Afternoons with Helen Farmer

From family fun to ladies day, we get the lowdown on everything golfing going on this weekend. Plus, we're joined by chef Richard Sandoval, we talk music for movement, we learn about chocolate shortages, and William Mullally talks bad reviews - and Kim Kardashian..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Children now spend nearly five hours a day on screens outside school, yet almost half of teens say their parents don’t understand their online world. So what would they tell you if they didn’t fear the consequences? Helen speaks to cyberpsychology expert Catherine Knibbs.Plus, we discuss that gut brain connection with world-renowned naturopath Dr Jason Mitchell.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the NYT headline that sparked a thousand others – but what does that viral question tell us about workplace relations in 2025? Helen asks recruiter David Mackenzie and workplace culture consultant Lucy D’Abo.Plus, Hunt Etheridge joins us to discuss the internet’s latest dating ick – men who don’t ask questions – and Madeleine Mendy talks us through UAE law for women who want to give birth as single mums…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From David Beckham to Bradley Cooper, a host of famous men have stepped out with remarkably different faces lately. So why are men now getting more tweakments than women – and what are their options when they go wrong? Helen asks Dr Dany Touma from Skin Experts. Plus, we learn about the new network aiming to help Dubai’s professionals make real, tangible connections, and we learn about the work of the Dubai’s only mental health facility dedicated to play therapy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ground-breaking case in Abu Dhabi could see a man awarded maintenance by his ex-wife in a historic first. Lawyer Byron James has the lowdown. Plus, we talk accent development – and the role of YouTube in your child’s vocabulary with speech therapist Sarah Wedel, and Harrison from Haus & Haus joins us to talk apartment investment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an age of influencers, is there still a place for anonymous expert food commentary? Helen asks Dubai’s OG influencer, Foodiva.Plus, we learn about a new breakfast collab, meet the chef behind a Bab Al Shams pop up, and ask how a cup of chai can help create community…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s shifted from the playground to phones and online platforms, but the impact of bullying remains huge. So, how do you help your child, tween or teen recover after bullying? Helen meets Maha Cooper, the Counselling psychologist behind a new course to help kids help themselves. Plus, if you’re facing an annual review this month, expert Dr Oudi is on hand to teach us how to give – and receive – feedback well.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re not new to Dubai - but you’re out of work and you can’t find a job. What do you do? Recruiter Mollie Powell has all the answers you need. Plus, we talk men's mental health and the remaining barriers to therapy, we learn about the early signs of heart disease, and it's pets and vets day too! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the new Motherhood & Ambition in the UAE study, 73% of mothers are still working in some capacity – but nearly a third say they feel much more isolated since becoming parents. So, what’s going wrong? Helen is joined by Anushka Kalyanpur DeLuca, founder of Nannies & More, & Constanze Munz, culture and leadership expert. Plus, we talk prostate cancer screening with a patient and doctor on a mission to raise screening rates this Movember, and as a host of celebrities speak up on postnatal depression, we ask if their openness could finally end the stigma around maternal mental health…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employees in the UAE face a contraction in salaries this year as a flood of new residents comes to the country, according to new data. So, how do you avoid a crunch? David MacKenzie has the answers.Meanwhile, we meet the handwriting expert who says she can tell if you’re working – and coupling up – with the right people, Dr Shef is on hand to discuss resistance training for kids, and we talk renovation projects with Haus & Haus too…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Friday, which means food and fun. Helen learns about a new tabletop gaming tournament headed for Dubai, discusses a year of UAE award wins with chef Bjorn Frantzen, learns about healthy eating in our city, and What’s On editor Liam is on hand with all your Halloween picks...