KINDNESS WARRIORS: Recent Episodes
Cassie Roma
Hello friends Kindness Warriors of the world & welcome to the #KindnessWarriors podcast!
Originally the Benevolent Banter podcast, we've pulled a 2020 pivot and moved to a more heartFULL platform. Kindness. Clarity. Compassion. Cool humans. Great conversations.
Thank you for joining us!
Picture this, you're 103 years old. Sitting in a rocking chair on a wrap-around porch watching a summer storm roll in. You've got a smile on your dial & you're looking back at your life.
What are your favorite memories? How many hearts did you love? Which awkward moments lead to break-throughs? Which break-ups lead to touchdowns?
In this episode I wax lyrical on the things that I want to regret - mostly, by never regretting anything in my journey.
How about you?
What adventures are you yearning for?
Dr Xander Boger is one heckuva good-energy human. You might know them from their coaching work that incorporates physical therapy, growth mindset, & emotional balance.
Or, you might recognize them as one of the flirtiest faces on TV (Xander was a standout fan-fave on last 2023's 'Ultimatum: Queer Love')
However you know them, knowing them is a joy.
In this episode we dive into the twists & turns of life, taking risks, coming out, celebrating who we are at each stage in our lives, & healing ourselves to show up in better service of others.
A few dad-jokes & big laughs snuck into the conversation, too. I know you'll love this conversation as much as I did! Buckle up & dive right in.
Xander's coaching offerings: https://movewithxan.com/
Xander on Insta: www.instagram.com/xander.ology
Janis Vogel is a creative coach and film editor who helps creatives craft sustainable and successful lives via ease and authenticity.
Janis is a queer, feminist, unrelenting powerB of the first degree—an editor of award-winning documentaries, narrative films, music videos and oh so very much more.
Born in Germany, but reared in the bucolic wonder that is Martha's Vineyard, she draws on a rich background of realities and identities. She fulfilled her childhood dream of residing in New York City and lived there for 13 years while working in the film industry and steeping in the art scene.
In 2018 she made another human being, and has since worked on P-Valley, Master, Past Lives and other confidential super secret projects, personal and professional, that she can't reveal just yet.
She's also the co-founder of The Blue Collar Post Collective, a grassroots initiative supporting emerging talent in film.
She now lives in Encinitas, California with her daughter, devoting her time to serving clients wishing to put themselves out there, expand their visions, and take leaps with the power of a coach by their side.
Janis is - most importantly to me, an amazing friend.
Find her on instagram @janisvogel and on the world wide web at janisvogel.com
What’s your story?
Are you reading the same paragraphs over & over again hoping for a different ending? Are you fearful of filling the blank pages yet to come?
Whether you spend your time looking back or trying to capture your current paragraph perfectly, it's never too late to turn a page, end a chapter, & start a new one.
Every time I find myself at Bondi Beach (in Sydney, Australia) I’m drawn to this simple, duo-tone graffitied sign.Red & white.Calm & alarm.Concise & deep.
The simplicity of the message somehow always cuts through every layer of busy, hustle, bustle, bullshit, fear, expectation, & responsibility in my life & grounds me.
The lessons?Scribble in the margins, doodle, bare your soul, keep a twist for the end.
Whatever impassions you to live fully & flourish, do that. You’re the artist & the author of your life & taking a risk means keeping your pencil sharpened.
Regan Warner is an executive creative director, designer, yoga influencer and mum that takes care and listens to those in her charge rather than just being in charge.
She's a teller of meaningful stories. A creator of art. A student of life. And a true Midwestern Londoner Kindness Warrior.
In this episode we talk about the power of leading FOR others. Working WITH others. And making great work that lasts.
Whether you're in advertising or not, Regan's experience & drive & passion for life are awe inspiring. You're going to love this episode.
Emily Scott Robinson is one of my favorite people on the planet. Hands down. She's a storyteller's storyteller. A deep heart. A witchy woman. And, a giver.
With a quarter million miles under her belt and counting, she travels the dusty highways of America's wild country, capturing the stories of the people she meets and expertly crafting them into songs.
Robinson received critical acclaim for her debut album Traveling Mercies-- Rolling Stone named it one of the “40 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2019.”
In 2021, Robinson signed with Oh Boy records, the label founded by the legendary John Prine, and released her follow-up album American Siren.
It made numerous “Best of 2021” lists including NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, and No Depression.
In 2022, Robinson released a collaboration for theater called Built on Bones, a song cycle written for the Witches of Shakespeare's Macbeth, featuring artists Alisa Amador and Violet Bell.
Check out more on ESR here: https://www.emilyscottrobinson.com/
This week's episode is a dive into finding creativity after seasons of change, Disney Cruises at 42yrs old, & pondering on what the walls of my small studio apartment would say to me if they could talk.
In this week's episode I tackle talking through the grittiest part of "healing" that I've ever walked through in my entire life.
I like to call this season the "Honeymoon of Healing" because, after the darkest days there truly come sunnier ones. And these are reminders of love yet to be.
