Podcasts about life and society

From "fibermaxxing" to cortisol hacking, are you sick and tired of the over-prescribed wellness industry? Author of Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel singles out six rules to ignore and some basic things do instead. Dr. Emanuel is Vice Provost of Global Initiatives, University of Pennsylvania, former Obama White House Health Policy Adviser and member of Biden's transition Covid-19 Advisory Board. He was a key architect of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA) and author of Which Country Has the World's Best Health Care?

The SPCA is rolling out a new programme to teach children to recognise the signs of certain dog behaviour in the hope it prevents bites and attacks on young people. It comes after a fortnight of serious reported attacks, including a 62 year-old woman who died following an attack in Northland, and a father and his teenage son seriously injured in Christchurch on Saturday. SPCA Chief Scientific Officer Dr Arnja Dale spoke to Lisa Owen.

Air New Zealand could be in for a hard landing, as the CEO carries out a strategic review in the face of rising costs and falling profits. The national carrier posted a $40 million loss for the six months ended December. That's compared to a $106 million profit for the same period the year before. It is still blaming severe disruption caused by delays to unscheduled engine maintenance grounding up to eight planes, plus fuel and operating costs. Air New Zealand chief executive Nikhil Ravishankar spoke to Lisa Owen.

Time to head around the motu to find another community doing something interesting and wholesome for our regional spotlight. And today we're heading to Woodville where tomorrow they're hosting the 142nd edition of the Woodville Horticultural & Industrial Annual Show. Show coordinator Brian McMillan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Auckland Lantern Festival kicks off today. Jep Savali is the group manager of major events at Tataki Auckland Unlimited spoke to Corin Dann.

A Christchurch father and his teenage son are in hospital after being attacked by two dogs at a home in the suburb of Bryndwr. A 40-year-old woman has been summoned to court following the attack. But a friend of the dogs' owner says they are devastated by the attack and questioning how it happened. A warning, Timothy Brown's report contains details some listeners may find distressing.

Gore's iconic statue is no longer with-trout a name.The brown trout statue has been proudly leaping in the Southland town since 1989 after being locally designed, built and fundraised. Tess Brunton reports.

Gardens around the country have faced a battering in the wild weather of late but there are ways to deal with weather effects and changing temperatures.

His lens provided the pictures for Sir David Attenborough's words.

A Nelson organisation is marking 25 years of helping thousands of victims of crime by giving them the opportunity to express their feelings, while encouraging criminals to acknowledge the harm they have caused. People who have benefited from the process will speak at a Restorative Justice Nelson event tomorrow night, where they will share their experience losing loved ones and offering forgiveness. Samantha Gee reports.

We all know how important a good night's sleep is, there is a whole industry promoting it! But have you ever considered what the environment you're sleeping in is like? Rachael Quin, from thehousekeeper.co.nz, is here to share tips on making sure your bedroom is sleep friendly.

Freaky Friday time! The place for all your spooky and unexplainable stories. Jesse spoke to Jill, who shared a story of her encounter with a ghost in Gisborne in the early 90s.

Now we're heading to the centre of the North Island where Waimarino Golf Club is marking it's 100th birthday this Easter. At 580 metres above sea level, set against a stunning backdrop that is Mount Ruapehu - it's not hard to see why it's had enduring appeal. But like lots of country courses, it really has to be innovative to keep going. Club President Aiden Gilbert joined Jesse.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Nalini Baruch and Alan McElroy. First up, the former Prince Andrew has become the first senior royal in modern times to be arrested. He was taken in under on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It's an extraordinary turn of events in the Epstein saga; a saga that does not want to go away. Then, Te Huia, the Hamilton-to-Auckland train trial, has been extended to June 2027. Supporters of the trial are happy, but can Te Huia perform well enough to secure its permanent future?

In part two, a bicycle and public transport advocate responds to panellist Allan Blackman's concerns about Auckland's Karangahape Road bike lanes being underused. Is it true that no one is using them? Then, builder and hurling athlete Declan Malone made a generous offering of $3000 worth of gifts to Queenstown's Lakes District Hospital. Months earlier he'd suffered a massive seizure and was admitted for what turned out to be week long stay receiving treatment. We learn why he wanted to give back AND what the heck is hurling?

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

Every second Thursday we talk about relationships with Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology Whether matters of the heart, workplace dramas or friendship pickles, relationships take work and sometimes a professional opinion can come in handy to sort any conflicts. If there are any topics, you would like Kirsty to cover email us at afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Today we're chatting with the team behind Jamie's Angels, a home-delivered meal service providing hundreds of fresh meals every week to elderly residents in Whanganui The husband and wife team took over the business from their son when he moved to London many years ago; what began as a small family business has grown into something pretty special. Graham Lillington from Jamie's Angels chats to Jesse.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: as the battle rages on to bring Jeffrey Epstein's victims justice, the sad reality is, the crime of child sexual exploitation continues around the globe. Conrad Townson is the principal advisor of child sexual exploitation at Project Paradigm in Australia.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Zoe George and Conor English. First up, the government has slashed plans for new homes in Auckland by half a million after strong public feedback. Character Coalition chair Sally Hughes shares her reaction. Then, new employment rules will limit personal grievance payouts for those earning more than $200k. It this fair? Auckland University employment law expert Simon Schofield joins the panel.

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's edition of The Panel.

