Afternoons with Helen Farmer

The workforce participation of mothers with young children is dropping sharply, with reports from the US showing the biggest decline in four decades. Helen explores the picture here with David MacKenzie from recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones, and Ruth Dance, employee experience consultant and mum of three young boys.

Meanwhile, we examine the UAE's ban on unhealthy food in school dining halls with dietician Tonie-Maria Abi Nader and Magnus Mumby from Food Nation. 

And with more and more world-class athletes staying fit enough to compete post-40, Dr Shef is on hand to explain what mere mortals can learn from their example...

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Dubai is set to attract 9,800 new ultra-wealthy residents this year – more than any other country in the world. So what is life truly like for the rich families making the UAE their home - and what does their arrival mean for the wider community here? Helen asks Thea Kearse of Butterfly Social and finance coach Beth Clay.

Meanwhile, with workers more fearful of job insecurity than ever before, Thenji Moyo is on hand with everything you need to know about redundancy in the UAE. And Dr Thoriya joins us to discuss new research into the happiness U-curve…

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Should playing songs or videos on phones without headphones be banned on public transport? London says yes, while Dubai is issuing fines for bad tech etiquette. Helen is joined by Professor Christoph Schimkowsky from the Institute of Human Geography.

With a longer winter holiday approaching, business leader Katy Holmes explains why businesses might need to be a bit more flexible for struggling and juggling working parents.

We meet the multitasking mums creating community for homeschooling families - and Jake Walton from Haus & Haus is on hand to talk rentals for families...

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After training in some of Spain’s best kitchens, Chef José Pizzaro made his mark in London then in the UAE, bringing his cooking to José by Pizarro at the Conrad Abu Dhabi. He joins Helen in studio to discuss his mum’s cooking, his influences, and his gorgeous new cookbook, The Spanish Pantry.

Staying with food, Dr Rania and dietitian Tonie Maria discuss the UK’s plan to ban energy drinks for under-16s, and we find out what this week’s Onam celebrations mean to Dubai’s Keralite community with Sneha May Francis from the ARN News Centre.

Plus, if you’re looking to get out and about in the city, we get the lowdown on events from lunar eclipse gazing to speed friending…

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One of the many headlines from Taylor Swift’s recent podcast appearance was her idea that people must earn your energy. As research reveals 70% of people feel pressure to reply to all comms quickly, does she have a point? Dr Sarah Rasmi is on hand to talk boundaries and battery life…

Plus, in a world where resilience is more critical than ever before, entrepreneur and coach Sebastien Bates is on hand to talk us through how to impart courage and confidence in our kids…

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MThe technology is already embedded in our lives - but how do we teach our kids about risks we barely understand ourselves? Helen asks the experts.

Meanwhile, with The Materialists still drawing crowds at the cinema, dating expert Hunt Etheridge has the lowdown on dating today. And it’s your skincare clinic with Dr Faheem Latheef.

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Speculation over the contents of a pre-nup between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is mounting. But what should non-global celebrities know about wedding paperwork? Helen asks lawyer Madeleine Mendy.

On the education front, boys are about 29% less likely than girls to achieve top GCSE grades – but why? And what can we do about it as our kids re-commence their exam studies? The experts weight in. 

Meanwhile, with one in five children now starting  school behind their vaccination schedule, global health experts are warning parents about the dangers of vaccine-rejection. Dr Howard Podolsky separates the facts from the fears.

And from our own Instagram feeds to the newspapers, the societal expectation to spend is real and hitting many people hard. How do we reject the pressure to keep up with the Joneses?

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As the UAE opens its doors to retirees, the country faces an urgent question: do we have the capacity to care for an ageing population, particularly those facing degenerative brain conditions like dementia? Helen finds out about the care options currently being put in place with Jackie Hoi Man Chan of Dubai’s University of Wollongong and Consultant Neurologist Dr Derk Krieger.

Meanwhile, there’s more to a successful neighbourhood than buildings. But can you build for community - and if so, how? Jessica Voorn, Principal Urban Planner at Atkins Realis, explains. Haus and Haus are on hand discussing property investment for women. And we delve into the realities of teaching in the UAE…

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We asked you, and What’s On editor Liam Joyce, while Pitfire Pizza founder Michele Johnson – who garnered quite a few votes – joined Helen to announce an exciting new opening.

We also learned about Abu Dhabi’s new community awards, discussed a theatrical new opening in Dubai, and found out how to eat your way to a better night’s sleep…

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Emirati Women’s Day isn’t just a celebration - it’s also about telling the stories of what it means to be a woman in the UAE today. Helen meets two local role models whose work is giving a global voice to local women.

Plus, we’re joined by the business coach teaching kids across the UAE about entrepreneurship, finance and thinking like a boss….

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