Burning Bridges Podcast

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We’re back after a little break, and we’ve got plenty to catch you up on!

In this episode, we’re dive into what’s been happening behind the scenes, from the realities of building a business and everything that comes with it, to Taimana’s upcoming book release.

We get real about the truth behind the book on sharing personal experiences around setting boundaries, and chat about what we get up to when we switch off — including our latest Netflix documentary watch.

A little business, a little hon...

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This episode of Full Volume Taimana and Renee talk of the highlights of Off The Mic Dinner Event we hosted, for Mental Health Month and to celebrate Burning Bridges Podcast first year anniversary . 

Thank you to our Sponsors Deadly Choices and ImpressU Print for your support for this event. 
Thanks the Undumbi Cultural Dances and to our Videographer for the night Sean- Sarge_Studio, our speakers- Stephanie Hinrichs-Care Kits for Kids QLD,

Bruno Falcone from House of Falcone, Te Hira Ngarino from Centurions, Melika Ackinclose, Luke Brown from Go...

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This week on Full Volume Episode 5.

Lets start hearty - with a Maori Haka.

This week, we spent the day at the Old Ngā Hau E Whā Māori Rugby League Tournament in Beenleigh, and what a day it was.

Footy. Food. Plenty of mana. Big energy. And, of course, the Haka Off.

We got into the conversation around the judging — how the Best Haka award was decided, whether the process was fair, and who really deserved the credit. We called it as we saw it an...

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In Part 2 of our deeply emotional conversation with Melika Ackinclose, Melika reveals what she describes as one of the most devastating betrayals of her life.

After years of experiencing domestic violence and abuse from her partner and the devastating effects of alcoholism, Melika was already carrying more than most people could imagine.

But then came the discovery that changed everything.
Melika shares her experience of learning that her mother and the father of her children had been involved in an intimate relationship, over a period of years.
...

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We are back for Full Volume Episode 4.

We kick off with what we've been up to lately — including the Lomipeau Tongan and Māori Cultural Day: the food, the people, the culture, and why days like that matter more than we sometimes give them credit for.

Then we get loud about the heavy stuff.

What happens when parents keep a secret from their kids — the kind of secret that doesn't disappear, but turns into trauma when it finally comes out?

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Melika Ackinclose takes us into a childhood filled with love, connection and family — memories of a dad who showed up for her through sport and built a lasting impression of what it takes to dig deep.

At a young age Melika became a mum, and what she believed would be a life built around love and family slowly turned into something much darker. During her pregnancy, the cracks began to show, and before she knew it, she was trapped in an abusive relationship.

What followed was a life lived in...

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Happy Father’s Day from the latest episode of Full Volume! 

This one is for the dads — the good, the great, the struggling, the absent, the stepdads, and the fathers who simply wish they could be with their children today.

We’re getting real about the highs and lows of fatherhood: what it means to be a dad, the heartbreak of not having access to your children, the impact that separation can have on a father’s mental health, and the often-lacking support for dads who are doing their absolute...

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Welcome to another episode of Full Volume, the segment of Burning Bridges Podcast where we turn it up and get into it! This one's coming to you live from onboard the Carnival Encounter, docked in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. 🚢🌴
Taimana and Renee are talking all things cruise ship life this episode — the ups, the downs, and everything in between when it comes to traveling as a couple at sea. We also get into some of the wildest stories we've heard about things that happen onboard cruise ships (you won't believe...

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Meet Jason Tupou - Tongan-born, raised in New Zealand.  

Today, he’s a father, a co-founder of Active Heros, and a man on a mission to unlock the potential in every individual through sport.

His message is simple but powerful: Creating Possibilities for All Abilities. 

But Jasons journey took a terrifying turn when he was struck down by sepsis and put in an induced coma for over 2 weeks.  He opens up about the demons he faced, the fight to find his way back, and the incredible road to re...

