The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Celine Song has generated plenty of interest and acclaim off her directing debut Past Lives - and her new romantic drama Materialists has attracted attention from film fans. Materialists stars Dakota Johnson as a successful match-maker for New York's elite singles who's torn between two potential suitors of her own. Celine Song says she used her own experiences as a matchmaker to help craft the film. "The reason why I quit - the job was too fun. My day job ended up being too fun. It's so fascinating because all these strangers of all kinds just tell you what's in their heart." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tell-all expose from within our health system was released this week - and it's attracting plenty of interest. Written by Auckland-based ICU doctor, Dr Ivor Popovich, the book shares his journey from med school through the public health system. He talks of bullying, funding and staffing shortfalls through to the inequities between private and public healthcare Popovich says he wasn't sure how his colleagues or employers would react to the book - but he was committed to getting his experience out there. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, who is well known for terrific books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Daisy Jones and The Six. In 1980, Joan Goodwin becomes one of the first women scientists accepted by NASA for the space shuttle programme where she's part of a close team who work and play together. Vanessa Ford is a brilliant, practical aeronautical engineer and they discover possibilities in their friendship they never knew existed - so when Vanessa's mission goes badly wrong and Joan, in charge of astronaut communications is responsible for bringing her safely back to earth, the tension and emotion is off the chart. As were mine. Inside the Wire by Rhonda Hapi – Smith. Rhonda spent almost 20 years as a prison officer in a number of men's prisons around the country. She's a tough, physically strong woman - she also worked on the Riot Squad - with a hefty dose of compassion who always understood that in order to get the best out of the people in her care she needed to build relationships but take no nonsense. The book is an insight into life inside the prison walls, both for the incarcerated men and for the staff, and it comes from a career of which she is justifiably proud. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an interesting time to be in the US, with protests erupting across the nation in response the the actions of the Trump administration. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets across all 50 states, with the aim of “rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarisation of our democracy”. Megan Singleton is in Chicago at the moments - and she opened up about the realties of travelling through the US during a turbulent time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and editor Jo McCarroll and NZ Herald senior writer Simon Wilson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The private v public healthcare debate continues - how can we keep the waitlists down? There doesn't seem to be an obvious solution, but this week, the Government is claiming to have 9696 extra elective surgeries, putting it on track to reach its end-of-June target of more than 10,579 operations. What do we make of this? Should we have price controls in place for alcohol sold at off-licences in an attempt to reduce harmful drinking at home and boost hospitality? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Obesogens are chemicals that disrupt the body's normal controls and promote fat cell formation (adipogenesis) and lipid accumulation. These can potentially lead to obesity. Common types of obesogens include BPA, phthalates, herbicides, pesticides, PFOA and nonstick cookware and food additives. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how obesogens affect your body - and how you can minimise your exposure. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 15th June 2025, Oscar-nominated Celine Song on her new film Materialists and how it was inspired by her own experience as a matchmaker in New York. ICU doctor, Dr Ivor Popovich explains why he has spoken out against his employer with a tell-all expose of New Zealand's health system. Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom with the latest on Iran and Israel. Health Minister Simeon Brown on why legislation is required to refocus the health system on results. And what are osbesogens? Erin O'Hara explains. 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.

