x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

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.

news

All Episodes

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

25:26

Jack Tame

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/01/26

Jack Tame is a New Zealand television and radio journalist. He is the host of TVNZ’s political showQ+Aand a presenter at Newstalk ZB. Tame grew up in Christchurch as the eldest of four siblings and attended St Martin's Primary School, Cashmere High School, and the New Zealand Broadcasting School at CPIT. Throughout his career, Tame has worked as TVNZ’s United States correspondent, co-hostedBreakfast, and written a column forHerald on Sunday. He currently hosts the Saturday morning show on Newstalk

en-US

23:12

Pam Corkery

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2025/01/19

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

24:24

Dan Bidois - MP for Northcote

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/12/22

Dan, born and raised in Auckland, left high school at 15 and completed a butchery apprenticeship. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Auckland, and a Master of Public Policy in Economics from Harvard University on a Fulbright Scholarship. Elected to Parliament in 2018 and re-elected in 2023, Dan is the Chair of the Māori Affairs Select Committee and a member of the Economic Development Select Committee. Before Parliament, he worked as a management

en-US

22:54

Moko Tepania - Far North Mayor

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/12/15

Moko Tepania is a passionate leader dedicated to making a real difference in local government. With over a decade of experience in education, he understands the vital connection between teaching and governance. Motivated by a desire to influence change from within, Moko has embraced his role in local government to ensure that decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of the community.He believes that active community engagement is key to building a brighter future for all.A proud resident of the

en-US

22:47

Shmubeel Eaqub

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/12/08

Shamubeel Eaqub is the Chief Economist at Simplicity, with over two decades of experience in economics. He has held roles at leading institutions like ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs, and NZIER. Shamubeel is known for making complex economic topics accessible and is a respected voice in media and business discussions. He holds a BCom with honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Shamubeel is the author ofGrowing Apart: Regional Prosperity in New Zealandand

en-US

22:40

Tim Manson

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/12/01

Tim is the International Programmes Director at Tearfund New Zealand, overseeing the delivery of NZ$11 million in development and humanitarian support through local partners across the globe. Originally from New Zealand, Tim spent his childhood in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, before returning to New Zealand at 14. He holds a Masters in International Development with First Class Honours from Massey University. With six years of experience working in refugee response programming in Uganda, particularly

en-US

22:48

Annabelle White

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/11/24

Annabelle White is a New Zealand food writer and author of eleven cookbooks, known for her approachable and fun approach to cooking. She was a long-time food columnistand also wrote theFood Detectivecolumn for theSunday Star-Times. Annabelle served as the food editor forNZ House & Gardenand joinedNew Zealand Woman's Weeklyas Food Editor in 2011. In addition to her writing career, she runs cooking classes and regularly speaks at public events, sharing her passion for simple, delicious food that

en-US

21:11

Dr Vanda Symon - Researcher and internationally...

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/11/17

Vanda Symon is a New Zealand author known for her Detective Sam Shephard series, which includes five novels, starting with her debut,Overkill, published in 2007. The novel was written amidst the challenges of raising a young family and inspired by a sleep-deprived state that influenced its prologue. In addition to her series, she has also written a standalone psychological thriller titledThe Faceless. Vanda has a diverse background inbothwriting and science, having completed a PhD at the University

en-US

23:59

Mark Vette - Animal trainer

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/11/10

Mark Vette is an internationally renowned animal psychologist, zoologist, and founder ofDog Zen, an online dog training program. With over 40 years of experience, he has trained animals for iconic New Zealand commercials, Hollywood films likeThe Lord of the RingsandThe Chronicles of Narnia, and TV series such asPurina Pound Pups to Dog StarsandDogs Might Fly. Mark is famous for teaching dogs to drive and fly a small plane. A passionate advocate for rescue dogs, Mark has appeared in global campaigns

en-US

23:25

Maiakawanakaulani Roos

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/11/04

Maia Roos has rapidly ascended through therugby ranks since debuting for the Auckland Storm in 2019. A talented athlete and leader, she served as Head Girl at Tamaki College and played two matches for the NZ Barbarians in 2020. Maia was also part of the inaugural Blues women’s team, further establishing her presence in the sport. Roos made her Test debut for the Black Ferns against England in Northampton in 2021. As a key member of the team, she contributed to their victory in the Rugby World Cup