Like all honeymoons, they come to an end & move us into routines, daily growth, moving forward, falling back, ugly crying, happy dances, broken hearts, broken promises & grief.
Here's to the honeymoon of healing, it's a sweet season to be in.
This episode of KINDNESS WARRIORS: Creative Commons hoons around like a F1 car on a slick Vegas Strip. Aussie Reality TV Star Lachie Mansell sits down to talk about his life journey from car racing enthusiast to reality TV star to radio host.
I love stories like Lachie's & think you will, too.
Kindness Warriors, buckle up...
Take one part beating heart, one part creative mind, one part poet's soul, & add another part of deep compassion & you're getting close to the things that make up Madeline Finn.
In this episode of KINDNESS WARRIORS: Creative Commons we dig into Madeline's healing journey, their music, & the Buddhist practice that grounds them daily.
They are a breath of fresh air in, a melody on the out breath. And full to the gills with stories, hope, & inspiring energy.
As always, buckle up. You're going to love this episode.
Wadooah Wali is a thinking woman's crumpet. No, really. Hear me out here.
Not only is she a wildly creative & talented next-gen storyteller, she's also strategic minded digital-innovator of the purest sort with a background in both client & agency side roles.
Beyond her awards & recognition, she's one heckuva good human to boot.
She currently helps steer the ship at New Canvas & I can't wait for you to dig into this conversation!
Valentine's Day is coming up &, if you're like me, you may think that a made-up-day of consumerism is a weak link in a lifetime of loving daily.
I love love. All kinds of love. Giving love is like breathing... except I sometimes skimp on loving myself as well as I love others.
As such, this week's episode is on Love Languages.
Love languages are as ubiquitous as they are individual to us all.
From words of affirmation to acts of snacks, we all love in different ways.
This week's episode is a little toe-in-the-swirling-waters-of-self-love as I dive under the surface on how I grant myself grace - & how you can, too.
Autumn Nicholas is one of those artists who cuts deep. They make you think. They make you feel. They make you get up and dance. They make you stay in a moment - with them at the helm.
Autumn's musical career is a winding road of discovery, art, heart, & adventure. In this episode of Creative Commons Convos, I have the abject pleasure of nerding out with Autumn & diving deep into everything from artistry, over-sharing, how our childhoods shape us, & connecting with audiences.
Hop on in. Listen up. And, make sure you follow Autumn & stream their music!
Brodie Kane is a Wonder Woman, a thinking person's crumpet, a shot of human tequila, & sunshine in feminine form.
A storyteller's storyteller, there's literally nothing Brodie cannot do. From media hard-hitter to podcast producer to TV host & beyond, this gal is one fiiiiiiire!
What a pleasure it is to spend time with Brodie & to share our conversation ranging from Birkenstocks to travel to health to profession.
How wonderful life is while Brodie Kane is in the world.
Tami Neilson is one part firecracker, one part soothsayer, & many parts deep creative soul. She is also one of the most authentic, kind, & driven humans I've ever met.
This week we talk about music, equity, staying power when the powers that be might not want you to stay, & (of course) dill pickles.
Please enjoy this deep dive into the beautiful oceanic waters that are the mind & soul of Tami.
Her stories, art, & heart art the best!
Jimmy Smith is the dopest storyteller I know. No. Really. He is.
Founder of Amusement Park Entertainment (APE), he is an advertising legend who has been in the game since 1985.
Jimmy got his start working on the Nike ‘Just Do It’ campaign and his career has included stints at Wieden & Kennedy, where he created ‘Book of Dimes’, an ad starring LeBron James and Bernie Mac for Nike; BBDO, where he served as Executive Creative Director for Motorola; and TBWA/Chiat/Day L.A., where he was Group Creative Director for Gatorade.
In this episode of Kindness Warriors we talk about passions, sports, barriers to entry in adland, breaking down walls, playing the long-game with GREAT creative ideas, & origin stories.
How wonderful life is with hearts & minds like Jimmy's in this world.
I didn't mean to hyper-focus & deep-dive into Snoop Dogg's life wisdom & mega quotes this week, but I did. And, I am so glad for it.
Snoop is a brilliant artist, brand builder, cultural icon, & change-maker.
His ability to cross generational, socio-economic, & artistic lines makes him one of my favorite zeitgeist personalities ever.
So, here we go: some Snoop wisdom.
Because we all need a bit of it!
Alice Soper is one of my favourite humans. Her heart, mind, passion for life, & her ability to create community around women's sport inspires me daily.
I don't know many things for certain, but I am certain that anyone who knows Alice knows what it feels like to feel seen.
In this episode we talk about gender expression, sexuality, creativity in equity for sport, & about how growing older doesn't have to mean growing up.
Buckle up, this is a helluva conversation!!!
In this year's first episode of the Kindness Warriors Creative Commons series of conversations, I sit down with Dani & Mel - two American imports bringing NZ sports (women's sports, to be exact) to the fore in 2024.
Not only are these two some of the most amazing humans you'll ever meet, but they're building something BIG for New Zealand (& the world) with the launch of WomenzSports.
