Episodes
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...
It used to be that cheating meant being in the same place as someone other than your spouse. Has the online world muddied the waters? Helen asks Dr Thoriya. Meanwhile, Sophie Thomas and Anna Kaminski discuss rising ADHD diagnosis in adults, and lawyer Scott Hutton is on hand to take your property questions…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New research shows more over-40s are giving birth than teenagers for the first time in history. Why? And what does it mean for the future of fertility? We ask Lindsay Davidson, who had her son at 43, and Dr Luciano Nardo of Now Clinics. Meanwhile, as a new Netflix documentary sounds the alarm over kidfluencing, Meta says it will ban its live features for under-16s. So, where is the line when it comes to our kids’ online interactions? Coach Maysaa Fahour and Dubai-based child influencer DJ Michelle join Helen. Adelina Gschwandtner, an economist at the University of Kent, joins the show to de...
Are Tik Tok trends ruining the cinema experience? It depends who you ask, says entertainment journalist William Mullaly. Meanwhile, Chef Gregoire Berger tells Helen what’s next for him after a decade at Ossiano, Courtney Brandt has your food headlines, and we delve into a new dubai chef collab bringing us ceviche, squared…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
US unis have long been on the wishlist for families here in the UAE – but are we now seeing a sea change amid safety concerns for students in the states. Varun Jain, CEO of UniHawk & Heather Harries, Heather Harries Education Hub, are on hand to bring us up to speed. Meanwhile, new research suggests 98% of consumers now see reviews as an essential part of how they buy goods and services, meaning businesses now routinely ask for our feedback. But when does engaging with customers tip into intrusion? Roota Mittal, software engineer turned entrepreneur, is on hand to discuss the balance...See...
A wife wants to work, her husband and sponsor doesn't want her to - so what happens? It's a query that created a stir on social media in Dubai this week - so we put it to employment lawyer Thenji Moyo and family lawyer Madeleine Mendy... Also on today's show, the UK is celebrating its first live birth after womb transfer - bringing the total babies born globally after the procedure to an estimated 120. Dr Partha Das from Orchid Fertility is on hand to explain the potential impact. As a new study shows microplastics are being found in GUM and can even change how we look, we speak to Amanda G...
Ambitious? Self-reliant? The language used in many job postings appeals to people with ‘a grand view of self’, according to new research. Helen breaks down the implications with researcher Jonathan Gay from the University of Mississippi and Genie Recruitment's Nicki Simpson. Meanwhile, as another research paper suggests everything from the time we apply our skincare to sun exposure to - wait for it - our partner's own skincare habits could be impacting our skin health, she gets the lowdown from renowned dermatologist Dr Faheem Latheef. And after the Texan measles outbreak claims the life of...
From family finances to shares and retirement savings, money anxiety is hitting many of us right now. Helen gets advice from financial coaches Jay Adrian Tolentino and Carol Glynn. She's also joined by the Family Hub's Hanan Ezzeldin and Ben Fox from Repton Al Barsha to discuss the ongoing discussion around Netflix' Adolescence - and the role schools and educators can play in the discussion. Do you use 'politisms' to say what you DON'T really mean? If so, you're not alone, as Dr Ben Beaumont from Trinity College London discovered from his recent research. And on the property front, what mak...
A new free AI programme claims to help anyone overcome stagefright. But is confidence all it takes to become a memorable speaker? We ask speaker and coach Flo Akinbiyi. On the food front, Matthew Jones from Bread Ahead unveils his third Dubai store, while star Chef Tristan Farmer opens the doors to his newest restaurant this weekend. And as a new study finds 20% of Emirati consumers would swap to lab-made meat for health and planet, is it really the better option? We asked nutritionist Kripa Gokal of 15 Minute Mom and Edward Hamod of Switch Foods.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
After a career treating breast cancer, Liz O’Riordan didn’t expect to find herself on the other side of the desk. She tells Helen why she’s now dedicating her life to inspiring other women to take charge of their own wellbeing… Meanwhile, following yesterday's discussion of rising autism rates among kids, one Ma’an backed social entertprise has turned its attention to inclusivity and accessibility at work for an increasing cohort of autistic adults. We meet 13-year old Repton pupil Smayan Sethi, who has just published his first acclaimed novel, Shadows of the New World… And private tuition...
Singer Chappell Roan's comments that her friends with kids are living in 'hell' sparked a huge online debate this week - but why? Dr Thoraiya joins Jen Crichton to unpick our collective inability to scroll past content we don’t relate to. We marked World Autism Day with Occupational Therapist Adam Griffin and Dr Alexandre Machaeo who both say it's time we advance from awareness of to truly understanding neurodiversity. And we hear from UAE-based author Sara Hamdan, whose recent record-breaking book deal has put her in the spotlight as an ambassador for Middle Eastern culture.See omnystudio...
