Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

Most of us agree that it takes a village to raise a child, but that village should keep going way past childhood says Gillian Morris. The style of living that goes beyond the nuclear family, is called going supernuclear. For more than 10 years, Morris has lived with other people in a form of communal housing. Right now, she and her friends co-own a set of four apartments in Puerto Rico. She's the co-author of the Substack online publication, Supernuclear. It provides a guide to people who want modern living to be a little more old fashioned with a return to multigenerational homes and living with other people rather than living alone. Gillan Morris joins Jesse.

Every Tuesday we present an issue and get your thoughts on how to resolve it. This week we're looking at friends and what lengths people should take to keep a friendship alive. Let us know your thoughts on 2101.

Afternoons Podcast Critic Jemima Huston joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to. Sick to Death by The Australian The Birth Keepers by The Guardian

If any pop group in history had the knack for making a hit, it was ABBA. In less than 10 years, they had 25 top 40 hits in the UK, and 9 number-ones. This year marks the 50th anniversary of their album 'Arrival', their highest regarded album. To take us through it all is the one and only Lou'ana.

Catherine Ross is the Director of Library at Auckland Grammar School and she always has great picks to share for younger readers. Here is her list today: For Ages 10+ Dr Zeus By James Patterson (co-authored by middle grade author Chris Tebbetts) Published in January 2026 For Ages 11/12+ The Experiment By Rebecca Stead Published in September 2025 For Ages 13+ No Escape By M.A. Bennett Published in September 2025 For Ages 14+ Gone for Good Sarah Crossan (verse novel) Published in February 2026

It's time for Mayoral minutes, our new segment where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them and what makes their community special. Today we're heading to the Central Otago District where Mayor Tamah Alley joins Jesse.

The heyday of disco will make its long-awaited return to New Zealand when 'Boney M Featuring Maizie Williams' arrives next month. Maizie was an original member of Boney M, a band that helped define the disco-era and sold over 150 million records in the process. She chats to Jesse.

A new report analysing more than 6,000 charitable grants in Canterbury has found a significant gap between what funders say they prioritise and where their money actually goes. The research by Fundsorter shows some causes receive only a fraction of the funding promised. To explain further Co-founder and Chief Executive of Fundsorter Lani Evans joins Jesse.

Across the March and April school holidays, a theatre production called 'Swimming with Sharks' will be running at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The show is a collaboration with renowned puppet theatre company 'Erth', artistic director and shark puppet master Scott Wright is with Jesse.

Wastewater analysis from PHF Science shows the number of cases are currently at the highest rate for more than six months and figures from Health NZ show there have been 50 hospitalisations and 19 deaths with the virus in the past week. It's been six years since New Zealand saw the rise of Covid-19, but experts suggest the country's collective immunity is waning. So, why are cases increasing and what can be done to reduce the risk? To answer these and other questions Jesse is joined by University of Auckland Associate Professor and Vaccinologist Helen Petousis-Harris

To find out what is says, and what we can learn from NZ's response, Professor Marc Wilson from Victoria University's school of Psychology chats to Jesse.

Nuclear energy is having a moment. There are influencers on social media and platforms like YouTube explaining why they think nuclear energy is better than burning fossil fuels. Nuclear-free New Zealand, meet nuclear influencer Kyle Hill. He's a science educator with nearly three million subscribers on YouTube. His videos don't just explain nuclear energy, which he calls spicy rocks making steam. But his most popular content centers on his trips to nuclear power plants, as well as disaster sites like Fukushima and Chernobyl. He was also a social media ambassador for the Dogs of Chernobyl that live in the radioactive zone. He says his goal is to get people to look at the science of nuclear power and nuclear waste before deciding whether it's good or bad.

TV Producer and Afternoons TV Critic Philippa Rennie joins Jesse to review the following: Riot Women (TVNZ+) Being Gordon Ramsay (Netflix)

It's time for our expert feature, and today we're taking a closer look at cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic procedures are growing in popularity here in NZ, lower costs, easier access, the influence of social media, and less stigma around having work done are all factors contributing to the rise. Dr Zachary Moaveni joins me for the next 30 minutes, he's an expert in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, specialising in facial procedures Dr Moaveni runs a private practice in Remuera and is also a consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Middlemore and Starship Hospitals So please get your questions in for Doctor Moaveni, text us on 2101 or email jesse@rnz.co.nz

Every Monday Jesse hits the clubs. If you've got a club we need to know about, be that a Jigsaw puzzle club, pug club, or stamp society get in touch. Jesse@rnz.co.nz on the email or text 2101. Today Mike Wilson joins us from the Pre-Vintage Car Club.

We find out what's hitting the headlines in Australia with our man on the ground there, Brad Foster. This week we're discussing: The Federal Government considering a request for military assistance from the Gulf States that have been attacked. Concerns for the safety of the Iranian women's soccer team that has been playing in the Women's Asia Cup and are due to return home. And in brief: the F1, flooding in the NT, and a wrap of weekend footy. There is something for everyone!

A week into the conflict in Iran, more than 1300 Iranian civilians have been killed, according to numbers from the UN. Here in NZ, many Iranians are feeling despair over the worsening situation. Kadambari Raghukumar shares some of their stories on the Here Now podcast.

Medical researchers say New Zealanders are missing out on a transformative cancer treatment that's been proven to make a difference. It's called CAR T-cell therapy. As it stands, Kiwis have to travel thousands of kilometres overseas to receive this treament, which in and of itself is complex and costly. The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research is spearheading an awareness campaign about CAR T-cell therapy this month, and clinical director Professor Robert Weinkove joins me now to discuss it.

Auckland fashion brand 'Kowtow' says it has achieved a world first, turning their garments, once they reach the end of their life, into organic biochar This ancient process locks in the carbon contained within the garment, enriching the soil instead of releasing emissions To talk us through the process Jesse is joined by Kowtow Founder Gosia Piatek.

Iran's Assembly of Experts named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's new Supreme leader. He replaces his father who was killed by American and Israeli airstrikes 9 days ago. Last Monday we spoke to Iranian New Zealand Barrister Samira Taghavi after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a move she hoped could start to bring about regime change in Iran. She joins us again to share her thoughts on the new leader, what could happen next, and why we should care.