In this conversation we get nerdy, sporty, & dive into what inspired these two creative souls to bring more equity of coverage & more passion for women's sport across Aotearoa.
You're going to absolutely love their mahi & the mana behind what drives them. We also become the unofficial fan club for Alice Soper. Ha! Enjoy!
In this Kindness Warriors episode I tackle ye age olde question of "How can I get better at creativity?"
My clients from creative professions & those in more strategic/ numerical/ logical roles ask this.
We are all inherently creative.
Creativity is what connects us.
Here's my take on practicing to get better at creativity - just like you'd practice to get better at anything else you're keen to become an expert in.
Enjoy & thanks for listening.
YEEEOOOOOOWWWWW!
Death & change are the only two constants in life. Not being morbid, but it's true!
This week's podcast is a DEEP BREATH OUT of a conversation. Especially since it feels like this year has been a tough one for almost everyone I know. And, I'm included in that stat, too!
After having a superb chat to my wild therapist last night, I wanted to share some tools, tricks, tips, & stories to help YOU feel more grounded & steady on your proverbial feet.
Here's how to become someone you can rely on while you're busy being relied upon by others, & how you can start to tap into what your heart truly desires.
Kindness Warriors, LFG!
This week's episode of The Kindness Warriors Podcast leans waaaaaaaay deep into gratitude. I LOVE Thanksgiving for the ethos of the holiday (being thankful), for the sports (yay, the sports!), & for the reminder that without the grit - no pearl. Also featured in this episode: lesbian bars, dad jokes, & some homework for YOU! Kindness Warriors, lesssssh go.
Out of control. Control what controls you. At the controls. No control. Ground control to Major Tom...
This week we're talking about control: what you can, can't, & might be able to control in your life.
I dive into the simplest way yet I've found to control what controls me... my mindset, staying grounded, & gratitude all play a part in it.
Go well Kindness Warriors!
We're all going through it, or so it seems.
Hard times, hard stops, soft starts, & open hearts yearning for something just out of reach.
Recently I've been thinking a lot about the old cliche of "you have to go through it to get through it" & this week's episode of Kindness Warriors tackles the HOW IN THE WORLD DO I GET THROUGH question.
Well, kinda. Ha!
The good news? No tissues are needed for this episode (unless you cry at horribly bad Dad Jokes, there are a few in here!)
Be well, Kindness Warriors.
Keep going.
This weekend I had the abject pleasure of delivering a eulogy on behalf of the thousands of students that my soul-mate & father-figure, Pete, taught over his 30 year tenure as a small town high school photography teacher.
Pete's stories, open heart, creative soul, & curious mind helped so many people live more connected, happy lives.
He was different.
He knew Picasso.
He saw color in shades of black and white.
He read palms with a joyous sense of servitude.
And, he could outrun me on the local trails up until his 80th year.
In this episode I talk about the power of being DIFFERENT in a world hellbent on sameness & accolades & binaries. Different in business, in life, in community, & in relationships.
May we all find belonging in diversity.
Starting over is something we all do - sometimes on the daily. And, it's one of the most destabilizing times in our lives. Whether it's a new job, a new house, a new country, a new love, a new story about who we are... starting over is a BIG DEAL.
In this episode I tackle the hard sh*t I've been navigating as part of moving from New Zealand to the USA as a friend, creative, business woman, coach, & single parent (of an amazing teen!)
Hopefully one, some, or all of the six tools in the episode help you as you navigate your own new beginnings.
Keep your chin up.
Put one foot in front of the other.
You've got this.
- Brene Browns FFTS: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-on-ffts/
This episode of Kindness Warriors might be one of the most special I've ever done because of the guest who joins me to open it. Pete Nelson was, is, always will be my hero. He passed away in early May 2023, but I've just started to unpack the recordings he & I made when we were together at the end of his life. He was my father & confidant & best friend by choice. I miss him daily, but know he's here. With me. With everyone. Still making the world a better place through his teachings. This one's for Pete. They all are, really.
In today's episode I talk bells n whistles (and how they sometimes suck - or, rather, don't), being weird, how titles are for wimps, going with the flow, and being BIG. Thank you, as always, for joining me, KINDNESS WARRIORS! You rock!
In today's episode of the Kindness Warriors Podcast, I tackle loss, lessons, & learning to see each moment as a gift.
Thank you for joining me, as always, I appreciate our time together.
Kindness Warriors, lesssssssh go!
This week on Kindness Warriors we talk about Pride, Poise, Prime Ministers, and yelling out of car windows. This is a pretty darn hilarious and deeply personal episode. Have tissues ready - I absolutely cried throughout. As always, THANK YOU for listening. Thank you for sharing. And thank you for being staunch allies and Kindness Warriors yourselves. I appreciate you. Deeply.
More on today's topic: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/celebrity-treasure-island-star-cassie-roma-victim-of-homophobic-abuse-her-message-for-nz/Q7LIDUPGFBH7HOMSNJQPGVGSRI/
Hey there, hi there, ho there!
I've missed y'all! Today we catch up on the past few weeks of travel and inspiration and creation and WERK. And, we talk about the importance of deep friendship, logging off of social media, shadowbans, and showing up for each other.