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This is Full Volume, where Renee & Taimana get loud 

In our first episode, we talk about our first year on Burning Bridges Podcast. - the guests we've had, the challenges we've faced, and everything in between.

Pull up, give us your topic, and get our honest take - we might get loud about it next time.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or triggering. Listener discretion is advised.

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Jahzia Puohotaua grew up in Whanganui, New Zealand, chasing a father he barely knew into the gang world — until his mother made the call that changed everything, sending him to Brisbane at 11 to start again. 

At 19, he returned to Brisbane for good, weighing 137kg and squeezed into 4XL pants, fully convinced he’d become a world champion boxer. What followed was “Allegiance Boxing” — training out of a mate’s garage and turning that belief into reality.

Jahzia opens up about his professional career being cut short by a medical retirement at...

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In this powerful episode, Shaymus Edwards opens up about a childhood marked by rejection, feeling passed between family members, unseen, unsafe, and disconnected. 

Those early wounds followed him into adulthood, where unresolved trauma led him down the path of meth addiction, poor decisions, and nearly losing everything that mattered most.

As a father living in Australia, Shaymus reached a turning point that changed the course of his life forever.

What followed wasn't just recovery—it was healing.

Immersing himself in his roots and culture, building mea...

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What happens when you take a chance on love... with someone on the other side of the world?

In this heartwarming episode of Burning Bridges, Anthony and Bella share their incredible journey from meeting online—Anthony in America and Bella in Australia—to building a beautiful life together on the Gold Coast with Bella's two children.

Their story is filled with laughter, honesty, and valuable lessons about modern relationships. They open up about navigating long-distance love, recognising red flags, staying true to their values, and the intentional step...

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Some people are defined by what happened to them. Others decide to rewrite the story.

Born and raised in Porirua, New Zealand, Tehira Nargino's journey has been anything but ordinary. Carrying the weight of his childhood trauma, he left home and ventured into a world few would expect—travelling internationally as a performer with one of Australia's most renowned male entertainment groups, Manpower.

But behind the stage lights was a man searching for purpose, identity, and healing.

Tehira went on to build successful businesses, owning multiple hair sa...

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What does it take to challenge centuries of accepted law and change a nation forever?

In recognition of Mabo Day, Burning Bridges travelled to Melbourne to sit down with Bryan Keon-Cohen, the junior counsel who stood alongside Eddie Koiki Mabo and the Meriam people throughout the historic 10-year legal battle that culminated in the 1992 Mabo decision.

From 1982 to the landmark High Court decision in 1992, Bryan was at the centre of the case that would forever change Australia's understanding of Indigenous land rights and Native Title. In this powerful and...

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In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Blucher — Indigenous boxing coach, father, and mentor — to talk about his life both inside and outside the ring. 

Andrew opens up about his upbringing, the sports he loved growing up, and the deep pain of losing his father.

Now a father himself, Andrew has channelled his experiences into coaching alongside Benny at All Star Boxing, where he proudly trained his two daughters as emerging fighters. 

He shares the realities of coaching in Queensland boxing, the struggles of finding quality matchu...

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Born in Brisbane and raised in the rough streets of Sydney’s west, Ben “The Beast” Hussain’s story is built on struggle, identity, and raw survival.

With his father deported and raised by a single mother, from a young age, he struggled to find his voice, both literally and in the classroom, making it hard to learn, connect, and fit in. 

That struggle made him a target, and the bullying only fueled something deeper inside him — a refusal to ever be pushed around again.

Ben found his way int...

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In this episode, we dive deep into Luke Brown’s story—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Raised in a small Australian country town, Luke built a successful life on the outside—a thriving business in the agriculture industry, a strong family foundation, and lifelong friendships. But behind the success, there was struggle.

As a young man, Luke battled a drinking problem—blackouts, trouble with the law, and nights he couldn’t even piece back together. In a culture that shrugs things off with “you’ll be right, mate,”...

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In this raw and emotional episode, Vika Pasefika opens up like never before. From growing up in a tough Samoan household to arriving in New Zealand unable to speak English, Vika shares the pain of being bullied—and how that pain turned him into the bully.

