Podcasts about life and society

We all have an innate need to be desired and loved. But what if you don't fit the popular culture stereotypes of what "desirable" looks or feels like? 

Everybody Eats is a social restaurant concept. It's three course meals are open to all: Lawyers, students, hospitality staff, the homeless, whomever. And all on a "pay what you can" basis. Since starting in 2017 it's grown from a pop up to three restaurants, serving hundreds of people five nights a week. Amidst declining revenues, they've launched a new project to help pay the bills - Meals That Matter.

Time for Bookmarks, when we sit down with a notable Kiwi and learn about their life and some of their favourite things. Paolo Bertolin is a writer, producer, film critic and programmer, who since last year has served as artistic director for the Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival. The festival officially opens in Auckland tomorrow.

We love it when you get in touch with us with your stories and today's guest Kevin Searle did just that. He sent through an abridged story of his Kayak trip down the Yukon, and we needed to know more!

The Okarito plant project, a business -led initiative in South Westland is becoming a national example of regenerative tourism in action. Tourism operators, visitors, landowners, and volunteers are working together to restore native ecosystems by supplying plants native species for local landowners at no cost. Chair of the project Aaron Smith spoke to Jesse.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then Wallace is joined by Rev Dr Mervyn Duffy who is here to do a deep dive on the catholic practice of confession - what really happens in the booth?

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

New Zealand has thirteen city councils but do we actually have that many cities?

Singles are falling out of love with online dating apps, meaning a return to real world introductions, and for some younger daters that's a totally new experience. Match group, the US tech company that owns Tinder, Hinge and OK Cupid saw a 5% drop in paid users in the first quarter of this year. Relationship expert Jess Carbino, who was the sociologist for the dating apps Tinder and Bumble said Gen Z is using apps less. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sir Michael Hill is being mourned by his family and friends, as well the lives he touched through his jewellery empire, the golfing world and arts community. Former Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Every day, millions experience a bit of Kiwi creativity thanks to Christopher Yu. He left New Zealand for London 25 years ago as a tax attorney, but after being made redundant, he followed his nose to a new role, leading companies that transform perfume and candles into experiences of storytelling and design. Now, after decades at the center of Europe's luxury fragrance world, and with some encouragement from his mum in Lower Hutt, Christopher Yu is coming home to help redefine Kiwi luxury.

Emile Donovan crosses to the glitz and glamour of our nation's pie awards to congratulate gold category winner Jason Hay from Richoux Patisserie Ellerslie.

Fewer children being born means those that are grow up with fewer cousins. Sociologist Dan Woodman joins Emile Donovan to explain this little-discussed shift in our family structures.

Air New Zealand has unveiled its plan for its new flagship Koru Lounge at Auckland International Airport. Air New Zealand customer general manager Alisha Armstrong spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Ruby Wallace, the owner of Auckland romance bookstore Enamoured Books, joins Emile Donovan to explain the craze behind fantasy, and particularly the steamy sub-genre romantasy.

In a quest to optimise his own life, writer Josh Drummond has spent years consuming and reviewing self-help books for his Substack The Cynic's Guide to Self-Improvement. He joins Emile Donovan.

Chef Del Holland shares her tips for turning scraps into snacks, reducing food waste in the kitchen and making delicious fuss-free food.

A mash-up of memoir, science writing and cultural critique, Casey Johnson's new book is a take-down of diet culture. 

Arts and culture can help revitalise a once prosperous town - Featherston, Aotearoa's only Booktown and one of 23 worldwide, is the living proof. 

Leading British physicist Professor Dame Athene Donald discusses the factors that drive women to give up on a career in science. 

Stats across Australia and New Zealand reveal that autistic people are being left behind in the workplace - either not being used to their full capacity or simply struggling to be hired at all.

What's going on in our soggy backyards this time of the year? Our resident gardener Hannah Zwartz explains soil-biology and why she's been converted to no-dig gardening.

To quote our next guest "there are no ugly colours, just poor combinations". Interior designer Syliva Sanford is with Jesse to talk about overcoming the color jitters when it comes to design and decorating.

It's Freaky Friday, when we speak to listeners about their spooky experiences and strange coincidences. Today's guest is Wayne MacKenzie.

Lynley Twyman joins us to talk about Te Hangaruru, the latest section of the mountains to sea trail to be completed.

Why is butter so expensive? Can people power really make a difference? What happens if Fonterra leaves the NZ market? We put all our butter questions to Emma Higgins, Senior Agricultural Analyst at Rabobank. Then we talk to someone who has churned their own butter to find out if DIY spreads are an option.

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

Lincoln Tan, who runs Chow Luck Club alongside Bee Koh, speaks to Emile.

