PODCAST · society
Tall Poppy Talk
by Grace Lewis
Tall Poppy Syndrome, it's a social phenomenon, we all know, but don't often unpack. Kia ora, my name is Grace Lewis and I am on a mission to change the conversation around tall poppy syndrome. By focusing on the positives, rather than weaponising people's success, we can grow more Tall Poppies and fuel a culture that is based on genuine celebration of people's achievements. Join me as I interview legendary people who are [tall poppies] in their field, about their experience - & the lessons they've learned along the way.
Episodes
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[131] Operating at the Elite Level with Jess Cerra | Pro Cyclist, Elite VP at Salt Stick, Chef & Community Leader
Jess Cerra is a former professional cyclist, chef, entrepreneur, and now VP of Product & Community at SaltStick — but what threads it all together isn’t titles. It’s nourishment. In this episode, we unpack the “high performance bubble,” what happens when it bursts, and how Jess evolved (not...
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[130] The Mind of a Kiwi Filmmaker with Matt Hicks
Matt Hicks - Filmmaker, DJ, Producer & Creative - joins Tall Poppy Talk to unpack risk, storytelling, and backing yourself before anyone else does. #podcast #creative #producer #film #newzealand
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[129] How James Oliver Built a Million-Dollar Nutrition Brand
“You’re lucky to have the chance to even try. So don’t waste it.” Welcome James Oliver to Tall Poppy Talk!! CEO and founder of Atlas, what started as a personal need became a fast-scaling, million-dollar business rooted in science, low sugar, clean ingredients, and a founder who literally eats…
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[128] Always Becoming: Kate Laidler on acting, arts, and all things passion
Kia ora and welcome to this beautiful episode with KATE LAIDLER!! With a truly make-it-happen mentality, Kate shares with us her journey from those first afterschool acting classes to expanding her creative skills in constant search of growth as an actor, writer, model and more. From moving…
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[127] Kate Assaraf on Brand Building with Purpose (and Personality)
"It's an unbelievable feeling when a stranger buys your product more than once. It just is." – Kate Assaraf, Founder & CEO of Dip. Kate is a boundary-pushing founder and CEO of Dip, the waterless beauty brand making high-performance hair care a whole lot more sustainable — and a whole lot more…
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[126] Navigating Tall Poppy Syndrome in Extreme Sports with Mitch Lamb
"If the camera wasn't there, would you still do something?" - Mitch Lamb, Kiwi whitewater kayaker, adventure athlete, and all-round good mate. In this episode with my dear mate Mitch, he opens up about his journey from small-town New Zealand to leading programs around the globe with World Class...
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[125] Performance Nutritionist & Registered Dietitian Jessie Speedy: The importance of a balanced approach to nutrition and life
Kia ora! In this episode of Tall Poppy Talk we dive into the inspiring journey of Jessie Speedy, a passionate competitive distance runner and New Zealand registered dietitian. Jessie shares her unique blend of elite sports performance and real-world nutrition, offering insights into her private...
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[124] Growing Through It. Solo session ft. AMAs, life updates, and general 1:1
"If I wouldn't ask for your advice, why do I care about your opinon?" Kia ora team, I have missed you. I'm officially back on my weekly episode pursuit and SO hyped about that. Please join me today for a little 1:1 catch up with a three-part-ep starting with 'Growing through it,' then 'Tall Poppy...
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[123] Live Sports Broadcasting: The Thrill and Responsibility with Kate Mason, TNT Presenter, SJA-awarded columnist and documentary maker.
"I'm an enthusiast" - Kate Mason, an SJA award-winning columnist and documentary maker, TNT sports presenter and broadcaster. On today's episode we discuss Kate's journey in sports broadcasting, her experiences covering major events like the Olympics, and the importance of enthusiasm and…
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[122] celebrating NZ music month with Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds [re-release]
re-release of Tūranga Morgan-Edmonds, originally aired 17th December 2022. THANK YOU TU!! Go listen to NZ music, Alien Weaponry, and enjoy this podcast episode too. p.s. recording quality continues to grow, please forgive my poor quality from 2022.
