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.

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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.

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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.

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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 an international cast.

They also look back on their Give Us a Clue days, compare notes on public life, and unpack the strange parasocial relationship they’ve had since 2017.

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This episode of Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett features entrepreneur and philanthropist Charlotte Lockhart, co-founder of the 4 Day Week Global movement. Charlotte opens up about her life, her years living in the Middle East, and the ideas that helped spark a worldwide rethink of productivity and work. She also speaks candidly about receiving an incurable stage-four breast cancer diagnosis after 17 years cancer-free, and the clarity it’s given her about what really matters. From reshaping workplaces to reshaping her own life, Charlotte shares insight, humour, and hard-won wisdom on how to live with purpose, protect your time, and focus on what counts.

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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.

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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 determined spirit, how she dealt with rejection after rejection and the advice that still guides her every day.

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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.

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