Behind the violence was something deeper. Untold trauma. Abuse by someone trusted. Silence that followed him for years.

From fighting in the streets to becoming a father, Vika’s turning point didn’t come easy. Now in Australia, he’s finally facing the demons h...

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This episode we speak openly to Aperehama-Rua, Coley, and Haati Bei about the journey to set things right after the past Hīkoi of Iwi Whakamahu – Heal the Nation, and the path they are now walking through UTU.
 
Discussing personal thoughts, experiences, and actions behind two of the organisers Aperehama and Coley, and the movement that began with the intention of healing our people. 

And Haati Bei, Aperehama’s whānau, shares her own journey of keeping her family close while navigating a hostile environment.
 
The kaupapa began wit...

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From growing up in Aotearoa surrounded by family to stepping into new territory on the Gold Coast, Corbin and Ella share their journey of ambition, adversity, and unwavering commitment to each other.

Together, they reflect on the setbacks that forced them to level up — not only individually, but as partners.  We talk love, leadership within a relationship, navigating hard conversations, and building a life aligned with shared goals.

This episode dives deep into, communication, resilience, and what it truly means to build a strong foundation for love and family.

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Uncle Tamahae Elkington was born in Porirua, Aotearoa, with spina bifida at a time when doctors didn’t know how to support children and their families with disabilities. 

Being hospitalised for two years from a baby, early institutionalisation planted a seed of anger he didn’t yet understand — an anger that followed him into adulthood.

Growing up tough, learning to fight in boys’ homes, surrounded by violence and survival, he found himself pulled into gangs and a life of crime. 
When his parents moved to Brisbane, Australia he joined the...

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We step inside the mind of Benny Harrington, owner and head coach of All Star Boxing, as he shares his raw and inspiring journey. From growing up in a working-class Brisbane household to building champions in the ring.

With a childhood grounded in all types of sport, Benny excelled early, earning victories in squash, cricket, AFL and finding his true calling in boxing.

Now a husband, proud father and leader in Australia’s boxing community, Benny opens up about what it takes to rise above the noise, build a wi...

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Born in Aotearoa, Corbin Mita carried a heavy weight no child should bear. After surviving sexual abuse, he found the courage to speak up—and the strength to heal through discipline, community, and combat. 

His mother did what she could with Western healing methods, but the real breakthrough came when he discovered martial arts—a space where pain turned into power, and silence turned into purpose.

Corbin found more than a gym—he found belonging. Fighting across New Zealand and overseas, he now trains out of Gold Coast, Australia, as a ri...

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Shubz first ever in person interview, he reveals his Manager Skye & they both delve deep into their own journeys, trauma, lessons and the plan to Heal The Nation - Iwi Whakamahu.

In this raw and deeply emotional episode, social creator Schubz opens up about growing up in New Zealand under the shadow of abuse — and how those wounds still shape his adult life. With thousands watching, Schubz uses his platform to call out injustice of pedophiles and corruption. He speaks candidly about trying to heal the boy within. 

Skye Ste...

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In this heartfelt season finale, we sit down with the inspiring Keilah Sauni—a woman who turned her childhood need for approval into a powerful drive for growth, healing, and success. 

Growing up in Auckland, Keilah always felt like she had to prove her love to be seen. 

Now living in Australia, she shares her powerful transformation story—from emotional struggle to building a thriving successful beauty business, and stepping fully into her purpose as a coach, mentor and leader. 

We talk blended family’s and the love and...

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The Cuzzys: Love, Kai & Real Talk w/ TJ & KrystalIn this heartwarming and unfiltered episode of The Cuzzys, we sit down with TJ & Krystal — partners in life, love, parenting, and business. 

From navigating the highs and lows of building a blended family to creating a home where their tamariki come first, this kōrero is full of laughs, hard truths, and deep connection.

