Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Hang the Moon – Jeanette Walls Most folk thought Sallie Kincaid was a nobody who’d amount to nothing. Sallie had other plans.Sallie Kincaid is the daughter of the biggest man in a small town, the charismatic Duke Kincaid. Born at the turn of the 20th century into a life of comfort and privilege, Sallie remembers little about her mother who died in a violent argument with the Duke. By the time she is just eight years old, the Duke has remarried and had a son, Eddie. While Sallie is her father’s daughter, sharp-witted and resourceful, Eddie is his mother’s son, timid and cerebral. When Sallie tries to teach young Eddie to be more like their father, her daredevil coaching leads to an accident, and Sallie is cast out.Nine years later, she returns, determined to reclaim her place in the family. That’s a lot more complicated than Sallie expected, and she enters a world of conflict and lawlessness. Sallie confronts the secrets and scandals that hide in the shadows of the Big House, navigates the factions in the family and town, and finally comes into her own as a bold, sometimes reckless bootlegger. Knowing What We Know – Simon Winchester With the advent of the internet, any topic we want to know about is instantly available with the touch of a smartphone button. With so much knowledge at our fingertips, what is there left for our brains to do? At a time when we seem to be stripping all value from the idea of knowing things—no need for math, no need for map-reading, no need for memorization—are we risking our ability to think? As we empty our minds, will we one day be incapable of thoughtfulness? Addressing these questions, Simon Winchester explores how humans have attained, stored, and disseminated knowledge. Examining such disciplines as education, journalism, encyclopedia creation, museum curation, photography, and broadcasting, he looks at a whole range of knowledge diffusion—from the cuneiform writings of Babylon to the machine-made genius of artificial intelligence, by way of Gutenberg, Google, and Wikipedia to the huge Victorian assemblage of the Mundanaeum, the collection of everything ever known, currently stored in a damp basement in northern Belgium. Studded with strange and fascinating details, Knowing What We Know is a deep dive into learning and the human mind. Throughout this fascinating tour, Winchester forces us to ponder what rational humans are becoming. What good is all this knowledge if it leads to lack of thought? What is information without wisdom? Does Rene Descartes’s Cogito, ergo sum—“I think therefore I am,” the foundation for human knowledge widely accepted since the Enlightenment—still hold? And what will the world be like if no one in it is wise?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley joined Jack Tame to chat about his visit to Port Vila, Vanuatu. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent survey from TradeMe has shown that people often invest more in themselves after a breakup. They spend more time and invest more energy into doing things like working out, eating healthier, buying things for themselves, and relaxing alone. Clinical Psychologist with Umbrella Wellbeing Dr Dougal Sutherland joined Jack Tame to chat about this change. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our old Auckland garden we used be surrounded by so-called rainbow skinks. They were everywhere and… what a cool name! The best way to describe them: a small grey-brown skink with a dark brown, lateral stripe along the body. When they are sun bathing it is easy to find a spectacular rainbow-coloured sheen on their scales. I quickly learned these fascinating and quite pretty animals are actually Australian interlopers, arriving here in the 1960s. Common in the North Island, especially in the northern half: Northland to Waikato with populations in New Plymouth, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Wellington. There are a few records from Blenheim too. I was hoping they were not in the South Island – but they are… They can easily live here too – In Tasmania they’re well-established. Impact: They are numerous and aggressive; accused of eating our native invertebrates and ousting our timid native skink species through competition for space, habitat and food. Our native skinks are already under pressure from cats and stoats and weasels, so this exotic Aussie skink is likely to add some more pressure. They are classed as “invasive”, here in New Zealand and if we look at their track record in Hawaii (established there since early 1900s), I would not be surprised if these skinks are having an impact on our herpetological fauna and perhaps other delicate ecological balances. Isn’t it ironic that this skink’s scientific name is Lampropholis delicata? Scientists and Biosecurity creatives have re-named that “rainbow skink” to “plague skink”; Our best approach is to be aware of them and learn to tell them apart from our native skinks Identifying them from native species is not that easy: you’ve got to look at them up-close and focus on the top of their head; Right in the centre of the head – right on top and between the eyes – is a large diamond-shaped scale. That is the