Beyond the Surface is a long-form podcast hosted by Noa Woolloff, featuring some of New Zealand's biggest names. From Paddy Gower, TJ Perenara, Amelia Kerr, Brooke Roberts to Guy Williams, Noa discusses the tools, strategies and stories that have shaped their lives.
The goal: to stamp out tall poppy syndrome and create a platform for more conversations about mental health.
#78: Corban Piper – Losing His Dad, The Truth About the Auckland FC Rivalry, and Phoenix Pressure
Before becoming one of the Wellington Phoenix's most loved players, Corban lost his dad as a teenager, packed up his life, and headed to Ireland chasing a football dream with no guarantees it'd work out. There were days in Dublin where he'd barely speak to anyone.
Meanwhile, his family back home were trying to navigate life without the man who'd always held things together. We get into all of that, plus some funny yarns along the way.
The Auckland FC rivalry, what was really happening at the Phoenix during a difficult season, derby day tension, locker room stories, his obsession with eggs, and why he looks more like he'd be playing No. 8 for the Hurricanes than professional football.
A bloody good episode, one of my favourites in a long time. Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow!
Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/
Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/
Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/
Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz
Corban Inta – https://www.instagram.com/corbannpiper/
Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
5 May 2026
#77: Emma Upton – What My Run From Auckland to Wellington Taught Me and Revealing Her Next Challenge
600km in 11 days… yeah, nah bro. Emma Upton joins the pod after running from Auckland to Wellington for Movember, which is about as casual as it sounds. Before that, she also knocked out a half marathon every day for 30 days straight! An absolute weapon and I'm sure you'll enjoy this conversation.
Emma opens up about losing her uncle to a battle with mental health and why that's pushed her to show up for men's mental health in such a big way. We also unpack the challenges behind the scenes, the crazy stories about travelling through rural NZ, the pressure to keep going bigger and what she's thinking for her next challenge.
A huge reminder that most of us are probably capable of a lot more than we think!
Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow!
Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/
Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/
Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/
Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz
Emma Upton – https://www.instagram.com/emmauptonn/
Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
21 Apr 2026
#76: Sami Roberston – Why I Swam the Cook Straight
Sami recently swam (yes swam) the Cook Straight, clocking an impressive 9hrs 46 mins for 28.8 km. That's nearly 10 hours of treading water with no wetsuit, what a weapon.
Sami unpacks why this swim was so important for him, raising funds for Parkinson's Disease and the challenges he had to overcome along the way (including swimming the last hour in complete darkness). We also yarn about Sami's shoe venture, WildPool that's taking over the UK!
Hope you enjoy this episode and conversation.
Please remember to hit subscribe, click follow or rate 5 stars, it helps the pod grow!
Moana Road (Use Discount Code BTS20 for 20% off!) – https://moanaroad.co.nz/ (https://moanaroad.co.nz/)
Kaboose Media – https://www.kaboosemedia.co.nz/
Beyond the Surface Insta – https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_surfacenz/
Beyond the Surface YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@beyondthesurfacenz
Sami Robertson – https://www.instagram.com/sami_robertson/
Wild Pool – https://shop.wildpool.com/
Noa Woolloff Insta – https://www.instagram.com/noawoolloff/
Who has been a guest on Beyond the Surface
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lizi Guest
MELODOWNZ
Jase Te Patu
Barbara Edmonds
Max Tebbs
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
239,096
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
105 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 69 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
94
YouTube
86
Engagement
77
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