You’ve gotten used to using it at work. But could a Dubai-founded food app make your home life easier too, by letting AI plan your meals? Arij Baidas, founder of YuFood, tells Helen how she’s aiming to solve our dinner dilemmas. Meanwhile, from tomato shortages in India to issues growing rice in Japan, climate change could be about to change what we view as staple foods. Dr Dhanush Dinesh, Founder of ClimEat, tells us how to prepare. 

On the entertainment front, Susanna Skelding, the Founder of Active Netball, tells us all about a brand new international female sports event, The UAE Netball Cup, taking place this weekend. And from the re-release of Jaws to Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the F1 premiere, via new TV shows and family movies, Entertainment Editor William Mullally is on hand today to address all your viewing needs.

You&rsquo;ve gotten used to using it at work. But could a Dubai-founded food app make your home life easier too, by letting AI plan your meals? Arij Baidas, founder of YuFood, tells Helen how she&rsquo;s aiming to solve our dinner dilemmas. Meanwhile, from tomato shortages in India to issues growing rice in Japan, climate change could be about to change what we view as staple foods. Dr Dhanush Dinesh, Founder of ClimEat, tells us how to prepare.&nbsp;
On the entertainment front, Susanna Skelding, the Founder of Active Netball, tells us all about a brand new international female sports event, The UAE Netball Cup, taking place this weekend. And from the re-release of Jaws to Abu Dhabi&rsquo;s hosting of the F1 premiere, via new TV shows and family movies, Entertainment Editor William Mullally is on hand today to address all your viewing needs.

A laid back look at life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what's happening and where to go with free advice, expert opinion and storytelling which gives an inside scoop in to real life UAE. Calling foodies, culture vultures and people who want answers from our trusted team of engaging experts.

Afternoons with Helen Farmer

Dubai Eye 103.8 is the Middle East’s only dedicated English language talk station and the Business Breakfast is the ICC International Radio Show of the Year.

Dubai Eye 103.8

Would you let AI pick your dinner?

A recent UAE report reveals a 14% jump in emotional check-ins and a fourfold increase in severe risk cases among students. So what’s behind the rise in anxiety and low mood, and what can be done? Joining us today are two leading voices in school wellbeing: Dr Louise Lambert, Director of Happiness and Wellbeing Programs at HappinessMatters!, and Laura Tristram, former teacher and co-founder of Lumii.me – an AI-powered tool giving students a daily way to share how they really feel.

With more international schools in the UAE than almost anywhere else on the planet, parents are spoilt for choice – any curriculum, any fee point, any specialism. But are schools truly delivering on their promises of “premium” education? David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, joins us to unpack the shiny brochures and talk about what really matters.

And this week, Barbie has made headlines by launching its first-ever doll with Type 1 diabetes and a glucose monitor– a huge step forward for representation in children's toys. But for families living with the condition, the daily reality is far from plastic-perfect. We're joined by Abby Lyons, mum of a young boy with Type 1 diabetes and the author behind What Is Diabetes Anyway?, a children’s book that helps young readers understand this often-misunderstood condition. 

A recent UAE report reveals a 14% jump in emotional check-ins and a fourfold increase in severe risk cases among students. So what&rsquo;s behind the rise in anxiety and low mood, and what can be done? Joining us today are two leading voices in school wellbeing: Dr Louise Lambert, Director of Happiness and Wellbeing Programs at HappinessMatters!, and Laura Tristram, former teacher and co-founder of Lumii.me &ndash; an AI-powered tool giving students a daily way to share how they really feel.
With more international schools in the UAE than almost anywhere else on the planet, parents are spoilt for choice &ndash; any curriculum, any fee point, any specialism. But are schools truly delivering on their promises of &ldquo;premium&rdquo; education? David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, joins us to unpack the shiny brochures and talk about what really matters.
And this week, Barbie has made headlines by launching its first-ever doll with Type 1 diabetes and a glucose monitor&ndash; a huge step forward for representation in children's toys. But for families living with the condition, the daily reality is far from plastic-perfect. We're joined by Abby Lyons, mum of a young boy with Type 1 diabetes and the author behind What Is Diabetes Anyway?, a children&rsquo;s book that helps young readers understand this often-misunderstood condition.&nbsp;

Wellbeing in schools isn’t just a buzzword, it is now a necessity

There is no off switch when it comes to bullying and abuse nowadays as our kids, though not in school during the break, are still out for camps and are almost always online. So what can we as adults do to protect them with the best way we can? Safeguarding expert Priya Mitchell tells us what we need to keep in mind.

