Channel Hope Podcast

In this episode we speak with Faafiu (Fiu) Toohill, owner and head coach of Byron Boxing Gym in Papamoa, New Zealand. Fiu discusses his struggles with depression and picking up a criminal record as a teen growing up in South Auckland – and how boxing became pivotal in turning his life around. Fiu's story is one of resilience and hope, discovering our purpose and choosing to live it each day. Through Byron Boxing he is living and teaching the values of self-discipline, self-respect, and perseverance with local youth, adults, and amateur boxers alike; all while fostering a strong, supportive community. Check out https://www.byronboxing.co.nz for more information.

In this powerful episode, Liz Verkleij bravely shares her deeply personal journey through fertility struggles, IVF, miscarriages, and ultimately bringing her miracle daughter into the world. Her story is raw, real, and inspiring - a testament to hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. Liz's story is for those walking a tough path toward parenthood, dealing with societal stigmas that surround fertility and pregnancy. Discover how self-compassion, self-love, perseverance, and kindness toward others sharing our struggles can help us triumph over grief.

In this episode we speak with Professor Bev Lawton CNZM, 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year and founder/director of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine – the National Centre for Women’s Health Research based at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. A prominent and highly recognised women's health champion, Bev shares her dedication over the years to improving women's health, addressing health inequity and avoidable harm issues, and her drive for Government to commit to a cervical cancer elimination strategy and action plan ahead of this year's General Election. For more information about Bev and her team's at Te Tātai Hauora o Hine - National Centre for Women's Health Research check out https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/fehps/centres/ncwhra.More on the Centre's newly-announced partnership with the Cancer Society of New Zealand to eliminate cervical cancer, here: https://www.cancer.org.nz/about-us/cancer-society-media-releases/powerful-new-partnership-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-announced/

In this episode we speak with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia survivor, Vonda Nepia, about how her cancer journey drove her to uncover her whakapapa and whenua (Māori ancestors and ancestral land ties), moving to live on ancestral whenua post-cancer, and the health advocacy work she leads on behalf of Māori communities (the indigenous peoples of New Zealand). She discusses the shock of being given 72 hours to live, the significance of Te Whare Tapa Wha health model to help her successfully navigate cancer treatment, and the advocacy work she does to ensure health systems can better serve Māori communities through improved access and prevention. Visit https://www.vondanepia.com for more about Vonda's advocacy roles and her holistic wellbeing consultancy, Ataahua Wellbeing Solutions.