Afternoons with Helen Farmer

Behind every pivot to distance learning there’s a teacher holding it all together. But as the pressure mounts, how supported are our academic staff really feeling - and what are the risks for schools that get it wrong? Helen asks industry expert Leisa Grace Wilson. We also talk tax - and the implications of leaving the UAE for a short or long stay. And we meet the male author behind a new book seeking to reverse that midlife divorce trend by helping men to better understand the menopause.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools in the UAE are currently on day two of a planned two weeks of distance learning - but could they open earlier than planned? Helen gets the lowdown. Plus we talk rain, road flooding and safe driving with the experts, and we find out how regional uncertainty is impacting upon the region's fertility healthcare sector.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As regional uncertainty continues to impact us all, we put your employment law questions to Thenji Moyo. Plus, from weddings to arena gigs, we talk events in the UAE. And, if your current work situation has you eyeing a change, we discuss upskilling while working full time…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Mullally fills us in with all the movies and shows that you can binge-watch this Eid holiday. We also give you tips on how to support your kids while they navigate remote learning after the break. And with children continuing distance learning for the next two weeks, many households are leaning more heavily than ever on their domestic staff. We look at how families and employers offer extra support for their nannies. Plus, we check how restaurants and cafés are rallying behind their teams and their communities during these uncertain times.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE’s SMEs are, understandably, struggling at the moment and in need of community support. Helen was joined by a whole host of entrepreneurs, coaches and marketing experts to get key advice on what’s needed to navigate an uncertain landscape. Meanwhile, as many families contemplate some time apart in the coming weeks, we talk united fronts, whether home or away, with family therapist Joanne Jewell too…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Homeschool will return from Monday and for many families, that means a whole host of very real logistical challenges. So, from schools and tutors to workplace management, good and bad bosses to the emotional toll of week three fatigue, Helen gets the expert advice you need from truly trusted experts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With regional uncertainty continuing, many people are feeling wobbly with their wealth - even if their financial situation hasn't actually changed. Coaches Carol Glynn and Jay Adrien Tolentino join Helen to talk anxiety versus accounting reality. Meanwhile, Madeleine Mendy is on hand with all the family law info you need right now, and as Dubai Police crack down on loud cars, we get the lowdown on why sound is affecting so many of us differently at the moment with neuroscientist Samira Cutts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From co-living options for those tiring of time alone to sleep and relaxation tips, employment law clarity to strategies for keeping kids entertained at home, Helen seeks out all the expert advice you need for navigating uncertain times…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people here in the UAE say they're feeling constantly on edge during these uncertain times. We speak with Mo Gawdat and Alice Law to find out the right tools so we can respond effectively to stress. If you rely on regular medication, should you be worried about supplies? Dr Rania of Circle Care Clinic has the answers. Are people still moving to Dubai? What happens if your shipment is already on the way? And what options do residents have if they suddenly need flexibility with leases or storage? We get Clare McIntyre of MacPack to answer all these. And we open our Property Law Clinic today for all your questions from flexibility, rentals to payment plans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From holiday changes to private jet pricing and everything in between, Helen gets expert advice from luxury concierge Ben Murtaugh and Conde Nast Middle East editor Selina Denman. We also talk guilt, uncertainty and emotional turmoil with Dr T, and learn how to support small businesses with founders, contract law experts and business support specialists from across Dubai.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a conundrum facing companies across the UAE - what should employers be doing to help working parents and what can employees expect? Helen asks HR consultant Rohini Bhalla Gill and co-founder of workplace culture consultancy EXE, Ruth Dance. Plus, we get expert advice on pet relocation, tech security, and how to stay on the right side of the UAE's media law.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're meeting hotel and restaurant managers who want us all to understand the pressure hospitality staff are under, and what we can do to help them, as well as ourselves, feel a sense of normality. We're also discussing food security - Tom from Spinneys and Yazen from Emirates Bio Farm are keeping us all reassured. William Mullally is in studio with entertainment recommendations for all ages and stages. And we have info a lot of parents have been looking for - we're talking spring camps and safety!