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Afternoons with Helen Farmer
A laid back look at life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what's happening and where to go with free advice, expert opinion and storytelling which gives an inside scoop in to real life UAE. Calling foodies, culture vultures and people who want answers from our trusted team of engaging experts.
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Episodes
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Beware of your kid's 'online friend'
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Two stories in the UAE this week underline every parent’s worst fear: predators targeting children online. Parents have been warned about grooming risks on gaming platforms like Roblox, while Abu Dhabi courts have handed down 15-year sentences in a major child exploitation case. We speak with Australia’s leading expert on cyber safety, Susan McLean, on how to protect our kids from online predators. The European Union has banned a chemical commonly found in gel nail polishes that causes fertility damage after prolonged ingestion in animal trials. Are these harmful to humans? What does this m...
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What does your penmanship reveal about who you are?
Monday, 15 September 2025
From Sherlock Holmes to CSI, we’ve always been fascinated by the clues people leave behind. But did you know your handwriting can reveal not just personality, but also help catch criminals? Internationally-renowned graphologist Emma Bache joins Helen live in the studio and even examines our listeners' handwritings A recent report raised questions about couples and children having different surnames after the law changed in South Africa allowing men to take their wife's name - so what does that mean here in the UAE? Madeleine Mendy is in charge of our Family Law clinic today Recent research ...
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Going for gold…
Friday, 12 September 2025
Team UAE has returned to Dubai from the World Transplant Games – and they’re bringing bling! Gold medallists Fatima Rashid and Omar Tom join Helen to talk teamwork and transplants. Meanwhile, sticking with the golden theme, our regular film critic tells Helen about his new role as an international jury member for this year’s Golden Globes. Plus, it’s Friday, which means food. Josette’s Chef Burcu Cracknell and Chef Ricardo Gonçalves from La Niña let us in on their menus for the upcoming ICD Brookfield Place Dinner Club programme, and we learn all about the upcoming olive harvest at Anantara...
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Tackling child obesity
Thursday, 11 September 2025
More children around the world are obese than underweight for the first time ever, according to a UN report that warns ultra-processed junk food is overwhelming childhood diets. So, what can we do about it? Helen meets Joe Wicks, AKA The Body Coach. And from anxiety to classroom confidence, toilet and feeding issues to teacher woes, we get some expert advice on how to tackle school issues early in the term from OT Adam Griffin and child psychologist Dr Haneen Jarrar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Why are fewer mums returning to work?
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
The workforce participation of mothers with young children is dropping sharply, with reports from the US showing the biggest decline in four decades. Helen explores the picture here with David MacKenzie from recruitment firm Mackenzie Jones, and Ruth Dance, employee experience consultant and mum of three young boys. Meanwhile, we examine the UAE's ban on unhealthy food in school dining halls with dietician Tonie-Maria Abi Nader and Magnus Mumby from Food Nation. And with more and more world-class athletes staying fit enough to compete post-40, Dr Shef is on hand to explain what mere mortal...
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Dubai’s super rich influx
Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Dubai is set to attract 9,800 new ultra-wealthy residents this year – more than any other country in the world. So what is life truly like for the rich families making the UAE their home - and what does their arrival mean for the wider community here? Helen asks Thea Kearse of Butterfly Social and finance coach Beth Clay. Meanwhile, with workers more fearful of job insecurity than ever before, Thenji Moyo is on hand with everything you need to know about redundancy in the UAE. And Dr Thoriya joins us to discuss new research into the happiness U-curve…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
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Are you a headphones refusnik?
Monday, 8 September 2025
Should playing songs or videos on phones without headphones be banned on public transport? London says yes, while Dubai is issuing fines for bad tech etiquette. Helen is joined by Professor Christoph Schimkowsky from the Institute of Human Geography. With a longer winter holiday approaching, business leader Katy Holmes explains why businesses might need to be a bit more flexible for struggling and juggling working parents. We meet the multitasking mums creating community for homeschooling families - and Jake Walton from Haus & Haus is on hand to talk rentals for families...See omnystudio.co...
