The Snacks and Chats team reunite with the UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. Adesanya talks about his “bizarre” fight with Yoel Romero, why he’s looking forward to the Paulo Costa fight, snobbery at the Halberg Awards and his speech that night, the humility needed to be a good fighter, how fleeting the joy of winning can seem, seeing a psychologist, realising the importance of protecting his own space and learning to love his younger self.

Episode 20: Israel Adesanya

“I drive myself insane with this sport. I think about it every minute, of every day. I obsess over it. To be this successful at something, you actually have to obsess over it.”Dan “Hangman” Hooker came into the fight game with the express purpose of exciting crowds. He talks to Lani and Ben about his intensity in the cage, what makes a good coach and how things have changed since his 2014 UFC debut to becoming the headline fight in his hometown in 2020. Dan also discusses why the Barbosa loss became the reason for his future success, and how he intends to rip Dustin Poirier’s head off to take him one step closer on his quest for the championship belt.

“I drive myself insane with this sport. I think about it every minute, of every day. I obsess over it. To be this successful at something, you actually have to obsess over it.” Dan “Hangman” Hooker came into the fight game with the express purpose of exciting crowds. He talks to Lani and Ben about his intensity in the cage, what makes a good coach and how things have changed since his 2014 UFC debut to becoming the headline fight in his hometown in 2020. Dan also discusses why the Barbosa loss became the reason for his future success, and how he intends to rip Dustin Poirier’s head off to take him one step closer on his quest for the championship belt.

Episode 19: Dan "Hangman" Hooker

“I won the fight, and I said to all my friends, ‘I’m never doing that again.’ It was terrifying. The anxiety before the fight, the uncertainty, the unknown, it was a totally different feeling to what I’ve experienced before. And then, I took another fight, took another fight.”World champion Muay Thai fighter and mixed martial artist Genah Fabian has been a competitive athlete since she was six years old.She talks to Lani and Ben about how injuries that halted her track career as a teenager not only led her to pursue fighting as a profession, but also taught her valuable lessons about mental toughness, running towards fear and how to persevere when she might once have given up.

“I won the fight, and I said to all my friends, ‘I’m never doing that again.’ It was terrifying. The anxiety before the fight, the uncertainty, the unknown, it was a totally different feeling to what I’ve experienced before. And then, I took another fight, took another fight.” World champion Muay Thai fighter and mixed martial artist Genah Fabian has been a competitive athlete since she was six years old. She talks to Lani and Ben about how injuries that halted her track career as a teenager not only led her to pursue fighting as a profession, but also taught her valuable lessons about mental toughness, running towards fear and how to persevere when she might once have given up.

Episode 18: Genah Fabian

“It definitely is a thinking man’s sport. Because if you’re tough - everyone is tough in this sport. If that’s all you have as your strength, you’re not gonna make it.”Flyweight mixed martial artist Kai Kara-France sits down with Lani and Ben and shares his life story - from being badly bullied at high school, to taking up martial arts and leaving university to live in Thailand to pursue his dream of being a fighter. He reflects on his early career, travelling all over Asia to take whatever fights he could get, and how he overcame losses to finally realise his goal of fighting in the UFC. He’s now set to represent his country on home turf and hopes to inspire the younger generation.

“It definitely is a thinking man’s sport. Because if you’re tough - everyone is tough in this sport. If that’s all you have as your strength, you’re not gonna make it.” Flyweight mixed martial artist Kai Kara-France sits down with Lani and Ben and shares his life story - from being badly bullied at high school, to taking up martial arts and leaving university to live in Thailand to pursue his dream of being a fighter. He reflects on his early career, travelling all over Asia to take whatever fights he could get, and how he overcame losses to finally realise his goal of fighting in the UFC. He’s now set to represent his country on home turf and hopes to inspire the younger generation.