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When tensions rise or uncertainty creeps in, it’s not just our emotions that are affected - our family arrangements, travel plans, and legal responsibilities can suddenly feel much more complicated too. We open our family clinic today with lawyer Byron James to help families navigate co-parenting logistics, travel permissions, finances, paperwork and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’ve been heralded as the solution to loneliness, but new research suggests AI companions are actually increasing social isolation. We meet the experts trying to ensure everyone in the UAE has the human companionship they need. Plus, we talk small business strategies, how not to panic about your property investments, and get top tips on regulating our nervous systems...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Answering our kids' questions can be challenging right now, especially when we don't have all the answers ourselves. Coach Maysaa joins Helen to boost our parenting approach, while psychologist Tanya Dharamshi talks us through the differing reactions of adults in our lives. Plus, if you're concerned about your savings, financial security or investments, Steve Cronin is on hand to help.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From homeschooling and homeworking to identifying fake news - and even how to calm your pets - we're navigating the realities of life in the UAE right now and answering all your questions with the experts today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Logan Paul has just made headlines after selling a single Pokémon card for a jaw-dropping $16 million - but could us mere mortals make similar returns? Helen finds out from industry expert Craig McKelvie. We also meet the mum helping other parents satisfy their wanderlust - with kids in tow. We chart 12 years of Boca's sustainable impact on Dubai dining, and meet the two female restaurateurs behind a meaningful Ramadan collab. And Ramadan Reunion has its first winners!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new book argues millennial and Gen Z workers don’t just want to be rich - they want to be free from geographical constraints as they build successful careers. Helen discovers what that looks like in real life from Nirbhay Handa, founder of Multipolitan and author of The Borderless Generation. Plus, we find out why teachers say the key to tackling our kids’ boredom could be a board game…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You are told to work longer, build experience, climb the ladder. But what happens when that experience starts working against you? Helen talks ageism with recruitment expert Mollie Powell. Plus, we meet the men creating community and conversation through exercise, and we talk child safeguarding changes in the UAE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From e-bikes to homework, Coach Maysaa joins Helen to talk boundary setting without the battle of wills. Plus, we meet the men helping ex-military men and women build new lives in the UAE, and we find get the lowdown on ALS following the death of actor Eric Dane.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria can be one of the most debilitating parts of life with ADHD, and now, it's the subject of Alex Partridge's new book. The internet's favourite ADHD advisor joins Helen to talk reaction, rejection and how to deal with life when nothing feels safe...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an aspect of the Holy Month we rarely discuss - but as Eating Disorder Awareness Week begins, Helen talks recovery, coping strategies and fasting with expert, psychologist and author Dr Vicki Mountford. Plus, Madeleine Mendy joins us for a family law legal clinic...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahmed Ali, the local behind Emirati Food Geeks, gives us an etiquette lesson on attending iftars and suhoors. Plus, a quick guide on where to dine during the Holy Month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From investing to saving, getting out of debt to money mindset, Steve Cronin from Dead Simple Savings joins us to take all of your income-related questions. And it’s easy to think that your kid would need to be a sporting star to focus on a career in the field – but could you be underestimating opportunities off-track? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Bad Bunny - and what his portrayal of masculinity can teach our boys - to that America's Next Top Model documentary and what it's done to women's body image, we're talking the good and the bad of pop culture's phenomenal impact. And we meet the neuroscientist whose groundbreaking clinic is giving fresh hope to sufferers of everything from chronic pain to dementia to depression.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are more connected than ever, yet loneliness is rising and relationships are under pressure - but what if the problem with modern love is not commitment, communication or compatibility, but the way we approach it altogether? In this special extended interview, tech titan and happiness expert Mo Gawdat explains why his latest project, Emma - an app that aims to reshape how we find love, build it and sustain it long after the Valentine’s cards are packed away - could be the answer...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research says one in four workers would be out of money within a month of losing their job – and Helen’s own listener poll suggests the number here could be even higher. So, how do we safeguard our savings for the worst? We get expert advice from Financed Well’s Beth Clay. Plus, as Ramadan approaches, Sandra Mikhail, author of The Gut Chronicles, joins us to discuss preparation for a healthy fast this Holy Month.