Olivia
Online
Authentic Leadership Podcast
@ivanseanyeo
“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
Inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung.
New Zealand
Joined May 2013
273 Following
255 Followers
471 Posts
What was it like to live through the HIV/AIDS epidemic?
In this moving conversation, Mark reflects on one of the darkest chapters in LGBTQ+ history. He shares the heartbreak of losing friends, the painful memory of someone who wanted a final haircut before taking his own life, and the survivor's guilt that stayed with him after watching so many people around him become ill or die.
This conversation is more than a story about HIV. It is about grief, resilience, remembrance, and the lasting impact the epidemic had on an entire generation of LGBTQ+ people.
Their stories deserve to be heard—not only to honour those who were lost, but to help future generations understand the history that shaped the community we know today.
If this conversation resonated with you, please consider sharing it so these stories continue to be remembered. https://t.co/wZuE5t9Zr5
#lgbtqia #pride #parkinsonsdisease #gayhistory #LGBTQSeniors #mentalhealth #recovery #addictionrecovery #loneliness #ageing #resilience #AuthenticityStudio #IvanYeo #podcast
Growing up openly gay in a small conservative town during the 1960s and 70s came with unimaginable risks.
In this powerful excerpt, Mark reflects on the hatred his family experienced, including having slurs painted across his father's business, and shares—for the first time in many years—the traumatic sexual assault he survived as a teenager.
His story is not simply about violence. It is about resilience, survival, and giving voice to experiences that many LGBTQ+ people carried in silence for decades.
By listening to stories like Mark's, we honour those who endured so that future generations could live with greater freedom and acceptance.
If this conversation moved you, please consider sharing it. Stories like these deserve to be remembered https://t.co/wZuE5t9Zr5
#LGBTQ #Pride #Parkinsons #GayHistory #LGBTQSeniors #MentalHealth #Recovery #AddictionRecovery #Loneliness #Ageing #Resilience #AuthenticityStudio #IvanYeo #Podcast
After moving into a nursing home, Mark wondered whether anyone in the LGBTQ+ community still remembered him.
Everything changed when a simple Instagram post by Huck Smith reached thousands of people around the world. Within days, messages began arriving from Australia, Canada, the UK, Singapore, France, the Philippines, South America, and beyond. Friends from decades ago reconnected, strangers reached out with kindness, and Mark discovered that he was far from forgotten.
In this heartfelt conversation, Mark reflects on the extraordinary ripple effect that one small act of kindness can have. His story is a reminder that we never truly know how a simple message, a conversation, or a moment of compassion might change someone's life.
Sometimes, all it takes is one person to throw a small pebble into a big pond—and the ripples can travel further than we ever imagine.
Full Podcast https://t.co/wZuE5t9Zr5
#lgbtqia #pride #parkinsonsdisease #gayhistory #LGBTQSeniors #mentalhealth #recovery #addictionrecovery #loneliness #ageing #resilience #AuthenticityStudio #IvanYeo #podcast
"If I could go back in time… I wouldn't change a thing."
When asked what she would tell her younger self, Sophie Jing didn't speak about regrets.
She spoke about reflection.
Every decision she made was the best decision she could make in that moment.
Every challenge became part of who she is today.
Without those constraints, she believes she couldn't have become the person she is now.
Her message to the next generation of women isn't to be brave.
It's to keep being yourselves.
To support one another.
To continue growing.
And to remember that whenever you look back, there are generations of women standing behind you.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#WomenSupportingWomen #PersonalGrowth #Reflection #Authenticity #Women'sVoices #Leadership #SophieJing #AuthenticLeadership #IvanYeo #LifelongLearning
More Than a Grandmother: A Legacy of Curiosity and Courage
"Don't stop reading the world."
When Sophie Jing became a mother, this was the first advice her grandmother gave her.
Not how to raise a child.
Not how to be a better mother.
Instead she said:
"Keep your radar open. Becoming a mum doesn't mean closing your door to the world."
Born in 1935, Sophie's grandmother believed education never ends.
She collected newspaper articles, filled notebooks with reflections, wrote diaries throughout her life, and encouraged Sophie to question, think critically, and stay curious.
Perhaps her greatest lesson wasn't about being a strong woman.
It was about living as a curious human being.