Lamb shoulder with chermoula Cook time: 3 hours Prep time: 5 minutes Serves: 6 1 lamb shoulder Chermoula 2 lemons, juiced 1 onion, peeled and diced 10 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1 tbsp ground coriander 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tbsp garam masala 2 tsp turmeric, ground or fresh 1 tsp chili powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 cup fresh coriander leaves 1 cup parsley leaves 2 tbsp oil 1 tbsp flaky salt Place all the chermoula ingredients into to a processor and blitz until smooth. Place the chermoula into a plastic bag along with the lamb shoulder. Close the bag up tight making sure all the lamb is well coated. Place into the fridge for a few hours or over night if you have the time. Preheat the oven to 220*c and place a large roasting tray into it to heat for 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from the bag and pull out the tray from the oven. Pour in the oil and carefully place the lamb into roasting tray. Place the lamb into the oven and cook for 10 minutes on one side before turning for another 10 minutes. Turn the oven down to 150*c and bake for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and cover with tinfoil to rest for 30 minutes before serving. I would serve the lamb with roasted kumara, sauteed greens and chili sauce. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your next medical test involved breathing into a tube instead of drawing blood? A new study out this week published in the journal Current Biology has discovered that every human has a way of breathing through their nose that is so unique to them, it can be used to identify individuals with incredible accuracy. These personal "nasal respiratory fingerprints" may even hold powerful clues about your health, your mood, and even how your brain works. We often take our breath for granted. But behind every inhale and exhale is a complex web of brain networks working quietly in the background. The researchers attached tiny wearable device placed in a nasal cannula (like a mini oxygen tube) for 24-hour recordings on 100 volunteers. They found that a computer could identify individuals from their breathing patterns with up to 97 percent accuracy and this pattern remained stable for nearly two years. The researchers found that these unique breathing patterns, could predict a person's Body Mass Index (BMI), arousal state, and even levels of anxiety, depression, and traits related to autism. They found that: People with higher anxiety levels tended to take shorter inhales during sleep. Higher depression scores were linked to stronger nasal airflow and longer pauses after breathing out. And people with higher autism traits showed longer pauses between breaths and more variability in how they inhaled. All this was measured passively, just from how air flows in and out of the nose. The nose is more than just a smell detector, it's closely linked to the brain's emotional and cognitive circuits. Previous research has even shown that the rhythm of nasal breathing can sync up with brain waves and influence memory, attention, and emotion. This study supports the idea that breathing, especially through the nose, is more than a life-sustaining reflex. It's a mirror of our inner world. The potential of this new discovery is huge! If nasal breathing patterns can reflect not only who we are but also how we feel and function, then this non-invasive technique could become a powerful tool in health monitoring, mental wellness, and neuroscience. Instead of detecting early signs of depression or anxiety with a questionnaire, you could potentially diagnose in just a day's worth of breath. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the UK's Download festival saw a significant spike in accidental emergency calls, authorities have urged fans to put their smartwatches on airplane mode. Emergency calls were automatically being made from the moshpit because the tech incorrectly assumed people has been caught in collisions. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Fashion Week is set to make a return. After the cancellation of last year's event due to economic concerns, Giltrap Group has been secured as a naming rights sponsor for three years. One of New Zealand's premier designers, Kathyrn Wilson of Kathryn Wilson Footwear, says everyone's 'delighted' that they can celebrate the industry after a rough few years. "We were really hoping it was coming back this year - there's also some really awesome changes to the structure of it and the venue and the way that they've been approaching the designers, which is really exciting." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says his upcoming trip to China is about more than bolstering trade links. Chris Luxon will be meeting with President Xi Jinping and other key members of the Chinese Government while in Beijing next week. After meetings wrap up in Shanghai, Luxon will be heading to the NATO summit in Europe. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan explained why Luxon's carrying out these trips - and what they could mean for New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says the Government want patients to be able to see the clear benefits of health infrastructure investments. The Government has approved a suite of amendments to the Healthy Futures Act, put in place in 2022, that it hopes will strengthen the performance of Health New Zealand. Brown says these changes needed to be put in place to ensure the health system could be focused on delivering results over successive Governments. "We've got to focus on improving the timeliness of elective surgeries, specialist appointments and ensuring our young children are getting those immunisations. It's actually just about making sure that the system knows what the focuses should be focused on - and holding it accountable." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Israel says it will strike 'every site and every target' of Iran as the conflict escalates. The two countries continue to exchange air attacks after Iran launched waves of missiles in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran plans to threaten everyone. Middle East correspondent Gregg Carlstrom says this initial strike appeared to be a warning. "The question is, now, what will Iran do in response? There have been some threats from the Iranian Government throughout the day that they might escalate their own strikes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week marks the end of an era for two classic Kiwi brands - department store Smith & Caughey's announced it will shut their doors for the last time at 4pm today, and hosiery manufacturer Columbine that they're closing their Gisborne factory in August. These are both sad events. Smith & Caughey's has been part of Queen St for 145 years, and Columbine has kept me in opaque tights for as long as I can remember, and others for longer before! But the news was hardly shocking. Manufacturing in New Zealand has become increasingly challenging and costly over decades. Retail has been transformed by online shopping and parallel importing. A disruptive pandemic didn't help, and continuing economic uncertainty means closures are an unfortunate reality. It's incredible tough for staff, and while no one involved is likely interested in silver-linings right now, we should take a moment to celebrate that Smith & Caughey's employed people for 145 years, and Columbine for 75 years. Both are significant achievements. But it's going to be an emotional afternoon on Queen St today. A tough day for staff, shoppers, suppliers, and those who loved making the annual trip up the elevator to see Santa Claus and the incredible Christmas displays. I have a collection of photos in which at least one of my kids is crying while posing next to the bearded stranger. I know, my bad. But the bauble for the tree was always appreciated. Many of us have memories of this Auckland retail icon. Whether you live in Auckland or have visited over the years, Smith & Caughey's initially offered service and products you couldn't get anywhere else. It was a historic company with a female founder ahead of her time, set in a beautiful building. Think of the secrets and stories hidden in those walls. Smith & Caughey's explanation for closing was a “perfect storm of adversity”. In addition to economic uncertainty, they referenced increased parking costs, ongoing roadworks and the slow progress of the City Rail Link (CRL) as having an impact on shoppers. While today should be a day of appreciation and fond memories, retailers can't afford to be quite so nostalgic. There are lessons to be learnt about moving with the times, adapting to competition, less exclusivity and retaining customers. Also announced this week, Columbine, a family business and the last hosiery manufacturer in New Zealand, will shut its doors and 45 jobs will go. Once again, reality bites. A written statement from the company said the decision was “driven by a combination of declining sales and increased operational costs, which made it unsustainable to continue manufacturing in Gisborne”. Interestingly, recently released data compiled by Infometrics looked at the types of jobs which have disappeared over the last 25 years. If you look at jobs in manufacturing - such as a sewing machinist, footwear production machine operator, hide and skin processing machine operator, knitting machine operator, textile dyeing and finishing machine operator and others, employment has fallen from 14,472 to 5608 since 2000. This isn't just because companies have closed, but because technology has taken over. It's a reminder that change and challenge are constant in most sectors. So surviving as a manufacturer in New Zealand for 75 years is nothing to scoff at. It's actually very impressive and quite something really. Both companies should be proud of their legacies. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annabel Langbein, the famed Kiwi cook behind many iconic recipes, is on her own adventure in France. She and her husband Ted have bought a farmhouse in the south of France, and are currently staying there while they renovate their home. She says it was a 'stressful' journey trying to secure a place in France, but it was worth it. "All of France is foodie, but what I really love about this particular area is that the markets are just incredible - and pretty much most of the growers are all organic and the quality of the food is just so good." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World-renowned circus company Cirque du Soleil will bring one of its longest-running and most beloved touring shows to Auckland's Spark Arena this October. Corteo, which premiered in Montreal under a Big Top tent in April 2005, has wowed more than 12 million spectators in 30 countries with a mix of comedy, performance art, music, illusions and acrobatics. Artistic director and long-time circus performer Olaf Triebel says many of these performers have backgrounds in tumbling or gymnastics or trampolining - and the training's fairly straightforward. "Their body is already completely trained, so then what they have to focus on is more the artistic side of it - to learn how to move or to dance or to become an artist on stage." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Names by Florence Knapp. Cora is married to Gordon, a highly respected doctor, but what goes on in their own home is something entirely different. When she has a baby son she heads off to register his birth, with instructions from Gordon that she's to name the baby after him - but her nine year old daughter has another idea, and Cora has her own preference. The story then splits into three different lines, in each of which the baby boy is given one of these three names and we follow his life until he's 35 years old - and each of the named scenarios shows the impact of a name on a person's life. It's very cleverly done and there's been a lot of international buzz about it. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. This is currently screening at cinemas - the film is based on this book which was originally published in 2018 and has been reissued. It's the true story of Raynor and her husband known as Moth, who in their 50's lose absolutely everything and find themselves homeless and destitute - with Moth also suffering a debilitating illness. In the absence of any other options they decide to walk - more than 600 miles on the UK's South West Coast Path, from Sommerset to Dorset via Devon and Cornwall. It's an extraordinary story of real courage and endurance, and finding themselves in the process. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The school holidays are coming up in a few weeks, and BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton has unveiled a fun travel hack powered by AI. Using ChatGPT or similar platforms, parents can now easily create scavenger hunt lists for any location, be it Rotorua or Sydney or even Ireland! Read more about Megan's ideas here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and producer Irene Gardiner and senior PR consultant at One Plus One Communications, Damien Venuto, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! The Trump/Musk relationship imploded this week, with the pair taking to social media to snipe at each other. Who wins here? Was anyone surprised by this? More retailers have given their staff body cameras amid an increase in anti-social behaviour. What do we make of this? Is this a sad indictment that they need to implement this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Men's health week is coming up - and it sparks discussion every year about how men can avoid stress and burnout. Research indicates long-term stress can impact men's mental health and these issues are often compounded by our nation's infamous 'She'll Be Right' attitude. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sundy 8 June 2025, Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil's Corteo, Olaf Triebel, shares insights into just how his artists pull off their high risk stunts. Much loved Kiwi cook Annabel Langbein has a new home ... in France. She tells Francesca just how hard it was to buy a house in France and why she's made the move. South Island boys schools are banding together to help our young men with societal issues, principal Steve Hart tells us why. Who will win the war of words between Trump and Musk? US correspondent Dan Mitchinson with the latest. And did you know it's not your hands hitting each other than makes the sound when you clap? Dr Michelle Dickinson with the latest research into clapping. 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.

Sauteed broccoli with white cabbage and chili garlic butter Cook time: 5 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 1/2 large white cabbage, cut into small wedges 10 heads sprouting broccoli 150 gm butter cracked pepper 1/4 cup curly parsley 1 red chili 2 cloves garlic sea salt 2 tbsp sunflower oil 1 lemon 1 cup fresh coriander Bring a large pot of water to the boil and season with a good amount of salt. Place the broccoli in the boiling water and leave for 10 seconds before removing and dropping in iced water as quickly as you can to stop the cooking. Make up the butter by crushing the garlic cloves and chili down to a paste and add to the softened butter, along with the chopped curly parsley, sea salt and cracked pepper. Set aside. Pre-heat a cast iron pan and break the cabbage up into smaller pieces and sauté in a touch of oil until slightly coloured, add a tbsp of water to help the steaming. Once just cooked, place into a large bowl and repeat until all the cabbage is sauteed. Finally add a touch more oil and add in the broccoli heads, sauté and add the butter to the bowl and toss until well coated. Then spoon over the cabbage. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the top and finish with the fresh coriander. Serve straight away. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us think clapping is just about two hands hitting each other, but new research out this week in the journal Physical Review Research found that the clap that we hear actually comes from the air being squeezed out between our palms. When your hands come together, whether flat or cupped, they trap a tiny bubble of air. That bubble escapes through small gaps, like the one between your thumb and index finger, creating a mini jet of air that blasts out and disturbs the surrounding atmosphere. This results in a burst of sound created by a phenomenon called Helmholtz resonance, the same thing that happens when you blow across the top of a bottle. Your hands, in that moment, are transformed into a musical instrument. To test their theory, the research team built silicone hands of different shapes and stiffness levels, and gave them microphones, pressure sensors, and high-speed cameras. They clapped the hands together again and again, studying every tiny movement and sound wave. They found that the shape of your hands plays a big role in how your clap sounds. Cupped hands trap more air and make a lower, deeper sound. Flat hands create a higher-pitched pop. Even the grooves between your fingers contribute, acting like tiny open-ended pipes that add extra tones. The study showed how a handclap might actually be used to identify someone. Because everyone has differently sized hands, skin textures, and clapping styles, no two claps are exactly alike, each person's clap is unique, like a musical fingerprint. One researcher is already exploring whether clapping could be used to take attendance in classrooms - where students walk into a room, clap once and the system recognises you and checks you in. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwi music legend Neil Finn is putting his weight behind a bid to bring music to Auckland's Western Springs stadium. He's supporting the bid by CRS Records to develop a music venue there. It's among options out for consultation - competing with a plan for a multisport venue put forward by Auckland FC's owners. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says submissions are open until June 15, so there's plenty of time to read through the proposals. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night, some families of Pike River mine victims, along with members of the cast and crew, attended the world premiere of Pike River at the Sydney Film Festival. The feature film tells the story of the Pike River mine tragedy that took the lives of 29 men back in November 2010. Told from the perspective of the families, the story centres on close friends Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who both lost a family member in the explosion. Director Rob Sarkies says it was a 'special' experience seeing a packed audience engage with the film. "There's so many reasons why it's important to me - it's clearly an enormous and very resonant New Zealand story. Those two words - Pike River - mean so much." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a lot of unanswered questions relating to allegations against a former Prime Minister staffer. Michael Forbes has quit as acting deputy press secretary over allegations he took compromising recordings of sex workers - and photos of women he didn't know. A Wellington brothel complained to Police last July, who found it didn't meet the threshold for prosecution. NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor explains the implications of this saga. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Donald Trump has gotten into a public spat with Elon Musk, and it's left experts wondering what this could mean for next year's midterm elections. The pair have taken aim at each other on social media, with Trump threatening to cut federal contracts helping Musk and Musk calling for Trump's impeachment - among other accusations. US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says people are looking to the future - and many have opted to 'stay in the shadows'. "Especially with so much relying on this tax and domestic policy that the President's trying to pass." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 13-strong group of boys' schools across the South Island are uniting to help address the challenges faced by young men. This group is hoping to improve the outcomes for these boys - in both education and society. One of the schools involved is St Thomas of Canterbury College, and principal Steve Hart says new data has exposed the issues young men are facing in the modern world. "Until they understand who they really are and where they fit in, it can be quite difficult getting those really positive outcomes." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two things have entertained me this week. We've had the falling out of two of the world's most powerful and wealthy narcissists - all of which played out on their own social media platforms. This breakup must be the most predicted thing to come out of Trump's presidency so far. After the drama of Thursday's outbursts, there seems to be a de-escalation between President Trump and his former benefactor and DOGE leader Elon Musk. Maybe they each realised they're unlikely to win outright, with the other having a platform to keep the jabs coming. Or maybe a little more strategic thought is going into next moves, although I'm not sure how much lower the blows could have gone. But if you're looking for alternative entertainment this weekend, I can recommend Netflix's The Survivors. The Aussie series is based on a Jane Harper novel set in Tasmania, and tells the story of how a present-day death in a coastal town brings back difficult memories of a 15-year-old tragedy when 3 young people died at sea. It's a crime drama filled with small town secrets, buried trauma and grief. At the heart of this film, giving another acting masterclass, is our very own Kiwi legend Robyn Malcolm. Every time I see Malcolm in a new role I say it's her best performance yet - she's at the very top of her game. It occurred to me this weekend that she's always been at the top of her game - whether on Shortland St, Outrageous Fortune, Jane Campion's Top of the Lake or Aussie comedies like Rake or Upper Middle Bogan. But there's no doubt Malcolm just keeps getting better. While many other actors discuss the difficulty of getting work once a woman hits a certain age, Malcolm reminds us the middle years can be the glory years. That a life of experience and hard work can lead to the roles of a lifetime. Recent performances in After the Party, Pike River, and The Survivors are giving writers a reason to write wonderfully layered, messed up characters for women like Malcolm to play. If you look at Robyn's resume you'd think she's been employed consistently since walking out of drama school in 1987. But I know it hasn't always been easy. Being an actor is not an easy life no matter how damn good you are. But watching Malcolm, along with Dianne Taylor, pick up a pen and create a project for herself - the Bafta-nominated After the Party - proves you can be middle aged, relevant, celebrated and seen, if you want to be. It's hard to take your eyes off her in The Survivor. But just wait until you see her in Rob Sarkies' new film Pike River, which is being released in New Zealand in October. Yip, you guessed it. Her best work yet. Seriously, she is spectacular as Sonya Rockhouse. There is no doubt 2025 is going to be a great year for Malcolm, and I'm sure it's just the beginning of an amazing third act. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you find yourself stuck in a cycle of trying to eat well and and be healthier - but not being able to keep on track? Between all the social media crazes and fad diets, one expert aims to cut through all the confusion with her new book End Your Fight with Food. Claire Turnbull has had her struggles with disordered eating and bulimia, and she's using her journey to help people form a better relationship with what they eat. "I just want people to stop fighting with themselves - so much of what fuels people's mental health challenges is the conversation they have with themselves. And when people try to eat better, exercise more, drink less, live a healthier lifestyle...and when the approach doesn't work, they get annoyed with themselves." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are always looking to make the most of their trips - and BloggerAtLarge writer Megan Singleton revealed how you can find the undiscovered gems wherever you go. She recommends taking advantage of social media and Facebook community groups to discover what the locals enjoy. Read more of Megan's tips and tricks here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. She's a terrific writer of historical fiction (my favourite of hers is The Lilac Girls) – this time set on Martha's Vineyard in two timelines – present day, when a young woman grieving the death of her mother arrives on the island and discovers things about her mother she never knew; while back during WW2 two sisters are trying to hold it all together as the US army arrives and everything changes for the local inhabitants. Like her other books this is based on real events – this time from the author's own family history. Ocean by David Attenborough and Colin Butfield. There is also a movie of this title playing in cinemas at the moment. Looking back over the course of David Attenborough's lifespan (he's just turned 99) this is a look at eight unique ocean habitats – through coral reefs, mangroves, Oceanic Islands and more. It's an extraordinary insight into what lies beneath the water, and how much it's at risk – although Attenborough does say that while our oceans are fragile they also have an extraordinary capacity to repair themselves which is encouraging. It includes lots of amazing photos. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB's Roman Travers and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Should the Government follow the UK's lead and regulate - or ban - explicit AI deepfakes? Can we put protections in place? Jacinda Ardern's new book is set to be released this week. Will we read it? What do we think? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows women account for an estimated 78 percent of people with autoimmune conditions. Women are more likely to develop autoimmune conditions due to a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further - and reveals how women can reduce the risks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike's Moroccan beef family pie COOK TIME: 40 minutes PREP TIME: 40 minutes SERVES: makes 1 bid pie 500gm diced beef 1 onion, peeled and sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 1 tbsp fennel seeds 1 tbsp paprika 1 red chili 500ml beef stock 1 tbsp tomato puree Sea salt sunflower oil 4 tbsp arrowroot 1 can chickpeas, drained 1 pkt flaky pastry, cut to size. 1 bottom & 1 top 1 egg, lightly beaten Preheat your oven to 180*c Start by placing the fennel seeds onto a tray and toast in the oven for 10 minutes or until fragrant. Heat a large cast iron pan and start to sauté the onions in a tbsp of oil ,then add in the garlic followed by the beef. Continue to cook on high until the beef starts to colour. Add in the fennel seeds, paprika, chili and sauté for another minute before adding in the tomato paste and beef stock. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the beef is tender. Check the seasoning and add in the chickpeas and turn off. Once cool slightly remove one cup of the braising liquid and mix with the arrowroot. Bring the beef mix back up to heat and mix in the arrowroot slurry. The beef mix will thicken quickly and then turn off. Take a family pie cooking dish or aluminium tray and lightly spray the inside, line the bottom with pastry and spoon in the meat. Brush the topside of the pastry with egg wash and then finish with the lid, press down and brush the top with the egg wash. Cook for 40 minutes or until golden brown. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 1 June 2025, fresh off the Aotearoa Music Awards, indie folk artist Mel Parsons stops by for a performance of her single 'Post High Slide'. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull has had a destructive relationship with food for over 20 years. She talks of why she's using her experience to help others. This week ACT MP Laura McClure held up a nude deepfake of herself in parliament, she explains why she did it and why she wants the Government to take action on AI deepfakes. The first women to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, Lydia Bradey, shares her thoughts on the British climbers who used xenon gas to speed up their summit of Everest. And Megan Singleton shares the ultimate hack for finding the hidden local gems on your next holiday. 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.

