It's the 100th episode of Ask Me Anything, and we're flipping the script! This week, Paula's in the hot seat as Heather du Plessis-Allan takes over hosting duties to ask the hard questions. Paula opens up about life in John Key’s inner circle, the grief that changed her and what she really thinks of Winston Peters and David Seymour.

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A social media ban for under-16s could do more harm than good according to Jazz Thornton. The mental health advocate joins Paula to discuss what she’s learned from time spent in psychiatric wards with young people, redefining what it means to be resilient, and the personal cost of sharing her own story of survival so publicly.

Suicide and depression help services:

If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

For counselling and support:

• Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Youth services:

• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053

For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service.

The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information

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New Zealand music icon Suzanne Lynch joins Paula to talk about how trusting her gut – and knowing when to say yes or no – has shaped a career that took her from teenage stardom in The Chicks to touring the world with Cat Stevens. She reflects on childhood mischief, the magic of the sixties, and the work ethic that’s kept her grounded for six decades in music.

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Chef, author and fisherman Al Brown joins Paula to talk food, family and finding joy in the simple things. Al discusses growing up on a farm, discovering his love of kitchens on his OE, and why he believes informality beats fine dining every time. He also opens up about dyslexia and the drive that’s pushed him through decades in hospitality, and the inspiration behind his new book Hooked! Learning to Fish.

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Ignore the fear and just try it. That's the message from broadcaster, author and te reo translator Stacey Morrison as she joins Paula in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Stacey shares her own “ugly, awkward, embarrassing” public learning journey, and why intent and aroha matter more than getting every word perfect.

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Ask Me Anything returns for a brand new season! And Paula's first guest is fellow former deputy prime minister, Grant Robertson. Once political adversaries, the pair sit down for a candid conversation about their shared experience as student protestors, the dangers of stress eating and why Grant was never interested in the top job.

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For the final guest of the season, Paula is joined by 'That Guy' Leigh Hart. They dig into his intriguing childhood and early years dabbling in a variety of careers such as building the Channel Tunnel, and the troubles he got up to while overseas, before eventually breaking out on Sportscafe and Moon TV. And Leigh shares his advice for controlling your own brand and career, and how he's kept a handle on the various different fields he has worked in.

Leigh's new show is Paid to Talk - live Fridays 3-4pm on Radio Hauraki, and as an extended podcast on iHeartRadio and all platforms.

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This week, Paula is joined by children's entertainment legend, and recent King's Birthday honoree, Suzy Cato. They dig into Suzy's career in front of the camera and what impact that's had on her life, and get her advice for connecting with children. Plus, Suzy discusses how she got through some of the tough times in her life - including being made redundant at the height of her popularity - and insights into her life, including not knowing her biological father.

Stream Suzy and Friends wherever you get your podcasts.

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