The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Nix Adams is best known for her social media presence and victory on Celebrity Treasure Island, but there's more to her story than that. She's survived intergenerational trauma, losing a child, meth addiction, and a short stint in prison - which ultimately inspired her to turn her life around. She's shared her journey of survival and starting over in a new memoir, Nothing to Lose. "It's been pretty scary, I've shared bits and pieces over the years, but to have it all in your hands is pretty freaky, actually." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Irish comedian and tv host Dara O'Briain has always known he was adopted and he's worked that detail into his standup comedy routines. His 2023 tour focused on his journey to find his birth mother, and his upcoming tour - set to arrive in New Zealand later this month - will share the story of finding his birth father. He's promised the show will be a 'romp' as it's a 'lovely' story to tell. "I'm lucky to have got in under the length of it being a long and involved story." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chain Reaction by Lee Child and Andrew Child. The latest outing from the two brothers is the 31st in the Jack Reacher series and for me, it held up very well. General Susan Turner is a former colleague of Jack’s from his Pentagon days, and when someone on her team is brutally murdered she needs someone she can trust to work out what happened and why, Jack being the obvious candidate. She tracks him down and the mission rekindles their previous relationship as they take on the bad guys, set in a modern world where data farms are the new big thing and not everyone is on the right side. It’s full of action, as always with Reacher, but there’s some great human interaction as well and is less one dimensional than some in the series. King’s Ransom by Matthew Reilly. This is the second in a new series featuring an autistic detective, Sam Speedman, who is called on to help with a case when the world’s richest man and some of his family are kidnapped in New York and the kidnappers demand that five of America’s…

The summer season is over for another year in the US, and tourism in Hawaii has seen a noticeable decline. Visitor numbers are down, and there's less flights in and out of the region, according to new reports. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton was recently there, but she cited a weakening dollar and growing political discontent in America. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, partner at Freebairn and Hehir Liam Hehir and journalist and TV producer Irene Gardiner joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! We've got one week of the election campaign left to go - but is is too negative? What have we made of the campaigning across the board? Winston Peters said people are sick and tired of it and that this campaign has been among the worst he's seen. Is he right? How do we see the election playing out? What are our predictions? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 1 November. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your brain and your gut communicate with each other all the time, and certain emotions can impact how your body feels. Often, when people experience gut symptoms like diarrhoea or constipation, they attribute them to gut problems rather than to stress or the nervous system. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained this process further - and revealed some techniques to address stress. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coddled eggs with beans and meatballs Cook time: 25 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6 250gm beef mince 150gm pork mince ¼ pumpkin, grated 2 tsp Dijon mustard 400gm tin whole peeled tomatoes 400gm tin chickpeas in spring water, drained 400gm tin white haricot beans, drained 1 onion, finely diced 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped 3 tbsp chopped fresh thyme 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 4 eggs 1 tbsp sunflower oil 5-6 sprigs sage (optional) Salt and black pepper Preheat the oven to 180*C. Mix the mince, mustard, pumpkin and 1 tbsp fresh thyme in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Roll the mix into golf sized balls. Heat a little oil in a cast-iron frying pan and shallow fry the meatballs, just enough to colour the outside. Set aside. Now add a little more oil to the pan and sauté the onion, garlic and remaining thyme. Add the tomatoes, beans and Worcestershire sauce, cook for one minute. Pour this mix into a large baking dish (about 50cm square). Place the meatballs into the tray then gently crack the…

Good news if you like taking a hot bath as new research, published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology I, investigated how our blood vessels respond to heat compared with exercise. Researchers recruited 25 adults aged between 45 and 70, with an average age of 59 who were all classified as overweight or obese and were relatively physically inactive. Each volunteer took part in two different experiments. In the first experiment, participants sat in a hot 40°C bath for 30 minutes. In the second experiment, the same people spent 30 minutes cycling on a stationary exercise bike at a moderate intensity, working at around 60–70 percent of their maximum heart rate. The scientists measured their heart rates, core body temperatures and blood pressure before and during the experiments and had the volunteers swallow tiny electronic temperature sensors that transmitted readings from inside their bodies. The researchers used optical coherence tomography which allowed them to examine microscopic blood vessels in…

