Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

About Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Paula Bennett's life journey has had plenty of ups and down - going from a teenage solo mum in Taupo all the way to deputy Prime Minister - but it's taught her a lot along the way. One thing she has learned is it’s never too late to learn something new. In Ask Me Anything, Paula will be talking to Kiwis from all walks of life, to learn how they got to where they are, and to share stories, advice and guidance the rest of us can learn from. New episodes out fortnightly on Sundays.

Publisher

NZME

Category

comedy · education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Aug 2022

Latest episode

17 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

126 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Oct 2026

   John Aiken on the Nigel Latta advice that stayed with him

   John Aiken is used to giving advice on Married at First Sight. But when he needed help with his own parenting, he turned to Nigel Latta. Returning to Ask Me Anything, John joins Paula Bennett to discuss bringing Nigel’s work to the screen in Lessons on Living, coping with grief and the three principles at the heart of the series. They also explore MAFS bad behaviour, modern dating and Paula’s unusually named inner critic. Hear more about: • Why “speaking your truth” can cross into disrespect. • Nigel Latta’s advice on control, resilience and leaning on your team. • How Paula deals with the voice telling her she’s not good enough. • The parenting lesson John still uses at home — and on MAFS. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   3 Oct 2026

   Chris Hipkins on the conversation that changed everything

   What makes Chris Hipkins tick away from the political spotlight? In the first of two conversations with the major party leaders, Paula Bennett asks Hipkins about his Lower Hutt childhood, his student protest days and the unexpected conversation that put him on the path to becoming prime minister. He also opens up about fatherhood, protecting his children’s privacy, his unplanned election-night relationship announcement and why sausage rolls are off the campaign menu. Then Hipkins turns the questions on Paula, prompting a candid admission about her biggest political regret. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   19 Sept 2026

   Brooke van Velden on leaving politics and what comes next

   Brooke van Velden is preparing to leave Parliament after six years as an MP and three as a Cabinet minister. At just 33, she could have had decades of political life ahead of her. Instead, van Velden says she wants to find out what else is out there — as she also prepares for another major change, becoming a mother. She joins Paula Bennett for a candid conversation about growing up shy, finding her way into ACT almost by accident, life as a young woman in Parliament, the compromises that come with Cabinet, why she has no doubts about stepping away, and what happens when being “Minister” simply becomes being Brooke again. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Who has been a guest on Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Leigh Hart
• Suzy Cato
• Ivor Popovich
• Jenny-May Clarkson
• Nadia Lim

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

71,722,313

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

4.6 / 5

41 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

61

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

92

Contact Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about Ask Me Anything with Paula Bennett