There's plenty to chew over in our first panel of the year. Joining us today are journalist and sports commentator Lavina Good and former TVNZ news boss and Metro editor Bill Ralston.

Hydrogen sulfide's reputation may be on the cusp of getting a facelift thanks to new research out of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine which suggests the foul-smelling gas may protect ageing brains cells against Alzheimer's.

Dr Gary McLean is a professor in molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University and an international authority on coronaviruses. Prof. McLean is back on Sunday Morning today to discuss vaccines and other assorted Covid matters.

Just as Asia has led the way in coping with Covid-19, financial commentator Jeffrey Haley is also picking the continent -- particularly China, which has never exported more than it did last year -- to lead the way in the world in 2021.

It's the festive season and people are looking forward to indulging, so that means lots of wine and cheese. And It turns out that this might not be all bad, with research showing that consumption of wine and cheese can boost your brain.

It's nothing new to see Christmas songs entering the music charts at this time of the year, but a UK company recently recorded a world first with the release of 'Raise the Woof' - a Christmas song scientifically designed for dogs.

In his new book, The Socrates Express, Eric Weiner goes in search of life lessons from dead philosophers. He joins the show to discuss the book -- which highlights philosophers and the specific lessons we can draw from their teachings.

As the Covid year got longer, we heard about Long Covid, and the people who get through the illness phase okay, but for whom health issues still linger. Entrepreneur Jenene Crossan was one of those unfortunate cases.

Washington DC-based Kiwi artist Emma G has remained busy as always in 2020, despite everything that has been going on around her. Emma's new song, 'You Can Count On Me This Christmas' is her 10th release of the year.

Tree Beings is an adventure through the secret world of trees and a reminder of how essential they are to our world. Author Raymond Huber joins the show from his base in Dunedin.