The Little Things

When our kids worry, we worry. Especially when we don't know what they're worried about! This week, Dr Justin Coulson is back to talk about what really bothers kids and young adults most, and how parents can help. He shares some of his top tips for helping parents support their children through these challenges by fostering connection, understanding perfectionism, and encouraging open conversations about tough topics

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you ready to face the AI revolution that's already transforming our daily lives? Join Francesca and Louise as they step into the world of artificial intelligence with nanotechnologist and science communicator Dr Michelle Dickinson.

From the benefits of AI as a productivity tool to the concerning lack of regulation in New Zealand and the ways we might be unwittingly sharing our children’s data to train AI, Dr Dickinson brings clarity to complex concepts while also offering practical advice for navigating this new landscape.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a loved one experiences dementia, grief does not wait for a tidy ending. Francesca and Louise  sit down with resilience researcher and grief expert Dr Lucy Hone to talk about living loss and how to cope when someone you love is in ongoing cognitive decline. Later in the episode Helen Frank from Alzheimer’s Taranaki shares clear guidance on early signs, getting a diagnosis,and the support available for carers. 

'How Will I Ever Get Through This?' - pre-sales for the new book from Dr Lucy Hone are available from 6th October 2025.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women are blindsided in their 40s by a sudden return of explosive anger. Clinical neuropsychologist Caroline Gurvich joins Francesca and Louise to explain how hormonal changes can intensify stress, spark mood swings and leave women feeling unrecognisable to themselves. She also shares what helps: lifestyle shifts, medical support and the importance of not simply putting up with it. Plus, a look at brain fog, the overlap with ADHD symptoms and weighing up treatment options for perimenopause symptoms.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do top athletes know about pressure that the rest of us don’t? Dr Kylie Wilson is a mental skills and performance coach who has worked with Olympians, rugby stars and world champions. She joins Francesca and Louise to share some of the mental skills sports stars use that can also help us regular folks in our everyday life. Prepare to take notes on learning from failure, reframing negative stories, and building focus through routines and visualisation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coast FM's Lorna Riley has been through two divorces and is now engaged again. Her message to women staring down a midlife separation is clear: it is hard, it is heart-breaking, but you can still build a good life on the other side.

Lorna joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the financial and emotional toll of separation, finding herself back in the dating pool in her fifties, a simple screen for red flags and the two year recovery arc. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many women have a complex relationship with alcohol and how it impacts our health and wellbeing as we age. 

Master health coach, Ree George, joins Louise and Francesca to talk about the role alcohol plays in women's lives, how it impacts us physiologically and psychologically, and why many of us find ourselves drinking more as we deal with the stresses of middle age. Ree shares practical, compassionate advice about reflecting on your relationship with alcohol, whether it's time for a "reset", and how to cut back or stop drinking in a sustainable way.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising costs are hitting every household in Aotearoa, but for many women there’s an added weight – the invisible job of managing the family’s money. In this episode of The Little Things, hosts Francesca Rudkin and Louise Ayrey admit they’ve ended up as the “household CFOs”, juggling bills and budgets by default.

They’re joined by financial advisor and Herald columnist Nadine Higgins, who shares why women are often better investors than they think, how to reframe a restrictive “budget” into a practical spending plan, and the surprising rule of thumb for building an emergency fund.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world of supplements can be overwhelming, but don't worry, we've got you! Naturopath Erin O'Hara joins Francesca and Louise to to help determine if you need supplements, how to select quality products, and make sense of trends and labelling.

Discover when supplements can be helpful or even essential, versus when you're just wasting money (and potentially risking your health) on an unproven fad.

From vitamin D to probiotics, magnesium to collagen, Erin shares her insider tips on choosing the right forms, optimal dosing and what to avoid.

Timestamps:
- Do you need supplements? The mixed evidence [4:21]
- Should you take a daily multivitamin? [6:34]
- The problem with New Zealand's lax labelling laws [8:56]
- Popular supplements decoded: Vitamin D, probiotics, magnesium [12:17]
- Supplements for joint health and arthritis [21:34]
- Anti-aging supplements like collagen explained [27:11]
- Whether electrolytes and vitamin C live up to the hype [32:21]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Francesca and Louise are joined by celebrity stylist Michiko Hylands to talk fashion after 40 and 50, and how to find your confidence and style as you get older. They discuss wearing colors and styles outside your comfort zone, finding flattering silhouettes for your body type, feeling confident and vibrant with age, investing in timeless pieces, and embracing trends in a way that suits you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.