Podcasts about life and society

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

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

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

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

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

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

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

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

A Hokitika hunter is training a goat to join her on hunts. Tess Brunton reports.

Emile Donovan & Jose Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

In part two, a foundation is providing what it thinks is the solution to the severe lack of coaches and volunteers in community sport. Then, Garden Place Must Evolve is the name of an event taking place in Hamilton tonight. The topic? what to do with the central city's most obvious eyesore.

Every month on Nights, University of Waikato philosophy lecturer Dan Weijers unpacks some of life's big issues - whether it's love, death, happiness, or whether it's morally right to keep a pet goldfish.

Voting rates have been falling for at least 30 years, affecting local democracies both here and overseas, but what can be done to encourage more people to turn up at the ballot box?

Bird memes are taking over the internet, as the Bird of the Year competition heats up. Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki spoke to Alexa Cook.

Self-care used to mean face masks, spa days and meditation apps. Now self-care is drifting into hyper-individualism that champions strict boundaries to 'protect your peace' says New York Times writer Emma Goldberg. People-pleasing is out, but in the rush to look after ourselves, Goldberg wonders if self-help is slipping into isolation even selfishness. Her piece called Is Today's Self-Help Teaching Everyone to Be a Jerk?"

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

Outward bound is pushing the age boundary with a new course aimed at those 60 plus. The not for profit specialises in personal and professional development, and building resiliance by challenging people mentally and physically in the great outdoors of the Marlborough sounds. It has been going since 1962 but it is the first time its had an eight day course for people who are 60 and beyond. One of the participants, 65 year old Sally Anderson, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Podcast critic Ximena Smith reviews Noble and Context.

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

In part two, a building insurance expert says the government's plans for changing liability risk leaving homeowners out in the cold. Then, are you being asked to perform non-promotable tasks at work? These are the little invisible jobs like emptying the dishwasher or performing a mihi. When is this ok and when is it not?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Auckland's Morrisons Funeral's have 700 unclaimed ashes and time is running out for people to collect their loved ones. Wallace talks to manager Natasha Plunkett about why some of these ashes (some have been there for nearly 100 years) have been left behind.

What does a chief censor do? Sit there in a comfortable room with a popcorn machine watching new-release movies and reading new release books all day? We were dying to know, so we invited Caroline Flora, New Zealand's Chief Sensor, to the Wellington studio so we could find out about her day job and all about banned books both here and overseas.

Jesse Mulligan calls NZs Medieval Combat Team A.K.A The Steel Blacks.

In part two, a PWC receiver says businesses should be wary of making big up front investment in a climate of high insolvencies. Then, friends of the Onehunga Community House are taking a trip down memory lane, holding an afternoon tea "like your grandmother used to have" - think scones, asparagus rolls, the works.

An auction of hundreds of diecast toy vehicles saw bids from across the world. Auctioneer Ronnie Proctor spoke to Corin Dann.

How much do you really need to save for retirement? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Corin Dann.

For some people, identifying familiar faces can be a struggle. At the extreme end, this is known as face blindness while other people are 'super recognisers'. 

Builder Sophie Jack joined Jesse to share her tips on how to start a DIY project this weekend.

Julie Biuso from sharedkitchen.co.nz talks Jesse through a delicious recipe you can make this weekend.

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

Sarah Drewsbury is organising a watch party at Blues HQ in Auckland for the Black Ferns' 6:00am semifinal against Canada. 

What if the insects that end up splattered on your car could actually help scientists study climate change? Dr Richard O'Rorke and Dr Aimee van der Reis join Emile Donovan to explain.

Comedians Te Radar and Pinky discuss a worm charming championship, restaurants catering for people wanting to eat less thanks to drugs like Wegovy, and the Christchurch mum who broke the running-barefoot-on-lego record.

Lawyer and political commentator Liam Hehir joined Jesse to discuss his solution to our energy problem.

If you've ever scowled at being told to, quote, "act your age", then Leigh Elder's new book is for you.

We all know relationships are complicated, whether it's matters of the heart, workplace problems, or with friendships. And sometimes, it really helps to get an outside perspective. Clinical Psychologist Kirsty Ross joined Jesse to discuss how to politely say no at work, how to address your partner's spending habits and explained why some people feel the need to share their opinions online. If you have any issues you'd like addressed email me at afternoons@rnz.co.nz

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

Four in five children born from donor assistance have been told about their origins. Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Cindy Farquhar from the University of Auckland joins Emile Donovan.

With 200 people leaving the country daily, mostly to Australia, Stuff.co.nz columnists Verity Johnson and Ben Kepes join Emile Donovan to discuss New Zealand's weak economic state, and whether young people should see it as worth sticking around for things to get better.

Many people in urban areas are on the wrong side of the two speed economy and doing it tough. Reporter Robin Martin has more.

Associate professor at Massey University Julia de Bres joins Emile Donovan to explain the wrongs and rights of apostrophes.

The father of a man assaulted with a steel bar as a teenager and then hit by a truck has been battling ACC for 10 years. Ruth Hill reports.

A growing number of Kiwis who've had their Facebook and Instagram accounts wrongfully suspended, want parent company Meta to know the emotional toll it's had on them. Ke-Xin Li reports.

A group of Wellington comedians facing dwindling ticket sales are thinking outside the box to get people through the door. Kate Green reports.

With just one breath, New Zealand freediver Ant Williams set a new world record, swimming 182 meters underwater and under ice. That's the length of nearly two full rugby fields. He takes us all along for the ride with a documentary called Ice Dive, part of the Adventure series on Apple Vision Pro. It premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Williams says he wants to show us all just how far we can go by pushing fear and doubt and comfort aside in our lives.

In today's episode, the latest RNZ Reid Research poll has the political landscape in a deadlock -- the Labour Party still a nose ahead of National, but neither side able to govern alone; Nine clergy have been chained to the door of Nicola Willis' office in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville since Monday morning; New Zealand middle distance runner Geordie Beamish has claimed a stunning world championship gold in the 3000 metres steeplechase in Tokyo; For the first time ever, a New Zealand woman has successfully co-skippered a yacht through the Northwest Passage.

In today's episode, a teachers union says a high school curriculum overhaul lacks detail, despite its far-reaching implications. Up to seventy thousand more tourists are set to arrive in New Zealand this summer, with international airlines boosting the number of flights. People will get a first chance to see Ikea's New Zealand offering at the Auckland Home Show this weekend. In sport, the Black Ferns prepare for their first knockout match against South Africa in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. And it's Friday so we'll check in with our correspondent across the Tasman, Kerry Anne Walsh.

Kathryn talks with Christchurch podiatrist Simon Wheeler about toes and how to take care of them. 

Many people may flush and forget but excrament can be mined for a lot of information about your health and habits, and the question is - who should get access to what you discarded? Doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland, Mackey Price has been looking at the issue and spoke to Lisa Owen.

At the age of 81 years old a Christchurch fitness instructor is showing that exercise really is vital to keeping the bounce in your step. Each week Paula Barrett leads three fitness classes at council-run Pioneer Stadium, where she has taken classes since the late 1980s. Reporter Rachel Graham went along to meet Paula and some of her regulars.