plague/rainbow skink. If that large scale is divided into two smaller scales, you’re looking at a Native species. Once you know what to look for, you can’t really miss the interloper. And then there are the creamy white eggs. You often find these 8 mm eggs in clusters in the soil or underneath rocks. Apart from one rather rare native species of skink (Oligosoma suteri), the Plague Skink is the only one that lays eggs. If you’re sure you can tell them apart, try catching and dispatching them. Please don’t think they are great “pets” for your kids or grand kids, because they are not! And be aware they are masters at hiding in your luggage when you are travelling. That way they spread themselves all over the place. Once again, the concept of Biosecurity sneaks back into the garden!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are plenty of indicators suggesting that things could be about to turn when it comes to the property market. Building consents, migration numbers, LVR changes, auction clearance rates, interest rates peaking, etc – however, it’s important to call out what we’ve (hopefully!) learned from the pandemic surge and slump. Property is not just a one-way bet, it’s best as a long-term investment, so that means people need to go into it with their eyes wide open in order to be able to hold it long term and avoid getting burnt. Especially if things do start to rise again, you shouldn’t rush in without doing your homework, knowing your numbers, and understanding your hold strategy (people definitely seem to suffer from FOMO if they think they’re missing out on a rise in the property market and rush in). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've been talking about the AI wars, now get set for the VR wars Apple is expected to launch a brand-new device next week at its developer conference - a virtual reality and mixed reality headset. Meta seems to have wanted to steal their thunder by announcing their new Quest 3 this week. It's far lighter and thinner than the v2, which makes it more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It has a new processor, but it won't have eye tracking which could be where Apple beats them if they're going to create a high-end product that's packed full of features. Meta says they've sold 20 million headsets so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deadloch: Madeleine Sami plays a police detective in this dark Australian comedy-drama set in the Tasmanian town of Deadloch, who must investigate the mysterious death of a local man during a popular festival (Prime Video). Maternal: A British drama about three female doctors all returning to work in the NHS after the birth of their children (TVNZ+, also TVNZ 1 10.05pm Saturday nights). Fubar: Arnie is back! Arnold Schwarzennager makes his TV series debut as a CIA operative near retirement, who discovers a family secret and decides to go back into the field for one last job (Netflix).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are wonderfully easy to whip up on a long weekend and you can choose whatever fruit you like – pears, apples, stonefruit, berries – whatever is in season! Ingredients: 2 firm pears 400g flaky puff pastry (I use Pannetton or a block of puff pastry) Flour for rolling ½ cup store-bought custard, cream cheese or sour cream (if using these 2, add 1-2 tbps brown sugar) 1 heaped tbsp ground almonds 2 tbsps honey, warmed Icing sugar to dust Method: Preheat oven to 220 C. Lightly flour an oven tray. Peel, halve and neatly core pears. I use a teaspoon to remove core. Use a small knife and slice thinly keeping each slice attached at the stem end. This is so that you can fan them out. Dust a bench with flour. Roll pastry to 36x36cm square. Divide into 4 squares. Transfer to prepared tray. Score a 1cm border around each square. Mix custard with ground almonds or if using cream cheese / sour cream with sugar and almonds. Dollop a heaped tablespoon onto each pastry. No need to spread. Fan out each sliced pear halve and lay onto custard, keeping within the border. Brush pear with honey. Bake until puffed and golden and pastry bottom is cooked – about 15-20 minutes. Brush with more honey whilst still warm and allow to cool. Dust with icing sugar to serve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. However, when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders. He must soon redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most. Bank of Dave A working class man and self-made millionaire, struggles to set up a community bank to help the town's local businesses thrive. To do so, he must battle London's financial institutions and compete for the first banking license in over 100 years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kevin’s here to chat about Everest Day and throw his support behind an idea of how to celebrate it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Mike Yardley joined Jack to chat about his recent visit to the beautiful Halong Bay in Vietnam. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beating out Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi's second album 'Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent' is the fastest selling album of the year thus far. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wager, David Grann On January 28, 1742, a ramshackle vessel of patched-together wood and cloth washed up on the coast of Brazil. Inside were thirty emaciated men, barely alive, and they had an extraordinary tale to tell. They were survivors of His Majesty’s Ship the Wager, a British vessel that had left England in 1740 on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. While the Wager had been chasing a Spanish treasure-filled galleon known as “the prize of all the oceans,” it had wrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The men, after being marooned for months and facing starvation, built the flimsy craft and sailed for more than a hundred days, traversing nearly 3,000 miles of storm-wracked seas. They were greeted as heroes. The Wager is a grand tale of human behavior at the extremes told by one of our greatest nonfiction writers. Grann’s recreation of the hidden world on a British warship rivals the work of Patrick O’Brian, his portrayal of the castaways’ desperate straits stands up to the classics of survival writing such as The Endurance, and his account of the court martial has the savvy of a Scott Turow thriller. As always with Grann’s work, the incredible twists of the narrative hold the reader spellbound. The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, Tom Hanks Part One of this story takes place in 1947. A troubled soldier, returning from the war, meets his talented five-year-old nephew, leaves an indelible impression, and then disappears for twenty-three years. Cut to 1970: The nephew, now drawing underground comic books in Oakland, California, reconnects with his uncle and, remembering the comic book he saw when he was five, draws a new version with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero. Cut to the present day: A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and decides to turn it into a contemporary superhero movie. Cue the cast: We meet the film’s extremely difficult male star, his wonderful leading lady, the eccentric writer/director, the producer, the gofer production assistant, and everyone else on both sides of the camera. Bonus material: Interspersed throughout are three comic books that are featured in the story—all created by Tom Hanks himself—including the comic book that becomes the official tie-in to this novel’s “major motion picture masterpiece.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temu has been covering the internet in advertising over the past couple months, and the app has been topping free app charts on a regular basis. Kate Hall, an expert in sustainability has a few thoughts on the app, and on online shopping in general. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most incredible endemic insects in the collective New Zealand garden flies largely under the radar, yet it is as common as muck and lives for most of its life in a silk sleeping bag. Liothula omnivora is known in the trade as the “bag moth” or “case moth”. Tiny, baby caterpillars spin themselves a small silken case in which they incorporate pieces of foliage, twigs, mosses or lichens, to either jazz it up a bit, or – if you are a boring entomologist – for camouflage. This Caterpillar silk is very strong indeed (try ripping a silk scarf in half!) and our case moth caterpillar's efforts are right up there in terms of strength. They carry their private bags with them as they move long grazing on foliage at night. As the insect grows, it extends it bag to suit its needs. Along the way it feeds on its favourite host plant (often conifers, but also titoki, roses and even elms or flax) and adds more desiccated plant materials to its bag, to blend in with its surroundings. In the New World car park at Kohimaramara I once found a whole colony of case moth bags constructed of bits of torn plastic shopping bags; these bags were blown about and trapped by the fancy Chamaecyparis bushes on which the larvae fed. I even heard of liberal European entomologists, no doubt indulging in mind-altering substances, providing their captive colony of case moths with psychedelic bits of coloured paper – just for a laugh. Technological Tricks: At the top of the bag the caterpillar has constructed a draw-string system: when there’s trouble brewing, the insect can withdraw into its case and quickly close the opening behind it. One simple movement. Safety! A similar draw-string contraption exist right at the bottom of the case. It avoids the problem of ablutions in the bottom of the sleeping bag. Makes sense too! The pupa, or chrysalis is also formed in the bag, ready for metamorphosis. Most moth species emerge from their pupa and cocoon as full-winged imagoes, or adult specimens. In the case of our native bag moth only the male is winged and able to fly. It has dark grey to jet-black wings and can motor along very rapidly. These guys also have a very acute sense of smell, so that they can pick up the merest whiff of a suitable female. All they have to do is just follow the scent trail. Female bag moths have no wings at all and are therefore confined to the very same silk case in which they lived all their larval life. They can’t fly or move much at