Take It From Us with Kent Johns

Riqi Harawira: Rock Star, Survivor, Counsellor - on smashing the shame

Riqi Harawira's band Dead Flowers used to play in front of tens of thousands, supporting acts like Guns N' Roses and Pearl Jam. Now Riqi works at Man Alive in West Auckland, helping men build better relationships.Riqi is a survivor of addiction, and sexual abuse in foster care. Now he's helping other men work through their own darkness.And he's making new music with a message. His new song "Pātua te Taniwha" means smash the shame.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text by clicking here.If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

Ben Purua: From Waikeria Prison to Young Māori Farmer of the Year

Ben Purua is a South Waikato farmer who grew up in South Auckland surrounded by poverty, gangs and violence. He joined a gang at 13. At 16, he was sent to prison for manslaughter.Ben discovered farming while in Waikeria Prison - working on the prison farm gave him a sense of freedom and belonging he'd never felt before. When he was released in 2015, his employer took a chance on him, and he's now built a career on keenness, loyalty, and hard work.In 2024, Ben was named Young Māori Farmer of the Year. Now he dreams of creating a transition farm for men leaving prison.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text by clicking here.If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

Dr Moana Tane: Domestic violence - it's not about poverty, it's about men

Dr. Moana Tane is the chief executive of Tauranga Living Without Violence, and she's challenging the assumptions we make about domestic violence.It's not rooted in socioeconomic hardship. Overwhelmingly, violence in the home is committed by men regardless of race or status. Moana's work began in Australia managing health services. When she moved into social services, she noticed something critical: programs for women fleeing violence, but nothing for the men perpetrating it. The women had to run while the men stayed put.Now Moana runs non-violence programmes for men - 20-week courses teaching communication, accountability, and alternatives to violence. Success looks like one thing: his partner reports he's not doing it anymore.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text by clicking here.If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

Josh Komen: A story of epic survival and how a Mum's love pulled him back from the brink

Josh Komen was a gun athlete with aspirations to run the 800 metres for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games - until a cancer diagnosis changed everything.Josh's life was tipped on its head. He spent five years in Australia getting specialised treatment for Graft-versus-Host-Disease after a stem cell transplant. His new immune system was attacking his body. He suffered 12 heart attacks in Melbourne. At his lowest, Josh nearly took his own life - saved only by the love of his Mum.Josh has had to beat the odds many times to become the man, husband, and father he is today - drawing on an inner strength he didn't think he had to overcome not only cancer, but many other hurdles his body threw at him. Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning has become his philosophy - learning that you can still choose your attitude, even when everything else is stripped away.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text by clicking here.If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

Maree MacLean: The no bullshit guide to getting sober

Maree MacLean is an author and publisher who has helped countless people with her guides to sobriety. Her first book, The No Bullshit Guide to Getting Sober, became an Audible bestseller in 2023.Maree lost her brother Stu to alcoholism at 37 - he died in her arms at Auckland Hospital. Her own drinking started in her twenties, masked by media work and weekend partying. When she went freelance and her income became unstable, the problem became impossible to hide.She drank through a 10-year marriage in Copenhagen. After Stu's death, she came home to New Zealand and spiralled. One morning, ready to end her life, she drove to the marae instead. A psychologist named Joseph saw her walk in and knew.Maree speaks with brutal honesty and candid humour about addiction, recovery, and why helping others has kept her sober.We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text by clicking here.If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/