We are also joined by a survivor of bullying— but instead of being silenced, she’s become a voice for millions of children. Seher Pahade is the Lead Child Warrior at CACTUS Foundation, she doesn’t just speak to other kids, she’s training the adults: educators, parents, and school leaders on how to create safe, responsive environments for children. 

We're also looking at the social cost of divorce — how stigma, isolation, and shifting identities can leave lasting marks on those going through it, with Licensed psychologist Dr. Sarah Rasmi from Thrive Wellbeing Centre.

A growing scandal around The Salt Path memoir has rocked the publishing world, raising questions about truth in storytelling. Plus, we’re asking: what makes a great summer read, and how do you go from idea to published book? Best-selling author, journalist, and book lover, Annabel Kantaria gives her take on the subject

And with Dubai’s dry climate, air conditioning, and long screen hours, studies show approximately 62.6% of residents in the emirate report symptoms of dry eye disease, and nearly 42% of those cases are classified as severe. Dr Marta Calatayud, Ophthalmologist at Barraquer UAE, is here to help.

There is no off switch when it comes to bullying and abuse nowadays as our kids, though not in school during the break, are still out for camps and are almost always online. So what can we as adults do to protect them with the best way we can? Safeguarding expert Priya Mitchell tells us what we need to keep in mind.
We are also joined by a survivor of bullying&mdash; but instead of being silenced, she&rsquo;s become a voice for millions of children. Seher Pahade is the Lead Child Warrior at CACTUS Foundation, she doesn&rsquo;t just speak to other kids, she&rsquo;s training the adults: educators, parents, and school leaders on how to create safe, responsive environments for children.&nbsp;
We're also looking at the social cost of divorce &mdash; how stigma, isolation, and shifting identities can leave lasting marks on those going through it, with Licensed psychologist Dr. Sarah Rasmi from Thrive Wellbeing Centre.
A growing scandal around The Salt Path memoir has rocked the publishing world, raising questions about truth in storytelling. Plus, we&rsquo;re asking: what makes a great summer read, and how do you go from idea to published book? Best-selling author, journalist, and book lover, Annabel Kantaria gives her take on the subject
And with Dubai&rsquo;s dry climate, air conditioning, and long screen hours, studies show approximately 62.6% of residents in the emirate report symptoms of dry eye disease, and nearly 42% of those cases are classified as severe. Dr Marta Calatayud, Ophthalmologist at Barraquer UAE, is here to help.

Safeguarding children is everyone's responsibility

A degree from the US or UK is no longer the automatic goal for UAE-based students. With rising costs, safety concerns, and competitive job markets, more students are looking to countries like Finland, the Netherlands, and Germany for top-tier education. We're joined by students who’ve taken alternative paths: Arjun Menon, who chose Finland over NYU, and Abhinav Chamoli, who turned down the US for TU Delft in the Netherlands and Varun Jain from UniHawk – an educational consultancy helping students navigate this changing landscape.

UAE doctors are sounding the alarm as more patients under 45 suffer sudden cardiac arrests, and it’s not just genetics to blame. Dr. Ibrahim Riza, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at Genesis Healthcare Center, unpacks what’s really going on and how travel can add to that risk too.

And with rising drowning cases across the UAE and new municipal rules now in place for private pool owners, the message is clear: water safety is non-negotiable. Chris Lawrenson, Head of Operations at Hamilton Training, discusses the must-knows around supervision, swimwear, flotation devices, and why swimming skills are just the beginning.

A degree from the US or UK is no longer the automatic goal for UAE-based students. With rising costs, safety concerns, and competitive job markets, more students are looking to countries like Finland, the Netherlands, and Germany for top-tier education. We're joined by students who&rsquo;ve taken alternative paths: Arjun Menon, who chose Finland over NYU, and Abhinav Chamoli, who turned down the US for TU Delft in the Netherlands and Varun Jain from UniHawk &ndash; an educational consultancy helping students navigate this changing landscape.
UAE doctors are sounding the alarm as more patients under 45 suffer sudden cardiac arrests, and it&rsquo;s not just genetics to blame. Dr. Ibrahim Riza, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at Genesis Healthcare Center, unpacks what&rsquo;s really going on and how travel can add to that risk too.
And with rising drowning cases across the UAE and new municipal rules now in place for private pool owners, the message is clear: water safety is non-negotiable. Chris Lawrenson, Head of Operations at Hamilton Training, discusses the must-knows around supervision, swimwear, flotation devices, and why swimming skills are just the beginning.

Would you let AI pick your dinner?

In 1 playlist(s)

Dubai Eye 103.8

Follow podcast

Recent clips