Video Library
Resilience Series
Episode 20.
Bridgette Jackson
Bridgette Jackson, a CDC-certified Divorce/Separation Coach and legal professional, has turned personal challenges into professional success. After navigating her own difficult divorce, she founded Equal Exes in 2019, a service dedicated to making separation processes less costly and time-consuming. Bridgette, who is also an enrolled barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand, embodies resilience with her mantra, “there is always a positive in a negative, you just need to find it.”
Expanding her impact, Bridgette co-founded Equal Group Holdings, introducing Equal Workplace Support to help employees navigate divorce with confidentiality at work. She also co-created Equalibrium, focusing on therapies for narcissistic abuse and somatic trauma. Bridgette’s ventures not only provide crucial support during personal crises but also integrate these services into business environments, redefining workplace wellness.
Guest – Bridgette Jackson
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 19.
William Pike
Learning to be comfortable whilst being uncomfortable: after losing his leg in a volcanic eruption, William’s resilience was tested to the max. As an accidental business owner, William shares how values based decisions and his ‘why’ have built two successful businesses. Learn how he used nature to keep his mental health in-check, and how the William Pike Challenge has transformed the lives of over 40,000 young people through nature. Not shying away from the challenges he’s faced, William talks about striving to balance family and outdoor adventures with to growing businesses and more.
Guest – William Pike
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
Resilience Series
Episode 18.
Kirsten Taylor
Kirsten Taylor, Founder and CEO of SleepDrops and a leader in the world of sleep science, has become a symbol of resilience and forward-thinking within the sleep science industry.
Kirsten offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between stress and sleep, helping us understand how these two critical aspects of health interact and how to balance both for optimal well-being. She explains how to recognise the signs of sleep deprivation and the impact stress can have on sleep quality.
Kirsten shares practical strategies to enhance sleep, including breathing exercises and the use of nutrients. She also provides access to free resources that participants can start using immediately to improve their sleep.
Guest – Kirsten Taylor
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
Resilience Series
Episode 17.
Rich Tangney and Chrissy Ve
Husband/Wife Duo: A Power Couple’s Guide to Building Resilience and Business Together – This seminar with Rich Tangney and Chrissy Ve showcases a dynamic duo who have combined their individual strengths to enhance Chrissy’s existing business. It highlights how different personal approaches to resilience can harmonise to foster both personal and professional growth. This seminar will provide attendees with strategies to adapt and thrive together.
Guest – Rich Tangney and Chrissy Ve
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
Resilience Series
Episode 16.
Mike Burke
Flexing the Resilience Muscle: Lessons from Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship – This seminar with Mike Burke delves into the anatomy of resilience, comparing it to a muscle that must be nurtured, trained, and sometimes healed. He talks about his own experiences and how losing 10 thousand felt the same as losing 3 million and why these experiences strengthened his resilience through solo and collaborative efforts and the importance of the right inputs for sustaining growth.
Guest – Mike Burke
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
Resilience Series
Episode 15.
Lawrence Lotze
Lawrence Lotze, a passionate podcaster and advocate for meaningful connections, transformed his life’s toughest challenge, a brain tumour diagnosis in 2019 into a source of strength and inspiration. As an engaging speaker focused on mental health, financial literacy, and community-building, Lawrence illustrates the power of human connections and the resilience born from adversity.
Through his popular YouTube channel, Lawrence travels the world virtually, bringing his audience face-to-face with successful business owners and renowned sports stars. Each episode dives into the personal journeys, challenges, and pivotal moments of his guests, from the bustling streets of New York to the scenic beaches of Sydney. The conversation with Lawrence will reveal the motivations and insights of influential figures reshaping their industries, proving that personal trials can lead to profound triumphs.
Guest – Lawrence Lotze
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 14.
Julia Grace
Julia Grace is an acclaimed mental health speaker and educator, she channels her experiences of personal adversity and global upheaval into powerful lessons on resilience. As the President of the New Zealand Professional Speakers Association and the PSA NZ Educator of the Year, Julia brings credibility and depth to her role. She is also a Tui award-winning recording artist and the author of ‘Be Kind to Your Mind’.
Julia will speak candidly about her own battles with clinical depression and anxiety, offering a deeply personal perspective that we know will resonates with the First Steps audience. Her focus on education and personal experience makes Julia a compelling advocate for mental health awareness, providing valuable insights and encouragement to those facing similar challenges.