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[121] The Importance of Preparation and Opportunity with Megg Alexander | Actress, Creative, Shortland Street Star
"Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness" - Megg Alexander, Actress & Creative. Megg, a rising New Zealand actress, shares her journey in the acting industry, discussing the realities of her profession, the challenges of accent training, and her personal growth. Get ready for a fun-filled,...
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[120] The mindset of an artist with Cyril Riley, global phenomenon | RE-RELEASE
"I was just born for music" - Cyril Riley. Re-release from one year ago, as Cyril Riley's "Stumblin' In" was transforming his life. Flash forward, and what Cyril has accomplished in this past year is motivating, exciting, and indicative to his character. Thank you Cyril. Take home message: Enjoy...
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[119] Protect your Identity, Brand and Value EARLY | Sports Lawyer ANGE RICHARDSON talks ambition, athletes and reputation management
"Do not apologize for your Ambition" - Angelique Richardson, leading UK Sports Lawyer. Ange joins TPT for a super relevant discussion around athlete identity. We talk about her journey in sports law, the complexities of representing athletes, and the importance of reputation management. We…
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[118] Why am I doing this? #solosession
After some time away, I am BACK with a purpose and passion. Remembering WHY I wanted to start the Tall Poppy Talk podcast in the first place, and how this has evolved in the past 2.5 years, has been a beautiful exercise... so, Kia ora & welcome back to my weekly podcast episodes!! THANK YOU!!...
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[117] The Power of Authentic Storytelling with David Pangilinan | Senior Manager of Market & Cultural Intelligence at Paramount, aka @DavidIsHereNow Content Creator
"Say yes to opportunities that scare you" - David Pangilinan, Senior Manager of Market & Cultural Intelligence at Paramount, aka @DavidIsHereNow. David Pangilinan, blesses the podcast in this episode to share insights on cultural intelligence, the importance of personality in the workplace, and…
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[116] Ability vs Capacity: Exploring Low Energy Availability in Women's Sport with Hannah Heideveld
"Just because you have the ability to do something, that doesn't mean it's going to happen. Because sometimes you have the capacity and sometimes you don't. We're not robots, we're humans with emotions and things happen" - Hannah Heideveld. In this episode of Tall Poppy Talk, elite athlete Hannah...
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[115] Turning Intention into Action and Reigniting the 'Fire' | Glenda Mitchell
"If you think about it mathematically, if I celebrate your success and you celebrate someone else's success and somebody else celebrates my success, we all get celebrated and we don't have to boast anymore. So we can actually takethe boasting, bragging, all of that stuff off the table." - Glenda...
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[114] Intertwining Identity & Business with Georgia Patten | Bored.George Founder + CEO | Bored to Bored Podcaster
"Be okay with failing. Don't dwell on the failures. So when you fail, just have a little cry and then, you know, half an hour later, get back up and try again or try something new because if you do dwell you're not only going to waste time but you're probably not going to be resilient enough to...
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[113] Slow is Smooth. Smooth is Fast ... 2025 intentions, reflections, & power plays
"You have to put yourself first, not because you matter more but because you're not doing anyone justice when you show up at 60%" Kicking off Season FIVE of Tall Poppy Talk. Join me for a solo-episode, where I reflect on 2024 with a mindset of recognizing all the good things & deciding what…
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[112] Self Taught to Soaring Success | Rachel Lancaster, Canadian Mural Artist + Content Creator
"My answer is always Yes" - Rachel Lancaster, Mural Artist + Content Creator. Rachel is a self-taught artist from Canada, who joins Tall Poppy Talk today to share her journey from a casual painter to a full-time mural artist. She discusses the misconceptions people have about her work, her unique...
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[111] High Performing in Hospitality with General Manager Rebecca Thorn | Hotel Indigo, Tokyo Shibuya
"I have a voice and it can be loud, so for me I have this responsibility to use that voice for to pave the way for other people" - Rebecca Thorn, General Manager at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya. Rebecca, a hospitality industry expert & general manager at Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, joins us on Tall...