While many of you will be listening this morning from the comfort of your bed with a cuppa in hand, or in the car with the heat on high, hardy souls across the country are wading into icy open water. Lauren Crimp reports.

This week our office chat has been dominated by two stories, the demise of late night shows after the axeing of Stephen Colbert's show 'The Late Show' and whether the reaction to that Coldplay kiss was monstrous or perfectly okay. Kate Rodger and Olivia Wilson discuss with Jesse.

In today's episode, the government has directed Sport NZ to scrap its guidelines for how to make community sport more inclusive for transgender people; A scathing review of Nelson Hospital has found the persistent delays in recruiting medical staff has been compounded by ageing infrastructure and increasing demand for service; A new government report warns the number homeless people in New Zealand has increased at a rate researchers believe is faster than population growth; The Wall Street Journal is running a story saying the US Justice Department told Donald Trump his name is among many in the Epstein Files; Australia has taken out the top title in this year's Trans-Tasman Best Tasting Tap Water competition, beating New Zealand's Timaru; Sam's Butchery, in the Auckland suburb of Silverdale, has officially claimed the crown for the country's best bacon.

Louisa Tipene Opetaia & Ama Mosese were recommended to me by our news reader Marama T-Pole. They run a tour company focused on showing off South Auckland's Mangere, or as they put it "an underappreciated cultural gem."

Paul Martin, from the alternative metal band Devilskin, joins Jesse to talk about Ozzy Osbourne's influence and what the Black Sabbath rocker was like when he met him.

The Royal New Zealand RSA re-launched itself at Parliament on Tuesday night, focusing on connecting better with younger veterans, while continuing to honour those who served in earlier wars. RSA board chair Rhys Jones spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

More than a hundred personalised care packages have been given out to refugees thanks to three Auckland high school students. Finn Blackwell reports.

What is juvenile arthritis and what is being done to help those kids who are affected by it? Jesse talks to 12 year Andi and her mum Nicki about the illness.

Grammarian Ellen Jovin discovered that when she set up a table outside a subway station in New York with a sign encouraging people to ask their grammar questions, it was a huge hit. She and her husband Brandt Johnson took the grammar table on the road across America. The result is Rebel with a Clause, a book written by Jovin and a documentary directed by Johnson. They tell Jesse what they discovered.

Twice a week for the past seven years, pupils from Sydney's Glenwood Public School go to visit Whiddon Easton Park Nursing Home. The results, are delightful. Jesse speaks to Glenwood Public School Principal Jay McInney.

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

Running 24/7 or one short blast? Dr Gareth Gretton, a Lead Advisor at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority joins Emile to settle the (relatively) age-old question.

A music performance of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has just wrapped and the iconic Chitty, made from scratch from bits of old junk, is now being auctioned.

Calling iSite centres at random to chat to staff has been a Monday delight. Today we share some of the most memorable moments.

We've all experienced that moment when someone glances at their phone mid-conversation and you suddenly feel invisible. Kiwis check our devices around 50 times an hour, and it's costing us more than we think. Psychiatrist and writer Dr. Samaiya Mushtaq says attention is a form of care, and when we lose it, we lose empathy too. She writes for Modern Love in the New York Times and on her Substack, The Middle Path. In a new essay she explores how distraction lets us dodge discomfort and why real connection starts with giving people your full attention. The title of the essay is How Much Control Do We Have Over What We Pay Attention To? Dr Mushtaq spoke to Jesse.

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

Dylan Firth is Chief Executive of the Brewers Association of New Zealand and joins Emile Donovan.

Dara from Northland shares her story of a missing puzzle piece and some divine intervention.

For most of us winter has brought with it a lot of rain, and that makes drying washing challenging, and more than often expensive. Fortunately, The Housekeeper's Rachael Quinn is here to help.

This week Christchurch's 'Cellar Door' was named Australasia's best wine bar, by 'World of Fine Wine Magazine'. Whie that's great news, in even better news it means the bar goes on to represent the region in the world finals later this year. Owner Tim Ogle chats to Jesse.

In today's episode, a South Auckland principal is warning that a third of teenagers in communities like his could leave school with no qualifications; New Zealand wine brand Villa Maria putting cancer warning labels on its wines exported to Ireland, but in New Zealand industry lobby group the Alcoholic Beverages Council doesn't want the cancer warning labels; They're being called blocks of yellow gold, and whether that be cheese or butter - they're getting most of the blame for blowing out the weekly food budget; We have our weekly political panel; Singer Daphne Walker has died aged 94.

At 37, many people are still getting to grips with being a parent. Matty Acton was learning how to be a grandparent.