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The Godfather of Spanish cuisine
Friday, 5 September 2025
After training in some of Spain’s best kitchens, Chef José Pizzaro made his mark in London then in the UAE, bringing his cooking to José by Pizarro at the Conrad Abu Dhabi. He joins Helen in studio to discuss his mum’s cooking, his influences, and his gorgeous new cookbook, The Spanish Pantry. Staying with food, Dr Rania and dietitian Tonie Maria discuss the UK’s plan to ban energy drinks for under-16s, and we find out what this week’s Onam celebrations mean to Dubai’s Keralite community with Sneha May Francis from the ARN News Centre. Plus, if you’re looking to get out and about in the cit...
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Is your energy a luxury item?
Thursday, 4 September 2025
One of the many headlines from Taylor Swift’s recent podcast appearance was her idea that people must earn your energy. As research reveals 70% of people feel pressure to reply to all comms quickly, does she have a point? Dr Sarah Rasmi is on hand to talk boundaries and battery life… Plus, in a world where resilience is more critical than ever before, entrepreneur and coach Sebastien Bates is on hand to talk us through how to impart courage and confidence in our kids…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Protecting kids from AI
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
MThe technology is already embedded in our lives - but how do we teach our kids about risks we barely understand ourselves? Helen asks the experts. Meanwhile, with The Materialists still drawing crowds at the cinema, dating expert Hunt Etheridge has the lowdown on dating today. And it’s your skincare clinic with Dr Faheem Latheef.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Do you need a pre-nup like Taylor and Travis?
Tuesday, 2 September 2025
Speculation over the contents of a pre-nup between Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce is mounting. But what should non-global celebrities know about wedding paperwork? Helen asks lawyer Madeleine Mendy. On the education front, boys are about 29% less likely than girls to achieve top GCSE grades – but why? And what can we do about it as our kids re-commence their exam studies? The experts weight in. Meanwhile, with one in five children now starting school behind their vaccination schedule, global health experts are warning parents about the dangers of vaccine-rejection. Dr Howard Podolsky separ...
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Dementia care in Dubai
Monday, 1 September 2025
As the UAE opens its doors to retirees, the country faces an urgent question: do we have the capacity to care for an ageing population, particularly those facing degenerative brain conditions like dementia? Helen finds out about the care options currently being put in place with Jackie Hoi Man Chan of Dubai’s University of Wollongong and Consultant Neurologist Dr Derk Krieger. Meanwhile, there’s more to a successful neighbourhood than buildings. But can you build for community - and if so, how? Jessica Voorn, Principal Urban Planner at Atkins Realis, explains. Haus and Haus are on hand disc...
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Where can you find Dubai’s best pizza?
Friday, 29 August 2025
We asked you, and What’s On editor Liam Joyce, while Pitfire Pizza founder Michele Johnson – who garnered quite a few votes – joined Helen to announce an exciting new opening.We also learned about Abu Dhabi’s new community awards, discussed a theatrical new opening in Dubai, and found out how to eat your way to a better night’s sleep…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Giving Emirati women a voice
Thursday, 28 August 2025
Emirati Women’s Day isn’t just a celebration - it’s also about telling the stories of what it means to be a woman in the UAE today. Helen meets two local role models whose work is giving a global voice to local women. Plus, we’re joined by the business coach teaching kids across the UAE about entrepreneurship, finance and thinking like a boss….See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How to get out of debt in Dubai
Wednesday, 27 August 2025
From credit cards and car loans to family expectations back home, getting into debt in Dubai can be easier than getting out of it. Helen hears one worker’s debt story – and gets advice from the experts. Meanwhile, as a new survey finds 45% of Gen Z workers want a job with more social interaction, has the appeal of remote working waned? And if you’re finding it challenging to get your kids to pull their weight at home, we discuss weaponised incompetence – and how to rid your home of it…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Are kids entitled to digital privacy?
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
Multiple European countries have now enshrined children’s rights to digital privacy in law. But what does the law in the UAE say? Lawyer Dino Wilkinson and digital educator Philippa Wraithmell advise. Plus, we discuss those robot womb hoax posts, Serena Williams’ new campaign for weight loss jabs, and Dr T is on hand to discuss the emergence of a ‘new’ personality type.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Post-vacation blues: Is your routine ready for the reset?
