Verbal Highs

'Mic Drop Marathon' returns! 26 hosts, 25 guests, one episode. Live from The NZ Podcasting Summit 2026. On the day participants got the prompt 'talk about something you take slightly too seriously', and two minutes to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So this is what I've been working on since finishing Verbal Highs. It's been a lot of work... enjoy! Just follow Oopsie NZ wherever you get your podcasts.Episode One: The Flag Referendums out now... then new episodes drop fortnightly.Oopsie NZ documentary series about New Zealand ventures that didn’t quite go to plan — five tales of bold ideas, intrepid experiments, naked ambition, and mostly good intentions. Produced and presented by Lewis Tennant. Please share, rate, comment and review... this is vital fuel for podcast projects.Special thanks to AUT School of Communication Studies. Thanks also to @Otamazoo for the podcast intro music. Each episode contains a themed song; lyrics by me, music by artificial intelligence. Connect with me @verbalhighs on the socials or [email protected] connect with the NZ podcasting community, head to www.nzpodsummit.com. Cheers for your ears. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Mic Drop Marathon' is 26 hosts & 25 guests in 50 minutes, live from The NZ Podcasting Summit 2025. Yes, it's the world record for the most hosts and guests on a single podcast episode. On the day participants got the prompt 'talk about something you know slightly too much about', and two minutes to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Tennant is a podcast producer, teacher, researcher, journalist, & competitive pinballer. He is the founder & organiser of the NZ Podcasting Summit. Lewis sometimes writes descriptions of himself in the third person. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Devin Abrams is a music producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He was a founding member of Shapeshifter, before leaving the group in 2014. Devin once played basketball with Kanye West. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mazbou Q is a Nigerian NZ hip hop artist, content creator, activist, and educator. Online he’s dubbed ‘The Rap Scientist’ for his analysis of rap flow. Mazbou does not own a lab coat. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welby Ings is an educational reformer, university professor, feature film director, author, teacher, designer, and activist. Until the age of 15 Welby could not read or write. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Manning is the GM of musical instrument importer Lyn McAllister Music. In 1997 he and six friends co-founded the Kog Transmissions label & studio. Andrew is the Tony Montana of New Zealand ukeleles. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason ‘Rockpig’ Hall is a fuel tanker truck driver, broadcaster, club DJ, live musician, 95 bFM alumni, and family man. He drives a 2019 Kenworth T610 towing a triple axle semi tanker. Jason enjoys having many routes across the North Island. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dean Young is the creator of Studio Stories, a podcast that talks to people behind some of New Zealand’s best-known albums. In a past life, he made one of NZ’s most popular song parodies. Dean once tried to do Homer Simpson in the back of a van. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vishal Vasan is a music and culture promoter, networker and connector, man about town and deejay. His latest label release is a tribute to Fredrik Lager. You will find that release here: https://theelephantrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drw-future-red-astaire-dj-vadim-remixes / Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ant Timpson is a cinephile. He launched The Incredibly Strange Film Festival in 1994 and has a long & varied career in all facets of the film industry. Ant has a distrust of lobster consumers. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt Burgess is a London-based chef. His UK career began at Soho House, followed by Gordon Ramsey’s Maze Grill, then Jamie Oliver’s Threadneedle Street. Matt first encountered his father in 2021 via cleaning out a sugar bin. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Evan Short was one half of iconic drum & bass duo Concord Dawn. He now lives in Washington DC with his family, producing and performing as Evan Kiljoy. Evan’s life is not like House of Cards. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Dudding is an author, journalist, and podcast producer. His podcast portfolio includes Gone Fishing, True Story, Coronavirus NZ, and The Commune. Adam has a problem with underpant openings. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zoë George is a journalist. She hosts Stuff’s sports podcast The Podium, and focusses on telling stories about women, LGBTQI+, and minority communities. Zoë often attends toilet openings with The Honourable Grant Robertson. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manuel Bundy is one of NZ’s pre-eminent DJs, with a long & multifaceted career in music. Pauly Fuemana once told him ‘If I get big, I’ll get you to DJ’. A few years later they were touring the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Riccardo Ball is a music consultant, radio plugger, broadcaster, mentor, and heavy metal vocalist. He was Music Director at The Rock from 2006 to 2014. Riccardo once age shamed Ozzy Osbourne. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Yee is The Spinoff’s head of podcasts. She is also known as a TV & radio presenter & producer, with credits including C4, Channel Z, & The Squeeze. When Jane left the telly she had to learn how to dress herself again. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Martin Bosley is a celebrated chef, restaurateur, and food pundit. In 2014 he was blindsided when liquidators suddenly seized his restaurant of 13 years.Martin introduced fancy cheese to Port Douglas. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leonard Powell is a pro golf caddie, low budget short film star, broadcaster, journalist, and musician. He is currently a programme producer at RNZ. Leonard travels with an emotional support guitar. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel Starr is a recording artist, record producer, and independent retailer. In 2012 he moved from playing sport in Australia to playing music in NZ. Israel knows barber pimpin’ easy. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