A legacy that continues to shape generations.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#Grandmother #Legacy #Women'sWisdom #LifelongLearning #Education #AuthenticLeadership #PersonalGrowth #SophieJing #IvanYeo #Curiosity
Connecting Generations of Women | Sophie Jing's PhD Journey
"What happens when our grandmothers are no longer here?"
That question became the foundation of Sophie's PhD.
Her grandmother is now 91 years old, and Sophie realised that when a generation passes, their stories, wisdom, and lived experiences can disappear with them.
Instead of simply interviewing participants, Sophie is creating conversations across generations.
She begins by listening to the women who came before her.
Then she invites young women to engage with those stories, not as research subjects, but as co-researchers—free to ask questions, reflect, and discover their own voices.
Because preserving knowledge isn't just about recording the past.
It's about creating a bridge between the women who came before and the women who will shape the future and us.
📷 Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast. https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#WomensStories #IntergenerationalWisdom #PhDJourney #Identity #Belonging #Women'sVoices #AuthenticLeadership #Research #SophieJing #IvanYeo
"Identity isn't something you have. It's something you keep becoming."
That was one of the most powerful insights from Sophie's research with Chinese families in New Zealand.
Parents weren't asking,
"Should my child be more Chinese or more Kiwi?"
Instead, they were asking a different question:
"How do I raise a kind, empathetic human being?"
For many families, culture wasn't just about language or festivals. It was about values, belonging, and embracing the richness of living in a multicultural society—including learning from Māori values.
Perhaps identity isn't about choosing between cultures.
Perhaps it's about continuing to grow through them.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#Identity #Belonging #Multicultural #ChineseKiwi #Parenting #Education #Kindness #AuthenticLeadership #SophieJing #IvanYeo
"I want to be a bridge between China and New Zealand."
Those were the words Sophie Jing spoke in broken English when she first arrived in New Zealand as an international student.
Many around her were afraid to speak.
She chose to stand up.
Years later, after becoming a mother, the same question returned in a different form:
How do I raise a daughter who is confident in who she is across two cultures?
That question became more than a personal journey. It inspired a Master's in Education, published research, and now a PhD exploring identity, belonging, and the experiences of Chinese women growing up between cultures.
Sometimes a single sentence spoken with courage can shape an entire life's work.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#Identity #Belonging #ChineseNewZealander #Migration #Education #WomenInResearch #AuthenticLeadership #CulturalIdentity #SophieJing #IvanYeo
One question changed Sophie's life.
After moving to New Zealand with her one-year-old daughter, Sophie embraced life as a full-time mum. But one question stayed with her:
"How do I raise a child who can thrive between two cultures?"
Rather than leaving it unanswered, she turned it into a journey of discovery—one that led her to complete a Master's in Education and pursue a PhD exploring identity, belonging, and the experiences of young women growing up between cultures.
Sometimes our greatest purpose begins with a simple question.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast.
#Motherhood #Identity #Belonging #ChineseKiwi #Education #PhDJourney #AuthenticLeadership #LifelongLearning #SophieJing #IvanYeo
Five years ago, Sophie Jing couldn't imagine running a marathon.
Her first 5km felt impossible.
But one run became another. Then 10km. Then a half-marathon.
Eventually, standing at the start line of the Auckland Marathon, she made herself one simple promise:
"If I get tired... I can always walk."
She finished.
What started as an exercise during COVID became a journey of resilience, reflection, and discovering what she was truly capable of.
Sometimes the biggest victories don't begin with confidence.
They begin with simply taking the first step.
🎙️ Watch the full conversation on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/JH9SBRjpMB
#Marathon #RunningJourney #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #AuthenticLeadership #SophieJing #Mindset #Running #Inspiration #IvanYeo
"The Irish are the official gypsies of the world."
Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Kevin McAfee arrived in New Zealand more than twenty years ago after travelling around the world with little more than a ticket and a sense of adventure.
What struck him most wasn't just the sunshine.
It was the diversity.
Coming from a society where communities were more homogeneous, Kevin was drawn to the richness of cultures and the sense that people from different backgrounds had come together simply to build a better life.
And if there's one piece of travel wisdom he swears by?
If you're ever alone somewhere in the world, find an Irish pub.
Because, as Kevin jokes, you'll probably meet someone who knows someone you know — and at the very least, you'll leave with a few new friends.
📷 A warm and humorous conversation with Kevin McAfee on the Authentic Leadership Podcast.https://t.co/gXsO8fmyuG
#Migration #Belonging #Ireland #NewZealand #AuthenticLeadershipPodcast
One year ago, I started this journey with a simple belief: every person's story deserves to be heard.