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The average worker has spent almost 50% of their paycheque within 48 hours of being paid. So, how do you stretch your funds further when costs keep rising. Helen asks Carol Glynn of Conscious Finance Coaching. We also find out how the British Council in Dubai is helping the UAE harness the power of its young population - and we're joined by Cognita Education to learn a bit more about the realities of introducing AI to the nation's classrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lily Allen’s new album has gone viral for its unfiltered honesty about heartbreak and betrayal. But when does emotional expression cross into revenge – and when does revenge make a bad situation worse? Helen asks Dr T. Plus, we learn about a new course for young drivers, and talk executive function with Adam the OT…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ask your friends how they’re doing right now, and the chances are the word overwhelm will feature. But how does that differ from stress - and when does a busy life become a problem? Helen is joined by Bobby Qureshi, CMM Institute of Natural Health and Janelle Houston from Tree of Hope. Meanwhile, more and more businesses are cottoning on to the potential of the menopause market. But are women being exploited by a hormone gold rush that’s more about capitalism than care? We ask the experts. And with school assessment season upon us, we ask one educator when tutoring becomes counterproductive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital addiction is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest mental health challenges. Now, one globally-renowned expert says the problem isn’t games - it’s what’s driving us to escape into them. Helen is joined by Dr Alok Kanojia.Meanwhile, we meet the entrepreneur homeschooling her kids to boost her family’s flexibility, we answer you questions on crypto law in the UAE and Haus & Haus are on hand talking commercial propertySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new restaurants and a museum opening, to movie releases and a GOAT festival, we’ve got all the fun you could ask for this Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Police are warning parents about the latest risky TikTok trend — but why are kids so easily swept up in viral challenges? Psychologist Mark Samways joins Helen Farmer to unpack the science behind peer pressure, how social media fuels it, and how to raise confident kids who can say no. Plus, journalist and author Melissa Hogenboom shares her thoughts on what financial fairness really looks like for couples raising kids today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you relearn and recover when your life changes in an instant? Helen finds out from adaptive athlete Henry Dunn, a Dubai-based coach who faced amputation after an accident. She also meets a Dubai resident whose recent experience with a house fire has made her sound the alarm about fire safety at home – and we get expert advice on the extinguishers you need at home. Surgeon Dr Veronica Grassi is on hand to talk us through reconstruction options after breast cancer. Plus, it’s Pets & Vets day and we’re asking, why is animal care so expensive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can’t be bothered to argue anymore, and intimacy feels like a chore? You’re not alone. Relationship experts call it “slow-burn divorce”. Helen finds out the tell tale signs from psychologist Tanya Dharamshi.Meanwhile, as Vogue has shocks the fashion industry by calling out sizeism on the catwalks, we ask why representation is regressing – and what role weight loss drugs have to play? Plus, we talk travel, trends and powerful passports…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something new is emerging in the world of digital dating. Chatfishing is a new word coined for when a person uses AI-generated messages to disguise or enhance their appeal on dating apps, only to show up with a completely different persona in real life! To get into the impact of it, Jennifer is joined by international relationship coach Hunt Etheridge and psychologist Noha El Khatib. One in six bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to common antibiotics according to a new data released by the WHO. Dr Howard Podolsky, CEO of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, explains what it means for all of us. Two women are on a mission to rethink what a truly an inclusive workplace culture actually looks like in a country and multicultural as the UAE, and we turn to Haus & Haus for all your property questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From chef Yannick Alleno’s new chocolaterie to the French pastry chef now serving Dubai’s fashion set, Helen gets the lowdown on the city’s sweetest eats. Plus, we learn the truth about drinking water, explore the sights of Al Zorah City, and learn about a new choir singing for a sense of community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Saturday marks World Menopause Day with the aim of raising awareness of the issues that every woman will experience during this phase of life. With nearly half the workforce going through menopause at some point in their careers, continuing silence around this issue is costing businesses talent, productivity, and leadership potential. Jennifer is joined by Katy Homes, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai and Maureen Bannerman, Co-Founder of the GCC Menopause Hub to discuss. A recent research by the UK government found early one-third of internet users has reported experiencing online harassment or trolling at some point, while similar research in the US put that figure over 40 per cent. Dr Sarah Rasmi from Thrive Wellbeing Centre shares what drives someone to harass, provoke, or humiliate others under cover of a username.