As always, thank you for showing up here.
I appreciate your time & engaged feedback.
Cass
February is #PrideMonth in the Southern Hemisphere and if anyone loves a rainbow-laden-world, it's me!
In this episode I touch on WHY I love PRIDE, but, more importantly how YOU can be a great ally.
We are family and love wins.
Happy Pride, fam.
Thank you for your love and allowing others to be their most authentic selves.
From the moment we’re brought squealing and naked into this world we’re told stories. Lessons and parables and fairy tales and ethics and religion are handed down to us from generations before and we’re spoon-fed the hopes and dreams of others an are told that they are our hopes and dreams
If we’re lucky we march to the beat of our own drum early. We wade through what we’re told and find nuggets of truth in made-up rules and then chase our own ideas of what happiness and fulfillment and success look like.
If we’re good little rule-followers it takes years or decades to realize what’s meant for others isn’t made for us. Which brings me to hugging your haters and other bullshit advice from the cultural aether.
Here are some of my favorite least-fave sayings that I reckon we could retire altogether. The more we interrogate the truth the more we realize there’s not much truth to anything. We just hear stuff and repeat it then our kids do the same and their kids after them… etc etc etc.
In no particular order, let’s rethink and re-imagine these sayings, starting with "Hug Your Haters..."
In this episode we talk a bit about FOMO, JOMO, & supporting a big 'ol HOMO agenda online. We also dive deep into empty tanks, leading with love, and how Jacinda Ardern is the embodiment of kindness in action as the now outgoing Prime Minister of New Zealand. Heartcounts over headcounts. And badass women who deserve a rest before starting the next chapter - it's all here in this ep.
TW: the sads
Resolutions are made for breaking, intentions thrive in the making, and life is pure magic for the taking when you embrace these four simple (nuanced, gritty, courageous, creative, wild) ideas daily.
Here's to you. Right here, right now.
And, here are FOUR ways to move in the direction that truly moves your heart.
As always, thanks for joining me on this #KindnessWarrior journey called life.
Cass
https://cassieroma.substack.com
Not every year-in-review article or podcast is equal. And, this one is pretty gritty. Yes, of course I cry. Yes, of course I make mistakes. And yes, of course I am stoked that you're here and engaged and listening. Here's to all of us, the ones who made it another trip around the sun. The ones who keep our chins up and our spirits light. THANK YOU for everything this year. I'll see you back in 2023.
Cass
Howdy Kindness Warriors!
How are you this week?
Are you winning?
Is your cup empty?
We're sprinting towards the end of another wild, fast, confusing, beautiful year.
And, as always, we're also running headlong into burnout.
In this episode of the fourth season of Kindness Warriors I table the idea that maybe mayhem isn't the best way to live as we head into the silly season. Maybe we’re moving too fast too often. Maybe, just maybe, we shouldn't hustle hard anymore.
Maybe a better way is to HUSTLE EASY instead.
Dive on in as I talk about the #EmptyCupClub, dodging burnout, and setting yourself up for settling into a festive season slowdown.
As always, thank you for your time and attention and kind/engaged feedback. I truly appreciate you and the connections we're building in our Kindness Warriors community.
I have a new Substack that you can subscribe to here: https://cassieroma.substack.com! I've opened up all of the content right now to FREE subs and visitors and have also added the option of monthly or annual paid subscriptions - because, every little bit helps.
See y'all again next week!
Cass
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassieroma
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cassieroma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassieroma/
Bookings & Consulting: www.cassieromaco.com
EPISODE OUTLINE
What is hustle easy?
-
checking in with yourself (& others): check engine lights
-
intention: be intentional, set intentions, work & play with intent
-
boundaries: feeling the motion getting too much, tell yourself to slow down
-
allowing yourself to make time to play, read, write, create, learn, play
-
know that there'll be moments of sprinting & allowing for moments to catch your breath
THREE THINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
1) it's okay to take time out for you (walk... meditation in motion, or sit still, HYDRATE, listen to music, wander, wonder, ponder... see what it feels like to do nothing, to not have to MAKE or PRODUCE or feel VALUE through what your work is)
2) you do not have to go anywhere that feels unsafe ... you don't have to participate in buying, being, or bringing anything other than your own self to the proverbial table
3) Triggers: FOOD/ MONEY/ TIME
In today's episode we're talking connection, filling up our tanks, when to say "YES!" (and when not to), and taking a NO ASSHOLE approach to life and interacting with others. We also talk about just how contagious connection is (science says so!) and filling our tanks at a time of year when tanks seem to always be either overflowing or empty.
Thank you for listening to episode two, Kindness Warriors!
Your kind and engaged feedback is, as always, welcome.
Find me here:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cassieroma
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassieroma/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cassieroma
Subscribe to my Substack: https://cassieroma.substack.com
It's been a while since the last #KindnessWarriors episode, and YEEEEEEEESH I've missed y'all. I've missed the conversations, the deep-dives, the awkward pauses, the silliness... all of it! So, why not start tip-toeing back into the land of connection and sitting together in conversation today? Seems like a great time to tip-toe and wax lyrical at the same time.
