Baskets Of Knowledge

• 4 Marathons. 1 Day. A Thousand Emotions. with Scott Casey-Woolridge

  He did it. Four marathons in one day. But the real story? It wasn’t about fitness.On this week’s episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we welcome back Scott Casey-Woolridge, one month and one day after his huge challenge: a marathon ski, row, bike and run… all in a single day.We spoke to him before the event. He was excited, focused, and ready.Now, on the other side of it?We talk about the raw truth, the comedown, the emotion, and the deeper impact this challenge had on him.Yes, he pushed through pain, physical pain, mental fatigue, even slipping mid-run in the pouring rain.But the part that stuck with us the most?That quiet moment. Hugging his dad at the finish line. The journey that wasn’t just 42km x 4 but years of personal growth, healing, and owning his identity.This wasn’t just about finishing a challenge.It was about choosing to show up.For himself. For others. For the version of him he wanted to become.He raised over $7,300 for mental health support. But what he really raised was a conversation — one about purpose, community, and resilience.This conversation is full of insight, honesty, and emotion.If you’ve ever felt like giving up… if you’ve ever had that voice in your head say “just stop”… this is for you.Here are a few takeaways that stuck with us:A problem shared is a problem halved, community matters more than we think.We are capable of so much more than the stories we tell ourselves.Don’t make statements. Make decisions. There’s power in choosing.Your “hard thing” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Own it.Let yourself feel it all. The pride. The pain. The meaning. It’s all part of the process.If Scott’s story moved you, let him know.And if you’re sitting on your own version of “what’s next,” this might be the sign you needed.Drop a comment, share it forward, and take one small step toward your own challenge.We’re all more capable than we realise.

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• Put the Phone Down with Chris Valli

  It started with a student refusing to put their phone away.Chris Valli was a teacher, father, husband, and community man. On paper, everything looked “fine.” But beneath the surface, he was juggling too much, teaching by day, musical theatre by night, a strained marriage, and a growing sense of disconnect within himself.And then, in one moment of exhaustion and reactivity, it all came crashing down.A classroom incident.An investigation.Public headlines.A lost job. A lost identity.But that wasn’t the end.In this raw and honest episode of Baskets of Knowledge, Chris opens up about his downward spiral, the toll of unacknowledged mental health, and what it means to slowly rebuild a life, not with perfection, but with purpose.We explore what happens when you lose everything you thought defined you and the surprising tools that can help you find your way back. Things like:Honest conversationsCreative expressionConnection with othersAnd yes, putting the phone downThis episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth.It’s about learning how to sit with discomfort long enough to hear what your life is trying to tell you.Key Lessons from Chris:Burnout doesn’t scream, it whispers until you break.Vulnerability isn’t a breakdown, it’s a breakthrough.Cellphones are more than distractions. they’re often emotional shields.You can’t pour from an empty cup, look after your wellbeing first.Your story is still yours, even if others try to rewrite it.Now, Chris is telling his story on his terms, with courage, clarity, and the hope that it might reach someone else who's quietly falling apart.His upcoming book Put the Phone Away isn’t about screens, it’s about presence.It's about what happens when you're forced to stop scrolling, stop performing, and start healing.Today, Chris is a writer, a partner, a father.But more importantly, he's someone who's done the work to face himself.If you've ever felt like you're just holding it together… this episode is for you.And maybe, just for a moment, "Put the Phone Down"EnjoyPrajesh and Tane

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• The Widow's Courage with Roslyn English

