Sunday Morning for Sunday 18 May 2025

8:10 Al Gillespie: Are we headed for World War 3? 

With the 80th Anniversary Commemorations of the end of World War II fresh in our minds, a new YouGov survey conducted in Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain shows that between 41% and 55% in each country think that another world war is likely to occur within the next 5-10 years. 

Waikato University's International Law professor Alexander Gillespie joins Jim to assess the prospect of another global conflict. 

8:25 The Sunday Morning Quiz 

Quiz master Jack Waley-Cohen is back with his Sunday Morning quiz.    

Jack is the mind behind the questions on BBC's infamous quiz show Only Connect, known for being both hard — and at the same time totally obvious.     

Wake up your brain and have a go! 

8:35 What your emoji usage reveals about your personality 

Emojis have become ubiquitous in digital communication, but the emojis we choose – and how often we use them – can reveal more about ourselves than previously thought.  

A study done by researchers at Oklahoma State University has linked emoji usage to key personality traits, including those in the so-called Dark Triad: psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism. Professor of Psychology Shelia Kennison joins the show to tell us more about the study. 

9:10 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch looks at the coverage of the political outcry sparked by the sudden change to legislation for pay equity claims - and how one word in one newspaper column shifted the debate. Also - AI at the BBC: how the world’s biggest broadcaster is using AI to boost its news. 

9:40 Andrew Hamilton: Jokes about the time I went to prison  

In 2021, Andrew Hamilton spent four months in two of Sydney’s maximum-security prisons for the supply of psychedelic drugs. Because of it, he’s now a stand-up comic.  

Andrew says while he was in prison he noticed a joke could make him forget he was there. It also gave him plenty of material for his routine. Andrew was nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2023. He’s now bringing his show to New Zealand and talks to Jim about how comedy helped him turn his life around. 

10:10 The New Zealander behind some of Eurovision’s best hairstyles 

Four times NZ Hairdresser of the Year, Michael Beel, is swapping working in his regular Lower Hutt/Wellington Salute Salon, for a stint with the creative team behind the scenes of the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. 

Jim caught up with him before the Grand Finale to get a taste of what’s involved. 

10:25 Henry Alford: I Dream of Joni  

Joni Mitchell is arguably one of the most influential musicians and songwriters of the late 20th century. In his latest book I Dream of Joni, author and journalist for The New Yorker, Henry Alford traverses Mitchell’s life in 53 essays. He joins Jim to talk about her legacy, wit, and contradictions. 

11:10 Do peptides give your skin a little pep? 

Peptides are currently skincare’s ingredient of the day, but what are they and do they actually give skin a boost? Cosmetic chemist and host of the podcast  The Beauty Brains joins Jim to discuss the hype around the product. She also explains why it’s important to shampoo your hair. 

11:30 Best Song Eva: Andrew Fagan  

Legendary kiwi musician Andrew Fagan has just announced a solo tour for later this year, which will see him sharing songs and talking about the pleasures of solo sailing. Andrew, who is perhaps best known as the lead singer for The Mockers, spoke to us last year about losing his boat Swirly World in Perpetuity, which sank while he was attempting to sail around the globe. 

He joins Jim to tell us about his upcoming tour, and share one of his favourite Kiwi songs for NZ Music Month. 

11:45 Frances Cook: How to ask your bank for a deal 

With many people to revising their budgets due to the high cost of living, financial journalist and creator of the Making Cents podcast, Frances Cook is back with some advice on how to have that awkward, but often fruitful, conversation with your bank.