Baskets Of Knowledge

What happens when you’ve lived a life that looks right on paper… but feels misaligned in your body?In this powerful episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Dr Manmeet Rattu (Dr Mini) shares her journey from growing up in a deeply loving cultural family, entering an arranged marriage, and navigating its breakdown, to rediscovering herself through strength training, a bikini bodybuilding competition, and ultimately the science of yoga.This conversation explores:• Identity and cultural expectations• Listening to your body vs overriding your intuition• Trauma, survival mode, and nervous system dysregulation• The psychology of self-honouring• The neuroscience and science-backed benefits of yoga• How strength training and embodiment rebuild self-trustDr Mini bridges lived experience with evidence-based insight, explaining how yoga is not just a practice, but a science of nervous system regulation, trauma healing, and emotional resilience.If you’re interested in mindset transformation, identity work, personal growth, trauma recovery, or the science of yoga, this episode will stay with you.🎙️ Listen now on Spotify.🔔 Follow Baskets of Knowledge for more conversations on mindset, identity, and human transformation.

What happens when a young person refuses to accept broken systems as “just the way things are”?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Kenisha Mediratta, founder of REdefine Aotearoa, to explore creating support systems, navigating change, and leading through lived experience.Kenisha shares her journey from growing up in West Auckland public schools to founding a youth-led platform addressing systemic racism and youth mental health. We unpack how anger in young people is often misunderstood, why access and opportunity matter more than punishment, and how real change happens when communities are empowered, not silenced.This conversation goes beyond inspiration.It’s about systems, leadership, health, and the courage to ask for help.🎧 If you care about:• Youth leadership and advocacy• Mental health and wellbeing• Anti-racism and systemic change• Building sustainable support systemsThis episode will stay with you.🔔 Listen now on Spotify and add this insight to your Basket of Knowledge.

What happens when doing “everything right” still doesn’t feel right?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Ritu Saxena, founder of Project UpgradeHer, to explore what confidence really looks like when it’s built, not inherited.Born and raised in Mumbai, Ritu became a Chartered Accountant and moved to New Zealand to experiment with independence and live on her own terms. On paper, she was successful. Internally, she struggled with imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and feeling invisible in environments she was fully qualified to be in.Moving countries didn’t fix that, it amplified it.Ritu shares the loneliness of starting over, the cultural shock of navigating systems that reward confidence but never teach it, and the breaking point that forced her to confront a hard truth: effort alone isn’t enough if you don’t advocate for yourself.That moment led her into therapy, coaching, and deep inner work, transforming not just her career, but her relationship with herself. Today, she’s recognised as one of the Top 20 Chartered Accountants and empowers women of colour to build clarity, confidence, and income through Project UpgradeHer.This is a powerful conversation about identity, belonging, courage, and what happens when you finally choose yourself.🎧 Listen now and add this conversation to your basket of knowledge.

What if the thing you rely on for productivity is actually working against you?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Amber Scott, a fourth-year law student and the founder of PIQ, to explore how personal frustration with caffeine, chronic fatigue, and burnout turned into a science-backed solution for focus and energy.Amber shares her journey of building PIQ while studying law, navigating imposter syndrome, researching neuroscience and caffeine, and learning what it really takes to turn an idea into a physical product. This is a very real conversation about curiosity, failure, values, and choosing depth over noise, especially as a young founder.If you’ve ever questioned your energy levels, your direction, or whether you’re “doing life right,” this episode will resonate deeply.🎧 Listen now to discover how turning frustration into focus can change the way you work, build, and live.

What does it mean to belong,  to a place, a people, and yourself?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we speak with Rinad Tamimi, a Palestinian woman who grew up in Al-Khalil (Hebron) and moved to New Zealand at 13. Rinad shares her lived experience of migration, identity, racism, motherhood, and returning home after nine years away.This is a conversation about Palestine beyond the headlines, about gratitude and grief existing side by side, and about the responsibility of using your voice when you can. Rinad also reflects on her podcast The Watermelon Report and why storytelling is a form of service.A deeply human conversation that invites reflection, empathy, and perspective.