  What does courage look like when life throws you into unimaginable grief?How do you keep showing up when the future you built disappears overnight?In this weeks episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we speak with Roslyn English OAM, community leader, musician, cancer survivor, and proud recipient of the Order of Australia Medal.At the youthful age of 80, Roslyn is still learning, growing, and giving back.But behind her accolades is a story of raw, heart-wrenching resilience. The sudden loss of her husband in 1989. Raising three young daughters alone. Living hour by hour in the depths of grief. Rebuilding her life from scratch, one courageous step at a time.Roslyn shares how she created her metaphorical “Bucket of Courage”, a concept born from heartbreak that now inspires her keynote speaking.This episode is not just about loss. It’s about: The power of community (shoutout to Gosford Musical Society)Why grief deserves conversation, not silenceReinventing yourself at any ageAnd how everyday courage changes livesKey Learnings from this Episode:🔸 Grief is love with nowhere to go  and we all experience it in different forms🔸 Don’t underestimate small wins sometimes, surviving the next hour is the win🔸 Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s choosing to show up anyway🔸 Community and creativity can be powerful tools for healing🔸 You are never too old to learn something new or start againWhether you're navigating loss, supporting someone who is, or needing a reminder that courage lives in you too, this episode is for you.Enjoy Prajesh and Tane

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• From Struggles to Strength: The Journey of Chandni Sahrawat

  What does it take to go from standing outside the principal’s office for failing school exams… to becoming the founding director of two of New Zealand’s most innovative restaurants… and now, a transformative coach reshaping lives?In this deeply moving and powerful episode of Baskets of Knowledge, we sit down with Chandni Sahrawat , entrepreneur, advocate, and coach  to unpack a life story that will stay with you.-  From surviving societal pressure and a cry for help in her teenage years…- To arriving alone in New Zealand with no accommodation, no support, and no plan B…- To reshaping how Aotearoa views Indian food, migrant rights, and female entrepreneurship…Chand’s story is one of grit, reinvention, and radical authenticity.Whether you know her through her leadership at Cassia, Sidart, or her new chapter in transformational coaching, this episode will make you rethink what success really looks like and why work-life balance is a myth.Key Learnings:✅ Your past doesn’t define your future  even if you’ve hit rock bottom✅ There’s power in starting from the bottom (yes, she started as a hostess in her own restaurant)✅ True leadership means being in the trenches with your team✅ Burnout is real  and recognising it early is a superpower✅ You don’t need to “have it all figured out” to take the next stepBut perhaps the most important takeaway?You don’t have to wait for a crisis to do something meaningful.Chand reminds us that we all have potential  even if we can’t see it yet. And that the right mentor, the right moment, or the right mindset shift can change your life.#BasketsOfKnowledge #ChandniSahrawat #PodcastNZ #WomenInLeadership #Entrepreneurship #MigrantVoices 

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• How Aditi Gorasia Is Ending Period Poverty with Ads on Pads

  What if period equity wasn’t just a cause but a business model?What if advertising could fund free period products without putting the burden back on women?That’s exactly what Aditi Gorasia is doing with Ads on Pads, a social enterprise changing the game. In this episode, Aditi shares the deeply personal story behind her mission to eliminate period poverty in Aotearoa and beyond.From handing out free pads as a Women’s Welfare Officer at the University of Auckland…To launching a startup where brands advertise on period product packaging to fund access for those who need it most…To pitching to global brands, standing firm on values, and saying no to ads that don’t empower…She’s building a business that’s commercially smart, values-led, and impact-first. We cover:Why profit and purpose must co-existThe challenges of being a young, Indian woman founder in a male-dominated startup spaceThe power of lived experience in shaping ethical entrepreneurshipAnd why sometimes not putting pads in the bathroom turned out to be the greatest gift of all, the chance to hear real storiesAditi doesn’t just talk equity. She lives it. Whether it’s saying no to alcohol and diet pill sponsors, or choosing people over profit in her earliest deals, her leadership is bold and brave.Some key learnings include "Only money can do money’s job." Social impact needs sustainable funding and that’s not a dirty thing.Don’t wait for permission. If no one else is solving it, maybe it’s your job.The best data is often in the stories people are too scared to tell, unless you create a safe space for them to share.Your values aren’t marketing. They’re your compass. Use them. Changing the world doesn’t start with shouting. It starts with listening.Tune in to the full episode now on Spotify & YouTubeKnow someone who needs to hear this? Share it.EnjoyPrajesh and Tane

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