The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and senior PR consultant at One Plus One Communications, Damien Venuto, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! As St John ambulance staff keep striking, more people are wondering why the service isn't fully funded by the Government. Does this need to change?  New research has revealed Kiwis are divided...

New research has found strength training may be the key to living a longer, healthier life. Strength training can benefit anyone and help people fight off the impacts of s arcopenia - and the associated health issues.  Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara unveils her recommended strength training techniques for people of all ages.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 25th of August 2024, new research has revealed microplastics  have infiltrated human brain tissue to a 'concerning' degree. Expert Dr Joel Rindelaub explained the harm this could do. Kiwi actress and comedian Madeleine Sami has had a busy few months - but she found time to chat to Francesca about her latest acting projects. T...

Creamy Harissa Chicken Bake  Serves - 4   8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs   1 cup chicken stock   1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) potatoes – peeled   50 g (1¾ oz) butter    2 cups frozen peas – defrosted   100 g (3½ oz) feta – crumbled   1 cup chopped Italian parsley   Crusty garlic bread   Harissa Marinade  1 cup cream   ½ cup harissa paste   ¼ cup lemon juice    3 garlic cloves – minced   Preheat the oven...

For decades, the Kennedys were held in high regard, with the family name being synonymous with wealth, power and integrity. However, author Maureen Callahan has exposed the hidden dark side between one of America's most powerful families in her new book Ask Not: The Kennedys and the Women They Destroyed. The book unveiled stories of sexual assault, abuse, exploitation and scandal - all carried out...

Next time you grab a bag of oranges at the supermarket, take a closer look at the packaging. Chances are they are in a red net bag, and it turns out this bag is not just for convenience - it’s a clever trick to make the fruit look more appealing. New research in the journal i-Perception finds that the red netting creates an optical illusion, making the oranges appear more vibrant and ripe than the...

Comedian Guy Montgomery’s popular game show has made the leap across the Tasman. The second season of Guy Montgomery’s   Guy Mont-Spelling Bee started airing on Three and ThreeNow this week - and an Australian version of the show is set to launch on ABC. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall unpacked the appeal of the series - and revealed what political figure he'd like to see make an appearance. LIST...

Kiwi acting veteran Madeleine Sami's career is running hotter than ever. The second season of her local comedy series, Double Parked , has just started airing on Three - and she's due to head to Darwin to start filming the latest season of her Logie-nominated series  Deadloch. Sami says she enjoys taking advantage of all these new opportunities. "The pandemic was really good for that - sitting bac...

The 2024 Paralympic Games are set to get underway. From Thursday August 29, 25 of New Zealand's strongest Para athletes will compete across 8 different sports for 11 days. Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Cameron Leslie says over half the Kiwi athletes have checked into the Olympic village so far. "It's been so long building up to it, it's nice to be here and be amongst the Paralympic Village...

Prime Minister Chris Luxon left a stern message to local leaders at the recent Local Government NZ conference. Luxon urged the local councils to get back to basics - and cut down on unnecessary spending. NZ Herald political editor Claire Trevett says the Prime Minister has a point, but the Government isn't immune to wasteful spending either. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

New research has revealed microplastics have infiltrated human brain tissue to a 'concerning' degree. This adds to studies finding tiny shards of plastic in critical organs - as microplastics have been found in lungs, bone marrow, blood vessels, reproductive organs, livers and kidneys, to name a few. Chemical scientist Dr Joel Rindelaub is unsurprised by this discovery. "I'm not sure if these will...

This week we saw some very clever politicking, didn’t we? I doubt there are many voters in the country who would disagree with the Prime Minister’s message to councils at the Local Government NZ Conference this week. With ongoing rates increases on the cards, many ratepayers would prefer their councils strip back spending and focus on basic services to help get spending under control. The Prime Mi...

Girl Falling  by Hayley Scrivener. She wrote a book a few years ago called  Dirt Town which fit right into the recent genre of Australian country/Outback thrillers, and I loved. In this one, Finn and her best friend Daphne have been extremely close friends all their lives, growing up in the Blue Mountains in NSW. Now that they’re older, Finn is away at university and Daphne’s working as a guide in...

