Afternoons for Wednesday 29 January 2025

1:15 How a restaurant on the brink of closure managed to turn things around

The recession has hit many businesses hard, particularly in the hospitality industry.

For a time, it seemed like there was a restaurant closing every week.

But there is hope. Jack Crosti has worked with more than one business on the brink of closure, only to turn their fortunes around.

He joins Jesse to share some of his secrets for keeping the doors open.

1:25 Southland company preparing for moon mission

In a few weeks' time, Southland company "Space Ops NZ" will play a crucial role in landing a new spacecraft on the moon.  The company will use its 30-meter antenna to guide a spacecraft to the moon, in a search for water.

Jesse talks to Space Ops NZ's chief exec Robin McNeill.

1:35 A return to Wasps; an expert view

On yesterday's show we were overrun with wasp chat.

Tons of you texted in with your techniques for hunting down their nests.

From the bizarre like "My grandfather used to throw flour at the wasp so he could then see it and follow it back its nest." To the oft reported - put the wasp in the freezer and tie a string to its leg.

Today we have a pest expert Waspman A.K.A Lloyd Carpenter.

1:45 Heading Off: A rickshaw race through India's west coast

India is one of the most exciting, challenging and vibrant countries you can visit, but would you choose to spend two weeks of your life in a rickshaw to see it?

Clair Scott did. Along with her friends, Fi & Ellen she has just completed the Rickshaw Run, which took them some 3000km along India's west coast in what they describe as a "glorified lawnmower with wheels."

2.12 Music Critic: new music from Rubi Du and School Fair 

Creative director at Naked PR Zac Arnold has some brand new music for you. He plays the new single from Rubi Du, Played Me. He also enthuses about a new song from School Fair, a torn moon mended. 

2:20 Easy Eats with Kelly Gibney: Vietnamese-inspired chicken noodle salad

A simple, zingy and fresh weeknight dinner for warm evenings. If you grab a store-bought rottiserie chicken, this recipe can be made easily in 15 minutes. Using a good quality fish sauce makes a big difference to the dressing. Get the recipe here.

2:30 Bookmarks with Laura Tupou

Bookmarks is our regular segment where we ask a guest to select some of their favourite Books, Podcasts, Movies, Music. 

Today Jesse is joined by Three news weekend Anchor Laura Tupou.

3:10 Feature interview: Obama's speechwriter on how to talk to each other

If you can talk to a crowd, you can talk to anyone. No one is born a naturally gifted speaker, not even the man considered one of the greatest orators of the 21st century, former US President Barack Obama.

That's what Terry Szuplat says and he is the former deputy director of the White House Speechwriting Office and one of Obama's longest serving speechwriters. In his new book, Szuplat shares the lessons he learned that can help us not only speak to crowds, but talk to each other with civility, empathy and honesty. The book is called Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience.

3:35 Stories from Our Changing World

On Our Changing World, Claire Concannon heads to the Wye Valley just outside Queenstown.  

The Southern Lakes Sanctuary project is setting up a new smart trap network there, the fourth they’ve built in the region. They hope these AI-powered traps will help them trap more efficiently in difficult-to-reach areas. 

Philip Green is a technical and field advisor for the project. He first came to the Wye Valley many years ago for the excellent climbing and now is heavily involved in its conservation.

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman joins Jesse to preview The Panel. Producer Sam Hollis is also in studio to chat about the quirky side of news.