RNZ: Afternoons with Jesse Mulligan

Christchurch group Share Kai puts on events catered by a group of women from refugee backgrounds. It aims to create opportunities for people to meet, eat and get to know each other better. This week we meet members from Afghanistan and Eritrea and talk to the founder of the group.

When most of us picture the future, we fall into familiar patterns, imagining what we could do, should do, might do, or absolutely must avoid. But those habits can blind us to possibilities hiding in plain sight says designer Nick Foster. He's the former head of design at X, Google's innovation lab. Foster argues that the future isn't best understood as a sci-fi fantasy, but rather as something as ordinary as a trip to the shops. His new book challenges us to see what's coming with fresh eyes. It's called Could, Should, Might, Don't: How We Think About the Future.

It's time for our expert feature - and today we're discussing cosmetic dentistry. Rightly or wrongly, many people desire the perfect smile: straight teeth can boost confidence, make it easier to chew food and maintain oral hygiene Auckland cosmetic dentist Clarence Tam joins Jesse for the next 30 minutes to answer all your questions about cosmetic dentistry. You can text me 2101 with your questions or emails me at jesse@afternoons.co.nz

We're going to talk about what's worth watching on the small screen now and who better to give us some recommendations than actor, writer and author Michelle Langstone. The Family Next Door - Three Now WWE:Unreal - Netflix

Comedian Guy Williams is having a moment, he has just returned from a very successful trip to the UK where he sold out shows, his TV programme "New Zealand Today" is now available on Netflix and the distribution rights for NZ Today and NZ Tomorrow have been sold to an international company. How good?! Guy joins Jesse to chat success and also the more serious side of his New Zealand Tomorrow investigation where he sets out to solve Waimate's water crisis.

The NZ Ice Figure Skating championships are taking place in Auckland in today. For many of the contestants it's a fun hobby, but for others the stakes are higher. Winning the senior category here could mean a shot at qualifying for next year's World Championships. One of the women vying for that spot is Petra Lahti originally born in Tauranga, now based in Finland.

Health New Zealand has confirmed another case of measles in Northland, increasing the national count to 11. This virus, which was once thought of as a thing of the past, is very much rearing its ugly head again. As of September 30, there was over 1500 confirmed cases in the United States, and three confirmed deaths. So what can we do to stop any further spread? Dr Nikki Turner, principal medical advisor for the Immunisation Advisory Centre, she chats to Jesse.

Jesse is joined by Emile Donovan and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

It's been a big week for the endangered critters of Aotearoa New Zealand with the announcement of this year's Bird of the Year winner, the Karearea New Zealand Falcon. Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki joins Jesse to talk about the Karearea and as usual everything and anything else that springs to mind.

Have you ever seen something in a magazine or a shop and thought, I could make that? Well, this next chat is for you. WomenzShed teacher Sophie Jack is spending this weekend embarking on a DIY project that she says is perfect to gain confidence with tools especially for those starting out. She talks Jesse through a kids kitchen helper created from two chairs.

The Kitchen Project's Connie Clarkson is on a mission; making a whole chicken usable for meals for one. Today she shares two more recipes you can make from chicken, meaning every part of the bird is used, even if you're dining alone. Recipe is here.

It's time for NZ Live - and this week we've got singer songwriter Tom Scott performing music from his upcoming solo album ANITYA.

The weather looks pretty average for the last weekend of the school holidays, so what better time to watch some movies .. here with his picks from the latest offerings is film critic Dominic Corry. The Smashing Machine - Theatres Play Dirty - Amazon Prime Video Holy Cow - Theatres

It's Freaky Friday time! Each Friday we speak to a listener about a spooky experience they have had. If you have one of your own do reach out to us, 2101 is the text number or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz. Recently we've had a few tales of encounters with spirits, so it feels like time for a good old-fashioned co-incidence. Bob joins me from Auckland's West Coast

A critic once said singer-songwriter James Reyne's voice is "as familiar to Australians as the taste of Vegemite". Well now we can get a taste - James is in town for an acoustic performance at Auckland Town Hall tomorrow evening. It'll be an extra special one as he'll be performing as a duo with his guitarist Josh Owen, who's got his own burgeoning solo career.

