'Mike On...' A magazine-lifestyle chat show hosted by Mike Bodnar!

It's said that many - if not most - of us, have a novel inside just waiting to get out. And, especially during Covid lockdowns, many people did just that - break open the mental shackles and begin to write a book. But getting the words down is only the very first part of the challenge; there's a whole lot more before your book can end up on the shelves of a book store and you find yourself signing the film rights away.In this episode I talk with established New Zealand author, poet and publisher Mary McCallum about the writing process and getting your work published.

Here in Aotearoa/New Zealand we are home to the world's smallest penguin, the Kororā, also known as the Little Blue Penguin. Living in coastal areas, they're fragile wee creatures, easily spooked and can literally be frightened to death, especially by dogs.In this episode, I talk with Ross Gilmour of the penguin Avoidance Scheme, about how dogs can be trained to avoid the Kororā as soon as they smell them.

Private Bill Broad was just 21 when he set off on a ship from Portsmouth in the dead of night on 6 June, 1944. His mission, along with 160,000 other allied troops, was to land on the coast of Normandy and overpower the German forces. This is his story. However, not everyone in France was pleased to see the allied troops arrive...

Is there an easy way to learn another language? Or is it just practice and perseverance? And how useful are old-fashioned phrase books?Join me as I talk with Associate Professor Anna Siyanova-Chanturia, of Victoria University's School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, and hear a multi-linguist's view on language learning!

The fear of public speaking is a real thing - it's even got a name: Glossophobia. In this episode, I talk with Jason of a local public speaking group that meets weekly, about how the group helps people overcome the terror of facing an audience.

If you ever thought, 'Nah, I won't need travel insurance,' you MUST listen to this next episode of 'Mike On...'Most people come back from holiday with a T-shirt or fridge magnet. But when Roy McGuinness returned from Rarotonga, he brought something nobody would want: necrotising fasciitis - a flesh-eating disease.Two legs and eight partial fingers later, this is his shocking yet heart-warming and inspirational story about transitioning to life in a wheelchair.

In a recent survey of New York Public Library users, 92% of respondents reported feeling somewhat to very “calm / peaceful” after visiting the library. But that's not all to do with being surrounded by books.In this episode, we find out more about how librarians today are far more than shelf-elves: they're photocopier technicians, internet wizards, town hall officers, and even social workers. And yes, they know about books. In short, they're superheroes!

New Zealander Ros discovered quite by accident that she needed a triple bypass operation, and a new aorta. The surprises didn't stop there. Listen to her engaging and informative story, and find out why she's now called 'Daisy'...

New Zealand photographer and award-winning science communicator Louise Thomas took up bird photography just five years ago. From an initial collection of blurry backyard birds, she now takes pictures of dozens of species, all in sharp focus and with a Wow! factor. Hear how she went from raw amateur to 'fully-fledged' photographer, and how her bird images now grace both canvas and calendar. Check out her website: https://www.louisethomas.co.nz/photography/

In this podcast I look at the possibility of alien life existing, both in the wider context of the universe and, closer to home, here on Earth. It’s a controversial subject that, despite all the science we have at our disposal, still comes down to belief: whether you believe alien life exists elsewhere in the universe or not, because, as of right now we have no proof that it does. And, equally controversially, we’ll discuss whether aliens have visited, or are indeed visiting, us here on Earth.

Half an hour of memorable moments, wise words, and some super stories from a few of the many talented people I chatted with during 2024...

When Arnika, a New Zealander living in New York, stumbled upon a stall selling 'Banksy artworks,' she was skeptical. But being a fan of the world's most well-known, unknown street artist, she bought a couple for US$60 each. Turns out they really were genuine, and worth a LOT more. Hear her amazing story, and how the artworks turned her life around.

New Zealanders are avoiding reading, watching or scrolling through news more than any other people in the world, according to a recent study. Why? And what does this mean for the population and the media?

Prof. Stephen Marsland explains how bioacoustics can now help us identify not just bird species, but individuals within species, without having to spend hours in the forest in the cold and damp!

What in the world would make you want to learn to fly a small, fragile-looking helicopter-type flying machine called an autogyro - at the age of 74??! That's just one of the questions I put to Phil, who's just recently gone solo in his autogyro for the first time. Hop on board with me and find out what it's like to take to the skies in 'Little Nellie'!