What does real leadership look like at 19?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Mackenzie, a student at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. She is a youth advocate who is quietly reshaping what leadership, empathy, and impact truly mean.This conversation explores people-first leadership, the power of reflection, and why real change doesn’t come from titles, it comes from showing up for others.Mackenzie shares her lived experience working in youth advocacy within a fast-growing rural district, navigating leadership at a young age, and becoming one of only 37 people globally to receive the Zonta International Young Women in Leadership Scholarship.We dive deep into:Leadership driven by empathy, not egoYouth voice, advocacy, and community changeMental health and social media, the good, the bad, and the dangerousOnline hate, clickbait media, and resilienceGrief, loss, and continuing to show up when life is heavyWhy banning social media won’t solve the problem, conversation willThe importance of reflection and enjoying the process of becomingThis episode is for leaders, parents, educators, coaches, and anyone who believes leadership starts with humanity.🎧 Listen now and add this conversation to your basket of knowledge.

What happens when the life you worked so hard for… no longer feels like your life?In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mina Amso, founder of Notes from the Executive, to explore identity, reinvention, cultural expectations, courage, and the moment you finally choose alignment over approval.We dive into:• Career pivots & following your purpose• Breaking away from family expectations• How to find your voice and use it with impact• Why values are the most important part of your story• How to build a life that feels true, not safeIf you’re feeling misaligned, stuck, or ready for a new chapter, this conversation will speak directly to you.

In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with 18-year-old Adam and 17-year-old Alfie, the young entrepreneurs behind ZenSha, New Zealand’s first matcha protein brand.They share how they turned a classroom idea into a fast-growing health and wellness business, how they built their startup while still in school, and why consistency and action are the keys to success.Perfect for listeners who enjoy:🔹 Entrepreneurship podcasts🔹 NZ startup stories🔹 Gen Z founders🔹 Health and wellness brands🔹 Matcha culture & protein supplements🔹 Real conversations about building a businessStream now on Spotify and learn how two teenagers are reshaping the NZ wellness industry.

In this powerful episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Malaysian mountaineer and environmental educator Saravanan Sinniah, a man whose life changed the moment he fulfilled his childhood dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro… and discovered the heartbreaking reality of climate change with his own eyes.From witnessing melting glaciers to leading young people through forests and ecosystems across Southeast Asia, Saravanan shares raw stories about purpose, leadership, awareness, and the importance of travelling the world, or at least your own backyard, to expand who you are.We explore:• The shrinking snowcaps of Kilimanjaro• The shocking changes at Everest Base Camp• What climate change really looks like on the ground• Life-threatening moments in the wild (including tigers)• How to lead by walking beside people, not in front• Why young people might be the key to saving our future• Awareness vs willingness, and why both matter• The life lessons nature teaches us when we pay attentionIf you’re craving perspective, purpose, or a deeper connection to the world around you, this conversation will stay with you long after you listen.Listen now and put something powerful into your Basket of Knowledge.

In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Kristin Murray, a leader with 30 years of experience, has a real, unscripted moment of imposter syndrome right at the start of the interview. What follows is one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever recorded.Kristin opens up about navigating self-doubt, owning feedback, finding her voice, and discovering the framework that changed everything for her:Evidence → Confidence → Action → More Evidence.If you’re working on your mindset, leadership skills, personal growth, or career confidence, this episode will resonate deeply.

In this powerful episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Margot Korhonen, a Community Coach and Creative, shares how one simple question, “What if everything did work out?”, changed the course of her life.From being a single mum dreaming of small comforts to becoming a homeowner, artist, and author of Creating Connected Communities, Margot’s journey is a masterclass in courage, self-leadership, and love.She opens up about carrying the BRCA1 gene, overcoming chronic fatigue, and learning to lead with compassion instead of perfection.You’ll learn how to:Dream bigger than fearProtect your peace through healthy boundariesListen when your body whispers before it screamsTransform pain into purposeIf you’ve ever felt stuck, tired, or unsure of what’s next, this conversation will remind you that you’re stronger, wiser, and more capable than you think.Tune in to Baskets of Knowledge on Spotify a podcast about transformation, mindset, and the power of human stories.

