Afternoons for Friday 12 September 2025

 

1:15 Is political violence the new normal?

It feels like the world is watching as American authorities try to find the person responsible for the killing of Charlie Kirk, a prominent United States conservative political activist.

Democrats and Republicans have been quick to cast blame at each other and their respective supporters.

As a commentator from CNN has said "the ugly political fighting that follows moments like Charlie Kirk's assassination can feel all too familiar - and even unavoidable." 

Certainly reaction on social media was swift and in some cases, unpleasant raising fears it may provoke even more violence. 

University of Auckland's Dr Maria Armoudian chats to Emile. 

1:25 How do you know if your pet is in pain?

It's not always easy to tell if our pets are experiencing pain and discomfort so it's essential for owners to look for clues that our furry friends might be in pain.

While acute pain can be obvious... chronic pain can be more subtle.. and we might mistake these changes in behaviour as "getting old" or "slowing down"

So what are the signs to look out for?  Natalie Lloyd is the Secretary of the Companion Animal Veterinarians Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association and an experienced vet.

1:35 Calling all wannabe stand-up comedians!

A group of women will be trying their hand at stand-up comedy this weekend, as part of a new initiative aimed at getting more Pasifika women into comedy

2024 Billy T Award Nominee and Cook Islands New Zealander Rhiannon McCall, who you might know from 7 Days and Guy Mongomery's Spelling Bee has teamed up with Samoan Kiwi producer Sarah Richards to run the workshops. 

Rhiannon joins Emile in studio alongside budding comedian Ama Mosese.

1:45 Freaky Friday

Reach for your comfort blanket now because its Freaky Friday time! 
The time of the week where we speak to you, the Afternoons listeners, about your strangest and spookiest experiences. 

Get in touch if you have a goosebump-inducing story of your own to share, either on text 2101 or email afternoons@rnz.co.nz 

2:10 Film Review: Is the new Downton Abbey film any good?

Kate Rodger joins Emile to discuss two new films, Downton Abbey and Bad Guys 2. 

2:20 NZ Live: Crystal Chen LIVE in Studio

Crystal Chen is a Chinese-New Zealand singer, songwriter, and visual artist. 

Her music stems from a deep love of jazz and soul, and influences like Minnie Riperton and Sade.

Last week she released her debut album 'You Can Call Me CC', which is available now on all the usual platforms including Bandcamp and on vinyl.

3:08 Food: Roast butternut & beet salad with orange whipped feta & hazelnuts

Gretchen Lowe talks Emile through this delicious sounding recipe from her new book My Weekend Table. 

Gretchen says this salad goes well with her quick roast chicken recipe; that's also in the book. 

Click here for the recipe. 

3:16 Music 101: Tony Stamp shares new music

 Music 101's Tony Stamp talks about what's happening on the music scene over the weekend, what's coming up on the show tomorrow and because Friday is new music day - he'll pick us a track to play.

3:25 Weekend Stuff: Passionate about yarn

Righto, it's time to talk about weekend stuff, the activities you get up to on your days away from the office, and today we're going to discuss knitting. 

It feels like knitting is having a moment right now so who better to tell us why yarning is all the rage NZ Fashion Curator and Founder of NZ Fashion Museum, Doris de Pont. 

3:35 Critter of the Week: Debris Cloaking Bark Beetle

The critter for this week is rytinotus squamulosus, the debris cloaking bark beetle! These minuscule bark beetles are able to enhance their camouflage and hide from predators by passively accumulating debris from the environment, they secrete a special adhesive which acts as a glue onto which tiny bits of bark and dead leaves get stuck.

What a beetle! Emile chats to Forest and Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki about it. 

3:45 The pre-Panel

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.