Director Lance Oppenheim's newest project is set to examine the impact of one of the most infamous reality shows out there. To Catch a Predator ran from 2004 to 2007, and the series and host Chris Hansen are back under scrutiny in Primetime, a new film starring Robert Pattinson. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite some tough economic conditions impacting the hospitality sector, one big industry success story is set to hit a milestone. Tala, the famed Samoan restaurant, celebrates three years in business this Tuesday, and it's accomplished a lot over those years. Bookings are up, wait-lists are growing, and demand has only surged since Tala became the world’s first Michelin-starred Samoan restaurant earlier this year. Chef Henry Onesemo says he's very thankful for the restaurant's success. "It's huge, we are super grateful for where we're at. We opened in the middle of a recession, and then just to see it grow incrementally within the last three years has been a testament to the community." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's revealed it was behind a complaint to the Electoral Commission, regarding Harry Mowbray's Split the Vote website. Mowbray's taken the website down after the Commission started looking into a potential advertising breach - and National says this is a deliberate attempt to confuse voters in a very close election. Newstalk ZB political reporter Azaria Howell says the issue of vote splitting is causing tensions among the right bloc, especially given the state of the polls. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent polling predicts a tight race in the US midterm elections next week, and there's a lot at stake for President Donald Trump. Both the House and Senate are currently controlled by the Republicans, and the fate of Trump's final two years in office could rest on the outcome. US political analyst Dan Schnur says it's likely the Democrats will take at least one of them, and that could have consequences for Trump. "Historically in the US, the party that does not hold the presidency easily does much better in those midterm elections than the President's party." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With less than a week until New Zealanders have their say at the polls, our political leaders have become remarkably good at telling us who they won’t work with. Christopher Luxon has ruled out Labour, the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and The Opportunity Party. Chris Hipkins has ruled out National, ACT and New Zealand First. David Seymour has drawn his own line against the left, but would consider Opportunity. Winston Peters has made it abundantly clear that Labour and Opportunity aren’t on his Christmas card list. The Greens, meanwhile, have kept their options open, although their preference for a change of Government is hardly a secret. And then there’s The Opportunity Party, led by Qiulae Wong, which has pitched itself as willing to negotiate across the political spectrum - albeit with serious reservations about serving in a Government with Peters as Foreign Minister. Welcome to MMP: the electoral system in which everybody wants the numbers, but not necessarily the people and parties that come with them. The two…

Film director Travis Knight and his studio Laika have built up a name for themselves in the world of stop-motion animation, but his newest project is his most ambitious one yet. Wildwood is in theatres now, after 16 years in development - and it took 6 years of filming, 233 handmade puppets and over a thousand artists to get it all done. There's already plenty of Oscar buzz around this project, with early speculation claiming it could take home the prize for Best Animated Feature. Travis Knight says it was 'bittersweet' getting this wrapped up. "Now we're finally sharing this thing that we've been working on for years with the rest of the world and I'm really thrilled by the response so far." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oscar-winning actor Ke Huy Quan's had a memorable Hollywood career, but there's more to his story than the fame and accolades. He got his start as a child actor, having starred in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Goonies - but he took a hiatus after he couldn't find any new roles in his 20s. Two decades later, he made a big professional comeback and won an Oscar for his role in the hit film Everything Everywhere All at Once. But before his big film career, he was a refugee escaping a war-torn Vietnam, and he's exploring that part of his life in his new memoir Never Say Die. "I never thought I would have the courage to write this book, but I'm really glad I did." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