Change is inevitable, but growth is a choice.In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Janelle Hulin, author, speaker, and proud “emoji enthusiast,” to unpack the beauty and chaos of change.From raising six children while homeschooling across continents to losing a career she loved, Janelle shares how she discovered the power of the Liminal Space,  that uncertain in-between where transformation begins.You’ll learn how to:💡 Let go without losing yourself💡 Build resilience through uncertainty💡 Bring lightness and laughter into serious change💡 Find Confident Hope even when life feels messyIf you’re navigating transition, career, identity, purpose, or perspective, this episode will help you find humor, healing, and hope.

What happens when being "one credit short" becomes the catalyst for an extraordinary journey?Join us for an emotional and inspiring conversation with Liahna Smith, a 23-year-old wahine toa from Taranaki who's redefining what career success looks like. Currently working with Pūhoro STEM Academy (on secondment from Why Ora), Liahna shares her raw and real journey from feeling "not ready" to becoming a voice for Māori rangatahi across five secondary schools.In this episode, we explore:Navigating rejection and turning setbacks into opportunitiesThe power of saying YES to uncomfortable opportunitiesWorking in kaupapa Māori organizations and connecting with cultural identityMental health, grief, and finding purpose after lossThe reality of non-linear career pathwaysWhy being uncomfortable is where growth happensTransitioning from national-level athlete to youth mentor and coachBuilding confidence and finding your voice in professional spacesTopics covered: Career development, Māori education, STEM pathways, mental health awareness, grief and loss, sports psychology, youth mentorship, cultural identity, professional growth, asking for help, imposter syndrome, work-life balance, finding purposePerfect for: Young professionals, educators, career changers, parents, coaches, anyone navigating uncertainty, Māori and Indigenous professionals, STEM advocates, youth workersRecorded during Mental Health Awareness Week, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and the courage to take opportunities even when you don't feel "ready."Baskets of Knowledge brings you real conversations with real people doing extraordinary mahi in Aotearoa New Zealand.🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode 💬 Share with someone who needs to hear this ⭐ Leave us a review- it helps others find these important conversations#Podcast #CareerAdvice #NewZealand #MāoriCulture #STEMeducation #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #Taranaki #Leadership

When Kodrean Eashae couldn’t find space for his voice, he built one.In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we explore how Voice of Aroha became a home for refugee and migrant stories in Aotearoa. Kodrean shares his journey from feeling unheard to creating a platform that now uplifts hundreds of young people across New Zealand.Expect deep reflection, practical insights, and an emotional reminder that leadership begins with community.Listen if you’re curious about:Refugee leadership in AotearoaRepresentation in storytellingBuilding communities through arohaLeaving a legacy as a “good ancestor”Follow, share, and rate the podcast, your support helps amplify these voices.#VoiceOfAroha #KodreanEashae #RefugeeVoices #CommunityLeadership #BasketsOfKnowledge #Podcast #Aotearoa

This week on Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Kiyara Glasgow, a 19-year-old student whose journey will shift how you see homelessness forever.From sleeping in cars and park benches at 13, to earning a scholarship and studying at AUT, Kiyara’s story is a powerful reminder that our circumstances don’t define uz our choices do.She opens up about:Life as a homeless teenager in AotearoaHow education became her lifelineThe power of mentorship and human kindnessWhy we all need to start asking, “Are you okay?”A conversation that will stay with you long after you’ve listened.Tune in now on Spotify or YouTube — and don’t forget to follow Baskets of Knowledge for more stories that move, challenge, and inspire.