Papahoa Fibreworks is looking to transform textile production in Aotearoa. The founders behind it say artificial dyes used in textiles is having a catastrophic impact on both people and planet. But they think they got a way to make NZ made clothing a lot more sustainable; -co-founders are Gina Russell and Seonaid Burnie, and they join Jesse from our Christchurch Studio.

About 6 in 100 New Zealanders have diabetes of those about 10% are type 1, and the rest type 2 It's a disease that some associate with unhealthy diets or lifestyles, but for many that's far from the truth. Last year, whilst on holiday in Bali professional ball player Dion Collins was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes...he chats to Jesse.

Do you remember where you were when Apollo 11 landed on the moon? It was one of those generation defining moments. The crescendo of the golden age of space. Now, you could own a piece of the command module - From Buzz Aldrin's personal collection no less... The segment, which comes with a note from Buzz goes up for auction today in Auckland, with bids running for the next four days. Dave Owen for the Te Awamutu Space Centre chats to Jesse.

Does what's happened in the past, help explain the present? That's a question Dr Grant Morris has been contemplating and is keen to explore with us today using US President Donald Trump and his adoration for former US President Andrew Jackson as an example.

Dave Armstrong joins Jesse to solve some of the world's problems, and today he is looking at the Wellington Mayoral document dump disaster, the new earthquake rules and the return of the gibbons to Wellington Zoo.

Marathon runner Lorraine Moller will forever be in the history books, not just for her amazing talent, but because she was competing when women's sport was going through massive, and rapid change. Lorraine took part in the first ever Women's Olympic Marathon at the 1984 LA Olympics, coming fifth, and over her twenty-year career she ended up running marathons in four Olympics - four! - winning bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Lorraine joins Jesse to share her experience and insights.

Friendships, workmates, flatmates or love - whatever the status -relationships are tricky. Navigating the highs and the lows can be challenging, especially when it involves hard conversations. That's why we've got a new segment every fortnight that focuses on relationships, here to help guide us through a tough chat is Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology.

Wellington's new archive facility is pipped to out-perform the Smithsonian in protecting our taonga, at least that's what the experts say. The 290-million-dollar facility will be known as 'Te Rua: Archives New Zealand' and is designed to meet New Zealand's UNESCO obligations for taonga protection. It's been developed by Dexus, and Phill Stanley is their portfolio manager for New Zealand, he chats to Jesse.

My next guest has appointed herself a "scholar of joy". Jen Sievers is a renowned Auckland-based artist who has decided to dive head-first into the literary world. The book is 'The Art of Joy: A Creative Guide to Living a Colourful, Juicy Life'. She chats to Jesse.

"Warm, kind, inspirational and staunch beyond words" that's how our first guest has described Dr Jane Goodall, who has died aged 91. Jane Goodall was a pioneer in her field, both as a female scientist in the 1960s and for her work studying the behaviour of primates. She was a huge inspiration to friend of the show, Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki, who joins Jesse to talk about the legacy Dr Goodall leaves.

Time now for Our Changing World, and we're catching up with Claire Concannon. This week she is explaining the mystery of the disappearing sponges of Lough Hyne and what scientists have learnt from their disappearance.

Chronic pain is one of medicine's oldest puzzles and most stubborn problems. About one in five people worldwide live with it, and don't really know why. Dr. Sanjay Gupta says it doesn't have to be that way. A neurosurgeon, CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, and host of the podcast Chasing Life, Gupta turns his attention to pain why we experience it, what really helps, and how people can take back control. His new book is called It Doesn't Have to Hurt: Your Smart Guide to a Pain-Free Life.

Kelly Gibney joins us with a fritter recipe that sounds delicious!

Steve Braunias joins Jesse to announce the winners of what he calls the strangest writers residency award in New Zealand. Now in its ninth year, The Surrey Hotel writers residency award celebrates writers who need a little extra support to get their literary idea off the ground.

For six decades the APRA Silver Scroll has been considered the most prestigious songwriting award in New Zealand. This year's event will take place at Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal on Wednesday 29 October, with artists including Marlon Williams, Aaradhna, Nadia Reid competing for the top prize. But someone has to run the show, and today APRA announced that singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, and previous Silver Scroll nominee Delaney Davidson will be the musical director. He chats to Jesse.

