/on-air/the-sunday-session/rss 九一星空无限 THE SUNDAY SESSION WITH FRANCESCA RUDKIN9am-Noon Sink into your Sunday with the best session around. This is the show that delivers a little bit of everyth Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:40:33 Z en /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-why-are-we-in-such-a-retail-frenzy/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-why-are-we-in-such-a-retail-frenzy/ Audio file  FR EDITORIAL 301125.mp3    Transcript  So, did you get yourself a bargain on Black Friday or some kind of good deal in the last 10 days that may also be associated with a Black Friday? I've done quite a bit of Christmas shopping this weekend, most of it online through Kiwi retailers, and have saved at least the shipping costs or up to maybe 25% savings, which, you know, it all adds up.   There have been warnings this week about being sucked into Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Consumer New Zealand, they did a three-month investigation. They tracked 10 products at four major retailers, and they found that half of the items could have been bought at the same or lower prices at some point in the last three months.   But I think we all know this. Black Friday is a brilliantly executed marketing campaign. The reality is a lot of discounts are a token gesture, but if you do your homework and you have a bit of luck, you can find something you wanted for a good price. And I think that we approach shopping differently these days, driven by the fact a lot of the big retailers have sales all the time.   If we look at the main sales at this time of the year, people go shopping at Labour Weekend, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and hey, look, if you've missed out, Boxing Day is only about four weeks away. So you'd be an idiot to buy something when it wasn't on sale. But hopefully all the spending will still be giving retailers the lift they need.   This week there was a little bit of good news from Stats New Zealand with data showing that the total volume of sales increased 1.9% in the September quarter compared to the June 2025 quarter. And this is the largest quarterly increase in activity since December 2021.   Last year, payment provider data showed that more than $175 million was spent at core retail merchants during Black Friday weekend. And it's going to be really interesting to see what the figure is this year. And retail, there sort of seems to be a little bit of a frenzy around retail at the moment.   Look at the anticipation around IKEA opening in Auckland's Mount Wellington this week on December 4th. Good on AT for warning shoppers there could potentially be 40-minute delays to get off the motorway. And then it may take an hour to find a car park. You were warned. You may think it's unnecessary, but we all know what it's like when we hit that traffic on the motorway and we stop.  Look, I know. It's exciting. I care opening. I have a kid going flatting next year and I wouldn't be surprised if we end up buying a flat pack of some sort. But IKEA's not going anywhere. Do yourself a favour and give it some time before you descend on the Swedish giant. Or better still, shop at some of our very own Kiwi excellent flat pack furniture stores. But look, if you're less patient than me and you're prepared to deal with the traffic, best of luck out there.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:48:55 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/barnaby-wier-the-black-seeds-frontman-talks-ahead-of-synthony-festival/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/barnaby-wier-the-black-seeds-frontman-talks-ahead-of-synthony-festival/ The hugely popular Synthony Festival is going ahead at the end of March.  Synthony has taken off over the last few years – with the 2025 festival selling out and 40,000 people attending.  2026 will be the first Synthony Festival for The Black Seeds – and their front man Barnaby Weir told Francesca Rudkin that he is looking forward to the festival.  'To get an invite, to such a huge, awesome gig, which is already proven and has a huge clientele, a huge audience is really great for us.' LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:39:28 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-wellness-expert-discusses-sleepmaxxing-trend/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-wellness-expert-discusses-sleepmaxxing-trend/ A social media trend called 'Sleepmaxxing' involving elaborate routines and hacks to maximize sleep quality and quantity, has been growing in popularity.  Social media wellness content is giving advice about sleep - how to get more of it; how to improve it; how to measure whether you’re getting quality sleep and commonly marketing sleep aids (sometimes expensive).   But are there downsides to following a trend when it comes to your own health? Wellness expert Erin O'Hara breaks down the facts.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:31:28 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-christmas-platters-for-the-holiday-season/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-christmas-platters-for-the-holiday-season/ Chili pickled vegetables  Cook time: 5 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 12    Pickled vegetables can include:   Carrots, fennel, baby beetroot, radish, red onions, cucumbers or red cabbage     1 tbsp fennel seeds  1 tbsp coriander seeds   2 fresh chili, sliced   2 bay leaves   1 tsp mustard seeds   300 ml cider vinegar   250 ml water   1/4 cup sugar   1/2 tsp salt   Jar and lid  Firstly prepare the vegetables for pickling. Clean all the vegetables and cut in 1/2 or 1/4 or finely slice. Trying to make all the vegetable pieces roughly the same size.   To make your pickle mixture, start by toasting your seeds in a pan until fragrant. Place the rest of the pickling mixture ingredients into a pot, adding seeds once toasted and heat until boiling.  Remove the pickling mixture from the heat and carefully pour the hot mixture over the top of the vegetables and seal with a lid. (If pickling cucumbers or finely sliced veg allow mixture to cool first)    Roasted beetroot & cummin hummus  Cook time: 45 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 6-8    2 cups chickpeas, soaked overnight in water   2 whole beetroot   1 tbsp cooking oil   2 tbsp tahini   1 tsp baking powder   11 tsp cummin powder   Sea salt    Pre-heat the oven to 180*c   Individually wrap the beetroot in tin-foil, drizzle over a little oil and sprinkle over a touch of salt before wrapping.   Place into the oven and cook for 30 minutes before testing. Test by inserting a small knife to see if the beetroot is cooked. Once cooked allow to cool before removing skin.   While the beetroot is cooking, place the soaked chickpeas into a large pot, cover with cold water and add a touch of salt and the baking powder. Bring to the boil and cook until tender. Once cooked drain.   Place the beetroot into a food processor and biltz until smooth. Add the chickpeas and biltz until smooth. Add the tahini, curry powder and seasalt to finish.    Yoghurt flatbreads w coriander butter  Cook time: 2 minutes  Prep time: 10  Serves: 6-8    Flat breads   350g bread flour   2 tsp baking powder   350g natural yoghurt   1 tsp salt     Coriander butter   200 gm unsalted-butter   1 cup fresh coriander, finely chopped   1/2 tsp sea salt   4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed    For the flat breads   Combine all the bread ingredients together in a bowl and mix with a spoon, then use your hands to pat and bring everything together.   