Big Brown Hands
I read a book about a person or an idea and give you something to think about.
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Episodes
Jun 9, 2026
Jun 9, 2026
36 min
No Excuses is the story of how Dave Letele went from being at one of the lowest points of his life, to in a few short years, helping thousands of New Zealanders every year with their health, among other things. He uses exercises as a foundation to get ones life back on track.
The book is inspiring. He lost everything. His businesses. His family. And he weighed over 210kg. But he turned his life around.
Listen to the podcast to find out how he did it.
Read the book too, it's a good one.
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026
1 hr 12 min
Barack Obama was the 44th President of the United States of America. He was the first African American in the job, the first African American elected as President of the Harvard Law Review, a former US and state senator, a former Law Professor at the University of Chicago, and a former community organiser.
His book, Dreams From My Father, is a story about finding out who is father was, who he was as a black man in America, and how he reconciled both. It's a story about identity, family, and purpose, and in the book, Barack eloquently gives us a glimpse into his mind, from his upbringing, all the way to his first visit to Kenya, the land of his father.
It's a great book. You should read it.
Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026
1 hr 21 min
Tupac Shakur was an American rap artist and is a legend in the rap world. He loved to read, he loved to act, he loved to express himself. He talks about the need to express himself to alleviate the pain of the poverty he was living.
A man who's life was cut very short, his impact is still felt today.
Listen to the podcast to hear what I learnt about Tupac from the book, Tupac Shakur: An Authorized Biography, by Staci Robinson.
Mar 3, 2026
Mar 3, 2026
1 hr 3 min
One of the most remarkable Prime Ministers in New Zealand's history, Sir Robert Muldoon was ruthless and brutal to his opponents inside and outside the House, drank with gang members, offended U.S. presidents, hosted a radio show talking about gardening, and even performed in the Rocky Horror Show.
His Way, by Barry Gustafson is a comprehensive biography of the man that details his upbringing, his time in politics, and describes a more interesting man that what is portrayed in the media.
He had a tough upbringing, which made him a tough man. Listen to the podcast to find out and understand how Rob became the man many New Zealanders hated.
Feb 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026
52 min
What does it mean to be an empathetic leader? What happens when you doubt yourself? How do you deal with being thin-skinned? And how do reconcile new beliefs with a religion you've always known? Dame Jacinda Ardern's book, A Different Kind of Power, answers these questions.
It's a great book. You should read it.