Researchers in the US say just a couple of years ago, your average American would have classed an annual salary of 200 hundred thousand dollars - roughly 60 thousand dirhams a month - as rich. But is that all there is to it? Or are our expectations changing? What does it mean to live a rich life in 2025? Beth Clay from Finance Her Well and Christian Kiefer, CEO & Founder of Spa Wellness Project Management join Jen Crichton to discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Plus, we take a look at how the hospitality industry has survived and thrived five years after COVID. We chat with Chef Hattem Matar about his signature dishes and what Ramadan means to him. We also speak with Chef Jason Atherton about how he navigated the challenges of the pandemic and his latest restaurant launches. Lastly, we dive into how lawyer Gabriela Skaf pivoted from law to entrepreneurship, founding Dubai’s first puppet theater, Les Marionnettes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From planning a family holiday to finding new fun things to do Helen discusses the reality of parenting with founder of Familierge the first family concierge service in the UAE. And staying on the Covid theme 5 years on Helen unpicks the impact the pandemic had on education with education expert Dr. Dala Kakos. And is ‘affluent neglect’ a term you are familiar with? In a world where parents are busy juggling it all do we really understand the impact of having little time for our children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Did you find love during the pandemic or did you fall out of love? Dating and relationship expert Hunt Ethridge explains what people struggled with most when it came love in lockdown. Helen Farmer debated social media and whether we have become obsessed with our own personal brand or whether its what has to happen in 2025. And have you been a victim of a scam recently? Lawyer Ammar ElBanna answered all your questions in keeping your money safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Helen Farmer looks at how workplaces changed over the pandemic, Senior HR consultant Rohini Gill discusses what employees are now looking for in employment. What song, film or series reminds you of your time in lockdown? And what does travel and toursim look like now 5 years on, Helen speaks to industry experts to find out what is most important to traveler’s these days.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Five years on Helen Farmer explores how the Covid pandemic changed our health and healthcare systems, hearing from long Covid patients as well as speaking to trusted Dr Rania. Netflix hit ‘Adolescence’ is still making headlines around the world, Helen chats with ex Snapchat employee Rachel who discusses what parents misunderstand the most about these platforms . And have you tried the latest sporting craze, Hyrox? Coach Dannie Crewe joins us to explain whats involved and whether it’s really a sport for everyone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, modern Bedouins Zahra Abdalla and Ahmed Al Enezi share their most cherished memories and experiences with food. Next, we explore the latest food trends and updates in the UAE with renowned food writer Simon Ritchie. In honor of World Water Day, we dive into the impact of consumer choices—particularly when it comes to selecting local bottled water. Join Hannah Mainds from the Arbor School and her student Loki as they discuss the importance of this advocacy. Finally, health optimisation is a buzzworthy topic today, but is it truly the key to longevity or just another wellness...
It’s the Netflix show that’s making waves all over the world - but will Adolescence also change the way we parent? We asked two expert parents - secondary school head Jane Clewloe and masculinity researcher Steven Roberts. We also learned about a new UAE study making a direct link between subjective happiness and good health - and about the new endometriosis drug that could be a game changer for millions of women.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's the clinic helping hundreds of families access care they couldn't otherwise afford - but what can the success of Dubai Health's Clinic of Hope teach us about the challenges of complex childhood illness? We got into that with the clinic's lead, paediatric metabolic consultant Dr Hamda Abelhoul. We were also joined by Bhavna Patel, a mum who recently found herself at the centre of a medical emergency when her 9-year-old son Jay was hit by a dirt bike on a pedestrian track. Road Safety expert Dr Mostafa Aldah and NMC CEO David Hadley were also on hand with advise on how to navigate an eme...
After an event examining the links between professional ambition and a ticking biological clock attracted crowds, we explored competing life goals with Professional Tribes’ Mucha Nyandoro, Dr. Partha Das from Orchid Fertility Care and entrepreneur Zohare Haider. With 15-20% of children globally now meet the criteria for some form of neurodiversity, we talked to Bloom World Academy principal John Bell and parents Maya Omeiri and Nitya Iyer about why we should be celebrating our differences instead of fearing them.Dr Alison Burrows was on hand to break down the causes – and solutions – to ris...
We were talking all things Ramadan on Farmer's Kitchen, with Lighthouse restaurateur Hashem Montasser joining us to discuss his experiences of the Holy Month, professionally and personally, while Arva Ahmed from Frying Pan Adventures let us in on the company's Iftar introductions in Old Dubai. Emily Jenkins brought us her travel tricks and tips while The Book of Chai author Mira Manek was spilling tea - and history. We were also joined by Foodiva's Samantha Woods, who introduced us to a host of new openings in Dubai... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New research shows regularly going to bed after midnight could increase your chances of serious illness. So, how do you improve your sleep hygiene? We asked airways dentist Dr Tina Rokadia and Neuroscientist Dr Mohammed Nami.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The head master of Brighton College Dubai has written an open letter to parents calling for tougher restrictions on smartphone and social media use for kids and teens. We spoke to him - and to psychologist Mark Samways - to find out why age 13-16 is so crucial for healthy development. Staying with education, we met David Wesley of the Boarding School Show. And we discussed brain health - and how to train yours - with Dr Semer Wang of the Brain & Performance Centre. Plus, with stock markets looking volatile, we talked expat investing with Steve Cronin of Dead Simple Saving…See omnystudio.c...