Saturday Morning

 

8:10 The Etymology Nerd: how language shapes us

Language is evolving under the influence of internet slang, algorithms and influencer culture but what does that mean for the future of communication?   

In his new book Algospeak Adam Aleksic, also known as The Etymology Nerd looks at how we’re entering an entirely new era of etymology with language transforming in real time.  

Adam Aleksic is an American Gen Z linguist and content creator whose videos exploring the origins of words have garnered over three million followers across social media. 

He talks to Guyon about how language shapes us, just as much as we shape it.

8:40 The power of the Pause

For people pleasers who say "yes" too often, setting boundaries can be really hard.

A British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy registered counsellor, Nikki Allen runs courses and workshops for the UN, banks, corporates, universities and the British government on the power of pausing before committing.

She talks to Mihingarangi about having difficult conversations and setting boundaries in the workplace.

9:05 Fran Lebowitz unleashed

Never short of an opinion, Fran Lebowitz has for decades lambasted the ridiculous. 

In her 20s in New York City, she wrote a column for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, and 50 years later she's still going strong.

Next year she's coming to the Auckland Writer's Festival to aim her caustic gaze at everything from celebrity culture to the nuisance of tourists.

She talks to Guyon - and shares an opinion or three.

9:25 Pill Rolling Fingers: the experience of Early Onset Parkinson's

A recent recipient of a coveted Marsden grant to research early-onset Parkinson's was diagnosed with the disease herself, age 41.

Dr Tara Coleman's qualitative study engaged 48 people with Parkinson's -  in a range of activities - aimed at documenting their lived experience with the disease.  

Their time together inspired Tara to write a book of poems called Pill Rolling Fingers - a nod to an early sign of Parkinson's.

While the book is a creative endeavour, it carries a practical message for health professionals and policy makers.

Tara speaks with Mihingarangi about her lived experience - and reads some of her poetry. 

9:45 Lars Wittig: a new way of working

Employee absence is costing the economy more than 4 billion dollars each year. 

But a recent study of 4,000 hybrid workers by International Workplace Group showed 36% of workers take fewer sick days if they work from home for some of the week.

Hybrid working - and the option of flexible workspaces - is a worldwide trend that is also being adopted here.    

Lars Wittig is IWG's Senior VP for Asia and Pacific. He talks to Guyon Espiner about why companies are "right" sizing and being flexible is the way of the future.    

10.05 Hamish McKenzie: the impact of independent journalism

Otago-born Hamish McKenzie co-founded subscription publishing start-up Substack, and is its Chief Writing Officer.  

The online platform allows writers, journalists and content creators to publish directly to a subscription-based audience.

Hamish joins Guyon from Silicon Valley to discuss the state of independent journalism and what platforms like Substack mean for the future of traditional journalism.

10:35 Corey Baker: Dancing with the stars

Corey Baker's career has taken him from Hornby to Hollywood. The choreographer and filmmaker has worked with famous names including Lady Gaga, Tim Burton and Dua Lipa, among others. For his latest projects, he's directed dance moves which appear in the new season of Netflix's Wednesday, and the Tim Burton directed music video for Lady Gaga's recent song The Dead Dance.  

Corey has won multiple awards for his work across film, TV, stage, commercials and live events, and has worked on Strictly Come Dancing in the UK and on Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under. 

Corey Baker shares how he's built a career on dance moves that'll be remembered through the ages.

11:05 Nick Tupara: Waeranga A Hika 160 years on 

This week hundreds will commemorate the loss, arrest and deportation of their ancestors in a siege that took place 160 years ago on Waeranga A Hika.

Over five days of attacks, the pa was flattened, leaders died and another 400 Maaori including elderly, women and children were captured, arrested and deported to Wharekauri-Rekohu, the Chatham Islands.

The lands were partitioned and given to soldiers whose families today are sixth generation farmers, orchardists and viticulturists.

Artist, iwi historian and Gisborne District Councillor Nick Tupara tells the story.

11:20 Liam Dann: AI bubble fears and "green shoots"

Investors are fearful that the AI bubble may be about to burst, but what are the wider implications if that happens?

There's also lots of talk of "green shoots", aka signs of economic recovery - but what does it really mean?

New Zealand Herald business editor-at-large Liam Dann unpacks this week's economic news. 

11:40 Kereama Taepa's ambitious augmented reality art

The Toi Tauranga Art Gallery is reopening today after being closed for two years.

One of the headliners is Kereama Taepa presenting his work 'Whakairo', which has been described as one of the most ambitious augmented reality art experiences ever shown in a New Zealand gallery. 

His work explores the intersection of traditional Māori carving, Whakairo, and digital technologies.

Kereama talks to Mihingarangi about what inspires him.