Afternoons with Helen Farmer

Ask your friends how they’re doing right now, and the chances are the word overwhelm will feature. But how does that differ from stress - and when does a busy life become a problem? Helen is joined by Bobby Qureshi, CMM Institute of Natural Health and Janelle Houston from Tree of Hope. Meanwhile, more and more businesses are cottoning on to the potential of the menopause market. But are women being exploited by a hormone gold rush that’s more about capitalism than care? We ask the experts. And with school assessment season upon us, we ask one educator when tutoring becomes counterproductive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Digital addiction is fast becoming one of the world’s biggest mental health challenges. Now, one globally-renowned expert says the problem isn’t games - it’s what’s driving us to escape into them. Helen is joined by Dr Alok Kanojia.Meanwhile, we meet the entrepreneur homeschooling her kids to boost her family’s flexibility, we answer you questions on crypto law in the UAE and Haus & Haus are on hand talking commercial propertySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From new restaurants and a museum opening, to movie releases and a GOAT festival, we’ve got all the fun you could ask for this Friday!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dubai Police are warning parents about the latest risky TikTok trend — but why are kids so easily swept up in viral challenges? Psychologist Mark Samways joins Helen Farmer to unpack the science behind peer pressure, how social media fuels it, and how to raise confident kids who can say no. Plus, journalist and author Melissa Hogenboom shares her thoughts on what financial fairness really looks like for couples raising kids today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you relearn and recover when your life changes in an instant? Helen finds out from adaptive athlete Henry Dunn, a Dubai-based coach who faced amputation after an accident. She also meets a Dubai resident whose recent experience with a house fire has made her sound the alarm about fire safety at home – and we get expert advice on the extinguishers you need at home. Surgeon Dr Veronica Grassi is on hand to talk us through reconstruction options after breast cancer. Plus, it’s Pets & Vets day and we’re asking, why is animal care so expensive?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can’t be bothered to argue anymore, and intimacy feels like a chore? You’re not alone. Relationship experts call it “slow-burn divorce”. Helen finds out the tell tale signs from psychologist Tanya Dharamshi.Meanwhile, as Vogue has shocks the fashion industry by calling out sizeism on the catwalks, we ask why representation is regressing – and what role weight loss drugs have to play? Plus, we talk travel, trends and powerful passports…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something new is emerging in the world of digital dating. Chatfishing is a new word coined for when a person uses AI-generated messages to disguise or enhance their appeal on dating apps, only to show up with a completely different persona in real life! To get into the impact of it, Jennifer is joined by international relationship coach Hunt Etheridge and psychologist Noha El Khatib. One in six bacterial infections worldwide is now resistant to common antibiotics according to a new data released by the WHO. Dr Howard Podolsky, CEO of Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, explains what it means for all of us. Two women are on a mission to rethink what a truly an inclusive workplace culture actually looks like in a country and multicultural as the UAE, and we turn to Haus & Haus for all your property questions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From chef Yannick Alleno’s new chocolaterie to the French pastry chef now serving Dubai’s fashion set, Helen gets the lowdown on the city’s sweetest eats. Plus, we learn the truth about drinking water, explore the sights of Al Zorah City, and learn about a new choir singing for a sense of community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Saturday marks World Menopause Day with the aim of raising awareness of the issues that every woman will experience during this phase of life. With nearly half the workforce going through menopause at some point in their careers, continuing silence around this issue is costing businesses talent, productivity, and leadership potential. Jennifer is joined by Katy Homes, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce Dubai and Maureen Bannerman, Co-Founder of the GCC Menopause Hub to discuss. A recent research by the UK government found early one-third of internet users has reported experiencing online harassment or trolling at some point, while similar research in the US put that figure over 40 per cent. Dr Sarah Rasmi from Thrive Wellbeing Centre shares what drives someone to harass, provoke, or humiliate others under cover of a username.