Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

The AI wars are heating up Reports are out today that Amazon has selected Anthropic to be its AI partner for the new Alexa devices. Reuters notes that initial versions Amazon's own AI proved insufficient, often struggling with words and responding to user prompts. It's thought that this enhanced AI assistant will be a subscription service costing $5 to $10 a month. Amazon already has a minority stake in the company. Open AI is seeking investment too, and both Apple and Nvidia are interested, valuing the company at $100 billion. Apple is already planning to integrate ChatGPT into iOS and Siri, and Nvidia is a key supplier for Open AI. AI Safety is in the government spotlight Both OpenAI and Anthropic will share their models with the US Government's Safety Institute. Together with the UK they will evaluate safety risks and mitigate potential issues. There's a bill waiting for California's Governor's signature which will force AI companies in the state to take specific safety measures before training advanced models - that's the first in the country specifically targeting AI. That law would force companies to be able to quickly and fully shut the model down, prevent unsafe post-training modifications, and prevent critical harm. Oprah is going to educate America about AI She's doing a special for the ABC Network here called ‘AI and the Future of Us’, where she'll interview Bill Gates and Sam Altman among others to explain how AI works, as well as the possibilities and risks ahead. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about who New Zealand’s biggest sports star is, with Lydia Ko and Lisa Carrington being major contenders. Kevin Milne thinks there may be another option as he watches Dame Sophie Pascoe in her role as a live TV presenter for the Paralympics. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kaos A darkly comedic and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology, exploring themes of gender politics, power, and life in the underworld; six humans learn that they are component parts of an ancient prophecy (Netflix). Sherwood A second season of the British drama about a murder investigation in a small-town, working-class community in the north of England (TVNZ+). The Twelve The strain of the trial taking its toll on all in the Court. As the end approaches, Kate insists on taking the stand to tell the truth about her relationship with Nathan, but her decision hands Bloom the weapon she needs to bring Kate down. Meanwhile Ezekiel finds evidence that may help salvage the case. With new revelations about her sister's betrayal, Diane's support begins to wane - but does she hold a secret that could smash things wide open? (TVNZ) LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have this photo from the night of the US election, eight years ago. It was a graffiti stencil, taken right outside where Hillary Clinton hoped she’d be having a celebration party in a few hours’ time. A bit of paint on the sidewalk with Clinton’s silhouette and a simple phrase underneath. ‘I’m with her.’ With just two months to go, I’m all-in on the US election. And I was reminded of that Hillary Clinton stencil as I watched Kamala Harris’ first and only TV interview as the Democrats nominee. The interview was fine. Nothing too exciting and nothing too scandalous. I can’t imagine it moved the dial in any major way. But perhaps the most telling bit from a strategic sense, was Kamala Harris’ response when asked about Donald Trump questioning her black identity. Harris paused and said just a few words: ‘Same old tired playbook. Next question please.’ That was it. She was served up a prime opportunity to talk at length about her identity. A different candidate might have talked about America’s history of racial oppression. She might have recalled other occasions when people sought to undermine her through the prism of race. She might have talked about misogyny and the barriers she has had to overcome as an ambitious woman. But nup! Zilch. Nothing. Not a word on identity. Next question please. As a candidate, I reckon Kamala Harris has plenty of flaws. For now, she’s getting by on vibes rather than specifics. From the Democrats’ perspective, I don’t think that matters one bit. Trump’s such a polarising figure. People love or hate him. No one feels simply ambivalent about him. And it means any election in which he’s a candidate is not really going to focus on policy. But in her ‘vibes’ campaign, one thing I reckon Kamala Harris is doing extremely well is NOT talking about identity. If she wins, she would be the first woman President. The first black woman. The first South Asian. All of these things are historic and arguably significant, but they’re also self-evident and I think it’s notable that she and her supporters, and other high-profile Democrats aren’t talking about them. I contrast it with Hillary Clinton’s run, when so much of the campaign discourse centred on the possibility of her becoming America’s first woman President. Kamala Harris has perhaps chosen a different message. Instead of ‘I’m with her,’ ‘I’m not him.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Were Dangerous In 1954 New Zealand, Nellie and Daisy attempt to escape an institution for delinquent girls, but they are caught and it triggers a relocation to a facility on a remote island. The duo become a trio as well-to-do Lou joins them, and life on the island takes shape under the command of the devout Matron. The trio rail against the system, dubious of the benevolence of the bible and taking refuge in their blossoming friendship. It’s hard to reform girls who don’t believe they need reforming. However, a sense of doom settles in when experimental forms of punishment take place in the dead of night. Nellie and Daisy plot rebellion, but unexpectedly find themselves at odds with Lou, who is afraid to break the rules. Midas Man In 1960s Liverpool, Brian Epstein encountered a rock band who would take the world by storm. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is such a great brunch idea and a great start to Father’s Day. This mince is spiked with some fried onions and chilli and served with an egg. Serves 4-6 Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 400g beef mince 2 carrots, grated 1 bay leaf ¼ cup red wine 400g tin chopped tomatoes ½ tsp sea salt + pepper 2 medium onions, sliced thinly 1 tbsp butter or oil 1-2 red chilli, sliced thinly 1 fried egg per person to serve Ciabatta slices to serve, toasted Finely chopped chives to garnish Method 1.Heat oil in medium sized saucepan and brown mince, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks to keep it loose. Add grated carrot, bay leaf and red wine. Cook for 3-4 minutes then add tomatoes and seasoning. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes. Taste and season with more salt or pepper to dad’s taste. 2.Whilst mince cooks, fry onions in butter or oil. Get some really good colour on them before adding the chilli at the end. Set aside and use pan to fry eggs. 3.Plate up, topping mince with fried egg and chilli onion mix and toasted ciabatta slices on the side. Sprinkle with chives. Nici’s notes - Cooked mince, like casseroles, curries and soups, ages well overnight so prepare it the day before Fathers’ Day, refrigerate, then re-heat for brunch. - Use one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar instead of red wine if you prefer. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We Were Dangerous is a brand-new Kiwi film about girlhood, rebellion and violence – but it has friendship at its heart. Although the story is fictional, it comes at a time that makes you feel it could have been plucked right from the history books. It follows a misfit trio of Nellie, Daisy, and Lou, determined to rally against the system in 1950’s New Zealand. The film won the Special Jury Prize at SXSW this year and made its premiere at the Auckland launch of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Erana James and Nathalie Morris, Nellie and Lou, joined Jack Tame for a chat about the making of the film, the story it follows, and the success it has found. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phenomenon of Irish post-punk, Fontaines D.C. have released their fourth studio album. ‘Romance’, released on the 23rd of August, is an 11 track album in which music reviewer Estelle Clifford thinks they’ve found themselves. “This album is where I feel like they've suddenly found themselves and taken a real creative look at this and how to do things a little bit differently.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiger, Tiger: His Life, as It's Never Been Told Before by James Patterson James Patterson--the only major author to have nine holes-in-one--gets inside the mystery of Tiger Woods as only he can. How did Tiger become the G.O.A.T., what drove him to fall so spectacularly, and how has he made his way back to the pinnacle of golf? In Patterson's hands, Tiger's story is an unputdownable thriller. On April 13, 1986, ten-year-old Tiger Woods watches his idol, Jack Nicklaus, win his record sixth Masters. Just over a decade later, chants of "Ti-ger, Ti-ger!" ring out as the twenty- one-year-old wins his first Green Jacket. He blazes an incredible path, winning fourteen major titles (second only to Nicklaus himself) by the time he's thirty- three, smashing records and raising standards. Then come multiple public scandals and potentially career-ending injuries. The once-assured champion becomes an all-American underdog. "YouTube golfer" is how his two children know their father--winless since 2013--until he wins the 2019 Masters, his fifteenth major, before their eyes. But the story doesn't end there. Tiger, Tiger is the first full-scale Woods biography of the decade. In James Patterson's hands, this story is a hole-in- one thriller. By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult In 1581, Emilia Bassano—like most young women of her day—is allowed no voice of her own. But as the Lord Chamberlain’s mistress, she has access to all theater in England, and finds a way to bring her work to the stage secretly. And yet, creating some of the world’s greatest dramatic masterpieces comes at great cost: by paying a man for the use of his name, she will write her own out of history. In the present, playwright Melina Green has just written a new work inspired by the life of her Elizabethan ancestor Emilia Bassano. Although the challenges are different four hundred years later, the playing field is still not level for women in theater. Would Melina—like Emilia—be willing to forfeit her credit as author, just for a chance to see her work performed? Told in intertwining narratives, this sweeping tale of ambition, courage, and desire asks what price each woman is willing to pay to see their work live on—even if it means they will be forgotten. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Enrobed by chiselled cliff tops, wild beaches and the serene Grey Valley, the West Coast’s biggest town of Greymouth is so much more than just a gateway to the region. Explorer Thomas Brunner named the river in honour Governor George Edward Grey, which also gave rise to the town’s name. The town centre is built on the site of the former Māori pa called Māwhera, which translates as 'wide spread river mouth’. The latest attraction in town that is the worth the trip alone is Pounamu Pathway – Māwhera." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us experience disruptions to our sleep when we are busy or stressed. This can be due to our brains being switched into “flight or fight” mode. When this mode is on our body and brains are alert and actively looking for danger, which makes sense if our danger is from a wild animal but doesn’t make quite as much sense if our “danger” is from a high workload. This sense of alertness is the polar opposite to that state your body needs to be in for sleeping. In these situations, you might find yourself having trouble getting to sleep or waking in the middle of the night with a racing mind. This can leave you feeling tired and exhausted the next day, which may make you less effective at work, which in turn contributes to more stress! Here's some tips for sleep during stressful times: - If you can’t get to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night, don’t lie in bed for more than about 15mins – if you haven’t fallen asleep by then you’re probably not going to anytime soon. Get up and out of bed and do something boring until you feel tired again. If you have a racing mind sit down with a piece of paper and simply write down everything in your head until your brain has dumped it all out. Then try sleeping again - Try to resist the urge to sleep in, at least during weekdays. Keep a consistent wake up time as this helps anchor your body clock and can help prevent sleep problems getting even worse - Avoid napping during the day, unless you can keep the nap to 20mins or less. Sleeping too much during the day will have a flow-on effect to nighttime sleeping LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, after that yucky and cold spell in the middle of winter, I was checking my mistletoe to see how it had been coping under those chilly and frosty conditions. Looked okay, but there were a few bite marks on the leaves. Hmmm… nothing worrying about though. Ileostylus micranthus is the green mistletoe I “planted” on my kowhai bush a few years ago now. The sticky seeds should be adhered to the twigs of the host plant and with a bit of luck the mistletoe will settle itself on that host plant by sending its “roots” (haustoria) into the host plant. The Mistletoe can then draw its nutrients from the host. That makes it a “parasite”. Under normal circumstances, the sticky seeds are “planted” by birds. They simply try to eat the seeds but often end up wiping their bill clean on the host plant. Clever plant! My neighbour across the road also has a green mistletoe, but his specimen is situated on a Coprosma virescens bush known by its Māori name as “Mingimingi”. A gorgeous native shrub with a divaricating growth; tangled branches of orange colours and rather small leaflets. I decided to see how his green mistletoe was doing after the very cold nights. The leaves were chewed significantly – huge chunks eaten out of the edges. The last time I saw that plant it was in great condition, but this winter something or somebody must have had a real go at it. A thorough investigation revealed the culprit: an adult Katydid was hiding in the tangled branches of the Mingimingi, sitting very still and using its green camouflage. This in itself is quite a weird phenomenon, as I usually see Katydids in summer and autumn but not in winter. This native chewer-of-leaves must have found enough shelter inside the Mingimingi to survive the winter conditions and chew away at the parasitic Mistletoe! A Vandal Katydid on a Green Mistletoe on a Mingimingi. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 24 August 2024, Jack is joined by stars of new Kiwi film ‘We Were Dangerous’, Erana James and Nathalie Morris, to discuss winning the Special Jury Prize and SXSW 2024 and what it was like to film on Otamahua Quail Island in the South Island. Jack finds New Zealand Rugby's communication around Leon MacDonald's exit refreshing. An underrated vegetable is hailed in chef Nici Wickes leek, parmesan and prosciutto tart - with leeks current cheaper price point making it the perfect pairing when splashing out on pastry and other ingredients. Psychologist Dougal Sutherland emphasises the importance of sleep and shares tips to try and combat sleep disruption. And, phenomenon of Irish post-punk Fontaines D.C. have released their fourth studio album, Jack finds out how it ranks against their previous universally hailed records. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The OCR cut has seen banks lower their rates – some cutting multiple times. But how low will they go? And what impact will this have? Lisa Dudson joined Jack Tame to run through the details. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe virtual reality isn't as appetizing as the tech companies want it to be Meta has decided to call it quits on making a high-end mixed reality headset to compete with the Apple Vision Pro. They started working on it back in November, but reportedly told staff this week to stop. The goal was to keep the price under $1000 which is getting harder and harder with the price of the micro-OLED displays needed. Apple's Vision Pro has struggled to get interest from consumers and developers. Estimates suggest Apple won't sell more than 500,000 of them. Analysts think they're too expensive and consumers might need a cheaper model. There are some surprising winners in the AI race Mitsubishi Electric, known to many for heat pumps and air conditioning, are also makers of optical components used in data centers and with the rise of AI they're in mega demand. They're about to ramp production capacity to 50% more than last year, which they still don't think will be enough. They think they'll need to get to double that new production capacity. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pachinko The hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family, beginning with a story of a forbidden romance that leads to a sweeping saga taking place in Korea, Japan and America (Apple TV+). Industry Young finance graduates venture out in the cut-throat competitive world to get a job during the recession times that followed as a result of the 2008 financial crisis (Neon). The Marlow Murder Club Retired archaeologist and crossword setter Judith Potts believes that a brutal murder has taken place in the sleepy town of Marlow; when the police refuse to believe her story, she kicks off a private investigation with two unlikely friends (TVNZ+). Jack’s Pick: Turning Point: The Bomb And The Cold War A chronicle of Cold War history, from the development of the atomic bomb to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Including an examination of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Netflix). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Union Mike, a down-to-earth construction worker, is thrust into the world of super spies and secret agents when his high school sweetheart, Roxanne, recruits him on a high-stakes US intelligence mission (Netflix). The Three Musketeers: Milady Constance Bonacieux is kidnapped before D'Artagnan's very eyes. In a frantic quest to save her, the young musketeer, aided by Athos, Porthos and Aramis, is forced to join forces with the mysterious Milady de Winter. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lovers often meet under the night sky, stargazing a cliché of the romance genre. But do other celestial bodies carry the same romantic energy? Kevin Milne is wondering if blue moons, and blue supermoons in particular, bring romance into people’s lives. He wouldn’t have thought so, but this week’s blue supermoon has stirred some memories and emotions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leeks are so underrated and I have to remind myself to use them for more than just soups and chicken pies. In these tarts they are the star and as well as looking pretty they are absolutely scrumptious with soft and sweet, leeks combining with the tang of parmesan and saltiness of prosciutto. Perfect really! Makes 4 Ingredients 3-4 leeks, cut into 2cm thick rounds (to yield about 16-20) 30g butter 2 sheets savour short crust pastry 1 tbsp olive oil 4 eggs 150g crème fraiche 200mls cream ½ tsp wholegrain mustard ¼ tsp sea salt + pinch black pepper 100g parmesan, grated + extra chunks for tops 50g prosciutto Method 1. Preheat oven to 180 C. Place oven tray in to heat. 2. Line four 12cm tart tins (or one large 25cm) with pastry and trim edges neatly. Chill for 20 minutes. 3. Carefully place leek rounds in a pan with butter and oil, cover and cook gently until they begin to soften and are cooked through - about 20-30minutes. Turn once halfway through cooking but do so carefully as they like to unravel! Cool. 4. In a bowl whisk together eggs, crème fraiche, cream, mustard and seasoning. 5. Sprinkle grated parmesan over chilled pastry bases then position cooked and cooled leeks, leaving a little space between each. Transfer tarts to oven tray at this stage to avoid spillage later. Pour egg mixture around the leeks, until each case is full. Top with scrunched up prosciutto and extra cheese. 6. Gently slide back into oven and cook for 30-35 minutes (longer for large tart) or until pastry is golden and filling is just firm. 7. Leave to cool for 5-10 minutes and serve. Nici’s note: Prosciutto (and pancetta for that matter) can seem expensive but a little goes a long way in recipes such as this as the flavour is very intense. Always remove tarts from fluted tins whilst still a little warm as they come away from the tin easier when pastry is not completely cold. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13-year old Jack Tame would never have believed that Scott Robertson and Leon MacDonald weren’t getting along. The year was 2000. Having survived Y2K, started high school, and become a teenager in the space of a few short months, the highlight of my year was yet to come: May 20th, when the Canterbury Crusaders defeated the ACT Brumbies by a single point at Bruce Stadium in Canberra to become Super Rugby Champions for the third year in a row, the first team to achieve the feat. It is amazing to go back and look at that starting 15. We didn’t know it then, but several of the winning Crusaders would end up becoming successful coaches after their playing careers were done. Winning finalists included Todd Blackadder, Daryl Gibson, and Mark Hammett, all of whom have enjoyed pretty high-profile coaching careers. The Crusaders’ second-five-eighth was a guy called Mark Robinson, who in years to come would be appointed the CEO of New Zealand Rugby. We didn’t know it then, but in a couple of decades, he would hire his blindside flanker teammate as the All Blacks’ coach and his fullback as assistant. But if you could’ve told 13-year-old me that two of the guys from that team would end up having a very split after just a month at the helm of the All Blacks, I would never have believed you. I’ve gotta say though... as shocked as I was this week to learn that MacDonald and Razor hadn’t worked out, from what we know so far, New Zealand Rugby, the All Blacks, and both Scott Robertson and Leon MacDonald deserve our praise and thanks. I thought that New Zealand Rugby statement and Robertson’s subsequent statements were amazing. Of course we’ll probably never know the full story, but they didn’t sugar-coat anything. No one made up a rubbish excuse – the old ‘more time with the family.’ It wasn’t nasty or spiteful. But it was honest. They didn’t see eye to eye. They have differing views. And after a series of ‘robust’ conversations, it wasn’t in the best interests of the team to have MacDonald and Robertson working together, resentment building as they pulled in different directions. It’s so easy to imagine an alternative, another World where they didn’t recognise or didn’t acknowledge things weren’t working, they weren’t clicking, and whatever tension existed festered and grew into something more damaging. Rumours would start. The odd news report would intimate that something wasn’t right. There could be cliques and factions. Players might have split loyalties. And ultimately it would hurt the team. Again, we don’t know everything. But given the frankness of the explanation, it’s the best we have. And man, there is so much to be said for calling it early. They didn’t battle on for a couple of seasons. They didn’t try and fake anything for the rugby-loving public. They called it. Leon MacDonald clearly has a lot of mana and as a coach he’s had success. I’m sure he’ll get a great coaching job somewhere different. Obviously 13-year-old me would be gutted to see two of his sporting heroes, split. But 20 years since they won that third title, their collective handling of this situation has been mature and strangely refreshing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An author with a pen game strong enough to reduce people to tears, Jodi Picoult has quite an extensive and well-loved body of work. She’s written nearly 30 books, selling around 40 million copies, with fan favourites such as My Sister’s Keeper, Mad Honey, and Wish You Were There flying off the shelves. Picoult writes across a diverse scope of genres, from thriller to romance to ghost stories, and her latest work steps into the world of historical fiction. By Any Other Name details the intertwining narrative of the woman many believe was the real playwright behind the work of William Shakespeare alongside a contemporary story of a New York author suffering the same fate of being silenced. Picoult joined Jack Tame for a chat about how this new story came to be, her love of Shakespeare, and the meticulous research she puts into the narratives she creates. "To me this is really a book about how women have been written out of history by the men who were writing it." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Album 8 in his 10|10|10 project is Troy Kingi’s ‘Leatherman & The Mojave Green’. The album is described as a “sun-baked excursion into desert / stoner rock sonics”, released August 16th 2024. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the release. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act of Disappearing by Nathan Gower Julia White is struggling: her bartending job isn’t cutting it and her first book has sold hardly any copies. She’s broke, barely able to make ends meet while drowning in her late mother’s medical bills and reeling after a one-night stand with her ex-boyfriend, who’s now completely ghosted her. Enter Johnathan Aster, world-renowned photographer, with a proposal: he has a never-before-seen photograph of a woman falling from a train bridge, clutching what appears to be a baby. And he wants Julia to research the story. Alternating between present-day Brooklyn and Kentucky as it enters the 1960s, the story unfolds as Julia races to find answers: Who was the woman in the photograph? Why was she on the bridge? And what happened to the baby? Each detail is more propulsive than the last as Julia unravels the mystery surrounding the Fairchilds of Gray Station and discovers a story more staggering than anything she could have imagined. I Will Ruin You by Linwood Barclay How would you react in a life-or-death situation? It’s a question everyone asks themselves, but few have to face in real life. English teacher Richard Boyle certainly never thought he would find himself talking down a former student intent on harming others, but when Mark LeDrew shows up at Richard’s school with a bomb strapped to his chest, Richard immediately jumps into action. Thanks to some quick thinking, he averts a major tragedy and is hailed as a hero, but not all the attention focused on him is positive. Richard’s brief moment in the spotlight puts him in the sights of a deranged blackmailer with a score to settle. The situation rapidly spirals out of control, drawing Richard into a fraught web of salacious accusations and deadly secrets. As he tries to uncover the truth he discovers that there’s something deeply wrong in the town—something that ties together Mark, the blackmailer, and a gang of ruthless drug dealers, and Richard has landed smack in the middle of it. He’s desperate to find a way out, but everyone in his life seems to be hiding something, and trusting the wrong person could cost him everything he loves. What price will he pay for one good deed? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Just imagine taking a jaunt to Calypso’s Cave, where the nymph Calypso held Odysseus as a prisoner of love for seven years in Homer’s epic Odyssey. How about taking to the waters in the Blue Lagoon or gazing in awe at the Crystal Caves of Comino? Malta’s neighbouring islands of Gozo and Comino are full of history and wonder. I recently travelled to the Maltese islands with Insight Vacations, on their 6-day Easy Pace Malta premium guided tour. It offers the winning mix of guided sightseeing and flexi-time, allowing you to ample opportunity to personally discover and savour the destination’s treats, at your own leisure." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 18 August 2024, Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult is an author with a pen game strong enough to induce real tears, she joins Jack ahead of the release of her 29th book. Of all the global stars to rise from this year’s Olympic Games —Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Dame Lisa Carrington— 36-year-old Macquarie University lecturer Rachael Gunn is perhaps the unlikeliest. Jack talks about why Australian breakdancer Raygun is an icon. Francessca Rudkin shares two marvellous films, ‘The Hardest Line’, a music documentary on Midnight Oil and ‘The Instigators’, starring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. Troy Kingi is back with a new album “Leatherman & the Mojave Green”, Estelle Clifford shares her thoughts. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate “Ethically Kate” Hall is a fan of the sustainable options. She recently received a comment on a DIY project where she dried avocado pips to make buttons saying that they’ll “just buy my own buttons like a normal person”, and while sure, that is an option, sometimes it’s fun to do things a little differently. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blackcurrants pruning Oh… good old Ribes nigrum! It’s one of our favourite fruits – Juuls makes pretty mean jam out of those dark berries. You can eat them raw off the plant, but honestly… jam is the way to go as far as I’m concerned. They hail from the temperate areas of Central and Northern Europe and Asia – yep, they can deal with frosts. Blackcurrants are usually grown as multi-stemmed plants, with an open structure of 6–10 upright stems growing from the base. Established bushes (aged four years or older) are best pruned every winter to keep them fruiting strongly. This is a simple process – cut out up to a third of the oldest stems down at the base, create some space in the middle. The younger stems will then rise up to produce fruit for the next few years. Red Currants pruning is slightly different from Blackcurrants. From late winter to early spring – prune all forms of red and white currants annually while the plants are still dormant, before any signs of growth appear. Red and white currants will fruit at the base of shoots, these are known as 'laterals', that grow out from the main branches, especially the younger branches! Young = new, narrower and lighter-coloured stems; old = thicker and darker stems Prune in winter to leave between eight and ten healthy, strong main branches each year. On one-year-old bushes, prune back new shoots by half. Leave the branch with an outward-facing bud at the top. Some folk grow them as “cordons”: a bit like climbers, up a wire structure in the form of one or two main branches. The side-shoots that come off those main stems will carry the red currents. In mid-summer – prune cordons and fans to restrict growth and maintain their shape. Gooseberries