Final Episode of 2025!
For the final Ginger’s podcast episode of 2025, the mic gets turned around.
Long-time Ginger’s crew member Ayesha Kee steps in as guest host, sitting down with Lisa, creator and founder of Ginger’s, to reflect on what the past 16 months have been.
Since launching, Ginger’s has completed 16 events across 8 cities, hosted 2 Bush Camps, 2 boat parties, released 16 podcast episodes, and grown into a connected online community, not just across Aotearoa New Zealand, but with people around the world tuning in and following what’s being built.
2025 also marked a major milestone for Ginger’s, receiving a national award from the New Zealand Events Association for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year, all within the first 16 months.
This episode reflects on the people at the heart of Ginger’s, the lessons learned along the way, and what’s still to come.
Enjoy the holidays, and Ginger’s will be back in January for another big year ahead.
In this Episode, Lisa is joined by Lauren Craig, co-leader of the Young Green Party of New Zealand, climate justice advocate and trans woman, alongside Maka Annandale, a takatāpui transmasc artist, Bush Camp ranger, and trusted community voice, to talk about trans lives in Aotearoa and the real impact of recent government decisions.
The conversation centres on the New Zealand Government’s ban on puberty blockers and what it means for trans and gender-diverse young people, their whānau, and their futures. Lauren explains how this decision was made and why it matters, while Maka shares what it’s like to grow up without support or language - and how access to care and community can change everything.
They also reflect on where safety is found, why queer spaces matter, and what it means to show up for each other when trans people are being targeted at a policy level.
If you’re able to, you can donate to PATHA (Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa) to help cover legal fees in the fight against the Government’s decision to ban puberty blockers by visiting: http://patha.nz/donate
Lez be honest… at this point, everyone has watched The Ultimatum: Queer Love. We’ve all binged it, yelled at the TV, formed strong opinions about people we’ve never met, and pretended we weren’t emotionally invested.
So now it’s finally time to get the behind-the-scenes tea straight from the source - Marita Prodger herself.
Lisa and guest host Lana Searle - National Host of More FM Breakfast (and fresh off hosting Christmas in the Park for a casual 100,000 people) tune in from the back arse of the world, to LA to chat with Marita about everything we didn’t see on screen: the reality of filming, the friendships that surprised her, who she’s still close with now, the year-long wait before the season dropped, the online rollercoaster of opinions, moving to LA, building queer community, coming out, healing, and the highly debated reunion drama that had everyone talking.
Press play - it’s a good one.
We're proud to have queerly owned and operated CMAA Accountants support this Ginger's Podcast Episode. For free onboarding (worth $250), quote the code 'GingersFam' when contacting Clear Mind Accounting & Advisory : www.cmaa.co.nz
Broadcaster and wellness advocate Dani Fennessy joins Lisa for a conversation about the kind of heartbreak that doesn’t just end a relationship, but the kind that unravels an identity.
They talk about staying in jobs, friendships, relationships or routines long after your body has already packed its bag and left. Tha quiet, restless feeling before burnout, before heartbreak, where your gut knows but your brain still wants to negotiate. Is it fear? Is it loyalty? Or is it simply intuition trying to tap you on the shoulder?
They unpack breakup grief, burnout that isn’t just about work, and how queers in their 30s start craving depth, ease and real connection - not just relevance, visibility or 'being fine.'
There’s kōrero on purpose, boundaries, friendship, and how sometimes your people know when you’re done before you do. And of course, a few classic ADHD detours along the way.
You can follow Dani's Wellness Hub at @solsocietynz on Instagram
Our guest this week, Tory Whanau, made history as the first Māori mayor of Wellington - New Zealand’s capital city - and quickly discovered that female, indigenous leadership at the top came with a price.
In this episode, she speaks candidly with Lisa and guest host Arpége about navigating public life as an Indigenous woman, the emotional toll of constant scrutiny and online harassment, and the reality of being held to a higher standard simply for being visible, female, Māori, and outspoken.
Tory shares the behind-the-scenes truth - what it’s like when your nervous system lives in survival mode, when your values are tested daily, and when advocating for equity makes you a target. She opens up about burnout, neurodivergence, the weight of representation, and the unexpected grief that comes with stepping out of leadership to protect your wellbeing.
We talk about authenticity in public spaces, allyship for the Rainbow community, how to use your voice without losing yourself - and why her move to Melbourne isn’t a retreat, but a strategic pause before coming back stronger to Aotearoa politics.
A raw, thoughtful kōrero about voice, courage, rest, and return.
BBC award-winning actor and writer Victoria Broom joins us for a no-filter chat about queer roles, visibility, and lesbian life in London. From singing Dolly Parton backstage with Lynda Carter on the Wonder Woman 1984 set to the messy, funny realities of love and identity - this one’s got lotsa heart, humour, and a tea filled stories. From London to the back arse of the world in New Zealand, Cassie, Lisa, and Victoria compare queer life across the oceans.