23 years ago, Di Crawford-Errington was a solo mum working two jobs, struggling to keep a roof over her daughters’ heads. Today, she’s built and sold businesses, leads an industry, and been recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting.... twice.But this conversation isn’t about titles or accolades.It’s about the real human story behind them.In this week's episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Di opens up about the choices, challenges, and changes that shaped her life and how they can shape yours too.- She talks about the fear and faith it took to start a business while raising two kids.- She shares how burnout, loss, and grief forced her to redefine success.- And she speaks with raw honesty about the pivotal choice we all face, whether to keep living for everyone else… or finally choose ourselves.This isn’t a story of a single breakthrough moment.It’s a story of countless small decisions, made in fear, courage, and love, that led to a life of meaning, purpose, and possibility.Key Takeaways from Di’s Journey:1.      Every moment is a choice. You can’t control what happens, but you can control how you respond and those choices shape your future.2.      You don’t have to do it alone. Support doesn’t make you weaker; it makes you unstoppable.3.      Grief is universal. Feel it fully. Honor it. But don’t stay stuck in it. Healing is a choice too.4.      You are not selfish for choosing yourself. Prioritising your own health, energy, and joy is the most selfless thing you can do for those you love.5.      Stay curious. Keep asking questions. The moment you stop, growth stops too.This episode is a deeply human reminder that success isn’t just about building businesses, it’s about building a life that matters.Listen now on Spotify or YouTube and hear the full conversation: how Di rebuilt her life, redefined her purpose, and reclaimed her power.

What does it take to completely rewrite your story?For Pat Wulf, the answer was courage, belief, and a decision to run uphill.In this week’s episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Pat, the founder and owner of Wulf Security, a thriving, nationwide security company, to unpack his remarkable transformation from working long shifts in a factory to building a business that has employed over 100 people over the last 10 years with and creates opportunities for Pacific communities.Pat’s story begins in Samoa and continues in Auckland, where, like many Pacific families, the expectation was simple: get a job, help pay the rent, and survive.For years, that was his life. A single dad living with his uncle, clocking in and out of factory work, just trying to make ends meet.But everything changed when two pivotal moments collided:- The responsibility of being a role model to his two young sons- Meeting Andrea, the woman who saw potential in him before he saw it himselfWith her encouragement, Pat stopped doubting himself. He swapped self-limiting beliefs for bold action, starting his own security company while still working factory shifts. During the day, he wore steel-cap boots. At night, a suit and tie, pitching to clients and building the dream.Fast forward nearly 10 years, and Wulf Security has become one of the most recognised names in the industry, known not just for its pink uniforms (a deliberate choice to de-escalate situations and challenge stereotypes), but for creating meaningful employment for Pacific people and changing lives along the way.Pat’s journey is proof that where you start doesn’t define where you’ll end up.It’s a reminder that success isn’t about luck, it’s about creating your own luck through action, awareness, and courage.Key Lessons from Pat’s Story:Mindset is everything: Breaking generational cycles starts with believing there’s more to life than “just getting a job.”One person’s belief can change everything: Sometimes, all it takes is one person to see your potential when you can’t see it yourself.Action beats perfection: You don’t need a business degree to start, you just need to take the first step.Give back as you grow: True success is about lifting others with you.Be different on purpose: From pink uniforms to focusing on hiring more women, Pat proves that running uphill creates meaningful impact.This episode isn’t just about business, it’s about hope, resilience, and rewriting the narrative. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a student, or someone stuck in a job you hate, Pat’s story will remind you that you’re one decision away from a completely different life.

What happens when life brings you to your knees?At just 20 years old, Sarah Robb lost her father. Six years later, while overseas, she received a call that changed her world again, her mother had suffered a brain aneurysm. By 26, she had lost both parents.The grief was overwhelming. There were days she couldn’t get out of bed, days of numbing pain through old habits. But instead of letting loss break her, Sarah made a choice:“What you’re not changing, you’re ultimately choosing. And your choice is the most powerful tool you have.”That one insight reshaped everything.Today, Sarah is the founder of Spring with Sarah, a speaker and coach who teaches resilience, the power of mindset, and how to embrace presence in a world that never slows down.In this conversation, Sarah opens up about:🌱 How loss became the catalyst for her personal growth🌱 The meaning behind Spring with Sarah and the blossoms that gave her hope during her mum’s final days🌱 Why flowers, nature, and slowing down became part of her healing journey🌱 The discipline behind posting daily on social media, even when no one’s watching, and how consistency took her from 3,000 to 80,000 followers🌱 Why knowledge isn’t power, applied knowledge isKey Learnings from Sarah’s Journey:Choice is everything, every day, every moment, you decide whether to heal or stay stuck.Consistency beats motivation, results come from showing up, not waiting to “feel ready.”Presence saves lives, slowing down, breathing, noticing the small things can lift the heaviest clouds of grief.Celebrate the gain, not the gap,  growth comes from reflecting on how far you’ve come, not chasing what you lack.This episode of Baskets of Knowledge is raw, real, and uplifting. If you’ve ever struggled with grief, mindset, or the discipline to keep going, Sarah’s story will get you to think about the way you make a choice.Listen now on Spotify or YouTube and let her words remind you that even in the darkest seasons, spring will always return.

