How To Make It Work

From somersaults to spreadsheets, this is what making circus work really looks like. In this episode of How to Make It Work, I talk with Evelyn Coulson, co-founder and manager of Black Sheep Circus Entertainment. From touring shows and festival performances to funding applications and free community circus spaces, Evelyn shares how she balances (quite literally) creativity, and logistics. We also talk about why bringing play, and movement into everyday community spaces like Raglan is at the heart of what she does.

What if the little things we often miss are actually the ones that matter most. On this week’s How to Make It Work, I talk with Russell Higginbotham, aka Ru or Captured_by_RU, a photographer who captures the fleeting, honest moments and emotions of people at events, and in everyday life. His work is all about making people feel seen and giving back to the Raglan community through his photography. Celebrating the everyday moments through his lens he wants to remind people of life’s little joys even more.

What if your work could grow beauty for people, for the environment, and even for animals? In this episode of How to Make It Work, I chat with Stina Svensson, the creative force behind Sprout Gardener. Stina has built a business that nurtures not just gardens, but also wellbeing, creativity, and environmental care. From garden design to unique wearable art, she shares how she’s cultivating spaces that feed both the soul and the natural world, and how she manages to make it all work.

Some people carve waves, others carve careers between data points and deadlines. Bruci does both! In this episode of How to Make It Work, I sit down with Bruci Schiavinato Jordão, a Laser Scanning Specialist and BIM Modeler, whose work helps map buildings and infrastructure across New Zealand in stunning 3D detail. Originally from Brazil, Bruci shares how he built a highly technical career in a new country, and what laser scanning actually is all about (in plain English). We also talk about how he balances precision-driven work with a lifestyle rooted in surf, and music in Raglan.

Some people learn how to surf, others build a whole community around it. In this episode, I chat to Nina Nouk, certified surf coach and founder of The Dames Surf Club, a thriving non-profit dedicated to helping women gain confidence in the water. Originally from France, Nina went from teaching on ski slopes to discovering surfing in Raglan. She created a space where women of all levels can grow, and support each other in and out of the ocean.We talk about the spark behind The Dames, the power of women-only surf spaces, the mindset blocks many women surfers face, and the reality of building a grassroots community from scratch. Tune in and find out how Nina makes it work.

Feeling stuck in old patterns? In this episode, coach and NLP trainer Stephanie Philp breaks down what it really takes to change your mind — and keep the change. We talk intuition, neuroscience, authenticity, and the business side of coaching. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a life and career that actually fit you, this conversation is for you.

What does it really take to make a living from art—consistently, sustainably, and without losing the love for creating? In this episode of How to Make It Work, Raglan artist Miranda Jane Caird opens up about the business reality behind being a full-time painter for more than 20 years. From raising her son as a single mum to sending more than 1,000 original works out into the world, Miranda shares how financial necessity shaped her creative discipline, her decisions, and her success. We talk about the practical side of running an art career: keeping a steady income, selling through galleries, moving into her own giclée print production, and learning how to thrive as an artist without chasing the limelight. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about creativity, independence, and building a life where art pays the bills—and feeds the soul.

Ready to break the burnout cycle? Start with your body, not your calendar. In this episode, I talk to chiropractor, nervous system strategist, and the powerhouse behind Wild Coast Collective — Dr. Kiri Walden. We dive into how Kiri blends trauma-informed nervous system work, and Māori-led approaches to wellbeing, as well as her mission to make nervous system regulation accessible for everyone through movement.Kiri also drops big news about Wild Coast Collective’s eco-minded Yoga and Pilates equipment: she’s soon launching her own zero-waste activewear line. How does she manage all of this without burning out herself? Listen to find out. Today, we explore her story, her work, and how we can all begin regulating our nervous systems — not just our schedules.

She turned the ocean into her workspace and all she needs is a camera to capture the magic. In this episode of How to Make It Work, I talk with Leonie Anholts, better known as SurfgirlNZ — a Raglan-based surf photographer and educator who’s empowering women to take their places in the surf line-ups.Leo shares how she went from feeling lost in a male-dominated field to creating a thriving platform for women in surf photography — building a movement rooted in community and sisterhood. We talk about the female representation in surf culture, the art of surf photography, and what it really takes to make your passion your purpose.

