The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Kiwi actor Julian Dennison's built up an impressive acting resume between Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Deadpool 2, and How to Train Your Dragon, but he's about to make the switch to music next. Dennison is confirmed to be playing a DJ set at the upcoming Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne at the end of December. He says he needed another hobby to keep him going between acting gigs, and he felt inspired to explore the world of DJing after getting some advice from a friend. "He's like - man, why don't you pick up some DJing, it's a fun hobby, you get to listen to music, curate music, you can kind of do whatever you want with it. And that's kind of how it started." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy. This is by the author of the Booker Prize winning The God of Small Things - about her life growing up in India, the forces that shaped her, and particularly her very difficult relationship with her mother, Mary, who is always referred to in the book as Mrs Roy. Mrs Roy was a formidable force of nature and in trying to make sense of the dynamic between them, and to find her own way in the world, Arundhati has written a deeply moving, entertaining and profound memoir. How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair. The author grew up in Jamaica where her father was a radical Rastafarian and was paranoid about keeping his daughters away from the secular world which they referred to as Babylon. Safiya's childhood was often brutal, peripatetic and poor but she had the soul of a poet and the dream to eventually become one. It's an extraordinary and deeply moving memoir – how one young woman eventually found the courage to stand up to her father and became the woman she never thought she could be. Anyone who read Educated and loved it will love this. The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester: A remarkable exploration of our atmosphere, and the role played in our lives by wind – which can be both benign and malevolent. It's a fascinating story told through history, literature, science, poetry and engineering – and includes a piece on our own Wahine disaster. Simon Winchester has an ability to make the everyday and apparently mundane, extraordinary. The Hollows Boys by Peta Carey. The story of the three Hollows brothers Gary, Mark and Kim, who were pivotal in the helicopter deer recovery era in Fjordland in the 1970s which was a dangerous and unregulated time. Gary Hollows died (as did many others) and the pain of that is still felt keenly today, more than 40 years on. The work they did against the backdrop of such a beautiful part of the country is jaw dropping, with high deer tallies helping keep that population down (and thereby protecting the environment), lots of money sloshing around and amazing stories of real derring do by a group of extraordinarily brave and reckless men who lived by their own rules. Mana by Tame Iti. The deeply personal account of the life of one of our greatest rebels and radicals who grew up being forbidden to speak te reo and became one of its biggest advocates (amongst many other causes). He's lived much of his life in the public eye, going from bad boy status to that of a national treasure and the journey is well documented in this beautiful and thoughtful book. It's a lovely production and includes lots of photographs, including some of his own artwork. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone loves a Christmas market, and travel expert Megan Singleton's examining an unconventional method to explore some of the best overseas. Megan's explored some of the best Christmas markets from the cruise ships, and she's revealed whether or not she recommends the experience. Read more about Megan's travel tips here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson and Resident Economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! We've heard a lot about 'survive til 25' - are we actually feeling more optimistic about the economy as we enter the new year. How bad were things over the last few months, do we think? What are we feeling ahead of the new year? Do we think 2026 will be better? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 14 December 2025, Kiwi Hollywood actor Julian Dennison is trying out a surprise new career, he talks to Francesca before his first festival Rhythm and Vines. Dai Henwood has had rollercoaster of a year, he shares his journey, talking about comedy, honours and living with stage 4 cancer. Reddit is taking on Australia's social media ban for under-16s, constitutional law expert Rosalind Dixon on whether they have a chance of overturning the new law. And Erin O'Hara reviews the big health trends from 2025. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Comedian Dai Henwood's ticked plenty of boxes over his three decades in the business, but next May, he'll take on a new challenge and host the Best Foods Comedy Gala. The event will take place from May 1 to May 2, and it represents a career-first for the Kiwi comedy legend. Henwood says New Zealand's gone through some significant changes on the world stage, having moved from 'culturally cringe' to something meaningful. "I'm someone who loves change and I've always loved change. So seeing how things evolve is awesome. Yet, it's so cool you have something like the gala - which in its essence has stayed the same, it is an intro to the Comedy Festival." Tickets for the event are on sale now - and if you order before December 18th, you go in the draw to win some prizes, including a signed copy of Dai's book. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media and the internet is full of health advice, but what's real, practical and helpful, and what's hogwash? Many popular health habits have been exposed as myths without scientific backing or straight-up harmful, while truly healthy habits focus on moderation, balance and self-care. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cider, star anise and pineapple roasted ham Cook time: 60 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 8-10 3kg free range cured and smoked Christmas ham 2 x 330ml dry cider or apple juice 6 star anise 10 cloves 2 cups fresh pineapple, peeled, sliced and cubed 2 tbsp Dijion mustard 300 gm brown sugar Preheat a oven on fan-bake to160c. Slice the skin of the ham and score the fat in a diamond pattern. Combine the cider, star anise and sugar in a pot and bring to the boil, reduce until syrupy (bubbles will increase in size and slow) Dice the pineapple into thin dice and then stir into the cider mixture. Allow to cool. Place the ham into a roasting tray. Smear the Dijion over the ham, followed by 3 tbsp of the cider glaze. Use the cloves to prick through the pineapple to keep it in place. Place the ham in the middle of the oven oven for 1 hour depending on size, checking and baste until caramelized. Serve hot or at room temperature if transporting. Keep the remaining cider syrup to re-glaze once on the table. Sumptuous! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've already talked this year about research that shows staring at a seagull will prevent it from stealing your chips, but as beach season starts again - here is another science backed tactic that you can use. According to new research published in the journal Biology Letters the best defence might be the simplest - just shout at the gull! The researchers tested 61 on how they responded to human voices after placing a portion of chips in a gull hotspot. As soon as a gull approached, the team played one of three recordings: A male voice shouting: “NO, STAY AWAY, THAT'S MY FOOD, THAT'S MY PASTY!” The same voice speaking the same words in a normal tone. Birdsongs from a robin. All recordings were played at the same volume, so “shouting” didn't mean louder, just sharper and more commanding. Gulls are surprisingly sensitive to the tone of human speech, even when the loudness stays the same. Nearly half the gulls exposed to the shouting voice flew away within a minute. Only 15 percent flew away when they heard the normal speaking voice and many walked away. 70 percent of gulls who heard the robin stayed exactly where they were. This is the first known study showing that wild animals can distinguish between different emotional tones in human speech. Dogs, pigs, and horses can do this, but it's never been studied in seagulls. A future version of the study may test whether a woman's voice works just as well, or perhaps even better. It's not often science gives us an excuse to yell in public, but in this case you can claim it's for your own good. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Cameron's third instalment of the hugely successful Avatar franchise could be his last. The Hollywood director's latest film - Avatar: Fire and Ash - premiered in Wellington yesterday, and is scheduled to release worldwide next week. But Cameron says its future remains unclear, with consumer tastes changing, and better rebate schemes for studios overseas. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall reveals what we know so far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealander Harry Mellsop has raised US$4.3 million for his start-up, Antioch, which he says brings artificial intelligence into the physical world. He explained that Antioch's tech will allow companies to build new or better AI robots by letting them test new features in software simulations. Mellsop says this technology will help develop the autonomous driving space, drone technology, the manufacturing sector and several other key industries. "I think something that's personally surprised me is a lot of interest from smart security companies, so smart home sensors, to smart doorbells, those sorts of applications as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The war of words continues between Finance Minister Nicola Willis and former Finance Minister Ruth Richardson. Richardson - the chair of the Taxpayers' Union - has been fronting a new campaign against Willis's fiscal decisions. The pair have agreed to debate each other, but are yet to agree on when or where. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says the pair have expressed interest in having the debate on Newstalk ZB, with Heather du Plessis-Allan overseeing it from the Breakfast slot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's economy is set to expand next year, as several key indicators point to economic recovery. Kiwibank's latest bi-annual report forecasts a 2.4 percent growth for 2026, with boosted household confidence, an improved property sector, and a stabilising labour market. The review cites low interest rates as the leading drivers of growth. Economist Sabrina Delgado says there's a broad base for recovery, which comes as relief after 2025. "We did expect a recovery to sort of start taking place in 2025 this time last year - it took some hits and had some delays and it's just now that we're starting to see the signs of recovery taking foot." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reddit's launched a High Court challenge to Australia's pioneering social media ban for under-16s. The country's new law, which sets a mandatory age limit of 16 or older for accounts on certain platforms, including Reddit, took effect on Wednesday. Reddit's case argues the policy has serious implications for privacy and political rights. New South Wales University Law Professor Rosalind Dixon says Reddit isn't a bad plaintiff. "If they can show that young people's political communication is burdened or that adults learning from young people and hearing from them is burdened, they're up and running." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a stunt, performative politics, a farce, a side show, a distraction from the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results being released this week… goodness me, the thought of a debate between our current Finance Minister, Nicola Willis, and a previous Finance Minister, Ruth Richardson, caused quite a stir this week, didn't it? Politics is, by its nature, a contest of ideas and values, so why are we afraid of a little debate? We see performative debate taking place in the House on a regular basis? Dare I say it - but with all the hype, maybe people will watch this one. I like that Finance Minister Nicola Willis isn't quietly counting down the days until the Christmas break to slink away and hope the fudge campaign, devised by the Taxpayers Union, will slowly slip from our minds after a bevy and BBQ or three. In his column in the NZ Herald this week, Mathew Hooton said that whoever advised Finance Minister Nicola Willis to challenge her predecessor Ruth Richardson, now the chair of the Taxpayers Union, to a debate should be sacked. I wonder whether Willis, an experienced debater, came up with the idea herself. Hooton has a point - it's potentially a lose-lose situation. Richardson is going to be cast as a member of the hard-nose right happy to inflict misery on people to achieve fiscal consolidation, and Willis could be a sitting duck depending on the HYEFU and quarterly GDP results released next week. But do we want politicians who are always thinking about themselves, take a strategic approach and craft their messaging to avoid transparency, or would you prefer a Finance Minister prepared to openly discuss one of the main issues concerning New Zealanders today - the state of the economy - with someone who is trying to undermine her? The NZ Herald's political editor, Thomas Coughlan, does an excellent job of explaining what's behind this situation in his article titled Ruth Richardson v Nicola Willis - the facts behind the argument. Essentially, after a financial crisis or shock it is accepted that Governments spend more to get through - and that the books end up in a bit of mess - but once the economy has ‘restarted' and we're on the other side of the shock, fiscal consolidation kicks in, and budgets tighten so the country is ready for the next financial shock. What is to be debated is whether the current coalition is moving fast enough when it comes to this fiscal consolidation. Will we be ready for the next financial shock? We know we have challenges ahead - with two of the known ones being our aging population's impact on our health system and the increased cost of superannuation. Do we increase taxes? Reduce spending and inflict the social costs of austerity? Or do we risk taking a slower approach to getting back on track, with less negative impact on our communities? As long as it's a civil one - it sounds like something worth debating. But it needs to be a debate which doesn't get personal, nasty or derogatory. One in which each debater expresses their values and the reasoning behind their approach, backs their thinking with evidence and outlays a long term vision for New Zealand. This is the kind of discourse we should be having. Let's get an independent economist to run it - and get on with it. If nothing else - it could be highly entertaining, something we could all do with at this point in the year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 7 December 2025, for years it was believed Suzanne Vega's 'Luka' was about a young boy, this week she tells Francesca why, after 35 years, she finally admitted she is Luka. Kiwi band Castaway are a band on the rise, this week they perform their latest single 'Pretty Little Liar' in studio and talk about their breakout year. Andrew Coster has finally spoken out, ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths on Coster's version of events including his claims Ministers knew more than they have let on. And is garlic the next thing in mouth wash? Dr Michelle Dickinson explains. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mindful eating is when we become fully connected with all the sensations experienced when eating and drinking including sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Why is eating more mindful is helpful? By being more mindful and conscious it helps us to reflect on what we are eating, how and why. Naturopath Erin O'Hara shared her insights with Francesca Rudkin as well as a few mindful eating tips to help improve digestion. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop rock band Castaway released their sophomore EP Nondual in October - the popular tracks resulting in regular airplay on many mainstream radio stations. Three of the five band members Joe, Rhys and Austen joined Francesca Rudkin and told her about the pressure of recording this album in such a short space of time. They also shared how they met at Canterbury University and making the decision that music could be a career for them. Plus they preformed Pretty Little Liars live in studio. LISTEN ABOVE AND WATCH BELOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we continue with part two of our four-part lead-up to Christmas, focusing on sides and salads. Mike van de Elzen has chosen two of his favourite classic salads ahead of the festive season, and runs Francesca Rudkin through the recipe as well as a few tips on the key