Today, we've reached 100,000 subscribers.
Behind this milestone are countless hours of recording, editing, posting, and preparing a new podcast every single week. There were many moments when I wondered if anyone was listening or whether it would ever lead anywhere. But I kept going because I believed that every story matters, and each conversation has the power to touch someone's life.
Over the past year, more than 40 incredible guests have generously shared their stories, wisdom, insights, and lived experiences. Their openness is what has made this community what it is today.
This milestone doesn't belong to me alone. It belongs to every guest who trusted me with their story, every subscriber who watched, listened, shared, commented, and encouraged me to keep going, and everyone who believed in what I was trying to build.
Reaching 100,000 subscribers is a wonderful achievement, but what means even more is knowing that together we've created a space where authentic conversations can inspire, connect, and remind people that they are not alone.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. This is your achievement as much as it is mine.
Here's to many more stories, many more conversations, and continuing to celebrate the people who make our communities richer through their experiences.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
"People don't always know what's wrong. They just know they don't feel right."
That simple observation led Kevin McAfee to create AI For You, a multilingual AI companion designed to help people take the first step towards support.
Available by phone, text or voice, AI For You isn't designed to replace counsellors, psychologists or peer support workers.
In fact, Kevin is clear:
"Artificial intelligence should never replace people. It should help people find people."
Built with empathy and accessibility in mind, AI For You listens, responds in multiple languages, and guides individuals towards trusted professional and community support.
Because before someone asks for help, they often need a safe place to begin.
🎙️ In this episode of the Authentic Leadership Podcast, Kevin shares his vision for a future where technology strengthens human connection rather than replaces it https://t.co/gXsO8fmyuG
#MentalHealth #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalHealth #SuicidePrevention #Leadership #AuthenticLeadershipPodcast
"People aren't interested in giving you data when they're in crisis. They want to know that someone cares."
When Kevin McAfee learned about the impact of suicide within New Zealand's construction sector, he realised something important.
Many solutions were designed around collecting information.
But what if we started with people instead?
Drawing on years of research and conversations with psychologists and researchers around the world, Kevin created Wellbeing Solutions with one simple philosophy:
People first. Data second.
Using personalised, multilingual text messaging, individuals can reach out confidentially, receive immediate support, and be connected with professional help within minutes. Follow-up systems ensure that no one is forgotten and no one falls through the cracks.
Because technology should never replace human connection.
It should strengthen it.
📷 Listen to my conversation with Kevin McAfee on the Authentic Leadership Podcast https://t.co/gXsO8fmyuG
#MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #DigitalHealth #Wellbeing #Leadership #AuthenticLeadershipPodcast
"We can't just focus on today's problems. We also have to think about tomorrow."
After becoming aware of the impact of mental health challenges within the construction sector, Kevin McAfee realised that while support services are essential, something important was missing — resilience.
Wanting to give back to the country that had given him so much, Kevin began asking a different question:
What if we started earlier?
Through his Kickstart programme, football became the vehicle for teaching young people that mistakes are part of life, that asking for support is okay, and that no one has to face challenges alone.
What began with children has grown into something much bigger, influencing parents, schools and communities across South Auckland.
Perhaps one of the most important things we can give the next generation is not perfection, but the confidence to bounce back.
📷 Listen to my conversation with Kevin McAfee on the Authentic Leadership Podcast. https://t.co/gXsO8fmyuG
#YouthWellbeing #Resilience #MentalHealth #SouthAuckland #FootballForGood #AuthenticLeadershipPodcast #DigitalAge #Belonging #suicideprevention #wellbeingsolutions #mentalhealthandwellbeing #aiandmentalhealth
#kevinmcafee
What if sport could teach more than just how to win?
Over the past seven years, Kevin McAfee has been using football as a vehicle to help young people develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Through the Kickstarts programme, children learn that making mistakes is okay, that what matters most is what you do next, and that having people around you who will support and encourage you makes all the difference.
Working across seven schools and a club of more than 140 young people in South Auckland, Kickstarts is about far more than football. It is about equipping children with the life skills they will carry into adulthood.
Because resilience isn't something we're born with. It's something we learn.
🎙️ Listen to my conversation with Kevin McAfee on the Authentic Leadership Podcast. https://t.co/gXsO8fmyuG
❤️ Behind every life is a story. Behind many stories is love.
