Afternoons with Helen Farmer

A new free AI programme claims to help anyone overcome stagefright. But is confidence all it takes to become a memorable speaker? We ask speaker and coach Flo Akinbiyi.

On the food front, Matthew Jones from Bread Ahead unveils his third Dubai store, while star Chef Tristan Farmer opens the doors to his newest restaurant this weekend.

And as a new study finds 20% of Emirati consumers would swap to lab-made meat for health and planet, is it really the better option? We asked nutritionist Kripa Gokal of 15 Minute Mom and Edward Hamod of Switch Foods.

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After a career treating breast cancer, Liz O’Riordan didn’t expect to find herself on the other side of the desk. She tells Helen why she’s now dedicating her life to inspiring other women to take charge of their own wellbeing…

Meanwhile, following yesterday's discussion of rising autism rates among kids, one Ma’an backed social entertprise has turned its attention to inclusivity and accessibility at work for an increasing cohort of autistic adults.

We meet 13-year old Repton pupil Smayan Sethi, who  has just published his first acclaimed novel, Shadows of the New World…

And private tuition is big business here in the UAE – but when is it a useful driver for kids, and when does it become unhelpful? Helen asks Ruth Brewer of Steer to Success and Craig O’Brien from Elite Education.

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Singer Chappell Roan's comments that her friends with kids are living in 'hell' sparked a huge online debate this week - but why? Dr Thoraiya joins Jen Crichton to unpick our collective inability to scroll past content we don’t relate to.

We marked World Autism Day with Occupational Therapist Adam Griffin and Dr Alexandre Machaeo who both say it's time we advance from awareness of to truly understanding neurodiversity. 

And we hear from UAE-based author Sara Hamdan, whose recent record-breaking book deal has put her in the spotlight as an ambassador for Middle Eastern culture.

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Researchers in the US say just a couple of years ago, your average American would have classed an annual salary of 200 hundred thousand dollars - roughly 60 thousand dirhams a month - as rich. But is that all there is to it? Or are our expectations changing? What does it mean to live a rich life in 2025? Beth Clay from Finance Her Well and Christian Kiefer, CEO & Founder of Spa Wellness Project Management join Jen Crichton to discuss.

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Plus, we take a look at how the hospitality industry has survived and thrived five years after COVID.

We chat with Chef Hattem Matar about his signature dishes and what Ramadan means to him. We also speak with Chef Jason Atherton about how he navigated the challenges of the pandemic and his latest restaurant launches.

Lastly, we dive into how lawyer Gabriela Skaf pivoted from law to entrepreneurship, founding Dubai’s first puppet theater, Les Marionnettes.

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From planning a family holiday to finding new fun things to do Helen discusses the reality of parenting with founder of Familierge the first family concierge service in the UAE.

And staying on the Covid theme 5 years on Helen unpicks the impact the pandemic had on education with education expert Dr. Dala Kakos.

And is ‘affluent neglect’ a term you are familiar with? In a world where parents are busy juggling it all do we really understand the impact of having little time for our children.

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Did you find love during the pandemic or did you fall out of love? Dating and relationship expert Hunt Ethridge explains what people struggled with most when it came love in lockdown.

Helen Farmer debated social media and whether we have become obsessed with our own personal brand or whether its what has to happen in 2025.

And have you been a victim of a scam recently? Lawyer Ammar ElBanna answered all your questions in keeping your money safe.

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Helen Farmer looks at how workplaces changed over the pandemic, Senior HR consultant Rohini Gill discusses what employees are now looking for in employment.

What song, film or series reminds you of your time in lockdown?

And what does travel and toursim look like now 5 years on, Helen speaks to industry experts to find out what is most important to traveler’s these days.

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Five years on Helen Farmer explores how the Covid pandemic changed our health and healthcare systems, hearing from long Covid patients as well as speaking to trusted Dr Rania.

Netflix hit ‘Adolescence’ is still making headlines around the world, Helen chats with ex Snapchat employee Rachel who discusses what parents misunderstand the most about these platforms .

And have you tried the latest sporting craze, Hyrox? Coach Dannie Crewe joins us to explain whats involved and whether it’s really a sport for everyone.

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In this episode, modern Bedouins Zahra Abdalla and Ahmed Al Enezi share their most cherished memories and experiences with food.

Next, we explore the latest food trends and updates in the UAE with renowned food writer Simon Ritchie.

In honor of World Water Day, we dive into the impact of consumer choices—particularly when it comes to selecting local bottled water. Join Hannah Mainds from the Arbor School and her student Loki as they discuss the importance of this advocacy.

Finally, health optimisation is a buzzworthy topic today, but is it truly the key to longevity or just another wellness trend? Cancer survivor and Hupe founder Sami Malia, along with Badih Hachem, VP of Customer Experience at Kitopi and Right Bite, share their expert insights.

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