Pictures: Juliette Drysdale
Ryan Wolf has had multiple acting roles, including on Shortland Street and Spartacus, but it’s his podcast Guilt that has everyone talking.
The award-winning, true-crime podcast has had over six million downloads since its inception three years ago (it even made our list of top true crime podcasts) and it’s riveting stuff as Ryan takes listeners with him while investigating New Zealand cold cases.
“Sometimes we go down leads that don’t work out and people go along on that inside journey, and I think they really like that side of it,” says Ryan. “It’s a real inside look into what it’s like to investigate a case… Knocking on doors and wading through the mud of a case.”
Occasionally he’s asked himself, “What the f**k am I doing here?” such as the time he met with a shady heroin dealer in Melbourne. However, when he uncovers new leads and evidence, he’s encouraged to keep going.
Recently, while looking into the high-profile case of Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen, who disappeared in 1989, he discovered new information that may even finally answer the question: Where is Heidi?
“There are people out there who need help,” explains Ryan. “When you go and speak to the families, you realise they’ve got to a point where there’s nothing left. There’s that thought that you might be able to help in some way – to bring some closure.”
Aside from his acting roles, Ryan has a background in law. He has never practised it, but did play a lawyer in Dear Murderer. Regardless, he never intended for podcasting to be a career.
“I’m just someone who’s got a bit of a creative streak in me, and that curious nature and wanting to do something good, which sounds clichéd,” says Ryan sheepishly.
99% of people are happy to talk to Ryan. However, the job also involves dealing with criminals and he has received numerous threats. It’s very fortunate that his wife Ashley is supportive of the podcast because it does involve Ryan travelling a lot and being away from home.
“She knows the cases almost as well as me because she’s my sounding board for my thoughts,” tells Ryan. “There have certainly been times she’s been concerned about my safety and ours as a family. We mitigate those risks as best as possible, but she understands that sometimes risks have to be taken in order for us to get to the truth.”
The couple celebrated their 10th anniversary by finally tying the knot in March last year and welcomed their second child into the world in October – Dillon, a baby sister for 18-month-old son River.
Ryan admits he surprised himself as a parent. He always felt he didn’t have time for children because he had too much to do.
“How life changes when you have a kid,” he laughs. “You discover there’s this whole other side of you that you didn’t realise was there and I absolutely love it. I was like, ‘I’ll keep having them, but how many more do you want to have?’ Ashley’s said, ‘Maybe we could have one more. We’ll see how it goes.’”
Ashley was Ryan’s hairdresser for many years. However, it wasn’t until they ran into each other on Melbourne Cup Day that there was a spark between them. Five years ago, Ryan surprised Ashley by proposing to her on a gondola in Venice. They were on a Mediterranean cruise with Ashley’s parents and friends at the time – though it wasn’t all plain sailing.
Ryan had the ring made and gained permission from Ashley’s dad, but finding the right time to propose was tricky. Eventually, he booked a gondola ride, but things came unstuck when the group found a bar with half-price cocktails.
“Everyone was having a blast and she just wasn’t keen to leave!” recalls Ryan.
When he finally managed to get Ashley safely on the gondola, Ryan dropped to one knee and used his favourite proposal line from the movie Braveheart, “I love ya. I want to marry ya.”
A delighted Ashley felt genuinely surprised. When the ride ended, she held up her ring to be greeted by congratulatory cheers and the cut-price cocktails continued.
The couple love travel and now they’re a family of four, they’ve bought a caravan with bunk beds for the kids. They plan to holiday in it over summer at the beach and for years to come.
Meanwhile, Ryan, who’s a former keen golfer, is having fun keeping River entertained. His role includes chipping golf balls in the backyard and playing in the caravan while Ashley cares for baby Dillon.
“This morning, I was watching the Polar Express at 6.30am with River. At the moment it’s balancing that and then the work that I do. You know, just trying to sneak off to the office when I can.”
Ryan’s podcast Guilt is available on all podcast platforms.
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