Take It From Us with Kent Johns
Ember
Publishing Details
About This Podcast
Take It From Us is the voice of lived experience. In this podcast, you'll hear real people share honest stories about mental health, addiction, trauma and recovery - straight from their own journeys.
They'll tell you what actually worked, what didn't, and what they wish they'd known sooner.
Host Kent Johns is a former broadcaster-turned-health-coach who believes everyone has a story to tell if people take the time to really listen.
So settle in, you're going to hear some stories. Take it from us - and from them.
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If you need support, click here for helpful links, phone numbers and resources:
https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/
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Recent Episodes
Chris Bowden: How men grieve the suicide of a mate - and what we misunderstand
Chris Bowden lost 5 friends to suicide when he was a young man. He coped badly - drinking, drugs, anger, violence, getting into fights. He was spiralling.A university lecturer noticed something…
Melanie Rauth: Methamphetamine, prison and a second chance
Melanie Rauth grew up in Australia. When her parents separated at 13, she started making different choices - cannabis, the wrong crowd, trouble at school. She had her daughter and in 2010 they moved…
Dave Burnside: 'The man at my prison cell door who changed my life'
Dave Burnside started drinking at eight. He was drawn into the gang scene and drugs in Auckland. Multiple prison sentences followed - he was angry, railing against the system.Then one day in Spring…
Shelwin Khan: 'I wanted to join the 27 Club. Instead I got sober'
In 2026, Auckland man Shelwin Khan is thriving as a peer support worker and lived experience advisor. But it wasn't always like this.Shelwin started drinking at 13. By his mid-20s he was, by his own…
Lotta Dann: 'The world loved my skinny body - then the binging started'
Lotta Dann is a well-known author and advocate in the addiction recovery space. This year marks 15 years since her last drink.Six years ago, Lotta had a second awakening - this time about diet…
Dean Clarkson: Creating safe spaces for men who've suffered family violence
Dean Clarkson established Wana Charitable Trust in 2024 to help men and their families who've suffered family violence. Based in Takanini, South Auckland, Dean provides safe housing, group therapy,…
Freddie Bennett: 'I had the Porsche, the Rolex.. and was falling apart inside'
Freddie Bennett co-founded Bay Paediatrics in Tauranga, and in his words, is leading the neurodiversity revolution.Less than 10 years ago, Freddie had the Porsche, the Rolex, the corporate life in…
Kevin Hollingsworth: 16 years in recovery from Methamphetamine addiction
Kevin Hollingsworth is a clinical practitioner, addiction counsellor, and executive director of Mana Enhancing Stop Group in Rotorua. He's been in recovery from methamphetamine addiction for over 16…
Kelsey Waghorn: Surviving White Island - and the PTSD that came later
Kelsey Waghorn survived the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption on December 9, 2019. In two minutes, the volcano changed the trajectory of her life.Kelsey made split-second decisions that saved…
Liz Downes: Living with bipolar and supporting others as a peer
Liz Downes is a Peer Support Specialist and Associate Professional Lead at Counties Manukau Health, working alongside people with shared lived experience of bipolar disorder.Liz trained as a nurse.…
Rich Rowley & Bex Waugh: The power in being 'neuro-spicy'
Bex Waugh and Rich Rowley are self-described as 'neuro-spicy' - and they're on a mission to help workplaces understand the value neurodivergent people bring.They're the force behind Neurofusion, an…
Suzette Jackson: 'See women as people first, not just mothers'
Suzette Jackson has just submitted her PhD in social work at the University of Auckland, researching a unique drug treatment program for pregnant women and mothers at Higher Ground in…
Asha Munn: On the healing power of creativity
Asha Munn is an art psychotherapist, EMDR therapist and founder of Breathing Space Charitable Trust.At university, Asha got unwell and didn't think she'd return for her final year. Art healed her -…
Lynda Hills: Suicide survivor on the research that's her new purpose
Lynda Hills is a suicide researcher studying for a PhD at Auckland University, and her lived experience is informing her research.Seventeen years ago, Lynda tried to take her own life. She was left…
Rose Heta-Minhinnick & Arohanui Minhinnick: From recovery to empowering the next generation
Rose Heta-Minhinnick and her daughter Arohanui Minhinnik run Te Waa Charitable Trust, helping young people and their families in Waiuku, southwest of Auckland.Rose is 12 years in recovery from…
Anna Ashton: Online harm - the crisis no one's trained to handle
Ten years ago, online harassment followed Anna Ashton everywhere - she couldn't escape by changing schools or moving homes. She became agoraphobic, was misdiagnosed with social anxiety, and…
Dom Huxley: How surfing is helping farmers combat isolation
Dom Huxley is the General Manager of Surfing for Farmers, a grassroots organisation helping the rural community through surf therapy. Since 2018, over 8,000 farmers have taken part across 25 beaches…
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…
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…
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.…
Frequently Asked Questions
Take It From Us with Kent Johns has published 47 episodes since June 2025, covering topics in Health & Fitness, Mental Health.
Take It From Us with Kent Johns is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 34m.
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