Podcasts about life and society

Professor Musa al-Gharbi is visiting New Zealand this week to discuss his new book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite and joins Emile Donovan

The annual open water Ice Swimming Championships are underway at Blue Lake in St Bathans, Central Otago. Emile speaks to event organiser Sue Sherwen.

We're going to solve some of the world's problems now, and today we're looking at the news, specifically claims of trouble with trust and bias and the resulting fall in audience numbers. Ali Jones knows a thing or two about what makes news great, having worked in the industry and been part of successful shows, and she thinks she might have found a solution.

Antonia Prebble (Loretta West) talks to Jesse about the legacy of 'Outrageous Fortune' on the show's 20th birthday.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then he chats to Queensland University marketing professor Gary Mortimer about ghost kitchens: what are they, how can customers spot them and should they be avoided? Wallace also hears from listeners who have their own take on the 'question of the day'.

The great Southern city of Dunedin has been named as one of the world's up-and-coming travel destinations for the queer community. Otepoti has the second-largest proportion of LGBTQ+ people in the country, as per our last census, and travel magazine Wanderlust has put it on the map. Emile Donovan speaks to Meihana Potiki-Grayling, chair of Dunedin Pride.

Most of us hopefully know that bed sheets should be washed at least once a week, but what about everything else? Should you be vacuuming your mattress every month or washing your pillows regularly? To help get to the bottom of this, Emile Donovan is joined by professional housekeeper, cleaner and organiser Rachael Quinn.

A new book is commemorating the public houses that have shaped the great city, and which are no longer with us. A total of 204 pubs feature in the book, which have since been transformed into convenience stores, doctors' offices, childcare centres, or simply stand empty. Sam Cullen is the author of London's Lost Pubs and he speaks to Emile Donovan.

After a pause for five years the Big Sleepout - an event aimed at raising awareness and funds to tackle homelessness - is back. 

New data shows half of older New Zealanders still write their passwords on paper. The research also shows nearly a fifth of New Zealanders with older relatives say they'd rather go to the dentist than help their family members navigate the internet. Avast Director of Offensive Security Stephen Kho spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

In today's episode, an independent reference group set up by the Ministry for the Environment released a suite of recommendations on Wednesday to help the government shape climate adaptation legislation; It's 40 years since the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland; New data shows half of older New Zealanders still write their passwords on paper; The world of Formula One has been shocked at the announcement of Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner's instant release; And if you have felt like Coldplay's music became less bold over the years, it's not just A Rush of Blood to the Head - a UK scientist has found the band has showed less 'harmonic daring' as they have become part of the pop mainstream.

A recent study has surveyed over 1000 Kiwis to better understand why and how people quit vaping. The findings reveal some interesting trends and some great practical tips for quitting. 

It's well known that New Zealand has a pest problem, and a problem with growing demands for food banks. So, Bay of Plenty's Jasper Osborne decided to do something that he thought could solve both issues.

In today's episode, Sir Peter Jackson is backing an ambitious project effort to bring back the Moa from extinction, and it is being led Ngāi Tahu, Canterbury Museum, and Colossal Biosciences; Health New Zealand has backed down on plans to give Wellington Hospital maternity beds to ED patients; over 15 years, more than 900 Post Office branch managers were wrongly prosecuted for theft and false accounting, because of the faulty Horizon IT software they were required to use; US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his new tariff deadline of August 1st, posting on social media that "there will be no change" to the date, and "no extensions will be granted"; why are so many Kiwis interested in a state-based Australian rugby league series?; and the Cardrona Hotel is proving to be hot property - if its Trade Me views are anything to go by.

What do David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Keanu Reeves have in common? They are - by almost anyone's standards - "cool". A new psychology study has been making the rounds, and it tries to get to the bottom of a simple question: What does it mean to be a cool person? The authors widdled the answer down to six specific traits. Caleb Warren is a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, and one of the authors behind this study, he chats to Jesse.

Depression, anxiety, and stress are hitting teens and adults harder than ever. But part of the answer is something many overlook or dismiss as unscientific says Dr. Lisa Miller. Spirituality. A psychologist at Columbia University and author of The Spiritual Child and The Awakened Brain, Dr. Miller tells Jesse she uses research to show that spirituality isn't just a belief system, it's a measurable force that shapes how we think, feel, and cope.

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest to preview this evening's marlarky.

Ongoing parking issues in Mount Maunganui - including being completely full at peak times - has led Tauranga City Council to try and find out-of-the-box solutions. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

Despite seeming like a universal language, it turns out some of us are using and reading emojis the wrong way. Brittany Ferdinands is a Lecturer in Digital Content Creation at the University of Sydney, she explained to Jesse how different generations read emojis differently.

Rheumatoid arthritis, also called RA, is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, pain and swelling in the joints. It most often develops between the ages of 25 and 50, and affects more women than men. A research project is getting underway in the hopes of bridging the gap on how women with RA experience perimenopause.

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's marlarky.

Amy Errmann is a senior lecturer in marketing and international business at AUT and joins Emile Donovan to discuss how our desire to age better (or not at all) is fueling a hungry mega-market.

Rhonda Hāpi-Smith worked inside the toughest prisons for nearly twenty years. She tells her story   

There's a surprising trend gaining popularity in China, young women are hiring female cosplayers to play dream men. Cosplay is short for costume play - where people dress up in costumes and take on the persona of a fictional character. Jesse asks RNZ's digital journalist Yiting Lin why so many women are turning to "fantasy dates".

Emma Sage is determined to make gardening accessible for everyone, no matter how big, or small, your garden or how little hands-in-the-dirt experience you have. She's the Editor of Sage Journal, a website she started five years ago with a focus on aspirational but achievable projects. Emma joined Jesse to talk about winter gardening projects.

