Stansplaining

CultureActive

Host Stanley Henry interviews the worlds hottest creators and attention seekers

episodes

Building a Profitable Creator Business Without Brand Deals w/ VJ Cooks

Vanya Insull is the creator behind VJ Cooks, one of New Zealand’s most successful food brands, built from simple, affordable recipes into a multi-revenue digital business. In this episode, Vanya breaks down exactly how she turned content into a scalable company. From cookbooks and brand deals to a high-performing website and a subscription meal-planning app, this is one of the most practical, transparent conversations we’ve had about monetising an audience. If you’re a creator trying to turn views into real income, this episode is a blueprint.

17 Dec 2025

From MasterChef to Social Media w/ Alice Taylor

Alice Taylor went from working in marketing and hospitality to becoming one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing food creators — building a community of over 100,000 followers in just a few months with her down-to-earth, affordable recipe videos. In this episode, Stan and Alice unpack how she turned her passion for cooking into a full-time business. From the viral moment that changed everything to smart monetization, brand partnerships, and her long-term vision for a homegrown media empire — this...

9 Dec 2025

Fixing a Broken Industry w/ Andy Alagappan

Andy built one of the biggest construction podcasts in New Zealand to drive positive change in a broken industry. He and Stan discuss how building a personal brand transformed his business, how he overcame fear of judgment, and why perseverance and purpose matter more than money. Key Themes: • Fixing inefficiency and stress in the construction industry • How personal branding changes business and trust • Pushing digitalization and innovation in old-school industries • Overcoming fear of being...

8 Oct 2025

How AI Is Rewriting SEO and Branding w/ Richard Conway

Richard Conway is the founder of Pure SEO, one of New Zealand’s top marketing agencies. In this episode, he shares how brand building, AI, and smart risk-taking have shaped his 16-year journey. At its core, this conversation is about how to evolve as a business — from betting on yourself when no one knows your name, to rethinking SEO for the age of AI and generative search. Key Themes: • Brand building and personal positioning • The evolution of SEO in the AI era • Building recurring revenue ...

21 Sept 2025

Power of Authentic Storytelling w/ Jason Gunn

Jason Gunn is one of New Zealand’s most loved broadcasters and storytellers. From What Now and Son of a Gunn to building Whitebait Media and coaching top leaders, Jason has spent a lifetime mastering connection and authenticity on camera. In this episode, Jason and Stan break down what makes great communication, why vulnerability is powerful, and how being human is the most important skill in a world full of AI. Key Themes: • The art of authentic communication • Lessons from 30 years in TV an...

11 Sept 2025

Truth About Making Money as a Creator w/ Shoshannah

Shoshannah is one of New Zealand’s most relatable creators. A solo mum who turned her love of the outdoors into a full-time content career. From hiking tracks to brand deals with Icebreaker and Merrell, she’s built a loyal following through honesty, grit, and storytelling. In this episode, Stan and Shoshannah break down what it really takes to make a living as a creator — from pricing and partnerships to staying authentic when social media becomes your job. Key Themes: • Building a creator br...

7 Sept 2025

Can Creators Save Crypto? w/ James Quinn-Kumar

James Quinn-Kumar is the Marketing Director for Binance New Zealand, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. In this episode, he joins Stan to unpack how Binance uses creators and community-building to grow trust in a space that hasn’t always had the best reputation. This conversation dives into the business of adoption – how Binance connects with audiences through creators, sports stars, and partnerships, while navigating regulation, brand safety, and the future of digital ownership. Ke...

29 Aug 2025

The Truth About Going Viral w/ Chef Andrea & Taige

Chef Andrea Vignali and Taige are the duo behind one of the most viral food videos on Instagram, the tiramisu in a wheelbarrow that racked up over 60 million views. But what actually happened after the views? Did it fill the restaurant, or just the feed? In this episode, Stan sits down with Andrea and Taige to unpack the real impact of viral content. From building a business off social media to handling brand deals, collaborations, and turning attention into opportunity. Key Themes: • How a v...

24 Aug 2025

Should Kids Be Banned from Social Media? w/ Richie Hardcore

Richie Hardcore is a Muay Thai coach, educator, and public speaker known for tackling hard conversations about masculinity, violence prevention, and social media’s impact on mental health. In this episode, Stan and Richie dive into one of the biggest debates in New Zealand right now, should kids under 16 be allowed on social media? They disagree on the solution but share the same goal: keeping young people safe, connected, and human in an online world that often forgets what that means. Key T...

13 Aug 2025

From Debt to Digital: Rachel's Financial Transformation – The Savvy Saver

On today's episode of Stansplaining, I sit down with Rachel Leutele, a former lawyer turned financial content creator who transformed her personal money struggles into a viral social media platform. Learn how she overcame debt, navigated early motherhood, and built a massive online following by sharing brutally honest financial advice. Rachel reveals her journey from hiding behind the camera to becoming a must-watch money mentor, sharing insights on breaking generational financial patterns, m...

5 Aug 2025