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

How we shop could be about to change dramatically, thanks to an AI innovation. Agentic AI can give recommendations and complete commercial transactions on your behalf - without you ever having to visit a business website directly. Here to explain how it could work is Stuff Money Editor, Damien Venuto

Everyone knows someone who always manages to show up late for everything. Some people live by the clock, believing that on time is late. Some people live in the moment and refuse to be bound by a clock. We each have our own time personalities says Professor Dawna Ballard.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jo McCarroll and David Farrar. First up, a flood-stricken vegetable grower in Pirongia has his community behind him, who've set up a Givealittle. Organiser and Farmers Markets NZ Chair Jono Walker joins the show. Then, Northland has had its third fatal dog attack in a year. Dog behaviourist Darren Rowe takes a look at this tragic situation, and what needs to change to get roaming dogs under control.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: resident linguist Rory O'Sullivan shares his hot take on a new piece of research that suggests that childhood exposure to a language is not necessary in order to absorb correct phonology.

It's the brainchild of American writer Chris Colin, who joins Emile Donovan.

Tuesdays means our regular weekly segment 'You're the Judge' where we read out an irk and get your feedback on it. Today's question is about proposals - and whether our correspondent Scott should propose to his girlfriend at their friends' wedding. Text 2101 with yes, no or just to let us know what you think!

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's edition of The Panel.

Jordan Watson of How to Dad fame is about to find out. A new six part web series called 'Out of My League' sees Jordan pitted against former Olympians. A link to the series is here.

AA Principal Policy Adviser Terry Collins joins Emile Donovan to explain.

Mitre 10's Stan Scott is with us to answer any DIY questions you might have, and to talk us through creating a path and paving in general.

Cashing up clutter is becoming a national obsession. But there's still billions of dollars' worth of pre-loved goods lying idle in homes around Aotearoa according to a new report on the so-called circular economy. The report commissioned by Trademe surveyed 4000 New Zealand based people in October and November last year. The results show about 75 percent of them currently have unused or unwanted items they could sell. Head of Trade Me Marketplace, Lisa Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty man has begun walking with a club in case he has to fend off roaming dogs. There are growing calls for an overhaul of the 30 year old dog control act in the face of increasing attacks. Tommy Wilson, who lives in Te Puna in the Bay of Plenty, spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's time for group chat, our chance to talk about the fodder that might be filling up your chats, distracting you from chores or helping fill the silence in a lift. Film Critic Kate Rodger, Culture 101's Perlina Lau and Afternoons' Senior Producer Olivia Wilson chat to Jesse.

Behind a corrugated iron fence in Whanganui sits one of the country's quirkiest backyard creations, a fully working miniature railway built track by track over 11 years. Now, after more than a decade of passion and patience, 70-year-old Ian Jones is ready to hand over the keys. He spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Here to help navigate the issues is Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology. This week she's looking at family feuds, outspoken friends and thin-skinned colleagues.

Laneway Festival is on at Auckland's Western Springs Park today with some big stars like Chappelle Roan headlining along with lots of local acts. Gates opened at 1230 and the event ends at 10pm, so it's a big ole day for festival goers. Fortunately, comedian Chris Parker has made a guide of sorts to surviving the gig, especially if you are over 30.

In part two, the Government is in talks with the Trump administration on a critical minerals deal - Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman says that puts New Zealand at risk of becoming a pawn in a bigger quest. Then, there's nothing more joyful than a sunflower, and Greg Webster's family has been growing them in Oamaru for 50 years.

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

A moggy with a taste for mince is on the prowl in Kerikeri. Keen hunter, Bella the cat burglar, has been bringing home a surprising midnight feast for her owners, sausage rolls in brown paper bags. In a bizarre series of gift giving that might sound unbelievable, Bella's sausage roll deliveries have happened not once, not twice, but three times, prompting a post on Facebook in search of answers. Bella's owner Siran Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

Our weekly segment where we ask the audience to help with irks or pickles that listeners have sent in. Today it's a conundrum between siblings. One sister is accusing the other of using an ADHD self-diagnosis for poor behaviour.

Post-Covid decluttering is continuing to help small community organisations and businesses thrive. Nona Pelletier reports.

For lots of students all over New Zealand, going back to school today is about settling into a new classroom and reconnecting with mates. For many Mums, going back to school includes figuring out the parent politics and mum groups that form every year. This summer, former High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale shared her experience with adult bullying in an Essay for New York Magazine called Breaking up with my toxic mum group. She describes getting iced out of a Mum's group she joined when her daughter was a baby. Clinical psychologist Dr. Christie Ferrari hears versions of this story all the time and offers advice on how to handle mean-mum dynamics.

It feels like every year we have conversations about the importance of having a will, and yet the number of people without one remains stubbornly high. While it can be tempting to put it off, dying without a will can create far more problems than you might expect. To guide us through the process we're joined by Gary Fitzpatrick. Gary is the co-founder of Comac Trustees and has over 30 years' experience in the trustee industry.

This week Jesse hits the Machine Knitters Club - and chats to club delegate Jeena Monk. If you've got a club you'd like Jesse to join for the day, message us on 2101 or email us, afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Last week's severe weather has highlighted the differing ways some small communities approach the cleanup, with some saying locals need to be empowered to muck in themselves rather than waiting for council contractors. Residents are generally discouraged from clearing slips on public land and roads and told to wait for emergency services or council contractors. However, this doesn't discourage some residents from taking matters into their own hands. So, should isolated communitiies given more power to deal with damage from weather events? Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

Gardens really don't take holidays do they? If only you could put the weather on hold for a month, so our gardens stay in a holding pattern too! Lynda has lots of helpful advice for sorting out wild gardens.

Whether you love losing yourself to dance - or dancing like no one's watching - for many dance brings joy. But it also keeps people active, provides community spaces and can help young New Zealanders find their tribe if traditional sport isn't their thing. In fact, according to our next guest, more and more kids are choosing to dance. Ash Habgood the owner of Auckland dance studio Neverland talks to Jesse.

Freaky Friday - that time of the week where we hear your spooky, ghostly or simply unexplainable stories. If you've got one to share, get in touch on 2101 and one of our producers will be in touch.