Afternoons

Ugly is having a moment. Cars are getting bigger, buildings louder and fashion more deliberately outrageous, some might even say deliberately ugly. It's a way to get noticed says designer Debbie Millman. She's an author, educator and host of a podcast that's been going strong for 20 years called Design Matters. She argues that in a world where being noticed has become a form of currency, taking up more space has its own value. In an essay for TIME magazine, she asks whether the world is actually getting uglier or whether ugly is being deployed as a very effective way to make us look.

Let's find out what's good to watch on the television, our critic Dominic Corry is with Jesse in the Auckland studio to share his picks: Lanterns (HBO Max) and The Westies (Neon).

Today we're going to focus on the brain. We'll be talking about brain development, how it controls or bodies and our senses, and what happens when it isn't functioning as it should. Our expert today is Professor Maurice Curtis. Maurice is Professor of Neuroscience and Director of Human Anatomy at the University of Auckland, as well as Co-Director of the Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. If you have any questions for Maurice, send them through to 2101.

Every Monday afternoon we hit the clubs. We've been to lots of amazing places this year, but we're always keen for more so if you have a club or society you'd like me to visit do get in touch .. 2101 on the text or email [email protected] Today Jesse is joined by Cherie Hames.

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Afternoons contributor Brad Foster joins Jesse to tell him what's hitting the headlines in Australia.

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Do you find yourself speaking less than you used to? We're asking because a new study has revealed that daily conversations are shrinking, with some people speaking 300 fewer words each day. To find out more we're joined by one of the lead researchers, Dr Valeria Pfeifer, she is an assistant professor at the University of Missouri Kansas City.

This week is te wiki o te reo Māori, and to mark it, journalists Eugene Bingham and Adam Dudding have released a new podcast called Reo Journeys: Te Pou Herenga Tai. Along with musician James Dansey, the three hosts take their reo Māori learning from the classroom to the cycleway. Across five episodes, they meet with kaumatua, historians and artists in Northland communities and discuss the revival of te reo Māori throughout Te Tai Tokerau. Eugene and Adam join Jesse in the Auckland studio.

We want to start with some positive news, because it's been a big week for Tikipunga High School at the AIMS Games. For the first time in more than a decade, the small Whangarei school sent their netball team .. and while they didn't stand out for their on court skills .. finishing 127th out of 132 .. their off court behaviour did get them noticed. They are the winners of the coveted Ripple Effect Award, given to a team which embodied the spirit and sportsmanship of AIMS in the best manner possible. Tikipunga High School netball team coach Bethany Badger and player Pheobe Theodore join Jesse.

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A tiny (extinct) bush wren and a cautionary tale as the Bird of the Year kicks off today. The Stead's bush wren is a symbol of how vulnerable our small ground dwelling birds are, and how crucial island biosecurity and predator control continue to be in NZ. The story of this wee wren helped shape our modern conservation practice and is a poignant reminder of what's at stake for our wildlife.

Connie Clarkson joins Jesse to share her recipe for Lime and Coconut Mussel Hot Pot. A 'Little bit Country little bit Rock and Roll" moment. Savory coconut and aromatics - garlic, onions, ginger, celery, peppers then hit with an uplifting bolt of limes wrapping around that taste of the sea from Green Lip Mussels. Finished off with a whiff of curry leaves.

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