Today I talk about data, music, art, social media FOMO, standing still, and remind all of us the EVERYTHING IS MADE UP.
I repeat, EVERYTHING IS MADE UP.
As always, thank you for joining me on this journey we all call life.
It's a wild ride. And, it's better when we live it together.
Go gently, stay curious, and be as brave as you need to be today!
You can find me here: www.instagram.com/cassieroma, www.twitter.com/cassieroma and subscribe to my Substack here for more updates, information, poetry, and hawt takes.
It's been a HAWT MINUTE (AKA a very long time) since the last Kindness Warriors podcast & I'm so happy to have a short, sweet, & succinct look back at the year that's been as I move into a month of "tools down" here in the USA with friends & family alike.
For me, the past 365 sleeps have been wild.
If you’d asked me this time next year how I would envision my year panning out, I would never have guessed that the things that’ve happened would’ve happened.
I’ve learned how to pivot (a bit like a spinning top sometimes.
I’ve learned how to crumble.
To grow you have to crumble a bit.
The get stronger a muscle has to break.
I’ve learned how to break & rebuild time & time again.
In one of my favorite power songs, Wynonna Judd croons:
“When you hit rock bottom
You've got two ways to go
Straight up
And sideways
I have seen my share of hard times
And I'm letting you know
Straight up
Is my way”
Like Wynonna, I hope 2022 sees you going straight up.
Like a rocket to the stars of your dreams.
Go get it!
You deserve every happiness.
We all do.
Lara Chrystal is a human ray of sunshine & a can of alcohol-free brewski waiting to be chug-a-lugged.
Every time I speak to her I walk away from our conversation feeling smarter & more inspired than I was going into it.
It's been a year since we last recorded a podcast together & the timing for this conversation couldn't be better.
Lara has just released a book called "Make Your $hit Look Good" that has blown me away with its contributors (I am grateful to be amongst them) & its mana. Aimed at small brands, creators, artists, & people who give a damn - this conversation, much like the book, is powerhouse fun.
Enjoy!
Brooke Berry is not only a walking ray of sunshine, she is one of the smartest, kindest, most badass humans on the planet. By day she is a "social media Swiss Army Knife" & works with VidCon global leading the brand's social media & community strategies & content iterations. To know Brooke is to know a true Kindness Warrior.
Enjoy this episode! I know I enjoyed recording it with her.
2020, WHAT A WILD RIDE!
To wrap the year & the podcast up I've saved two absolute heavy-hitting-soul-sisters for last.
This conversation is absolute fire.
The sound, not so much though - I take full responsibility for the echos in the room!
We talk legacy, nurture, nature, & the power of connecting powerfully without being tethered to expectations.
Wow, wow, wow.
So, please look past the fizzle of the sound & find yourself lost in the sizzle of these two amazing women & their wisdom.
Enjoy!
Check out Jax & Kim here: https://www.unicornsandhandgrenades.com
Every time I type in Libby Greatnews's name into my computer autocorrect changes it to "Libby Greatness" & I think the computer is onto something indeed! Libby has always been someone on my radar across the inter webs & across professional & personal friendship groups. To have her on the #KindnessWarriors podcast is an absolute treat!
Enjoy this candid chat about everything from blue hair, pin-up looks, social media mastery, & drag kings. What a joy to know Libby!
I met Sally Chan on my 21st birthday on a Contiki Tour Bus departing Russel Square in London for 17 days spent whirling around the mainland of Europe. At the time, Sal was a recent graduate of USC & I was finishing up my time at UCSB.
From the moment we locked eyes (actually, from the moment Sal saved me from a rampaging bumblebee in Lucerne, Switzerland) we were soul-friends, sisters-in-arms, & the greatest of collaborators when it came to fun times & making memories together.
Fast-forward almost 20 years & two last names (well, two for me, one for her) & we're all grown up. Kinda.
This conversation gets at the heart of connection, of love, of understanding, & of understanding the power of visibility & access in society. I am so proud to call Sally my Chosen Family. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it with Sal.
In this conversation I have the extreme pleasure of talking to my friend, a fantastically talented multidisciplinary artist of Māori and Niue descent, Cora-Allan Wickliffe.
Cora is currently working to revive the art-form of Hiapo. She is the Curator and Exhibitions Manager at the Corban Estate Arts Centre, is a founding member of BC COLLECTIVE and is a maker of Hiapo (Niuean Barkcloth).
She has exhibited her work throughout Aotearoa and internationally including Australia, Niue, England and Canada.
Her work is a part of major collections including The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Wallace Arts Trust.
Join us for good chats & deep learning about creativity, bringing passions to life, & enjoying the wild ride that is life.
Who doesn't love a powerful little list?
We do! Especially when it is both
a) short &
b) full-to-bursting with heart-full tools & tips for staying mentally healthy & resilient
That’s why, alongside many businesses, brands & people across Aotearoa, we’re throwing all of the support & love we can into supporting Mental Health Awareness Week #MHAWNZZ).
