Afternoons for Tuesday 13 February 2024

1:10 First song: Daniel O'Donnell

For fans of the dulcet tones of Irish performer Daniel O'Donnell, some good news, he's back on our shores for the first time since 2017.

The singing legend is armed with a show full of Irish standards and classics from around the world.

1:15 Med school at Waikato Uni a step closer

A very short time ago the University of Waikato signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a medical school in the Waikato region.

National campaigned on this last year, and the memorandum was signed today with the Ministry of Health.

The University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley speaks to Jesse.

1:25 Small town skateboard society formed to address a lack of places to skate

On Sunday, Hampden - a small south island town of 350 people - celebrated the opening of a new skate ramp.

The project started two years ago when children from the local primary school designed and built their own skateboards. But that came with a bit of an issue.

In a town that "barely has pavements" there was nowhere to ride them.

The old halfpipe was rotten, dangerous, and too steep for anyone but top tier skaters.

After a few near misses on the roads, and being forced to pull one splinter too many a trio of local parents had enough.

Joseph Nicolson, Emily Daly-Ferguson & Stuart Barnes got together, and the Hampden skateboard society was formed.

1:35 How phones disconnect teens from reality

Children's author and blogger James Russell is a children's author has noticed a trend of teenagers using phones as an escape from awkward conversations.

In the process he realised that not being forced to plough through awkward small talk meant they weren't getting to the level of forging deeper connections.

Against the backdrop of the current phones in schools ban James joins Jesse to discuss his blog.

1:45 Tech Tuesday with Tim Warren

This week tech commentator and founder of Ambit AI Tim Warren is with Jesse to talk about the future of education in a world of AI and High Tech.

2:10 Book Critic: Pip Adam

Today Pip talks to Jesse about author Thomasin Sleigh, who Pip is talking to for the Aotearoa New Zealand Arts Festival.

2:20 Update on Oz with Brad Foster

Brad Foster reports on dangerous fire conditions in Victoria as the state enters its fourth day in a row of heatwave conditions, the discovery of asbestos in parks and gardens in and around Sydney, and four NRL teams about to depart for the 2024 season kick-off in Las Vegas.

2:30 Music feature: Herbie Hancock

Today for our Tuesday music feature we're celebrating one of the greatest names in jazz, Herbie Hancock.

The pianist and composer emerged in the 1960s playing in Miles Davis's quintet.

Later, as a bandleader, he would become a pioneer of jazz fusion - crossing over into genres like funk, hip-hop, and electronic music.

With that he also managed to find mainstream success with hits like 'Watermelon Man' and 'Chameleon', both from his 1973 album 'Head Hunters' - which stands as the third-highest selling jazz album ever.

To take us through Herbie's music today we're joined by Wellington musician Dan Hayles.

3:10 Turning mid life crises into challenges

Midlife and crisis are two words that almost always go together. Chip Conley doesn’t see it that way. He says midlife is a challenge not a crisis. He’s an entrepreneur, author and former head of global hospitality for Airbnb.

He says our 40s, 50s and 60s  are a time to re-imagine and repurpose our lives.

That’s what he did in his mid 40’s when he was hit with a cascade of challenges all at once.

He emerged on the other side with new wisdom about wringing the best out of this stage of life which he shares in his book, Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age.

3:30 Spoken Feature: Healthy or Hoax

Ever dreamed of taping a snorer's mouth shut?

Stacey Morrison finds out whether perhaps you should in this week's episode of Healthy or Hoax.

She also discovers whether sleep syncing and the latest apps and technology could be the answer to getting a good night's sleep

3:45 The Panel with Sue Bradford and Dean Hall