PODCAST · health
The Nutters Club
by Newstalk ZB
The Nutters Club deals with all the tough stuff that many in society would prefer to keep in the closet. Hosted by Hamish Williams and Kyle MacDonald, the team cover mental health issues, drug/alcohol addictions and the socially taboo every Sunday night from 11pm on Newstalk ZB.
Episodes
-
Father’s recovery journey leads to helping others overcome addiction
A father whose alcohol and drug addiction derailed a promising sporting career is now using his experiences to support others navigating recovery through Auckland’s drug court. This episodes guest Eugene told host Hamish Williams and addiction specialist Suzy Morrison that rebuilding his life…
more -
Cult experience in childhood drives GP’s work supporting survivors
Christchurch GP Dr Caroline Ansley is drawing on her childhood experience in a cult to improve support for people leaving cults and high control groups. Ansley described how her experience helped shape her work educating health professionals about coercive control and the difficulties survivors...
-
Eating Disorders: Recognising the Signs and Finding a Way to Recovery
Eating disorders can affect people of any age and background, and families are being urged to trust their instincts and seek help early if something does not seem right. The issue was discussed with Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand chair Andrea Bonetto. Bonetto brings both personal and...
-
Bipolar, Addiction and the Power of Support
A published author who spent years battling addiction alongside bipolar disorder says learning to accept difficult emotions and ask for help became central to her recovery. Speaking on The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB, Charlotte Bell described how alcohol became a coping mechanism from a young age...
-
Can AI Really Help With Our Mental Health?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a place people turn to for emotional support, but questions remain over whether a chatbot can ever replace genuine human connection. The issue was explored on The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB, where host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle...
-
Tokoroa mother shares grief after son's death in hope of helping others
A Tokoroa mother who lost her son to suicide earlier this year says she is speaking publicly about her grief in the hope his death can help others struggling with their mental health. Bridget Coward joined The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB to talk about her son Bradley, who died in April after…
more -
The many different responses to Fathers Day
Father’s Day can be a celebration for some families, but for many New Zealanders it can also bring grief, loneliness and unresolved emotions. Nutters Club Host Hamish Williams and Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald used the Father’s Day edition of the show to explore the different ways people...
-
Justin’s Legacy: How a Grandfather Turned Grief into Hope
A Christchurch grandfather has turned the grief of losing his teenage grandson into a campaign for open conversations about mental health. Jimmy Gifford shared that his grandson Justin died by suicide two years after confiding in him about bullying, family pressures and self-harm. Justin was 15...
-
Finding Meaning: Faith, Nature and Mental Health
Faith, nature and community took centre stage on The Nutters Club this week, as host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald explored how a sense of something larger than oneself can support mental health. The Newstalk ZB programme invited listeners to consider the role of religion,...
-
Reconex NZ: From Prison to Prevention, How Two Tokoroa Men Are Supporting The Next Generation
Two Tokoroa men who spent years caught in cycles of addiction, crime and imprisonment are now using their lived experience to help young people avoid the same path. Joel Nicholson and Richard Heke shared their stories and spoke about Reconex NZ, the charitable trust they have established to work...
-
Money, mental health and the power of having a plan
Money worries are about far more than household budgets, with financial insecurity capable of having a profound impact on mental health, according to psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald. MacDonald said the psychological relationship people have with money can be just as important as the amount they...
-
The psychology behind NZ's sports betting boom
The rapid growth of sports betting is raising concerns about its impact on young New Zealanders, with mental health experts warning that easier access through smartphones and online platforms is increasing the risk of harmful gambling habits. The issue was the focus of this week's The Nutters…
more -
Your mental health questions answered
Listeners from across New Zealand shared deeply personal experiences of mental health, anxiety and navigating the healthcare system during this week's edition of The Nutters Club, with the programme highlighting the complexities of life under the Mental Health Act, the pressures of acute anxiety...