to a great salad. Ember charred cauliflower with grated ginger, parsley and parmesan Cook time: 10 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 1 head of cauliflower oil for cooking Flaky seasalt and cracked pepper 1 large knob ginger, peeled and mircoplaned 1/2 flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped 1 cup parmesan, finely grated 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil (this would have to be a first!) Cut the cauliflower into long florets. You should look at getting around 15-20 florets. Bring a large pot ofof salted water to the boil and plunge in the cauliflower. Cook until just under. This will take about 3 minutes. Remove and plunge into iced water to stop the cooking. Drain once cold and place the cauliflower into a large bowl, drizzle with oil and season with salt. Char-grill over embers or on a hot BBQ until coloured. Place back into a clean bowl, toss through the fresh ginger, parsley, parmesan and the remaining olive oil. Check seasoning, you may need more salt. Toss and serve Roasted carrots w mint emulsion & spiced chickpeas Cook time: 45 minutes Prep time: 20 minutes Serves: 12 20 carrots cut in half 2 tbsp sunflower oil flaky seasalt Miso emulsion 2 soft boiled eggs 1 tbsp miso paste Juice of 1 orange Juice of 2 lemon 1 cup coriander leaves and stalks 10 mint leaves 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 clove garlic 1 tbsp ginger, peeled 300ml sunflower oil Spiced chickpeas 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, roasted 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted 1 can drained chickpeas 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1/2 tsp crushed farm chilli 2 tbsp sunflower oil Pre heat the oven to 180*c. Cut the carrots in half and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with some salt. Place into the oven and roast until tender. Combine all the ingredients for the spiced chickpeas in a bowl and toss, lay out onto a roasting tray and place in the oven along with the carrots. Cooked for 30 minutes stiring every 10 until crispy. Allow to cool Make up the mint emo Bring a pot of water to the boil and carefully drop in your eggs. Time them for 5 minutes before removing and placing into iced water till cold. Carefully roll the eggs breaking the shell before peeling. (good luck!) Place all the ingredients apart from the oil into the blender and turning on slowly before turning up and slowy drizzle in the oil. Season with salt and pepper if required. Spoon a couple tbsp of mint emo onto a platter and stack the roasted carrots on top and finish with the spiced chickpeas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Garlic is famous for many things, boosting flavour, warding off vampires, and making your kitchen smell incredible (or incredibly strong). But new research suggests it might have one more surprising talent: acting as a natural alternative to traditional mouthwash. The research published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine found that an extract made from garlic could offer antimicrobial powers comparable to chlorhexidine, a common chemical used in many medical-grade mouthwashes. But could garlic replace chemical mouthwashes altogether? Dr Michelle Dickinson discusses the findings and her take on it with Francesca Rudkin. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix is acquiring Warner Bros Discovery in a blockbuster US$83bn deal – plus debt. As part of the deal, Netflix takes the TV and movie studio and other assets, including the HBO Max streaming service. Flicks.co.nz's Steve Newall analysis the deal with Francesca Rudkin, as well as Quentin Tarantino's 20 favourite films of the 20th century. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes I wonder what the world thinks of us. Not in an insecure way – as in, we need the world's admiration to validate how wonderful we are. But when I see the local stories which break through into international media I do wonder if the world thinks we're a bit odd. Many international news outlets this week followed the story of a Kiwi jewellery thief who allegedly thought the best way to steal a $33,500 Fabergé locket was to swallow it in the shop. I'm not sure if this was the plan all along, or whether it was a spontaneous plan B after plan A went wrong. But he was arrested minutes after the alleged theft – so regardless of which plan it was, it wasn't a smart one. You may wonder why someone would intentionally swallow a foreign or non-digestible object, and the obvious answer in this case would be to avoid arrest. But, it's been done before – so maybe we're not so odd! Earlier this year, a thief posing as a buyer for a professional US athlete stole two pairs of diamond earrings valued at just under US$1.4m from a Florida jeweller. In an effort to avoid arrest he swallowed the earrings, and then asked if he would be charged for what was in his stomach. The alleged Kiwi thief may have watched the TV show 'Joan' about notorious UK jewel thief Joan Hannington, who liked to swallow her loot. It's a risky way to acquire jewellery. It's a perilous journey travelling through the oesophagus and the uniquely shaped stomach – which is apparently where mobile phones get stuck. Yes, apparently this is something prisoners do, including one who swallowed four mobile phones. Then the object has to get through 12 feet of small intestine before entering the large intestine, and avoid perforating the bowel. The one reassuring thing for a jewellery swallowing thief is that metals such as gold, silver and many of the precious stones aren't affected by stomach acid. After our Kiwi thief was picked up, he was given a medical assessment and a police officer was