125: Olivia Shivas—along with two friends—made What’s Wrong With You?‘, a podcast about disability that tackles the tricky questions disabled people are asked.Olivia was inadvertently locked out of her first big office Christmas party. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phil Grey is the GM of Waikato community access station Free FM. A constant over his 19 years in the role is embracing change, as well as instigating it. Phil has Dewey Decimal-related PTSD. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Efeso Collins is an Auckland Councillor, youth worker, mentor, and teacher. He is an independent candidate for Mayor of Auckland in the 2022 election.Efeso is the only mayoral candidate with a bean bag policy. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jake Law is a Sinophile, teacher, culture co-ordinator, writer, & Auckland Council candidate. At 29, he is the youngest person in the 2022 mayoral race. Jake has serious street cred at Glenfield Intermediate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kane Power is a podcast producer, audio engineer, editor, and mentor. In 2017 he founded Precision Podcasting, a post-production & consulting service. Kane is probably a better drummer than you are. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Lowndes became a professional DJ at 35 and is now one of Australia’s biggest touring acts. Hot Dub showcases songs from every decade & genre of music. In the year 2000 Tom and this podcast host shared a room in Soho, London. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia deVille is an artist, jeweller, and taxidermist. She began including taxidermy in her art in 2002, before combining it with her jewellery making. Julia dreamt of being an Olympic roller-skater, but there was no roller-skating at the Olympics. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

118: Barnaby Weir is The Black Seeds’ frontman & the musical director of Fly My Pretties. He also records and performs under his own name, and as Flash Harry. Barnaby once had to kick an office chair out of his band. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fraser McInnes was the proprietor of Wellington music venue Bar Bodega. As a long-term advocate of craft beer, he later co-founded Tuatara Breweries. Fraser invented the flat white. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Graham is a director. His feature film debut was Sione’s Wedding, and he recently directed the documentary series Scribe: Return of The Crusader. Chris saw Biggie in New York before Biggie was Biggie. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Provise is a content creator & commentator who hosts The Provise Project podcast & Bakery Run on YouTube. He Clark Kents as an intermediate teacher. Tim is the second most famous person in Clendon. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vaughn Davis is the owner & creative director of advertising agency The Goat Farm. He is also an author, radio host, social media pundit, & plane pilot.Vaughn is from Lower Hutt, where they look down on Upper Hutt. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Keat is a singer, rapper, b-boy, comedian, and all-round entertainer. His alter ego Miguel Mantovani travels the globe fronting The Cuban Brothers. James Brown once insisted Mike have his wig groomed by Latonya (The Godfather of Soul’s personal coiffure). Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Morse is a comic book turned tattoo artist who has worked with Martin Emond, Kevin Eastman, Danzig, Rufus Dayglo, Illicit Clothing, & Hell Pizza. He is currently the proprietor of Dr Morse Tattoo. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reece Reilly is a Hamilton-based podcaster with a global vision for his show. His podcast Kiwi Talkz invites guests to discuss their area of expertise.Reece gave up being a rapper owing to feeling unfairly stereotyped. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Broome is a drummer, producer, & recording engineer. His extensive performance credits include Home Brew, Tim Finn, TEEKS, Bailey Wiley & Aaradhna. Tom recently invented a new music genre: nappy gaze. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Get Flushed produces and hosts the eponymous Get Flushed, the world’s only sanitation industry pocast. He produces the show from a caravan in NZ. A night shift worker once left Pete an unexpected present in a urinal tray. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kris Holmes is a NZ-born music teacher, collector, & performer who lives in San Antonio, Texas. His green card was issued the day Trump came to power. Kris once made a 599900% return on a $1 investment. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Towers is Chopper Reedz, saxophonist extraordinaire for Fat Freddy’s Drop. When not Freddying, he likes cooking from scratch & fishing from kayaks. Scott’s mullet is not on his head, it is in his heart. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fiona Bourne—aka Miss Fee—hand built the 14-piece Housewife’s Choice sound system, which she operates alongside her musical partner Yasmin Rupesinghe. Fiona’s old boss thought she was on the run from the law. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jen Ferguson and husband Glenn own and operate London-based craft beer, hot sauce, and vinyl record emporium Hop, Burns, & Black. In 2014 they opened their first shop in Peckham, SE. An errant night at orchestra camp in Dunedin saw Jen quickly lose interest in playing the violin. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Schulz is a freelance journalist, music fan, & storytelling aficionado. In 2006 he was part of the team that set up Stuff Media’s Auckland bureau. Chris once felt great shame at a Macklemore concert. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Minty is the festival director of Splore. He is a friend and affiliate of the Polynesian Panthers & was a member of the dawn raid-era PIG Patrol. His Panther friends affectionately dubbed him Sione Lolly. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick D’Angelo is the alter ego of hip hop pioneer, nightclub promoter, broadcaster, former bFM station manager, & self-professed hustler Simon Laan. Nick once held a foam party with very little foam. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Wollum is a competitive pun champion, award-winning accordion player, comedian, singer, & speech therapist. She performs pop classics in Klingon. Emma has sold out to the mayonnaise people. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jed Town is a video artist & musician. From The Features to ICU, via Fetus Productions and the techno of early ‘90s London, Jed’s imprint spans decades. Jed does a convincing vocal rendition of ‘Energy Flash’ by Joey Beltram. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris ‘Mu’ Faiumu is DJ Fitchie, the founder & one-man rhythm section of Fat Freddy’s Drop. The band are one of NZ’s most successful musical exports.Mu was introduced to music via a brown bogan record collection. Please subscribe to the podcast & check www.verbalhighs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.