Elvis fans with cash to spare can purchase access to an exclusive Graceland experience - for $6000. Launching this September, the Presley for a Day Tour will allow fans to get an exclusive look at the grounds, take guided tours and enjoy a high-end dinner with views of Graceland’s landscape. Megan Singleton from BloggerAtLarge.com explains what's on offer during this experience.  LISTEN ABOVE See...

This week on the Sunday Panel, journalist and broadcaster Wilhelmina Shrimpton a nd Chris Henry from 818 PR Agency  joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Should we be more concerned about political corruption? A new report from the Helen Clark foundation suggests the political sector needs reform, citing concerns about donations and lobbying. Do we need to add...

Research has revealed gut health is linked to brain health - and whatever boosts one can have an impact on the other. The gut communicates with the brain through the vagus nerve, the gut microbiome, and through the immune system, hormones and neurotransmitters.   Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains how to keep both organs healthy and thriving. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listen...

Mike’s Family Pie Cook time: 45 minutes Prep time: 30 minutes Serves: 6 300gm beef mince 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 onions, finely diced 1 carrots, finely cubed 6 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 cup frozen peas 1 oxo cube + 500ml hot water or 500ml beef stock 1 stick rosemary Salt and pepper 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp water to thicken 2 sheets puff pastry 1 egg, lightly beaten fo...

Feeling like you've aged 10 years in just a few months? New research published in Nature Aging might offer some insight. The study involved 108 volunteers aged between 25 and 75, who provided blood, stool, skin, oral, and nasal samples every few months over a period of up to seven years. Researchers measured levels of 135,000 different molecules, including RNA, proteins, and metabolites, as well a...

Viewers can experience the return of facehuggers, xenomorphs and the Weyland-Yutani Corporation in this new addition to the Alien universe. Alien: Romulus has entered theatres - the seventh instalment in the popular Alien franchise. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall explains whether or not this gross and gruesome sci-fi horror piece is worth checking out. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 18th of August 2024 former FBI director James Comey talks about the impact Donald Trump could have on America's justice system if he wins November's election. Wool is on the comeback - fashion designers Liz Mitchell and Jane Avery are leading the wool revolution and join Francesca to talk about why sustainable fashion is back...

The high-end fashion world has embraced wool - giving Kiwi designers a chance to utilise the steady supply of sheep in the country. Demand for wool clothing has soared in recent years, as the fashion industry gravitates towards sustainable and high quality fabrics. Next week, designers will get the chance to show off what wool has to offer in this year's WoolOn event, taking place in Otago. Kiwi d...

The All Blacks have extended their winning streak at Eden Park and beaten Argentina 42-10. The win has put fans in better spirits after last weekend's loss - and will likely put the All Blacks in a positive mindset ahead of their clash with the Springboks. Former All Black Ant Strachan says the team put more pressure on Argentina this time round. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

As food prices rise and eating healthier gets harder for Kiwi households, one celebrity chef has taken matters into his own hands. Ganesh Raj, host of Eat Well for Less  has launched the Humble Yum Yum Project - a food education course designed to educate people about good nutrition. Raj says he aims to teach people how to cook a wide range of affordable dishes to get ahead of the cost of living....

Former FBI Director James Comey has expressed concern about what a second Trump presidency could mean for the Department of Justice. Comey famously claimed he would move to New Zealand if Trump was re-elected for a second term back in 2020. Comey says Trump was a threat to the rule of law during his term in the Oval Office - and could easily make things worse. "If he got another four years, he wou...

The Government has overturned a long-running ban on gene technology outside the lab. Legislation will be introduced to Parliament this year and passed by the end of next year, ending the ban and establishing a new regulator. NZ Herald deputy political editor Thomas Coughlan says New Zealand is catching up to decades-old developments - and it's unclear how the regime will impact trade. LISTEN ABOVE...