Celebrating an Inspiring Kiwi Living Well - Ilona Rodgers

Ilona Rodgers became a household name in New Zealand in the 1980s with her role of Maxine Redfern in the iconic TV show Gloss. Now, at nearly 84, Ilona is still as vibrant as ever. Still active, and living with a sense of purpose that most people spend a lifetime trying to find. In this Mothers Day special, the legendary New Zealand actress sits down with Hannah and Mark to reflect on a life that has spanned continents, stages, and generations. From performing live television in the early days of Doctor Who to becoming a household name in Gloss, and now living on a 24-acre property in North Canterbury. Some of the topics we cover include: + What it was like performing live-to-air television in the 1960s (no edits, no safety net, no second chances) + The reality of aging brightly, and why curiosity is so important. + Falling in love, marriage, and 50 years of partnership + Life on a farm: tree planting, sheep, and slowing down (whether you like it or not) + The emotional truth about death, and why Ilona isn’t afraid of it + And why community and purpose become everything as you get older. This episode is about acting, aging, loss, curiosity, and what it really means to live a good life and to Age Brightly. Live well and independent for longer. Get your whole of person assessment at www.agebrightly.co.nz The Next Bit Hosts are: Hannah McQueen - Founder of Brightly Mark Leishman - New Zealand TV and Radio Broadcaster Join our community! We love to hear your feedback and questions. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenextbitpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584248556816 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thenextbitpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thenextbitpodcast This podcast was written and produced by the amazing team at PodLab www.podlab.nz