Guest – Julia Grace
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 13.
Karin Horen
Karin Horen, a solo mother and twice breast cancer survivor, has channelled her experiences into advocacy and empowerment. As the author of “I am more than just my tits” and a resilience coach, she co-founded Paddle For Hope, a key fundraiser that initiated the PaddleOn cancer rehabilitation program. In 2018, Karin launched a mastectomy-friendly swimwear line that enhanced her impact on the community.
Her professional background spans marketing and sales, including roles in media, advertising, and real estate. In 2023, Karin started a podcast named after her book, further amplifying her message of resilience. Living by the motto, “She believed she could, so she did,” Karin continues to inspire and motivate others to overcome adversity and improve their quality of life.
Guest – Karin Horen
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
What is ADHD?
Watch an insightful video follow-up to our popular ADHD resource – ‘What is ADHD and how do I know if I’m ADHD? Dive into this important subject with psychologists Dr. Louise and Charlotte from Mind Matters as they explore “What is ADHD?” Gain valuable insights as they address your common queries, such as identifying symptoms, obtaining a diagnosis, and effective management strategies.
The power of resilience with The Blues
Explore and unravel the hidden narratives of resilience within the domains of Auckland Rugby and Business.
In a world where challenges throw us off course, discover how the Blues and business tycoons have harnessed the power of resilience to not merely survive, but thrive amidst adversities. It’s more than an ethos — it’s an art, and here they reveal the canvas behind the victories and the comebacks.
Now’s your chance to get a peek into the strategic and mental resilience that propels victories, both on the field and in the business arena.
Resilience Series
Episode 12.
Renee Taylor
Beneath the Surface: Empowerment through Free Diving and Speech Therapy: Renee Taylor is a Director and Clinician at Swallow & Speech Therapy Consultants Ltd which is a private Speech-language Therapy practice specialising in swallowing disorders in aged residential care. Working in the Health Industry had a whirlwind of emotions and experiences for Renee, unfortunately leading to her experiencing burn out and trauma, which impacted her ability to continue working in the public health space. It led her to reconnect more with her Maoritanga and to be more confident and proud in that space, to set boundaries, as well as discovering the world of freediving which in turn helped her own mental health.
Guest – Renee Taylor
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 11.
Zeisha Fremaux
The Tune of Resilience: Navigating Through Life’s Toughest Beats: As an influential figure in her field, Zeisha Fremaux continues to break barriers, inspire others, and challenge the status quo in both music and social advocacy. Her story not only highlights the importance of resilience in the face of adversity but also serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome challenges.
Guest – Zeisha Fremaux
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 10.
Robbie Shefford
A Man with a Plan and a Caravan: Roadside Mental Health Revolution. Robbie Shefford’s mission is simple to travel around New Zealand with his race tractor and mental health and well-being caravan and stop to talk to as many groups and people as he can about the importance of mental health, well-being and positive thinking.
Guest – Robbie Shefford
Host – Simon Bridges
Resilience Series
Episode 9.
Jordan Fitzgerald
Jordan Fitzgerald is a former New Zealand Special Operations Forces Commando and the founder of an apparel brand called Warfighter Athletic. After over a decade of service within the NZ Army which included a tour of Afghanistan, he looked to business for a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh challenge. Driven by passion, he chose to build Warfighter Athletic, an e-commerce-focused apparel and training company around the ethos and values he learned during his military career.
Guest – Jordan Fitzgerald
https://warfighterathletic.co.nz
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Financial Wellbeing
Episode 4.
Being Retirement Ready
Gain an understanding of what a realistic retirement could look like for you. How striking the balance of living life up to and past retirement is often something people have trouble with. And, what else other than the money is important in making retirement choices.
Financial Wellbeing
Episode 3.
Master your Mortgage
Check your understanding of the building blocks of mortgages, extend your knowledge of different loan structures and products, and find out what strategies are being employed by people who pay their loans off years ahead of schedule and save tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.
Financial Wellbeing
Episode 2.
Managing your Cash-Flow Successfully.
Perform a self-check on how well you are doing the basics. You will find out what traits are the foundation of success and learn the two systems that guarantee you can successfully hit your spending goals.