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[110] Jake Thistle | Singer-Songwriter talks Writing, Musical Inspiration, & the lifelong journey of Finding Your Sound
"And for whatever reason, it just mesmerized me. It's sort of that moment I became a person, I became conscious" - Jake Thistle, Musician & Singer-Songwriter. During this kōrero, Jake shares his journey as a singer-songwriter, discussing the early influences that shaped his love for music, his...
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[109] High Performance in Sports Media with Emmy-Award winner Tanner Smith | Director of Video & Photography at New York Road Runners #NYCMarathon
"Sports lends itself to chaos" - Tanner Smith, Emmy-Award winning Producer & Director. On this special episode of Tall Poppy Talk, we have Tanner Smith who is the Director of Video & Photography at the New York Road Runners (think NYC Marathon!!). He shares his journey in sports media, discussing...
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[108] When You Feel Bad, DO GOOD!! Alice Soper: Women's Sport (& social) Advocate, Writer & Commentator
"Everybody has their own version of success and wouldn't it be cooler if we were just telling those stories, rather than holding it up against some arbitrary marker" - Alice Soper, Advocate, Sports Writer & Community Commentator. Alice is always, always going to light a fire within me everytime…
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[107] Understanding our Brain's Protective Mechanism & identifying Mental Health micro gains with Dr. Tara Quinn
"And what we need to do is to remember that our brain is trying to keep us safe" - Dr. Tara Quinn, Chartered & HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist. In this kōrero, Dr. Tara Quinn, a seasoned counseling psychologist, shares her journey into the field of psychology, emphasizing the importance…
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[106] The Art of Adaptability with Devon Eastwood, Founder & Creative Director of Silver Linings Collective
"Having those people around you who are supporting you, encouraging you, & getting just as excited as you are" - Devon Eastwood, founder and creative director of Silver Linings Collective. In this wonderful kōrero, Devon shares her inspiring journey to being a successful entrepreneur in the…
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[105] Find Your Inner Power: A Path to Emotional Freedom with Jackie Durnin, EFT Practitioner & Counsellor, turned Founder of Hinterland Health Retreat
"Don't give up on therapy, the right fit is out there" - Jackie Durnin, Founder of Hinterland Health Retreat & EFT Practitioner. In this kōrero, Jackie shares her journey from trauma to healing, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional and alternative therapies for mental health. She...
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[104] Beyond the Olympic Medal: Logan Ullrich on Paris 2024, Embracing Pressure, and Giving Back to Rowing
"You have to push the boundaries of athletic performance and make that really interesting and really awesome. The race needs to be tight, the race needs to be fast. And then also you need someone to root for, you need someone to root against" - Logan Ullrich, Olympic Silver Medalist. Olympic…
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[103] Chasing Dreams: The Journey of Fraser Grut's 10,000 Dreams | Filmmaker, Director, Dream Celebrator
"The biggest thing I've learned and noticed, is that every single person lights up when they talk about their dream. It's like a portal into their soul" - Fraser Grut, the visionary filmmaker + director behind 10,000 Dreams. 10,000 Dreams is a life-long project dedicated to capturing the dreams…
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[102] 10 lessons from 101 episodes! *solo session* on finding your Voice, respecting your Worth, embracing your Ambition!!
101 Episodes of Tall Poppy Talk!!! Today is a solo episode (my first proper one!!) to reflect & dive into ten of the most impactful 'Lessons from Legends' I've encountered on this epic journey so far. Lachie Good: Invest in Yourself. Cyril Riley: I was already an Artist. Eleisha Foon: Humility is...
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[101] The Importance of BALANCE with Pro-Triathlete Eva Goodisson, New Zealand rep & UC Davis D1 Alum
"It's what kept me going. It also drove me crazy at times, but I think it is what kept me in the sport, kept me pushing " - Eva Goodisson, Professional Triathlete. Eva represents New Zealand in Triathlon, currently gearing up for the Rome World Cup this Saturday Oct 5th. Starting out as a...
