Afternoons for Tuesday 8 July 2025

 

1:10 Why are our university bookshops closing?

Last week it was announced the University of Auckland's campus bookshop, UBIQ, will close. 

In 2023 the Victoria University shop Vic Books also closed after nearly 50 years in business. 

Not only do these stores help stock students with textbooks, but they can also act as social hubs on campus. 

So, what are students missing out on without a bookshop on campus? And do we need to do more to support booksellers? 

1:20 What you need to do to be considered "cool".

What do David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, Keanu Reeves have in common? 

They are - by almost anyone's standards - "cool". 

A new psychology study has been making the rounds, and it tries to get to the bottom of a simple question: What does it mean to be a cool person? 

The authors whittled the answer down to six specific traits. 

Caleb Warren is a professor at the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, and one of the authors behind this study, he chats to Jesse.

1:35 New insights into the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

In July 1985, French secret service agents planted two bombs on Greenpeace's flagship Rainbow Warrior resulting in one man's death and the sinking the ship, It's a pivotal moment in New Zealand's history. 

A new podcast from Bird of Paradise Productions offers new insights into how high up the conspiracy went in France and talks to one of the bombers about how the operation unfolded.

Co-creator Noelle McCarthy talks to Jesse. 

1:45 Podcast Tuesday: Stories from big game safaris

The "This is Africa" podcast sells itself as a place where thrilling hunting tales, heart pounding safari adventures and raw wilderness stories collide. 

Evie Ashton has been listening and agrees it's absolutely not for the faint hearted.

She tells Jesse about the podcast and Stories of Iceland. 

2:10 Diving into the new sub-genre of Cosy Fantasy books

No grit, no gore, just a warm feeling of enjoyment and escape, cosy fantasy is the new sub-genre in the world of books.

Catherine Robertson shared details with Jesse along with her latest reading recommendations:

Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch (Hachette)
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood (Pan Macmillan)
The Unquiet Grave by Dervla McTiernan (Harper Collins)

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster - the latest on the Mushroom Murder Trial

The Mushroom Murder trial is the crime story everyone is talking about, to find out what the latest is from Australia, Brad Foster chats to Jesse.

2:30 Music feature: Nick Cave 

For this week's music feature we are delving into the world of Nick Cave. 

Paul Kennedy is the director of data and analysis for Recorded Music NZ. He's been managing the Aotearoa Music Charts for over 20 years and tells Jesse what he loves about Nick Cave. 

3:10 Why spirituality shouldn't be dismissed as unscientific. 

Depression, anxiety, and stress are hitting teens and adults harder than ever.  But part of the answer is something many overlook or dismiss as unscientific says Dr. Lisa Miller.

Spirituality.

A psychologist at Columbia University and author of The Spiritual Child and The Awakened Brain, Dr. Miller tells Jesse she uses research to show that spirituality isn’t just a belief system, it’s a measurable force that shapes how we think, feel, and cope.  

3:30 Spoken Feature: Back to the Future is 40!

Forty years ago the film Back to the Future was released, it became one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters, but as the BBC's Witness History's Josephine McDermott explains, it wasn't the smoothest road to success.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.