They open up about their raw journey as step-parents, the challenges of merging two worlds, and how they made love and unity the foundation of their whānau. ...

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In this raw and soul-stirring episode, Sam Jones holds nothing back.

Once knee-deep in the underworld—crime, drugs, violence—Sam spiraled through addiction and jail time, hitting rock bottom not once, but three times. But rock bottom became the foundation for a powerful comeback.

A young father with everything to lose, Sam made the decision to confront his demons for the sake of his kids—and himself. Through jail and rehab, he found his way to healing through the practice of 9D breathwork, unlocking deep t...

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What happens when your heart breaks — literally and emotionally — and you have to rebuild your life from the inside out? 

Nikki Farkas joins us to share her courageous story of surviving sexual assault, a life-threatening heart attack, brutal bullying in school ,emotionally abusive relationships, and the silent longing for a mother’s love. 

With honesty and grace, Nikki speaks about the struggles of co-parenting, the deep connection with her father, motherhood and how her youngest daughter became the mirror that helped her rediscover love.

This episode is a testam...

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Justin Cox - Given up as a baby, moving through three adopted parents. Beaten. Abused. Bullied. Addicted. Suicidal. 

But something inside him refused to die. In this emotional conversation, JC opens up about his darkest moments — and the pain that nearly destroyed him.

Through meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual growth, JC discovered that healing doesn’t mean forgetting — it means facing the past with courage and compassion.This episode will move you.J

C’s story reminds us that peace isn’t found in perfection — it’s found in perseverance...

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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Marcus Schultz, the owner of Breathe Health Clubs Morayfield, to hear his raw and inspiring journey of resilience, transformation, and unshakable determination. 

Marcus shares his story from adversity in his childhood through to his time in the Australian Army, detailing the physical and emotional toll it took on him—including injuries that led to an addiction to pain medication. 

He opens up about the dark reality of suicidal thoughts and just how close he came to ending it all. Despite the pain...

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In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Say True God?, the voice behind the powerful BLAK album. 

He opens up about the inspiration behind his latest music, upcoming collaborations, and what drives him as an artist — including his deep love for his partner and family.

We dive into the struggles, breakthroughs, and real-life moments that have shaped his journey — from growing up with challenges, to finding his purpose through music, and now preparing for his biggest move yet: the BLAK Australian Tour. 

W...

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What happens when the things you experience as a child shape the person you become—but also become the fuel for everything you build?

In this raw and inspiring conversation, we sit down with Rado Trenciansky—author, entrepreneur, speaker, and a man whose journey has taken him from witnessing domestic violence in former Czechoslovakia to building a new life in Australia.

Rado opens up about the experiences that shaped him, the struggles he had to work through, and the mindset shifts that helped him move from simply surviving to crea...

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In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Daniel Proctor, a Māori man born in New Zealand who shares his gripping life journey — from growing up in a violent household and running the streets, to joining gangs, battling addiction, and losing himself in a cycle of trauma, violence, and broken relationships.

Daniel opens up about the pain he caused and endured, deep feelings of abandonment, his struggles and fears, and how his life spiraled out of control.But this isn’t just a story of pain — it’s a story o...

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In this powerful episode, we sit down with Andrew Walker, the first Indigenous Australian dual-code international, who opens up like never before. From growing up in country New South Wales to becoming a star in both rugby league and rugby union, Andrew shares the raw truth behind his journey.For the first time, he reveals why he went walkabout from the Wallabies camp—not once, but twice—and the personal battles he faced behind the scenes. From moments of triumph to deep struggles, this episode uncovers the emotional highs and lows of a trai...

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In this raw and unfiltered first episode of the Burning Bridges Podcast, I open up about my childhood battles with bullying and a stutter that silenced me, the painful truth I learned about my father years later, and the abusive marriage that followed.

This is a journey through my anger, hurt, and betrayal - and how I began to reclaim my voice and my life.

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Trigger Warning: This episode may contain stories, experiences, or discussions that some listeners may find confronting or...