The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 2 November. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin, we hear from multi award winning and delightful Australian author Trent Dalton on his latest book, Gravity Let Me Go. He also celebrated his theatre production coming to Auckland.  Francesca catches up with Kiwi actress Melanie Lynskey. She's taking Hollywood by storm with a starring role in Yellowjackets but came home to star in the new Pike River film.  Plus we learn the art of writing historical novels from the iconic Ken Follett.   Great Chats with Francesca Rudkin brings you the best interviews from Newstalk ZB's The Sunday Session.  Listen on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK comedian and actor Bill Bailey is set to start his next tour of New Zealand in the coming days, and he's spoken of his love for the nation.  His brand-new show Vaudevillian kicks off in Queenstown and he's revealed how excited he is to tour the 'beautiful country. "There's a lot about it that I love...the sort of things New Zealand offers are the sorts of things I would seek out in any country that I have a bit of spare time in." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Henry's been a regular presence on New Zealand screens and he's come out of retirement to take on his most anticipated hosting job yet. He is set to host New Zealand's own version of The Chase - the long-running UK-based game show that Kiwis tune into every week. Ahead of this version dropping to TVNZ next month, Henry says it's 'daunting' taking on a project like this. "The show is already so popular in New Zealand, but what's really popular is the British Chase. And we're not doing the British Chase, we're doing the New Zealand Chase." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday on Jack Tame’s show, I was talking about the new Springsteen film - Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere - and Jack asked me why there have been so many music biopics recently? It got me thinking about how musicians and their origin stories and struggles with fame have always made for good films, and we’ve always made them.   But Jack is right, there have been quite a few biopics about musicians recently - think Better Man about Robbie Williams, A Complete Unknown about Bob Dylan, Bob Marley: One Love, Back to Black about Amy Winehouse, Maria about Maria Callas … and there’s plenty more on the way. In 2028, each Beatle is getting their own film, thanks to director Sam Mendes.   The truth of the matter is probably that they make money. Marvel and comic book superhero cinema dominance is cooling off, and so in recent years Hollywood has turned to the music biopic genre to replace it. It makes sense really. Like comic book heroes, many of these artists lives are steeped in mythology perfect to mine for drama, their stories are part of pop culture. And apart from paying for music rights - they aren’t too expensive to make. And, we love them. We love the comfort of their familiarity and a bit of nostalgia.   The music industry also love music biopics, it’s a wonderful way for the industry to reconnect an artist with their audience and create new fans. The Springsteen movie is about the making of his acoustic, folk inspired album Nebraska. I listened to the album in the car on the way home from watching the film. Tick, job done.   For me, the genre was revitalised with 2005’s Walk the Line, which told the story of flawed genius Johnny Cash and his wife June’s relationship. It told it - warts and all. Around that time, Ray, about Ray Charles, was also released, as was Control, the story of the troubled life and times of Ian Curtis, lead singer of new wave band Joy Division.   Since then, we have been tapping our toes and reliving our own relationships with the music of Elvis, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and NWA. As popular as the genre is, and as much as we enjoy the ride, it’s tricky for filmmakers to get these films right. Artists' stories often follow the same narrative beats so can be samey, but it can be risky taking a unique approach. Taking on a lead role can be rewarding for actors in awards season, but fans are judgy when watching an interpretation of their heroes.   Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a good case in point. Aside from a few concert scenes, mostly we watch Springsteen record an album in his bedroom and studio while slipping into depression. It’s hardly a glossy, mainstream rollicking ride.   If you’re looking for something to watch this long weekend, and watching Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen isn’t your thing, then hunt out some of our own music stories - which have been turned into excellent documentaries.   Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds, The Chills: The Triumph & Tragedy of Martin Phillipps, Alien Weaponry - Thrash Metal and Te Reo Māori, Shihad - Beautiful Machine, Heavenly Pop Hits - The Flying Nun Story. So many good choices. It’s also worth noting Life in One Chord - the Shayne Carter story - will be available to rent from DOC PLAY from November 6th.   All beautifully told stories that enrich our lives.