Kevin McAfee: Rethinking Mental Health Through Sport, Technology and Human Connection

Kevin McAfee: Rethinking Mental Health Through Sport, Technology and Human Connection

In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Ivan Yeo sits down with Kevin McAfee, founder of Wellbeing Solutions, to explore his journey from Belfast, Northern Ireland, to New Zealand and the mission that now drives his work. Drawing on his background in technology and his passion for helping others, Kevin shares how concerns about mental health and suicide led him to rethink how support systems are designed. From using football as a vehicle to teach resilience and belonging among young people, to developing innovative AI and text-based tools that place people before data, Kevin offers a fresh perspective on wellbeing and prevention. Together, they discuss: ⚽ Building resilience in children through sport and community 💙 Why mental health support should begin long before a crisis occurs 🤖 The opportunities and limits of artificial intelligence in mental health 📱 Creating technology that prioritises human connection and trust 🌏 How travel, migration and life experiences shaped Kevin's outlook 🤝 The importance of belonging, relationships and support networks 🔍 Why people should always come before systems and statistics Warm, practical and deeply purpose-driven, this conversation offers an inspiring look at how compassion, innovation and community can come together to create meaningful change.

Steven Oates at 50: Pride, Freedom and a Life of Community

In this special Pride Month conversation, I sit down with long-time Rainbow community advocate and media personality Steven Oates for an intimate and deeply personal discussion about identity, family, freedom and the changing landscape of LGBTQ+ communities. Rather than focusing on titles and achievements, this episode explores the person behind the public profile. Steven reflects on growing up in Taupō, the profound influence of his parents, becoming involved in community activism and media, and the importance of living life without being defined by other people's opinions. Together, we discuss: ✨ The love and acceptance Steven received from his parents ✨ Finding purpose through community and storytelling ✨ How Queer Nation and community media shaped his journey ✨ Turning 50 and entering a new chapter of life ✨ Why freedom begins when we stop worrying about what others think ✨ Social media, generational change and the evolving Rainbow community ✨ The importance of history, gratitude and making space for younger voices ✨ Why everyone has a story worth listening to Throughout the conversation, Steven shares his characteristic humour, warmth and honesty, offering reflections on ageing, belonging, activism and what truly matters. A thoughtful conversation about authenticity, legacy and the courage to simply be yourself.

From Unemployment to Peer Support Specialist Conversation With Shelwin Khan

From unemployment and years of struggling with mental health and addiction challenges, to becoming a leader in the lived experience workforce, Shelwin Khan shares his remarkable journey into peer support. In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Shelwin speaks openly about finding purpose through lived experience, the realities of rebuilding confidence after long-term unemployment, and why peer support has transformed his life. He also discusses the growing professionalisation of the peer workforce, the importance of training and volunteering, and what employers are looking for when hiring peer support workers. This conversation offers hope for anyone considering a career in peer support and provides an honest look at both the rewards and challenges of walking alongside others on their recovery journeys. From years of unemployment to becoming a peer support leader, Shelwin Khan shares how lived experience, recovery, and purpose shaped his journey and what it really takes to work in peer support.

Athlete. Music Executive. Entrepreneur. Migrant. The Extraordinary Journey of A.K. Yap

A.K. has lived many lives. She grew up in poverty, survived a difficult childhood, became a national-level athlete, built a career in the music industry, started and ran her own successful business, left everything behind, became an international student at 40, and then rebuilt her life again in New Zealand. From growing up in a one-bedroom flat in Kuala Lumpur to leading organisations in New Zealand, A.K. Yap's story is one of resilience, humility, and continual reinvention. In this episode, we explore migration, identity, burnout, leadership, and the courage to begin again. A conversation that reminds us that success is not just about achievement, but about finding meaning, balance, and becoming who we are meant to be.

Intercultural Navigation Workshop

What do migrants bring in their luggage besides clothes? Migration is never just about moving countries — it is about carrying invisible luggage: identity, language, hopes, grief, values, responsibilities, and ways of understanding the world. This workshop explores the migrant journey through a unique, practical lens of intercultural communication, helping participants better understand the hidden challenges many migrants face as they adapt to a new environment. Using powerful metaphors, real-life stories, and cross-cultural frameworks, the workshop unpacks how culture shapes the way we communicate, build trust, make decisions, seek support, and navigate belonging. Topics explored include: • The migrant journey and hidden challenges of settlement • Why communication styles differ across cultures • Individualistic vs collective cultures • High-context and low-context communication • Trust, relationships, hierarchy, and cultural expectations • The experience of 1.5 and second-generation migrants navigating two worlds • Practical ways to strengthen intercultural understanding and connection. Grounded in lived experience, migration realities, and established intercultural communication frameworks, this workshop invites participants to move beyond assumptions and deepen understanding of how culture shapes everyday interactions — in communities, workplaces, services, and relationships. Whether you work with migrant communities, lead diverse teams, or simply want to better understand the human experience of migration, this workshop offers practical insights into building stronger connections, communication, and a sense of belonging.