Unfiltered With Dave Letele

#39 Aaron Hendry

This week, Dave sits down with Aaron Hendry — youth worker and the force behind Kick Back — who has spent years standing alongside young people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa. From running Front Door on K Road to supporting rangatahi with nowhere safe to go, Aaron has seen firsthand how easily young people fall through the cracks of our system.With the government now pushing these cruel "Move On" orders that target our most vulnerable people — Aaron explains why forcing people to move along won’t solve homelessness, and why compassion and community-led solutions are what actually change lives.A confronting and deeply human kōrero about youth homelessness, dignity, and what it means to stand up for those society too often ignores. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#38 Uncletics

This week, Dave sits down with Leighton Clarke — better known as Uncletics — for a raw and honest kōrero about owning who you are. From growing up in the King Country and navigating school with tourettes, to building a powerful online community without toning himself down for anyone — Leighton shares what it’s taken to fully back himself.They talk about stigma, being accused of faking it, online backlash, and why trying to please everyone is a losing game. Leighton doesn’t shrink himself to make others comfortable — and that’s exactly why so many people connect with him.It’s funny, confronting, heartfelt, and real. Strap in fam 🔥 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#37 Mike McRoberts

In this week’s episode, Dave sits down with Mike McRoberts — one of New Zealand’s most respected journalists — for a powerful and deeply reflective kōrero. From reporting in war zones and natural disasters around the world, to battling imposter syndrome and navigating identity, Mike opens up about what it really takes to stand in the middle of chaos and keep showing up.They dive into trauma, balance, the cost of chasing purpose, learning te reo later in life, and the quiet rebuilding that happens when the cameras are off. This isn’t just a conversation about journalism — it’s about belonging, resilience, and finding clarity after the storm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#36 Konrad Ross

In this week’s episode, Dave sits down with Konrad — former Tall Black — for one of the wildest and most confronting stories ever told on Unfiltered. From elite basketball, to a life that includes Federal US prisons, addiction, and moments that feel straight out of a movie.This kōrero goes deep into identity, following the wrong crowd, losing your way, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life from the ground floor up. Raw, uncomfortable, and incredibly human — this is a story for anyone who’s ever had to start again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#35 Manu Vatuvei

SEASON 2 IS HERE 🔥Kicking off with the man who started it all, Manu Vatuvei, was our very first Unfiltered guest — the episode that helped launch this whole podcast. One year on... Manu returns to reflect on 2025, his NRL career and the moments that defined him at the Warriors, and what it means to him to be giving back now. A full-circle kōrero about legacy, brotherhood, and life after footy. Enjoy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.