assigned to constantly monitor him. For a week. The good news is that on Friday the limited edition item was recovered without requiring medical intervention, and a photo of a gloved hand holding a gold chain with price tag attached was released. Good on the police, the goods recovery operation was a success. What we are yet to establish is whether this now famous pendant is worth more or less after its globally publicised journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American folk rock artist Suzanne Vega launched onto the global music scene back in 1987. Almost 40 years on, Suzanne is still making music. Her latest album ‘Flying with Angels' receiving rave reviews - Rolling Stone referring to it as the best album of 2025 so far. With the album out, she's hitting the road and heading back to New Zealand in September next year – touring Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Suzanne Vega joined Francesca Rudkin ahead of her return to our shores. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Coster has given his first interview on TVNZ's Q&A with Jack Tame since resigning from the public service. The former Police Commission resigned as head of the Social Investment Agency this week. He claimed in the pre-recorded interview two senior politicians knew more than they have publicly admitted about the handling of complaints against disgraced deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming Newstalk ZB's Political Reporter unpacked the interview with Francesca Rudkin and what the former top cop claimed, as well as Mariameno Kapa-Kingi being reinstated as a Te Pati Maori member. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In just over a week, roadside drug testing of drivers will begin in Wellington, with the aim to roll it out nationwide by mid-2026. So how will it work? And how reliable will this testing be? Hayden Eastmond-Mein from the Drug Foundation joined Francesca Rudkin to guide her through what the tests involve and why they've still got concerns about the approach. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Master Builders are calling for a National Building Register to better protect homeowners. This is in response to the Government preparing to shift to a proportionate liability system for the construction sector. These changes are expected to come into effect in 2026. Master Builders CEO Ankit Sharma told Francesca Rudkin why they're pushing for this register. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi talks finding the joy of cooking and talks his stage show coming to New Zealand in 2026. We hear from Black Grace Dance Company founder Neil Ieremia as the group celebrates 30 years of stunning performances. Plus Bill Bryson talks revisiting and revising his iconic book A Short History of Nearly Everything. Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session. Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Audio file FR EDITORIAL 301125.mp3 Transcript So, did you get yourself a bargain on Black Friday or some kind of good deal in the last 10 days that may also be associated with a Black Friday? I've done quite a bit of Christmas shopping this weekend, most of it online through Kiwi retailers, and have saved at least the shipping costs or up to maybe 25% savings, which, you know, it all adds up. There have been warnings this week about being sucked into Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Consumer New Zealand, they did a three-month investigation. They tracked 10 products at four major retailers, and they found that half of the items could have been bought at the same or lower prices at some point in the last three months. But I think we all know this. Black Friday is a brilliantly executed marketing campaign. The reality is a lot of discounts are a token gesture, but if you do your homework and you have a bit of luck, you can find something you wanted for a good price. And I think that we approach shopping differently these days, driven by the fact a lot of the big retailers have sales all the time. If we look at the main sales at this time of the year, people go shopping at Labour Weekend, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and hey, look, if you've missed out, Boxing Day is only about four weeks away. So you'd be an idiot to buy something when it wasn't on sale. But hopefully all the spending will still be giving retailers the lift they need. This week there was a little bit of good news from Stats New Zealand with data showing that the total volume of sales increased 1.9% in the September quarter compared to the June 2025 quarter. And this is the largest quarterly increase in activity since December 2021. Last year, payment provider data showed that more than $175 million was spent at core retail merchants during Black Friday weekend. And it's going to be really interesting to see what the figure is this year. And retail, there sort of seems to be a little bit of a frenzy around retail at the moment. Look at the anticipation around IKEA opening in Auckland's Mount Wellington this week on December 4th. Good on AT for warning shoppers there could potentially be 40-minute delays to get off the motorway. And then it may take an hour to find a car park. You were warned. You may think it's unnecessary, but we all know what it's like when we hit that traffic on the motorway and we stop. Look, I know. It's exciting. I care opening. I have a kid going flatting next year and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up buying a flat pack of some sort. But IKEA's not going anywhere. Do yourself a favour and give it some time before you descend on the Swedish giant. Or better still, shop at some of our very own Kiwi excellent flat pack furniture stores. But look, if you're less patient than me and you're prepared to deal with the traffic, best of luck out there. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hugely popular Synthony Festival is going ahead at the end of March. Synthony has taken off over the last few years – with the 2025 festival selling out and 40,000 people attending. 2026 will be the first Synthony Festival for The Black Seeds – and their front man Barnaby Weir told Francesca Rudkin that he is looking forward to the festival. 'To get an invite, to such a huge, awesome gig, which is already proven and has a huge clientele, a huge audience is really great for us.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A social media trend called 'Sleepmaxxing' involving elaborate routines and hacks to maximize sleep quality and quantity, has been growing in popularity. Social media wellness content is giving advice about sleep - how to get more of it; how to improve it; how to measure whether you're getting quality sleep and commonly marketing sleep aids (sometimes expensive). But are there downsides to following a trend when it comes to your own health? Wellness expert Erin O'Hara breaks down the facts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 30 November 2025, there's Oscars buzz around Russell Crowe for his portrayal of Hitlers right hand man in new film Nuremberg. This week Russell tells Francesca why he's not interested in another Academy Award. Over the last few years Synthony Festival has taken off, The Black Seeds are playing the festival for the first time, front man Barnaby Weir talks about preparing for the uniquely different performance. Chris Hipkins is in campaign mode, he shares just how he plans to get a Labour victory at the next election, and Francesca shares a warning ahead of Ikea opening this week. And science has discovered we don't become "real adults" until much later in life than we though, Dr Michelle Dickinson shares the details. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chili pickled vegetables Cook time: 5 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 12 Pickled vegetables can include: Carrots, fennel, baby beetroot, radish, red onions, cucumbers or red cabbage 1 tbsp fennel seeds 1 tbsp coriander seeds 2 fresh chili, sliced 2 bay leaves 1 tsp mustard seeds 300 ml cider vinegar 250 ml water 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp salt Jar and lid Firstly prepare the vegetables for pickling. Clean all the vegetables and cut in 1/2 or 1/4 or finely slice. Trying to make all the vegetable pieces roughly the same size. To make your pickle mixture, start by toasting your seeds in a pan until fragrant. Place the rest of the pickling mixture ingredients into a pot, adding seeds once toasted and heat until boiling. Remove the pickling mixture from the heat and carefully pour the hot mixture over the top of the vegetables and seal with a lid. (If pickling cucumbers or finely sliced veg allow mixture to cool first) Roasted beetroot & cummin hummus Cook time: 45 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6-8 2 cups chickpeas, soaked overnight in water 2 whole beetroot 1 tbsp cooking oil 2 tbsp tahini 1 tsp baking powder 11 tsp cummin powder Sea salt Pre-heat the oven to 180*c Individually wrap the beetroot in tin-foil, drizzle over a little oil and sprinkle over a touch of salt before wrapping. Place into the oven and cook for 30 minutes before testing. Test by inserting a small knife to see if the beetroot is cooked. Once cooked allow to cool before removing skin. While the beetroot is cooking, place the soaked chickpeas into a large pot, cover with cold water and add a touch of salt and the baking powder. Bring to the boil and cook until tender. Once cooked drain. Place the beetroot into a food processor and biltz until smooth. Add the chickpeas and biltz until smooth. Add the tahini, curry powder and seasalt to finish. Yoghurt flatbreads w coriander butter Cook time: 2 minutes Prep time: 10 Serves: 6-8 Flat breads 350g bread flour 2 tsp baking powder 350g natural yoghurt 1 tsp salt Coriander butter 200 gm unsalted-butter 1 cup fresh coriander, finely chopped 1/2 tsp sea salt 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed For the flat breads Combine all the bread ingredients together in a bowl and mix with a spoon, then use your hands to pat and bring everything together. Dust a clean work surface with flour, tip out the dough. Knead for a minute or so just to pull everything together, before leaving while you make the coriander butter. For the butter, Add to the butter and mix in the rest of the ingredients. Re-dust a clean surface with flour, divide the dough into small balls. Flatten with your hands, then using a rolling pin roll roughly 3mm thick. Either place dough into a griddle pan on a high heat or onto a tray in a very hot oven. As soon as they are coloured remove and brush with a coriander butter and cut into random pieces. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We often think of brain development as something that happens in childhood, stabilises in adulthood, and then gradually declines. However new research published in the journal Nature Communications suggests our brains actually move through five distinct eras, each with its own strengths, vulnerabilities, and turning points. Researchers analysed MRI brain scans from nearly 4,000 people aged between newborn and 90 years old. Their goal was to understand how the brain's internal wiring, changes over a lifetime. Dr. Michelle Dickinson joins Francesca Rudkin to break-down and analyse the study. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' - the third instalment in the 'Knives Out' series has received a positive review from Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall. He told Francesca Rudkin that the film is, 'really humour laced, really strong performances, and the sort of film as well that I think really benefits from not having your phone in your lap.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi born Hollywood star Russell Crowe has played many intense roles in his career. But his latest might be his most intense yet. Heading back to world war 2, Russell plays Hitlers right hand man Hermann Goring in ‘Nuremberg', the film focusing on the duel between psychologist Douglas Kelley and Goring, in the lead up to the post war trial. Crowe told Francesca Rudkin that he had to do a lot of background reading before playing the part. 'So you have to find those moments of what I call quiet contemplation, where you get to really think through and learn about what you're doing.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new era begins for TVNZ's 6pm bulletin tonight. After almost 20 years in the 6pm chair, Simon Dallow read his last bulletin on Friday. His replacement starts tonight, with Melissa Stokes promoted to the 6pm duties. Stokes told Francesca Rudkin that she is nervous but prepared for the step up. 'I fill in for Simon when he's been away, so it is the same team that I'm going into, the same desk, the same login, the same password, the same news tonight.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major disruptions yesterday as airlines around the world had to ground their Airbus A320 aircraft. Many travellers were left stranded after Airbus ordered immediate software fixes for 6000 of its A320s. Aviation Commentator Irene King says that New Zealand is lucky to be a smaller country, as it means the delays won't last as long. 'The nice thing about being a small country is that we can recover pretty quickly from these sorts of disruptions.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labour has shifted into campaign mode as the party meets for its annual conference in Auckland. With less than a year until the next election, Labour party leader, Chris Hipkins opened with an emphatic message “Believe We Can Win”. Hipkins told Francesca Rudkin that the party has been focusing on what Kiwis didn't like about their last election campaign. 'We've spent time really focusing on what didn't go well for us and what we need to change.' LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch based, Scottish born, artist Karra Rhodes is rising fast on the New Zealand music scene and she's got a new project in the works. Her new album, Hometown Therapy, is also being used to shine a light on domestic violence and highlight her fundraising efforts for the charity Shine. "I like to think that I write music that a lot of people maybe feel uncomfortable writing music on." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the biggest names in food around the world, and he's set to bring his insights to our shores next year. After 11 cookbooks, Ottolenghi's built a name for himself in the world of food, and his distinctive way of cooking has earned him praise and critical acclaim. He says these tours are often 'hectic' and 'intense' - and it's hard for him to juggle the experience of taking in a city on these schedules. "I'm quite flexible with the way I eat, so I'm just happy to eat whatever's around...cooking on stage is really just about sharing some basic techniques that I've developed over time." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child. Jack Reacher is back - this time in Baltimore, where he inadvertently gets himself caught up in corrupt goings on at the local Port. He walks into a coffee shop, and someone brushes against him - only later does he realise that a note was slipped into his pocket at that moment, from someone asking for help and requesting a late night rendezvous. The note was clearly intended for someone else but Jack heads along to the meeting anyway, just to see what's going on. This is classic Reacher - he's about to dispense a lot of vigilante justice and stand up for the good guys, before he gets onto another Greyhound bus and heads off for who knows where. Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro. Josie is an Auckland writer whose first book I loved - Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts. This is her second, and it's equally good - about Penny and Riggs living in LA where things have gone terribly wrong for them, and the chance for Penny to come back to Auckland and hold a solo art exhibition is too good to ignore. They head back to Waiheke Island (and into the midst of complicated family dynamics) and reconnect with an old friend who's down on his luck. The rekindling of that childhood friendship brings serious undercurrents, with long held secrets to be reckoned with. Josie is a terrific writer and I hope will be bringing us books for years to come. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 23 November 2025, Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the biggest names in food, but it turns out even he struggles to know what to cook for dinner. This week he tells Francesca the unusual way he decides what to cook. Karra Rhodes is an up and comer on the New Zealand music scene, she talks to Francesca about why she is donating royalties to charity. The All Blacks have wrapped up their 2025 season, ZB commentator Elliott Smith with his report card, and Francesca questions the financial viability of university halls of residence for students. And feeling that end of year fatigue? Erin O'Hara with all the tips for surviving Christmas without burning out. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.