Interview #14: Michael Hurst! Iolaus and Director of “A Day in the Life” 💪⚔️💛 + SO MUCH MORE episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 18, 2026 · 1H 39M

Interview #14: Michael Hurst! Iolaus and Director of “A Day in the Life” 💪⚔️💛 + SO MUCH MORE

from Xena: Warrior Nutballs · host xenawarriornutballs

Golden curls, heroic biceps, and a whole lot of Kiwi charm, this week we’re joined by Aotearoa legend Michael Hurst (ONZM) ✨   Xena fans will know Michael across the wider Xenaverse: from his iconic turn as the ever-loyal hero Iolaus in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 💪⚔️, to popping up in Xena: Warrior Princess as Nigel and the delightfully grumpy ferryman Charon ⛵🔥. But his impact on the show goes far beyond what we see on screen. Michael also stepped behind the camera to direct some truly memorable episodes 🎬.   Most famously, he directed the fan-voted favourite “A Day in the Life” (S02E15) 🐟    The beloved episode that gave us fishing, bickering, and peak domestic subtext chaos between Xena  and Gabrielle ⚔️📜💛.    He also helmed unforgettable episodes like “A Tale of Two Muses” (S04E06), “Lifeblood” (S05E16), “Antony & Cleopatra” (S05E18), “Who’s Gurkhan?” (S06E4), and “To Helicon and Back” (S06E15).   In this episode we chat about the wild early days of the Kiwi screen industry 🎥, and what it was like helping shape one of the most beloved shows of the ’90s, both in front of the camera and behind it. It’s a joyful kōrero (conversation), full of laughs and stories, with one of the great creative forces of the Xenaverse 🌟.   Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raunchy_twyford/    Keep up with Michael's work: http://michaelhurstnow.com/    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

Golden curls, heroic biceps, and a whole lot of Kiwi charm, this week we’re joined by Aotearoa legend Michael Hurst (ONZM) ✨   Xena fans will know Michael across the wider Xenaverse: from his iconic turn as the ever-loyal hero Iolaus in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys 💪⚔️, to popping up in Xena: Warrior Princess as Nigel and the delightfully grumpy ferryman Charon ⛵🔥. But his impact on the show goes far beyond what we see on screen. Michael also stepped behind the camera to direct some truly memorable episodes 🎬.   Most famously, he directed the fan-voted favourite “A Day in the Life” (S02E15) 🐟    The beloved episode that gave us fishing, bickering, and peak domestic subtext chaos between Xena  and Gabrielle ⚔️📜💛.    He also helmed unforgettable episodes like “A Tale of Two Muses” (S04E06), “Lifeblood” (S05E16), “Antony & Cleopatra” (S05E18), “Who’s Gurkhan?” (S06E4), and “To Helicon and Back” (S06E15).   In this episode we chat about the wild early days of the Kiwi screen industry 🎥, and what it was like helping shape one of the most beloved shows of the ’90s, both in front of the camera and behind it. It’s a joyful kōrero (conversation), full of laughs and stories, with one of the great creative forces of the Xenaverse 🌟.   Follow Michael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raunchy_twyford/    Keep up with Michael's work: http://michaelhurstnow.com/    Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578930248317    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xenawarriornutballs/

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Interview #14: Michael Hurst! Iolaus and Director of “A Day in the Life” 💪⚔️💛 + SO MUCH MORE

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KUDEN! Radio — Ninja Strategy, Warrior Mindset, and the Path of the Modern Protector Jeffrey M. Miller KUDEN! Radio (pronounced KOO-den) explores strategy, perception, and warrior philosophy for the modern protector navigating an uncertain world. “Kuden” refers to teachings passed directly from teacher to student—insights that go beyond written instruction. This podcast carries that tradition forward, examining the deeper principles behind Ninjutsu and how they apply to real-world conflict, decision-making, and personal development. Hosted by Dai-Shihan Jeffrey Miller—senior master-teacher of Ninjutsu and director of Warrior Concepts International—each episode goes beyond techniques to focus on awareness, adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking. Topics include situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, the psychology of conflict, and training the mind and body to respond effectively when it matters most. New episodes stream live weekly and are available across major podcast platforms. Learn more: https://onlineninjaacademy.com/kudenpodcast/ Explicit WARRIOR ON FIRE WARRIOR EMPIRE Warrior On Fire is designed to do two things for you: Unleash your power as a modern warrior man, and apply a new conversation of spirituality into 4 key components of life: Body, Being (Spirituality), Balance (Relationships) & Business. Explicit Xena: Warrior Podcast Vera, Katie, and Livy Xena: Warrior Podcast is a weekly show where three film school grads (Vera, Katie, and Livy) over-analyze the Hades out of Xena: Warrior Princess. This 90's classic deserves more critical attention and appreciation within the television canon, and that's where we come in. Watch along with us as we revisit Xena from the beginning. Explicit Rogue Ways Lindsey Scharmyn Spiritual Healer and Teacher, Tarot Loving Maniac, and Rogue Warrior -- Rogue Ways explores consciousness, community, conspiracy, and our endless creative power as divine beings. Come play. Explicit

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This episode is 1 hour and 39 minutes long.

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This episode was published on March 18, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Golden curls, heroic biceps, and a whole lot of Kiwi charm, this week we’re joined by Aotearoa legend Michael Hurst (ONZM) ✨   Xena fans will know Michael across the wider Xenaverse: from his iconic turn as the ever-loyal hero Iolaus in Hercules:...

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