
Free Daily Podcast Summary
by NZME
Get key takeaways, quotes, and insights from Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett in a 5-minute read. Delivered straight to your inbox.
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
Veteran political journalist Barry Soper reflects on nearly five decades in the parliamentary press gallery and his time observing 12 New Zealand prime ministers up close, discussing with Paula Bennett the often overlooked loneliness of political leadership and life inside the Beehive. He recalls a very different parliamentary era of all-night sittings, and a rougher political culture, alongside candid reflections on figures like Robert Muldoon and the personal toll of power after office. The conversation also touches on modern politics, media scrutiny, and why leaders such as Jacinda Ardern and Helen Clark continue to shape how New Zealand sees its leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Veteran comedian Paul Ego joins Paula Bennett for a candid chat about life on stage, instinct, and why the first joke is usually the best one. After three decades in the game, Ego reflects on finding his audience, the freedom of live performance, and the fine line between pushing boundaries and losing the room. He also shares the story behind his stage name and why he’s never been interested in playing it safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Laura McGoldrick has built her career in high-pressure, high-visibility environments, saying yes to opportunities and figuring things out as she goes. Talking to Paula she reflects on the path that got her there, from breaking into sports broadcasting to navigating the unpredictability of live TV and the pressure that comes with it. She also opens up about how her perspective has shifted over time, the influence of her own upbringing, and what that looks like now with a young family.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Kelsey Waghorn, the Whakaari White Island eruption in December 2019 was only the start of a journey of compounding trauma. The explosion killed 22 people and injured a further 25, Kelsey was lucky to make it out alive. She joins Paula Bennett to talk about the day of the eruption, her extensive hospital recovery, and the trauma that hit out of the blue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour sits down with Paula Bennett for a wide-ranging conversation that goes well beyond politics. They talk about growing up, losing his mum young, volunteering, identity, privacy, Dancing With the Stars, being “quirky” in public life, and why trying to be someone else is a waste of time. There’s also talk of leadership, changing your mind, taking risks, and what actually makes public service worth it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Paula Bennett sits down with the one and only Tom Sainsbury — comedian, writer, actor, director, and the man who once made a career out of taking the mickey out of her. They talk voiceover work, brand ambassadorships, introvert life, and the unexpected success of Tom’s hit true-crime parody Small Town Scandal, now back with Season 3. Tom explains how he builds dozens of characters, why Formica tables are comedy gold, and how the podcast is being adapted into an eight-part TV series with an international cast. They also look back on their Give Us a Clue days, compare notes on public life, and unpack the strange parasocial relationship they’ve had since 2017.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This episode of Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett features entrepreneur and philanthropist Charlotte Lockhart, co-founder of the 4 Day Week Global movement. Charlotte opens up about her life, her years living in the Middle East, and the ideas that helped spark a worldwide rethink of productivity and work. She also speaks candidly about receiving an incurable stage-four breast cancer diagnosis after 17 years cancer-free, and the clarity it’s given her about what really matters. From reshaping workplaces to reshaping her own life, Charlotte shares insight, humour, and hard-won wisdom on how to live with purpose, protect your time, and focus on what counts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melodie Robinson is a force to be reckoned with. The former Black Fern, World Rugby exec and commentator joins Paula to talk ambition, identity and surviving in tough environments. Mel talks about growing up in a complicated household, fighting for basic resources in women’s rugby, breaking barriers at Sky Sport and building a career in male-dominated spaces. She shares her advice on bounce back routines, support networks, leadership and why intentionality matters more than ever.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Listeners also like.
Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it’s never too late to learn something new.In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from. New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Get key takeaways from Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett in a 5-minute read.
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by NZME.
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett publishes weekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett covers topics including Comedy, Education, Culture, Society & Culture, Comedy Interviews. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.