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research shows the average family is wasting $120 a year on unused subscriptions. Carol Glynn is on hand to talk easy saving hacks on spending you won’t miss.Elsewhere, from burnout to the ‘quiet quitting’ wave, what if the missing piece isn’t perks or pay – but belonging? Helen meets two experts who say connection is the new KPI. We’ve all heard about efforts to make the UAE an option for retirees. But would you start a new life in Dubai in your 90s? We meet the woman who did just that…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UAE expat lawyer Byron James says it’s time the system better recognised the role of dads – and the pain of reduced child access after divorce – when considering custody.  Meanwhile, it’s October, which means hopefully thousands of women are making sure they check their breasts. Dr Amrita Kumar talks us through a hi-tech new screening system – and the intro of AI – that it’s hoped could change the game. And as a major new international study reveals that being agreeable is working against men looking for love, Dr Thoriya explores the situations where nice guys finish last.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From stem cells to gene editing to tissue engineering, some of the treatments favoured by the A-list sound truly space age to us ordinary joes. But are they are out of reach as they might seem? Dr Adeel Khan, doctor to the stars, says no…  Meanwhile, the puberty conversation is one many parents find awkward. Now, a new programme called The Talk aims to make it easier for all. Its founder, teacher Nadine Walters, explains how. Plus, we talk safeguarding for kids, and Haus & Haus are on hand with the latest insights into the off-plan property market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we mark World Mental Health Day, Helen is joined by Sandra Mikhail, author of The Gut Chronicles, to ask what dietary tweaks could improve your wellbeing. We’re also joined by Richard Douglas, Dubai’s hottest new butcher, Julianne Kailihiwa, founder of Sumo Sushi & Bento which is celebrating its 25th birthday this month, and Chef Shaw Lash, who is branching out with her third Mexican eatery. Plus, with school holidays approaching, Adam Long, Founder of Dubai Sound Academy, in on hand to discuss how to use the break to turn your child into a superstar DJ…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New international study Her Fandom, Her Buying Power, found that 90% of female sports fans say organisations don’t truly understand them, and 40% feel brands fail to recognise them as consumers. Dawn Barnable of The Mettleset & Pooja Sukumar of The Collective explore why. Plus, from hallucinations to false attributions, problems with AI are being widely reported. But how do we teach our kids and young people to use new tech safely if we can’t tell fact from fiction?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gaming isn’t just for kids. Adults are spending hours, even entire weekends, lost in virtual worlds—and for some, it’s becoming a serious issue. We dive into the rise of gaming addiction with Dr. Asad Sadiq, Consultant Psychiatrist, and explore its impact on work, relationships, and mental health.  Plus, we discuss the latest advances in pet oncology with Dr. Nour Abou Fakher and Dr. Beatriz Wuhrmann Otero, and learn about the upcoming MENA School Excellence Awards with Louise Dawson. Finally, we shift to breast cancer survival strategies with survivor Jen Blandos and oncologist Dr. Heidi Kussmann.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s TikTok’s topic du jour – but everyone’s ex can’t be a narcissist. So, what really are the signs of narcissism, and how do avoid falling victim? Helen gets into it with psychologist Lighthouse Arabia.Meanwhile, as research suggests a belief that kids are becoming ruder, we ask the experts how we can we instil manners in our kids at any age. And Thenji Moyo is here with your employment law clinic too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the leading cause of road deaths in the UAE - now Dubai is cracking down on drink driving with some of the toughest laws in the country. What does it mean for our roads? Plus, we go behind the doors of a global award-winning Dubai school, and Haus & Haus are on hand with the latest on the city's property sceneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He's a bestselling author whose late stage ADHD diagnosis has made him a favourite agony uncle of the world's neurodiverse community. Now, he sits down with Helen for a special extended chat - and takes YOUR questions too...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Global Restaurant Investment Forum will return to Dubai next week, bringing together a host of the UAE – and the world’s – top chefs. But why does working together serve them so well? Helen is joined by Mythos’ Fay Economides and Tasha’s Group’ Natasha Sideris. Meanwhile Jung Hun Song, co-founder of Cupbop, talks global expansion, Courtney Brandt has all the city’s food headlines, and William Mullally is on hand to talk us through entertainment’s busiest season…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you still fly with a power bank? Should AI plan your holiday? Helen gets into it with industry expert Emily Jenkins. Plus, we dive into the realities of bullying in our schools - and how to tackle it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.