Dust a clean work surface with flour, tip out the dough. Knead for a minute or so just to pull everything together, before leaving while you make the coriander butter.   For the butter, Add to the butter and mix in the rest of the ingredients.   Re-dust a clean surface with flour, divide the dough into small balls.   Flatten with your hands, then using a rolling pin roll roughly 3mm thick. Either place dough into a griddle pan on a high heat or onto a tray in a very hot oven.   As soon as they are coloured remove and brush with a coriander butter and cut into random pieces.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:20:23 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-30-november-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-30-november-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 30 November 2025, there's Oscars buzz around Russell Crowe for his portrayal of Hitlers right hand man in new film Nuremberg.  This week Russell tells Francesca why he's not interested in another Academy Award. Over the last few years Synthony Festival has taken off, The Black Seeds are playing the festival for the first time, front man Barnaby Weir talks about preparing for the uniquely different performance. Chris Hipkins is in campaign mode, he shares just how he plans to get a Labour victory at the next election, and Francesca shares a warning ahead of Ikea opening this week. And science has discovered we don't become "real adults" until much later in life than we though, Dr Michelle Dickinson shares the details. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.   Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:12:47 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-new-study-reveals-we-dont-reach-adulthood-until-our-30s/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-new-study-reveals-we-dont-reach-adulthood-until-our-30s/ We often think of brain development as something that happens in childhood, stabilises in adulthood, and then gradually declines.  However new research published in the journal Nature Communications suggests our brains actually move through five distinct eras, each with its own strengths, vulnerabilities, and turning points.  Researchers analysed MRI brain scans from nearly 4,000 people aged between newborn and 90 years old. Their goal was to understand how the brain’s internal wiring, changes over a lifetime.  Dr. Michelle Dickinson joins Francesca Rudkin to break-down and analyse the study.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:59:02 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-reviews-the-third-knives-out-movie/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-reviews-the-third-knives-out-movie/ 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery' - the third instalment in the 'Knives Out' series has received a positive review from Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall.  He told Francesca Rudkin that the film is, 'really humour laced, really strong performances, and the sort of film as well that I think really benefits from not having your phone in your lap.'  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:47:07 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/russell-crowe-hollywood-a-lister-discusses-historic-upcoming-movie/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/russell-crowe-hollywood-a-lister-discusses-historic-upcoming-movie/ Kiwi born Hollywood star Russell Crowe has played many intense roles in his career.  But his latest might be his most intense yet.  Heading back to world war 2, Russell plays Hitlers right hand man Hermann Goring in ‘Nuremberg’, the film focusing on the duel between psychologist Douglas Kelley and Goring, in the lead up to the post war trial.  Crowe told Francesca Rudkin that he had to do a lot of background reading before playing the part.  'So you have to find those moments of what I call quiet contemplation, where you get to really think through and learn about what you're doing.' LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:34:45 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/melissa-stokes-new-6pm-bulletin-anchor-shares-her-thoughts-ahead-of-tonights-first-show/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/melissa-stokes-new-6pm-bulletin-anchor-shares-her-thoughts-ahead-of-tonights-first-show/ A new era begins for TVNZ’s 6pm bulletin tonight.  After almost 20 years in the 6pm chair, Simon Dallow read his last bulletin on Friday. His replacement starts tonight, with Melissa Stokes promoted to the 6pm duties.  Stokes told Francesca Rudkin that she is nervous but prepared for the step up. 'I fill in for Simon when he's been away, so it is the same team that I'm going into, the same desk, the same login, the same password, the same news tonight.' LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 21:43:33 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/irene-king-aviation-commentator-discusses-global-airbus-a320-shutdown/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/irene-king-aviation-commentator-discusses-global-airbus-a320-shutdown/ Major disruptions yesterday as airlines around the world had to ground their Airbus A320 aircraft.  Many travellers were left stranded after Airbus ordered immediate software fixes for 6000 of its A320s.  Aviation Commentator Irene King says that New Zealand is lucky to be a smaller country, as it means the delays won't last as long.  'The nice thing about being a small country is that we can recover pretty quickly from these sorts of disruptions.' LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 20:56:01 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-discusses-the-partys-focuses-for-next-years-election/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/chris-hipkins-labour-leader-discusses-the-partys-focuses-for-next-years-election/ Labour has shifted into campaign mode as the party meets for its annual conference in Auckland.  With less than a year until the next election, Labour party leader, Chris Hipkins opened with an emphatic message “Believe We Can Win”. Hipkins told Francesca Rudkin that the party has been focusing on what Kiwis didn't like about their last election campaign.  'We've spent time really focusing on what didn't go well for us and what we need to change.' LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 29 Nov 2025 20:42:53 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/great-chats-with-francesca-rudkin/episode-17-yotam-ottolenghi-neil-ieremia-and-bill-bryson/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/great-chats-with-francesca-rudkin/episode-17-yotam-ottolenghi-neil-ieremia-and-bill-bryson/ In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, famed chef Yotam Ottolenghi talks finding the joy of cooking and talks his stage show coming to New Zealand in 2026.  We hear from Black Grace Dance Company founder Neil Ieremia as the group celebrates 30 years of stunning performances.  Plus Bill Bryson talks revisiting and revising his iconic book A Short History of Nearly Everything.  Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from 九一星空无限talk ZB's The Sunday Session.  Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE Thu, 27 Nov 2025 01:00:00 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/karra-rhodes-kiwi-singer-on-her-new-debut-album-hometown-therapy/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/karra-rhodes-kiwi-singer-on-her-new-debut-album-hometown-therapy/ Christchurch based, Scottish born, artist Karra Rhodes is rising fast on the New Zealand music scene and she's got a new project in the works. Her new album, Hometown Therapy, is also being used to shine a light on domestic violence and highlight her fundraising efforts for the charity Shine.  "I like to think that I write music that a lot of people maybe feel uncomfortable writing music on." LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:15:15 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/yotam-ottolenghi-chef-and-restaurateur-speaks-ahead-of-2026-live-tour/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/yotam-ottolenghi-chef-and-restaurateur-speaks-ahead-of-2026-live-tour/ Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the biggest names in food around the world, and he's set to bring his insights to our shores next year. After 11 cookbooks, Ottolenghi's built a name for himself in the world of food, and his distinctive way of cooking has earned him praise and critical acclaim. He says these tours are often 'hectic' and 'intense' - and it's hard for him to juggle the experience of taking in a city on these schedules. "I'm quite flexible with the way I eat, so I'm just happy to eat whatever's around...cooking on stage is really just about sharing some basic techniques that I've developed over time."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:46:23 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-exit-strategy-and-good-things-come-and-go/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-exit-strategy-and-good-things-come-and-go/ Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child. Jack Reacher is back - this time in Baltimore, where he inadvertently gets himself caught up in corrupt goings on at the local Port. He walks into a coffee shop, and someone brushes against him - only later does he realise that a note was slipped into his pocket at that moment, from someone asking for help and requesting a late night rendezvous. The note was clearly intended for someone else but Jack heads along to the meeting anyway, just to see what’s going on. This is classic Reacher - he’s about to dispense a lot of vigilante justice and stand up for the good guys, before he gets onto another Greyhound bus and heads off for who knows where. Good Things Come and Go by Josie Shapiro. Josie is an Auckland writer whose first book I loved - Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts. This is her second, and it’s equally good - about Penny and Riggs living in LA where things have gone terribly wrong for them, and the chance for Penny to come back to Auckland and hold a solo art exhibition is too good to ignore. They head back to Waiheke Island (and into the midst of complicated family dynamics) and reconnect with an old friend who’s down on his luck. The rekindling of that childhood friendship brings serious undercurrents, with long held secrets to be reckoned with. Josie is a terrific writer and I hope will be bringing us books for years to come.  LISTEN ABOVE   Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:33:19 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-boston-to-new-york-experience/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-boston-to-new-york-experience/ Megan's been exploring the US, and she's unveiling her travel hacks for getting around on the trains. She recently took the train from Boston to New York, and she weighed up the pros and cons of getting around the US on the train. Read more about Megan's experiences here. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:28:39 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-is-the-coalition-prepared-for-next-years-election/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-is-the-coalition-prepared-for-next-years-election/ This week on The Sunday Panel, ZB Wellington Mornings host, Nick Mills, and host of The Front Page podcast, Chelsea Daniels, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The coalition Government is about to celebrate two years in their roles, what do we think of their progress? Is the coalition starting to re-position itself ahead of the election? Winston Peters has been vocally against the Regulatory Standards Bill - will we see more of this?   Trained GPs will soon be able to diagnose and treat ADHD next year. The College of Psychiatrists has raised concerns ahead of the switch, what do we make of this?  Schoolies is an Australian rite of passage, but the new moolies trend for mums looking to spend big on holidays after the kids have been through school is getting some buzz. Do we need this on our side of the Tasman?  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:21:42 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-23-november-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-23-november-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 23 November 2025, Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the biggest names in food, but it turns out even he struggles to know what to cook for dinner. This week he tells Francesca the unusual way he decides what to cook. Karra Rhodes is an up and comer on the New Zealand music scene, she talks to Francesca about why she is donating royalties to charity. The All Blacks have wrapped up their 2025 season, ZB commentator Elliott Smith with his report card, and Francesca questions the financial viability of university halls of residence for students. And feeling that end of year fatigue? Erin O'Hara with all the tips for surviving Christmas without burning out. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:12:43 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-to-avoid-end-of-year-burnout/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-to-avoid-end-of-year-burnout/ The end of the year is almost upon us, and many of us will be feeling overwhelmed, burned out and exhausted. This is not a new phenomenon, we see it every year around November and December ahead of the summer holidays. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how to work through the holiday exhaustion without getting too overwhelmed. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 23:00:53 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-connection-between-oral-health-and-heart-disease/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-connection-between-oral-health-and-heart-disease/ Most of us think of oral health as something that affects our teeth and gums. But what if what’s happening inside your mouth is quietly influencing the rest of your body's long-term risk of disease - including diabetes and heart disease?  A new study published in the Journal of Translational Medicine has just found exactly that.  The study followed 65 people who were treated for root canal infections, a type of deep tooth infection that lets harmful microbes seep into the bloodstream.  The researchers tracked 44 different metabolites, small molecules in the blood linked to inflammation and metabolism, both before the root canal treatment and again over the next two years.  They found that: Within three months, signs of systemic inflammation dropped.  Two years later, several markers of metabolic health, including blood glucose levels had significantly improved.  A root canal infection is more than a sore tooth, it’s a chronic bacterial invasion. When bacteria and toxins escape from infected tissue, they can enter the bloodstream and spark inflammation throughout the body.  