When you think of penguins, you might imagine adorable black-and-white birds waddling across icy landscapes. But a surprising new study published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment reveals that penguins might also be helping to form clouds that could influence climate change. Adélie penguins, a species found only in Antarctica, eat a diet rich in fish and krill. This high-protein menu results in poop, or guano, that's not just smelly but chemically active, releasing ammonia gas into the atmosphere. That ammonia reacts with sulfur-containing gases in the air, creating tiny particles which give water vapor something to cling to, helping clouds to form. The researchers set up instruments near a colony of 60,000 penguins. They found that when the wind carried air from the colony, ammonia levels were up to 1,000 times higher than normal. Even after the penguins moved on, the leftover guano kept producing ammonia. The scientists also noticed more fog, likely caused by the increased aerosol particles shortly after these ammonia spikes. The findings confirmed that penguin poop significantly boosts the formation of clouds, by up to 10,000X. Clouds play a major role in our planet's climate. Over the ocean, clouds typically have a cooling effect. Over Antarctica's bright, reflective ice, however, the impact can be more complex. In some cases, clouds may trap heat, warming the surface below. Scientists are still figuring out exactly how penguin-made clouds influence temperatures, but understanding these natural systems is critical to improving climate models. One fascinating idea raised by this study is that declining penguin populations, due to climate change, could actually reduce cloud formation, which might in turn make warming even worse. And while it's still too early to know how big of a role penguin poop plays in Earth's climate, researchers believe it's another important piece of the climate puzzle and a reminder why protecting penguin colonies isn't just about saving the birds, it might also help protect the planet. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Organisers of the Aotearoa Music Awards have labelled Chris Bishop's comments as 'inappropriate' - and say they have no place at their event. The National Party Cabinet minister's come under fire, for saying "what a load of crap" during a Stan Walker performance. Bishop says he was criticising what he described as 'overtly political' Toitū te Tiriti flags and banners, but should have kept this thoughts to himself. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says the organisers went on to say they are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Off the back of the Aotearoa Music Awards, indie folk star Mel Parsons has been planning out her next steps. She's released her new single Brick by Brick and she's been touring her way through New Zealand before making some stops in Australia. She says she feels 'lucky' that she gets to create her music independently - and she's experienced plenty of growth. "With the way that our industry's changed, everything's based around streaming and social media - and it's frustrating at times, because not everyone loves being on social media all the time...but we just have to accept that it's part of what we do." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An unconventional trip up Mount Everest by British climbers has started a bit of a debate. The group managed to fly from London, summit Everest and return home in under a week by using xenon gas. The gas is said to help climbers quickly acclimatise to high altitudes. The trip has left many people questioning the ethics of using the gas - and asked if one of mountaineering's greatest accomplishments should be made easier. New Zealand mountaineer Lydia Bradey says this isn't unethical, and it's not going to put sherpas out of work. "You still need to have a base camp, which has to be created. You still need to have equipment, ropes up the mountain which are carried and fixed by sherpas...and you still need to have camps and gas canisters and oxygen bottles carried for the summit." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour was officially sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister - and he's hoping to be a bit different to his predecessors. He takes over from New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters, who just returned to the country after a visit to India, and he'll remain in the position until next year's election. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls says this isn't the same situation - as David Seymour's from a different party than Luxon and Peters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.