Episode 17: Kai Kara-France

Eugene Bareman

“For every story like mine, and in New Zealand there’s not many, trust me there’s a thousand fighters that have been before me whose names aren’t in the record books.”In the first Snacks and Chats of 2020 Lani and Ben sit down with City Kickboxing co-founder and head coach Eugene Bareman. Bareman is fresh off an epic 2019 in which he was named MMA Coach of the Year by multiple news outlets thanks to his and his team’s work with UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski, as well as top-tier fighters Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and Brad Riddell.He talks about why he left rugby for fighting, how difficult it was in the early years of starting up the gym, how passion got them through the hard times and defending home soil at the upcoming UFC Auckland.

“For every story like mine, and in New Zealand there’s not many, trust me there’s a thousand fighters that have been before me whose names aren’t in the record books.” In the first Snacks and Chats of 2020 Lani and Ben sit down with City Kickboxing co-founder and head coach Eugene Bareman. Bareman is fresh off an epic 2019 in which he was named MMA Coach of the Year by multiple news outlets thanks to his and his team’s work with UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alex Volkanovski, as well as top-tier fighters Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and Brad Riddell. He talks about why he left rugby for fighting, how difficult it was in the early years of starting up the gym, how passion got them through the hard times and defending home soil at the upcoming UFC Auckland.

Episode 16: Eugene Bareman

We’re back with a one-off episode to end the year, with our favourite musician of 2018 - Chelsea Jade. She talks to us about how she almost quit being an artist when she moved to LA, learning not to torture herself and others when writing, overcoming the toxic nature of jealousy, and all the good tears she’s shed after working with a roomful of women engineers, producers and songwriters - and how nurturing and needed that kind of experience is for other women in the music industry.

Episode 15: Chelsea Jade

Omar bin Musa

Australian-Malaysian poet, writer, rapper and screenwriter Omar bin Musa is our first international guest. He talks about the experience of growing up brown, Asian and Muslim in Australia and how learning about Muhammad Ali changed the entire course of his life, from learning to love his brown skin to being introduced to hip hop. We also talk about how he transferred the feelings of fury and frustration into his debut novel Here Come the Dogs, and the pain he poured into into his latest album, Since Ali Died.

Australian-Malaysian poet, writer, rapper and screenwriter Omar bin Musa is our first international guest. He talks about the experience of growing up brown, Asian and Muslim in Australia and how learning about Muhammad Ali changed the entire course of his life, from learning to love his brown skin to being introduced to hip hop. We also talk about how he transferred the feelings of fury and frustration into his debut novel Here Come the Dogs, and the pain he poured into into his latest album, Since Ali Died.

Episode 14: Omar bin Musa

We spoke with Jahra 'Rager' Wasasala shortly after she'd performed her solo 'a world, with your wound in it' and the group show ORCHIDS at the Tempo Dance Festival. She spoke about the come-down after performing such works following years of prep, the conflicting tension that comes with the question 'where are you from'?, the problem with terms like Polynesian and Melanesian, not being afraid as an artist, the challenges of training institutions for young creatives, her mantra ‘The world as a woman’s body’, the creative influence of her mother and much, much more.

Episode 13: Jahra 'Rager' Wasasala

Rose Matafeo

Rose Matafeo talks about living in Ponsonby before and after it was gentrified, going to AGGs, being an afakasi Samoan, making a TV show, being a comedian, going off the pill, missing U Live, definitely winning an Oscar one day and her impending sense of doom.

Episode 12: Rose Matafeo

"I went back for the first time in December to Kenya... I got there, and people stare at me even more than they do here, because I’m mixed. Probably that was the biggest learning. There’s probably never gonna be somewhere I fit completely so I’m just gonna have to make my own lane. Or just be comfortable in the fact that I am mixed. I’m me. I’m whole, and I am who I am."

Episode 11: JessB

Snacks and Chats.A serious podcast, with a silly name.Lani and Ben begin each episode by asking creative New Zealanders how they tackle that loaded question, “Where are you from?” and the stories go from there.