Over time, this chronic inflammation is known to interfere with how our body handles glucose - potentially increasing insulin resistance, elevating blood sugar and putting extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. The results showed that:  Over half of the metabolites shifted significantly. Some amino acids linked to insulin resistance dropped. Cholesterol dipped temporarily after three months. At the two-year point, glucose levels were notably lower. Pyruvate, a molecule involved in inflammatory pathways, also declined. The study raises the question around whether dental and physical health records should be connected, so doctors and dentists can work together helping to improve your overall health holistically.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:52:48 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-asparagus-risotto-with-spring-onions-and-rocket/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-asparagus-risotto-with-spring-onions-and-rocket/ Asparagus risotto with spring onions and rocket  Cook time: 30-40 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 6 650-750ml vegetable stock, heated   1 onion, finely chopped   4 cloves garlic, crushed   2 Tbsp sunflower oil   1 cup Arborio rice   2 cups white wine   100 gm butter   1 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan   1 bunch asparagus   1 cup chopped spring onions   1/2 cup chopped fresh rocket   Shaved Parmesan to serve Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and get a large bowl of ice with a bit of water ready.   Drop the asparagus into the boiling water for 30 seconds, remove quickly and plunge into the iced water to stop cooking quickly. Once cool, drain and slice into 3cm rounds.   Heat a large pot with the oil and sauté the onions and garlic.   Add in the rice and cook on high for a minutes while stirring. This is a very important part of hardening the rice. Add the wine to remove the heat from the pot but will steam a lot. Once the wine has reduced to very little, gradually start to add the hot stock, you can go 2 cups, then 1 cup then 1/2 a cup until the rice is al dente. Or firm to the tooth. Turn of the heat and stir in the butter and the grated parmesan. Add the blanched asparagus, spring onions and the rocket and stir to combine.   Serve with some shaved parmesan.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:45:56 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-the-winners-from-new-zealand-screen-awards-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-on-the-winners-from-new-zealand-screen-awards-2025/ A non-Kiwi Best Actor winner and acclaimed recognition for a late director’s final film were among the notable moments of this year’s New Zealand Screen Awards. The late Lee Tamahori’s historical drama, The Convert, scored five major awards including Best Director: Drama Feature. John Lithgow also added a Kiwi award to his collection, having been named Best Actor in a Feature for his performance in The Rule of Jenny Pen. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall recapped the awards and went through all the other big winners. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:38:16 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jennifer-ward-lealand-kiwi-actor-and-director-on-being-elected-vice-president-of-global-performers-unions-federation/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/jennifer-ward-lealand-kiwi-actor-and-director-on-being-elected-vice-president-of-global-performers-unions-federation/ After many years of representing performers locally in New Zealand, Kiwi actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand has taken on a new role. Ward-Lealand was recently elected to the top ranks of the global federation of actors’ unions at the World Congress in Birmingham.  She says it's the first time New Zealand's been invited to the top ranks within FIA (Federation Internationale des Acteurs) and her appointment came as a surprise. "The screen industry is global, people travel, work travels, and we can share resources, we can share ideas, there's a really wonderful, frank, exchange of ideas."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:18:13 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/azaria-howell-newstalk-zb-political-reporter-on-winston-peters-campaigning-against-the-regulatory-standards-bill/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/azaria-howell-newstalk-zb-political-reporter-on-winston-peters-campaigning-against-the-regulatory-standards-bill/ New Zealand First is denying claims the party's lining up to work with Labour next election, despite David Seymour suggesting the idea. Seymour made the claim after New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters announced he'd campaign on repealing the Regulatory Standards Bill. 九一星空无限talk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell says it's unclear where this will go from here, given how Seymour championed the bill. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 22:02:27 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-david-chinn-health-policy-advisor-on-the-growing-concerns-surrounding-gps-being-able-to-treat-adhd/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-david-chinn-health-policy-advisor-on-the-growing-concerns-surrounding-gps-being-able-to-treat-adhd/ ADHD New Zealand is echoing calls for caution when it comes to GPs treating the condition. GPs will be able to start medical treatment next year for those affected.  The College of Psychiatrists says GPs should only be included if they have accredited training and clear referral and escalation pathways.  Dr David Chinn is part of a team of experts who advises on health policy, and he says it's been hard for people to get access to proper assessments - but it's important to do this in a careful, considered way. "It's important that this is being done in conjunction with adequate training, guidelines and also support from other practitioners as well."  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:53:28 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/elliott-smith-newstalk-zb-rugby-commentator-on-the-all-blacks-beating-wales-52-16/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/elliott-smith-newstalk-zb-rugby-commentator-on-the-all-blacks-beating-wales-52-16/ Captain Scott Barrett is praising the fresh faces for injecting some enthusiasm into the All Blacks for the season-ending 52-26 win over Wales in Cardiff. Barrett says the 12 changes to the starting line-up ensured there was no baggage carried over from the England loss. 九一星空无限talk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says the All Blacks can head home happy for the end of the year, but there's still some lingering questions about the team. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:39:45 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-how-long-will-living-in-the-university-halls-be-financially-viable/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/francesca-rudkin-how-long-will-living-in-the-university-halls-be-financially-viable/ Yesterday my son’s contract with his Canterbury University hall came to an end.   He was officially a hall member for 41 weeks, but when you take into account the mid-semester and semester breaks he was only there for 32 and a half weeks. So that was about $20,000 for 32 weeks.   This and fees around $9000, depending on what you’re studying, mean the cost of a University degree is quite confronting.   