The Guest Speaker

Grace & Blair
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Real voices. Real journeys. Ready to find yours. At The Guest Speaker, we share real stories from New Zealanders who’ve backed themselves, made bold choices, and carved out careers on their own terms. From creative paths to unexpected turns, each guest has found their lane—and is honest about how they got there. For teens exploring what’s next, and for whānua wanting to support them, these conversations are here to inspire, guide, and remind you: there’s no single way to build a life that fits. Start listening. Find your spark. Shape your own story. - Blair & Grace

  1. 1d ago

    Building Something From Nothing: Steph Wood on Entrepreneurship & Sol Goods

    Steph Wood never imagined she would become an entrepreneur. Growing up in Western Australia, Steph struggled to find her place at school and left at 15 after securing a pharmacy traineeship. What followed was anything but a traditional career path: pharmacy, makeup artistry, building and architectural design, travel, surfing, and eventually a move to New Zealand. Each experience gave Steph another skill she would one day use to build Sol Goods, the New Zealand-made natural sunscreen and skincare brand she founded after struggling to find a reef-conscious, mineral sunscreen that could withstand long days in the ocean. What began with Steph making zinc in her own kitchen has grown into a brand stocked in around 120 stores across New Zealand, expanding into Australia and earning national recognition at the 2026 Viva Beauty Awards. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Steph shares what building a product business actually looks like - from bootstrapping her first production run and learning about formulation, testing and manufacturing, to understanding margins, finding sales channels, teaching herself Meta advertising and making plenty of mistakes along the way. But this conversation is about more than sunscreen. It’s about backing yourself before you feel completely ready, recognising that skills gained in one chapter can become invaluable in another, and understanding that there is no single timeline or pathway you need to follow. For anyone wondering what they want to do, changing direction, or sitting on an idea they’re afraid to pursue, Steph’s message is refreshingly simple: You’ve got time.

    Building Something From Nothing: Steph Wood on Entrepreneurship & Sol Goods

  2. Aug 18

    How to Become a Clinical Psychologist | Caitlin Easter

    Caitlin Easter is a clinical psychologist whose career has taken her across child development, mental health, care and protection, corrections and sport psychology. Growing up in Cambridge, New Zealand, Caitlin was far more focused on sport than becoming a psychologist. A talented netballer and swimmer, she became Cambridge High School’s inaugural Sports Captain before receiving the prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship to study at the University of Waikato. Initially drawn to the idea of sport psychology, Caitlin went on to complete postgraduate training in clinical psychology alongside a master’s focused on sport psychology. She shares what the pathway really involves - from undergraduate study and the highly competitive clinical psychology selection process to supervised client work, internships, oral examinations and becoming a registered psychologist. Caitlin also takes us inside the profession itself. She discusses working in prisons as a psychometrician, assessing children for developmental conditions including autism and ADHD, working alongside multidisciplinary healthcare teams, and navigating the emotional responsibility that comes with helping vulnerable people. We also explore the importance of supervision, self-reflection and boundaries; what makes someone suited to clinical psychology; how psychologists protect themselves from burnout; and why there is no single place a career in psychology has to lead. For students considering psychology, Caitlin’s story is an important reminder that you do not need to have your entire career mapped out at school. Her advice is simple: seek out different experiences, talk to people already doing the work, stay curious about what interests you - and give yourself permission to change direction along the way.

    How to Become a Clinical Psychologist | Caitlin Easter

  3. Aug 12

    Physiotherapist | Jessica Totman: Beyond Sports Injuries - Concussion, Chronic Pain & the Reality of Physio

    In this episode of The Guest Speaker, Jessica takes us inside the pathway to becoming a physiotherapist: from choosing high-school subjects and applying for university, to practical exams, clinical placements and navigating those first years in the workforce. She also breaks down the different areas of physiotherapy many students may never have considered - including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and neurological physiotherapy - and shares how her own career evolved from private practice and sideline rugby into concussion rehabilitation and chronic pain management. Jessica also opens up about a side of healthcare that isn't always taught in the classroom: the emotional weight of spending every day with people experiencing pain, learning to create boundaries, and recognising that being a great physiotherapist requires far more than simply understanding the human body. For students considering physiotherapy, healthcare, sport or rehabilitation, this episode offers an honest look at what studying and working as a physiotherapist can really look like — and why communication, empathy and connecting with people may be some of the most important skills you can bring to the profession.

    Physiotherapist | Jessica Totman: Beyond Sports Injuries - Concussion, Chronic Pain & the Reality of Physio

  4. Aug 4

    The Future of Recovery: Inside the World of Elite Performance Technology with Josh Kersten

    Josh Kersten shares the remarkable journey from working hands-on in New Zealand to founding Prime Platinum - an international company providing cutting-edge recovery and longevity technologies to professional athletes, wellness facilities and high-performance clients worldwide. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, continuous learning, international business, and the future of human performance. Along the way, Josh explains the science behind cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and performance testing, while sharing practical lessons any student, entrepreneur or aspiring business owner can apply. In this episode we discuss: Why being a "jack of many trades" became Josh's greatest strengthHow a broken laser machine changed his lifeBuilding relationships with international manufacturersEntrepreneurship without a university degreeThe booming wellness and longevity industryRecovery technologies used by elite athletesWhy measuring your health matters more than guessingThe habits that create long-term performanceWhether you're interested in business, entrepreneurship, sport, health or simply creating opportunities from unexpected beginnings, Josh's story is proof that curiosity, practical skills and relentless learning can take you further than you imagine.