-
Fear of failure, rejection and Sunday night anxiety
Why do Sunday nights feel so much harder than any other night of the week? That was the question at the centre of this week's episode of The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB, as host Hamish Williams and guest co-host, addictions specialist Susie Morrison, explored the impact that fear, failure and...
-
Young Leader Turns Personal Pain Into Purpose for Men’s Mental Health
A difficult childhood marked by family breakdown has inspired a young University of Canterbury student to help reshape the conversation around men's mental health. Twenty-two-year-old Ethan Byloo told host Hamish Williams that while moving between New Zealand and Spain during his early years was...
-
Ways to Beat the Winter Blues as Seasonal Affective Disorder Returns
As winter settles across New Zealand, mental health experts are reminding people that feeling a little flat during the colder, darker months is common but there are simple, evidence-based ways to reduce its impact. Speaking on Newstalk ZB's The Nutters Club, psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald said...
-
Eddie Rakanui: Resilience, Forgiveness and Breaking the Cycle
On this weeks episode of The Nutters Club, Eddie Rakanui recounted a childhood marked by love, but also by domestic violence and alcohol abuse. Growing up in Wellington, he described being an energetic and often troubled teenager whose behavior at school reflected the turmoil unfolding at home....
-
Former Advertising Executive Launches Campaign to Restore Respect in New Zealand
A former advertising executive is leading a nationwide effort to tackle what he describes as a growing crisis of disrespect and aggression in New Zealand society. Matt Zwartz, founder of the Respect NZ Charitable Trust, shared his story outlining his journey from a successful career in…
more -
Survivor Advocate Says New Zealand Must Do More for Male Victims of Sexual Abuse
One of New Zealand’s leading survivor advocates says the country has made significant progress in supporting victims of childhood sexual abuse, but major gaps remain in access to services and the justice system. Christchurch-based advocate Ken Clearwater reflected on a journey that began more…
more -
Gloria Masters: Survivor Calls Child Sexual Abuse New Zealand's 'Silent Epidemic'
Internationally recognised survivor advocate Gloria Masters has highlighted what she describes as New Zealand's "silent epidemic" of child sexual abuse, while sharing her own decades-long journey of recovery and healing. Masters, who grew up in West Auckland, revealed she experienced sexual abuse...
-
Filmmaker Shares Story of Grief, Survival and the Power of Storytelling
Award-winning filmmaker Paula opened up about a lifetime of hardship, resilience and devastating loss, offering listeners a candid insight into the realities of grief and recovery. Growing up in Hastings during the 1970s and 1980s, Paula described a childhood marked by freedom, responsibility and...
-
From Survival to Service: Lyndal Midgley’s Journey Through Trauma, Foster Care and Mental Health Advocacy
Guest Lyndal Midgley spoke about growing up first on a remote Northland farm before moving to Auckland’s North Shore as a child. While her early years were idyllic, she described her teenage years as deeply turbulent, shaped by family conflict, emotional isolation and a growing mental health...
-
Facing Fear: Can Virtual Reality Cure Phobias?
A new virtual reality treatment developed in New Zealand is offering hope to people living with debilitating phobias and anxiety, using immersive technology to recreate the situations they fear most. Speaking on Newstalk ZB’s “Nutters Club”, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald...
