Burning Bridges Podcast
Welcome to Burning Bridges — a podcast rooted in real stories of adversity, resilience, and transformation.
Through raw, unfiltered conversations, we dive into the moments that define us — the rock bottoms, the breaking points, and the sparks that ignite healing.
These are the journeys of people who’ve felt stuck, lost, or shattered... and found their way back to themselves.
Here, we believe in the power of storytelling — not just to inspire, but to connect, to heal, and to remind us that we’re never alone in what we face.
**CONTENT WARNING — VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED**
Our content may contain mature or sensitive material, including; domestic violence, sexual assault, violence, injuries, deceased people, death, abuse, sexual content, strong language, self-harm, substance use, and other potentially distressing themes.
Episodes
33 episodes
#28 Melika Ackinclose: The Ultimate Betrayal | PART 2
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 t...
The Secrets Family Keep
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 sometime...
#28 Melika Ackinclose: The Ultimate Betrayal | PART 1
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, a...
Full Volume Ep3: Happy Fathers Day!
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’r...
Full Volume Ep2: Concha Shell Lessons in Alotau
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. 🚢🌴...
#27 Jason Tupou | Waking up Determined
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: ...
Full Volume: Ep 1
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, g...
#26 "Who's Next: Jahzia Puohotaua | From Gangsta Dreams, Obese to Elite"
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 Br...
#25 Shaymus Edwards | My Journey
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 trau...
#24 An Ocean Apart, A Perfect Match | Anthony & Bella
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 A...
# 23 Tehira Ngarino | Building Business & Brotherhoods
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 h...
#22 Bryan Keon-Cohen on Mabo, Native Title & Justice
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...
#21 Andrew Blucher: Fighting Forward
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 ...
#20 Ben “The BEAST” Hussain
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...
#19 Goondiwindi to the Green: Luke Brown
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, ...
#18 Vika Pasefika : UCE Movement
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...
#17 UTU: Restoring Balance
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 t...
#16 Corban & Ella | Chasing Greatness Together
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...
#15 Uncle Tamahae Elkington | A Disability does not Disable your Life
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 instituti...
#14 All Star Boxing’s Benny Harrington
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 gr...
#13 Warrior in the Ring | Corbin "The Curse" Mita
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 co...
#12 Shubz & Skye: Heal The Nation
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 creato...
Keilah Sauni - Love, Legacy & Level Up's
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 ...
Blended Whānau with The Cuzzys | Tj & Krystal
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 build...
Sam Jones - BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CRIME: From Prison to Purpose
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 ro...