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lewis Capaldi and Zara Laarson are headed to Abu Dhabi for the first night of the 2026 Grand Prix – but what goes into planning the big gig schedule? Helen gets the lowdown from Ethara’s David Powell. Plus we talk flavours with two of the city’s top foodies, find out how to experience a real community Iftar this Ramadan, and we get some last minute Valentine’s Day inspiration from Dubai’s flashiest Cassanovas…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UAE’s first dedicated clinic to offer testing, treatment and support for neurodivergent adults, employers and families, opens its doors in Dubai next week. So, why now? Helen meets Dr Samir Pathan ahead of the opening of Adults by Insights Psychology.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokenisation of Dubai’s property market took a major step forward this week, opening the market to a whole new category of investors. But what do they need to know? Helen asks the experts.Plus, we talk ‘hot take dating’ – the idea that we should get all those controversial opinions out of the way on date one – and we talk resilience and what we can learn from the Winter Olympics’ greatest competitors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As global vaccine rates stall or fall, Dr Howard Podolsky joins Helen to bust some myths and answer your questions. Plus, we talk rage and how to channel it, and learn how to make friends as a grown-up...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From shorter school hours and longer work hours to a pressure to perform in an ever-changing market, Helen asks a host of industry experts what workers, and employers and realistically and legally do to protect family time? Plus, as a growing body of evidence suggests shielding kids from failure can make them more anxious, Adam the OT joins with his advice for raising resilient kids.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From movies and TV to awards ceremonies to the food finds you need to know, we've got your social life sorted! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rent increases, eviction notices, bounced cheques, off-plan delays—property questions land in our inbox every single week, and for many people the rules still feel confusing and stressful. We open up a UAE property law clinic today on the show with Bassel Boutros, Partner at BSA.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is our obsession with digital speed quietly eroding the human skills that matter most: deep thinking, empathy, judgement and creativity? Helen discusses this with internationally-renowned graphologist Emma Bache. If it feels like everyone you know is sick right now, you’re not imagining it. Doctors across the UAE are warning we may be in a second peak of flu season, with clinics seeing a steady stream of patients with fever, cough and exhaustion. Dr Rania from Circle Care Clinic shares ways to rebuild our immunity. We're unpacking why hormone health remains so misunderstood, under-taught and emotionally charged. And we're telling you how football is making room for mothers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, we were preparing to talk to you about buying gold. And then, it crashed. So, when markets are so predictable we get the experts to guide you in investing and saving. Why does neurodiversity impact our sleep and what can you do if your brain wakes up when your head hits the pillow? A new book may have the answer… And in our psychology hour... Gen Z have got their first ‘retirement’ facility to help them recover from burnout. Meanwhile, biscuit firm Kit Kat has launched a round the clock Teams meeting aimed at helping employees ‘pretend’ to be busy so they can take a break at work. What does this tell us about the prevalence of burnout? We ask Dr Thoraiya Kanafani from the Human Relations Institute and Clinics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The headlines are a challenge for even adults right now – but with our kids exposed to news online at ever- younger ages, how do we parent through all of these unprecedented times? Helen asks Maha Cooper, a family-focussed counselling psychologist at The Free Spirit Collective. Plus, we talk equality in sport and go behind the scenes at a new course aimed at improving driving standards on the UAE’s roads.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From arts and culture to Wicked at Dubai Opera to the foodi finds you need to know, we've got your social life sorted!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advertiser permits become a legal requirement for influencers in the UAE from this weekend - but who needs them and what does it entail? Helen puts your questions to media lawyer Martin Hayward. Plus, we're live from Xposure in Sharjah, where we meet the filmmakers and world creators in town to teach the Middle East's next generation of creators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French rugby pro Thibaud Flament made headlines this week when he said he’d miss his country’s Six Nations opener due to fertility treatment and his wife’s cycle. So why has his move sparked such a chord with so many? Helen asks racing driver and male fertility campaigner Toby Trice and Dr Luciano Nardo from Orchid Fertility.We talk cervical cancer awareness month – and ask why screening rates remain stubbornly low – with Dr Natasha Shah. And as new research suggests our uncertain times are changing holiday plans in unexpected ways, we talk repeat destinations with luxury travel expert Rowena Hanley.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research from the children’s finance app GoHenry estimates that Gen Alpha now have around £3.3 billion in spending power through their influence on household purchases, with 26 percent of parents saying their children directly shape how money is spent. Helen gets the lowdown from financial coach Carol Glynn.Plus, lawyer Byron James tells us what the UAE’s new digital laws mean for your family, and we discuss Hamnet and its portrayal of parental grief with doula Lala Langtry-White and psychologist Tanya Dharamshi.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.