Burning Bridges Podcast

Renee & Taimana
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

Welcome to Burning Bridges — a podcast rooted in real stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation. Through raw, unfiltered conversations, we dive into the moments that define us — the rock bottoms, the breaking points, and the sparks that ignite healing.  These are the journeys of people who’ve felt stuck, lost, or shattered... and found their way back to themselves. Here, we believe in the power of storytelling — not just to inspire, but to connect, to heal, and to remind us that we’re never alone in what we face.

  1. #18 Vika Pasefika : UCE Movement

    MAR 28

    #18 Vika Pasefika : UCE Movement

    In this raw and emotional episode, Vika Pasefika opens up like never before. From growing up in a tough Samoan household to arriving in New Zealand unable to speak English, Vika shares the pain of being bullied—and how that pain turned him into the bully. Behind the violence was something deeper. Untold trauma. Abuse by someone trusted. Silence that followed him for years. From fighting in the streets to becoming a father, Vika’s turning point didn’t come easy. Now in Australia, he’s finally facing the demons he once buried. Today, Vika leads the UCE Movement—mentoring youth, supporting mental health, and running men’s groups focused on healing and suicide prevention. A powerful conversation about trauma, identity, and what it really takes to break the cycle.

    1h 41m
  2. #17 UTU: Restoring Balance

    MAR 14

    #17 UTU: Restoring Balance

    This episode we speak openly to Aperehama-Rua, Coley, and Haati Bei about the journey to set things right after the past Hīkoi of Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation, and the path they are now walking through UTU.   Discussing personal thoughts, experiences, and actions behind two of the organisers Aperehama and Coley, and the movement that began with the intention of healing our people.  And Haati Bei, Aperehama’s whānau, shares her own journey of keeping her family close while navigating a hostile environment.   The kaupapa began with powerful intentions. The vision was to create a space of healing and unity. A place where people could come together, reconnect, and walk forward stronger. But the journey became complicated. Questions were raised. Trust was tested. People were hurt. What started as a movement of healing slowly became surrounded by confusion, division, and pain - between organisers, supporters and the public.   In this kōrero we hear the heartbreak of how a space that began with hope and healing slowly became tangled in lies, pain, and despair. But we also hear something just as powerful — how through those experiences true friendships were formed that became whānau. And within a small group, now known as the LITT Krew, still believed in the Kaupapa and creating a space of whakawhanaungatanga, connection, and healing along the journey.   Aperehama and Coley speak honestly about the weight they have carried since then — the guilt, and the feeling of knowing that things did not unfold the way they were meant to. With that comes the courage to face those feelings and walk forward with intention. Now they are walking a different path. A path that leads back to Rātana Pā. A journey of UTU — not revenge, but restoration.  A return to balance.  A way of putting right what has been thrown out of alignment.

    1h 47m
  3. #16 Corban & Ella | Chasing Greatness Together

    FEB 28

    #16 Corban & Ella | Chasing Greatness Together

    From growing up in Aotearoa surrounded by family to stepping into new territory on the Gold Coast, Corbin and Ella share their journey of ambition, adversity, and unwavering commitment to each other. Together, they reflect on the setbacks that forced them to level up — not only individually, but as partners.  We talk love, leadership within a relationship, navigating hard conversations, and building a life aligned with shared goals. This episode dives deep into, communication, resilience, and what it truly means to build a strong foundation for love and family. A reminder that love doesn’t avoid challenges — it grows through them.

    1h 26m
  4. #15 Uncle Tamahae Elkington | A Disability does not Disable your Life

    FEB 14

    #15 Uncle Tamahae Elkington | A Disability does not Disable your Life

    Uncle Tamahae Elkington was born in Porirua, Aotearoa, with spina bifida at a time when doctors didn’t know how to support children and their families with disabilities.  Being hospitalised for two years from a baby, early institutionalisation planted a seed of anger he didn’t yet understand — an anger that followed him into adulthood. Growing up tough, learning to fight in boys’ homes, surrounded by violence and survival, he found himself pulled into gangs and a life of crime.  When his parents moved to Brisbane, Australia he joined them — but the cycle continued. Petty crime turned into heavier offences and prison became a reality. To escape more prison time, he returned to Aotearoa.  There, something shifted and he was made to attend Te Wananga Raukawa. Three years later he finishes with a degree.  But the real turning point? A men’s group. He attended the same course 3 times, a total of 3 years.  Through that journey, he re-discovered his worth, value and voice.  He began healing and found solace in music, meeting people and travelling.  Today, Uncle Tamahae proudly adorned with his moko kanohi, grounded in culture, wisdom, and self-awareness.  Living with spina bifida, having lost his leg, and wheelchair-bound from the age of 16, he refuses to let anything define or limit him. It is proof that: * It’s never too late to heal. * Your past does not decide your future. * A disability does not disable your life. * And no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise with dignity and mana. We are deeply honoured to share this kōrero. Share this with someone who needs hope ❤️  And let us know what part of Uncle Tamahae’s journey moved you the most.

