Between Two Beers Podcast The ACC

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Awen Gutenbeil. 

You may know Awen as one of New Zealand’s greatest rugby league players, with 170 caps for the Warriors over a professional career that spanned 15 years. What you might not know, is that in the first five years of his career he spent more time under general anesthetic then he did on the field.  

In this episode we talk about the mental toll of 60 hours under GA and how he got his career back on track, the hustle, grind and drive to set up his thriving business career post footy, reflections on the Warriors’ most famous scraps, the best end of year trip stories, why he didn’t fancy a career as a broadcaster, meeting the queen, what he’s learned as a dad, golf, what the next chapter looks like and much much more. 

This ep was really special. Awen is such an eloquent speaker with a lifetime of important lessons to share. We asked him some ‘big picture’ questions at the end, and the impromptu, thoughtful, articulate answers blew us away. You'll love this one. 
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On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Guyon Espiner. 

Guyon is one of New Zealand’s most highly respected journalists and has worked in print, radio and television for more than 20 years, as a reporter, political editor and anchor. 

He has reported on trade from China, on war from Afghanistan, on politics from Washington, and on climate change from Antarctica. 

He currently works at Radio New Zealand as an investigative journalist and has just released his new book THE DRINKING GAME – which looks at how big business, the media and politicians shape the way we drink. 

In this episode we talk about Guyon’s friendship and rivalry with Duncan Garner, what life is really like in the parliamentary press gallery, why he crossed the floor from TVNZ to TV3, the art of interviewing politicians, his best Winston Peters drinking story – and their most memorable interview and his new book and why he turned away from the booze. 

This was a cracking ep. Guyon is sharp, worldly and insightful and his experiences and stories from two decades in New Zealand journalism would rival anyone in the country. You’ll love this one. 

Listen on iheart or wherevers you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. A huge thanks to those supporting the show on patreon for the cost of a cup of coffee a month, to get involved head to Between Two Beers.com. And While you’re there signup to our new weekly newsletter which has behind the scenes recaps of each episode.                 

Show notes | Episode 118 | Guyon Espiner

1:30: The Drinking Game and being “sober curious”

6:14: Cricket and Paddy Gower

10:13: Guyon Espiner v Duncan Garner

14:08: Life in the parliamentary press gallery

20:03: Is anything genuinely off the record?

22:16: Crossing the floor from TVNZ to TV3

24:15: Winston Peters

34:01: The art of interviewing politicians

41:25: Morning Report and Radio New Zealand

45:47: Stepping back into investigative journalism

53:15: The decision to stop drinking

1:00:20: Having the ugly conversation with your mates

1:06:30: The Te Reo journey

1:10:10: Running as a mental health pillar
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On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Guy Williams. 

Guy is one of New Zealand’s best-known comedians who has worked on many of New Zealand’s biggest TV shows. 

He was a co-host on Jono and Ben, a radio DJ at The Edge, featured on shows like Come Dine With Me, The Extra Factor and Taskmaster and for the last four years has been working on his critically acclaimed show New Zealand Today. 

In this one we talk about bad names for podcasts, why he was the worst ever contestant on Taskmaster, what its really like to be the gag-man at serious sport press conferences, his complicated relationship with Sonny Bill Williams, interviewing the Mongrol Mob, Patrick and Roy, why New Zealand Today has been so popular and much, much more. 

Guy is a tornado of energy, noise and good chat. This was really fun, so many entertaining stories mixed with moments of real introspection. You’ll love this one. 
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On this episode of Between two Beers we talk to Dame Lisa Carrington. 

Lisa is New Zealand’s most successful Olympian of all time with five Olympic gold medals in the sprint Kayak, one bronze and 12 World Championship titles. 

For over a decade, Lisa has been the best in the world at her sport and after listening to this conversation it will become clear why. 
 
We go deep inside the mind of a champion, and talk about her relationship with self-doubt and high performance, why she hasn’t missed training in 13 years, and how she deals with race-day pressure. We also hear about her passport slip-ups, gym playlists, superstitions, the power of journalling, and all the best and most entertaining stories from a life on the road. 

Seamus and I were mesmerized by this chat in places. It's so rare you get such an extended period of time to probe away at the inner workings of the very best in the world, and Lisa’s discipline, thought process, and ability to articulate how she succeeds was really, really cool.