London Station by David McCloskey. This is the fourth book in his series about Artemis Aphrodite Procter, a CIA operative who’s a bit of a maverick and does things by her own rules. The author used to work at the CIA and clearly knows his way around and some of the background in the stories is fascinating. In this new one, Artemis has been (reluctantly) appointed as the Chief of the CIA London’s station just as the American administration wants to cut ties with their UK counterparts and diplomatic change is in the air. This is as good as the previous titles. Peck & Peck by Bonnie Garmus – who wrote the brilliant Lessons in Chemistry which has now been loved by thousands of readers. This is her first book since, about a young man who gets a job at the most prestigious, secretive and dysfunctional poetry journal in the world: the renowned Peck & Peck. Batter Gray (named after his mother’s dog) is an unusual individual who ends up working for an even more unusual business. It’s quirky and clever. LISTEN ABOVE…

Three years after the devastating fires tore through the village of Lahaina, Megan Singleton visited the seaside town as part of her day in Maui. Officials have been working to rebuild residential homes, and it's expected more new businesses will be opening in 2028. Amid the ongoing recovery efforts, Megan shared what Maui has to offer - read more about her experience here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB Wellington mornings host Nick Mills and Resident Economist at Opes Partners Ed McKnight joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Enrolments are due to close tonight, with early voting beginning on Monday. 92 percent of eligible Kiwis are enrolled, but only 69 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds are enrolled. Do we think officials have done enough to get people enrolled? How could they reach more people? JetBlue has teamed up with Virgin Voyages to launch a child-free holiday package made exclusively for travellers over 18. Do we see this catching on? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 25 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neurowellness is an emerging health and wellness framework aimed at regulating the autonomic nervous system. New data indicates anxiety and mental health problems are on the rise, with Gallup’s 2025 global survey of 144 countries finding that 40 percent of people are reporting high anxiety on any given day. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara unpacked the phenomenon further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roasted pineapple and lime custard layered meringue Cook time: 30-40 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6 1/2 fresh pineapple 1 tsp sunflower oil 1 tbsp dark brown sugar Lime leaf custard 200ml milk 300ml cream 6 makrut leaves, lightly crushed 1 vanilla pod, scraped and seeds discarded 5 egg yolks 100gm sugar Brown sugar meringue 125ml egg whites (approx. 4-5 eggs) 250gm soft brown sugar Soft cream if required Preheat oven to 180*C. Using a sharp knife, slice skin off pineapple. Cut pineapple in half length ways and remove core. Slice each half thinly. Lightly oil a roasting tray and lay out pineapple pieces in a single layer. Sprinkle with sugar and roast for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. For the custard Place milk and cream in a heavy-based saucepan with vanilla pod and makrut lime leaves. Heat to boiling then remove from heat. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until light and creamy. Slowly whisk in hot milk and cream. Place in a clean saucepan and stir over a low…

Could blocking out noise during surgery stop you from feeling sick afterwards? If you've ever had surgery under general anaesthetic, you might remember waking up feeling nauseous, dizzy or desperately wanting to vomit. It's a surprisingly common side effect of anaesthesia, and despite doctors routinely giving patients medications to prevent it, many people still experience it. A new clinical trial suggests that simply covering patients' ears during surgery could significantly reduce their chances of feeling sick afterwards. The research, presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual conference in San Diego, raises an intriguing question about how much information our brains continue to process when we're under general anaesthetic. The researchers recruited 192 adults aged between 18 and 65 who were undergoing keyhole surgery and randomly divided them into two groups. The first group underwent surgery as normal, receiving standard general anaesthesia and medications to help prevent nausea. The second group…

