Scott Blanks has never got on stage to tell a joke in his life. But he has done more to nurture and develop comedians and the NZ comedy scene than anybody else.

Scott is a trained accountant who, in 1997, established NZs first comedy club- The Classic on Queen Street.

28 years later the Classic is still there and so is Scott. And both are thriving!

This is a small part of the incredible Scott Blanks story.

We talk the inception of The Classic, which in a previous life was an adult movie theatre.

Some deeply personal stories of love, loss, and resilience. Including the heartbreaking story of him and his wife Bridget’s daughter, Kate.

His first impressions on household names like Dai Henwood, Rose Matafeo, Guy Williams, Ursula Carlson and Rhys Darby.

Also, so many incredible lessons in here for aspiring comedians! Including how long it really takes to go from amateur to professional. And so much more.

Scott is a man who has devoted his life to promoting and championing others, so it was cool to have the opportunity to get to learn a bit about this great New Zealander who has done so much for so many.

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The FastCast is a highlights length version of a previously released episode of The Dom Harvey Podcast.

The complete episode with Stefan Ozich was originally released in 2024, just days before Stefan embarked on a daunting running and fundraising attempt: A 6000km run of the length of NZ on the TeAraroa trail. Twice. From Cape Reinga to Bluff and back again.

On the afternoon of Wednesday January 22, after 114 days of running around 60km daily, Stefan will finish at Cape Reinga.

It has been an unbelievable physical and mental feat!

At the time of writing this he had raised $179,000 for Men’s Mental Health.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/stefanozich/

Give-A-Little: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/the-long-path-double-run-of-nzs-te-araroa-trail

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Erin Routliffe is a kiwi tennis superstar. At the time of recording this she is ranked as the world’s second-best women’s doubles player. And for a time in 2024 she was ranked as number 1 in the world!

With her doubles partner Gabby Dabrowski she won the US Open in 2023, she made the finals of Wimbledon in 2024, and they ended 2024 by winning the WTA finals in Saudi Arabia.

She is also a finalist for Halberg the sportswoman of the year awards which will be announced in February.

This is part of the Erin Routliffe story:

Her early memories of growing up in New Zealand

Why she turned her back on tennis and worked at a tanning salon in 2019

Her rock bottom moment at Wimbledon in 2023.

Navigating her doubles partners breast cancer journey throughout 2024

Reflections on the Paris Olympics and much more.

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**The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the host and guests and may not reflect the views of the show sponsors**

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.