Afternoons with Helen Farmer

It’s the Netflix show that’s making waves all over the world - but will Adolescence also change the way we parent? We asked two expert parents - secondary school head Jane Clewloe and masculinity researcher Steven Roberts.

We also learned about a new UAE study making a direct link between subjective happiness and good health - and about the new endometriosis drug that could be a game changer for millions of women.

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It's the clinic helping hundreds of families access care they couldn't otherwise afford - but what can the success of Dubai Health's Clinic of Hope teach us about the challenges of complex childhood illness? We got into that with the clinic's lead, paediatric metabolic consultant Dr Hamda Abelhoul.

We were also joined by Bhavna Patel, a mum who recently found herself at the centre of a medical emergency when her 9-year-old son Jay was hit by a dirt bike on a pedestrian track. Road Safety expert Dr Mostafa Aldah and NMC CEO David Hadley were also on hand with advise on how to navigate an emergency.

And we were joined by Luz Maria Villagras Surco, author of The Ugly Truth About Multicultural Relationships: The Effects on Parenting, to discuss how our own personal histories impact on how we show up as partners and as parents in adulthood.

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After an event examining the links between professional ambition and a ticking biological clock attracted crowds, we explored competing life goals with Professional Tribes’ Mucha Nyandoro, Dr. Partha Das from Orchid Fertility Care and entrepreneur Zohare Haider.

With 15-20% of children globally now meet the criteria for some form of neurodiversity, we talked to Bloom World Academy principal John Bell and parents Maya Omeiri and Nitya Iyer about why we should be celebrating our differences instead of fearing them.
Dr Alison Burrows was on hand to break down the causes – and solutions – to rising stress in our classrooms. 

And Rennie Sanger from Haus & Haus answered all your enquiries on off-plan investment.

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We were talking all things Ramadan on Farmer's Kitchen, with Lighthouse restaurateur Hashem Montasser joining us to discuss his experiences of the Holy Month, professionally and personally, while Arva Ahmed from Frying Pan Adventures let us in on the company's Iftar introductions in Old Dubai.

Emily Jenkins brought us her travel tricks and tips while The Book of Chai author Mira Manek was spilling tea - and history.

We were also joined by Foodiva's Samantha Woods, who introduced us to a host of new openings in Dubai...

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New research shows regularly going to bed after midnight could increase your chances of serious illness. So, how do you improve your sleep hygiene? We asked airways dentist Dr Tina Rokadia and Neuroscientist Dr Mohammed Nami.

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The head master of Brighton College Dubai has written an open letter to parents calling for tougher restrictions on smartphone and social media use for kids and teens. We spoke to him - and to psychologist Mark Samways - to find out why age 13-16 is so crucial for healthy  development.

Staying with education, we met David Wesley of the Boarding School Show. And we discussed brain health - and how to train yours - with Dr Semer Wang of the Brain & Performance Centre. 

Plus, with stock markets looking volatile, we talked expat investing with Steve Cronin of Dead Simple Saving…

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It's a conversation being had in many households across the UAE - how to cope with rising costs. But how can we prevent our financial stress impacting on our loved ones? Hanan Ezzeldin from The Family Hub gave us her advice.

We were also joined by Dubai-based Paralympian and disability advocate, Jessica Smith, and by Professor Rob Sparrow from the Monash Data Futures Institute, to discuss the tech biases that saw AI erase Jess' disability in generated images.

And after Millie Bobby Brown went viral with a clap back to online bullies, we asked Dr Thoriya - should we ignore the trolls, or shame them?

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A clip of alleged animal abuse went viral last week - but what should you do if you have suspicions about mistreatment of an animal in your community? We asked Kim Bellis of Mike's Vets for her advice on reporting, And Amy from Pawfect Behaviour for her rehoming top tips.

We also examined UAE maternity law as it relates to miscarriage and stillbirth with employment lawyer Thenji Moyo, and learned how to design a life you love with Lucy Holmes and Emily Fitzgerald from Wild Flowers Wild Futures...

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Farmers Kitchen was dedicated to Ramadan today, with Sweet Shop founder AJ and What's On Deputy Editor Miles joining us to discuss all things fasting and breaking the fast.

We met Raghu Raman, the founder of Café 21, which will shortly open its doors in Dubai with a staff made up of young people with Down Syndrome. And we talked about the end of an era - and the start of a new one - with co-founder of Lime Tree Café, Corrine Bowker.

And we talked food on TV, and the impact of THAT new Netflix drop starring Meghan Sussex...

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Why are less than 10% of top bosses female?

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