pruning Just as a warning: they are prickly rascals – wear good gloves! First of all: get rid of dead branches – cut them off as low as you can. Cut out the really old branches (especially more than 5 years old) and open the inside up a bit (not too much, mind you). But if you haven’t pruned your gooseberries for a long time, they may need a bit more surgery to open that bush up again. Old branches are thick and dark in colour. Taking these old sturdy, dark branches out makes the plant grow new juvenile growth that will do the job for the next few years. The idea is to replace the older stuff with newer (much more productive) growth. The younger branches (lighter in colour and thinner) can be cut back a bit (from the top) to get the plant to set up new spurs, which will produce new fruit. The whole idea is to create a nice series of fruiting areas in the inside of the plant; not too high but certainly accessible when you want to harvest the berries. Late winter is a good time to fertilise the berries with some general fertiliser, followed by a hand-full of Sulphate of Potash to remind the plants that it’s time to think of flowers and setting fruit! My good mate Mike (Scottish, a builder and handy guy to have as a friend) hadn’t done any of his pruning for quite a few years and asked me to help him out restoring the Blackcurrants and Gooseberries. He had made a pretty “cage” in his garden to stop the birds vandalizing the berries, and it took us about two hours to get the job done. This is what it looked like, before and after: Dense Blackcurrants before and after pruning. Gooseberries lethal and dense, versus Gooseberries taken apart by Mike; lots of air and space. Sometimes it pays to be ruthless! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is Carpal Tunnel and who gets it? - One of the most common hand conditions. - Pressure on something called ‘median nerve’ that goes through the wrist. - The nerve goes through a narrow ‘tunnel’ (carpal tunnel) in the wrist, and when it gets compressed, you can develop symptoms. - 1-5% of the population get it at some point. Twice as common in women as men. - Most often seen in those between 30 and 60 years of age. - Increased risk with pregnancy, diabetes, wrist injury, obesity, and repetitive wrist activities such as manual labour and sport. How do you recognise it? - People often start to notice it at night: wake up with a tingly or numb hand and have to shake the hand out. Especially prominent in the thumb, and index, and middle fingers. - Sometimes described as electric shock, sometimes holding the steering wheel of car, holding a newspaper. - May be described as pain, and people often get discomfort up the forearm. - Can cause hand weakness and cause people to drop things. How do you diagnose it? - Your doctor will take careful history. - Examine the wrist - Order a nerve conduction study which shows if the nerve is being compressed. - Sometimes an Xray or blood tests are ordered to check for any underlying condition like diabetes. What do you do about? - It depends on the severity. - Often it involves avoiding activities that make it worse, resting the hand if repetitive movements make it worse. - Using a wrist splint to keep wrist straight – especially at night to alleviate symptoms. - If it’s severe and ongoing, then refer to the orthopaedic surgeon, who do a simple operation to relieve the pressure on the nerve. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fortnite is back on the iOS store But it's only for those in the EU, thanks to their Digital Markets Act. It's forced Apple to offer a pathway for app developers to sell their software without needing to go through Apple's official app store. Epic says Apple has a monopoly on the market, and uses that position to force developers to give up to 30% of their revenue to them. They reportedly earn $70 billion in app store revenue each year. The "Epic Games Store" is the highest profile launch of an alternative app store yet, with a large fan base eager to get back to playing Fortnite on their phones after four years. Apple has not made the process for installing easy though - there are warning screens to get through, settings to update, which Epic says is intentional to make the experience as terrible as possible. Apple has launched a new fee for successful off-app store they're calling a "core technology fee", to try and recoup some of the revenue they'll inevitably lose. This is going to be a case study for other brands to decide if it's worth the effort to create their own store. Google's Pixel Watch 3 has a lifesaving feature If you have a heart attack when you're alone, you have virtually no chance of receiving resuscitation. This new "loss of pulse" feature of the Pixel Watch will give you a chance. It first uses the regular heart-rate sensor to detect a pulse, then if it can't find one will use infrared and motion sensors to help decide if you need help. An alarm will sound, giving you a chance to cancel the call for emergency services. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Douglas is Cancelled Douglas Bellowes is a widely respected middle news anchor with a sidekick Madeline and newspaper editor wife Sheila, when he makes an ill-advised joke at a wedding and is faced with cancel culture (ThreeNow). Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story Based on the shocking true story of model Chloe Ayling, who was lured to a fake photoshoot and abducted by human traffickers - then found herself at the centre of a media storm, accused of staging the whole thing as a publicity stunt (TVNZ+). Wheel Blacks: Bodies on the Line This three-part docuseries follows New Zealand's wheelchair rugby team in their bid to qualify for the Paris Paralympics. Despite having to rely on fundraising, charity, and volunteers, these Kiwi underdogs are determined to rise to the challenge (Neon). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line Midnight Oil is not your typical band, so it makes sense that this is not your typical rockumentary. Sex and drugs play little if any part in the tale of one of Australia’s most successful rock groups ever. Neither will you find the kind of rivalries and tensions that one expects in the story of a band with a career as long as this one. Told in voiceovers by managers, critics, commentators, and the band members themselves, the film features plenty of footage of the Oils performing live, from their earliest days. Watching Garrett command the stage, it is clear why they made it as big as they did, even while they resisted crucial aspects of the pop game, such as appearing on Countdown, the most popular music programme in Australian TV history. The Instigators Rory and Cobby are unlikely partners thrown together for a heist. However, when it goes awry, they team up to outrun police, backward bureaucrats, and a vengeful crime boss (Apple TV+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pulses and legumes. They’re filling, nourishing, super versatile and cheap and yet many of us would be lucky to eat them more than once or twice a month. Would it encourage you if I told you they’re necessary, yes necessary, for a balanced diet? This one-pot dish is tasty and wonderfully easy to throw together. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 400g tin lentils, drained 2 tbsps olive oil 4-6 pieces chicken, skin on, bone in 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced Few sprigs of rosemary 1 cup vegetable to chicken stock (can use water) 2 tbsps pomegranate molasses Salt and pepper to season Small handful parsley to garnish Method 1. Heat oil in rinsed saucepan and brown chicken. 2. Add onion, carrots and rosemary and sauté for 2-3 minutes. 3. Pour in stock and pomegranate molasses, cover and simmer for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. 