parliament in 2011 off the National Party list, Paul has held various Ministerial roles, including Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Minister for

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24:43

Ruby Wax - actress and comedian

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/03/16

Ruby Wax, born on April 19, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois, is a British-American actress, comedian, writer, and mental health campaigner. She gained fame on TV shows likeGirls on Top(1985–1986) andThe Full Wax(1991–1994) and worked as a script editor onAbsolutely Fabulous(1992–2012). Wax holds dual citizenship and has lived in the UK since the 1970s. She earned a master'sdegreein mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford in 2013.She became aVisiting ProfessorinMental Health Nursingat the

en-US

23:56

Delaney Davidson - Musician

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/03/09

Delaney Davidson, from Auckland, New Zealand, is a multi-talented singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist. The son of John William Davidson and Glyn Ellen Abbott, he grew up in Christchurch and was educated at the Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School. His musical journey began in punk and blues bands before moving to Melbourne after being expelledfrom school. Davidson is known for his one-man show,One Man and His Ghost Orchestra, blending folk, blues, rock, and country into his unique style

en-US

24:04

Janine Donaldson - New Salvation Army Territorial...

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/03/02

Commissioner Janine Donaldson is the Territorial Commander for The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, and serves as the Chair of the Territorial Governance Board. With 38 years of experience in The Salvation Army, she has held senior leadership roles in New Zealand, Zambia, South Africa, Australia, and the UK. Janine's most recent role was at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters, where she served as the General’s Representative for Mission Effectiveness. Deeply

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22:27

Pete Wolfkamp - Builder and Broadcaster

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/02/23

Peter Wolfkamp’s passion for carpentry began at the age of one and has only grown over the years. He is a Licensed Building Practitioner with extensive experience, including restoring historic properties and working on modern builds. His professional development includes NZGBC Homestar Home Coach training, and he’s also worked internationally, such as on a 16th-century farmhouse in France. Peter is a well-known radio personality on Newstalk ZB, hostingSunday Mornings with the Resident Builder, a top

en-US

23:46

K'Lee McNabb - Musician and Radio host

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/02/16

K'Lee (Kaleena Renae McNabb, born 1984) is a New Zealand pop singer who rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like "Broken Wings" and "Can You Feel Me?" Her debut album, released in 2002, peaked at No. 4 in New Zealand. After a 10-year break, she returned in 2012 with the single "Tables Have Turned." In addition to her music career, K'Lee worked as a popular radio host on Flava FM and Mai FM for 13 years. She also appeared on TV shows likeCelebrity Treasure IslandandDancing with the Stars NZ

en-US

21:56

Nathan Haines - Musician

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/02/09

Nathan Haines is a renowned New Zealand jazz musician, born in 1972 in Takapuna, Auckland. Growing up in a musical family, with his father Kevin being a leading jazz bassist and his brother Joel a guitarist, Nathan was immersed in music from a young age. He moved to New York City in 1991 to study jazz, and by 1994, he had released his first solo album, Shift Left.Over the years, Nathan's career flourished, gaining international recognition with notable releases like Sound Travels and Squire For

en-US

23:19

Jonathan Fletcher - World Vision

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/02/02

Jonathan Fletcher has extensive experience in fundraising, partnerships, and business development, with a focus on supporting vulnerable children. Since March 2013, he has worked with World Vision New Zealand in roles including Head of Fundraising Partnerships and Head of Church Partnerships, where he managed church collaborations. Prior to this, Jonathan held the position of Business Development Manager at The Co-operative Bank and worked in various roles at GE Capital, eventually becoming Branch

en-US

267 results

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