Francisca Dodiat joins Banana Lab for a conversation about growing up Indonesian in New Zealand, reconnecting with culture as an adult, working in addiction and mental health, and taking a year away from work to travel the world.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Warkworth, Francisca reflects on what it was like growing up as one of very few Asian kids in her community, and how that shaped her relationship with her Indonesian identity. As she plans her wedding, she’s finding herself thinking more deeply about the parts of her culture she wants to reclaim and eventually pass on to her own children.
We also hear how a university lecture led her into addiction treatment, what residential rehabilitation actually looks like behind the stereotypes, and why the intensity of that work is very different from the version we often see on screen.
Francisca also shares what happened when plans to move to the UK turned into a year of full-time travel, and why she’s preparing to head overseas again.
Along the way, the conversation moves through adult friendship, Bali tourism, identity, café culture, and the small rituals that make life feel good.
A proper Banana Lab yarn 🍌 — funny, thoughtful, and occasionally very real.
What is Banana Lab?
🎙️ Banana Lab is where Kiwi-Asians unpack identity, mental health, and life’s weird in-betweens. Hosted by Romy Lee, a mental health professional & advocate, this podcast blends real talk, humor, and deep convos with guests who have lived it. 🍌
🔊 Listen for unfiltered stories, cultural struggles, and conversations that hit home.