Towards the end of our conversation, I asked Steven Oates if we could pause for a moment and celebrate the people who shaped him most — his parents, Horace John and Marcia.
As Steven shared stories of growing up in Taupō, travelling the world with his mum, and having a father who never hesitated to say "I love you," I couldn't help but reflect on how much of who he is today was nurtured by the love and acceptance he received.
His father was calm, patient and deeply affectionate.
His mother was fiery, energetic and full of life.
Different personalities, but equally loving.
And perhaps that's the beautiful thing.
Love doesn't have to look the same to leave a lasting impact.
Yet Steven is also quick to acknowledge that not everyone grows up with the same experience.
And with characteristic compassion, he reminds us that those who come from difficult families can still find their way.
"People can still be survivors and have fantastic lives."
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts parents can give is simple:
To love their children and allow them to become who they are.
🎙️ Authentic Leadership Podcast with Ivan Yeo https://t.co/7ce1NzEER0
#StevenOates #Family #Parents #Love #Acceptance #AuthenticLeadership #Pride #RainbowCommunity #HumanStories #Legacy #Belonging #Gratitude #NewZealand
The Importance of Knowing Our Queer History
🌈 "Every generation wants its moment."
When I asked Steven Oates where he thinks the Rainbow community is heading, his answer was thoughtful and honest.
Looking back over decades of activism and community life, Steven believes that every generation seeks meaning, purpose and a cause to rally around. That desire to be seen and heard, and to make a difference, is deeply human.
But he also wonders whether, in our search for change, we sometimes forget those who came before us.
"Honey, there are many people who paved the way for you."
For Steven, understanding our queer whakapapa and recognising the struggles and victories of earlier generations isn't about limiting progress. It's about remembering that we stand on the shoulders of others.
He also offers a gentle reminder that allies matter.
"The problem comes when you push too far on some things. People who may have been allies for a long time can become tired and disconnected."
And perhaps, in a world that often feels divided and reactive, his closing words are an invitation to all of us:
"Everyone needs to just relax a little bit."
🎙️ Authentic Leadership Podcast with Ivan Yeo https://t.co/7ce1NzEER0
#StevenOates #RainbowCommunity #Pride #LGBTQ #QueerHistory #Belonging #Community #AuthenticLeadership #Storytelling #Generations #Identity #NewZealand #DigitalAge #Storytelling #QueerHistory
📷 Have we lost part of our human connection?
Reflecting on how technology has changed the way we relate to one another, Steven Oates shares an observation from decades of community life.
While younger generations are incredibly skilled at communicating online, he wonders whether something important is being lost when face-to-face conversations become uncomfortable.
"We were just in the same room half an hour ago and you didn't say any of this. But now you can say it through text."
For Steven, this isn't about blaming young people. Technology and social media are here to stay. The challenge is learning how to work with them without losing the human connections that help us understand one another.
Perhaps the question isn't whether technology is good or bad.
It's how we can remain deeply human in an increasingly digital world.
📷 Authentic Leadership Podcast with Ivan Yeo https://t.co/7ce1NzEER0
#StephenOates #AuthenticLeadership #HumanConnection #SocialMedia #Community #Communication #MentalHealth #Belonging #DigitalAge #Storytelling #Connection #NewZealand
"When I was younger, we were all in it together."
Reflecting on decades of community life, Steven Oates shares a concern he never expected to have.
While social media has brought many positives, he believes it has also created echo chambers that amplify division, pushing people into tribes and making it easier to find others who reinforce our fears, prejudices and beliefs.
"Algorithms end up putting you into this tribe. We become tribes."
For Steven, one of the greatest challenges facing humanity isn't technology itself, but what happens when we lose our ability to listen, disagree and remain connected.
He also reflects on the Rainbow community he remembers — a time when people from all walks of life gathered in the same spaces and, despite their differences, felt they belonged together.
"There was no separation. We were all in it together. But it feels like now we feel more divided than ever before."
A thoughtful and honest conversation about community, belonging and what we might lose when we stop seeing each other beyond our tribes.
📷 Authentic Leadership Podcast with Ivan Yeo https://t.co/7ce1NzEER0
#StephenOates #RainbowCommunity #LGBTQ #AuthenticLeadership #SocialMedia #Belonging #Community #HumanConnection #Identity #Pride #NewZealand #Storytelling #Algorithms #Connection
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