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows the average family is wasting $120 a year on unused subscriptions. Carol Glynn is on hand to talk easy saving hacks on spending you won’t miss.Elsewhere, from burnout to the ‘quiet quitting’ wave, what if the missing piece isn’t perks or pay – but belonging? Helen meets two experts who say connection is the new KPI. We’ve all heard about efforts to make the UAE an option for retirees. But would you start a new life in Dubai in your 90s? We meet the woman who did just that…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UAE expat lawyer Byron James says it’s time the system better recognised the role of dads – and the pain of reduced child access after divorce – when considering custody. Meanwhile, it’s October, which means hopefully thousands of women are making sure they check their breasts. Dr Amrita Kumar talks us through a hi-tech new screening system – and the intro of AI – that it’s hoped could change the game. And as a major new international study reveals that being agreeable is working against men looking for love, Dr Thoriya explores the situations where nice guys finish last.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From stem cells to gene editing to tissue engineering, some of the treatments favoured by the A-list sound truly space age to us ordinary joes. But are they are out of reach as they might seem? Dr Adeel Khan, doctor to the stars, says no… Meanwhile, the puberty conversation is one many parents find awkward. Now, a new programme called The Talk aims to make it easier for all. Its founder, teacher Nadine Walters, explains how. Plus, we talk safeguarding for kids, and Haus & Haus are on hand with the latest insights into the off-plan property market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we mark World Mental Health Day, Helen is joined by Sandra Mikhail, author of The Gut Chronicles, to ask what dietary tweaks could improve your wellbeing. We’re also joined by Richard Douglas, Dubai’s hottest new butcher, Julianne Kailihiwa, founder of Sumo Sushi & Bento which is celebrating its 25th birthday this month, and Chef Shaw Lash, who is branching out with her third Mexican eatery. Plus, with school holidays approaching, Adam Long, Founder of Dubai Sound Academy, in on hand to discuss how to use the break to turn your child into a superstar DJ…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New international study Her Fandom, Her Buying Power, found that 90% of female sports fans say organisations don’t truly understand them, and 40% feel brands fail to recognise them as consumers. Dawn Barnable of The Mettleset & Pooja Sukumar of The Collective explore why. Plus, from hallucinations to false attributions, problems with AI are being widely reported. But how do we teach our kids and young people to use new tech safely if we can’t tell fact from fiction?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gaming isn’t just for kids. Adults are spending hours, even entire weekends, lost in virtual worlds—and for some, it’s becoming a serious issue. We dive into the rise of gaming addiction with Dr. Asad Sadiq, Consultant Psychiatrist, and explore its impact on work, relationships, and mental health. Plus, we discuss the latest advances in pet oncology with Dr. Nour Abou Fakher and Dr. Beatriz Wuhrmann Otero, and learn about the upcoming MENA School Excellence Awards with Louise Dawson. Finally, we shift to breast cancer survival strategies with survivor Jen Blandos and oncologist Dr. Heidi Kussmann. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s TikTok’s topic du jour – but everyone’s ex can’t be a narcissist. So, what really are the signs of narcissism, and how do avoid falling victim? Helen gets into it with psychologist Lighthouse Arabia.Meanwhile, as research suggests a belief that kids are becoming ruder, we ask the experts how we can we instil manners in our kids at any age. And Thenji Moyo is here with your employment law clinic too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the leading cause of road deaths in the UAE - now Dubai is cracking down on drink driving with some of the toughest laws in the country. What does it mean for our roads? Plus, we go behind the doors of a global award-winning Dubai school, and Haus & Haus are on hand with the latest on the city's property sceneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's a bestselling author whose late stage ADHD diagnosis has made him a favourite agony uncle of the world's neurodiverse community. Now, he sits down with Helen for a special extended chat - and takes YOUR questions too...