Connie Clarkson is the manager of the Kitchen Project, Auckland Council's emerging food business incubator programme. The idea of the project is to provide mentoring and advice in all aspects of setting up a food business in Tamaki Makaurau. Connie shares her delicious recipe for Peking Braised Lamb. Click here for the recipe. 

Time for Freaky Friday. Our weekly showcase of your spooky stories. It could be unexplained apparitions, a freaky coincidence, or just something weird you can't explain. We've also mysterious religious experiences, healing hands, and a woman who found her recently deceased daughters name written on a rock. If you've got a story to share please get in touch. 2101 on the text or afternoons@rnz.co.nz via email.

This half hour the panel talk to Suzanne Hills, a West Coast resident campaigning against the expansion of the Bathhurst coal mine and they hear from Robyn Cox, professor of literacy and education at The University of Tasmania about why less and less people read bedtime stories to their children.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sally Wenley and Simon Wilson. With candidate nominations open today for local body elections, the Panel hears from former Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDoull about how local councils really work. They also talk to Nelson Victory Primary principal Dan George about how an after school programme for former refugees and migrants has had it's funding pulled by the Ministry of Education after 20 years. [picture id="4LKAJE4_Voting_LG_scaled_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]  

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest to preview this evening's marlarky. [picture id="4KNMCI5_Wallace_Chapman_portrait_square_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

After more than a decade at the helm, the current owners have decided it's time to hang up their bar mats and put the place on the market. Co-owner Cade Thornton joins Emile Donovan.

Dhargyey Buddhist Centre Trust chairperson Peter Small joins Emile Donovan.

More than a dozen Ministry of Social Development staff have walked off the job, refusing to return to what they say is an unsafe office with ''strong mould and sewerage smell'. Staff in the ministry's Thames office walked out of the office on Monday, leaving more than 10,000 clients without a face-to-face service. The office was supposed to be a temporary space, after MSD closed its main office in November 2023 due to damage. The Public Service Association has now issued MSD with a Provisional Improvement Notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires the employer to address concerns about health and safety. MSD has re-deployed staff to Paeroa which is 33km away and has upset community leaders. Thames Community Board chairman Adrian Catran spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has promised to take action in the coming months to tackle the cost of living crisis. Christopher Luxon has acknowledged it is still tough out there for too many kiwis and the government's focus is on unlocking economic growth. According to Stats NZ the price of food has gone up 4.4% in the last year. Electricity is up almost 9% and gas is up more than 15%. As of March last year house insurance was up almost 25 % and contents insurance up about 28%. This week figures from Centrix showed almost half a million people are behind on debt repayments. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.

A programme to try to get people off meth and away from crime has been launched in Porirua as part of a multi-million dollar government drive. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

Makeshift shelters of cardboard and blankets, some propped up with road cones, are dotted along the street near Auckland City Mission, which is struggling to support an increase in rough sleepers. Amy Williams reports.

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's marlarky. [picture id="4KNMCI5_Wallace_Chapman_portrait_square_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

This half hour the panel speak to an exasperated amputee about the state of the ACC-funded artificial limb service, and they head to the small Australian town of Morwell where the infamous mushroom trial is taking place. [picture id="4O6APG0_rnz-2964_3386" crop="16x10" layout="full"] no caption

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Andrew Clay and Zoe George. First they speak to the owner of a new tiny house in Motueka Valley which was decimated in last week's floods, Blue's givealittle page is here, and the Takapuna Golf Course general manager about the looming decision to turn it partially into a wetland. [picture id="4K4U4PP_Tiny_house_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman. First up is a look ahead to Nights with host Emile Donovan. Then after hearing some feedback, Wallace is joined by Webb's Auction House head of decorative arts Leah Morris to talk about a rare collection of guitars up for sale. Plus we hear from some listeners and their stories about topics discussed in the show. [picture id="4K4U4YR_Guitar_JPG" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

University of Waikato senior lecturer in philosophy Dan Weijers joins Emile Donovan to ponder immortality.

Jaffa fans are coming to grips with the news the orange-coated chocolate treat will soon be no more. Confectionery company RJs has this week confirmed it stopped making the long-time Kiwi favourite earlier this year, and they'll soon vanish from shop shelves. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham visited the home of the Jaffa, the RJs outlet store and factory in Levin, to ask sweet-toothed visitors stocking up on packets of the sweeties how they feel about the end of the Jaffa.

The University of Auckland's Professor Krushil Watene wants to shift the dial on how we measure progress, She says a Nature Relationship Index could concentrate on how well countries care for eco-systems, equitable access to nature and preventing environmental harm. She tells Jesse why it's time to reward positive action, rather than just recording decline.

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest to preview this evening's marlarky.

Whether it's a block of butter or cheese, a kilo of mince, a dozen eggs or a cooked chook, food prices have gone up rapidly. The latest Stats NZ figures show in the past 12 months food prices have gone up 4.4% - the highest increase since December 2023. Over the last three years Checkpoint has been tracking a weekly shop from the same suburb at a Countdown and Pak'n SAVE supermarket to see just how much things have gone up at the checkout. Louise Ternouth reports.

Te Pati Maori MP Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp is being laid to rest at Opaea Marae near Taihape. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to Corin Dann.

A report into deaths from gender-based violence has found there's been no significant reduction in the number of victims between 2009 and 2022. 

New Zealand's longest-running citizen science project is back and wanting to hear about the birds in your backyard. New Zealand Garden Bird Survey coordinator Dr Angela Brandt spoke to Corin Dann.

Globally, health and wellness is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Many products claim to help with sleep or stress, including natural remedies.

Georgie Falloon grew up with large feet. When she couldn't find a pair of shoes to wear to her wedding, she founded NZ's first online shoe retailer.