Are you rizz, or drip? Do you agree that yolo? And, ICYMI, some things are just ick (lol). If you can translate all of that then you're most likely a Gen Z rather than a Boomer, but that's what makes this latest 'Mike On...' episode so interesting: the evolution of our language through the eyes of 16-year-olds Keira and Micah. Join us! It's the GOAT!

Neil Thornton's job is to make people laugh. He's an American living in New Zealand, and not only does he perform comedy, he teaches others how to get the giggles going. Hear his story, and find out his answer to, 'Is there anything in comedy that's off-limits?' (Caution: some language may offend)

In 2021, New Zealand became one of the few countries in the world to offer assisted dying to the terminally ill. Although some were against the introduction of the legislation, 65% supported it. Paul Weaver was one of those for whom the assisted dying option proved a blessing, avoiding suffering both for himself and his family and friends. This is his personal and poignant story. (For more information on the legislation read my latest blog)

In New Zealand there's a reptile endemic to the country called a Tuatara. It's sometimes referred to as a 'living fossil', because its ancestry goes back millions of years to at least the time of the dinosaurs. Unlike T-rex, triceratops and the other Jurassic stars however, Tuatara survived the big asteroid impact 65 million years ago. In this podcast, Mike Bodnar talks to PhD student and Tuatara Man Pete Alexander about the reptile and how it was the ultimate prepper...

In a survey of just over 1000 people it was discovered that 22% never voluntarily disconnect from the Internet - they are glued to it, rely on it, and - it could be argued - are slaves to it. In this episode of 'Mike On...' Mike Bodnar talks with Dr Alex Beattie, author of the survey report, about the findings, and the lessons to be learned from it. Listen now - on the Internet!!

Cogs, rivets, goggles, brass, copper, leather, ray guns and pith helmets - if you recognise any of these and have an outfit that incorporates them, you're probably a Steam Punk already. If you're not, then join Mike Bodnar for a deep-dove into the world of steampunk as he interviews two veterans of the Victorian sci-fi genre...

Tens of thousands of people in New Zealand volunteer, donating their time, expertise, and assistance in all sorts of different sectors from health, through sport, and into education and environment. In this programme Mike Bodnar talks to 'professional volunteer' Marg McLachlan about just how valuable and necessary volunteers are in today's society.

Irishman Roy McGuinness has lived in New Zealand most of his life, and most of those years have been spent dealing in classic cars. Few people know as much about them as he does! In this chat, Roy tells Mike about his journey in the world of classic motors, how he once brought a 1916 Buick back to life, and talks about the market for classic car collecting today. No need for seat belts folks, just hop in and come for the ride!

When I worked full-time in television, in New Zealand in the 1980s, I got to interview quite a few 'personalities' as we called them back then. They included Rowan Atkinson, Spike Milligan, Irish comedian Dave Allen, Arthur Lowe of Dad's Army fame, and Dame Edna herself, Barrie Humphries, among many others. Join me as I reminisce about those interviews, and some of the valuable and humbling lessons I learned!

Kiwi Esther Bunning makes her living as a professional photographer-artist. She's won awards, numerous accolades, and has been New Zealand Photographer of the Year. She's achieved what so many of us can only dream of. In this episode she tells Mike Bodnar about her personal journey from amateur 'Father Christmas' photographer to full professional, and the challenges and rewards along the way.

Even with multi-skills such as authoring, illustrating, wardrobe and movie props design, can you make a living from creativity? In this episode of Mike On, Mike talks with award-winning New Zealand creative dynamo Fifi Colston, and reveals what it's like to survive on your talents...

Why would anyone donate a kidney for no other reason than they just could? Well, in this episode of Mike On, Mike talks with Helen Hanify, who, in her 50s, decided to altruistically give away one of her kidneys. In doing so she saved a stranger's life. Listen to her fascinating story...

On this episode, Mike Bodnar interviews award-winning indie author M C Ronen about her journey into self-publishing. The challenges, the rewards, the options - they're all covered, so if you've ever wondered about getting that novel, biography or travel book out into the wide world, now's your chance to find out how!