New data has revealed only 4 percent of music streamed in New Zealand over the 2025-2026 timeframe was made by Kiwi artists. Despite revenue being up, it's harder for Kiwi musicians to earn their share, with more people gravitating towards international artists. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall says the streaming share for Kiwi artists has dropped over 28 percent over the last 5 years, despite the growing number of homegrown acts bringing crowds to their shows. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrity Michelin star chef Josh Emett was appointed Air New Zealand's culinary ambassador earlier in the year - and his new menu officially launched today. Emett’s dishes will be available as part of some Premium Economy and Business Premier long haul services out of Auckland and North America. He says this Kiwi-inspired menu has been in the works for the last six months. "First and foremost, you've just got to create delicious food - that is consistent and that definitely has a point of interest. We've dialled into great Kiwi ingredients, we've got a gorgeous venison dish with golden kumara chutney and then we spice the beetroot with kawakawa." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gangs remain a contentious topic during this election campaign, following another week of high-profile incidents. Labour's Kerrin Leoni has resigned after a video emerged of her campaigning at a whanau event, with gang members present. A photo recently emerged of National's Tama Potaka standing next to patched members of the Mongrel Mob., prompting Labour's Chris Hipkins to accuse Luxon of 'double standards'. Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says these events have slowed down Labour's political momentum, and the damage has been done. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a new treatment aimed at reducing melanoma, and it's seeing positive developments. An mRNA-based melanoma vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of death or cancer coming back among patients by 42 percent. The vaccine has undergone a phase III trial, led by experts in Australia and New Zealand. Kiwi oncologist Dr Gareth Rivalland led the New Zealand part of the research, and he says this is the first treatment that's added to existing immunotherapy methods - with a significant jump in benefits. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's hope for a last minute rush tonight, as a significant number of Kiwis still aren't enrolled to vote in the election yet. The deadline to enrol to vote is midnight tonight, with voting starting from Monday until election day on November 7. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says they're hoping 100 percent of eligible people will enrol to vote. "We want to see that rise, and we're getting a lot of enrolment transactions coming through at the moment - so we know it'll keep going up." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you were feeling a little election fatigue before this week, you may now be reaching for the remote, the mute button and possibly something stronger than a cup of tea. We’ve had the policies, the debates, voting strategies and enough political point-scoring to qualify as an Olympic sport. Voters have listened patiently to arguments about the cost of living, health, education and the economy. All important stuff, of course. But even the most devoted political tragic can only take so many announcements before wondering whether anyone has actually come to fix anything. Then along comes the gangs controversy. Suddenly, the campaign had a fresh lease of life - although not the sort any party leader, or voter, wanted. Photographs of Green and Te Pāti Māori politicians at a Mongrel Mob gathering sparked fierce criticism. Labour leader Chris Hipkins condemned their judgement and ruled those parties out of police and corrections portfolios in a potential Government. Then Labour candidate Kerrin Leoni appeared in…

Irish actor Ciaran Hinds has spent five decades in the film industry, including distinctive roles in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, There Will Be Blood, Munich and Game of Thrones. His latest project, The Three Urns, will be available for Kiwi audiences too check out soon - as part of the upcoming British and Irish Film Festival. He says the film follows the story of a man on a mission, but there's some extra details that won't surface until the end. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taika Waititi is well-regarded as one of New Zealand's most successful directors - and he's got a new project in the works. He's known for directing films like Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit, Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows, but the new sci-fi film Klara and the Sun promises to show fans a different experience. He says he didn't feel the need to 'Taika' this project up too much, and add as many jokes as he's used to using. "Cause it's a really beautiful story, it's kind of bittersweet as well, and I want to retain all that and not make it a super silly film." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer. Sadly, this is his last work of fiction but is a great way to end an extraordinary career. Many readers will recall Kane & Abel which is considered by many to be amongst his finest work - and lovers of that will love this one. It begins on Armistice Day, 1918, when two very different children are born. One is the daughter of an Earl, the other the son of a shepherd who works on the Earl's estate. Despite their different circumstances they form an extraordinary bond and on a September night in 1940 as Hitler prepares to invade Britain, their actions will change his mind. Inter Alia by Suzie Miller. She wrote a wonderful play, and novel, called Prima Facie which was a legal story as is this. Jessica is a judge in London. Her husband resents that she’s been appointed to the bench when he hasn’t, and hey have a teenage son with social issues about whom they worry. They’re thrilled when he’s invited to a party, but things don’t go as planned and in the weeks and months afterwards,…

