Advertise on podcast: Unfiltered With Dave Letele

This week, Dave sits down with entertainer, freestyle rapper and autism advocate Tihei Harawera for a kōrero about identity, resilience, family and finding your own path. Growing up as the son of Hōne Harawira and grandson of Titewhai Harawira came with plenty of expectation. But as a teenager, Tihei made a decision to go his own way, turning to freestyle rap and eventually building a life around his extraordinary memory, creativity and ability to turn almost anything into a rhyme. Tihei opens up about growing up autistic, feeling different, learning to forgive, the people who believed in him, and why he refuses to let other people define who he should be. He also puts his talent on full display with two incredible freestyles during the episode. Today, Tihei is still dreaming big, studying towards becoming a filmmaker and continuing to use his story to encourage others to embrace who they are. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with former Kiwi international and two-time NRL premiership winner Paul Whatuira for a kōrero about the incredible highs of professional sport, the struggles that followed, and rebuilding his life from the ground up. Paul won premierships with both the Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers and represented New Zealand, but behind those achievements were challenges that eventually forced him to step away from the game and completely rethink what life looked like after football. He opens up about his mental health journey, the people who stood by him, and the work it took to rebuild his confidence and reconnect with his whānau. Today, through 'Internal Strength', Paul uses those experiences to help rangatahi, athletes and communities build confidence, wellbeing and stronger futures. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Bhaskar Sharma, better known online as @whoisbuskey for a kōrero about growing up in Māngere, finding his place, and turning a love of making people laugh into a career in content. Bhaskar moved to New Zealand from India as a kid and grew up surrounded by Māori and Pasifika culture. After being bullied at school, he found confidence through martial arts and humour, before eventually dropping out of university to pursue acting and later building his own following online. It’s a kōrero about identity, backing yourself, dealing with hate online, and how family, especially becoming a dad, changed the way he looks at success and what really matters. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Shelwin Khan for a kōrero about addiction, recovery, and what it takes to completely rebuild your life. Shelwin first started experimenting with drugs at just 13 and spent more than a decade caught in addiction, overdoses, psych wards and alcoholism. Today, he’s seven years sober and works in peer support, using his own lived experience to help people facing the same struggles he once did. It’s a powerful kōrero about doing the work, finding connection, and turning some of the hardest parts of your life into a reason to help others. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Dr Karina McHardy, author of 'All In' for a kōrero about the reality of parenthood — the things we carry, the things nobody sees, and what happens when life starts to feel too heavy. Karina’s own journey has taken her from elite gymnastics and classical ballet to medicine and public health. But after her son was diagnosed with autism, she found herself on the other side of the health system — fighting for the support he needed while trying to hold everything else together. She opens up about the isolation, exhaustion and invisible load of being a parent, the moment her GP told her there was “absolutely no way” she could be okay, and why this story goes far beyond autism. It’s a kōrero for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, unseen, or like they simply have to keep going. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Rob Johnson for a kōrero about building success, finding purpose, and using what you’ve learned to help others. Rob grew up in a small village in the north of England, surrounded by unemployment, poverty and very few opportunities. He went on to build a successful career in technology, business and mentoring young entrepreneurs — now using that experience to help tackle power poverty at Nau Mai Rā and helping improve the lives of whānau across Aotearoa. It's a kōrero about using where you come from as a super-power, and why sometimes the best thing you can do with your success is give something back. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Former professional boxer Cairo George finished his career with 18 wins from 20 fights and multiple national and international titles, before moving into coaching and building a strong stable of professional fighters, including David Nyika. In this episode, Dave sits down with his longtime friend to talk about walking away from boxing as a teenager, the motorbike crash that brought him back on track, his journey through the professional ranks, and the transition from fighter to coach. A powerful kōrero about second chances, discipline, family, and finding purpose beyond your own career. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Rob Campbell (CNZM) , former chairman of some of New Zealand’s largest companies and current Chancellor of AUT. Rob’s career has taken an extraordinary path, from radical student politics and the union movement to senior leadership across corporate New Zealand. He shares some incredible stories from the 1981 Springbok Tour, getting arrested on a picket line, and how his experiences across both unions and boardrooms have shaped his views on wealth, inequality and giving back. Rob also opens up about his time leading Te Whatu Ora, why he believes equity and Māori health became political issues, and why those with wealth and influence have a responsibility to give more back. It’s a fascinating kōrero spanning politics, business, health and more than five decades of experience. Enjoy. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Fresh off a huge WIN over Floyd Masson in Saturday night’s IBF World Title Eliminator, Dave sits down with Olympic medallist, two-time Commonwealth Games champion and world title contender David Nyika for a kōrero that goes far beyond boxing. Recorded during fight week ahead of the huge IBF World Title Eliminator against Floyd Masson this Saturday night 🥊 David has been chasing one goal since he was a teenager: becoming a professional world champion. Along the way, boxing has tested his fear, discipline and resilience, while taking him around the world and into camp with the likes of Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker. But his biggest fight has happened outside the ring. When his fiancée Lexy was diagnosed with cancer, David became her advocate throughout treatment, found his faith and discovered a deeper sense of purpose. As he puts it, “Her fight became my fight.” This is the man behind “The Nice Guy” — what drives him, what scares him, and why he believes his biggest chapters are still ahead. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with All Black legend Frank Bunce to share the stories behind his extraordinary life and career. After years of missing rep teams, Frank thought his dream of becoming an All Black was over. Until he represented Samoa at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, then he got a call from Laurie Mains that changed everything. What followed was a front-row seat to one of the greatest eras in rugby history — playing in the unforgettable 1995 Rugby World Cup, sharing the field with Jonah Lomu, fierce Bledisloe battles, and memories of great mates like Peter Fatialofa & Eric Rush. This kōrero is filled with hilarious, untold stories behind one of rugby's greatest eras. Enjoy. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Keven was on our 3rd ever Unfiltered episode and one of the all-time favourites! With a lot of new Unfiltered listeners around, we thought we'd spruce it up and bring it back this week. Last year Dave sat down with All Blacks legend Keven Mealamu. From dreaming of wearing the black jersey at just 8 years old to becoming a two-time Rugby World Cup winner. Keven reflects on the highs, heartbreaks, and defining moments that shaped his career. A powerful conversation about handling pressure, the mentors who shaped him, and a family who backed him every step of the way. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

