UIOK 37: Irene Wakefield, everything starts with you

Konnichi Wa everyone. You’re tuning in to the Uncomfortable is OK podcast. I’m your host Chris Desmond. I’m just back in New Zealand this week after a very cool trip to Hong Kong and Japan, and getting in to the swing of things again. I met some cool people, saw some pretty impressive things, and had a few uncomfortable experiences myself which I’ll tell you more about next week. In today’s episode I have the privilege of sitting down to a conversation with Irene Wakefield, co-founder of PrePair NZ. Through PrePair NZ Irene is helping tackle the issues that young people in New Zealand face about abusive relationships. They have the dream of making New Zealand a country that has no domestic violence. This may seem like a radical idea to some, however as Irene points out, what was once radical is now normal. Irene is an intelligent, insightful, well spoken, courageous young woman and I think you’ll definitely enjoy listening to her. Today we talk relationships. Irene speaks about some of the drivers of abusive relationships in New Zealand. We chat about identifying abusive signals early, and how people can often not be aware of their unhealthy relationships until they get to breaking point. Irene isn’t just looking to stop abuse, she wants to teach young people how to have healthy relationships. These healthy relationships start with the relationship that we have with ourselves. Irene shares with us how she has found out more about herself, which has led to an improved relationship with herself. She lets us know what she does to maintain the health of the relationship she has with herself. Irene has an important voice on an important mission and is someone you will be hearing a lot more from in this space in the future. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to get uncomfortable with me and Irene today.   Guest: Irene Wakefield PrePair NZ Facebook Instagram Twitter Host: Chris Desmond Facebook Instagram Twitter Music: Jeremy Desmond Music