Monday, 25 August 2025
Feeling like the holiday buzz just won’t fade? Is the quiet house making you wonder where your kids—and your energy—went? Join Jen Crichton as she unravels whether what you're experiencing is just seasonal slump—or a sign it’s time for a deeper life reset. Shazia Bharuchi, Career Guidance Practitioner, and Rhiannon Downie‑Hurst, business coach, break down how to return to routine without letting those “post-holiday blues” spiral into something more. Rhian Lindley, The Positive Divorce Coach, dives into the complex emotions of empty nest syndrome—why this new chapter can bring both grief and...
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Your Autumn entertainment guide
Friday, 22 August 2025
From movies and TV to live music and, of course, the city's best food, Helen has everything you need to know as we head into Dubai's busiest season...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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What is quiet cracking?
Thursday, 21 August 2025
Quiet quitting made headlines, but now there’s a more worrying workplace trend– quiet cracking. It’s the breaking point employees reach when financial pressure means they can’t walk away, and HR expert Rohini Gill says it’s on the rise… Plus, Adam the OT has all the advice you need for navigating back to school anxieties.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Could arguing well save your marriage?
Wednesday, 20 August 2025
It’s hard to see how arguing could save your marriage, but one lawyer is so convinced it could, he’s written a whole book about it – called If You're in My Office, It's Already Too Late. So, what can it teach us? Sarah Rasmi from Thrive Wellbeing Centre and family lawyer Madeleine Mendy weigh in. Plus, we discuss Denzel Washington’s blast on cancel culture, and the Dubai Hair Doctor is with us for a hair loss clinic…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Buy now, regret later? The dark side of BNPL schemes
Tuesday, 19 August 2025
From world-changing kids to pastel-colored debt to a culture stuck on refresh—this episode of Afternoons with Helen Farmer dives into the contradictions shaping 2025. We begin with AlDhabi AlMheiri, the 11-year-old Emirati changemaker behind the world’s first AI academy for kids. Her mission? To make tech ethical, inclusive, and accessible—especially for girls. Next: why is debt now wrapped in soft colors and influencer aesthetics? We unpack the hidden risks of Buy Now, Pay Later culture with financial planner Michele Carby, and hear from Mei, a Filipina expat navigating the fallout of a 7,...
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Caring for elderly parents from afar: an expat guide
Monday, 18 August 2025
Join Jen Crichton for a compelling conversation on caring across generations and borders. Discover what’s behind the rise in eating disorders among UAE children (as young as eight) and how experts like Aisling Oslizlok and Liam Kelly are responding. Then, explore the emotional challenges expats face when supporting ageing parents from afar with therapeutic coach Anne Jackson and finance coach Jay Adrian Tolentino. We’ll also unpack the pressures of overexercise culture with trainer Rory Brown, and debunk the biggest myths Dubai property investors need to know featuring insights from Haus ...
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Sky‑high dining, weight‑loss menu, & earth‑friendly experiences to try soon
Sunday, 17 August 2025
Chef Alexandros Sperxos joins Jen Crichton to share what it’s like to lead The Dish, one of twelve unique concepts at Culinara Social Dining, perched 100 metres above the city in the world’s highest food hall. On the ground, Mazlum Topcu, co-founder of The Banc, explains how the new Mini Bancer weight-loss–friendly menu offers high-protein, smaller portions to accommodate changing appetites. Meanwhile, the trailer for Season Two of the Netflix show With Love, Meghan was just released. And it’s the moment revealing that Prince Harry doesn’t like lobster that’s really getting people talking. ...
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Want a job in the UAE? Expert tips to get ahead
Thursday, 14 August 2025
The UAE job market is buzzing with opportunities, but standing out takes more than just a polished CV. Join us as Mollie Powell, Founder & Managing Director of Pink Camel Recruitment, shares insider tips to get noticed in a competitive job market. We also sit down with Mark Samways, Director of Wellbeing & Counselling Psychologist at The Free Spirit Collective, to explore how schools abroad are successfully teaching empathy, the surprising benefits for academic performance and social skills, and practical ways parents can nurture empathy at home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
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The human cost of keeping the Internet clean
Wednesday, 13 August 2025
Why do we still fall for toxic leaders, and what does that say about how we see the world? A new study reveals how our worldview might shape the leaders we choose, and how happy we are at work. The lead author of the research Christine Nguyen joins us live from Columbia Business School, with leadership consultant Paul Littlejohn in studio. Then: “Summer shading” has been dubbed the worst dating trend of 2025. But could pressing pause on love during the heat of the season actually teach us something deeper about relationships? Relationship expert Nicola Beer weighs in. And finally, would you...
