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PODCAST

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Paula Bennett"s life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it"s taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it’s never too late to learn something new. In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from. New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

society & culture comedy interviews

All Episodes

46:48

Chris Hipkins on the conversation that changed...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/10/03

What makes Chris Hipkins tick away from the political spotlight? In the first of two conversations with the major party leaders, Paula Bennett asks Hipkins about his Lower Hutt childhood, his student protest days and the unexpected conversation that put him on the path to becoming prime minister. He also opens up about fatherhood, protecting his children’s privacy, his unplanned election-night relationship announcement and why sausage rolls are off the campaign menu. Then Hipkins turns the

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45:53

Brooke van Velden on leaving politics and what comes...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/09/19

Brooke van Velden is preparing to leave Parliament after six years as an MP and three as a Cabinet minister. At just 33, she could have had decades of political life ahead of her. Instead, van Velden says she wants to find out what else is out there — as she also prepares for another major change, becoming a mother. She joins Paula Bennett for a candid conversation about growing up shy, finding her way into ACT almost by accident, life as a young woman in Parliament, the compromises that come

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49:45

Mark Law on the daring Whakaari rescue that saved lives

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/09/05

Former NZSAS soldier Mark Law has lived the kind of life that barely sounds real. He completed SAS selection at just 18, survived a terrifying parachuting accident, worked armed security around diamond operations in Angola, hunted deer from helicopters and nearly died from a flesh-eating disease. But he is best known for what happened on December 9, 2019. After Whakaari White Island erupted, Mark and his colleagues flew to the island and helped rescue 12 victims as authorities decided no official

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49:33

Why Charlotte Glennie still believes in journalism

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/08/22

Award-winning journalist Charlotte Glennie joins Paula Bennett to reflect on a remarkable career that took her across Asia and into some of the world’s biggest stories. She opens up about the eight-metre fall in Croatia that nearly killed her, the long recovery that followed, reporting on the aftermath of the Boxing Day tsunami, and why those experiences have stayed with her. Charlotte also discusses the future of journalism, declining trust in the media, AI, and why she still believes deeply

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37:15

From murderer to doctor of psychology: Paul Wood on...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/08/08

At 18, Paul Wood was convicted of murder and sent to prison. Eleven years later, he left with undergraduate and master’s degrees, before going on to earn a doctorate in psychology. Dr Wood joins Paula Bennett to discuss the environment that shaped his early life, the reality of maximum-security prison and why education became his path out. He also shares what psychology tells us about changing habits, escaping a victim mindset and building a life driven by purpose rather than regret.See

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45:21

The question that saved Dame Sophie Pascoe’s life

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/07/25

Dame Sophie Pascoe joins Paula Bennett to discuss life beyond elite swimming, the challenges of motherhood with a disability, and the severe depression she experienced after the Tokyo Paralympics were postponed. She reflects on the teammates who recognised she was struggling, the simple question that helped save her life, and why her son ultimately became more important than another gold medal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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48:56

Hannah McQueen on where we go wrong when our income...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/06/27

After building and selling EnableMe, Hannah McQueen is tackling another challenge through Age Brightly. She joins Paula Bennett to talk about wealth, purpose, business and why New Zealand needs to rethink ageing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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45:50

'It's a bit of bullshit' - Petra Bagust on our...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/06/13

We've been told success means standing on our own two feet, but Petra Bagust isn't so sure. The broadcaster and Grey Areas podcast host talks about her late ADHD diagnosis, why she's embracing aging, what caring for her parents has taught her about community, and why "nobody is truly independent"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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32:57

The time MKR's Colin Fassnidge went crazy in the jungle

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/05/30

Colin Fassnidge reckons New Zealand pies are better than Australia's and he's not afraid to say it. The My Kitchen Rules judge and star of Off the Grid joins Paula Bennett to explain why food became his passport to the world and reveal the experience that eventually sent him to therapy.Now he wants more men to reach out for support. Off the Grid returns to TVNZ 1 for a news season on Sunday June 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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46:48

Barry Soper on the loneliness that comes with being...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/05/16

Veteran political journalist Barry Soper reflects on nearly five decades in the parliamentary press gallery and his time observing 12 New Zealand prime ministers up close, discussing with Paula Bennett the often overlooked loneliness of political leadership and life inside the Beehive. He recalls a very different parliamentary era of all-night sittings, and a rougher political culture, alongside candid reflections on figures like Robert Muldoon and the personal toll of power after office. The

