The Melding Muse Podcast cover art

The Melding Muse Podcast

The Melding Muse Podcast

By: The Melding Muse
Listen for free

Summary

 🫠 Melding art & design, music, film, entrepreneurship, fashion, sports, gaming and whatever is in between. Showcasing extraordinary people to inspire the next generation of creatives & leaders. We explore their roots, journeys, and the pivotal moments that have shaped their lives and careers. These are stories that motivate us to continually challenge ourselves, push boundaries and ultimately reinvent ourselves time and time again. Streaming from the land of the long white cloud - Aotearoa, New Zealand 🇳🇿The Melding Muse Social Sciences
Episodes
  • All White Prodigy to Auckland FC Star & Family Man | Resilience, Sacrifices & NZ Football | E26 Cam Howieson

    All White Prodigy to Auckland FC Star & Family Man | Resilience, Sacrifices & NZ Football | E26 Cam Howieson
    Apr 21 2026
    Cam Howieson is a dedicated father, husband, and a phenomenal football player for Auckland FC, formerly an All White. Known for his resilience, calm demeanour on the pitch, and deep commitment to his family, Cam's journey in professional football is truly inspiring.We sat down for a wide-ranging kōrero that moves from his early life and challenging overseas trials with Tottenham, Chelsea, and Burnley, to finding his hunger for the game again in New Zealand. The conversation also digs into the rapid rise of Auckland FC, alongside the evolution of football coaching and culture in Aotearoa.(0:00) - 🟣 The INTRO(4:21) - 🇳🇿 Early Life & Leaving New Zealand(7:26) - 🏴 UK Football Trials: Tottenham, Chelsea, Burnley(10:41) - 🧠 Calmness & Position Evolution(11:59) - 🇲🇽 U17 World Cup & All Whites Debut(12:50) - ✴️ PATO - Your Fitness Companion & GYM OS(14:17) - 💪 International Physicality & Self-Improvement(15:19) - 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 Cam Off The Pitch: Family Man & Hobbies(17:01) - 🎮 FIFA & Player Stats(19:30) - 🏎️ Mario Kart & Team Bonding(20:22) - ⚽ Evolution of Football & NZ Coaching(22:55) - 📉 Demotivation & Return to New Zealand(30:01) - 🔥 Re-igniting the Hunger Auckland City(34:11) - 🌟 Joining Auckland FC: A Dream Fulfilled(36:10) - 🏆 Auckland FC’s Inaugural Season Success(39:26) - 🏟️ The Auckland FC Atmosphere: A Game Changer(44:40) - 📈 Current Squad & Coaching Demands(52:31) - 🛠️ Building the Perfect Player: Auckland FC Edition(54:09) - 🌐 Building the Perfect Player: International Edition(54:52) - 🙏 Sacrifices & Life Principles: Family First(57:40) - ❓ Fan Questions(59:04) - ⚙️ Talent vs. Hard Work(1:00:07) - 🧘 Dealing with Not Playing(1:03:30) - 🗣️ Coach Feedback & Self-Motivation(1:04:40) - 💡 Most Important Skill(1:05:47) - ✨ Hard Work & Positive Attitude(1:06:49) - 🎯 Technique vs. Physicality (and Coaching Philosophy)(1:07:58) - 🎓 Future in Coaching(1:08:37) - 🧤 Hardest Position: Midfield & Goalkeeper(1:09:55) - 💼 The Pro Footballer’s Man Purse(1:10:57) - ⚽ Most Underrated Attribute(1:12:10) - 🚫 Rule to Change: VAR(1:17:26) - 💬 Play Style in Three Words(1:18:17) - 👶 Advice to Younger Self: Enjoy the Ride(1:19:09) - 🎲 The Soundboard Game (Food & Two Truths One Lie)(1:20:41) - 🔴 Liverpool & Team Dynamics(1:24:22) - 🔄 Auckland FC Squad Changes & Depth(1:30:15) - 🤫 Misunderstood Story: Family Sacrifices(1:31:17) - 🏆 World Cup Predictions(1:34:37) - 🗺️ Cam’s Preferred Position & Versatility(1:37:04) - 🫶 The OUTRO-ABOUT THE MELDING MUSE PODCAST 🟣Melding art & design, music, film, entrepreneurship, fashion, sports, gaming and whatever is in between. We exist to showcase extraordinary people to inspire the next generation of creatives & leaders. These are stories that motivate us to continually challenge ourselves, push boundaries and ultimately reinvent ourselves time and time again.Streaming from the land of the long white cloud - Aotearoa, New Zealand 🇳🇿🎟️ MERCH OFFICIAL STORE & SITE:🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://themeldingmuse.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like this content? 🔴 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎼 Podcast Intro: [High Ball from Pterror Dak Trill by Nick Maclaren] | Outro [Trippin' feat. Leroy by Unda]A project powered by:🟩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEZIAK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Crafting the most delightful brands & digital experiences.Supported by:🟠 ⁠PATO - Your Fitness Companion⁠ | CODE: TMMP for a FREE MEMBERSHIP - & FOR GYM OWNERS Pato.nz/Muse▪️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NZK Creative Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off🏋 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BFT Gren Eden⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Te Atatu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Get 1 WEEK FREE + 1 Evolt Full Body Composition Scan & Consultation by mentioning "The Melding Muse" - Visit the studio or book by text to 021 466 407 - Glen Eden or 021 273 8123 - Te Atatu🇲🇽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salsaroha Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Why Kiwis Stay “Average” + 5 Biggest Money Mistakes, Being Cringy, Tax that helps? | E25 LUKE KEMEYS