This week, Dave sits down with Professor Rangi Mātāmua — the man behind the revival of Matariki — for a special kōrero about the history, meaning, and resurgence of Aotearoa's Māori New Year. After inheriting a 400-page manuscript from his grandfather documenting over a thousand Māori stars, Rangi set out to honour his grandfather's wish to share that knowledge with others. His work has helped reintroduce Matariki to a new generation and played a pivotal role in establishing it as a national public holiday. Together, Dave and Rangi explore what Matariki truly represents — honouring those we've lost, celebrating the present, and looking ahead with hope and purpose. They unpack the traditions behind the celebration, the story of its remarkable resurgence, and why it matters to people across Aotearoa. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

At nearly 300kg, James McDiarmid was told he might not make it out of hospital. He feared dying on his son’s birthday and leaving his family behind. Today, he’s lost 130kg, works alongside Dave at BBM, and is helping others transform their lives through the very programme that changed his own. In this episode, Dave sits down with James to talk about hitting rock bottom, finding the courage to ask for help, the power of consistency, and how one decision completely changed the course of his life. A powerful kōrero about resilience, hope, and proving that it’s never too late to change. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠⁠Fanaticals⁠⁠. Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Eugene Bareman is the head coach of City Kickboxing — one of the world’s most respected combat sports gyms, producing UFC champions and elite fighters on the global stage. Israel Adesanya. Dan Hooker. Kai Kara-France. Carlos Ulberg. Navajo Stirling… and many more. In this episode, Dave sits down with Eugene to talk about building City Kickboxing from the ground up, the culture behind its success, what separates their champions, and some incredible stories from inside the fight game. Eugene also opens up about the tragic loss of Fau Vake, how it changed his life, and the work they're doing with the Walk Without Fear Trust to create lasting change. An epic kōrero about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to be a champion. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave⁠ This podcast is produced by the team at ⁠Fanaticals⁠ Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!

Dr Timoti Te Moke’s story is one of the most remarkable we’ve ever shared on Unfiltered. Growing up surrounded by violence, abuse and poverty, Timoti became involved in gangs, spent time in prison, and was told his future had already been written. Against all odds, he turned his life around, became a paramedic, and went on to qualify as a doctor at 56 years old. In this episode, Dave sits down with Timoti to talk about resilience, the power of education, overcoming adversity, and why no child’s future should ever be determined by the circumstances they’re born into. A powerful kōrero about hope, perseverance, and the belief that it’s never too late to change your life. Please help us keep Unfiltered going: https://buymeacoffee.com/unfilteredwithdave This podcast is produced by the team at Fanaticals Let us know what you thought of the conversation in the comments!