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Widow by John Grisham. Simon Latch is a small time, small town lawyer in Virginia, whose marriage is falling apart, his gambling is out of control, and his legal practice is on the verge of going under. Then an elderly widow arrives on his doorstep, to say that her husband left her millions of dollars in shares, which she wants to keep out of the hands of her estranged stepsons and as she no longer trusts the lawyer who drafted her current will, she wants Simon to help her. He thinks this is the golden ticket that could turn his life around….until she dies in a car crash and he finds himself accused of murder. It’s terrific Grisham - less courtroom drama than some of his earlier novels but plenty of intrigue nonetheless. Gone Before Goodbye by Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben. These two have collaborated on a novel about a highly skilled surgeon who has been disgraced and can no longer practice, and whose husband has been murdered in the war zone where they used to work together. She’s approached by a former colleague to take a job with an oligarch who requires complete anonymity and confidentiality and in return will re-establish her credentials, and pay handsomely for her service. The story moves from war zones and refugee camps, and America to Russia and Dubai where there are wheels within wheels, no one can be trusted, and the tension ratchets up as hidden truths are exposed and the secrets of this underworld are brought to light.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US Government shutdown is continuing on with no end in sight, and it's starting to impact travel. While essential services will continue, air travel and passport renewals are among the services being disrupted, meaning travel in and out of the US is set to get more complicated. BloggerAtLarge.com Megan Singleton unpacks the delays further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Sunday Panel, 818 director Chris Henry and host of The Prosperity Project, Nadine Higgins, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more! Netball NZ recently confirmed  Dame Noeline Taurua will return as Silver Ferns coach. What do we make of this whole saga? And do we think Taurua's return will be smooth sailing?  Former US presidential candidate Kamala Harris has hinted she may run for the White House again following the release of her new book. Do we think she'll announce anything?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 26 October. Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've all faced the afternoon slump, but how can we get through it before the end of the day? The slump refers to the dreaded post-lunch, afternoon period where you hit the wall and find it hard to stay focused and productive. Naturopath and wellness expert Erin O'Hara explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all been told the same advice for decades: 'Eat more fibre if you’re constipated.' From breakfast cereals to bran muffins, fibre has long been the go-to remedy for getting things 'moving.'  But new research published in two major international journals, the Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology & Motility has just turned that advice on its head.  It turns out that while a high-fibre diet is good for your overall health, the science doesn’t actually support it as an effective treatment for constipation.  The researchers looked at more than 75 clinical trials and rather than just counting grams of fibre, they focus on measurable outcomes like how often someone passes stools, whether straining occurs, and overall quality of life.  They identified a few key foods and supplements that have solid evidence behind them:  Kiwifruit – This one topped the list! Studies show it helps improve stool frequency and consistency. Rye bread – Rich in unique fibres and bioactive compounds that appear to support gut movement. Mineral-rich water – Particularly waters high in magnesium, which can naturally draw water into the bowel. Psyllium fibre, magnesium oxide, and certain probiotics – These supplements also showed evidence of helping reduce constipation symptoms.  In contrast, general 'high-fibre diets' and popular senna-based laxatives were found to lack convincing scientific support for long-term effectiveness.  Constipation isn’t just uncomfortable, it can seriously affect quality of life. It’s also incredibly common, especially among adults and older populations.  Until now, most medical advice has been frustratingly simple: 'Eat more fibre and drink more water.' But the new research suggests that this one-size-fits-all approach is outdated.  Fibre is still vital for heart health, gut bacteria, and blood sugar control. But when it comes to constipation specifically, it may not be the magic bullet we’ve all been led to believe.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring cola with honey, citrus and lavender  Cook time: 5 minutes  Prep time: 10 minutes  Serves: 10-12 drinks 2 oranges, cut in half   3 lemons, cut in half   2 limes, cut in half   2 cups water   1 cinnamon stick   4 star anise   1 small knob ginger   1 tbsp molasses   1 tbsp instant coffee   10 heads fresh lavender   1/2 cup runny honey   1 cup brown sugar Squeeze oranges and lemons into a saucepan. Drop in the squeezed fruit and add water. Add cinnamon, star anise, ginger, coffee, lavender, molasses, sugar and honey and bring to the boil. Once you reach boiling point, turn off the syrup. Careful not to over boil.   