Sunday Morning for Sunday 7 July 2024

8:10 A burned-out writer, 12 sheep, and 12 life lessons 

John Connell was an investigative journalist, documentary maker and author of multiple bestsellers - notably his memoir, The Cow Book - when the creative well ran dry.  Fighting to find purpose and shake a bone-deep malaise, Connell returned to the land he grew up on – Ireland's midlands - and a humble beast, the sheep.  

His year as a shepherd to a dozen Suffolk crosses delivered 12 life lessons which he imparts in 12 essays in his latest book: Twelve Sheep: Life Lessons From A Lambing Season. 

8:30 Wild Thang: The World's Ugliest Dog 

The World's Ugliest Dog competition has been held for nearly 50 years and according to its website "celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique". 

The winner this year is an eight-year-old Pekingese called Wild Thang. 

Wild Thang's human companion, Ann Lewis joins us from Coos Bay, Oregon. 

8:40 Model Strangers: Virtual people watching 

Most of us will have enjoyed 'people watching' at some point - as we waited for a bus or sipped a cuppa in a cafe - wondering about strangers who walk past - where they've been, where they're going and what their story is.  

There's now an almost virtual version of this proving popular on social media - with one of the most popular being Model Strangers on Instagram.  

Belfast based Street photographer Chris Ward attracted 800k followers by simply walking up to people and asking to take their photograph. Chris Ward joins us from Paris. 

9:10 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch looks at the end of Newshub - and the launch of the new 6pm bulletin this weekend on the TV channel Three, made by a media company that’s never been a broadcaster before. Also - what do people want from the 6pm TV news these days anyway? 

9:35 England through to the Euro semi-finals 

BBC commentator Henry Moeran is absolutely ecstatic - England has made it through to the Euro 2024 semi-finals, beating Switzerland on penalties after a 1-1 draw in extra time.

9:45 Kris Edwards – The Cerebral Palsy Podcast 

Kris Edwards has been working in Commercial Radio for 37 years. He also has Cerebral Palsy. 

Now, at 55 years old, he is turning his broadcasting skills to his community; giving those with Cerebral Palsy (CP) a voice they rarely have. The Cerebral Palsy Podcast seeks to normalise discussions about disability and highlight the incredible people who live with CP. 

10:10 How to get the most from your doctor appointment

You only get 15 minutes at the GP, so how do you make the most of it? Write a list, save up your ailments, do a quick Google beforehand?  We speak to GP, medical educator, and writer Dr Lucy O'Hagan to find out how to get the most out of your doctor appointment.  

10:40 Iva Davies: From oboe player to punk-rock legend 

Icehouse is one of Australia’s best-known and beloved rock bands. Its front-man Iva Davies – a former principal oboist in the ABC orchestra – has been there every step of the way, from the punk-inspired covers band of the 70s through to its era of chart-topping original singles in the 80s.  

Close to 50 years later, the group is still playing, and will be in New Zealand next year with The Big Five-O Cold Chisel anniversary tour.  

11:10 Hannah McQueen: Money matters  

Self-described “financial force of nature,” Hannah McQueen is a chartered accountant and founder of financial literacy company Enable Me. 

Her latest book, Kill Your Mortgage & Sort Your Retirement promises to do just that. Text in your financial related questions to 2101. 

11:40 Calling Home: Grace Palmer from Vancouver 

Calling Home this week is Grace Palmer. The Kiwi actor is currently living in Vancouver filming on the set of Fox TV's #1 sitcom ‘Animal Control’. Palmer plays the character Victoria in the series – now filming its third season – who is described as a bit of partier with a distinct Kiwi accent.