The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
Justin Zoras: film director on his new documentary The Bookstore That Never Sleeps
Director Justin Zoras walked past a bookstore in a small town in Nova Scotia one night, and this experience went on to inspire a documentary. Elizabeth's Books is run by 83-year-old former seaman Chris Webb and the store only opens at night - sometimes for a few hours or whenever the last customer…
13:11
Michaela Brake: Kiwi Sevens legend on her return to the rugby field and life with new baby
Michaela Brake is set to make her grand return to the rugby field later this year, having re-signed with New Zealand Rugby through until 2027. She's made history in the world of Kiwi Sevens - as a two-time Olympic gold medallist and the all-time leading try scorer in women’s international sevens h…
16:32
Whitcoulls Recommends: Boring Asian Female and A Place to Stand
Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu. This is narrated by Elizabeth Zhang who is a driven,100 percent focused student at Columbia University, desperate to make the right path for herself for which she believes admission into Harvard Law School is a necessity. She’s completely shocked when she doesn’t g…
03:53
Megan Singleton: BloggerAtLarge.com writer on the impact the Michelin star system could have on tourism
New Zealand's first Michelin Guide Restaurant Ceremony is set to take place this week, and there's hope this development could boost tourism. Food tourism is growing in popularity, with more travellers seeking authentic dining experiences that reflected a destination’s national identity. Blogger…
04:44
Full Show Podcast: 28 June 2026
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 28 June 2026, Sevens superstar Michaela Brake is preparing to make her comeback after re-signing with NZ Rugby. She joins Francesca for a candid chat about the realities of early motherhood and why she's desperate to get back…
1:56:49
The Sunday Panel: Do politicians need to better support the media?
This week on the Sunday Panel, Director at Capital Ben Thomas and host of The Front Page podcast Chelsea Daniels joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Stuff's owner raised concerns over what big tech means for the future of our media. Are politicians petty abo…
10:44
Erin O'Hara: naturopath and wellness expert on the hidden risks of using AI for health advice
Millions of people are turning to conversational AI systems like ChatGPT and Claude to ask questions about symptoms, medications, supplements, nutrition, lab work, and treatment options. This has raised concerns, as research found that using AI for medical decisions tended to provide inaccurate an…
04:20
Mike van de Elzen: Previewing New Zealand’s first Michelin Guide restaurant awards
This coming Tuesday marks the beginning of New Zealand's inclusion in the Michelin Guide with the announcements of the stars. The Michelin star system originated as a marketing ploy by French tire manufacturers André and Édouard Michelin in 1900. To encourage road trips and boost tire sales, the…
05:50
Dr Michelle Dickinson: nanotechnologist on the research revealing our brains weren't designed for this much bad news
Your brain was never designed for this much bad news, according to new research. For almost all of human history, the biggest threats we faced were local - a predator hiding in long grass or a sick child in the village. Your brain evolved to notice these dangers quickly because missing one could…
03:01
Tim Grocott: Shirley Boys High principal and chair of School Sport NZ on why he wants filming regulations around school sports
Auckland Grammar is cracking down on the filming of school sports, and other educators have voiced support. The debate over media coverage has come up again, after Auckland Grammar sent a “cease and desist” letter to a website that has broadcasted brief social media clips of the school’s First XV.…
07:21