Sunday Morning

8:10  The latest from the Middle East  

Dr Benjamin Jensen joins us again for an analysis of news from the Middle East. Ben is the director of the Futures Lab and a senior fellow for the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,

8:25 The Sunday Morning Quiz 

Quiz master Jack Waley-Cohen is back with his Sunday Morning quiz.    

Jack is the mind behind the questions on BBC's infamous quiz show Only Connect, known for being both hard — and at the same time totally obvious.     

Wake up your brain and have a go!  

8:35 Bill Bailey - Modern Vaudevillean 

Award-winning and UK comedian Bill Bailey is heading back to New Zealand later this year with his brand-new show Vaudevillean. The actor, multi-instrumentalist and multi-lingual performer joins Jim to talk about why vaudeville suits him so well. 

Bill Bailey is known for his roles in Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI, In the Long Run and Black Books. He also hosted the debut season of New Zealand’s own panel show Patriot Brains. 

9:10 Mediawatch 

Mediawatch looks at our media struggling to sum up what the fighting in the Middle east will mean for New Zealand. Also - AI’s been caught out lying, making stuff up and gaslighting a UK journalist. And an expert here tells Mediawatch’s Google’s AI seems to be telling us what we want to hear. 

9:40 Getting back to nature – is it truly beneficial? 

People often report feeling refreshed after getting out in nature but what dosage of nature is actually good for us? Mathew White is Assistant Professor of Health & Environmental Psychology at the University of Vienna, and joins Jim to discuss why it’s important that all people, no matter where they live, have a chance to enjoy green spaces and open-air views.  

10:10 Lisette Reymer: Accidental war correspondent 

Lisette Reymer was Newshub's Europe correspondent, based in London, for three years from 2021. Lisette's work in Ukraine saw her win won Reporter of the Year at the NZTV awards for 2024; Best Reporter at the 2023 Voyager Media awards as well as Best Coverage of a Major News Event. She’s with Jim to discuss her book No, I don’t get Danger Money – Confessions of an accidental war correspondent. 

10:40 Mark Vette: how to handle anti-social dogs 

Animal behaviorist and founder of Dog Zen, Mark Vette joins Sunday Morning once again to discuss canine issues. This time he discusses anti-social behaviour, anxiety, medication and how Covid may have impacted some dogs. 

11:05 Celeb stylist Sarah Stuart on curating your winter wardrobe 

Sarah Stuart has worked as a TV fashion stylist for over 15 years, and her styling portfolio includes the likes of Mick Jagger, Temuera Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Samantha Hayes, Mike McRoberts and RNZ’s own Jesse Mulligan. 

Sarah joins Jim to discuss what’s on trend this winter, what are the most flattering jeans for every age and shape, and can men pull off thigh-high leather boots à la Pedro Pascal? 

11:30 Calling Home: Anne Malcom from St Louis 

Romance novelist Anne Malcom has called St Louis, Missouri home for the past four years. She grew up in Central Otago, started writing when she was at university and now has more than 40 titles to her name.