"I think its about time we celebrated that sort of thing" - Mitch McCann, Newshub

Welcome to the Poppy Field, a quartlery wrap-up of the Tall Poppy Talk podcast!

Kia ora, I’m so thrilled to be coming at you live from Jersey City in the gritty NJ, USA. Think Sopranos, not the Jersey Shore.

Thanks to the collection of really remarkable people - aka ‘Tall Poppies’ - the podcast just aired its 75th weekly episode. This past week’s guest, Mitch McCann, is a very fitting one for this newsletter to come out in conjunction with. Because you see, during his episode we talk about the significance and IMPORTANCE of storytelling.

Mitch McCann: Newshub US Correspondent

With the rise of instantaneous “news” through social media platforms, and the decline of attention span duration. I am sincerely grateful to participate in and share long-form interviews. [storytelling] is becoming a somewhat eclectic form of media consumption that we crave but find time is fleeting for.

The purpose of this newsletter is to showcase some of the guests I’ve had recently. Hopefully it inspires you to check out other episodes, or share with someone who may resonate with Tall Poppy Talk’s purpose. Right - I just harped on about how short attention spans are… so, let’s get into it!

Wild Ride: Dan Williamson, 21 y/o Olympic Gold

Straight out the gate, is Daniel (Dan) Williamson. He & I had rotated in similar rowing circles but had not actually met before. Dan’s ‘personal brand’ initially and rightfully so, feels like a straight-forward ‘elite athlete.’ Hence the Olympic Gold. BUT, this ‘wild ride’ shout out comes because at age 21 he crosses the Olympic finish line as a Gold Medalist in the NZ Rowing Men’s 8. His first reaction? Is to laugh, in disbelief. At the end of high-school he saw his future path with rowing NZ and opted to first explore a US-college experience at Yale. So he did just that. Best laid plans and all, because the world had other intentions and covid sent him back to NZ just shy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Listen HERE.

Tokyo Olympics, USA Yale, Gold Medal Dan

Production Powerhouse: Molly Leishman

Molly is one of these remarkable people who I think would, and could, excel at whatever she decides to put her energy toward. Right now, her ambitions have taken her to California where she works as a Producer for Human Person (creative studio). Although based in LA, the team spends most of their time on the road and in deep creative development for MASSIVE globally-renowned events. Most recently, Molly and Human Person designed SZA’s Grammy performance… how EPIC.

During our korero, Molly shares about the power of knowing “I deserve to be in the room.” The unique impact of Tall Poppy on woman and girls. Her crazy schedule in Uni when she split each week between studying in Wellington and working as an actress in Auckland. & a bunch more. This episode is one that leaves you jazzed about what possibilities there are, and careers not yet discovered, open for our exploration. Listen HERE

Molly in action ft. Lil Baby - IOU Tour (left), SZA Grammys (right)

Get Better Work Stories: Mike Emanuel

Mike is an anchor and Chief Correspondent for FOX News in Washington DC. Having joined the FOX Network in 1997, he has truly been there for some of the most iconic and historic moments of American and International news. Naturally, he brings up accounts of covering George W. Bush with one unbelievable story of ending up alone in a room with the President and The Pope in the Vatican… or when he starts talking sport with Obama at the start of his term in The White House.

Mike was generous with his time and gave a plethora of unique insights into his career. There are many stories from 9/11 to the Capitol Riots, and ‘lighter’ topics about the journey from Jersey-kid to FOX News long-time reporter. Listen HERE

Mike over the years

What’s in the pipeline?

Tall Poppy Talk has only one ‘qualifying’ criteria for guests: be a Tall Poppy. In whatever field that may be. In the upcoming weeks I’m stoked to welcome some totally new 'industry’ guests including a NZ’s Team Emirates Sailing Cyclor Marius van der Pol, Billboard #34 Australian Producer Cyril Riley, World-Class Performance Psychologist Jonah Oliver, and many more. Every episode I have introduces me to someone new, engaging, and inspiring. I absolutely LOVE this Poppy Field, and appreciate anyone helping its growth. Please reach out if you have suggestions, advice, wisdom, or a guest recommendation!

^^ Here’s me all excited ahead of my interview with Mitch!! ps. he took the photo.

Read/Watch/Listen Reccos:

Last thing, beyond listening to podcasts (of course) I know heaps of you are keen to uncover new sources of entertainment or learning. So here are a handful of books/shows/etc I recommend!

• Book: ‘Born A Crime’ - Trevor Noah. Shout out to Stuart Chrisp, such a powerful read!

• Show: ‘Only Murders In The Building.’ A class-act cast with a nice mix of everything.

• Listen: ‘Armchair Expert' - Dax Shepard & Monica Padman, also check out David Farrier’s ‘Flightless Bird’ series which sits under the Armchair Umbrella.

• Watch: ‘Road House.’ Disclaimer, this is intended to be an action movie but with it being McGregor’s debut acting role you’ll see a lean toward comedy. I really enjoyed it.

Goodbye Giggle

Why couldn't the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two-tired.