all, for that matter and they appear nothing more than a bloated insect with stumpy legs and an abdomen full of eggs. The best they can do to assist the searching male is sticking out the abdomen from the bottom tip of the case, to make the pheromone a bit easier to spot. When the female is fertilized, she dies and her eggs simply hatch from inside her dried-up body. The first nourishment of the brand new caterpillars could well be bits of the maternal carcass, before they leave the old silken case and settle in the same tree where mum lived. Some tiny caterpillars may drift a wee distance on their strands of silk, which act like balloons in the gentle breeze. Most of the offspring, however will stay on the same old maternal tree for the next generation… and the next and the next. This explains why we often find heaps of case moths on the same host – a real "infestation". A population like that can eat voraciously and sometimes plants are damaged. But does it require wholesale slaughter of these clever silk spinners? I don’t think so, but the reason why is a completely different story. The story is the wonderful Maori legend of Hineraukatauri (the goddess of Māori flute music); she loved her pūtōrino flute (shaped like a case moth bag) quite a lot; so much so that she transformed herself into the moth and living inside the pūtōrino bag…. mātauranga pepeke!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WhatsApp will now let you edit your messages There are some restrictions though - it has to be done in the first 15 minutes of sending it. It can only be edited once. It'll show as edited, but won't have a way to see the previous message. So good news, if you edit it before your recipient reads it, they'll never know what you said originally. To do it, long press on the message and select edit. Neuralink: Elon Musk's brain chip firm wins US approval for human study Elon Musk's brain-chip firm says it has received approval from the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to conduct its first tests on humans. The Neuralink implant company wants to help restore vision and mobility to people by linking brains to computers. It says it does not have immediate plans to start recruiting participants. Mr Musk's previous ambitions to begin tests came to nothing. The FDA said it acknowledged Neuralink's announcement. An earlier bid by Neuralink to win FDA approval was rejected on safety grounds, according to a report in March by the Reuters news agency that cited multiple current and former employees. TikTok is suing Montana TikTok has filed suit too claiming the law is “unconstitutionally shutting down the forum for speech for all speakers on the app”. They say it's a violation of the first amendment, and an overreach of the powers afforded to the states. A group of content creators agree, and are also suing the state claiming it violates the First Amendment. The law bans the app from the App Stores, but also prevents the operation of TikTok in Montana. Users though will not be liable for penalties. TikTok's CEO said this week Oracle has begun to review the TikTok source code to verify data isn't leaving the US and can only be viewed by authorized parties (eg. not China's government). It's part of 'Project Texas' which has Oracle host all the user data for US users. The law will come into effect in 2024. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Clearing: Miranda Otto and Guy Pearce star in this adaptation of J.P. Pomare’s book about a woman who must confront the secrets of her past to prevent a local cult from brainwashing members of her community (Disney+) Platonic: A screwball comedy starring Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne as platonic best friends who reconnect after a long rift, only for their friendship to become all-consuming in their lives (Apple TV+) Merpeople: A new documentary series about the whimsical world of -wait for it- professional mermaiding, where people’s passion for swimming in glitter and fins has exploded into a huge, money-spinning industry (Netflix). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shaun Wallace, the Dark Destroyer, is a man with a big brain and a lot of knowledge. The Londoner shot to fame when he won the BBC’s legendary Mastermind in 2004, and is one of television’s most beloved Chasers. But he’s not only a quiz champion, Shaun’s also a successful barrister and has been a criminal defence advocate for more than three decades. Shaun joined Jack this morning ahead the events he’s hosting all over New Zealand over the next week. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate the apple season with this absolutely gorgeous apple cake. It’s full of warming spices and with a golden caramel topping, it’s a winner. Ingredients: 85g (about 6 tbsps) butter ½ cup sweetened condensed milk 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp cinnamon 2 medium apples, peeled and sliced thinly Cake batter 120g butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 ½ cups plain flour 1 ½ tsps baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 2 tsps ground cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg Decent pinch salt ½ cup sultanas 6 tbsps milk (you may not need it all) Method: Turn oven to 180 C fan bake. Grease and line a 21cm cake tin with baking paper. In a small pot, heat butter with condensed milk until butter is melted. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon. Pour into lined tin then layer up sliced apples on top. Chill while you make the batter. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time and beat until creamy. Add in dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt - and beat briefly until combined. With the beater running, add in the sultanas and drizzle in the milk to form a nice soft, but not sloppy, batter. Spoon batter on top of apples. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Set aside for 10-15 minutes then turn out onto serving plate so that the apple-y cake bottom becomes the top. Serve warm or room temperature with whipped cream. Yum! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Innocent - Cannes International Film Festival 2022 Familial tensions, criminal hijinks and unexpected romance collide in the uproariously entertaining new comedy hit from the multi-talented Louis Garrel (A Faithful Man). Lyon, present day. When widowed marine biologist Abel (Garrel) learns that his impulsive mother Sylvie (Anouk Grinberg) is once again re-marrying – this time to an inmate she met whilst teaching theatre in prison – he’s more than uncomfortable. Doubting that convicted burglar Michel (Roschdy Zem) is capable of staying out of trouble, Abel’s protective streak kicks in, and with the help of his best friend Clémence (a sensational Noémie Merlant), he begins tailing his new stepfather’s movements. Their amateur sleuthing is quickly uncovered by Michel and triggers an unlikely – and bold - business proposition for them both… Joyfully paying homage to the great crime capers of the French New Wave, and partly inspired by events from his own life, Garrel’s witty and beautifully constructed film is a delirious mix of comedy, romance, suspense and action, with several twists too good to spoil. Selected as the special Gala Screening to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival - where it drew a thunderously positive response - this hilarious comedy aims to please, and does so effortlessly. Don’t miss it! Deep Rising - Doc Edge Film Festival Narrator is your old mate Jason Momoa. On at cinemas in Auckland and Wellington and virtually for others. Delving into the pressing issue of deep-sea mining and its destructive impact on the environment, director Rytz provides a rare insight into the secretive world of the corporations that are extracting valuable metals from the ocean floor, with the help of cutting-edge technology. Narrated by Jason Momoa, the film highlights the urgent need to protect the deep ocean ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth. Through stunning visuals and compelling storytelling, viewers are made aware of the little-known practice of deep-sea mining and its devastating consequences. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kevin wants to remember Tina Turner, going right back to the first time he saw her perform as Ike & Tina Turner and the Ikettes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took Sanitarium an awfully long time to finally dedicate a series of its Weetbix collector cards to the World Cup-winning Black Ferns. My colleagues at Fair Go covered it in depth, and when it was finally announced that Weetbix would publish a Black Ferns series, most of us assumed that would be that. But a fascinating story in the Herald revealed the best-known women’s rugby player in the World will not be appearing in the trading card series, becuase Ruby Tui insisted on appearing on the cards with a rainbow flag. Sanitarium is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the church’s official stance opposes same-sex relations. But what’s remarkable about the reporting this week is that when Ruby Tui made the request to appear with a rainbow flag, it wasn’t necessarily Sanitarium that shut it down. According to reporting from Gregor Paul, the company was open to discussing the issue and it was actually New Zealand Rugby that blocked the plan, not wanting to set a precedent in allowing a player to use a commercial proposal to advocate for a personal cause. If this it true, it’s remarkable. Because last I checked, rainbow rights aren’t just a personal cause. New Zealand Rugby has signed up to the Pride Pledge, a public committment to diversity and inclusion. The organisation’s diversity and inclusion strategy specifically names rainbow communties as one of its targetted groups. And of course, many of the Black Ferns team are openly members of the rainbow community. If Ruby Tui had wanted to appear with the logo of a specific political party, of course that would be different. If she’d insisted on wearing branding for a personal company, that would be different too. But surely if a player’s personal cause directly overlaps with the broadly-stated and celebrated cause of the organisation they’re representing, then it’s no longer just a personal cause. I’m glad we live in an age where players feel they can make a stand. I admired Sonny-Bill Williams for his decision not to wear logos from sponsors