At the start of this year Hamilton's Herman Jagpal set himself an ambitious goal - to share 365 days of kindness. Each day he asks someone at random to help him with a fun task, that could be handing out flowers or inviting strangers to dinner. He documents the whole process on Instagram as "Daily Rejection". Where he noticed a regular comment was "This would only work in New Zealand" So, to see if that's true, today he sets off on a 30-day world tour.

The 58 year old author was best know as a broadcaster, clinical psychologist, and parenting expert. Helping many families to navigate life better Including his work as an ambassador for the charity "Kenzie's gift". A charity which helps tamariki navigate serious illness and death. To celebrate Nigel, and his amazing contribution to our society, Kenzie's Gift founder Nic Russell joins Jesse.

We've got a new segment called 'You're the Judge' where we present an issue that's been sent in by one of our listeners, and you, our audience, decide what the right course of action is. So far you have made judgements on if it's okay to kiss your pets then your partner, a family fall out after a funeral, whether a bride and groom can dictate what people wear to their nuptials, and today we're turning our attention to travel - specifically if one person can accept a seat upgrade when travelling with their partner. If you've got a pickle you need some help with - email us! jesse@afternoons.co.nz

Christianity is the load bearing wall that holds up democracy, and it is crumbling says author, journalist, and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, Jonathan Rauch. A committed atheist, Rauch says citizens need to take a page from the Christian bible and offer compassion to others, forgive and share power otherwise democracy will not survive. He warns that fear and grievance have replaced biblical values and both religion and society are suffering because of it. Rauch writes about returning faith to focusing on healing instead of dividing in his book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy.

Time to talk all things Australia now and our man across the Tasman Brad Foster joins Jesse with the latest from there, starting with an incident in Melbourne yesterday, another triple zero emergency problem, but also touching on that rugby game.

Ali Smith is a Scottish author, playwright, academic and journalist. She's a pretty prolific writer, over the last ten years writing 14 novels, 5 short story collections and 8 plays. Book critic Pip Adams shares why she's a fan, reviewing the latest offerings but also the classics. Gliff (Penguin, November 2024) Glyph (Penguin, 17 February 2026) Seasonal Quartet by Ali Smith: Autumn (2016), Winter (2017), Spring (2019), Summer (2020)

Tim joins Jesse to talk about the struggles in the IT sector and tips on what to do if your electronics get wet (hint: it' isn't rice)

A new concept called the "Enhanced Games" appears to be sending the traditional sports world into a frenzy. The Enhanced Games are the invention of Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza, who says the games will "embrace scientific advancements to push the boundaries of human performance". A particularly controversial aspect of the event is that athletes will be allowed to compete without being subjected to drug tests. The event will take place next May in Las Vegas. Creator Aron D'Souza chats to Jesse.

Get used to seeing Airana Ngarewa's face, he's got a new novel out and over the next few weeks he'll be up and down the country appearing at book shops and writers' festivals. The book is 'The Last Living Cannibal', and it's Airana's third book about the Taranaki region. The others covered contemporary life, but this one looks back and reimagines life in Taranaki in the 1940s. Airana Ngarewa is with Jesse.

Two weeks ago Matt Jeffery's dog - Sadie - went missing. Since then, Matt and his family - who moved here from South Africa for a better, safer life - have been devastated Not only dealing with the distress of losing your pet, but also the side effects of plastering your phone number of public posters. Jesse talks to Matt.

As home-based early childcare picks up in popularity, Barnados-employed mother and daughter duo Iman and Hanin Taqieh speak about how it helped change their lives as new mums. Making shifts in their careers to become homebased educators was a decision that gave them flexibility and purpose after their family moved here from Jordan. Hanin Taquieh is community coordinator with Barnados where she leads the home-based portfolio supporting over 40 home-based educators in Auckland - including her own mum Iman, who's herself, been with Barnados for twenty years as an educator. In this episode - what's the incentive, both for parents and educators?

Artificial intelligence is giving Daniel Barcay a sense of DeJa'Vu. He's the executive director of the Center for Humane Technology, and co-host of the podcast Your Undivided Attention. When social media first hit the internet so many people talked about it revolutionizing how we connect. What could possibly go wrong? Social media produced the most anxious and depressed generation we've ever seen. Barcay says we have to do better with AI and now is the moment as design choices being made today will shape AI for generations to come. He says AI is our chance to step back and prove we can use technology with wisdom.