Show notes | Episode 116 | Dame Lisa Carrington

2:05: Halberg Awards, table seating, and wardrobe malfunctions

6:40: A loose circle: gym playlists, red sunglasses, claiming the master bedroom

12:38: Lisa and her passport

18:50: Consistency

20:52: The early years in Whakatane

29:13: “…she uses kayaking to be a better person…”

33:08: Lisa’s attitude to training

40:30: Inside the mind of a champion: Tokyo 2021

47:08: Dealing with self-doubt

52:23: Winning the gold medal to become New Zealand’s most decorated Olympian

55:31: Lisa on coaching and building on your foundations

1:01:42: The power of journaling

1:04:24: Covid chat

1:08:44: What’s next?

1:10:19: Being in the hurt locker

1:14:11: A night out after the gold medal in London

1:18:55: Fame (here and abroad)

1:22:22: Recognising accolades

1:26:06: Last words from Steve, Seamus and Lisa
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On this episode of Between Two Beers we’re rewinding the clock back to September of 2021 when we sat down with Paddy Gower.  

Paddy is one of New Zealand’s most senior journalists with over 22 years in all forms of journalism. He’s been newshub’s political editor, an award-winning investigative journalist in  print and broadcasting – has covered warzones and major world events, has hosted leaders debates and is a documentary maker raising issues of national signficance.    But despite all this, by his own admission – he's most well known for saying ‘This is the fuckin news” and smoking weed on TV.  

In this episode we find out why that is, what I experienced when I went to a Hamilton pub with Paddy after midnight, how All Black Conrad Smith helped him prepare for the leaders debate, the time he left his passport behind when travelling with the prime minister in Iraq, the breakdown that led to him quitting as Newshub Political editor, the horror interview he’ll never forget and a whole lot  more.  

Paddy is a deep thinker and was a joy to share company with. He’s authentic, vulnerable, honest and entertaining. This was one of our most memorable earlier episodes, and wanted to share with our new audience.   It should be noted that this was also recorded a few months before Paddy turned away from booze. So keep that in mind when you hear a few references to alcohol.
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On this episode of Between Two Beers, we talk to Marc Ellis. 

Marc has done enough in his life to have an episode dedicated to each chapter. 

He played rugby for Otago, North Harbour, Blues, Highlanders and All Blacks and League for the Warriors and Kiwis, founded Charlie’s juice company – which after 10 years he sold to Asahi for $129 million, and was one of New Zealand’s top television stars for over a decade. 

In this episode we talk about what it was like to walk away with $18 million after selling Charlie’s - and why he decided to keep working, the best stories from university in Dunedin and touring with the All Blacks, why he thinks he was poisoned before the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, the time he was nearly killed by a bowling machine, the glory days with Ridgey, his favourite moments from Sports Café, what he’s doing now and much much more. 

Marc was our dream guest – and he delivered. Seamus and I grew up watching his unpredictable brand of hijinx and gags on TV, and his infectiously positive and fun personality rubbed off on us both. But behind the laughs and wild stories is an incredibly driven, successful, thoughtful guy and we had so much fun working through his full story. You'll love this one. 

Show notes | Episode 115 | Marc Ellis

Show notes | Episode 115 | Marc Ellis

2:14: A pinch yourself moment and a local speak easy

4:21: That time Marc nearly killed himself alone with a bowling machine

7:15: The Human Cannonball, the boat, and the Round Lake Taupo cycle

15:15: The last ten years of Marc Ellis

16:57: Macca at high school

19:43: The King of Otago University

22:49: Scarfie hijinks

25:01: Otago rugby and All Blacks tours

30:01: “Suzie” at the 1995 Rugby World Cup

33:38: Setting up Charlies

39:34: The decision to sell Charlies

46:12: The Warriors, Jonah, and JK

52:34: Sports Café

1:03:59: Matthew Ridge and Marc Ellis

1:11:21: Working on More FM after becoming a multi-millionaire

1:15:32: The Rangitoto stunt

1:19:13: Media Blanco and life now

1:21:35: Fame and anonymity

1:22:49: Advice from a father to a son

1:29:40: Last words from Steve, Seamus and Marc
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