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[100] Strive for Excellence not Perfection!! Broadway choreographer & world-class performer Mayte Natalio talks imposter syndrome, collaboration and cause #dancersforharris
"With excellence you can fail, and keep going, and keep striving" - Mayte Natalio, Broadway Choreographer, Performer & Artist. In this episode Mayte shares her journey from dancer to choreographer, the creative process behind her work, and the importance of storytelling in dance. In Mayte's debut...
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[99] YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS: Mark Berridge, from devastating spinal-injury to award-winning Author, Ted X Speaker, & resilience coach!
"Uncertainty is my friend" - Mark Berridge, award-winning Author & Ted X Speaker. Mark, author and motivational speaker, shares his journey of overcoming a severe spinal injury and finding hope and strength in the face of adversity. He emphasizes the importance of gratitude, generosity, and…
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[98] Ben Plummer | Journalist, Reporter, NZHerald
"There will always be a need for news" - Ben Plummer, Journalist with the New Zealand Herald. Ben, a multimedia journalist and reporter, joins Tall Poppy Talk to discuss his career path into journalism and the concept of high performance. He shares his passion for sports reporting and the...
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[97] Julia Arnott-Neenee | Director CEO + co-Founder Fibrefale, Digital Equity, Tech Leader
"If you have an awareness of an issue, do you have an immoral obligation to do something about it? ... Because I was aware of it, I had a moral obligation to try" - Julia Arnott-Neenee, Director CEO and co-Founder of FibreFale. In this episode of Tall Poppy Talk, Julia shares her journey in the...
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[96] Sari Davidson | Entrepreneur, Innovator, Start Up to $5+ Million Business 'BooginHead'
"What else can I excel at? It's a simple way of changing the narrative" - Sari Davidson, Entrepreneur and Leader. Sari, founder of BooginHead, joins Tall Poppy Talk today to share her entrepreneurial journey and insights on building a successful team, culture, and expanding company. We reflect on...
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[95] Rupert Carlyon | Founder + Managing Director Kōura Wealth, Financial Expert
"Actually money is good to talk about, and probably even more importantly, not having money and not being able to do stuff, is even better to talk about because that's how we start to prioritize" - Rupert Carlyon, Founder + Managing Director of Kōura Wealth, Aotearoa NZ. Rupert is an…
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[94] Lachie Good | Professional Freestyle Snowboard Coach & Mental Skills Coach
"In life its not what you say, its how you say it... and in this regard [Tall Poppy] its not what you say but How, Why, and Who is saying it" - Lachie Good, Professional Freestyle Snowboard Coach & Mental Skills Coach. Lachie Good is traveling the world coaching athletes on multi-month training...
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[93] Joseph Harawira | Wai Mānuka CEO + Co-founder, NZ Defence Force, NZ Rugby + NRL
"You have to show up every single day, and you can't shy away from those challenges either. The worst thing you can do is bury your head in the sand and pretend that its not happening, because it is happening, so just deal with it" - Joseph Harawira, CEO + Co-founder of Wai Mānuka. Terms used...
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[92] Genezy 'Ilolahia | The Moanan co-Founder, Psychology Specialist, Facilitator
"I think true humility is true confidence, in the sense of 'I know what I've got as well as I know my limitations" - Genezy 'Ilolahia. Gen is a Psychology Specialist and Co-founder of powerhouse social enterprise The Moanan. The Moanan has grown into something remarkable, and its only in the...
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[91] Stephanie Robles LPC-S | Licensed Counselor, Clinical Director of Mind Body Optimization, 15+ Years Experience
"You have to keep firm boundaries. Making sure that you have your own story that you're working on" - Stephanie Robles, LPC-S. Stephanie is the Clinical Director of Mind Body Optimization in Texas, USA. She is a licensed professional counselor, supervisor, and a leader. With over 15 years of...
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[90] Hamish McKay | CEO & Co-Founder of Order Editing, Entrepreneur
"I've been able to build this muscle over the last couple of years, where you can look in the mirror and say 'you are exceptional'" - Hamish McKay, CEO and co-founder of Order Editing. Hamish has committed to making his entrepreneurial pursuit public, documenting the journey and creating...