What happens when you take comedy, curiosity, and courage… and bring them to the streets?In this episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we’re joined by Jasky Singh, better known as @sikant the street interviewer who has redefined how we connect with strangers. With a community of more than 140,000 followers across his socials, Jasky has built one of the most engaging and unfiltered interview platforms in Australia, if not the world. His short, raw, and often hilarious videos capture something rare in today’s fast-paced, polished world: authentic human connection.From a young Indian migrant studying engineering to an entrepreneur and now a viral street interviewer, Jasky’s story is one of following curiosity, taking bold shots, and trusting yourself even when the world expects otherwise. We dive into:- How a shy engineering student became a fearless public conversationalist- The art of using humour, silence, and body language to disarm and connect instantly- Balancing entrepreneurial success with creativity and family life- The power of communication in an AI-driven world- Why embracing identity and culture is key to resilienceThis episode isn’t just about street interviews. It’s about what it means to truly connect as humans, in the messy, funny, imperfect, and beautiful ways that only real conversations can reveal.Whether you’ve laughed at his viral videos or never heard of him until now, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about communication, confidence, and the courage it takes to just show up as yourself.Key Takeaway:Communication isn’t about the perfect script, it’s about presence, curiosity, and courage. And sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is simply start the conversation.Listen now and discover the person behind @sikant the man bringing humanity back to the streets, one unscripted conversation at a time.

"When we are born, we look like our parents. When we die, we look like our choices."That quote framed one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had on Baskets of Knowledge, with our guest, Amit Khanna.Amit’s life hasn’t been a straight line. It’s a story of resilience, loss, and rebirth.Once labeled the “dumb student”, Amit carried that identity through his childhood and early teens. He believed it. because the world around him reinforced it. Comparison crushed his confidence.But one defining moment changed everything. After being publicly dismissed by a professor, Amit made a choice, not to fight with fists, but to fight with effort. He studied with intensity, passed an exam most failed, and realised: “I’m not dumb. I’ve just never directed my effort in the right way.”That single moment sparked a lifetime of growth.Since then, Amit has:- Lived and worked across seven countries.- Transitioned from physics and IT into leadership and communication.- Built a career helping corporate leaders navigate office politics, manage upwards and downwards, and communicate with impact.But behind the achievements is a man who faced profound loss. Losing his father at 15, his mother later to illness, and carrying financial struggles that forced him into work as a teenager, Amit learned that at every crossroad, you only have two choices:1. Give up.2. Continue.He chose to continue. And more importantly, he chose to live fully, to not just exist, but to create impact. Key Learnings from Amit’s journey:Labels don’t define you, your choices do. Comparison can be dangerous. but it can also drive you. Communication is the ultimate career advantage. Authenticity creates trust. The middle matters. This too shall pass. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt underestimated, labelled, or stuck in the middle.It’s for anyone who wants to rise above office politics, sharpen their communication, and lead with authenticity.It’s for you. if you’re ready to remember that your current situation is never your final situation.Social Media Links & Thank You gift from Amit Khanna:CCC SKOOL Free CommunityYouTube ChannelLinkedInMediumInstagramWebsiteAmit Khanna’s TED TalkCorporate Circus BookAs a gift to all out listeners you get a Free download of Amits Best selling book - Corporate Circus for all the listenersCorporate Circus Free E-BookEnjoy Prajesh and Tane