Podcasts about life and society

It's time for our expert feature, and today we're taking a closer look at cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic procedures are growing in popularity here in NZ, lower costs, easier access, the influence of social media, and less stigma around having work done are all factors contributing to the rise. Dr Zachary Moaveni joins me for the next 30 minutes, he's an expert in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, specialising in facial procedures Dr Moaveni runs a private practice in Remuera and is also a consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Middlemore and Starship Hospitals So please get your questions in for Doctor Moaveni, text us on 2101 or email jesse@rnz.co.nz

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

Bafta award-winning filmmaker Kevin Toolis grew up on a remote Irish island where death and dying were an everyday part of life. 

What are the things you obsess about? What things are just right or just plain wrong?

Professor Simon Mitchell has won a major award for his work advancing dive practice worldwide, receiving the NOGI Science award from the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences Considered the 'Oscars' of the diving world, past recipients include the great French explorer Jacques Cousteau, Bob Ballard who discovered the wreck of the Titantic, and Ocean explorer and film director James Cameron Professor Mitchell is internationally recognised for his research in diving medicine, particularly in decompression physiology and oxygen toxicity, and he has recently appeared in the Netflix documentary 'Deeper' alongside some of the team involved in the 2019 Thai Cave rescue Professor Simon Mitchell, Head of Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland joins Jesse.

Time for Freaky Friday, our home for your terrifying tales. We're talking ghosts and ghouls, UFO's and unexplained happenings. If you've got a story for us, we want to know; 2101 on the text or email Jesse@rnz.co.nz Today we're joined by Marie.

It's time for our Weekend Stuff segment; this week we are talking with Sylvia Sanford about changing the role of a room. Please send any questions you have for Sylvia to 2101.

Former Aucklander and journalist Brooke Harper isn't waving the white flag yet on her home city of choice, and says there are plenty of reasons to keep going. She joins Emile Donovan.

Every fortnight Professor Kirsty Ross from Massey University's School of Psychology joins us to help with some relationship pickles - whether between friends, colleagues, flatmates or romantic partners.

It's not headline news that raising kids isn't easy: you survive the sleepless nights, get through the toddler tantrums, navigate the primary school pickles, only to arrive at the stage where you need to have important, but often awkward, conversations with your tweens and teens about topics like consent, online predators and sex. To discuss how to navigate those tricky chats parenting coach Jo Robertson joins Jesse.

Founder Dr Samuel West is a licensed clinical psychologist with a PhD in organisational psychology, and joins Emile Donovan to share the museum's uniquely uplifting message.

Whenever we talk about misinformation, the state of democracy, or what new technology is doing to public debate, one book comes up over and over again even though it was written 40 years ago. Amusing Ourselves to Death; Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman. It argued distraction would be our undoing, and once everything becomes entertainment, serious thought to take on serious issues is hard to come by. Neil Postman saw this coming long before social media feeds, constant scrolling, and smartphones in every pocket. Andrew Postman is a writer and Neil Postman's son, He wrote the introduction to the latest edition of his father's prescient book. He offers insights into the man who sounded the warning about mindless screentime all those years ago.

If you have a other travel story you'd like to share on Heading Off - then get in touch on 2101 or Jesse@afternoons.co.nz Today we're chatting to Chris Watson from Tauranga, about his road trip along the length of Africa.

Time for Bookmarks, that's our weekly feature where we spend some time chatting to interesting people about what interests them. Today Laura Vincent is going to share what she likes to listen to, watch and read. Laura is a writer who recently published her first ever novel Hoods Landing, and just today she was announced as a finalist for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards!

Richard Sutherland has been thinking about the paucity of information, and attention on local projects funded by ratepayers. 

When it comes to scattering ashes, funeral director Andrew Malcolm as seen almost everything. But what's legal and culturally appropriate? 

Wellington Central Library Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui will reopen its doors for the first time in seven years later this month. Krystal Gibbens had a preview.

