Episodes
Afternoons is live from the Arab Media Summit – and taking your questions on how to make the digital world work for your business this summer. Helen is joined by entrepreneur Ahmad Alzamel, the influencer behind the globally viral Lazy Cat cake, and Alex Carvlalho from House of Social. Meanwhile, with four in five homes now boasting at least one smart device, tech journalist Nick Regos brings us up to speed on the rise of the robots. Dr Margaret Harris from the World Health Organisation talks antibiotic resistance, and Aalia Thobani, CEO at The Brain Accelerator, gives her tips for maintain...
We’re live from The Hotel Show, where everything from the bed you sleep in to the art you see on your next staycation will be decided. Helen chats to industry experts about what could be coming to a lobby near you soon. Plus, how much is too much to spend on a school trip? Teachers, parents and finance experts weigh in. And as a terrifying new thriller sheds a light on maternal OCD, we get expert advice on the risks from psychologist Aisling Prendergast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Forget beanbags and free snacks – jobseekers in 2025 are looking for fair pay, flexibility, and a sense of purpose. But as a new study shows 50% of companies are now struggling with staff retainment, are expectations and reality matching up? And what role are new arrivals playing in shifting job market trends? HR consultant Rohini Bhalla Gill and John Fitzpatrick, Managing Director at Emiratalent, join Helen. Plus Madeleine Mendy is on hand with the legal advice divorced parents need before travelling this summer, and we discuss the link between school run traffic and property prices in D...
From the world’s first three star Indian restaurant to some record-breaking wins for Atlantis, we get all the goss from last night’s Michelin Dubai ceremony. Plus, how restaurateurs spot future stars, how culinary traditions travel across borders - and why we should all be celebrating World Bee Day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From baristas at Starbucks to retail workers at Tiffany & Co, emotional performance is now part of the job description. But is mandating joy at work a way businesses can thrive – or just another path to employee burnout? Helen asks workplace culture psychologist Hajra Hussain and Mindvalley co-founder Ajit Nawalkha. Meanwhile, Dubai has made history, becoming the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. But what does that really look like beyond airports and check-in counters? OT Adam Griffin explains, with the help of some parents...See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Almost half of young people would prefer a world without internet, according to a new study. But why? And what’s it like to get caught out online? Helen is joined by Dr digital education expert Alison Burrows and Heather Harries, the mother of a teen extortion victim. Meanwhile, in today’s world of artificial intelligence, big data and analytics, it may seem that intuition has no place in decision-making. Psychologist Joslin Gracias explains why that's absolutely not the case. And as new research reveals men are twice as likely to die of ‘broken heart syndrome’, we ask life coach Chris Har...
20 May 2025. Dubai just made headlines by announcing it will accept crypto payments for government services. But what does that actually mean for you and me? Today, we're answering all the crypto questions you were to shy to ask, with Samir Safar-Aly, the Co-Chair of Policy & Regulations at the MENA FinTech Association, & Carol Glynn of Conscious Finance Coaching. Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s stage five cancer diagnosis has caused shock – but is it unusual? And what is the prognosis for patients like him in 2025? Patient Steve Ashby and oncologist Dr Deborah Mukherjee are on call. And as research...
More than 70% of drivers in the UAE admit to experiencing road rage, whether it’s tailgating, swerving, or shouting through the window. But what’s driving it? Helen asks traffic consultant Dr Mostafa Aldah and psychologist Mark Samways. Meanwhile, Haus & Haus are on hand to answer your property questions. Plus, we ask, would you forgive a cheat? What is being done to tackle financial exclusion in the Middle East? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this flavorful episode of Farmer’s Kitchen, Jen Crichton explores how food connects us to our roots — even when we’re far from home. Khalid Al Sabi of Barrad, Shaw Lash of Lila’s Taqueria, and Fay Economides of Mythos join Jen to reflect on the emotional power of food, inspired by the hit TV show No Place Like Home. Next, we tackle a heated topic: food allergies and the growing challenges they present for restaurants. Allergist Dr. Stuart Carr and allergy sufferers share their insights on navigating dining out safely. We wrap up with a cultural twist — it’s International Museum Day! Nada...
Netflix’ latest shock documentary follows the Liver King, a man who made millions selling supplements to followers of his raw meat diet. He calls it ancestral living – but is there any truth to his health claims? Helen asks Dr. Nas Al Jafari of DNA Health. Meanwhile, as new figures from Salik show a 9% rise in traffic on Dubai’s roads, engineering expert Christopher Seymour explains the infrastructure options. And after an unsupervised toddler caused untold damage to a Rothko in a Dutch gallery, should kids be banned from galleries? Curator Anna Seaman, consultant Myrna Ayad and Gareth Pype...