-
Glen Green: Finding Light After Childhood Trauma
This week’s episode of The Nutters Club explored the lifelong impact of childhood trauma, the burden of anger, and the transformative power of forgiveness through the story of Glen Green. Growing up in East Auckland, Glen described a childhood marked by domestic violence, fear, and instability.…
more -
From Psych Ward to Prime Time: Actress Turns Trauma Into Powerful TV Drama
A New Zealand actress is using her personal story of addiction, mental illness and recovery to spark national conversations about stigma and healing, following the release of a new television series inspired by her life. Speaking onThe Nutters Club, actress and writer Holly Shervey detailed how…
more -
How mind set turned Parkinson’s diagnosis into epic walking journey
A New Zealand woman diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease has transformed a life-changing diagnosis into a remarkable journey of endurance, perspective and purpose, undertaking thousands of kilometres of long-distance walking across Europe. Jennifer Andrewes, originally from Dunedin…
more -
From Chaos to Clarity: A Lifetime Battle with Addiction and the Road to Recovery
Hosted by psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald alongside addiction specialist Suzy Morrison, this weeks episode of The Nutters Club explored how early life experiences can shape later struggles. Andrea recounted a childhood marked by instability, frequent moves, and shifting family dynamics, attending…
more -
Turning the Tide: How to change your mental health from panic to purpose
A deeply personal account of anxiety, loss and recovery took centre stage on this week’s The Nutters Club, as guest Cam Madsen shared his journey from a carefree coastal upbringing to confronting severe mental health challenges. Raised in the tight-knit beach community of Waihi Beach, Madsen...
-
How anxiety can escalate into panic, and why it’s treatable
This weeks episode of The Nutters Club, explored how everyday anxiety can escalate into panic attacks, and why understanding the process is key to recovery. The episode focused on panic attacks, intense physical episodes that can include sweating, racing heart, dizziness, and overwhelming fear....
-
How to have real-world conversations about mental health
The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, delved into the importance of initiating real-world conversations about mental health and the positive outcomes that can arise from such discussions. This week’s episode focused on how…
more -
Shelwin Khan’s Journey of Recovery, Resilience and Hope
Auckland man Shelwin Khan was just 14 when addiction first took hold. By 15, he had overdosed, blacked out and woken in a police cell before being admitted to a youth psychiatric ward. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager, he faced years of instability, cycling between substance use,...
-
The mental health effects of generosity
This weeks episode revisited a remarkable act of generosity from December 2025, when a caller named Steve shared his struggles with health issues and mobility challenges. Steve, who lives alone and relies on a motor vehicle due to breathing problems and a tumour, revealed his car was in need of...
-
Family Dynamics and Mental Health
The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald, delved into the complexities of family relationships and their impact on mental health. The show, featured heartfelt stories and practical advice on navigating family dynamics, estrangement, and...
-
Mental resilience in the face of health challenges
Guest Mike Lee shared his inspiring journey of overcoming severe physical and mental health challenges. Mike, a former firefighter, lifeguard, and ambulance officer, recounted his experiences with a rare autoimmune condition, IgG4-related disease, which affects only 1.8 people per million. …
more -
The importance of perspective in mental health
In this weeks episode, Psychotherapist Kyle McDonald emphasised the critical role of perspective in maintaining mental health. He explained that perspective helps individuals focus on what they can control, rather than being overwhelmed by external stressors or events beyond their influence....
-
The Nutters Club Kicks Off 2026 with Mental Health Planning and Support
The Nutters Club, began its 2026 season with an inspiring episode on creating plans to support mental well-being throughout the year. The episode centred on the challenges of New Year’s resolutions, which often feel burdensome or lead to feelings of failure. Instead, the hosts encouraged...
-
Remembering the good in people in the wake of tragedy
The final episode of The Nutters Club, on NewstalkZB, aired amidst the unfolding tragedy of a shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. Host Hamish Williams opened the show by addressing the devastating incident, which occurred just hours before the broadcast. As details of the tragedy…
more -
Radio Producer Shares Inspiring Journey Battling Rare Cancer
Hamish Williams, host of The Nutters Club on Newstalk ZB, recently welcomed the show’s producer, Boris Sokratov, to share his personal journey of battling two rare forms of cancer. The episode, which aired on Sunday night, focused on the intersection of physical health challenges and mental...
-
Navigating the Festive Season: Mental Health Tips from The Nutters Club
The latest episode of The Nutters Club, hosted by Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle McDonald, focused on the challenges the festive season can pose to mental health. The show explored how the holidays, while often joyful, can also bring stress, financial strain, and relationship tensions.…
more -
Anton Blank: A Journey of Identity, Addiction, and Resilience
Anton Blank, a writer, researcher, and former social worker, shared his deeply personal journey of navigating identity, addiction, and recovery, offering a powerful insight into the challenges of growing up feeling different and finding purpose through adversity. Born in New Zealand to a Māori...