People pleasers are everywhere. They're the ones who put the needs of others first, carrying the load without complaint. They laugh at bad jokes, drop you off at the airport if you ask and never want to cause a fuss. It may look like kindness or sound like generosity, but psychologist Ingrid Clayton says it's often fear in disguise. She calls it fawning and says in many cases it's the reflex to please as a way to stay safe. It becomes a survival strategy learned early and practiced well. Dr Clayton traces where that impulse begins, how it shapes our relationships, and what it takes to unlearn it without losing our capacity to care. Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back' by Ingrid Clayton.

Tuesdays on Afternoons means we share a dilemma and you, our audience, decide the outcome. This week we're looking at a question from listener Katie, who asked if it's okay to track her elderly parents' location on her phone, despite them not wanting it. Let us know your thoughts - 2101 on the text!

To help us dig into this gardening conundrum,  journalist, author and all round gardening guru Lynda Hallinan joins Emile Donovan.

Corner dairies and convenience stores should not be selling nangs or nitrous oxide at all according to Retail NZ. It is illegal to sell the gas for huffing, but a Checkpoint investigation found corner stores and vape shops are selling large cannisters of the gas that contain hundreds of hits, with virtually no questions asked. The police are now cracking down on outlets reminding them of the rules, before escalating to enforcement. Retail New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

At what age should your children be financially independent? 40 percent of kiwi parents surveyed by YouGov believe they should be by 20 to 25 years old. 33 percent went even younger, saying offspring should be financially independent between the ages of 16 to 19 years old. Ruth Henderson from the blog and podcast The Happy Saver spoke to Lisa Owen.

The US President has warned combat operations will continue in Iran until all of Washington's objective have been achieved. US and Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation have already cost dozens of lives and disrupted global shipping and air travel. Iran has retaliated, striking at US military installations in the region. The Gulf cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been under bombardment. Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

Portaloos and a weekly rubbish collection are helping deal with the growing number of homeless people in Christchurch's red zone.

An anonymous group of investors has stepped in to save the five remaining lions at Northland's Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary. HUHA's founder Carolyn Press-Mckenzie spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

When our next guest Noeleen Tuala had her first grandchild, she found it really hard to find any baby clothing or products that reflected her Pasifika culture and heritage. So she took action and Pele was born. Fast forward three years and Pele is now available in mainstream stores. Self-described Polyreneur, Noeleen Tuala chats to Jesse.

Whether it's the confidence to walk into a work meeting and give a presentation, to share an opinion, give a public speech or feel comfortable in a social new situation, it seems some of us have confidence, while others struggle to find it. If you have questions about how to help build up your own - or someone else confidence - send them in 2101 or Jesse@afternoons.co.nz and we'll put them to today's expert. Michael Philpott is an expert in this field, he's an executive coach who works with businesses, athletes, and authors. He speaks to Jesse.

Mayu Tanigaito, of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, joins Kadambari Raghukumar on this episode of the podcast Here Now, to talk about her journey from Japan to Wellington as a dancer.

It's Monday afternoon and time for me get suited and booted and hit the clubs. Jesse has been a day visitor to lots of clubs already, boosting his interest in lawnmowing, cactus, model trains, machine knitting and more. If you have a club you'd like him to be part of, let us know on 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz Ron Anderson from Rock Hound chats to Jesse.

Most of us say we want more patience and we want it now. But suffering a bit while waiting in line or for a text response from a friend is good for you says Dr Sarah Schnitker. She's a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Baylor University, where she directs the Science of Virtues Lab. Dr Schnitker says our penchant for speed and ease is undermining important attributes like persistence. Her research shows that people with patience are healthier and often happier. Dr. Schnitker invites us to tolerate, even embrace the everyday frustrations of waiting at work and at home.

n part two, would you pay $360 a night for a beachfront camping site? That's the rate one camper in Papamoa was charged. Then, a Nordic Walking coach comes on to settle the record straight on the benefits of walking with poles.

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's edition of The Panel.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: why do rational, science-based people hold on to superstitions? Micah Goldwater is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney's School of Psychology, and breaks down this mysterious habit.

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.

John Adams led a campaign in the UK for grief education to be added to UK schools and he joins Emile Donova.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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