4. Add in lentils and simmer with lid off for 5-10 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper. 5. Garnish with parsley and serve with salad. Make it your own: Use cannellini beans in place of lentils. Change it up with some grated ginger and soy sauce in place of rosemary and pomegranate molasses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of all the global stars to rise from this year’s Olympic Games —Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky, Dame Lisa Carrington— 36-year-old Macquarie University lecturer Rachael Gunn is perhaps the unlikeliest. Raygun, as per her stage name, is a true icon of these times. Not because she competed in the most modern of Olympic sports —breaking— but because through the power of the internet, her efforts have become arguably the most recognisable of the entire Olympic Games. If you haven’t seen Raygun’s performance, I don’t know where you’ve been. All I know is you don’t have social media, because the flood of clips and memes celebrating, remixing, and/or mocking her dancing has completely inundated every bite of every feed of every platform. When most of us think of breakdancing, we think of incredibly athletic people spinning and twisting. We think of spinning headstands, headslides, one-handed body freezes. Really good breaking is just gymnastics to hip hop. Raygun didn’t do that stuff. She openly admits she can’t! Instead, she did a range of pumps and thrusts that honestly wouldn’t have physically been beyond the reach of many of those people watching. For all those people who thought the Olympics would be improved by having a mere mortal compete with the elite athletes, just to give you perspective of how good they really are? Anyone who saw Raygun’s signature move, the kangaroo, would have to agree. Yep, this was that. Part of me admires her chutzpah. Imagine having the confidence to go to the Olympic Games —the Olympics— only to pull out a dance routine reminiscent of Jack Tame at the Grumpy Mole circa 2003. The judges gave Raygun three straight zeroes! Internet culture has a way of fixating on a person or a moment with maximum intensity, only to move on a few days. The public shaming aspect must be so hard to endure. Raygun is a global icon this week. But soon enough, the internet will move on. Tell you what though, I think there will be one enduring impact from Raygun’s performance. I stumbled across a clip earlier this week that caught my eye. It was of a ridiculously good breaker, twisting and springing and spinning like a top gymnast on a pommel horse. He did a backwards worm, tumbling back towards the ground and seemingly bending his body against the direction of all his limbs. It was amazing! Who is this? Where is this? I wondered. Then I realised, it was the Olympics. Raygun’s performance was so extraordinary, it has completely overshadowed the medallists in her sport. So many more people have seen the kangaroo than have seen the actual winning performances. Can you name the Olympic breakdancing medallists? The IOC wanted to bring new audiences to the games. Breaking has certainly done that, just not in the way they anticipated. And if they’re weighing up breaking’s inclusion in any future games, the fact that very few of us will recall more than a plucky Aussie in a tucked-in tracksuit does not bode well for the Olympic future of the sport. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne, like everyone, watched the Olympics. He loved the Olympics, but couldn’t help but notice the disappointment, tears, and heartbreak of many competitors. And it left him with a question: is high-level competitive sport worth it? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Sainsbury wears many hats - actor, writer, comedian, director, host, influencer - across film, tv, stage, and social media here in New Zealand and on international projects. Kiwis might know him for his political impersonations or shows like Wellington Paranormal. Tom is hosting a winter special of New Zealand’s International Comedy Festival, and having just returned from a very glamorous international sojourn, he joined Jack Tame in studio for a chat. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the second time in a row, Tones and I’s recently released album ‘Beautifully Ordinary’ opens at No. 1 on Australia’s album chart. The album is the follow-up to ‘Welcome To The Madhouse’, which debuted in 2021. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The War Below by Ernest Scheyder Tough choices loom if the world wants to go green. The United States and other countries must decide where and how to procure the materials that make our renewable energy economy possible. To build electric vehicles, solar panels, cell phones, and millions of other devices means the world must dig more mines to extract lithium, copper, cobalt, rare earths, and nickel. But mines are deeply unpopular, even as they have a role to play in fighting climate change. These tensions have sparked a worldwide reckoning over the sourcing of these critical minerals, and no one understands the complexities of these issues better than Ernest Scheyder, whose exclusive access has allowed him to report from the front lines on the key players in this global battle to power our future. This is not a story of tree-hugging activists, but rather of industry titans, scientists, and policymakers jostling over how best to save the planet. Scheyder explores how a proposed lithium mine in Nevada would help global automakers slash their dependance on fossil fuels, but developing that mine could cause the extinction of a flower found nowhere else on the planet. A hedge fund manager’s attempt to resuscitate rare earths mining in California relies on Chinese expertise, exposing the paradox in Washington’s quest for minerals independence. The fight to end child labor in Africa’s mining sector is a key reason, supporters contend, to dig out a vast reserve of cobalt and nickel under Minnesota’s vulnerable wetlands. An international mining conglomerate’s plan to extract copper for electric vehicles deep beneath Arizona’s desert would destroy a Native American holy site, fueling tough questions about what matters more. In The War Below, Scheyder crafts a business story that matters to everyone. If China continues to dominate production of these critical minerals, it will have a profound impact on the geopolitical order. Beyond China, countries such as Bolivia, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo aim to wield their vast reserves of key minerals. There are no easy answers when it comes to energy. Scheyder paints a powerfully honest and nuanced picture of what is needed to fight climate change and secure energy independence, revealing how America and the rest of the world’s hunt for the “new oil” directly affects us all. Home Truths by Charity Norman Livia Denby is on trial for attempted murder. The jury has reached a verdict. Two years earlier, Livia was a probation officer in Yorkshire, her husband Scott a teacher. Their children, Heidi and Noah, rounded out a happy family - until the day Scott's brother died. Grief and guilt leave Scott searching for answers, a search that takes him into the world of conspiracy theories. As his grip on reality slides, he makes a decision that will put the family on a collision course with tragedy. Livia's family has been torn apart, and now her son's life is hanging in the balance. Just how far will she go to save the ones she loves? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 10 August 2024, the wearer of many hats Tom Sainsbury joins Jack to chat about his latest film ventures, and a special winter celebration of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Jack wraps on his favourite nail-biting moments of the 2024 Olympics. The highly anticipated adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends With Us has hit cinemas, and film reviewer Francesca Rudkin shares her thoughts. And Google is discontinuing the Google Chromecast, tech expert Paul Stenhouse gives Jack details on what is set to replace it. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It’s one of the most southerly European nations – so far south that it’s parallel with Lebanon, Tunisia and Algeria. Malta has long been on my bucket-list and this relatively under-the-radar destination offers not only good-value for visitors, but it exudes astonishing scenery and historic treasures. I recently jaunted to Malta with Insight Vacations, who offer a fabulous introductory guided tour, spilling forth with Malta’s greatest hits." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Older” employees, Gen X and Boomers, those who are over 45years, are sometimes accused of not being as skilled at utilising the benefits of tech in their work. Whilst that might be true for some, new research shows that these older workers tend to be more effective in setting clear work and nonwork boundaries when working from home and in managing their time. The research found this age group were more likely to use good work practices such as: - Setting strict start, break and end times - Having a dedicated space at home for only work - Creating new routines and dressing for work - Informing others about their availability Benefits of setting these boundaries include: - Fewer unfinished work tasks - Having better work-life balance. - Higher productivity Perhaps old dogs can learn new tricks! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people have probably never heard of “Collembola”, but I reckon they are the most important critter on the planet as their “job” is often simply recycling. Your garden wouldn’t stand a chance without them, and nor does our planet. The circular economy starts with Collembola and ends with “Zero Waste”. A large number feed on bacteria, fungi, and rotting plant materials; some go for living plants (and can be a pest on some crops). Others devour algae and some even prey on insects. Collembola are no longer considered to be “insects” although they still belong to the group of “hexapods” (six-legged creatures). Oh, by the way, the name of this group (Collembola) comes from two features: “Colla” which means glue, and “embolon” which is a “peg”, or a “piston” (referring to a structure on the underside of the body). At last count there are some 6000 species on our planet, but what do we know? There could be as many as 40,000 taxa! If you climb a tree in New Zealand, you are like to find them near the top where branches emerge from the main trunk, it’s usually full of decaying old plant materials; great habitat for our Collembola! When examining the contents of your compost bin it quickly becomes clear they are the most numerous invertebrates. Collembola working on a juicy stalk of rhubarb You may think they are quite boring in their appearance, and indeed a lot of them are tiny (a few millimetres in size) and just one low-key colour. But some are quite attractive: Holacantella is endemic to New Zealand and is often on dead timber and bark, especially in wet conditions. And look at that weird body armour – or are they different species? For some reason our Collembola love living in moist (and warm) environments. But then again, some species are restricted to cooler climates (think Antarctica! Minus 60 degrees is just not too cold for them). The craziest thing you can see at this time of the year is a rather elegant deep blue species that seems to enjoy a spot of “rafting” or “drifting” in slow-moving water courses. Every year I see them, here on the Port Hills of Canterbury. After all these years I have not been able to identify these species with certainty. They swim in puddles, and jump around in sheep troughs. Those pistons (or “pegs”) I described from the word ‘embolon’ are literally the tools that make the jumping (and dispersal) possible, even in water. No wonder that their common name in horticulture, agriculture and garden nomenclature is... SPRING TAILS LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wine: Smith & Sheth CRU Central Otago 2022 Pinot Noir - $50 Why I chose it: - I was recently asked to recommend a special wine that could be used to toast a yet unborn baby. The wine should be able to be enjoyed in around five years and should survive less than perfect storage. My budget was up to $100. - I chose the Smith & Sheth Pinot Noir because it is the sort of wine that could be enjoyed by a wide range of people and not just wine enthusiasts. - It is sealed with a screwcap which will help it run the distance. What does it taste like? “Perfumed pinot noir with seductive floral, black cherry vanilla, dark berry wine in an appealing and very drinkable style. Made with a light touch the wine has a silken and almost ethereal texture.” Why it’s a bargain: $50 is a lot of money to spend on a bottle of wine, but in this case, it is a lot of wine and will give great pleasure on an important occasion. Where can you buy it? - Smithandsheth.com - Recently released and small production might make it hard to find initially but shop around – it’s worth hunting for. Food match? Duck confit is a classic match. Will it keep? No rush, five or six years? Up to ten years with careful storage. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Google is discontinuing the Google Chromecast With more than 100 million sold over an 11-year life, it was a good run. It was a great entry level device to very quickly get content onto your TV. It's being replaced by the Google TV Streamer. It's a device that is designed to sit on your entertainment unit because it also doubles as a full-featured smart speaker with Google Assistant. Think of it more as a "set top box". The extra size means extra connectivity options and power, allowing you to use it as a smart home hub to connect and control your Nest cameras, thermostat, and more. The TV part of the device runs the latest Android TV operating system and uses Google Gemini AI to provide TV recommendations and help you use your voice to navigate the app. Google is a monopolist This is a huge win for the US government who says that Google Search has a monopoly on the market - surprising no one. Google has a 90% share overall, and 95% share on mobile devices. The judge particularly takes aim at their deal with Apple to make Google the default search engine. Apple and Google would argue that people are going to turn to Google anyway, so why not give it to them up front as the default. It's thought the judge may force those deals to be scrapped but could go so far as to force Google search to be broken out as a separate company. Commentators say this is a warning to big tech because it says no company is too big to regulate. There's another case pending too, which examines the ads business. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lady in the Lake In 60s Baltimore, an aspiring reporter pursues the murder of a forgotten young woman (Apple TV+). Supacell In South London, a group of normal people suddenly develop superpowers, and the only apparent connection between them is that they are all Black; as they deal with the impact of their powers on their daily lives, one man must bring them together (Netflix). Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough Using the latest audio technology, David Attenborough explores the crucial role of sound in nature, examining how it shapes and influences the everyday lives of animals, from communication to their behaviour and decisions (Netflix). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellington Zoo has announced their next new arrivals, and they’re not quite what Kevin expected. Onyx and Beryl aren’t baby primates or giraffes, but rather two Romney Cross sheep! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It Ends With Us Lily Bloom moves to Boston to chase her lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid soon sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, she begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents' relationship. When Lily's first love, Atlas Corrigan, suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle gets upended, leaving her with an impossible choice. How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies A man quits work to care for dying grandmother, motivated by her fortune. He schemes to win her favor before she passes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chocolate logs were part of my childhood as mum would whip them up on the regular. This version, all citrusy and light, is the perfect treat for when lemons are in abundance. Serve 6-8 Ingredients 4 free-range medium eggs 100g caster (about 1/3 cup) + 2 tbsp extra 100g (a generous ¼ cup) plain flour 1 tsp baking powder 2 tbsps lemon zest Filling: 200mls cream 1 heaped tbsp icing sugar + extra for dusting 2 tbsps. sour cream 2 tsp lemon zest 2-3 tablespoons raspberry or lemon curd (optional, see note) Method Preheat the oven to 170 fanbake. Line a Swiss roll tin (or other shallow tin, approx. 30cmx20cm). In a large bowl whisk eggs and caster sugar for 6-8 minutes until light, thick and creamy. It will triple in volume. Sift in flour and baking powder and, along with the lemon zest, gently fold into the mixture until fully incorporated. Try not to take the volume out of the mixture. Pour gently into the prepared tin. Spread the sponge mix - I do this with a spatula and/or shaking the tin - to get it into the corners. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the sponge springs back to the touch. While cake cooks, dust a piece of baking paper larger than the swiss roll tin, with the extra caster sugar. Take the sponge out of the oven and flip it onto the sugared paper. Carefully peel off the layer of baking paper it was cooked on and allow the sponge to cool for a moment before rolling it up, starting from a short end, with the sugared paper still inside. This will prevent the sponge from sticking to itself. Set aside to cool. Whip the cream with the icing sugar until thick then stir in the zest and sour cream. Once the sponge has cooled, unroll it gently. Leave a 1cm border and spread over an even layer of whipped cream. Gently roll it up, peeling away the paper underneath as you go. Leave it in the fridge to chill and dust with icing sugar before serving. Slice and eat. Yum! Make it your own: Use orange zest in place of lemon Spread a layer of raspberry jam or lemon curd on the sponge before the whipped cream LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t want it to end! Has two weeks really passed that quickly? Honestly, my entire life and the daily rhythms of our household have come to revolve around the Olympic Games. There isn’t a dinner that is cooked, a lunchbox that is prepared, a table that is wiped down, or a basket of washing that is folded without the steady hum of speed climbing, or synchronised diving, or the men’s 800m repechage in the background. These are my takeaways from Paris 2024: First of all, I love the way in which history turns on the finest human margins. The men’s 100m final was a great example, the way they broke the line in such a crowd, that both first and second recorded the same time on the TV and stadium clocks. With a microscope and a high-quality photo, apparently the silver medallist somehow broke the line first, but he did so with his foot, and ultimately it’s whoever’s chest breaks the line first that wins the race. History decided by five one-thousandths of a second. I said before the games that I was looking forward to the men’s 1500m final and it didn’t disappoint. The two favourites had been talked up so much, and had smack-talked each other so much, that basically everyone —including me— had worked themselves into a state where it looked like only those two runners could possibly win it. The defending champion was so cavalier that in the heats, he deliberately didn’t crouch for the start of the race. He waited for the starting gun, let everyone else run off, and then casually trundled after them. But in the final, Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s approach came back to bite him. He led for the first 85% of the race, setting a cracking pace as he tried to break his great rival, Britain’s Josh Kerr. On the final stretch, Kerr looked to go round Ingebrigtsen, and Ingebrigtsen drifted into lane two to try and block the overtake. What do we know about geometry? The inside lane has the shortest path to the finish line. As the two favourites scrapped in lanes 2 and 3, an American runner, Cole Hocker, slipped up the inside and pipped them for Olympic glory. Kerr finished second, Ingebrigtsen fourth. It was extraordinary. With a day to go before the closing ceremony, here’s my take on the Olympic sports. I love many of the newer ones. Sportclimbing is so good. It fits into my could-a-caveman-do-it category, which I think is an excellent measure for whether individual sports should be at the Olympics. I’m not just saying it because Finn Butcher won gold, but I reckon the Kayak Cross is fantastic. It’s such a spectacle! Same applies to the skateboarding. It’s so good. I mean no disrespect to any of the athletes in these sports but I’m ambivalent on surfing at the Olympics and as spectacular as the breakdancing is, it’s gonna take me a bit longer to come around. Honestly, I don’t think football should be at the Olympics. Same with tennis and golf. Those sports are big enough outside of the games. Maybe the best test should be whether or not the Olympics is the pinnacle competition in that respective sport. If it’s not, then leave it out. One of the things that has been great about the games is how well-attended all of the events have been. The crowds for everything have been massive. I also love refreshing it is to hear from athletes who aren’t rugby players who’ve had every scintilla of life and personality beaten out of them by overly-protective media managers. And as for my favourite Kiwi performance? We still have that incredible contest in the women’s K1 to come and there are a couple of other Kiwis who could be a chance, but for me it’s still gonna be hard to beat our very first medal of Paris ’24, our very first gold: the women’s sevens. Tell you what though... I don’t love Mondays at the best of times... but this week is gonna’ be tough. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lime Cordiale are Australia’s ultimate purveyors of breezy indie rock. Brothers Oli and Louis have amassed more than half a billion streams on Spotify since the band’s inception in 2009 - as well as bagging multiple ARIA awards and performing around the world. They have cemented themselves as standouts, even more so with their brand-new album Enough of the Sweet Talk. The brothers joined Francesca Rudkin for a chat about what went into this latest album and their upcoming tour across New Zealand and Australia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fourth studio album from human musical group Glass Animals, I Love You So F***ing Much was partly inspired by the success of their song Heatwaves back in 2020. Frontman Dave Bayley told Consequence Sound that sometimes success can leave you feeling like a “spectator”, with people expecting you to act a certain way, which "confused [him] to the point of not knowing who [he] was or if anything was real". The title refers to the power and mystery of human connection in a universe much larger than the people who reside within. Estelle Clifford joined Francesca Rudkin to give her thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.