Afternoons for Wednesday 6 August 2025

 

1:15 Sticks, Stones and words can hurt you

A major new study published in a British medical journal has found that verbal abuse in childhood can leave mental health scars as deep and long-lasting as those caused by physical abuse

 Researchers pooled data from seven relevant studies, involving over 20,000 adults from England and Wales 

While childhood physical abuse has halved in recent decades, reports of verbal abuse are on the rise the study found that roughly 20% of those born after 1969 reported childhood verbal abuse, compared to under 12% of those born before 1950.

Professor Kirsty Ross, from the School of Psychology at Massey University chats to Jesse.

1:25 How Hastings Library is turning up the heat this winter

It's still winter for a couple more weeks and it's still pretty cold but if you're in Hastings you can Turn Up the Heat at your local library.

Now in its ninth year, this adult only reading challenge is all about encouraging adults in the local community not only to read but to step outside their comfort zone and - perhaps most importantly of all - to connect.      

Kristen Clothier is the Learning & Discovery Team Leader for Hastings District Libraries and she joined Jesse.

1:35 Jane Campion's pop-up film school is making waves

A few years ago Oscar and Palme d'Or-winning Kiwi filmmaker Dame Jane Campion announced a pop-up film school called 'A Wave in the Ocean'. 

The project was supported by Netflix and ran as a 12-month intensive mentorship programme for creatives with significant film experience. 

Well now the course is reaping results - one of the short films that emerged from it has now been selected to compete at the Venice International Film Festival. 

'Lion Rock' was co-directed by Prisca Bouchet, she spoke to Jesse. 

1:45 Heading Off: Would you fancy a Disney Cruise?

Christina Persico is the bulletin editor for our sister station RNZ Pacific which broadcasts into the region. She is also a fan of cruising - Disney cruising in particular.

She has no kids but last summer went on a five-night Disney cruise and is doing another one this Christmas.

2.12 Music Critic: Satin Sheet and Half Hexagon

Critic Zac Arnold shares his music picks with Jesse:

Best Foot Work by Half Hexagon

Opus by Satin Sheet.

2:20 Easy Eats: Lamb Neck Stew

Lamb neck chops are an inexpensive and absolutely delicious cut of meat. They are rich and tender when slow cooked. 
Using the slow cooker means this meal can come together while you're at work. A quick blast in the oven at the end will give you the lovely caramelisation that oven cooking yields. Serve with kumara mash and some sautéed winter greens.

Here's the recipe.

2:30 Bookmarks with actor Stacey Leilua

Time for bookmarks, that time of the week when we get one interesting person to delve into some of their favourite things.

Actor and creative producer Stacey Leilua joins Jesse today.

Stacey has been active in the theatre scene since the early 2000s, she gained international recognition a few years ago, playing Dwayne 'The Rock" Johnson's mum Ata in the TV series "Young Rock".

Now she's back behind the scenes as the Creative Producer on the NZ Opera's upcoming show "Monster in the Maze"

3:10 "It's not just the phones": How to parent in 2025.

Puberty starts earlier, social media is everywhere, and the rise in adolescent mental health challenges is real. It's hard to be a teenager in 2025. The way we parent and teach our teens is shaped by the myths we inherit, what we did when we were teenagers and the science of brain development says Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist Matt Richtel. His new book draws on research and personal stories, offering insights into what drives teen behavior and the rising mental health crisis. Spoiler alert:  it's not just the phones. The book is called  How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.

He spoke to Jesse. 

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World: Project Tongariro and Greening Taupō Day

This week for Our Changing World, we're doing things a little differently and we catch up with Claire Concannon in person!

Claire has been out and about in the central North Island learning about a community conservation project. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.