Ruud Kleinpaste: A Phoenix Palm PSA

Witi Ihimaera Smiler has published over forty written works, including novels, memoir, non-fiction, and short stories, and he's not slowing down. This year alone he's already released three books – ‘Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer’, ‘The Star Path of the Whales: A Return to the Realm of The Whale Rider’, and ‘Ariā and the Monster Island’, the third children’s book in the Astromancer series. He broke new ground as the country's first Māori novelist and has inspired generations of writers to find and tell their own stories, shaped by Māori culture and identity. Ihimaera Smiler is appearing at the Nelson Arts Festival later this month, and joined Jack Tame to chat about his journey as an author and his work towards achieving his dream of writing a novel in te reo. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fontaines D.C. has released their newest album. 'Dopamine Chamber' follows on from 'Romance', continuing the alternative rock sound the band created in the 2024 album. Its garnered positive reviews since its release yesterday, and so Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Partita by Barbara Kingsolver Livia Cable has made her peace with her marriage and modest livelihood in the farm country where she grew up, until a shocking phone call from an old lover shakes her to the core. Decades earlier, this man knew her as Livia Bohusz, a music conservatory student estranged from her home and family, uncertain of anything except her passion for music and promise as an extraordinary pianist. His request, now, to see her again stirs up ghosts she’s kept at bay for a lifetime. Shifting between past and present, Livia’s decision to meet or reject the reunion means confronting step by step, in memories framed as musical dances, the experiences of childhood loss, abandonment, self-immolating passion, and perilous attachment to a man who broke her belief in love and ruptured the course of her life.

"Purring through the tucks and folds of South Canterbury’s crinkled hinterland, the sense of anticipation was rising. Just west of Timaru, with the vast arc of the Hunters Hills backdropping the painterly landscape, my destination was Holme Station Homestead, set back from the Pareora River in Southburn. If you share my hankering for a grand historic escape, swathed in scenic seclusion, this is quite the address. Fresh from a monumental tip-to-toe restoration, the homestead has only been hosting guests since May – but the secret is spilling out to the world. Welcome to South Canterbury’s first and only luxury lodge. It’s the evocative sense of history that is a proud and constant refrain, caressing every aspect of an indelible stay here. History endures at Holme Station Homestead. It is a living, breathing link to our past, thoughtfully woven through to the present and fit-for-purpose for future generations." Read MIke's full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and the theme is Belonging – how to foster deeper connections with others. Strong relationships help reduce stress, increase positive emotions, strengthen our sense of purpose, and improve self-worth. Research shows that people with stronger social connections tend to live longer and enjoy better mental and physical health The opposite is true for when we’re disconnected or lonely – a 2023 report from the US Surgeon General found that loneliness is worse for our physical health than smoking 15 cigarettes per day*. It’s not about how many people you know, healthy social connections have three dimensions: Structure is about how many people are in our lives and how often we interact with them. Function is about the support those relationships provide, whether that's practical help, emotional support, advice, encouragement, or a sense of inclusion. Quality is about how those relationships make us feel. Do we experience trust, acceptance, respect, and care? Or do we experience criticism, tension, or disconnection? This distinction is important because someone can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. Conversely, someone with only a handful of close relationships may feel deeply connected, supported, and valued. Loneliness can affect anyone, but research suggests it occurs in a U-shaped pattern, being more common among young adults and older adults compared to people in their middle age. There are many barriers that can make connection difficult. Sometimes it's lack of time. Work commitments, caring responsibilities, long commutes, and financial pressures can leave little energy for relationships. Sometimes it's life transitions such as moving to a new city, changing jobs, retirement, separation, bereavement, or changes in health. For some people, anxiety, fear of rejection, or previous negative experiences can make it harder to reach out. And for others, barriers such as disability, transport limitations, discrimination, or cultural differences can make social participation more challenging. One useful exercise is to do a relationship audit. Just as we occasionally review our physical health, we can also review our social health. Ask yourself: Who do I spend time with regularly? Which relationships energise me? Which relationships feel supportive and reciprocal? Who have I lost touch with? Who would I like to know better or reconnect with? Once you’ve reflected on those questions, focus on strengthening the three dimensions of connection. First, strengthen structure. Create opportunities to connect. Schedule a regular coffee, walk, phone call, or shared activity rather than waiting for connection to happen spontaneously. Reach beyond your immediate circle. Join a club, volunteer, participate in community activities, or simply get to know your neighbours. Even brief positive interactions with people we see regularly can contribute to wellbeing. Second, strengthen function. Think about the different roles people play in your life. Who do you talk to when you need advice? Who helps you have fun? Who challenges you to learn? Who helps you solve problems? Who helps you feel part of something bigger than yourself? Healthy relationships are also reciprocal. Connection deepens when we both give and receive support. Sometimes that means asking clearly for help. Sometimes it means noticing what someone else might need and offering support. Finally, strengthen quality. This may be the most important dimension of all. Be fully present when you're with people. Put the phone away. Listen to understand rather than immediately trying to fix the problem or offer solutions. Celebrate people's successes. Follow up on things they have shared. Express appreciation. Check in when you know someone is going through a difficult time. And when misunderstandings occur, as they inevitably do in any relationship, address them early. Repairing rela