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Global Restaurant Investment Forum will return to Dubai next week, bringing together a host of the UAE – and the world’s – top chefs. But why does working together serve them so well? Helen is joined by Mythos’ Fay Economides and Tasha’s Group’ Natasha Sideris. Meanwhile Jung Hun Song, co-founder of Cupbop, talks global expansion, Courtney Brandt has all the city’s food headlines, and William Mullally is on hand to talk us through entertainment’s busiest season…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you still fly with a power bank? Should AI plan your holiday? Helen gets into it with industry expert Emily Jenkins. Plus, we dive into the realities of bullying in our schools - and how to tackle it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new visas to self-sponsorship to new rules on residency after divorce or bereavement, immigration expert Kelly Labuschagne joins Helen to answer all your questions. Plus, we learn all about the UAE’s renewables plan live at WETEX, talk bad fan behaviour at the Ryder Cup, and as a new book tackles ‘The Snowflake Myth’, we ask, why is everyone so down on Gen Z?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The death of a vegan influencer in Bali is raising fresh concerns about online health misinformation - but who is at risk and how to we counter fear with facts? Helen asks Dr Shef and coach Rory Brown. Plus, Dr T has the lowdown on all things addiction this International Recovery Day and we discuss the trials and tribulations of modern dating with global dating guru Hunt Etheridge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The KHDA's Director General says schools need to deliver affordability for families. So what could that mean for those bills? Helen puts it to finance coach Beth Clay and principal of Citizens School, David Lees. We also talk playground behaviour at work with Dr Sarah Rashmi, ask why more under-45s are experiencing heart issues, and discuss buying property for profit-building, not homebuilding, with Haus & Haus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE ranked as the top spender on Korean cultural content for the third consecutive year, according to the 2025 Global Hallyu Survey. But why does it hold such appeal? We find out from Hanu’s Chef Moon and K-pop fans Johnny Biryani & Keri Belle. Helen also catches up with chef Akira Back, talks hidden gems with the Hungry Sisters and finds out everything you need to know before outdoor sports season arrives…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows UAE employers are increasing housing benefits by an average 4% this year. But if you’re not getting a hike, what’s the best way to negotiate one without changing jobs? Helen asks employment experts Rohini Bhalla Gill and David McKenzie. Plus, as research shows we’re all reading less, we find out how to foster a love of books with a host of local booksellers and authors…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump says pregnant women should avoid paracetamol, linking the drug to a “very increased risk of autism”. Dr Margaret Harris, former WHO spokesperson and global public health expert joins Helen to set the record straight. Meanwhile, injuries, overtraining and burnout are contributing to a high dropout rate in youth sports, according to a new report from the US. Pro basketballer and youth sports mentor Jazz Ferguson gives his advice on keeping the games safe and fun. As Abu Dhabi releases new guidelines about children walking to and from school, we explore the risks – and the rewards of independence – with Priya Mitchell, Safeguarding lead at Taleem, & Dr Mostafa Aldah of MA Road Traffic Consulting. Plus, Pets & Vets is back! Helen talks emergency care for our furriest friends with Dr. Theodora Gavriil, Emergency and Critical Care Specialist at Modern Vet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research says young adults like to discuss their incomes and financial goals when dating - while older couples are still shy to talk numbers. Helen asks Steve Cronin of Dead Simple Saving why, and finds out how to bring healthy cash chat into our own relationsips. We also talk attitudes to puberty - and the cultural differences at play in how we explain it to our kids - discuss teen mental health, and we get an expert's verdict on Apple's latest raft of tech releases...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does cultural background impact on the way we experience and process trauma? We find out from the co-founders of Dubai’s upcoming MENATA Trauma Conference – and one 9/11 survivor. Meanwhile, employment lawyer Dilini Loku answers your shift work questions, Harriet Mandak examines the competitive nature of modern parenting, and Haus &Haus are on hand with some family-friendly housing advice…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

​We're out once again broadcasting live from The Agenda in Media City-- yes, just metres away from our normal studios! We'll tell you why in a sec. Dr Paolo Petrocelli of Dubai Opera tells us what's in store for their new season. We put focus on Emirati cuisine with Sara Al Falasi AKA Chef Tushi of TUJIZ and Fabienne Naggear of Kitopi Chocolates celebrate birthdays too! Speaking with Kathy Johnston of Mirzam. F&B Consultant James Pemberton fills us in with the latest food news while Liam Joyce of What's On enumerates things to do this weekend. Helen taste tested some Filipino breads through Ram Derige-- what's her verdict? And the reason why we're at The Agenda today is for the launch of Rise by Athlon, we get details from Aldar's SVP of Design, Ayman Gabber and one of Athlon's ambassadors, paralympian Jessica Smith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.