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Revenge bedtime procrastination, Y2K nostalgia & therapy speak
Tuesday, 12 August 2025
In today’s episode of Afternoons, Jen Crichton unravels why so many of us delay sleep—staying up late to reclaim “me time.” Is it a nightly rebellion or a sneaky sabotage of our well‑being? We then dive into the Y2K trend and nostalgia resurgence, exploring how brands and media use memory as a marketing weapon and a bridge to our emotions. Finally, we examine the rise of therapy‑speak in everyday talk. Words like “gaslighting” and “boundaries” have crossed into casual conversation, but are we using them wisely, or diluting their meaning?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Do you feel good about yourself? This might help you.
Monday, 11 August 2025
Join Jennifer Crichton as she explores what it truly means to feel good about yourself—starting with the pressures teens face today, from beauty standards to social media. We’ll hear from body image coach Victoria Henry and makeup educator Nitasha Saxena, who share empowering strategies for building self-esteem. Next, we shift to travel—cooler destinations are booming among UAE families. Now, with the new Unified School Calendar—how might this shift your travel plans? Emily Jenkins from DW Travel breaks down what it means for your next getaway. We also delve into groundbreaking advances in ...
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Farm to table dining
Friday, 8 August 2025
Sustainability and locality has amplified hugely here in Dubai in recent years but despite that, true farm to table dining remains very rare here in the UAE. We speak to one restaurant that does chef-farmer collaborations and seasonally-curated menus. We also look at 21Grams team’s newest opening in Alserkal focusing on pies. Food writer extraordinaire Courtney Brandt fills us with the weird and wonderful headlines from the world of food. William Mullally gives us updates on the biggest events to look forward to in the UAE and of course, about his recent interview with the one and only Lind...
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Reconnecting with your passions
Thursday, 7 August 2025
A recent study by the British Heart Foundation found nine out of 10 British adults had abandoned at least one hobby they pursued as children. 40 per cent from the figure say the last time they engaged in a childhood hobby was over 10 years ago. So, why do so many of us step away from creative pursuits in adult life and what's stopping us getting back to them? Jennifer shares her own story as she's joined by three people who would very much love to change the picture- Craig Arnolds, dancer and coach at Studio Republik, Tiffany Schultz, Co-founder of The Courtyard Playhouse and Eli Sibua, voc...
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Are you mankeeping?
Wednesday, 6 August 2025
Mankeeping is the new term for a common trend in which women feel they need to actively manage their male partners' emotional and social lives for them. So, is it a sign of shifting gender dynamics or emotional labour gone too far? We ask a man- and international dating and relationship coach Hunt Ethridge. Experts in the UAE are warning that emotional venting online can lead to serious legal consequences especially under strict defamation and privacy laws. So, what's permitted and when does badmouthing an ex become a legal issue? We speak with lawyers Devanand Mahadeva and Byron James. Acc...
Coming Up on Dubai Eye
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The Agenda10:00am - 1:00pm
Broadcasting every weekday, Georgia Tolley goes beyond the headlines to speak to government ministers, decision makers, analysts and local experts to find out how the news will impact those of us living in the UAE.
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Afternoons with Helen Farmer1:00pm - 4:00pm
Every weekday afternoon, Helen Farmer will help you to navigate the highs and lows of life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what’s happening and where to go.
BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST
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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the USAUAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the US to boost economic and technology ties including AI.
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New iPhone Launch - Too Soon For Apple?Apple Inc. shares fell Monday after a closely followed analyst warned that demand for the firm’s new iPhone 16 Pro model has been lower than expected. Is this a sign that the AI software just isn’t ready?
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Working From Home or Hardly Working?Does working from home kill productivity or can it benefit staff by giving them more flexibility and a better work/life balance?
On Dubai Eye
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Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAEDubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?
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Noon's First Female Delivery DriverGlory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!