I’m sure it’s something that’s on the mind of many Year 13 students, and their parents, who are wrapping up their final year of school and potentially looking to leave home for study next year. Is it worth it? I’m not so sure.   Our son wanted to go to Christchurch because he was ready to leave home and be independent. He’s heard his father’s stories of friends made for life, nonsense and laughter when he was in a hall. He wanted an adventure, to share it with old friends, and to make new ones.   My preference, practical as ever, was for him to stay home and go to the local university. He had part time work in Auckland. He could live at home. “It just makes sense”, I would say. But deep down we knew he was ready to go, and needed to go.   Some have no choice but to leave home to go to university, but for those who do have a choice and value it as a growing-up experience, the commitment is becoming tougher.   Once it was considered a rite of passage for many students who live in our main cities to leave home for university. It was a stepping stone to spreading their wings and flying off into the world. Now though, it comes with a substantial financial burden for students, parents and the Government. The current interest-free Study Link loan isn’t enough to cover weekly hall fees.  We expected our son to get a part time job to help with costs, and keep debt down. He had a part time job for the last two years of school - he doesn’t mind working. However, we didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to find a new gig in a new city.   The second year isn’t going to be any easier, with student flat rentals in high demand. Students I know in Christchurch will next year will be paying anything from $150 for a room that fits a single bed, to $230 per week. Then there’s the cost of food and utilities. At least they’re learning to budget.   I appreciate that if you have a choice and don’t need to leave your hometown to go to university, it’s on the nose to complain about how tough it is for students who do.   And if the demand for halls in anything to go by, Canterbury halls are well over-subscribed, so the costs of a university education doesn’t seem to be putting everyone off.   I just wonder how much longer it will last? Will the once proud Kiwi tradition of heading off to the uni halls become something only those with increasingly hefty financial support will be able to manage? LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 22 Nov 2025 21:22:54 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/anika-moa-kiwi-musician-talks-jubilation-choir-event/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/anika-moa-kiwi-musician-talks-jubilation-choir-event/ For the last 25 years, the Jubilation Choir has been bringing together singers from all walks of life, and some Kiwi music powerhouses are set to appear next Sunday. Next week, the choir will be joined by Julia Deans, Bella Kalolo and the one and only Anika Moa.  Anika Moa says she's done plenty of collaborations, but appearing in the Jubilation Choir will be a career first. "It's nice to be a part of this project because we've got two shows, it's in and out, it's doing our favourite songs...and I get to sing with Julia Deans and Bella Kalolo. That's a pretty good Sunday."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:38:27 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-detective-and-the-breath-of-the-gods/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/whitcoulls-recommends-the-detective-and-the-breath-of-the-gods/ The Detective by Matthew Reilly: Matt Reilly is well known for the thrillers he’s been writing for many years now, but this one is quite a departure. It’s based in the American South and is the story of many women going missing over a period of 150 years, starting back in 1877….and the investigators looking for them all also disappeared. It’s set in the nexus of Louisiana and Texas, where a quirky private detective gets the bit between his teeth and is determined to get to the bottom of it, and it has all the hallmarks of the area – wealthy family dynasties, racism, bayous and alligators and high stakes adventure. The Breath of the Gods by Simon Winchester. A remarkable exploration of our atmosphere, and the role played in our lives by wind – which can be both benign and malevolent.  It’s a fascinating story told through history, literature, science, poetry and engineering – and includes a piece on our own Wahine disaster. Simon Winchester has an ability to make the everyday and apparently mundane, extraordinary. It’s a wonderful book.  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:26:29 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-trip-to-new-york/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-trip-to-new-york/ Megan Singleton's been working her way through the US - and she concluded her latest adventure with a few days in New York. The winter season is getting underway, meaning people are flocking to the city to take in a New York Christmas. Megan unveiled her highlights, check out more here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:22:09 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/andy-reid-adventure-racing-coromandel-co-founder-on-his-new-book-are-you-trying-to-kill-us/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/andy-reid-adventure-racing-coromandel-co-founder-on-his-new-book-are-you-trying-to-kill-us/ The Coromandel is well-regarded as one of New Zealand's top holiday hotspots, but it's got more to offer adrenaline junkies than it lets on. Adventure Racing Coromandel co-founder Andy Reid's been leading the charge in this development, having helped create the K2 bike race and the Kauri Run - among others. Reid's taken his findings and experiences and put them in a new book - Are You Trying to Kill Us? "We started with the adventure race and straightaway, we knew that we could only put these races on with the help of all our local volunteers - and so we thought that it was really important to put something back into the community."  LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:12:43 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-how-bad-does-this-recent-mcskimming-development-look/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-how-bad-does-this-recent-mcskimming-development-look/ This week on The Sunday Panel, editor and journalist Jo McCarroll and 九一星空无限talk ZB host Roman Travers joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! A damning police watchdog report from last week found numerous failures in how police handled complaints a staff member made against disgraced former deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. How bad does this look for the police? It's been a big week for Te Pāti Māori, with Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris being ousted. Is this a bad look ahead of the election? The All Blacks got trounced in their latest match against England in Twickenham. What do we make of this?  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:40:06 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/andrew-dickens-theres-something-dodgy-about-these-congestion-taxes/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/opinion/andrew-dickens-theres-something-dodgy-about-these-congestion-taxes/ I had a lovely Saturday morning. Lying in bed, drinking a coffee, reading the weekend Herald and listening to Jack on ZB say that he’ll ditch his wallet by next year as everything he needs will be on his phone.  