Afternoons for Monday 26 May 2025

 

1:15 Palliative care nurse wins excellence award

Most of us try a few different jobs in our lives - and work in a few different places - but once Sally Hanrahan made the decision to become a nurse, that was it. 

And what's more, she has stayed in the same speciality, for almost 35 years.

Sally is a palliative care nurse, and her exceptional dedication, skill and experience were recently recognised at the Southern Nursing Excellence Awards.

She meets people as they are coming to terms with the end of their lives and while there is an inherent sadness to be had in that. she says it is a gift to spend time with them, to get to know them and to try and help them find whatever peace and comfort they need.

Jesse spoke with Sally before her next shift at the Otago Community Hospice.

1.25 City dwellers encouraged to report monarch butterfly sightings

Watching a monarch caterpillar strip a swan plant can be one of those lasting memories from childhood.

But now people are being urged to report sightings of live monarch butterflies as experts sound the alarm over their declining numbers - especially in cities.

Over winter they survive by gathering in clusters on tall trees or in urban green spaces but there's been a noticeable drop off in those habitats.

Jacqui Knight from the Moths and Butterflies Trust spoke to Jesse.

1.35 Seaweed: A Love Story

There's a new short documentary that takes a deep dive underwater in Wellington.

Seaweed: A Love Story follows Dr Nicole Miller scuba diving in the city's harbour highlighting both the beauty and underwater plight of its underwater forests.

1:45 Feature Album - That's the Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire 

2:10 Television Critic

Our TV critic for this week, Claire Chitham, reviews Dying For Sex, Caréme, and Nine Perfect Strangers 2.

2.30 Expert Feature: Scrabble

Scrabble expert Chris Tallman joined Jesse to share his wisdom on how to conquer the game of Scrabble. 

3:10 Feature interview - Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves

Talk isn't cheap, it's powerful. The right conversation can build trust, foster belonging, and show people they matter. But as Harvard's Dr. Alison Wood Brooks has found, sometimes we're just not that great at it. Her new book offers practical advice on how to prep and master small talk, and how to really listen. It's called Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves. 

3:35 Here Now

On this week's episode of Here Now, Kadambari Raghukumar talks to skin surgeon, author and social entrepreneur Dr Sharad Paul about his latest offering in genomics, health and peak performance.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman and producer Sam Hollis preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.