Josie &amp; T (Josie Oloioto'a &amp; Te Awariki Lardelli) talk about using their vlog to confront casual racism, sexism and homophobia, and the sex-ed they wished they had in high school. They also talk about mental health and the importance of strong platonic relationships, the impact of religion and culture on their lives, and the epic story of how they finally formed an IRL friendship.

Episode 10: Josie & T

TEEKS aka Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi discusses his stunning EP, The Grapefruit Skies, and the impact Māori culture and growing up speaking te reo has had on his life, and his music.“Growing up with the language, but also the whole culture of being Māori – singing, or being musically inclined - is just a part of being Māori as well. It’s a given ay, it’s like a pre-requisite, if you’re Māori you have to know how to sing, do kapa haka and write songs and perform.”

TEEKS aka Te Karehana Gardiner-Toi discusses his stunning EP, The Grapefruit Skies, and the impact Māori culture and growing up speaking te reo has had on his life, and his music. “Growing up with the language, but also the whole culture of being Māori – singing, or being musically inclined - is just a part of being Māori as well. It’s a given ay, it’s like a pre-requisite, if you’re Māori you have to know how to sing, do kapa haka and write songs and perform.”

Episode 9: TEEKS

David Dallas

David Dallas talks about his identity as a Samoan/Palagi afakasi growing up in South Auckland and how that shaped him and his music. He talks about being a rap and computer nerd, a music pirate, and how Sirvere and DLT's The True School on Max TV influenced and informed his knowledge of rap. He also goes deep about his latest album Hood Country Club, why long time collaborators Fire &amp; Ice were tougher on him this album, and why the album was more difficult to write than others.

Episode 8: David Dallas

Israel Adesanya aka "The Stylebender" chats with Lani and Ben about moving from Nigeria to Rotorura, NZ, and going from a kid who was bullied in school to a professional fighter. They talk a lot about fighting and how that relates to life and his love of dance, why he chose fighting over dancing, his recent fights, the prospect of fighting in the UFC, who will win in the Mayweather v McGregor fight and keeping a winners mentality even after tough losses.

Episode 7: Israel Adesanya aka "The Stylebender"

Madeleine Sami

Actor, writer and director Madeleine Sami chats with Lani and Ben about growing up in Onehunga, the clash of cultures there, and how Onehunga High School has influenced her work, and the characters she's played. She discusses her Mum's staunch insistence on repping her Irish ancestry and how her South Auckland identity may have overshadowed her Fiji/Indian identity earlier on in life. They also talk about the role race and gender plays in the kind of work that's available to her and why it can be necessary to create the roles you want to play for yourself.

Episode 6: Madeleine Sami

Kanoa Lloyd

TV3 weather presenter Kanoa Lloyd talks to Lani &amp; Ben about living a gypsy life as a child, the pressure that comes with publicly advocating for te reo Māori in mainstream media, dealing with criticism, being outspoken about abuse, and how starting out in children’s TV taught her valuable lessons about writing and presenting the weather.And, what may be a first in Snacks and Chats history - everyone actually eats snacks during their chats!!

TV3 weather presenter Kanoa Lloyd talks to Lani &amp; Ben about living a gypsy life as a child, the pressure that comes with publicly advocating for te reo Māori in mainstream media, dealing with criticism, being outspoken about abuse, and how starting out in children’s TV taught her valuable lessons about writing and presenting the weather. And, what may be a first in Snacks and Chats history - everyone actually eats snacks during their chats!!

Episode 5: Kanoa Lloyd

“At this point, I can’t even really communicate with my cousins. My Swahili is so broken, my Kinyarwanda is basically non-existent…the catch 22 is that my parents thought speaking English with us would give us some sort of head-start in life.” From Rwanda to Hamilton, Raiza Biza traces the steps of how his family came to New Zealand, talks about the years it took to adjust to life here, the lingering guilt of feeling like he’s not doing enough, and the importance of advocating for women’s rights and equality. He also talks to Lani and Ben about the creative community in Hamilton and how travel has aided in his observational style of music.