Travel expert Megan Singleton's on her latest adventure to Hawaii, and she's noticed it's still busy in the off-season. She took a look at the Pearl Harbour memorial ahead of the infamous bombing's 85th anniversary, and experienced a sunset harbour cruise. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and editor, Jo McCarroll, and Director at 818, Chris Henry, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Do we know who we're going to vote for yet? Early voting opens next week - are we ready for it? What do we need to see in the coming days? The Taxpayers' Union recently released a controversial attack ad directed at Labour - and made with AI. Do we think this is fair campaigning? What's with the supermarket chicken bags being sold on eBay? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 18 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The spring season is well underway, which means there's more pollen in the air. Spring hay fever (allergic rhinitis) affects about 20 percent of New Zealanders, with symptoms typically peaking between September and November. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explained why these conditions are more likely to impact some people, and how they can work around it all. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring risotto with peas, rocket and asparagus Cook time: 30 minutes Prep time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 600ml vegetable stock 1 onion, finely chopped 4 cloves garlic, crushed 1/2 white wine 3 Tbsp sunflower oil 250 gm Arborio rice 100 gm butter 1/2 cup finely grated fresh Parmesan 1 cup fresh peas 1 bunch asparagus 2 small leeks 1/2 cup chopped fresh rocket Shaved parmesan to serve Blanch the peas, leeks and asparagus in some lightly salted boiling water and refresh in an ice bath. Drain and aside. Next, make the risotto. Start by frying the onions and the garlic together in a large frying pan with the sunflower oil. Add the rice and toast on high for 5 minutes while stirring with a wooden spoon, we are looking for a toasty brown color. Turn the pan down and add the wine and reduce fully. Gradually add the hot stock, a little at a time until the rice is al dente. Turn of the heat and stir in the butter and the grated Parmesan. Add the blanched peas, aparagus, leeks and the rocket and stir to combine. Serve with…

If you've ever spent hours memorising vocabulary and grammar in a new language, only to find yourself completely lost when a native speaker starts talking, your ears might be part of the problem. New research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggests that people who are better at detecting tiny differences between sounds may have an advantage when learning a new language. The challenge is that our brains spend years learning which sounds matter in our native language. We become so good at recognising familiar sounds that we struggle to distinguish unfamiliar ones. For example, Cantonese speakers learning English may find it difficult to distinguish certain vowels, such as the sounds in cat and bed. It's not that their hearing is worse, but that their brains have learned to organise sounds differently. To investigate this, researchers studied Japanese learners of English and tested how accurately they could distinguish subtle differences in sounds. Rather than just playing English words,…

There's plenty of new streaming shows for TV fans to get into, and Steve Newall outlined his picks for the week. Small Prophets is a short form comedy series that's been available in the UK for a few months, and it recently made its debut on Apple TV. Crystal Lake is a horror series available on Neon, and it follows the origin story of horror icon Jason Voorhees. Entertainment correspondent Steve Newall explained further. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After months of hype and excitement, Olivia Dean's sold-out concert took place at the new Western Springs Bowl - but it wasn't without some issues. Three songs in, the concert was stalled for 40 minutes following some technical issues. Newstalk ZB host Andrew Dickens says it was an 'amazing' experience with a huge crowd of fans, ignoring the technical troubles. "I think the system had some computer glitch to it, I think they had to reload and reset everything computerised. I know a lot of people have said - well, we don't know what happened there." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Greens say their trades policy will end up providing a boost to the local economy. If elected, the party will abolish the training wage, and introduce a $2000 equipment grant to help cover tools, uniforms and course materials. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says this is in contrast to ACT's plan to reduce the training wage and freeze the minimum wage. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A dominant first half has earned the All Blacks a 43-21 victory in the second test against the Wallabies in Sydney. The visitors carried a 36-7 lead into the break as an improved second half from Australia just wasn't enough. Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says it was a match of 'two halves' and the Australian side could have taken the lead in the right circumstances. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GPs hope a $400-million-dollar political pledge results in more competitive pay packets. The ACT Party is promising the funding boost if elected, which is designed to help practices offer competitive remuneration and retain staff. It's worth about six percent of GPs budgets. Royal College of General Practitioners President Dr Luke Bradford says it shines a light on the issues they face right now. "It's an absolute privilege, looking after people all the way through their life course, and their whole families. But it is a hard sell when, on average, there's a $100,000-per-year pay difference between GPs and hospital doctors." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is about now in an election campaign when you start weighing up the benefits of a 4-year term, right? Attack ads? Tick. Scare tactics? Tick. MPs in a Gang furore? Tick. The release of basic, sensible and unspectacular policies? Tick. Debates in which no one shines? Tick. It’s hardly been an inspirational election campaign has it. Too many familiar faces with the same unconvincing rhetoric. Do we really want to do this again in another three years? It feels too soon. Earlier this year, the Government scrapped plans to put a four-year Parliamentary term to a referendum. And there are undoubtedly legitimate concerns over a longer term leading to less constraints on power, less accountability, a need for stronger checks and balances within Government, and our wavering trust in politicians. But if a referendum was being held on November 7th, I’m sure many would be attracted by the chance to avoid, for an additional year, having to go through another dispiriting election campaign like this one. Made worse by…