It’s wedding season – but as new research suggests the costs are becoming too high for many guests, how can we RSVP no without creating upset? Bride Club ME’s Rhiannon Downie-Hurst, bride-to-be Ellis Horne and finance coach Carol Glynn share their thoughts. Plus, we explore ways to stay sane if sofa surfing with family this summer, and we meet some of the athletes and coaches heading to the World Transplant Games as part of the first ever team from the UAE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From hormones to tantrums, raising a teen is challenging for all involved - but could it also be impacting your relationship? A new book says yes, but that doesn’t have to be the case…Rachel Kelly, author of The Gift of Teenagers, joins Helen to discuss the upsides of adolescence. Meanwhile, with kids in Abu Dhabi getting their first device at an average age of 3, and new research suggesting child tracking apps could be doing more harm than good, is parenting getting too tech reliant? Sahar Zarringhalam of Blaura Wellness Center and Philippa Wraithmell of Edruption are on hand. And with eve...
Last month, Afternoons met Jessica, a new mum who leapt into action to help her 'agency' cleaner, after discovering she - and her colleagues - had been denied healthcare, visas and access to their passports. Having worked with Dubai Police to get the team's documents returned to them, Jessica set about helping them with their CVs to find them better employment - but as she explains to Helen today, she ended up hiring them instead. Plus, lawyer Dilini Loku joins us for an employment clinic, Dr Bisi Laniyan explains why stress is not a flex, we talk mole mapping for kids with dermatologist Dr...
Dubai Opera is cracking down on tardiness, warning latecomers will no longer be allowed to enter between curtain up and interval. Etiquette coach Ziying Zhou tells Helen why she's in favour, while the people of the UAE have their own say on the bad behaviours that drive them bananas. Emily Jenkins from DW travel is on hand to talk all things Disney - and the growth the megabrand's arrival could bring to the Middle East's tourism market. Meanwhile, we talking travelling for carbs with Birch Bakery's Kathy Johnston and Doughbai's Wadad Zarzour, learn about the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride A...
Dubai Police have issued a behavior warning to football fans following unrest and a number of arrests at a match on Saturday. But what prompts disruption at sporting events - and how can it be successfully prevented? Helen puts that big question to two experts in the field - Professor of Afro-Eurasian Sport Simon Chadwick and Scott Armstrong, the founder of Mentl.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
1000 new residents arrived in every day in the first quarter of this year, according to new statistics. So, what do they need to know? We asked two relocation and assimilation experts. Meanwhile, the experts tell us what new tariffs on non-American movies could mean for the film industry here, and Helen talks postnatal support with two professionals working to improve life for new mums.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's the news that's dividing parents - but is AI education really anything to be frightened of? Not at all, according to our experts. Helen gets the lowdown from Fortes Education's Dr. Neil Hopkin and Vasudha Kalhandeparkar, AI & Data Expert Lead at Grant Thornton. Meanwhile, we talk third culture divorce - and taboos - with the team behind FemFam Dubai, and author Heather Darwall-Smith lets us in on the secrets behind her new book How To Be Awake So You Can Sleep Through the Night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A fitness influencer’s appearance in Dubai has gone viral after he brought his daughters on stage to show off their six-packs. But should kids ever be set appearance-driven physical goals – or is that a shortcut to body dysmorphia? Helen asks Florence Gillet of Beyond Body Image and PT Rory Brown. Plus, OT Adam Griffin and speech pathologist Tina Younes talk Speech, Language and Hearing Month, Anna Kaminski from NeuroKinds discusses new research on the impact of yelling at kids, and Charlie Bannan from Haus & Haus is on hand to answer your real estate questions...See omnystudio.com/listener...
Helen sits down with legendary chef Marco Pierre White today to discuss his collab with a food delivery service in Dubai, the relevance (or not) of Michelin, and why he hates a tasting menu. It seems everyone is collaborating in Dubai’s kitchens at the moment. But why? Chef Akmal Anuar and Chef Alessandro Salvatico let us in on the benefits of a four-hands dinner. And with one of Dubai’s hottest openings now under their belts, Johnny Tomazos, and Chef Praba Manickam of The Cullinan join Helen in the studio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From new destinations to a new GCC Visa, Helen gets the expert lowdown on all things travel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Netflix’s star-studded new series The Four Seasons follows the fallout of a friendship group hit by divorce within its ranks. Helen asks mediator Karen Sutherland and lawyer Byron James how this dilemma tends to shake out in normal life. Meanwhile, as the UK unveils proposals for a social media curfew to keep kids safe online, and the US seeks to criminalise non-consensual image sharing, we ask education expert Dr Alison Burrows and Barry Lee Cummings of Beat the Cyber Bully how this could change the landscape? And as a shock new documentary raises concerns about the nutritional make-up of...
