In his academic and professional career Australian Clinical Psychologist Zac Seidler has focused on understanding men's mental health and masculinity, reducing male suicide and the benefits of mateship. Through his research, he advocates for a change in the way we think about treating men's distress, and also stresses the need to create mental health services that account for masculinity. This has lead to the groundbreaking training program Men in Mind for mental health clinicians, aimed at better understanding and responses to men's anguish and suicidality. Dr Seidler is currently the Director of Mental Health Training at Movember and a Senior Research Fellow with Orygen at the University of Melbourne.

Congress is out for summer but news about Donald Trump's legal woes is filling the void. Polling shows the Democrats are doing a bit better in the lead up to midterms and there's concern about where-to next on Taiwan and Ukraine.

Vertical farming company 26 Seasons is one of just a handful of companies worldwide that has successfully grown strawberries year-round, in an indoor vertical farm. An industrial site in Foxton houses vertically stacked beds, with optimal conditions set for growing strawberries 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The controlled indoor environment removes external factors that can affect growth such as weather, seasons, pests and disease. Kathryn speaks with Grant Leach, the chief executive of 26 Seasons.

With local elections just over six weeks away, it's time to check in with the race to lead our biggest city. Twenty-three people are contesting the Auckland mayoralty, with polling showing it's a tight race between two-term Manukau councillor Efeso Collins, Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck, businessman and former Far North Mayor Wayne Brown and freelance media operator Craig Lord. Outspoken publican Leo Molloy pulled out at the 11th hour. For a closer look at who's in the running, and some of the big issues they're campaigning on, Kathryn is joined by the New Zealand Herald's Super City reporter Bernard Orsman.

The outgoing Chief Executive of Plunket says the organisation is having to sell off the family silver and cut services because of inadequate funding. Amanda Malu is about to leave the top job after six years. In that time, she's presided over the controvertial sale of Plunket assets and the shutting down of services - in order to balance the books. She says before the financial year even begins, Plunket is already in deficit to the tune of $3 million, and if it were to pay Plunket nurses the same as DHB nurses, the shortfall this year alone would be over $9 million. Amanda Malu speaks with Kathryn Ryan.

Kennedy talks to Kathryn about the gravitational attraction of ice, and why the Nepalese government is shifting Everest Base Camp. Kennedy also mentions a recent visit to a prolific stand of kauri trees in Warkworth.

The cheese scones are an extremely popular baked item at Wellington's Pravda Cafe. Not only are the scones in demand, but people have been signing up to Cheese Scone Classes at Wellington on a Plate. Pravda chef, Ash Tapsell talks to Kathryn about what makes their cheese scones so moreish.

Will the Labour caucus kick Gaurav Sharma out this week - and have his accusations caused lasting damage to the party? Should National's leader Christopher Luxon release the detail of an inquiry into Sam Uffindell? And are this year's local body elections at risk of being overrun by conspiracy theorists? Neale Jones was Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern, and prior to that was Chief of Staff to Andrew Little. He is the director of public affairs firm Capital. Tim Hurdle is a former National party advisor and was campaign director for National at the 2020 election.

Dana Johannsen reviews Seven Sisters: How a people-first culture turned silver into gold by Rikki Swanell, published by Upstart Press Pub by Upstart Press RRP: $39.99

The government has announced this morning it is taking direct control of Kiwibank, buying the holding company which owns the bank from the Superannuation Fund, ACC, and NZ Post. The Super Fund is being paid 527-million dollars for its 25 percent stake. The Super Fund's chief executive Matt Whineray says it considered buying some or all of NZ Post's stake but the government would not agree to having private money in Kiwibank nor give the Fund a free hand on whom it might sell its stake to. He speaks with Kathryn Ryan.