This year’s BIG FIVE focus points for finding a healthy flow are below.
Whether you practice them all daily or fit them in as you can, you’ve got this! We've got this.
One day.
One step.
One conversation at a time.
We’re all in this together.
- WHANAU:
Recharge with others/ Whiria te muka tangata
- WAIRUA:
Rediscover everyday wonder/ Whāia ngā mīharotanga o is rā
- WHENUA:
Return to nature/ Hono ki te taiao
- TINANA:
Refuel your body/ Whakamarohi i tō tinana
- HINENGARO:
Refresh your mind/ Whāngaia tō hinengaro
https://www.mhaw.nz
In this episode of Kindness Warriors, I am like a kid in a candy store talking to my good friend & amazing human - double-gold medallist Olympian, Eric Murray. As always, Eric is open & honest about every question I throw at him. We cover family, high-performance sport, resilience, DIY, & giving back to the community. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Eric for this banter session. Onya, friend.
This episode is A RIPPER! Featuring radio DJ, creative mega-force, & media guru Astely Nathan - we get into the nitty gritty reality of lockdown life, of mental health, & of detoxing our digital lives. I learned so much from Ast in this beautiful conversation & am beyond proud of the work he is doing with his Kōrero 100 project. The world needs more people like Ast in it. Here's to strong, kind, compassionate men. So proud to share this conversation with you!
Under the influence.
Over the influence.
WHAT THE F*CK IS INFLUENCE ANYMORE?
This conversation with the amazing Sam Levi was one heckuva fun deep dive into brands (personal & business), marketing (personal & business), & the world of social media that is seemingly consuming every single one of us.
Sam talks openly & honestly about his life in the spotlight, starting anew in Melbourne, what his daily life is like behind the scenes, & how he finds silver linings in each day. Legend! Loved this chat so much.
In this episode of the newly minted #KindnessWarriors podcast host Cassie Roma dives deep into the underworld of the dark web with three amazing humans from Auckland Creative & Digital Agency, FCB.
Peeling back the mystery on the Dark Web is something that's not only interesting, but also important to do. Listen in here as we wax lyrics on the good, the bad, & the ugly that our world-wide web has to offer.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by the fantabulous #KindnessWarrior, Catherine van der Meulen.
Cath is bravery personified & is someone I look to for inspiration when it comes being my truest & most confident self.
In our conversation we talk motherhood, entrepreneurship, finding who we are, & helping others to be as authentic as they can in in both personal & professional spheres.
I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed recording it with Cath!
https://entrepreneurialwomenwithpurpose.com
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by Anna Dean & Angela Meyer of Double Denim, a kick-ass creative agency with women at the heart of what they do. In this episode we talk about everything from creative partnerships to home ownership to unpacking the "social" part of social media in a post-Covid19 world.
What a pleasure it was to speak with these mana wāhine.
And, how wonderful life is while they're in the world...
For more about Double Denim, go here: https://www.doubledenim.nz
Pia Steiner is a magical human being. One part ray of human sunshine & one part badass bringer of diversity & inclusion (as well as many other parts that make up a whole awesome human being), Pia is a force to be reckoned with.
In this podcast we talk about all of the things people really aren't "supposed to talk about" in public. Things like equality, politics, corporate responsibility towards their people, & being pug mommies.
As the Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Kiwibank, Pia has dedicated her life & her profession to ensuring others are given not just a place at the proverbial table, but a voice to be heard there as well.
I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I do!
WOWZAH! What a pleasure it is to be joined by my friend Park Howell for this episode of #BenevolentBanter. Park is known as "The World's Most Industrious Storyteller" & is just that. When we met three years ago in San Diego, California at Social Media Marketing World I knew that Park would be a soul-brother for life.
Park's passion for storytelling, for sharing the magic inherent in applying stories to business, & his generosity of spirit inspire me daily.
Please enjoy this conversation & listen whole-heartedly (have a notebook handy, too for notes!)
Thanks for joining me, Park.
Bruce Pilbrow is one of the coolest humans on the planet. No, really, he is.
Made up of equal parts strength, vulnerability, & bosky-breaded pirate vibes - he's a seasoned executive who has worked across a wide range of industries over the course of his career.
Please join Bruce & I for this rollicking ride of a conversation & one of my favourite #BenevolentBanter sessions yet.
Thanks, Bruce!
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I sit down with the KING of content, livestreams, hustle, whiskey, & great conversations - Robett Hollis. Over the course of the past few years Robett has shown up BIG when it comes to channels, platforms, ideas & giving completely of himself. In this conversation we dive into the importance of consistency, showing up as who you are, f*cking the haters, & enjoying the rollicking ride that is being a leader who ACTUALLY LEADS.
As with all banter with Robett, this conversation has me thinking more deeply than ever about the world & they roles we all play in it. Here's to us, we're all in this together.
Fulfilment can be defined as 'the feeling of being happy and satisfied with your life because you are doing interesting, useful, or important things'. It can also be a fleeting feeling, a forever journey, & something so unattainable that (if you're like me) you can struggle to find the words adequate to explain what is fulfilling to you in the context of your own life.