    The Future of Recovery: Inside the World of Elite Performance Technology with Josh Kersten

  5. Jul 28

    Dr. Riley Elliott: Inside the Mind of a Shark Scientist

    Sharks made Dr. Riley Elliott famous - but this conversation is about much more than sharks. Riley is one of the world's leading shark scientists, a documentary presenter for Shark Week, BBC and National Geographic, and a passionate advocate for marine conservation. In this episode he shares how curiosity, purpose and hard work took him from a student in Hamilton, New Zealand, to researching great white sharks around the world. Whether you're interested in science, conservation, media, university or simply finding meaningful work, this conversation is full of practical advice and inspiring stories.

    Dr. Riley Elliott: Inside the Mind of a Shark Scientist

  6. Jul 21

    Chloe Jones on The Future of Farming: Careers, Leadership & Opportunity

    Agriculture is one of New Zealand's largest industries, yet many young people have little idea of the incredible career opportunities it offers. In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Chloe Jones - Operations Manager at Fonterra Farms, former National Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers, and a passionate advocate for the future of the food and fibre sector. Chloe shares her journey from a high school student unsure of what career to pursue, to studying Agricultural Science at Massey University, moving across the country for Fonterra's graduate programme, and building a career that combines leadership, strategy, business and farming. Along the way, we discuss the realities of university, scholarships, graduate programmes, leadership in your twenties, why communication is one of the most valuable skills you can develop, and how saying "yes" to opportunities helped shape her career. We also explore the incredible diversity within agriculture today - from science, technology and sustainability to business, operations and farm management - and why you don't need to grow up on a farm to find your place in the industry. Whether you're considering university, looking for career inspiration, interested in agriculture, or simply trying to figure out your next step after school, Chloe offers thoughtful, practical advice that will leave you feeling encouraged about the opportunities ahead. This conversation is a reminder that careers rarely follow a straight line - and sometimes keeping an open mind leads to opportunities you never imagined.

    Chloe Jones on The Future of Farming: Careers, Leadership & Opportunity

  7. Jul 14

    Amy Coulton on Adventure, Tourism & Burnout

    In this episode of The Guest Speaker, we sit down with Amy Coulton, whose journey has taken her from a high school career expo in New Zealand to working across luxury superyachts, tourism, hospitality and adventure travel around the world. Amy shares how studying at Queenstown Resort College opened unexpected doors, what life is actually like working in tourism, the incredible highs of exploring places like French Polynesia and the Kimberley, and the very real challenges of burnout, long hours and protecting your wellbeing. Whether you're considering tourism, hospitality, adventure travel, or simply want inspiration to create a life that's a little less ordinary, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight. In this episode we discuss: Choosing an alternative pathway after high schoolQueenstown Resort College and studying tourismBuilding a career through internships and practical experienceWorking in the Cook Islands, Bay of Islands and beyondLife aboard luxury superyachtsBurnout, mental health and finding balanceFinancial literacy and creating opportunitiesWhy diverse skills can become your greatest advantage

    Amy Coulton on Adventure, Tourism & Burnout

  8. Jul 8

    Brittany Day | Finding Her Passion in Personal Training

    After pursuing tourism, having Covid completely change her plans, and later studying psychology at university, Brittany Day still hadn't found the career that truly excited her. It wasn't until someone casually suggested she'd make a great personal trainer that everything clicked. Today, Brittany is an award-recognised personal trainer and is helping people of all ages build confidence, strength and healthier lifestyles. In this episode, Brittany shares: - How she became a personal trainer in New Zealand - What qualifications and training are actually required - The realities of starting your own PT business - Working with beginners, injuries and building confidence - The truth about fitness advice on social media - Why personal training is about far more than lifting weights - Her future goals, including nutrition and owning her own gym Whether you're considering a career in health and fitness, love going to the gym, or you're still figuring out your own path after school, Brittany's journey is an encouraging reminder that the right career doesn't always happen straight away.

    Brittany Day | Finding Her Passion in Personal Training
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About

Real voices. Real journeys. Ready to find yours. At The Guest Speaker, we share real stories from New Zealanders who’ve backed themselves, made bold choices, and carved out careers on their own terms. From creative paths to unexpected turns, each guest has found their lane—and is honest about how they got there. For teens exploring what’s next, and for whānua wanting to support them, these conversations are here to inspire, guide, and remind you: there’s no single way to build a life that fits. Start listening. Find your spark. Shape your own story. - Blair & Grace

Information

  • Creator
    Grace & Blair
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Grace & Blair
  • Show Website
    The Guest Speaker