New season of support work podcast launched

The Difference podcast returns with six new episodes showcasing mental health and addiction support workers from across Aotearoa.

The podcast series The Difference from Te Pou is back for a second season, with six new episodes focused on support workers in mental health and addiction services across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Season two topics include whānau support, working with older people, peer support in emergency departments, supporting parents, ethics and boundaries, and support work from a cultural lens.

Guests are from a range of organisations around the motu including Kāhui Tū Kaha, Penina Trust, Yellow Brick Road, Vaka Tautua, Kites Trust, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Equip, Stepping Stones Trust, Odyssey and Atareira.

Created by support workers, for support workers in Aotearoa New Zealand, the podcast was developed by Te Pou to champion the essential yet often undervalued mahi of support workers who make up around one-third (33%) of the overall mental health and addiction workforce.

Podcast host Alexia Black, who is a project lead at Te Pou, says that the new season builds on the awesome conversations from season one.

"I left each of these kōrero feeling so grateful for the life-changing and life-saving work being done by support workers every day across Aotearoa," says Alexia. "There is so much passion, so much wisdom and such beautiful people doing this mahi. It really humbles you."

The first season of The Difference, which launched in May 2025, was well received with more than 1,000 downloads across the first four episodes.

Still available on Spotify, YouTube and other channels, season one covered topics such as using your lived experience in your mahi, worker wellbeing and vicarious trauma, leadership, career pathways and workforce retention, and the importance of reflective practice.

The series drew strong responses from sector leaders. Spencer Kendall, General Manager of Workwise, said he had begun promoting the series internally, wanting "everyone to listen."

From February 19, new episodes are be released fortnightly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and other podcast platforms.

Additional resources for support workers on each episode topic are available on the Te Pou website: Strengthening the mental health and addiction support workforce.

Te Pou is a national workforce centre for addiction and mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand and is part of the Wise Group whānau. As an organisation, Te Pou is committed to providing support workers with training and resources, and growing sector awareness of the vital role support workers play in our communities.