I was thinking - keep up, lad. I ditched the wallet during Covid. The phone has become ubiquitous and if not the phone, then a card in a pocket in the phone. It’s debatable whether this is a good thing considering how compromised phones are and how reliant they are on cell towers, software and power supply, but hey. Meanwhile, on the front page of the Herald was the legislation meaning that councils could charge congestion taxes in the future.  Now this is dodgy. The taxes will be on roads that we already paid taxes to build. And if not taxes then rates, which after all, are also taxes. Talk about double jeopardy - taxes on taxes  And then, you have to wonder if the National-led coalition really is the tax cut party. Surely introducing a new tax is still a new tax, which is something they say is what the socialists do.  But everyone is doing it - rates are up, water rates are up. And under this coalition, the reality is our taxes are going up. No matter what their semantics suggest.  But they have to do it to get some cars off some roads that are so congested that they’re costing our productivity.    The motivation for taxes has many faces - they’re used to punish the rich, they’re used to redistribute wealth, they're used to fund health and education systems and they’re used to punish or change behaviour. So they’re trying to change our behaviour to make more of us drive off peak and less of us on peak.  Good luck with that. Good luck with your tax. No wonder Wayne Brown said they’re not going to use the new power any time soon, he knows a vote killer when he sees one.  But the fact that a young modern city of just over one and a half million people has got itself in a position where a centre-right Government thinks the answer is a congestion tax is a complete and utter failure of civic planning.  Sure, I can understand congestion taxes in London, which has had centuries of development. But Auckland? Or Tauranga? Or Wellington?  All we had to do was provide alternatives to the car that were affordable and efficient.  But everytime public transport options and alternate modes have been suggested, they’ve been shouted down by people who think they live in rural villages and not modern cities and they should drive from doorstep to doorstep.  Thanks for your lack of foresight - it means another tax is coming and our roads will still be chocka.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:27:34 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-16-november-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-16-november-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast for Sunday 16 November 2925, Anika Moa is in the final stages of making her first album for adults in a decade, but she reveals it might not be the Anika Moa we are used to. Andy Reid is the co-founder of Adventure Racing Coromandel, his new book 'Are You Trying to Kill Us' is out now and Andy shares the wild stories from his events. The All Black grand slam hopes are over, Elliott Smith with the reaction from Twickenham and Andrew vents his frustration over congestion charges. And meat's getting expensive, Mike Van de Elzen with an alternative for your Sunday dinner. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:12:45 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-you-can-regulate-your-drinking-this-holiday-season/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-how-you-can-regulate-your-drinking-this-holiday-season/ The holiday season means more gatherings and Christmas parties - and with it, more opportunities to binge-drink. Recent data shows  one in every five New Zealand adults were hazardous drinkers, placing themselves and others at risk of harm. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara reveals how Kiwis can be mindful and stay safe this holiday season. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:08:43 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-research-revealing-gender-matters-in-aging-studies/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-research-revealing-gender-matters-in-aging-studies/ For decades, most medical and biological research has been conducted primarily on male volunteers and male animals in laboratory studies. One of the main reasons was convenience - male hormone levels are more stable, whereas female hormones shift across the menstrual cycle, introducing variability that researchers historically preferred to avoid.  But that convenience has come at a cost.  When treatments are developed and tested mainly in males, the results don’t always translate well to female physiology. This means that women have often been prescribed medications or therapies that were never fully tested on their biology. In some cases, women have experienced more side effects, reduced effectiveness, or entirely different outcomes than men.  As we learn more, it’s becoming clear that male and female bodies age differently too. And new anti-ageing treatments may need to take these differences into account.  A new study published in the journal Ageing shows exactly why.  The researchers discovered a combination of two drugs that extended lifespan in frail, elderly male mice by an impressive 73 percent from the start of treatment while also improving their mobility, endurance and memory.  However, the same therapy did not provide the same benefits to female mice.  They tested oxytocin, which is known to support tissue repair, along with another drug known as OT+A5i, which blocks a key pathway involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and death.  The study involved 25-month-old mice which is roughly equivalent to a 75-year-old human.  In male mice:  Lifespan increased by 73 percent from the start of treatment. Median lifespan increased by 14 percent. Risk of death at any time decreased three-fold. Endurance, grip strength, and agility improved. Short-term memory improved. Blood biomarkers shifted toward younger, healthier levels. But in female mice:  No significant extension of lifespan. No consistent improvements in strength or memory. Blood biomarkers did not shift in the same way. Researchers suggest several possibilities for the difference:  Female inflammatory signalling pathways differ from males Hormonal environments change ageing differently in men and women The interaction between oxytocin and TGF-beta networks may not play the same role in female tissues  This highlights the point that ageing is not identical in men and women, and treatments to slow ageing may need to be tailored accordingly.  Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:48:14 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-roasted-carrots-with-mint-emulsion-and-spiced-chickpeas/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-roasted-carrots-with-mint-emulsion-and-spiced-chickpeas/ Roasted carrots with mint emulsion and spiced chickpeas  Cook time: 45 minutes  Prep time: 20 minutes  Serves: 12 20 carrots cut in half   2 tbsp sunflower oil   Flaky sea salt   Miso emulsion   2 soft boiled eggs   1 tbsp miso paste   4 tbsp orange juice  Juice of 1 lemon   1 cup coriander leaves and stalks   10 mint leaves   1 tbsp brown sugar   1 clove garlic   1 tbsp ginger, peeled   300ml sunflower oil   Spiced chickpeas   1/4 cup sunflower seeds, roasted   1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted   3 cups drained chickpeas   1 tsp paprika   1 tsp ground cumin   1 tsp ground coriander   1/2 tsp crushed farm chilli   2 tbsp sunflower oil Pre-heat the oven to 180*c.   