    Why Kiwis Stay “Average” + 5 Biggest Money Mistakes, Being Cringy, Tax that helps? | E25 LUKE KEMEYS
    Feb 20 2026
    Luke Kemeys is a New Zealand Fellow Chartered Accountant and award-winning business advisor known for his straight-talking, practical approach to money and business. He runs nextAdvisory, where he works with business owners to turn financial complexity into clear strategies and better decisions. Luke is also the creator and host of Keep The Change Podcast a financial literacy platform aimed at helping tens of thousands of Kiwis improve their money habits—with a stated goal of helping 100,000 New Zealanders lift their financial literacy. In this episode, we unpack the biggest financial literacy gaps Luke sees in Kiwis. Why self-promotion is seen as “cringe” (Tall Poppy Syndrome), and how consumer debt traps like BNPL and credit cards quietly limit freedom.Luke also shares a bold idea: using tax incentives to encourage better behaviour—like investing in your health, education, and other things.If you want to increase your value, build leverage, and stop living on autopilot, this one’s for you.CHAPTERS:(00:00:00) — 🫟 INTRO(00:03:02) — 🤝 The “20 Episode” Challenge: How Luke Got on the Show(00:04:44) — 💪 The Internal Grind: “Everything is Still Hard For Me”(00:08:21) — 📖 Changing Your Story: Moving from Envy to Curiosity(00:11:17) — 🥀 Battling Tall Poppy Syndrome & Negative Comments(00:13:27) — 💡 The 5 BIGGEST Financial Literacy Gaps in NZ(00:17:53) — 🚀 How Taking Action Leads to Exponential Growth (The $1000 Story)(00:20:58) — 😬 “It’s Cringy”: Why Kiwis Struggle with Self-Promotion(00:23:20) — 🤯 Why It’s “Easy” to Succeed in New Zealand(00:28:45) — 📈 Tax Incentives for Self-Improvement: A Game-Changer?(00:39:21) — 🌏 The Immigrant Mindset vs. The Kiwi “Work-Life Balance”(00:42:53) — ⏳ Value Per Hour, Not Dollars Per Hour: The New Economy(00:50:58) — ❤️ Solving Other People’s Problems to Fix Your Own(00:53:37) — 🆚 Stay or Stray? (The Dilemma Segment)(00:55:34) — ✈️ Stay in NZ or Chase a Bigger Paycheck Overseas?(00:58:03) — 📉 Revenue Dips: Double Down or Play it Safe?(01:09:06) — 💳 The Traps of Consumer Debt (BNPL, Credit Cards & Car Loans)(01:16:12) — 👵 The Coming Pension Crisis & The Blame Game(01:17:51) — 🎛️ The Soundboard: Quickfire Questions(01:21:36) — 🫂 The One Moment to Relive: Priceless Time with Mates(01:26:36) — ✌️ Final Words & Where to Find Luke-ABOUT THE MELDING MUSE PODCAST 🟣Melding art & design, music, film, entrepreneurship, fashion, sports, gaming and whatever is in between. We exist to showcase extraordinary people to inspire the next generation of creatives & leaders. These are stories that motivate us to continually challenge ourselves, push boundaries and ultimately reinvent ourselves time and time again.Streaming from the land of the long white cloud - Aotearoa, New Zealand 🇳🇿🎟️ MERCH OFFICIAL STORE & SITE:🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://themeldingmuse.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like this content? 🔴 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎼 Podcast Intro: [High Ball from Pterror Dak Trill by Nick Maclaren] | Outro [Trippin' feat. Leroy by Unda]A project powered by:🟩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEZIAK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Crafting the most delightful brands & digital experiences.Supported by:🟠 PATO - Your Fitness Companion | CODE: TMMP for a FREE TRIAL▪️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NZK Creative Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off🏋 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BFT Gren Eden⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Te Atatu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Get 1 WEEK FREE + 1 Evolt Full Body Composition Scan & Consultation by mentioning "The Melding Muse" - Visit the studio or book by text to 021 466 407 - Glen Eden or 021 273 8123 - Te Atatu🇲🇽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salsaroha Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins
  • E24 MELODOWNZ | 🕷️ From Avondale to the World — Music, Faith, Fatherhood & Staying Authentic