What happens when two world-traveling performers decide to plant their roots in a small coastal town? In this episode, I sit down with Jess and Jay Ramirez, the powerhouse couple behind Raglan’s Freedom2Fly. After years of performing on global stages, from cruise ships to international festivals, they decided to ground their passion right here in Raglan. Together, they’ve built a dance and circus hub that gives local kids and teens the chance to quite literally fly — building confidence and connection along the way.We talk about their journey from the stage to the studio, the challenges of running a creative business in a small town, and why they believe performing arts can change lives. Plus, a sneak peek into this year’s Freedom2Fly Fest — Raglan’s biggest performing arts celebration.

What if chocolate could heal — not just your heart, but the planet too? In this episode, I talk to Irma Schutte, founder of Mamamuti, a Raglan-based cacao brand rooted in love. Originally from South Africa, Irma shares how her background shaped her approach to health, and how cacao helps reconnecting with your own body. We chat about the emotional and physical power of pure cacao, what it means to build a purpose-driven business, and how Irma is helping to change the cacao industry from the ground up. If you want to know what makes cacao so special — this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and maybe craving a cup of cacao yourself.

What happens when a digital designer swaps corporate branding for charcoal, paint, and live performance? In this episode of How to Make It Work, artist and designer Simon Dickey shares his journey from the world of big-name clients to the vulnerable, exhilarating space of creating art in real time. We talk about embracing self-doubt, finding flow and how to build a life where creativity is at the centre.

What if a photoshoot could feel like a homecoming to yourself? In this episode of How to Make It Work, photographer Nami Julia Hampe shares how she empowers women to step into their radiance through her “Goddess Shoots.” With roots in Germany and Japan and years of traveling the world, Nami has photographed over a thousand women — guiding them into self-acceptance. We talk about the power of being truly seen, and why helping women believe in their own light is at the heart of her work.

Why is self-doubt so much more common among women — and how can we rewire our minds to be kinder to ourselves? In this episode of How to Make It Work, I sit down with mindset and alignment coach Janelle Smith. She shares personal stories that inspired her to guide women through self-doubt, and how her work with NLP, meditation, and coaching helps women find clarity, confidence, and the reassurance that they are never alone on their journey.

What if work wasn’t just about productivity, but also about balance, healing, and tuning into something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with Diane Davies — a massage therapist, aromatherapist, yoga teacher, angelic reiki practitioner, tarot reader, and former social worker — to explore how she weaves wellness and spirituality into her work and life.We talk about how yoga changed her perspective, and how her background in counselling helps her tailor treatments to each person. Diane also gives me a live tarot reading on air — with the cards revealing what Raglan might hold for me and my creative projects ahead. It’s an inspiring conversation about finding a different kind of success: one that blends body, mind, and spirit.

What does it take to run Raglan’s most iconic news publications? In this episode of How to Make it Work, I sit down with Jacqui Kay-Smith, owner and editor of the Raglan Chronicle and The Local Rag. From balancing community voices to keeping two different publications alive and thriving, Jacqui shares how she juggles storytelling, deadlines, and the heartbeat of our coastal town.

What if nutrition wasn’t about one-size-fits-all diets, but about listening to your own body? Maren Le Calvez is studying to become a clinical nutritionist while working at web design studio HNDRX — and she’s already turning her passion into practice. With a holistic, individual approach that recognises every body is different, Maren especially wants to focus on women’s health. She started out offering koha-based consultations and is now carefully building her own business, keeping her services affordable and community-minded as she grows. In this week's episode, she shares her journey of balancing study and work, and why making nutritional health accessible matters so much to her.

What does it take to turn a love of movement into a vibrant, one-of-a-kind fitness community? This week on How to Make It Work, we meet Birgit Junni-Rietkerk, the beat-loving founder of Booty Wonderland in Raglan. From her Dutch roots to teaching high-energy classes at 30 weeks pregnant, Birgit shares how she built a safe and inclusive space where fitness meets fun.

Weight a minute… can your iPhone really weigh a cow? Turns out, yes it can. In this episode, I chat with Dan Bull and Daniel Stuart-Jones, two Raglan locals who’ve built Scanabull, a game-changing app that uses 3D imaging and AI to weigh cattle—no crates, no stress. We dive into how it works, what it could mean for farmers and the meat industry, and what it’s like building cutting-edge agri-tech from the wild west coast of New Zealand.

What if your words could help shape a better world? Monica Evans is a Raglan-based writer whose storytelling bridges science, community, and environment. With bylines in Mongabay, Biographic, and Atlas Obscura, and experience working with global research institutes, Monica brings big-picture issues to life through compelling journalism. In this episode, we talk about the realities of freelancing, writing for impact, and making a meaningful career from a small town on the wild west coast.