“At this point, I can’t even really communicate with my cousins. My Swahili is so broken, my Kinyarwanda is basically non-existent…the catch 22 is that my parents thought speaking English with us would give us some sort of head-start in life.” From Rwanda to Hamilton, Raiza Biza traces the steps of how his family came to New Zealand, talks about the years it took to adjust to life here, the lingering guilt of feeling like he’s not doing enough, and the importance of advocating for women’s rights and equality. He also talks to Lani and Ben about the creative community in Hamilton and how travel has aided in his observational style of music.

Episode 4: Raiza Biza

Lucy Zee

Creative producer Lucy Zee talks to Lani and Ben about growing up Chinese in small-town New Zealand, needing an apology from the people who made fun of the food she ate as a kid but think they know the good dumpling spots on Dominion Road, running away from strict family life, the beauty of being able to speak Cantonese and the difficulties of dealing with sexism in the entertainment industry. Also, memes. So much talk about memes, pop-culture references, in-jokes, awkwardness and the Who Is Ben Lawson origin story.

Creative producer Lucy Zee talks to Lani and Ben about growing up Chinese in small-town New Zealand, needing an apology from the people who made fun of the food she ate as a kid but think they know the good dumpling spots on Dominion Road, running away from strict family life, the beauty of being able to speak Cantonese and the difficulties of dealing with sexism in the entertainment industry. Also, memes. So much talk about memes, pop-culture references, in-jokes, awkwardness and the Who Is Ben Lawson origin story.

Episode 3: Lucy Zee

Nate Nauer

“They cut my hair with a machete and gave me a hiding. That was my first day.”Mai FM breakfast host Nate Nauer talks to Lani and Ben about getting kicked out of school and being sent to Samoa as a kid to be straightened out. He discusses getting beaten up at Samoa College, the culture shock of moving there, and the struggle of coming back and having to adjust to life in New Zealand, and how he went from being a forklift driver to being one of the most recognisable voices on commercial radio. It ends with a friendly parting shot at Jono and Ben for good measure. This time Ben Lawson is also on the mic, and Lani remembered to bring the snacks.

“They cut my hair with a machete and gave me a hiding. That was my first day.” Mai FM breakfast host Nate Nauer talks to Lani and Ben about getting kicked out of school and being sent to Samoa as a kid to be straightened out. He discusses getting beaten up at Samoa College, the culture shock of moving there, and the struggle of coming back and having to adjust to life in New Zealand, and how he went from being a forklift driver to being one of the most recognisable voices on commercial radio. It ends with a friendly parting shot at Jono and Ben for good measure. This time Ben Lawson is also on the mic, and Lani remembered to bring the snacks.

Episode 2: Nate Nauer

Katherine Lowe

“Sometimes when I’m driving now, I think to myself, if I make a mistake, or if I drive too slow, or anything, people are going to look in the car and think, “That f**g Asian driver. Typical f***g woman, Asian driver.”Blogger and model booker Katherine Lowe talks to Lani and Ben about growing up Chinese in New Zealand, why she used to wish she was white, casual racism from strangers and friends, travelling to China for the first time, why blogging and the fashion industry sometimes feels silly and learning to be happy.

“Sometimes when I’m driving now, I think to myself, if I make a mistake, or if I drive too slow, or anything, people are going to look in the car and think, “That f**g Asian driver. Typical f***g woman, Asian driver.” Blogger and model booker Katherine Lowe talks to Lani and Ben about growing up Chinese in New Zealand, why she used to wish she was white, casual racism from strangers and friends, travelling to China for the first time, why blogging and the fashion industry sometimes feels silly and learning to be happy.

Episode 1: Katherine Lowe

Snacks and Chats. A serious podcast, with a silly name. Lani and Ben begin each episode by asking creative New Zealanders how they tackle that loaded question, “Where are you from?” and the stories go from there.

Snacks and Chats

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Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

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