Cut the carrots in half and drizzle with oil and sprinkle with some flaky salt. Place into the oven and roast until tender. Combine all the ingredients for the spiced chickpeas in a bowl and toss, lay out onto a roasting tray and place in the oven along with the carrots. Cooked for 30 minutes stirring every 10 until crispy. Allow to cool . Make up the mint emulsion  Bring a pot of water to the boil and carefully drop in your eggs. Time them for 5 minutes before removing and placing into iced water till cold. Carefully roll the eggs breaking the shell before peeling, (good luck!) Place all the ingredients apart from the oil into the blender and turning on slowly before turning up and slowly drizzle in the oil. Season with salt and pepper if required.   Spoon a couple tbsp of mint emo onto a platter and stack the roasted carrots on top and finish with the spiced chickpeas.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:39:25 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-ahead-of-metallicas-eden-park-concert/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/steve-newall-flicksconz-editor-ahead-of-metallicas-eden-park-concert/ Auckland's hotels will be completely full next Wednesday - as the city welcomes 57,000 visitors ahead of two major events. 40,000 are expected from Metallica fans alone, with the rock band set to perform at Eden Park. Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 international delegates are gathering at Aotea Centre for New Zealand's largest ever academic conference, celebrating indigenous education over five days. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:30:26 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-jarrod-haar-massey-university-professor-of-management-on-the-new-study-revealing-half-of-kiwis-arent-disconnecting-from-work/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-jarrod-haar-massey-university-professor-of-management-on-the-new-study-revealing-half-of-kiwis-arent-disconnecting-from-work/ The summer holidays are getting closer, meaning more Kiwis will be leaving their offices for breaks - but research shows they might not fully disconnect. New research shows fewer than half of New Zealand workers are fully disconnecting from the job when they’re on holiday, putting them at risk of burnout. Massey University professor of management Dr Jarrod Haar says it's better for workers to make the most of their time off. "It is indicative, I think, of our modern day working society that it is just so easy to check your work emails on your smartphone, even down on the beach...and that has repercussions for our wellbeing." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 22:14:05 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-the-ipca-report-revealing-police-staff-failed-to-investigate-mcskimming-complaints/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/thomas-coughlan-nz-herald-political-editor-on-the-ipca-report-revealing-police-staff-failed-to-investigate-mcskimming-complaints/ There's discussion over Andrew Coster's future with the police following a bombshell report. An IPCA report came out earlier in the week, revealing senior police staff had failed to properly investigate a complaint against then-Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The report implicated Coster, as well as other senior leaders. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the ongoing discussions. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:54:25 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/junior-fa-former-professional-boxer-on-joseph-parker-failing-a-drug-test-on-the-day-of-wardley-defeat/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/junior-fa-former-professional-boxer-on-joseph-parker-failing-a-drug-test-on-the-day-of-wardley-defeat/ Kiwi heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker is protesting his innocence, after admitting he failed a drugs test on the day of his defeat to British boxer Fabio Wardley last month in London. 九一星空无限 outlets in the UK said the former world champion tested positive for cocaine. Parker says it was a voluntary test and the adverse result was 'a real surprise'. Former professional boxer Junior Fa says this development has come as a shock to New Zealand's wider boxing community. "This is a bit of a shock in terms of lifestyle choice - and from the boxing world, Joe Parker is very, very beloved, everyone loves him. This comes as a shock to everyone." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:33:19 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/elliott-smith-newstalk-zb-rugby-commentator-on-the-all-blacks-losing-33-19-to-england/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/elliott-smith-newstalk-zb-rugby-commentator-on-the-all-blacks-losing-33-19-to-england/ England is celebrating a first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years. The hosts won 33-19 at Twickenham, despite being 12 points down within the first 20 minutes. 九一星空无限talk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says the team made a strong start, but they couldn't keep up the momentum. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:21:11 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/neil-ieremia-founder-and-artistic-director-of-black-grace-on-the-dance-companys-30-year-anniversary/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/neil-ieremia-founder-and-artistic-director-of-black-grace-on-the-dance-companys-30-year-anniversary/ 2025 marks 30 years since Kiwi dance company Black Grace was formed, and this anniversary will be marked with some new performances. Later this month, the company will stage Paul Taylor's Esplanade, in a double bill with If Ever There Was A Time - an original work by founder Neil Ieremia. Ieremia says when he first started out, there weren't a lot of dance opportunities for Māori men, and he aimed to change that. "I remember when we put on our first show and it actually sold out - it was at the Kenneth Maidment Theatre at the university there. We put on our first show and it sold out before we actually opened, which was quite incredible." The Black Grace double bill tour starts in Auckland on November 21 and continues in Christchurch on November 25 and 26, with tickets available here. LISTEN ABOVE Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:04:28 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/bill-bryson-author-on-his-updated-version-of-a-short-history-of-nearly-everything/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/bill-bryson-author-on-his-updated-version-of-a-short-history-of-nearly-everything/ Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything has sold millions of copies since its initial publication in 2003, but a lot has changed since then. Bryson had initially retired, but he's since revised his best known work with updated information - and he's set to do a speaking tour, with Auckland and Wellington events to take place in February. He says a massive amount has changed in the 22 years since writing the book and updating it was a bigger project than expected. "It was fun, I enjoyed it a lot - I've been kind of retired for a few years and this is why I came out of retirement, to do this. And I really had a good time doing it, it made me remember the joys of actually working." LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:29:01 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-experience-in-boston/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/megan-singleton-bloggeratlargecom-writer-on-her-experience-in-boston/ Megan Singleton's travelling through the US, and she spent some time in Boston before heading to New York. She started off in the historic Beacon Hill neighbourhood before moving down to the up and coming Seaport District, and she shared her highlights from both areas. Read more about Megan's experience here. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:14:43 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-09-november-2025/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/full-show-podcast-09-november-2025/ On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 9 November 2025, Bill Bryson's book 'The Short History of Nearly Everything, is the best selling science book of the 21st century.  This week he tells Francesca why he came out of retirement to rewrite it after 23 years. Neil Ieremia is credited with changing dance in New Zealand. This year his company, Black Grace turns 30 and he joins Francesca to talk about celebrating the milestone. ZB commentator Elliott Smith on a tight win for the All Blacks this morning at Murrayfield, Francesca applauds the Government's film rebates as a step in the right direction. And off the back  of the announcement that Michelin reviewers are going to rate New Zealand restaurants for the first time, resident chef Mike Van de Elzen shares why chasing a star was never important to him. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:12:47 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-will-asset-sales-help-bring-down-the-nations-debt/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/the-sunday-panel-will-asset-sales-help-bring-down-the-nations-debt/ This week on the Sunday Panel, resident economist at Opes Partners, Ed McKnight, and journalist, TV producer and commentator, Irene Gardiner, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Treasury is calling for the Government to make some asset sales to bring down debts. Is this a viable way out? Where could we start in offloading assets?  The Government has given New Zealand's movie production sector an extra financial boost - do we think this is the right move? LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 23:01:58 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-the-changing-nature-of-the-health-and-wellness-industries/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/erin-ohara-naturopath-and-wellness-expert-on-the-changing-nature-of-the-health-and-wellness-industries/ Being healthy didn't used to appear to be so complicated, but there's growing concerns about new changes. Constant new trends and studies sometimes contradict previous advice and make it hard to discern reliable information - causing people to question their diets and exercise habits. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:47:16 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-cured-and-roasted-salmon-pate/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/mike-van-de-elzen-cured-and-roasted-salmon-pate/ Cured and roasted salmon pate  Cook time: 10 minutes  Prep time: 20 minutes  Serves: 6-8 1/4 side of salmon; de-boned with the skin on   Salmon salt   100gm flaky seasalt   2 tbsp brown sugar   Pate   200gm cream cheese   1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard   1 lemon   1 tbsp chopped fennel or dill   1 small red chili   3 tbsp sunflower oil   Salt   Serve with Lebanese flat breads   Pickled cucumbers Start the night before by curing the side of salmon.   Lay the salmon skin side down onto a rack and then place the rack into a tray to catch all the juices. Combine the salt and brown sugar and spread over the top of the salmon. It should be a nice thick layer. Cover with cling film and refrigerate overnight. Next morning, wash off any salt and pat dry.   If you have a cold smoker, smoked for 4 hours at this point.   Preheat your oven to 220*c. Lay the salmon skin side down onto a roasting tray and brush the top of the salmon with oil.   Cook for 10 minutes, before checking. The salmon should be cooked just under. Remove from the grill and leave to rest.   For the salmon pate Take the cooked salmon and put into a food processor with the cream cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, chili, fennel and remaining oil. Blitz until smooth. Check seasoning.   Serve with the flatbreads and pickled cucumbers. LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:41:19 Z /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-science-backed-method-for-cooking-pasta/ /on-air/the-sunday-session/audio/dr-michelle-dickinson-nanotechnologist-on-the-new-science-backed-method-for-cooking-pasta/ If you’ve ever tried to cook pasta at home, you’ll know the struggle - one minute it’s undercooked and chewy, the next minute it has disintegrated into a sticky mush. If you’ve ever attempted to cook gluten-free pasta, your experience has probably been even worse. So is there an idea way to cook pasta and does gluten-free pasta need different treatment?  New research published in the journal Food Hydrocolloids used some of the most advanced research tools on the planet to look deep inside pasta as it cooks to find out.  Using powerful beams of X-rays and neutrons from particle accelerator facilities usually reserved for studying materials, medicines and magnetic particle, they were able to figure out how to make better spaghetti.  The researchers took regular and gluten-free pasta and used X-rays and neutrons to see how the pasta’s internal structure changed during cooking, specifically the behaviour of gluten and starch.  They even used heavy water (which contains a different form of hydrogen) to make one ingredient invisible at a time. This way, they could isolate and study gluten and starch separately.  In regular pasta, gluten forms a strong internal framework which holds everything in place even when the pasta is boiling and swelling.  This is why:  Regular spaghetti stays firm. It doesn’t fall apart easily. It digests more slowly (lower glycaemic index). In gluten-free pasta, there is no gluten scaffold. That means:  The starch granules swell and collapse more easily. The pasta can turn mushy faster. It breaks down more quickly in digestion. Manufacturers try to replace gluten with processed starches, but the study showed these substitutes are much less stable, especially when overcooked.  Most of us add salt to pasta water because it tastes better, but the research found it also strengthens pasta’s internal structure.  The perfect amount of salt was found to be 7 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of salt per litre of water.  Salt helps gluten hold its shape and protects the starch granules so the pasta stays firm.  More salt is not better When the researchers doubled the amount of salt, the pasta broke down faster.  What did the scientists determine as the ideal cooking method for pasta?  For regular pasta:  Add 7 g of salt per litre of water and boil for 10 minutes  For gluten-free pasta:  Add 7 g of salt per litre and boil for 11 minutes  Gluten-free pasta is simply less forgiving and even two extra minutes or too much salt can turn it into mush.  This research isn’t just about perfecting dinner. Understanding how pasta breaks down at the microscopic level can help food scientists design better gluten-free pasta that:  Holds its shape better. Feels more like wheat pasta. Doesn’t spike blood sugar as quickly. And more broadly, the study shows how cutting-edge scientific tools, normally used to study batteries, magnets and biological molecules are now being used to understand everyday foods.  LISTEN ABOVE Sat, 08 Nov 2025 22:35:41 Z