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[89] Brice Hancock | CEO Mile High Recovery Center, Founder, Sober Living, Entrepreneur
"I had to grief two and a half decades of my life, that I had lost to the disease of addiction" - Brice Hancock, CEO and Founder of Mile High Recovery Center. His passion for recovery and helping others to overcome their challenges, began with starting one sober house in Denver Colorado. Now, the...
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[88] Eleisha Foon | Award-winning Journalist, Reporter, Writer, Broadcaster
"Humility is a beautiful thing, but humility is also recognizing your ambitions. Its being self-aware and confident"- Eleisha Foon award-winning international journalist. Eleisha has over eight years of experience in television, online and radio. As a broadcasting professional she takes on many...
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[87] Cassie Henderson | Singer-songwriter, Artist, Entertainer, NZ X-Factor
"I spent a long time thinking that if I'm proud of anything, then it means you know, that I'm too much" - Cassie Henderson, singer-songwriter. Cassie Henderson, she’s a musician singer-songwriter, an entertainer, and in one word could be described as an artist. Her lyrics resonate whether you’re...
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[86] Gary Blackman | Serial Ultra Runner, Content Creator, 'Encourager'
“Every morning you have two choices, continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them" - Gary Blackman, runner & content creator. Gary is a serial ultra runner and marathon runner, and a sponsored member of the Altra Run Crew. & after grappling with injuries for years, Gary is…
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[85] Bailey Walters | Nutrition Specialist, Intuitive Eating, Food Psychology
"How you speak to yourself, it doesn't take anymore time... re-evaluate what you're actually saying and how you're saying it" - Bailey Walters, Nutrition Specialist. Bailey Walters is many things to a lot of people. To some she is their nutrition specialist, shaping futures by re-defining one’s...
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[84] Dr. James Flowers | Chronic Pain, Addiction & Recovery Expert, 30+ Years, CEO & Founder of J. Flowers Health Institute
"So, really the emotional impact is larger than the physical impact of pain" - Dr. James Flowers, Chronic Pain & Recovery expert. Dr. Flowers the founder of J. Flowers Health Institute. For over three decades Dr. Flowers has been one of the most recognized and respected names in the field of...
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[83] Mark Leishman | Broadcaster: Radio NZ, News, TV | Tux Wonder Dogs & other Kiwi classics
"My proudest moment... in a sense is longevity. The fact that I've lasted consistently, for a heck of a long time. And its been a lovely run. When I think back on my experiences, I can't believe how lucky I've been " - Mark Leishman, Broadcaster. Mark is a legend in New Zealand broadcasting. He…
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[82] Kobe Miller | NZ Rower, Northeastern University, Sport Leadership Student Athlete
"Not just celebrating other people, but celebrating yourself is quite important" - Kobe Miller. Kobe is currently rowing at Northeastern University, in Boston USA. Studying towards a Master of Sport Leadership. & he is fully embracing what the US collegiate experience has to offer while still...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tall Poppy Syndrome, it's a social phenomenon, we all know, but don't often unpack. Kia ora, my name is Grace Lewis and I am on a mission to change the conversation around tall poppy syndrome. By focusing on the positives, rather than weaponising people's success, we can grow more Tall Poppies and fuel a culture that is based on genuine celebration of people's achievements. Join me as I interview legendary people who are [tall poppies] in their field, about their experience - & the lessons they've learned along the way.
HOSTED BY
Grace Lewis
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tall Poppy Talk have?
Tall Poppy Talk currently has 131 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Tall Poppy Talk about?
Tall Poppy Syndrome, it's a social phenomenon, we all know, but don't often unpack. Kia ora, my name is Grace Lewis and I am on a mission to change the conversation around tall poppy syndrome. By focusing on the positives, rather than weaponising people's success, we can grow more Tall Poppies and...
How often does Tall Poppy Talk release new episodes?
Tall Poppy Talk publishes regularly with 131 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Tall Poppy Talk?
You can listen to Tall Poppy Talk on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Tall Poppy Talk?
Tall Poppy Talk is created and hosted by Grace Lewis.
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