In this week's episode of #BenevolentBanter I chat to my friend Q for another instalment of "IQ, EQ, CQ" in which we lean hard into the emotional side of the EQ. In talking fulfilment we wax lyrical about personal & professional tickles of joy as well as the art of feeling great simply by helping others.
This conversation, as with all conversations with Q, stretched my thought process & helped me think differently about what fills my batteries & my soul concurrently.
Thank you, as always, for joining us!
In this episode I sit down with Oliver Hall of Express Magazine to talk Pride month, queeroes, & everything else that popped into our minds. I love nothing more than conversations that flow & dive deep, & this is one of those magical banter sessions that will stay with me for a long time. Thank you, Ollie, for joining me on this episode of #BenevolentBanter. Here's to catching up IRL soon (post-Covid19).
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by two of the smartest, cleverest, & most driven young professionals I know. Both Elly & Courtney work in media, marketing, & advertising. They're making their marks as thought leaders, curators of non-bullshit opinions, & drivers of innovation in a world of stale, pale, male "leaders." These young women make me proud on the daily & I am so glad we were able to sit down together & wax lyrical in person before our #Covid19 national lockdown here in New Zealand. Thank you both for your time, your knowledge & for being kick-ass #KindnessWarriors!
Justin Flitter is one of the coolest cats I know! When it comes to nailing the "social" part of social media, Justin's industry insight & knowledge of platforms is one that has been built upon foundations of curiosity & creativity. In this episode I sit down to talk about his journey, his professional expertise, & his commitment to being a true #KindnessWarrior. We recorded this as a livestream before the Covid-19 national lockdown here in New Zealand. I am definitely looking forward to our next IRL chat with a beer in hand. Until then, please enjoy this conversation.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by my "twin" Troy Rawhiti-Connell to talk all things Millennial, Kiwi, journalism, striped t-shirts, & more! Troy is one of the kindest, smartest, cleverest humans I know - so having him on the show was an absolute joy & pleasure. I hope you enjoy this conversation just as much as I did talking to him face-to-face in a pre-Covid19 world. Kia ora, Troy!
What a FUN time this conversation was to record (& to listen back to)! In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by marketing guru, musician extraordinaire, & all around good-human Lara Chrystal. Lara's take on humanity, the world, her work, & compassion have always inspired me to be a better person - & I think she might just do the same for you after listening to this conversation.
If ever there was a person to look to as a #KindnessWarrior, Lara is the real deal.
I hope you enjoy & are uplifted by Lara's 'in the house, on the house' project & are inspired to do something similar when & where you can.
As always, thank you for listening & for your polite feedback.
Be well, stay well, #stayhome.
Wow! What a conversation! In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I get to chat storytelling, emotional narratives, getting the best out of all of us, & making magic happen (sometimes in post - haha) with fantastic storyteller & videographer Reuben Pillsbury.
Join Reuben & I for a conversation that I will not soon be forgetting.
Here's to passionate people putting beautiful stories out into the world.
Dr Rob Keller is more than a medical professional on the front lines helping patients & medical professionals alike to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic, he's also my beloved little brother. I know I'm biased in his favour, but Rob is more than my nerdy bro, he's one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in the United States.
In this episode I catch up with Rob to talk about Covid-19 from a doctor's perspective. We chatted a lot about cultural differences between our home-country (the USA) & my adopted home, New Zealand. Rob dives into family, common sense, & staying safe while we fight this virus as a global community.
America, F*CK YEAH!
(PS Rob, this is for you: I love you, I am so very proud of you, & I cannot wait to come home & wrap you up in the biggest - not weird - sister hug ever. Be safe.)
In this special episode of #BenevolentBanter I am once again joined by Qassem Naim to talk trust, data, isolation cooking, connection at scale, & how the online gaming industry might just change the entire shape of distance learning in years to come.
As always, Qassem's view of the world intrigues & inspires me.
Thank you for joining us this week!
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I spend the better part of an hour talking with one of the most creative & intelligent humans on the planet. Laura Perkins is an author, an editor, a superb singer & just also happens to be my childhood best friend! Living just outside of San Diego, California - Laura & I dive deep into creativity, curiosity, social distancing, & the ability to stay optimistic through hard times. As always, thank you for tuning in & turning up for our conversation. Here's to the most benevolent kind of banter there is, that between beloved lifelong friends.
This episode of #BenevolentBanter is a stackable snippet, a tasty tidbit, & a small semblance of sanity in a world that sometimes feels like it's gone just a little bit insane. In this episode, host Cassie Roma finds one thing to concentrate on - words of wise women. Or, rather, the words of one wise woman: Maya Angelou. As always thank you for listening & for your engaged feedback.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I'm joined by a creative guru-sherpa-masterful rollicking ride of a human being - Clare Cheyne. A Kiwi my birth, Clarey has been working & creating amazing videos in New York City for three years now. In this conversation we dive deep into creativity during times of crisis, generously giving, & finding a magical place where profession & passion come together as one. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it with Clarey! Thanks, Cassie Roma
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I sit down & talk to "my person" - AKA my soulmate, AKA my best friend, AKA my wife. Carly Roma joins me to talk about her life story before & since we came in to each other's lives. We dive into her coming-out story, her family, her friends, & how she views the ebb & flow of life as we go through it together.