    E24 MELODOWNZ | 🕷️ From Avondale to the World — Music, Faith, Fatherhood & Staying Authentic
    Jan 12 2026
    Melodownz is an award-winning rapper, singer, and storyteller from West Auckland. Known for his sharp lyricism and soulful, genre-blending sound, honest narratives and cultural depth to his music. Making him one of the most respected voices in NZ hip-hop today & one of the GOAT.We sat down for a wide-ranging kōrero that moves from his deep connection to Avondale, to the personal values that guide him now. The conversation also digs into the realities of the NZ music industry (airplay, streaming, awards, collaboration culture, and the DIY legacy of acts like Home Brew), alongside branding/marketing, entrepreneurship, and building longevity beyond one hit. We talked about mentoring youth, creating safe spaces, habits and discipline, fatherhood shaping his perspective (including accountability around misogyny), and the double-edged nature of technology/AI for creativity and human connection.Podcast Chapters:(0:00) - 🟣 The INTRO(4:55) - 🎁 A Small gift(6:16) - 🎛️ THE SOUNDBOARD(6:34) - ☯️ Gratitude, Calm & Daily Practice(8:19) - 🧭 Advice to His Younger Self(12:05) - 📍 828 Avondale & Why It Means Everything(15:43) - 👪 Family, Values & Upbringing(17:23) - 🕊️ Spirituality & “Love Is the Religion”(20:22) - 🤖 AI, Technology & Humanity(23:35) - 🎨 Music as Catharsis(24:15) - 🎤 From Graffiti to Rap(25:24) - 🧠 Validation, Clout & Growing Up(27:06) - ❌ Failure, Learning & Reinvention(30:24) - 📦 If Melodownz Was a Product(35:12) - 🌊 Flow State Explained(36:10) - 🎵 Writing “East Side Blues”(38:22) - 🔊 New Music Direction(40:31) - 🎥 Creative Control & Music Videos(43:17) - 🌈 COLORS Impact & Going Global(45:29) - 📈 Longevity Without a Hit Song(48:06) - 🎯 Authenticity vs Chasing Trends(50:21) - 🇳🇿 The State of NZ Music(52:29) - 💰 Funding, Touring & Post-COVID Reality(55:12) - 🏆 Recognition, Awards & Global Impact(57:21) - 🧱 Building Culture Outside the Industry(58:08) - 🎤 Home Brew, Tom Scott & Legacy(1:02:22) - 🧑‍🏫 Community Work & Mentoring Youth(1:05:01) - 🧠 Safe Spaces & Healing Through Music(1:10:08) - 👥 Role Models & Circles(1:12:00) - 🥊 Discipline, Habits & Growth(1:15:02) - 🚀 Motivation & Manifestation(1:18:21) - 🏭 Proving Doubters Wrong(1:21:19) - 🆕 NEW SEGMENT – Stay or Stray 🆚(1:21:34) - 🆚 Chasing Hits vs Staying Authentic(1:23:24) - 🆚 Global Success vs Staying Rooted(1:24:29) - 🆚 Flashy Marketing vs Integrity(1:25:07) - 👨‍👧 Fatherhood & Accountability(1:26:46) - ♀️ Masculinity, Misogyny & Growth(1:31:31) - 🤖 AI Music & The Future of Art(1:35:17) - 🔜 New Album, Art & What’s Next(1:36:16) - ❤️ Community Activations & Giving Back(1:36:39) - 👋 Chao Chao!-ABOUT THE MELDING MUSE PODCAST 🟣Melding art & design, music, film, entrepreneurship, fashion, sports, gaming and whatever is in between. We exist to showcase extraordinary people to inspire the next generation of creatives & leaders. These are stories that motivate us to continually challenge ourselves, push boundaries and ultimately reinvent ourselves time and time again.Streaming from the land of the long white cloud - Aotearoa, New Zealand 🇳🇿🎟️ MERCH OFFICIAL STORE & SITE:🔗⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://themeldingmuse.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Like this content? 🔴 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎼 Podcast Intro: [High Ball from Pterror Dak Trill by Nick Maclaren] | Outro [Trippin' feat. Leroy by Unda]A project powered by:🟩 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NEZIAK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Crafting the most delightful brands & digital experiences.Supported by:▪️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NZK Creative Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off🏋 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BFT Gren Eden⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Te Atatu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Get 1 WEEK FREE + 1 Evolt Full Body Composition Scan & Consultation by mentioning "The Melding Muse" - Visit the studio or book by text to 021 466 407 - Glen Eden or 021 273 8123 - Te Atatu🇲🇽 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salsaroha Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | CODE: TMMP for 25% off
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 37 mins
No reviews yet