The Boggcast NZ

Michael Woud is a professional footballer, Auckland FC goalkeeper and All Whites representative who has gone from chasing his football dreams as a young Kiwi to winning the A-League Championship and representing New Zealand at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.In this podcast, we talked about:Growing up in Auckland and discovering his love for football at schoolHow his dad inspired his football journey, and navigating the grief of losing him as a teenagerSigning with English club Sunderland and experiencing the football culture over thereHis mindset as a goalkeeper, and adapting to different teams and playing stylesThe story behind signing with Auckland FCMaking history by winning the A-League Championship in Auckland FC's second seasonThe incredible moment he received the call-up to represent New Zealand at the FIFA World CupHandling criticism, pressure and the expectations that come with professional sportHis ambitions for the future, and what he still hopes to achieve in footballThis episode was full of gold! From the highs of professional football to the personal challenges that have shaped him, Michael shares some incredible stories and insights from his journey so far.Available now on all podcasting platforms and YouTube! 🎙️⚽

Brooke Thompson is a Kiwi electrician, content creator, and the woman behind Sparky Girl NZ. From challenging stereotypes in the trades to advocating for young apprentices and sharing her story online, Brooke is passionate about making a difference, inspiring others, and bringing a bit of positivity wherever she goes.In this podcast, we talked about:What it's really like being a woman working in the trades industryWhat inspired Brooke to become a sparky and how her journey beganHer personal journey with mental health, overcoming some tough seasons, and what helped her throughThe power of optimism and why she makes a conscious effort to approach life with positivityHer involvement with political parties, including The Opportunities Party (TOP) and the Greens, and her advocacy for policies supporting apprentices across New ZealandGrowing up down south and what makes home so special to herHer passion for nature, conservation, and her work with the Department of Conservation (DOC)How she started Sparky Girl NZ on social media and the journey that followedThis episode is absolute gold! Brooke brings plenty of laughs, honesty, and some genuinely inspiring perspectives to the conversation.Available now on all podcasting platforms, as well as YouTube! 🎙️

Manaaki Hoepo is a Kiwi content creator, entertainer, and social media personality who has built a loyal following through his hilarious videos, infectious personality, and unapologetically authentic approach to life. Proud of his Māori roots and never afraid to have a laugh, Manaaki has become a familiar face across social media, and more recently, on The Traitors Australia.In this podcast, we talked about:Growing up in rural New Zealand and the culture shock of moving to bigger citiesHis time at Otago University, including some hilarious stories about student life and the party cultureWhy he decided to make the move to Australia, and what he missed most about homeHis connection to his Māori culture and why representing his heritage is so important to himHis approach to content creation, navigating social media, and staying true to himselfGetting to know the other side of Manaaki when the cameras are offHis friendship with bestie LexieHow he handles online criticism and the challenges that come with having a public profileWhy he's passionate about sharing his story and experiences with othersHis recent experience on The Traitors Australia and what it was like playing as a FaithfulAnd, of course, settling the important debate of where to find the best pies in New Zealand!Manaaki is an absolute character, and this conversation was full of laughs, great stories, and some genuine gold along the way. Such a fun episode, and one you won't want to miss!Available now on all major podcast platforms and YouTube!

Pia Bacino is a New Zealand-based photographer who has built an impressive brand through her world-class work, specialising in everything from weddings to a wide range of creative shoots. But there's much more to Pia than photography! She's also a pilot, entrepreneur, and four-time national Taekwondo champion.In this podcast, we talked about:How she got into the wedding photography industry and developed her own unique styleThe importance of building relationships with her clients, and how she decides which events to photographHer reaction to some of her photos going viralHer experiences working with Vanity Fair and VogueThe art of capturing a great photographHer battle with a rare illness, and how she managed to bounce backHer experiences competing in TaekwondoAnd plenty of laughs along the way!This podcast was so much fun, and Pia has some absolute gold to share from her journey. Make sure you check out this episode, available now on all major podcast platforms and YouTube!

Samantha Richards is a primary school teacher, content creator and former contestant on The Traitors NZ, who has built an online community by sharing an honest, funny and inspiring look into life inside the classroom.In this podcast we talked about:Her passion for teaching, and what first drew her into the professionThe biggest lessons she has learnt throughout her teaching career, and why she can see herself doing it for a long timeThe joy of being a big sister to her brother Nick, and what he has taught her about lifeWhat we can all learn about embracing our differences and celebrating what makes people uniqueExperiencing burnout, how she worked her way through that season, and the importance of finding balanceHow her social media and TikTok following exploded during COVID, and why her content has inspired others to pursue teachingThe realities of sharing your life and career onlineHer recent experience competing on The Traitors NZ, and what it was like being such a formidable Faithful inside the castleA really fun and wholesome conversation about teaching, purpose, family, burnout, social media and learning to embrace what makes each of us different.