en-US

25:15

Jonathan Ogilvie

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/11/04

Jonathan Ogilvie began his creative journey in the post-punk music scene of Christchurch, producing moody music videos for Flying Nun bands like The Jean-Paul Sartre Experience and Headless Chickens. His iconic 1987 video for StraitjacketFits'"She Speeds,"filmed on a truck in the Lyttelton tunnel, was made for just $250. After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University, Ogilvie worked in special effects onKubrick’sFull Metal Jacketbefore graduating from the Australian Film, Television and

en-US

22:33

Campbell Hill - Good Neighbour Trust Tauranga

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/10/20

Campbell Hill is the co-founder and Community Impact Manager of Good Neighbour, one of the Bay of Plenty's most prolific and impactful community organizations.With the help of over 300 dedicated volunteers, Good Neighbour addresses critical needs in the community through a variety of initiatives. Their food rescue program diverts 580 tonnes of food from landfills annually, delivering it to homes in need. They provide practical assistance, such as property maintenance, to individuals facing crises

en-US

23:56

Ella Kumar - Puketāpapa Local Board chair

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/10/13

Ella Kumar is the current chair of Auckland’s Puketāpapa Local Board, and in 2010 she was the first Kiwi-Indian woman elected to a local board in the country. She's a qualified aerobics instructor, volunteer, marriage celebrant and is known for her passion for the community of Mt Roskill. Kumar was recently awarded the Hall of Fame Award at the Kiwi Indian Hall of Fame Awards 2024 for her remarkable journey that inspires many Indian New Zealanders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

en-US

24:02

Sam Smith - Comedian, Writer and Reality TV Star

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/10/06

Sam Smith is a stand-up comedian, comedy writer, and musician from Auckland, NZ. He gained fame as the winner of season one of The Traitors New Zealand in 2023. Sam has appeared in popular Kiwi shows like 7 Days, Mean Mums, My Favourite Dead Person, and Shortland Street. In addition to his on-screen work, he is a sought-after warm-up comic for major comedy shows, including 7 Days, The Project, Dancing With The Stars, Family Feud, Jono and Ben, Have You Been Paying Attention?, and the Aotearoa Music

en-US

23:19

Finn Butcher - Olympic kayak cross champion

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/09/29

Finn Butcher is a talented New Zealand slalom canoeist who has been competing internationally since 2012. Growing up near the Kawarau River, Finn discovered his passion for paddling at the age of nine. Under the mentorship of Alan "Sarge" Hoffman, he developed his skills and later moved to Auckland, where he trained extensively at the Vector Wero Whitewater Park alongside fellow canoeist Callum Gilbert. In his competitive career, Finn has achieved significant milestones, including a fourth-place

en-US

25:01

Holly Arrowsmith - NZ musician

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/09/22

Born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and raised in the mountains of Southern New Zealand, Holly Arrowsmith is a multi-award-winning songwriter known for her poetic storytelling. With a focus on the deeply personal aspects of life, her lyrics resonate - exploring what it means to be human through prayer-like responses to our struggles. A leader in New Zealand’s contemporary Folk and Alt-Country movement, Holly's music blends tradition with innovation. Her dynamic vocals and nuanced lyrics create a stunning

en-US

25:34

David Walliams - Author and comedian

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/09/15

David Walliams is a renowned English comedian, actor, and author, celebrated for his collaborations with Matt Lucas on BBC’s Little Britain and Come Fly With Me. His role as a judge on Britain's Got Talent from 2012 - 2022 earned him significant acclaim, including multiple National Television Awards for Best TV Judge. Walliams has also made a mark as a bestselling children’s author, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide. His popular works, such as Mr Stink and Gangsta Granny, have been adapted

en-US

24:34

Mahé Drysdale - Mayor of Tauranga

Real Life With John Cowan ·

2024/09/08

Mahé was raised in Tauranga and attended Tauranga Boys' College before moving to Auckland for his sixth form and university studies. He took up rowing at university and enjoyed a highly successful 20-year career in the sport. He is a two-time Olympic Champion in the single scull, winning gold in 2012 and 2016 and a five-time World Champion.In the 2008 Olympics, Mahé had the honour of being the Flag Bearer and Team Captain for New Zealand. He was named the Supreme Halberg Award Winner in 2006 and

en-US

269 results

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS NewsHour

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci