Forkin' Good with Simon Gault & Kate Fenwick

Menopause can affect sleep, mood, memory, weight, relationships, sex and how women feel in their own bodies. So why is there still so much confusion about it? In this episode of Forkin' Good, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with author and health journalist Niki Bezzant for a refreshingly straightforward conversation about menopause and perimenopause. Niki helps separate good science from the enormous amount of menopause misinformation online and talks about HRT, sleep, alcohol, weigh...

A product can have blinded trials, published papers, and strong safety data and still be treated like it’s dangerous simply because it works. That’s the knot we pull apart with Professor Julia Rucklidge as we look at how Medsafe regulates supplements and why therapeutic micronutrients keep getting squeezed into rules designed for pharmaceuticals, not prevention. We talk about Daily Essential Nutrients and the broader evidence on micronutrients for mental health and wellbeing, including...

Can what we eat really affect how we think, feel and behave? In this episode of Forkin’ Good, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Professor Julia Rucklidge, clinical psychologist and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury, whose research has focused extensively on nutrition, micronutrients and mental health. Julia explains what micronutrients actually are, why vitamins and minerals are essential for the brain, and what her research has found when micronutrie...

Thinking about getting dental work done overseas? In this episode of Forkin’ Good, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Jacqui Anderson from Dental Destinations to talk about Simon’s experience travelling to Vietnam for major dental work. They discuss how the process works, the difference in costs between New Zealand and Vietnam, implants, crowns, follow-up care, choosing reputable clinics and why going overseas for dentistry shouldn’t mean simply booking the cheapest option you can fin...

What does it take to build a restaurant worthy of Michelin recognition, while still staying completely true to yourself? This week on Forkin' Good, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with chef and 50/50 owner Helen Turnbull, whose remarkable career has taken her from Wellington to Japan, working with Gordon Ramsay and Michelin-starred chefs, before returning to New Zealand and creating her own dining experience in Kāpiti. Helen shares what Gordon Ramsay is actually like to work for, the ...

What happens after the transplant is over and you're expected to get on with living? In Part 2 of our conversation with double lung transplant recipient and health coach Jess Avenell, we explore the side of transplantation that doesn't always get talked about: rebuilding your health, finding a new normal, creating the right support network and learning how to live well with the second chance you've been given. Six and a half years after receiving new lungs, Jess shares what she wishes she'd...

What do you do with a second chance at life when somebody else made that second chance possible? In this episode of the Forking Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Jess Avenell — The Transplant Coach — to hear the extraordinary story behind her double lung transplant. Jess was just 21 when she was diagnosed with a rare lung disease. She was young, fit and training for a half Ironman when she began noticing that something wasn't right. Eventually, she was confronted with...

What if knowing when to quit is just as important as knowing how to persevere? In this episode of the Forking Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with leadership, health and triathlon coach Gareth Holebrook, author of Ishi: The Discipline of Determined Intent. Gareth explores the philosophy behind Ishi and what decades of business, coaching and extreme endurance racing have taught him about determination, leadership, failure and burnout. Having completed more than 30 iron-d...

What separates a great leader from someone who simply tells people what to do? In Part 2 of our conversation with leadership coach, endurance athlete and author Gareth Holebrook, we move from burnout and resilience into the practical realities of leadership. Gareth introduces intent based leadership, an approach that shifts decision making closer to the people actually doing the work. Instead of employees constantly asking the boss what to do, leaders create an environment where their teams...

What does it really take to succeed without burning yourself out? In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with endurance athlete, leadership coach and author Gareth Holebrook to explore the hidden cost of high performance. After completing multiple Ironman races and qualifying for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Gareth shares the remarkable story of collapsing just 7 kilometres from the finish line, and why that experience completely chang...

Life can get overwhelming, and sometimes it's important to talk honestly about it. In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick catch up on everything that's been happening, from managing stress, menopause and major life changes, to the simple habits helping Kate sleep better and regain some balance. They discuss cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), walking for mental wellbeing, cold showers, exercise, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop worrying a...

In this powerful episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Dr Samantha Marsh, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Auckland, and Vanessa McCarty, child psychotherapist and speaker for Smartphone Free Childhood New Zealand. Together they unpack what the latest evidence says about smartphones, social media, gaming and children's mental health, while sharing practical advice every parent, grandparent and teacher can use. We discuss: • Why more expe...

Did you know your gut is constantly communicating with your brain? In this fascinating episode of Forkin' Good, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick sit down with Alice Fitzgerald, CEO of The Gut Foundation, to unpack the science behind gut health, the microbiome, and why what you eat affects far more than just your digestion. From mental health and immunity to bowel cancer, inflammation and even your mood, this conversation explores why looking after your gut could be one of the most important thi...

Five months ago, Simon Squibb helped make Nav's dream come true. She took over ownership of Pink Broccoli Café and stepped into the exciting world of business ownership. But what happens after the cameras leave? In this honest follow up conversation, Nav shares the realities of running a café, managing staff, handling financial pressure, building culture, and learning how to transition from chef to business owner. Together, Simon Gault, Kate Fenwick and Nav discuss leadership, team perfor...

For years, Elizabeth Marshall believed she was the problem. Despite working in health, fitness and food, she found herself trapped in a cycle of emotional eating, binge eating, body shame, alcohol, grief and declining health. After the devastating loss of her father, everything spiralled. She gained 50kg, struggled with her health, and felt completely disconnected from herself. In this powerful conversation, Elizabeth shares how she discovered that food was never really the problem. We ex...

What makes a real Italian pizza? In this delicious episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick head to Mediterranean Foods in Wellington to sit down with the team behind some of New Zealand's most authentic Italian food. From traditional Neapolitan pizza making techniques to the secrets behind great pasta, prosciutto, olive oil and Italian ingredients, this episode is a masterclass in simplicity, passion and food culture. The team shares: 🍕 What makes authentic Neapo...

In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon and Kate sit down with one of the most fascinating people they've ever met: Eddie Rakanui. Eddie has hitchhiked in more than 700 vehicles across New Zealand, met thousands of strangers, spoken on stages around the country, and built an entire philosophy around one simple idea: Love Life More. From overcoming self doubt and leaving a secure government career, to finding purpose through discomfort, connection and vulnerability, Eddie shares ...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon and Kate are back together after Simon’s Vietnam adventure for a completely unfiltered catch up covering everything from teeth, handbags and Vietnamese coffee… to behavioural change, recycling trolls, gut health, cancer awareness, and why we seriously need to talk about poo more. The conversation dives into: • Simon’s trip to Vietnam and the surprisingly calming chaos of Saigon • Kate’s work turning online trolls into advocates • Why behavioural c...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon joins Kate live from Vietnam to talk street food, coffee culture, online trolls, overseas dental work, and the wild experiences he’s had while exploring the country. From accidentally telling people he was “horny” instead of saying food was delicious, to trying salted coffees, creme brulee coffees, sea snails, and Vietnamese street food, this episode is full of hilarious travel stories and honest conversations. Kate also shares stories from the Was...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon joins Kate live from Vietnam to share stories from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, including incredible food experiences, culture shocks, street food discoveries, and some seriously unusual delicacies. From salted coffee and Vietnamese baguettes to fertilized eggs and bustling street food culture, Simon dives into the food traditions that make Vietnam one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world. Kate and Simon also talk travel, cultur...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, Kate Fenwick and Simon Gault sit down with Nav, the chef behind the soon to open Pink Broccoli cafe. After a chance encounter with Simon Squibb, who asked Nav one simple question, “What’s your dream?”, her life changed almost overnight. From cooking in the kitchen of a cafe to suddenly preparing to become the owner of her own place, Nav shares the excitement, anxiety, pressure, and reality behind the dream. In this honest conversation, Nav talks about ...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, Kate and Simon take a step back from food and dive into something a little deeper… Mother’s Day, family, and the value of time. They share personal stories about their mums, parenting, and the realities of balancing work, life, and raising kids. From mum guilt and missed moments to the importance of simply being present, this is an honest and relatable conversation about what really matters. There’s also a powerful reminder that time moves fast. Whethe...

In this extra special episode of the Forkin’ Good Podcast, we’re unpacking the most unexpected, wholesome, and slightly-unreal thing that happened to us in Auckland… We met Simon Squibb (yes, that Simon — the “What’s your dream?” guy) and watched a young chef, Nav, go from “one day I want my own café” to “it’s happening” in four days. Nav’s dream café is called Pink Broccoli — and we’ve been invited to help mentor her through the journey: 🍳 Simon G on the food + chef side ♻️ Kate on waste m...

Kate shares a real and honest turning point in her health journey, after working with a nutritionist and realising that stress, food choices, and daily habits were all playing a bigger role than expected. In this episode of the Forking Good Podcast, Kate and Simon unpack: Why weight loss is not just about eating less The impact of stress on your body and metabolism Simple nutrition shifts that actually make a difference Protein, carbs, and what to focus on daily How small habits can feel ov...

In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick dive into the reality of rising living costs in New Zealand—from petrol prices to skyrocketing food bills—and how it’s changing the way we cook, shop, and eat. They share practical, no-nonsense tips for stretching your grocery budget without sacrificing flavour, including: Why cheaper cuts of meat are making a comeback How to cook simple, nostalgic meals like curried sausages and meatloaf Smart shopping strategies (re...

Welcome back to the Forkin' Good Podcast with Kate and Simon. This episode starts with a simple surprise… a “Fork'n Good” rice lager. But quickly turns into a deep dive into food, drink, and one of New Zealand’s most exciting culinary events… the Flavours of Plenty Festival. We chat about: • Our favourite drinks (wine, whiskey, and everything in between) • The rise of local food festivals and why they matter • Behind the scenes of the Flavours of Plenty Festival in the Bay of Plenty • Supp...

In this episode, we dive into one of the most talked-about topics in health right now: GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Kate opens up about her own struggles with weight, stress, and trying to find something that actually works. With expert insights from clinical nutritionist Kylie White, and leading voice in metabolic health Grant Schofield, this conversation goes far beyond quick fixes. We unpack: - What GLP-1 actually does in the body - Why “just eat less and move more” doesn’t work for everyon...

In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Kate takes Simon somewhere very different… behind the scenes of a real life recycling plant. What they discover is eye-opening. From contamination and food waste to nappies, batteries, and even hazardous items, this episode reveals what is really happening to the recycling we put on the curb each week. You’ll learn: - That up to 30% of recycling is contaminated. - How entire truckloads can be sent to landfill if we do the wrong thing. - What ac...

In this special episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Kate Fenwick and Simon Gault take you inside their very first live event in Tauranga. What started as a big idea turned into a packed room, incredible food, practical leftover inspiration, and a powerful conversation about food waste, community, and local action. This week, Kate and Simon reflect on the night, the sponsors who made it possible, and the amazing panel of guests who shared what is really happening on the ground in Tauranga. ...

This week on the Forkin' Good podcast, Kate and Simon visit Misfit Garden in Taupō and discover one of New Zealand’s smartest food waste solutions. Misfit Garden rescues fresh fruit and vegetables that are too small, too wonky, slightly blemished, or simply not “perfect” enough for supermarkets, then delivers them straight to households around New Zealand. The catch? There’s nothing wrong with them at all. In fact, a lot of it is fresher, tastier, and more exciting than what you’ll find on s...

Could your household save $1,300 this year just by wasting less food? In this episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast, Kate Fenwick and Simon Gault sit down with Sophie Wolland from Love Food Hate Waste to unpack the shocking truth about food waste in New Zealand and what we can do about it. Kiwis are throwing away around $3 billion worth of food every year, with the average household wasting about $25 a week. The good news is that small, practical changes can make a huge difference. Check out...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, we sit down with Chloe Hogan. Chloe was two weeks away from her second marathon when a car accident changed everything. A traumatic brain injury. Life support. Months in rehabilitation. Doctors telling her family she would never walk again. Thirteen years later, she walked one kilometre. In this deeply honest conversation, Chloe shares: • What it was like waking up after a traumatic brain injury • The moment her father refused to sign life support pa...

Ever wondered how much perfectly good food gets binned at the end of the day? This week on Forkin’ Good, we’re joined by Joost Rietveld from Too Good To Go, the app that lets you pick up surprise bags of surplus food from cafes, bakeries, hotels and more, usually for around one-third of the usual price. We talk: How the surprise bag model works (and why “free” didn’t work) The myth of “old food” and what you’re actually getting Best before vs use-by, and how to use your senses Why this ...

This week on the Forkin' Good Podcast, we sit down with Professor Grant Schofield — one of New Zealand’s most outspoken voices on metabolic health — and we don’t hold back. We dive into: - Why the Health Star Rating system doesn’t work - Why cereal can score higher than smoked salmon - The powerful link between sugar, metabolism & mental health - Why high blood sugar drives chronic disease - What’s really happening in school lunchboxes - What “metabolic health” actually means - Why moder...

IMPORTANT NOTE FROM SIMON: Just to clarity what I said in the video: sushi isn’t automatically “healthy” from a blood sugar or weight-loss point of view because it’s rice-based. Rice isn’t sugar, it’s starch but that starch is broken down into glucose (a simple sugar) in the body. One cup of cooked white rice delivers around 45 g of carbohydrate, roughly 11–12 teaspoons worth, which can raise blood sugar fairly quickly, especially in larger portions or with sauces and mayo. That’s what I’m ta...

This week we pull in at The Corner Stone Café — the spot you’ll miss if you’re flying through… but once you find it, you’ll plan your drives around it. We sit down with Phillippa, the owner, for a proper yarn about how the café came to be, what makes a great customer (and what definitely doesn’t), and why hospitality is harder than most people realise — especially when you’re running off septic, dealing with staffing shortages, and somehow still keeping standards sky-high. We get into: Wha...

Kate’s off to the Gold Coast for her son’s 21st, so we kick things off with holidays, theme parks, and the art of actually switching your phone off without someone calling to “just take five minutes”. Then we get stuck into a big one: E numbers. What they actually are, which ones are completely fine, and why the ones to watch usually live in ultra processed foods. We talk nitrates in processed meats, food colourings, MSG, and the difference between minimally processed food and the stuff that...

This week on the Forkin’ Good Podcast, we start with a very real summer problem and end up somewhere much more important. From getting rid of fruit flies without spraying chemicals everywhere, to why sleep is the foundation of good health and willpower. Simon explains the simple sleep mistakes most people make, how alcohol and sugar affect sleep, why body temperature matters, and a few easy changes you can start tonight. No gimmicks. No extremes. Just practical stuff that works. We also ta...

We hit Romulus & Remus (Ponsonby, Auckland) for the lasagne everyone raves about… and yep — it delivered. From an Istanbul yoghurt-gin cocktail to blue cod cured in rock salt, this episode is stacked with big flavour, good yarns, and proper hospitality. We chat with Claire about building a restaurant through tough times, why great teams matter, and how to keep food waste low without losing generosity. Then we head into the kitchen with Chef Tugay (Turkey → NZ) to unpack the magic behind ...

The first episode of the year is packed with great conversation, good food, and a few holiday surprises. Kate breaks tradition with her first-ever Christmas lunch at a restaurant (no dishes and no regrets). Simon shares what was on his plate at his mum’s, and how his leftover rum cream sauce found new life on summer berries a week later. We dive into: Restaurant tipping in New ZealandActs of kindness that actually make a differenceClever ways to use up Christmas leftoversIt’s a feel-good, lig...

IIt’s our final Forkin’ Good Podcast of the year - and we're bringing the festive chaos with laughs, leftovers, and low-waste living! 🎅♻️ Join Simon and Kate in their Christmas hats as they share: Genius ways to reuse Christmas leftovers (Brussels sprout glow-up, anyone?) Zero-waste wrapping tips that don’t kill the vibe What not to recycle (yes, glittery cards... we’re looking at you) Hilarious family traditions and real talk about overbuying food Bonus ideas like pavlova smoothies, Bo...

Kate & Simon hit the road to Kuaotunu and land at Luke’s Kitchen – the laid-back beachside spot serving up 80kg of mussels a day, wood-fired pizzas, and seriously good vibes on the Coromandel 🌊🍕🦪 In this episode of the Forking Good Podcast, you’ll meet: Luke – the local lad who turned his dad’s mechanic workshop and a food caravan into one of NZ’s most loved coastal restaurants Steve – the “overqualified” Auckland hospo pro who applied for a pizza chef job, moved for the lifestyle… and...

Join Kate & Simon for a caffeine-fuelled adventure as they road-trip to Coromandel and meet local legend John from Naughty Bean Coffee — a character, a storyteller, and one hell of a coffee roaster. This episode is all about coffee, cups, characters, and choices: How much coffee is actually good for you (science says more than you think) Inside the world of coffee roasting with a former builder–turned–barista The personality behind the perfect cup — why experience matters just as ...

Welcome to a very special episode of the Forkin' Good Podcast — because today, we’re not just talking about food… we’re EATING it. Simon and Kate take you inside Lokanta, the legendary Mediterranean restaurant run by their long-time friend and Turkish chef Zeki, right in the heart of Auckland, New Zealand. This episode is part feast, part masterclass, part travel story — and fully packed with: 🍷 Proper Mediterranean dining 🐙 Octopus & lentils cooked the traditional way 🔥 Flaming sagana...

🍫 Kate’s $7 Brownie Rebellion Kate refuses to buy tiny café brownies for the kids and bakes her own big, gooey tray instead – topped with a sprinkle of Murray River salt. Simon taste-tests (brutally honestly) and LOVES it. 🍝 Next-Level Bolognese Tips Simon shares his chef secrets for a proper bolognese: - Why a splash of milk at the end is magic - A tiny grate of nutmeg and even chicken livers (trust him!) - Pancetta vs bacon - Why fettuccine/tagliatelle beats spaghetti for holding sauce - T...

This week, it’s Simon’s turn in the hot seat! Kate grills (gently) the man behind the chef’s whites to uncover how a glider-flying Kiwi kid became one of New Zealand’s most recognised culinary voices. From growing up in Papakura with a pilot dad to washing dishes at 15 and learning perfection (and terror!) under legendary chef Tony Astle, Simon shares the hilarious, humbling and inspiring journey that shaped his career. Hear how a young apprentice ended up chatting with Elton John, cooking ...

We thought it's about time to introduce one of our hosts! For those who don't know, Kate Fenwick AKA Waste-ed Kate, AKA The Nappy Lady, has been educating on waste and rubbish for over two decades! She say's she talks rubbish full time! Get to know Kate like never before in today's episode! Follow Simon on his channels below: Instagram: @simon_gault Facebook: @Officialsimongault Tiktok: Simonjgault Youtube: Simon Gault Follow Waste-ed with Kate here: Instagram: @wastedwithkate Facebook: http...

Welcome to the Forkin' Good Podcast with Simon Gault and Waste-Ed With Kate. Real food, real laughs, real talk about waste. In Episode 2 we cover: • Giving your food a second chance to reduce waste and save money! • Life hacks and recipes for cheese, leek, bananas, and more! • Recycling basics, but theres lot's more to learn! • Beeswax wraps, how to make the most! Tune in, have a laugh, and tell us what you want to hear next — we’re just warming up 🍴 Follow the podcast on Instagram and Tikto...

This week, Simon dusts off his apron and prepares a stunning lunch for Kate (and Brody behind the camera!) This meal was a great catalyst for discussion around sitting, sharing, and being present for a meal with friends. We need to do more of it! It's definitely an ep we recommend checking out the video version for! The food looked amazing! Follow the podcast on Instagram and Tiktok: @forkingoodpod Follow Simon on his channels below: Instagram: @simon_gault Facebook: @Officialsimongaul...

Simon Gault and Kate Fenwick dish out practical ways to cook better, waste less, and have a cracking yarn about the food we love. In this first-ever episode, we’re just getting started! Kate checks in on her sleep habits (and Simon’s got a few opinions), we unpack the truth about processed and refined foods, and share some simple swaps to get your kitchen — and your energy — back on track. Tune in, have a laugh, and tell us what you want to hear next — we’re just warming up 🍴 Follow the po...