World BMX champ Jessie Smith joins Lisa and Cassie to talk about life in the fast lane, the crashes that nearly broke her, and how slowing down led her straight to her people. From high-performance sport to high-camp weekends, Jessie opens up about mental health, queer identity, and what it really takes to rebuild when your whole world’s been speed-wobbled. It’s a reminder that when your identity is stripped away, you get to choose who you become next.
Connection is everything. In love. At work. At play. Everywhere.
In this episode, host Cassie Roma is joined by her bestie, documentarian Mandy Kupenga (director & producer of Heal the Hauraki), for a wholesome kōrero on the value of connection in the queer community.
Expect a few laughs, deep chats, some special moments, and beautiful Bush Camp memories woven in along the way.
In this episode, Cassie and Lisa have a yarn about queer life in the workplace - from why so many of us end up working solo to how lesbian-led and gender minority initiatives are often last in line for funding.
Expect a classic Lisa rant, some grounding insight from Cassie, and a few good reminders that you’re not imagining it - it really is harder for us out here.
But we’ve got each other, and there’s power in building something of our own.
And description to be this :
In this week’s episode, award-winning Hollywood actor Mandahla Rose (she/they) opens up about her journey - from being raised in Adelaide by two progressive nuns, to carving out a career in LA spotlighting queer stories.
She shares how it felt to win Best Actress at the 2024 Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival for The Paradise Road, and what it’s like navigating life in the U.S. right now as a queer person and parent.
We talk about the joys and challenges of raising a child, her passion for playing queer roles, and how identity and resilience shape her work and home life amid today’s unrest. 🧡
Recorded live in Tāmaki Makaurau, this special episode brings together a panel of wāhine who know how to speak up, show up, and call it like it is.
Green Party Co-Leader and honorary ally, the Hon. Marama Davidson, joins Lana Searle (More FM Breakfast), broadcaster, community leader Mandy Kupenga, advocate for women’s fitness spaces Sophie Parker and Ginger’s podcast co-host Cassie Roma for an hour of mic-drop moments, hilarious confessions, and some big, beautiful truths about identity, advocacy, and what it really takes to walk the talk.
Cassie and Lisa sit down for an open and honest kōrero about neurodivergence, and ADHD in particular - from growing up undiagnosed to finding language, tools, and self-compassion later in life. They talk about what it’s like navigating the world as neurodivergent wāhine within the rainbow community, the pressure to mask, and the power of unmasking in spaces that feel safe. Real, reflective, and a little bit rambly in all the best ways.
Find Ginger's on Instagram here.
Find Cassie on Instagram here.
On the world-wide-web here.
And, LinkedIn here.
This week, Lisa and Cassie chat with the absolute legend Emily C Browning - a producer, DJ, and musical wizard from Aotearoa who’s collabed with the brains behind Maroon 5, Dua Lipa, and Shawn Mendes.
The convo goes rogue (as expected): a little sapphic pop culture, a little chaos, and a few confessions we maybe should’ve edited out... but didn’t.
You’re welcome!
Find out more about Emily and follow her journey here.
Listen to Emily's music!
Keep up-to-date with Ginger's Events, Bush Camp Info, special guests, and more here.
Follow Cassie on LinkedIn or Insta!
"Arpége Uncovers the Māori Lunar Calendar’s Secret to Better Health!"
In this week’s episode of Ginger’s, Lisa and Cassie catch up with the incredible Arpége Taratoa-Rangikura from Hot Mess Events.
Arpége shares her journey with Cycle Syncing and the Maramataka (Māori lunar calendar), and how it’s been a total game-changer for her health and life.
Expect a few ‘that’s what she said’ moments as we dive into the world of syncing with the moon and embracing the ebb and flow!
Don't take it from us, take it from Arpége. Because "that's what she said..."
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The Ginger's Podcast has taken flight! In this episode, hosts Cassie Roma & Lisa Rooney dive into the backstory of New Zealand's most popular Lesbian Pop-Up Events & give insights into their backstories as well. Sit back, relax, & enjoy this queer-AF chat!
In this episode, Māori therapist and neurodivergent specialist Jemma Bennett brings clarity, warmth, and straight-up emotional intelligence to two huge conversations: Neurodivergence and Bisexuality.
We look at what late diagnosis really feels like - the relief, the grief, the 'oh… that explains my whole childhood' moments - and how masking, shame, and perfectionism have shaped so many neurodivergent lives, especially for women. Jemma breaks down self-compassion in a way that finally feels doable, and talks openly about building support, community, and language around your own brain without judgement.
Then we shift into Bisexuality, exploring the stereotypes that cling to it, the isolation so many bi people sit with, and the constant pressure to 'prove' your identity in both straight and queer spaces. Jemma offers grounded, thoughtful guidance on belonging, boundaries, and holding your identity with pride even when others don’t understand it.
For anyone navigating Neurodivergence, Bisexuality, or simply wanting to understand themselves a little better - this episode is for you.
You can find Jemma on Instagram @the_maori_therapist and at www.baycounselling.co.nz