Something a little different for today’s episode! A few weeks back I had the honour of hosting a panel at Destination 159Design – an event that brought together some of New Zealand’s leading design creatives for an afternoon of conversation, optimism and future-focused inspiration.

On the panel with me were Tom Webster (architect + host of Grand Designs NZ), Amy Shaw (Creative Director of David Shaw Furniture), Emma Hayes (founder of Emma Hayes Textiles) and Nat Davis (founder of Folio magazine). It was an energetic, thoughtful, insightful and robust kōrero - and I’m so glad we get to share it here with the wider design community and of course, my Super Creative listeners.

This event was made possible by the businesses and brands behind 159Design – a trade focused, interior design centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland where a mix of trusted furnishing brands - textiles, furniture, flooring, rugs and hardware – are all under one convenient roof.

A shout out to those brands that continuously champion and support the New Zealand interiors industry:

→ James Dunlop Textiles

→ David Shaw Furniture

→ Haro Flooring

→ Kovacs Design Furniture

→ The Textile Company

→ Belgotex

→ The Ivy House

→ Porcelanosa

→ Montreux Furniture

→ Emma Hayes Textiles

→ Pocketspace Interiors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast, I speak with Gina Urlich - clinical nutritionist, mother of four, and the founder of Odi, a children’s food brand designed to make healthy eating easy and accessible for busy families.

Odi was born from Gina’s passion for providing healthier, nutrient-dense food for babies and children, and has grown into a trusted brand known for its convenience, transparency, and commitment to real, wholesome ingredients.

In this episode, Gina shares the personal journey that led her to launch Odi, from her background in clinical nutrition to finding gap in the market for truly nourishing baby food. We talk about the challenges of starting a business from scratch, navigating a rebrand, and building a community of customers who trust and support the brand.

We also talk about Gina’s journey of resilience, including how she faced a serious health challenge while running her business and how it shaped her approach to leadership and self-care.

Gina’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to helping families make better food choices for their children. She’s down-to-earth, insightful, and a true advocate for change in the health and nutrition space.

After listening, firstly visit odinutrition.com to check out the range of nutritious baby and children’s food that Gina has worked so hard to create and then head to both @odi_nutrition_ and @gina.urlich for a wealth of information and education.

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Today on the podcast, I speak with Sophie Hamer – architect, interior designer and design writer based in the mountains of Valais, Switzerland.

Sophie crafts buildings and spaces in expansive natural landscapes and cities across the globe – from the Swiss Alps to the coastlines of New Zealand and the rolling foothills of Catalonia. Her approach to each project is grounded in place, craft and atmosphere. With an emphasis on stillness and connection to nature, Sophie create spaces that support calmness by slowing down and enriching everyday life.

In our conversation, Sophie shares her story – from growing up in Wellington with a love of art and architecture, to early roles at some of New Zealand’s most respected firms, to making the leap to Europe and establishing her own practice abroad. We talk about her reflective approach to design, the challenges and opportunities of building a business in a new country, and how she sees architecture as something far beyond buildings – as a way of living that touches wellbeing, community and the rhythms of nature.

Sophie is warm, thoughtful and so considered. She is philosophical, intentional and such a high achiever who is spending this stage of her career laying strong foundations for the future, while staying true to her values.

After listening, make sure you visit sophiehamer.com and follow @sophie_hamer on Instagram.

Photo credit: Make Space Journal, Wings and Creativity

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.