Episode Playlist
Episode 18 - Does Taxi Driver on Ice Count as Theatre( 0:30:37)
Episode Information
What’s this? Skeleton Crew is producing its first full-length play! We sit down with our director — Matt Kilsby-Halliday — to talk about She Kills Monsters. The story follows Agnes, who learns about the sister she lost through a D&D campaign. By playing through her sister’s game, we explore themes of identity and grief. It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry. It’s got a lot of heart.
Watch at the Globe Theatre from 12-15 November!
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 12/08/2026 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 17 - Is Dance the friends we made along the way( 0:28:34)
Episode Information
The crew sits down with good friend and internationally acclaimed dancer Ihaia Kunaiti to chat... Well dance, sure, but also cultures of competition in the arts, communication without words; and Ihaia's honestly bafflingly insane hero's journey in the world of expressive movement. It's gonna get wild.
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 29/07/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 16 - Donut Boi x Ed Gein fanfic( 0:31:29)
Episode Information
Skeleton Crew sits down with local legend Serena Deane a.k.a. Shit Imma Artist. Serena has a very distinct gothic, cartoon voice in visual art. We pick her brain about her path to developing her personal style, drawing comparisons to other creative mediums along the way. Oh, and we find out she’d like to be turned into human furniture when she dies. Strap in — it’s a wild one.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 15/07/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 15 - Did I see the Maori Jesus paddleboarding outside my house?( 0:30:54)
Episode Information
Zak, Justin, and Cam welcome Whai back to the studio for another lively conversation about poetry, humour, and creative process. Whai talks about how a funny or unusual image can become the spark for a poem, using “The Stand-Up Paddleboarder” as an example of turning a simple memory into something more reflective and spiritual. The crew also discuss poetic twists, avoiding cheap “gotcha” endings, the value of honesty in writing, and how every line can help build meaning or atmosphere.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 1/07/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 14 - Did I meet Maori Jesus at the Poetry Slam?( 0:30:58)
Episode Information
Skeleton Crew welcomes Whai, published poet (recently featured in Landfall) and performer with the crew, for a wide-ranging chat on poetry. Whai shares how te reo Māori and oratory shape their voice, why meaning changes with every reader, and how humour, sadness, and sound guide the writing process. The episode closes with a lightning round on inspirations, comfort food, favourite media, and heroes.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 13/05/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 13 - Is D&D About Cannibalism?( 0:31:11)
Episode Information
Skeleton Crew dives into the world behind the dice: Dungeon Mastering. Sam, Zak, and Cam share their real experiences running RPGs—what works, what doesn’t, and how to balance different player styles (rules-heavy vs roleplay-first), plan vs improv, and challenge vs punishment. Expect campaign stories, DM philosophy, and a lightning round of favourite characters.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 29/04/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 12 - Should you be a Chosen One?( 0:30:22)
Episode Information
In this episode of Skeleton Crew, the team dives into the world of storytelling tropes—the familiar patterns, conventions, and clichés that shape books, films, TV, and games. From chosen ones and heroic sacrifices to twist endings, villain redemption arcs, and “they were dead the whole time,” the hosts unpack which tropes they love, which they loathe, and why execution matters more than the trope itself. Blending media literacy, pop‑culture examples, and lively debate, the conversation explores how tropes give stories structure, how they can become lazy when overused, and how clever subversions keep narratives fresh and engaging.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 15/04/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 11 - Am I Bad At Orgies?( 0:30:39)
Episode Information
Justin, Cam, and Zak explore the barriers that stop people from creating art, drawing on their own experiences with writing, drawing, performance and confidence. They discuss comparison, vulnerability, fear of judgement, skill development, and the misconception that creativity is only for “experts”, before wrapping up with their lightning‑round questions.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 11/03/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 10 - Do You Like Chicken Breasts Cooked or Raw?( 0:26:12)
Episode Information
Hosts Cam, Zak, and guest Joel (aka drag performer Miss Terry Doll) talk all things drag — how performers develop their craft, build confidence, create community, and use art to express identity. Joel reflects on their creative journey, supportive influences, performance experiences, and hopes for the future of drag in the Manawatū. The crew also explores the importance of safe, welcoming queer spaces and ends with a quick‑fire lightning round.
Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with support from New Zealand On Air.
Published: 25/02/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 09 - How Wanky Can We Make This Show?( 0:30:30)
Episode Information
Justin, Cam and Zach get gloriously highfalutin as they ask a deceptively simple question: what makes art art? From music, film and theatre to Banksy, Baby Driver and Everything Everywhere All at Once, they unpack artistry as something deliberate, evocative and impossible to shake off, with plenty of jokes and chaos along the way.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 11/02/2026 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 08 - Can You Imagine Not Imagining Imagination?( 0:29:27)
Episode Information
Justin, Cam and guest Alex Johnston explore creativity without a mind’s eye, diving into aphantasia and what it means to imagine without mental pictures.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 24/09/2025 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 07 - Is meth allegorical?( 0:30:16)
Episode Information
Justin, Cam and guest Zach Rogers dive into the wild possibilities of speculative fiction, from fantasy and sci-fi to horror, allegory and myth.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 17/09/2025 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 05 - Cam's Guide to Lazarussing Your Story( 0:29:57)
Episode Information
Zach, Justin and Cam dive into the creative pain of starting over, exploring what happens when a story just isn’t working and how to reshape it into something better.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 30/07/2025 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 04 - Why Are My Clothes Dirty?( 0:28:8)
Episode Information
Justin and Cam are joined by guest Blake for a fun and wide-ranging chat about cosplay, costume-making, theatre, and the creative joy of bringing characters to life.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of NZ On Air.
Published: 23/07/2025 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 03 - Why does Return of the King put me in a Coma?( 0:29:47)
Episode Information
Some stories are slow, but feel like they're progressing comfortably. Others are fast, but the pacing still feels off. What actually makes a story well-paced? Writer and performer Justin Ngai's here to talk about the topic he never shuts up about.
Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 9/07/2025 9:30:00 p.m.
Episode 02 - Why Horror?( 0:30:1)
Episode Information
Horror is one of the most beloved genres in fiction. What makes it special? We sit down with horror writer Sam Wyss to explore this question. If Justin's lucky, he might get a comforting hug.
Published: 25/06/2025 9:00:00 p.m.
Episode 01 - Can I Punch the Story?( 0:28:2)
Episode Information
What makes a fight scene good? How do you actually stage one? Zak Rodgers shares his experiences and insights as a fight director. The information becomes immediately useful as Sam and Justin break out in fisticuffs.
A radio show/podcast produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand on Air.
Published: 18/06/2025 9:30:00 p.m.