-
The self-perpetutating Men’s mental health movement
Warren Phillip, the General Manager of Essentially Men, experienced a personal journey of transformation, that coupled with the importance of mental health support for men has seen his work impact countless others. Speaking about his experience, Warren revealed how attending a retreat with his…
more -
How to find resilience with ongoing mental health challenges
In the latest episode of The Nutters Club, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle McDonald delved into the critical topics of perseverance, resilience, and mental health. This week’s discussion cantered on the importance of developing resilience and the ability to persevere through…
more -
The mental health crisis that lead to med school: Dr Carlton Irving
Dr. Carlton Irving’s life story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of purpose. From a challenging childhood marked by frequent moves and financial struggles, to becoming an advanced paramedic and eventually a doctor, his journey is one of overcoming adversity and…
more -
The challenges and triumphs of living with schizophrenia
Richard Anderson, born in Wellington and now residing on the Kapiti Coast, Anderson shared his experiences with schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, and anxiety, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of living with mental illness. Anderson first noticed signs of mental health struggles...
-
From alcoholic addiction to theatre producer and lawyer
Elizabeth, a recovering alcoholic and creator of the stage play REHAB, shared her inspiring journey of overcoming addiction and finding purpose on Newstalk ZB’s The Nutters Club. Now 16 years sober, Elizabeth reflected on her struggles with alcohol addiction, her path to recovery, and her efforts...
-
From addiction to academics: A life found through recovery
Dave Burnside, a former addict and ex-offender, has transformed his life from one of crime and addiction to becoming a highly effective advocate for recovery and community support. Dave shared his journey, beginning with a troubled childhood marked by neglect, substance abuse, and crime, and…
more -
What The Nutters Club wants you to be aware of
Mental Health Awareness Week has prompted a wave of discussions about the importance of mental health and practical strategies for improving wellbeing. The Nutters Club took the eve of the week to explore various approaches, from mindfulness to community connection, with listeners sharing…
more -
Australian Author Opens Up About Mental Health Journey
Australian journalist and published author Jonathon ‘J.Mo’ Moran, shared his personal journey through mental health struggles, his upbringing in Canberra, and his path to becoming a journalist. J.Mo, who recently published “Mental as Anyone”, reflected on his experiences growing up with a bipolar...
-
The Importance of Relationships for Mental Health
On this weeks NewstalkZB’s The Nutters Club, host Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald delved into the critical role relationships play in mental health. The show featured callers sharing personal stories, challenges, and triumphs, highlighting the complexities and rewards of human...
-
Breaking the silence of addiction caused by grief
Guest Hamish, a 47-year-old biotechnology graduate from Auckland, has shared his deeply personal journey of battling addiction, depression, and grief. Sharing his story with Hamish Williams and Psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald on The Nutters Club, he sheds light on the complexities of mental health...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Nutters Club deals with all the tough stuff that many in society would prefer to keep in the closet. Hosted by Hamish Williams and Kyle MacDonald, the team cover mental health issues, drug/alcohol addictions and the socially taboo every Sunday night from 11pm on Newstalk ZB.
HOSTED BY
Newstalk ZB
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Nutters Club have?
The Nutters Club currently has 64 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Nutters Club about?
The Nutters Club deals with all the tough stuff that many in society would prefer to keep in the closet. Hosted by Hamish Williams and Kyle MacDonald, the team cover mental health issues, drug/alcohol addictions and the socially taboo every Sunday night from 11pm on Newstalk ZB.
How often does The Nutters Club release new episodes?
The Nutters Club has 64 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Nutters Club?
You can listen to The Nutters Club 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 The Nutters Club?
The Nutters Club is created and hosted by Newstalk ZB.
URL copied to clipboard!