In her first podcast, & our first interview together, we get weird. We get vulnerable. We get real. And, I wouldn't have it any other way.
As always, thank you for listening. Stay well, stay safe, & STAY HOME.
Cassie
In this episode of #BenevolentBanted I catch up with Qassem Naim, Head of Data & Tech at FCB New Zealand, to talk data collection, consumer privacy, & the ad industry's role to play in making our world a safer place.
By looking into how our data is being collected, communicated, & then conveyed we're able to understand in more depth just where gaps might lie as governments & businesses walk a fine line between consent & creepy information gathering.
As always, thank you for listening in.
If there's a topic you'd like to hear more about, please let us know!
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter, podcast host Cassie Roma delves into a de-cluttering of our newsfeeds, our e-mail inboxes, our minds & our souls by focussing in on 'just one thing.' Because the world seems to be in a kind of Limbo while we all grapple with the effects of a global pandemic & try to understand what our changing times mean to us as individuals & as communities, it makes complete sense to launch the #justonething aspect of Benevolent Banter with a deep-dive into the act of intentionally SLOWING DOWN.
You'd think that slowing down would be easy on those privileged enough to do so. Nope. It's not easy. In fact, it's one helluva struggle for a lot of people. Tune in, turn up, & have a listen. As always, thank you for sharing your time with us.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by the one & only Logan Dodds.
Logan is an influencer, a thought leader, & one of my favourite humans on the planet.
In this conversation we dive deep.
We talk, work, life, & going beyond the crazy rush of "busy normalcy" to live life to the fullest.
(We also talked travel, trust & looking on the bright side of things. There's always a silver lining!)
Huge thanks to Logan for taking the time to talk & connect.
Here's to friends, family, & colleagues staying safe & well.
StayHome
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by one of the kindest, smartest & funniest humans I know - Nick Boulstridge. Nick's one of a kind. He's a digital guru, a #kindnesswarrior, a martech sherpa, & an everyday kind of dude/Dad. Thank you for joining Nick & I on our conversational journey to understand humanity, each other, & ourselves more.
In this special episode I am joined again by Qassem Naim, Head of Data & Tech at FCB New Zealand. In this conversation Q & I touch on a lot of the harder topics facing the world right now when it comes to FFT (f*cking first times) & "leaning into the suck" of change at such a rapid pace. When it comes to forced technology adoption & adaptability at scale, how to businesses & leaders ensure their teams are engaged & well whilst still given the tools & support they need to get their work done as best possible. We dive into genuine connection & content from brands. We wax lyrical about the importance of getting dressed & having a specific work space when working from home (spoiler alert: I am usually in activewear!). And, mostly, we discuss all of the reckons that folks are reckoning about at scale right now. Listen in & let us know what you'd like to hear from us in coming episodes. Thanks in advance for your support - be kind, be well, & STAY THE F HOME.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I am joined by the amazing Caitlin Taylor of ChasingCait.com. Caitlin is a style coach, an entrepreneur, a magical momma & a personal powerhouse. What a pleasure it was to have Cait on the show to banter about the stuff that matters most - kindness, empathy & finding silver linings during hard time.
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I had the absolute pleasure of talking to my friend Sonia Sutherland. Holder of my secrets, bringer of all the giggles, & a person who can find a silver lining just about anywhere - Sonia makes my heart & soul smile. Listen in to this episode where we dive into unravellings, breakdowns, motherhood, professionalism, & simply being able to accept who we are & where we are in the current moment. As always, thank you for listening. We welcome your kind, engaged feedback.
The fabulous Jerry Beale joined me on this episode of #BenevolentBanter to talk leadership. Not some antiquated, droll ideas of leadership - but a modern take on leading leaders with kindness, heart, & self-care at the core of caring for others. I absolutely love talking to Jerry anytime we have a spare moment together, so it's a huge pleasure to share this conversation with you. As always, please do share your polite, kind feedback with us as we navigate being podcast rookies! Thanks, Cassie
In this episode of #BenevolentBanter I sit down with the amazing theologist & all around bad-ass, Amanda Pilbrow. We talk about The Church, hellfire, redemption, simply accepting others for who they are, & everything else in between. If we're honest, I was super nervous starting out this conversation, but in the end I could've talked to Amanda for days. If the world needs more of anything, it's connection & love. Amanda radiates both of these things. Have a listen & please let me know what you think of this conversation. In kindness, Cassie.
Qassem Naim is one of the most brilliant data-nerds in the marketing & creative advertising game. Curiosity drives Q to delve deeper into the heart of tech - and how tech is now at the heart of everything we as humans need, & do. Join us this week as we banter about all things culture, data-driven marketing, long-term strategies for human connection, & how the status quo is really the biggest thing holding all of us back.
Thanks for joining Q & I for this first episode of #BenevolentBanter!