Lay a small plate onto to the top of the fruit to weigh down and keep it under the liquid.   Place it into the fridge overnight.   The next day strain the syrup through a sieve to remove all the bits, squeezing out the fruit to extract all the syrup. Pour the syrup into a clean jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 months.   When serving, measure 1 part syrup to 4 parts sparkling water.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pike River, the film based on the 2010 West Coast mining disaster, has officially been released.  The film tells the story of Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne’s 15-year fight for justice following the deaths of the 29 men impacted. Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall discusses the impact of the film. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its founding in 1990, the Trees for Survival Charitable Trust has encouraged schoolkids to plant one million trees and shrubs - and it's aiming for a million more by 2030. Through Kiwi schools, national environmental education and a restoration programme Trees for Survival has helped Kiwi kids learn more about the environment. Trees for Survival spokesperson Sally Clegg says the charity encourages students to feel like the trees they planted are their trees. "We don't take them out to nurseries and do it there, they have a nursery which we provide in their schools. They will grown between 800 and 1,000 native seedlings, which are all eco-sourced for their area." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister heads to Asia today, for crucial meetings on trade and the economy. Chris Luxon's first travelling to Malaysia for the East Asia Summit and mark a milestone of 50 years of diplomatic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths says Luxon will be meeting with other world leaders at APEC to discuss trade. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Military tensions are escalating in the Caribbean Sea, as the US deploys the world's largest warship to counter drug-traffickers. The US says it has killed dozens of people in strikes on small vessels from Venezuela which it alleges carry 'narcotics' and 'narco-terrorists.' But US correspondent Dan Mitchinson says Venezuela's fighting back. "The President of Venezuela, who's accusing the US of 'fabricating' this new war - but yet, we see the drug trail kind of leads back there as well." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A refreshed sense of direction for the Silver Ferns amid Dame Noeline Taurua's return as head coach. Netball New Zealand's announced Taurua will resume her duties after the team's northern tour, with some revised operations. The sport's national body say they've agreed to changes that support wellbeing and performance, including strengthening the player voice. NZ Herald sports reporter Nathan Limm has labelled this situation a 'mess' - and wondered what took Netball NZ so long. "They had to bow to public pressure...it's been six weeks since she was stood down, 10 days out from the Taini Jamison series. I felt like it got to the point where if they wanted her back, she'd be back." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Ryan made a name for himself by appearing in New Zealand TV classics like Go Girls and Creamerie, but he's been able to take his skills overseas.  He's making an impact overseas, picking up international recognition for roles in Beauty and the Beast and It Chapter Two.  His latest acting project sees him returning to New Zealand shores - to star in the new psychological thriller TV show The Ridge. "I've been very fortunate to go to different parts of the world and film - and now the world's much smaller...you can be anywhere, you can live in a small part of New Zealand and still have your foot in the door for Hollywood. I've been very lucky." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth. An elderly man is found dead by his neighbour, 81-year-old Elsie. No one suspects foul play - until they discover that in the 1950's, Elsie’s name was Mabel, and she was the youngest person in Australian history to be convicted of murder – at which point the media circus arrives on her doorstep and the police take an interest, and she decides it might finally be time to tell her story. It’s a charming read with genuine human interest. Perspective by Shaun Johnson. He is of course the rugby league legend who has had a remarkable career on the field, and who is very interesting off it. The sheer grit and determination – to say nothing of the skills required – are extraordinary, but this is also the story of a man who ultimately felt that he was being judged on 80 minutes of football a week, and on little else and has also had to fight hard to maintain his perspective. I’m not a rugby league expert but I’m fascinated by the discipline and the pressure that he put himself under, and what it takes to survive it. It’s a really good read.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Singleton's been taking in Rarotonga, and she recently got the chance to try out a unique snorkelling experience. She got the chance to try out sea scooter snorkelling, and she recapped her 'amazing' experience. Read more about Megan's Rarotonga experience here.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.