From parking to road tolls to school fees, prices are rising in the UAE. So, how do we respond? Helen gets expert advice from Beth Clay of Financed Well and financial coach Jay Adrien Tolentino. Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of the annual GCC Board Gender Index Report shows the UAE leading the way with 14.8% of board seats held by women. The experts break down why its important. And as George and Amal Clooney say they’ve NEVER had a row in 11 years of marriage, Dr Thoriaya of the Human Relations Institute explains why that's not necessarily a good thing... See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...
As a new report from the FA reveals a rise in problematic behaviour from parents at kids football, we discuss the impact with football coach Matt Blenford and psychologist Mark Samways. Helen also discusses a new wave of conversation around male eating disorders with author Liam Kelly and dietician Carina Khoury, a new law on communicable diseases in Dubai with Dr Maryam Mojtabavi, and Haus & Haus MD Simon Baker is on hand with investment advice for the Dubai market.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From music festivals to theatres to food events - and even an opportunity to volunteer your dog's time, Helen is joined by a host of experts to delve into what the UAE has to offer over the next few days.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most UAE firms have paused hiring, citing rising operational costs. What does it mean for small businesses, their staff, and those looking for work? Helen speaks to Tish Tash MD Polly Williams, recruiter David McKenzie and HR consultant Rohini Gill.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The tragic death of an autistic 8-year-old in the UAE has raised the alarm over the pressure on carers. What support is available – and what do families need? We asked two parents with children of determination, Gareth Jones and Steph Hamilton. We also looked at open finance, and how it could change the way families - and specifically women - save, with Sophia Bhatti, Founder & CEO, Wimbledon Wealth. And would you turn to AI for therapy? Increasing numbers of young people are - but is that smart, or dangerous? We ask psychologist Dr Kirin Hillier and Professor Talal Abdul Ghani Shaikh of He...
The Stolen Girl is the latest TV show to terrify parents. But should we really be afraid of our kids' being a part of slumber parties with their peers? Helen puts it to Priya Mitchell from PMC Safeguarding. As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez prepare to splash the cash, we ask experts Mark Kawaja orf Le Table Events and Rhiannon Downie Hurst, founder of Bride Club ME, what they'd do if money was no object. And do you know how to make the most of AI - and how to teach your kids to do the same? We got expert guidance, live from AI Week...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A rising number of firms are offering staff fitness trackers – and incentivising their use. But do they improve employee health – or do they invade privacy? Helen asks workplace culture consultant Lorna King and Ali Hashemi, CEO of Meta[bolic]. Meanwhile, Leena Magdi, author of Mourning Air, & psychologist Dr Alia El Naggar of Canadian University Dubai talk grief, road safety expert Phil Clarke is on hand to discuss how we enforce the law against using a mobile while driving, and we talk real estate recruitment with Tom Poulson of Haus & Haus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Camaraderie in the kitchen is the theme of today's show - from Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun's teaming up with Taqado, new supperclub Tiff's Table bringing together Tiffany Eslick and pastry chef Nadia Parekh, and two of the UAE’s top female restaurateurs - Neha Mishra of Kinoya and Panchali Mahendra of Atelier House Hospitality - joining forces for a new venue. Helen is also joined by Raffi Vartanian to find out how his firm, Ziba Foods, is supporting female farmers in Afghanistan. And Miles Buckeridge is on hand to outline the action from this week's What's On Awards. See omnystudio.com/li...
Helen meets the Dubai-based new mum leading the charge on reuniting eight workers with their passports after they fell victim to a rogue employer. Meanwhile, employment lawyer Thenji Moyo is on hand to clarify the rules. Fatima Haddad from domestic abuse crisis centre Shamsaha is on hand to discuss Sharjah’s moves to protect women and children by seizing the properties of abusive partners. We have more health info than ever before - but is that leading to anxiety and over-diagnosis? Dr Heather Eade gives her views. And we meet Paula Ralph, the amateur cyclist taking on a mammoth solo challe...