    1h 18m
  5. #14 All Star Boxing’s Benny Harrington

    FEB 1

    #14 All Star Boxing’s Benny Harrington

    We step inside the mind of Benny Harrington, owner and head coach of All Star Boxing, as he shares his raw and inspiring journey. From growing up in a working-class Brisbane household to building champions in the ring. With a childhood grounded in all types of sport, Benny excelled early, earning victories in squash, cricket, AFL and finding his true calling in boxing. Now a husband, proud father and leader in Australia’s boxing community, Benny opens up about what it takes to rise above the noise, build a winning mindset, and train the next generation of elite fighters. He speaks on the sacrifices, discipline , and relentless hunger it takes to make it - not just in boxing, but in life. Whether you’re a fighter, coach, athlete of anyone chasing something bigger, this episode is your blueprint for greatness.

    1h 30m
  6. #13 Warrior in the Ring | Corbin "The Curse" Mita

    JAN 18

    #13 Warrior in the Ring | Corbin "The Curse" Mita

    Born in Aotearoa, Corbin Mita carried a heavy weight no child should bear. After surviving sexual abuse, he found the courage to speak up—and the strength to heal through discipline, community, and combat.  His mother did what she could with Western healing methods, but the real breakthrough came when he discovered martial arts—a space where pain turned into power, and silence turned into purpose. Corbin found more than a gym—he found belonging. Fighting across New Zealand and overseas, he now trains out of Gold Coast, Australia, as a rising force in the IBC (International Brawling Championship). He takes us deep into his world—his daily grind, the mental warfare before every fight, and the soft moments shared with his fiancée Ella, who stands by him through every round in and out of the ring. This conversation is raw, real, and heavy-hitting—just like his punches.  Corbin speaks on the power of humility, the quiet strength in healing, and the fire that drives his relentless pursuit of greatness in the ring.

    1h 30m

  7. JAN 8

    #12 Shubz & Skye: Heal The Nation

    Shubz first ever in person interview, he reveals his Manager Skye & they both delve deep into their own journeys, trauma, lessons and the plan to Heal The Nation - Iwi Whakamahu. In this raw and deeply emotional episode, social creator Schubz opens up about growing up in New Zealand under the shadow of abuse — and how those wounds still shape his adult life. With thousands watching, Schubz uses his platform to call out injustice of pedophiles and corruption. He speaks candidly about trying to heal the boy within.  Skye Sterling, an entrepenuner and well known from working in the media for 20 years NZ, Skye is carrying her own childhood trauma, now walks a similar journey — a mother fighting for peace, for purpose, and for her own healing. Bonded through trauma, Shubz & Skye have found the courage to rise.  Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation.

    3h 21m
  8. Keilah Sauni - Love, Legacy & Level Up's

    12/30/2025

    Keilah Sauni - Love, Legacy & Level Up's

    In this heartfelt season finale, we sit down with the inspiring Keilah Sauni—a woman who turned her childhood need for approval into a powerful drive for growth, healing, and success.  Growing up in Auckland, Keilah always felt like she had to prove her love to be seen.  Now living in Australia, she shares her powerful transformation story—from emotional struggle to building a thriving successful beauty business, and stepping fully into her purpose as a coach, mentor and leader.  We talk blended family’s and the love and support she receives from her husband. How learning to communicate in a relationship is key, sharing her truth and real emotion.  This conversation is a reminder that healing is possible, your story holds power, and your past doesn’t define your future.Get ready for truth, triumph, and the kind of wisdom that will stay with you long after the episode ends. This episode is a mix of emotion, empowerment, and straight-up gems on mindset shifts, entrepreneurship, and redefining what “success” really means.  Oh—and yes, we laughed a LOT.

    1h 31m
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About

Welcome to Burning Bridges — a podcast rooted in real stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation. Through raw, unfiltered conversations, we dive into the moments that define us — the rock bottoms, the breaking points, and the sparks that ignite healing.  These are the journeys of people who’ve felt stuck, lost, or shattered... and found their way back to themselves. Here, we believe in the power of storytelling — not just to inspire, but to connect, to heal, and to remind us that we’re never alone in what we face.

Information

  • Creator
    Renee & Taimana
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Burning Bridges Podcast
  • Show Website
    Burning Bridges Podcast