Simon Bridges: Generally Famous

The F#$%ing News flips the script on the news - short, upbeat, inspirational and f%$#ing good fun journalism with the nation’s favourite everyman reporter, Paddy Gower. TFN sees Paddy talking to Kiwis who are the good, the great and the brains of our nation. This podcast is hosted by Paddy Gower and Executive Produced by Jon Bridges. It's made in partnership between Stuff and Believer Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 'Mountain Warrior' proves the heavyweight champion of Mike Tyson impressions in a knockout chat about life before, during and after his hugely successful boxing career. No punches are pulled as he recalls his country upbringing, his rivalry with David Tua (and how he patched it up) and sparring with Tyson. He also addresses his ADD diagnosis, adjusting to life as a businessman - and whether he’s ready for a return to the ring. Warning: Contains some strong language. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sporting legend and former larrikin Matthew Ridge interrupts a family holiday in LA to record a very special 50th episode of Generally Famous. The ex All Black, Kiwi and Warrior weighs up the problems facing New Zealand, recalls life as a primetime TV staple with Marc Ellis, bemoans the treatment of public figures, and explains why family is much more important than wealth. You can watch Matthew Ridge's Designing Dreams on SkyGo. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motorsport great Greg Murphy parks up in the Generally Famous studio for a straight-up chat about racing, road safety and why he's happy to keep speaking his mind. The co-host of Sky Speed also explains the legendary Holden vs Ford rivalry and the enduring influence of the Dukes of Hazzard. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an “elder sister” management style, Theresa Gattung became the youngest woman to run a large public company when she took over Telecom aged 37. Since stepping back from fulltime corporate work, she’s focused on philanthropy and entrepreneurship - while continuing to spearhead change for women in business. The trailblazer explains how her father’s groundbreaking attitudes shaped her success, says women still face “the motherhood penalty” and reveals the industry she believes is still one big boys’ club. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pax Assadi started working life as a vacuum cleaner salesman. Now he’s hoovering up plaudits as a stand-up comic, TV presenter and creator and star of Sky sitcom Raised by Refugees. Born in Auckland to a Pakistani mum and Iranian dad, he discusses representation in mainstream media, the one country where he’s experienced outright racism, and why the backlash against The Simpsons character Apu was unfair. You can watch Raised by Refugees on Sky Go and Neon. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trailblazing business brains and childhood sweethearts Geoff and Justine Ross sold their premium vodka brand 42 Below to Bacardi for $138 million. Now they've swapped "wine and cheesing" in Auckland for running a 6500-hectare sheep and beef farm in Otago. The self-confessed environmental activists and passionate New Zealanders discuss why they took "the harder road", reaction to their Country Calendar appearance and why regenerative farming is much more than a "hippie crock of shit". Justine's memoir about swapping the city for the high country, Meet You at the Main Divide, is available now. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Dr Love to Dr Loving Life, Shortland Street's sole surviving original reflects on playing Chris Warner for almost three decades. He opens up on the panic attack that marred his return to the show, ageing on set, and "calming the f down" and finding happiness. He also talks his new play, Mannbannd, his love of theatre - and the celebrity he's mistaken for. Mannbannd runs from November 18 to December 16 at the Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Alia Bojilova is a registered psychologist who worked in the NZ Defence Force, including with members of the SAS, and recently starred alongside Hollywood hardman Vinnie Jones in international reality TV show Tracked. She shares her story of working as a United Nations military observer in Syria, where she and two colleagues were kidnapped, held at gunpoint and told they were going to be decapitated. Alia specialises in resilience and has recently written a book called The Resilience Toolkit. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After early appearances in The Billy T. James Show and Once Were Warriors, Blair Strang became a household name as ambulance driver Rangi Heremaia on Shortland Street. Six years later he quit to complete his legal degree and now juggles family law with acting and running his own theatre company. Beaming in from his Northland home, he discusses how he handled fame in the heyday of Kiwi TV, getting recognised in court and why he finally agreed to reality TV when Celebrity Treasure Island came calling. Watch Celebrity Treasure Island here. You can read stories supporting this episode on stuff.co.nz. Need more great podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. GET IN TOUCH Feedback? Got a guest you’d like Simon to talk to? We’re listening! Email us at [email protected]. CREDITS Host: Simon Bridges Producer: Jen Black Audio editing and mixing: John Ropiha Executive producer: Chris Reed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices