This week, Paula's guest is motivational speaker and author Jake Bailey. They discuss his cancer diagnosis nearly 10 years ago and the viral speech that followed it, and how that has shaped his life since - and why he is ready for that part of his story to no longer define him. And Jake offers advice he has learned for overcoming adversity - and how to not only be resilient, but how to thrive during difficult times.

Jake's new book, The Comeback Code, is available now.

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This week, Paula's guest is Matilda Green, who has recently started as the fill-in host on The Hits Drive show. They discuss 10 years since she appeared on The Bachelor and found love with her husband-to-be, Art, and how that experience has changed her life. She shares advice for living your life on social media, and how to get a handle on people's perceptions and misconceptions of you.

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This week, Paula's guest is Australian author, Trent Dalton, who returns to Auckland for a special talk about his acclaimed career, including Boy Swallows Universe.

They discuss how his life story influenced his debut novel, what his family thinks about being a part of his fiction, meeting his idol Eddie Veder, and he shares his advice for being optimistic and why he doesn't think it's naive to view the world with positivity.

Details for Trent's talk and other events at the Auckland Writers Festival, head to writersfestival.co.nz.

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