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35:00

Paul Ego is going solo and pushing boundaries

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/05/02

Veteran comedian Paul Ego joins Paula Bennett for a candid chat about life on stage, instinct, and why the first joke is usually the best one. After three decades in the game, Ego reflects on finding his audience, the freedom of live performance, and the fine line between pushing boundaries and losing the room. He also shares the story behind his stage name and why he’s never been interested in playing it safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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36:30

Laura McGoldrick on parenting like her parents did

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/04/18

Laura McGoldrick has built her career in high-pressure, high-visibility environments, saying yes to opportunities and figuring things out as she goes. Talking to Paula she reflects on the path that got her there, from breaking into sports broadcasting to navigating the unpredictability of live TV and the pressure that comes with it. She also opens up about how her perspective has shifted over time, the influence of her own upbringing, and what that looks like now with a young family.See

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47:47

When trauma sneaks up on you with Kelsey Waghorn

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2026/04/04

For Kelsey Waghorn, the Whakaari White Island eruption in December 2019 was only the start of a journey of compounding trauma. The explosion killed 22 people and injured a further 25, Kelsey was lucky to make it out alive. She joins Paula Bennett to talk about the day of the eruption, her extensive hospital recovery, and the trauma that hit out of the blue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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40:12

David Seymour on politics, privacy, and being himself

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/12/20

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour sits down with Paula Bennett for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond politics. They talk about growing up, losing his mum young, volunteering, identity, privacy, Dancing With the Stars, being “quirky” in public life, and why trying to be someone else is a waste of time. There’s also talk of leadership, changing your mind, taking risks, and what actually makes public service worth it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy

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30:05

Tom Sainsbury on the deliciousness of small town...

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/12/13

Paula Bennett sits down with the one and only Tom Sainsbury — comedian, writer, actor, director, and the man who once made a career out of taking the mickey out of her. They talk voiceover work, brand ambassadorships, introvert life, and the unexpected success of Tom’s hit true-crime parody Small Town Scandal, now back with Season 3. Tom explains how he builds dozens of characters, why Formica tables are comedy gold, and how the podcast is being adapted into an eight-part TV series with

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49:14

How Melodie Robinson changed the game

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/11/29

Melodie Robinson is a force to be reckoned with. The former Black Fern, World Rugby exec and commentator joins Paula to talk ambition, identity and surviving in tough environments. Mel talks about growing up in a complicated household, fighting for basic resources in women’s rugby, breaking barriers at Sky Sport and building a career in male-dominated spaces. She shares her advice on bounce back routines, support networks, leadership and why intentionality matters more than ever.See

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47:28

Suzanne Paul on wrestling with rejection

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/11/22

Suzanne Paul is something of a national treasure. The pocket rocket first burst onto our screens in the 90s, promoting Natural Glow and its "thousands of luminous spheres." In the years since she's become a fixture on our screens and in magazines with a string of successes and a sprinkling of failures along the way. At nearly 70 she's launched a new podcast 'Fork's Sake' and is showing no sign of stopping. The infomercial queen joins Paula to talk about the difficult childhood that shaped her

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48:24

Ali Williams on the problem with Auckland

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/11/17

Former All Black Ali Williams sits down with Paula for a surprisingly candid chat about life after rugby, raising a blended family of five and why he thinks Auckland is “the best city in the world” yet held back by stagnant decision making. He shares how a shower conversation sparked Auckland FC, why the club recruits on character as much as talent and how he and Anna Mowbray keep their kids grounded.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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41:00

Cecilia Robinson on what makes a good leader

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/11/10

Entrepreneur Cecilia Robinson has built some of New Zealand’s most successful companies in Au Pair Link, My Food Bag and Tend Health. She joins Paula to talk about the key attribute of a true leader, juggling business and family life, the heartbreak of fertility struggles, and why she’s pushing for a ban on social media for under-16s.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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34:45

Toni Street on creating confidence

Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett ·

2025/11/03

Broadcaster, mum, and podcast host Toni Street joins Paula to talk about confidence, communication, and what balance really looks like. She shares how she builds self-belief, why she thinks balance is a myth, and the simple habits that help her keep it all together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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124 results

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