Afternoons for Wednesday 11 December 2024

1:15 An introvert's Christmas

Christmas party season has officially begun. The country's hospitality establishments have been overtaken by a wave of office people. 

It's all smart casual, badly fitting shirts, and maybe the odd santa hat or raindeer horns.

But this isn't a joyful experience for everyone. There are thousands of introverts out there, being forced to socialise outside of their comfort zone.

1:25 Doors for Christmas

Christmas in Riverton is Tanya Colyers time to shine.

She's the Southland towns unofficial Elf, planning and hand crafting the festive cheer... 

It all started off around 2017 when she decided the town needed an Xmas tree

After two years - and 30 quiz nights - of fund-raising she finally got one.

1:35 The genetics of autism 

Professor Sarah Medland - is a world-renowned geneticist,

She specialises in the impact of genomics on human behaviour and mental health

Sarah is currently in the country as a guest of the University of Otago

Tomorrow she'll give the universities prestigious - and free to attend - Margaret Black Lecture. Her topic:  the genetics of autism.

1:45 Heading Off: Jonathan Kennett on Bikepacking

Jese talks to one of Aotearoa's cycling legends.

He's cycled up Mount Everest, along the Himalayas, and even through Lower Hutt

Jonathan is also the man behind the Tour Aotearoa. A 3,000km ride from Cape Reinga to Bluff

And the shorter 1500km Sound to Sound.... That's Marlborough to Millford.

He's also written about the bikepacking trend and how you can experience it in New Zealand

2.12 Music Critic: Romi Wrights and Miles Calder

Sarah Thomson is in the studio to talk about two new songs from some fantastic local artists. Capsized by Romi Wrights and Keeping Up by Miles Calder. 

2:20 Easy Eats with Kelly Gibney: Brined barbecued chicken breasts

Brining is the secret to succulent chicken breasts, whether you cook them on the barbecue or in the oven. Get the recipe here.

2:30 Bookmarks with Mark Gregory

Today we're joined by celebrity chef Mark Gregory. Mark has won numerous accolades over the years.

He became the first New Zealander to earn the Master of Culinary Arts from the Royal Academy. He was named New Zealand Chef of the year and British chef of the year in the late 80s

He's appeared on cooking show such as Ready Steady Cook and the BBC's Good Food Show and cooked for royals, presidents, sports legends and movie stars.

Recently, Mark has released a cookbook...'Christmas at the Castle' where he shares a collection of Christmas recipes, gifts ideas and family games.

3:10 Feature interview: flipping script on climate change

Most of the time, when we talk about climate change, we talk about the consequences of getting it wrong. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson wants to flip the script and ask what would happen if we succeed in averting environmental disaster? Dr Johnson is a marine biologist and policy expert who approaches the work to address the climate crisis with wonder and joy that's different from blind hope and optimism. In her new book she asks readers to imagine a future where nature is thriving because we're applying the climate solutions we already have at our disposal. The book is called What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman and producer Sam Hollis join Jesse to preview tonight's episode of The Panel.