Afternoons with Helen Farmer

More than 70% of drivers in the UAE admit to experiencing road rage, whether it’s tailgating, swerving, or shouting through the window. But what’s driving it? Helen asks traffic consultant Dr Mostafa Aldah and psychologist Mark Samways.

Meanwhile, Haus & Haus are on hand to answer your property questions. Plus, we ask, would you forgive a cheat? What is being done to tackle financial exclusion in the Middle East?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this flavorful episode of Farmer’s Kitchen, Jen Crichton explores how food connects us to our roots — even when we’re far from home. Khalid Al Sabi of Barrad, Shaw Lash of Lila’s Taqueria, and Fay Economides of Mythos join Jen to reflect on the emotional power of food, inspired by the hit TV show No Place Like Home.

Next, we tackle a heated topic: food allergies and the growing challenges they present for restaurants. Allergist Dr. Stuart Carr and allergy sufferers share their insights on navigating dining out safely.

We wrap up with a cultural twist — it’s International Museum Day! Nada Badran shares how you can get involved, and food writer Simon Ritchie dishes out the latest in culinary news, from Michelin hopefuls to an unexpected olive oil controversy involving Sam Altman.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix’ latest shock documentary follows the Liver King, a man who made millions selling supplements to followers of his raw meat diet. He calls it ancestral living – but is there any truth to his health claims? Helen asks Dr. Nas Al Jafari of DNA Health.

Meanwhile, as new figures from Salik show a 9% rise in traffic on Dubai’s roads, engineering expert Christopher Seymour explains the infrastructure options. And after an unsupervised toddler caused untold damage to a Rothko in a Dutch gallery, should kids be banned from galleries? Curator Anna Seaman, consultant Myrna Ayad and Gareth Pyper from Repton Dubai talk it out…

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s wedding season –  but as new research suggests the costs are becoming too high for many guests, how can we RSVP no without creating upset? Bride Club ME’s Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, bride-to-be Ellis Horne and finance coach Carol Glynn share their thoughts.

Plus, we explore ways to stay sane if sofa surfing with family this summer, and we meet some of the athletes and coaches heading to the World Transplant Games as part of the first ever team from the UAE.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From hormones to tantrums, raising a teen is challenging for all involved - but could it also be impacting your relationship? A new book says yes, but that doesn’t have to be the case…Rachel Kelly, author of The Gift of Teenagers, joins Helen to discuss the upsides of adolescence.

Meanwhile, with kids in Abu Dhabi getting their first device at an average age of 3, and new research suggesting child tracking apps could be doing more harm than good, is parenting getting too tech reliant? Sahar Zarringhalam of Blaura Wellness Center and Philippa Wraithmell of Edruption are on hand.

And with even top journalists saying they’re suffering from news fatigue, Dr. Aseel Takshe from Canadian University Dubai explains how to stay engaged AND optimistic.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last month, Afternoons met Jessica, a new mum who leapt into action to help her 'agency' cleaner, after discovering she - and her colleagues - had been denied healthcare, visas and access to their passports.

Having worked with Dubai Police to get the team's documents returned to them, Jessica set about helping them with their CVs to find them better employment - but as she explains to Helen today, she ended up hiring them instead.

Plus, lawyer Dilini Loku joins us for an employment clinic, Dr Bisi Laniyan explains why stress is not a flex, we talk mole mapping for kids with dermatologist Dr Parul Thakur, and Haus & Haus' Harrison Rackham Beadle is on hand to handle your property questions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Opera is cracking down on tardiness, warning latecomers will no longer be allowed to enter between curtain up and interval. Etiquette coach Ziying Zhou tells Helen why she's in favour, while the people of the UAE have their own say on the bad behaviours that drive them bananas.

Emily Jenkins from DW travel is on hand to talk all things Disney - and the growth the megabrand's arrival could bring to the Middle East's tourism market.

Meanwhile, we talking travelling for carbs with Birch Bakery's Kathy Johnston and Doughbai's Wadad Zarzour, learn about the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Arabia from host Khan FM, discuss international expansion with Brunch & Cake's Chef Carmen Landsberg.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Police have issued a behavior warning to football fans following unrest and a number of arrests at a match on Saturday. But what prompts disruption at sporting events - and how can it be successfully prevented? Helen puts that big question to two experts in the field - Professor of Afro-Eurasian Sport Simon Chadwick and Scott Armstrong, the founder of Mentl.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1000 new residents arrived in every day in the first quarter of this year, according to new statistics. So, what do they need to know? We asked two relocation and assimilation experts.

Meanwhile, the experts tell us what new tariffs on non-American movies could mean for the film industry here, and Helen talks postnatal support with two professionals working to improve life for new mums.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the news that's dividing parents - but is AI education really anything to be frightened of? Not at all, according to our experts. Helen gets the lowdown from Fortes Education's Dr. Neil Hopkin and Vasudha Kalhandeparkar, AI & Data Expert Lead at Grant Thornton.

Meanwhile, we talk third culture divorce - and taboos - with the team behind FemFam Dubai, and author Heather Darwall-Smith lets us in on the secrets behind her new book How To Be Awake So You Can Sleep Through the Night.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.