Jim Mora
How forcing a smile can help improve your mood
Moving your facial muscles in a way that mimics a smile can trick your brain into a more positive state, according to a new study. Lead researcher Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos says that even though the… Audio
Pinocchio: The No 1 hit that was never meant to be
Country singer Maria Dallas is perhaps best known for 'Tumblin' Down', but it was her track 'Pinocchio' that became a number one hit. June Fraser was one of three co-writers for the song, but she… Video, Audio
The strange effects the moon could be having on our health
The idea that the lunar cycle can influence our behaviour and wellbeing dates back thousands of years. In her new book, The Human Cosmos, science writer Jo Marchant re-examines the effects that the… Audio
Mick Fanning: From shark attack victim to shark advocate
Mick Fanning will forever be known as the man who fought off a great white shark while competing on live TV at Jeffreys Bay in 2015. Now, the Australian sporting icon is conquering his fear of sharks… Audio
Mediawatch for September 3 2020
A closer look at a 'good news' survey; doing less with more in post-Covid journalism; foreign reporters leaving China. Audio
The Weekend Panel with Jane Clifton & Richard Harman
Among the topics today, our panelists will be discussing the Mount Roskill sub-cluster, Matariki as a possible public holiday, Billy Te Kahika keeping koha under the bed, and the outrage over the… Audio
The downsides of dating apps
Kiwis have increasingly been turning to dating apps and websites to find love. But the chances of finding a match online are abysmally low, especially for men. And there are other downsides to… Audio
Calling Home: Rachel Scott-Leflaive in Beirut, Lebanon
Rachel Scott-Leflaive's permanent home is in the idyllic ski area of Chamonix, France, but following the devastating blast in Beirut last month she has been deployed to Lebanon where she is working… Audio
Hungry kids at the top of Kiwis' list of concerns, survey shows
Last week a UNICEF Report showed New Zealand ranked poorly for its performance in terms of children's wellbeing. Research NZ gauged the level of concern the public has with some of the key wellbeing… Audio
Breastfeeding hormone makes new fathers better dads
A major new study out of the University of Otago shows that fathers of newborn babies can be forgiven for feeling a little hormonal. It turns out that they are being flooded by the same chemical as a… Audio
Jenene Crossan: Six months of life with Covid-19
Entrepreneur Jenene Crossan became number 37 on the list of confirmed coronavirus cases in this country back in March, but she is still suffering from associated health issues - not to mention dealing… Audio
Niki Caro: Female-driven Mulan an industry game-changer
One of the most anticipated movies of 2020, Mulan was shot on location in NZ, with a cast that included 17 Kiwis and a crew that was 90percent local. And, of course, the director was also a Kiwi, Niki… Audio
Savage: new film depicts brutality of New Zealand gang life
New local film Savage follows Danny (Jake Ryan) across three decades of his life, trying to understand the boy who eventually becomes the brutal enforcer of a gang. Porirua-raised writer and director… Video, Audio
The Vikings' hostile world view explained in new book
Professor Neil Price's new history of the Vikings, The Children of Ash and Elm takes readers deep into the lives - and deaths - of the Vikings. Audio
Is there any science behind the Sirtfood Diet fad?
Following recent photos of the dramatic weight-loss transformation by pop star Adele the Sirtfood Diet has become a hot topic. But what's the catch? Sarah Hanrahan from the NZ Nutrition Foundation… Audio
My Current Song: Reiki Ruawai - 'Miller'
Raglan-based musician Reiki Ruawai has been playing alongside father Brian in the iconic roots-reggae band Cornerstone Roots for many years, but his new single 'Miller' marks his solo debut. Audio
The septuagenarian women who love to pump iron
Australian fitness trainer Dean Mawby didn't set out to specialise in working with older bodies, but somehow the age of clients has risen over the years – 70 percent are now over 60. Video, Audio
The Weekend Panel with Jane Clifton & Richard Harman
Among the topics today, they panelists discuss Father's Day, the wearing of masks, proposed trans-Tasman flights, the controversial Green School and Retail NZ's warning that 10,000 businesses are at… Audio
Why working from home is disrupting your sleep patterns
The idea is great in principle, but there are downsides to working from home, including the fact that less clear boundaries between work time and personal time affect our sleep patterns. Dr Jennifer… Audio
The global pandemic is depleting your 'surge capacity'
Humans can draw on their 'surge capacity' for short-term survival in stressful situations. But when the disaster stretches out indefinitely - like the Covid-19 pandemic - your surge capacity can get… Audio