Financial Wellbeing
Episode 1.
Making sure your KiwiSaver is working for you.
Check your understanding of risk, return and fund construction. You will identify which type of fund you should be invested in, and why, and then how you can use this information to make sure you are getting the best return in the market on your invested money. You will also find out the three key mistakes that can be devastating to your KiwiSaver balance at retirement.
Resilience Series
Episode 8.
Christyl Stowers
Be inspired and motivated by the remarkable journey of Christyl Stowers, whose powerful story is a testament to the strength of resilience. Overcoming childhood traumas and persevering through chronic pain, Christyl is dedicated to inspiring others. Christyl empowers individuals to pursue their dreams, embrace resilience, and create transformative change in their lives through authenticity and passion. Join us to hear Christyl’s story, as she guides others on their own paths to resilience as a life coach.
Guest – Christyl Stowers
www.instagram.com/sharkystowers
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 7.
Kaiwhare Kara France
Kai’s journey to success has been a challenging one, from overcoming bullying to dropping out of university to pursue his passion for MMA. Despite facing setbacks and tough opponents in the ring, Kai has remained committed to his goals and has become one of the top-ranked flyweight fighters in the UFC.
Guest – Kaiwhare Kara France
www.instagram.com/kaikarafrance
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 6.
William Pike
William’s story is an inspiration to us all, showing that with the right mindset and attitude, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges and achieve greatness. He is changing the lives of young people and making a difference in the world. Watch this episode for an opportunity to hear from William Pike as he shares his journey, experiences, and insights on resilience and how to overcome adversity.
Guest – William Pike
www.williampike.co.nz
Host – Natalie Woodbridge
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 5.
Jazz Thornton
Named New Zealand’s Young New Zealander of the Year in 2021, Jazz is a talented motivational speaker who inspires audiences of all ages to face challenges, identify opportunities, and become the change they wish to see in the world. With her focus on hope, resilience, and overcoming adversity, Jazz’s message is both inspiring and empowering.
Trigger Warning: This video contains discussions about sensitive topics, including suicide and sexual abuse. While we strive to approach these subjects with care and respect, we understand that they may be distressing for some viewers. If you are sensitive to these topics or may find them triggering, we advise you to exercise self-care and consider skipping this content. Remember, your well-being is important.
Guest – Jazz Thornton
www.jazzthornton.com
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 4.
Abbas Nazari
In a world where challenges seem insurmountable, Abbas Nazari’s inspiring journey will remind us that resilience knows no borders. Abbas, a former refugee, and celebrated author, will share his captivating story of overcoming adversity and finding hope amidst the darkest of times.
Guest – Abbas Nazari
www.celebrityspeakers.co.nz/speakers/abbas-nazari
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 3.
David Downs
Join us for episode three of our Resilience Skills Speaker Series featuring David Downs, CEO of The New Zealand Story. David is a living testament to resilience, having conquered a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma. Through his personal blog series titled “A Mild Touch of the Cancer” and his inspiring TEDx talk “Don’t Humour the Tumour,” he has shared his journey and provided insights on overcoming life-threatening illnesses.
Guest – David Downs
www.nzstory.govt.nz
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 2.
Tim Kavermann
Welcome to Episode 2 of our enlightening series! We are thrilled to present Tim Kavermann, the writer behind our most popular article “Burnout, Depression and Recovery” here on our First Steps website. In a captivating live webinar held on Friday, May 19th at midday, Tim fearlessly delved into his personal experiences and shared invaluable insights to support small business owners grappling with burnout and its associated symptoms. Join us for an eye-opening discussion that promises to empower and uplift those navigating the challenges of burnout.
Guest – Tim Kavermann
www.kavermann.co.nz
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
Resilience Series
Episode 1.
Dr Lucy Hone
Join renowned global expert in resilience, Dr Lucy Hone, as she shares practical ways to cope with change and challenges, including when your business overwhelms you. Her top tips on building realistic resilience practices have been shared across a host of organizations ranging from Fortune 500s, government agencies and law firms to community groups and schools. Especially relevant to the pressures of running a small business, resilience as a skill can help put you in the driving seat.
Guest – Dr Lucy Hone
www.tedxchristchurch.com/lucy-hone
Host – Simon Bridges
www.aucklandchamber.co.nz
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