Kiwi comedian, actress and director Alice Snedden has relocated to the UK, and she's got a new project for fans to stream on Neon. Snedden's best known for the BBC show Starstruck, as well as the likes of Funny Girls, Jono and Ben, Educators and Taskmaster NZ. She says she always goes back to creating things she's going to have good time on, and her new show, Break Clause, has a relatable premise. "If you're a young couple - even living just the two of them together is pretty aspirational, the idea that they could sustain a place on their own or anything like that is absurd." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Psychologist John Aiken is best known for matchmaking and advising the contestants on Married at First Sight - but he's got a new project lined up. Lessons on Living is a three-part series inspired by the late Nigel Latta, with the original book being released last year on the day he died. John Aiken explained that he's carrying on the conversation Nigel started, and it's very different to what he's used to. "It was a chance to really deep dive on some of the key elements to building resilience, and doing it by interviewing really powerful Kiwis, and also doing experiments and also getting to know Nigel's nearest and dearest." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's all sorts of new and exciting ideas happening in the world of travel - and even New Zealand-made developments are getting credit. BloggerAtLarge.com writer Megan Singleton explored the benefits and opportunities that come with bigger projects like Etihad Rail and Viking's new hybrid hydrogen powered cruise ship. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee. She wrote the wonderful book Pachinko some years ago and this is another masterpiece. John Koh is a South Korean businessman who’s badly betrayed by his boss and struggles to find another job, in the midst of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He’s most concerned about the future of his kids, and the family move from Seoul to Sydney and then to Los Angeles looking for the good opportunities which never come. The next generation get involved in a hagwon, which is essentially a cramming school for students – but unlike the typical hagwon which is entirely driven by the desperate need for academic success, they’re more interested in developing well rounded and less stressed students. Partita by Barbara Kingsolver. Author of the equally brilliant The Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead amongst others. Lydia Bohusz is a young, naïve, supremely gifted pianist who leaves Appalachia for college where her prodigious musicality promises a brilliant future - until an affair and its…

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist Simon Wilson and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New data shows over a third of young Kiwis are not enrolled to vote - two weeks ahead of enrolment closing. Are we doing enough to engage young people? How important is it that we get young people enrolled and voting? Do we think the law change to stop election day enrolments will have an impact on this election? National has recently announced they'll be campaigning on students being required to stay at school until they complete year 11, rather than being able to leave when they turn 16. It also wants more uniform school start and finish dates. Do we think this is a good idea? Do we see this working for voters? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 11 October, MAFS relationship expert John Aiken has taken on a new challenge. He joins Francesca to talk about bringing the last work of Nigel Latta to life in new tv show 'Lessons on Living'. Kiwi director, comedian and writer Alice Snedden is back with a new show 'Break Clause'. Alice joins Francesca to share what it's like trying to make a name for yourself in the UK tv industry. Francesca questions US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's decision to livestream an execution. With two weeks until enrolments close, more than a third of young people are still no enrolled. On a Roll is a youth led campaign to get young people enrolled, volunteer Adriana Bird lets us know why that demographic is slow to enrol and what could be done to get them more engaged in politics. And Michelle Dickinson shares why joint exercise might just be the key to a happier marriage. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on…