in industries he opposed. In Ruby Tui’s case, she’s ultimately leaving money on the table and making a principled stand. We’d all like to think that for an issue or a cause we cared about, we’d have the integrity to do the same thing. We don’t know what would have happened if Ruby Tui and Sanitarium had properly discussed her request. Given it’s owned by the church, there’s good reason to believe Sanitarium might ultimately have opposed Ruby Tui’s appearance. I wonder what might have happened if other players had followed Ruby’s lead and insisted on holding rainbow flags. Sanitarium might have found itself in a very tricky position indeed. But that’s on Sanitarium. And if the reporting this week is accurate and it was ultimately New Zealand Rugby that stepped in, it adds a very different dynamic to the whole situation. I think it says something about the character and priorities of the organisation. Sure, we’re all for rainbow rights, until it impacts our bottom line.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anchored by evocative melodies and an enthralling lyrical narrative, First Two Pages of Frankenstein signals a thrilling new chapter in the band’s discography. The 11-song album was produced by The National at Long Pond Studios in upstate New York and features guest appearances by Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens. The follow-up to 2019’s top five hit album I Am Easy To Find, First Two Pages of Frankenstein was initially stalled while lead singer Matt Berninger navigated “a very dark spot where I couldn’t come up with lyrics or melodies at all, and that period lasted for over a year. Even though we’d always been anxious and argued quite a lot whenever we were working on a record, this was the first time it ever felt like maybe things really had come to an end.” Instead, The National “managed to come back together and approach everything from a different angle, and because of that we arrived at what feels like a new era for the band,” according to guitarist/pianist Bryce Dessner. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Diamond Eye – Kate Quinn The brand-new historical novel based on a true story from the bestselling author of The Rose Code and The Alice Network In the snowbound city of Kiev, aspiring historian Mila Pavlichenko’s life revolves around her young son – until Hitler’s invasion of Russia changes everything. Suddenly, she and her friends must take up arms to save their country from the Fuhrer’s destruction. Handed a rifle, Mila discovers a gift – and months of blood, sweat and tears turn the young woman into a deadly sniper: the most lethal hunter of Nazis. Yet success is bittersweet. Mila is torn from the battlefields of the eastern front and sent to America while the war still rages. There, she finds an unexpected ally in First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and an unexpected promise of a different future. But when an old enemy from Mila’s past joins forces with a terrifying new foe, she finds herself in the deadliest duel of her life. The Diamond Eye is a haunting novel of heroism born of desperation, of a mother who became a soldier, of a woman who found her place in the world and changed the course of history forever. The House of Eve – Sadeqa Johnson 1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright. Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done. With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley joined Jack Tame to chat about his time in Hanoi, Vietnam. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Relationship expert Steven Dromgool has some advice for us around supporting a partner that suffers from a chronic illness. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wine: 2022 Framingham Classic Riesling, Marlborough $31.99 Why I chose it: - I love Riesling - Riesling is the best value NZ wine - Framingham is one of the country’s top Riesling producers What does it taste like? - Medium-dry riesling with lime zest, oyster shell and white wildflower flavours supported by vibrant acidity that reacts with a suggestion of sweetness to give a deliciously vibrant character. Good purity and power. Why it’s a bargain: - One of the world’s great grape varieties and low demand. Where can you buy it? - First Glass Wines and Spirits, Takapuna $26.99; Regional Wines and Spirits, Wgtn. $29.99 Food match? - Onion tart. Seafood and slightly spicy dishes (foods with a bit of sweetness) Will it keep? - Yes, at least 10 years with good storage. Becomes toasty and mellow, sometimes with a touch of kerosene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We had a great autumn… quite warm! – getting cooler now Some fruit trees are still producing fruits: All you need is relatively warm autumn conditions for ripening to be successful. Feijoas and figs and some apple varieties Feijoas: select you favourite variety; they are all more or less similar when it comes to resistance of frosts, so chose what you like. Feijoas are still dropping at my place (don’t “pick” them, let them drop!!!) Many varieties to plant in autumn – they are pretty hardy and make great hedges! If you want to create a “hedge”, put two or three different varieties in that hedge and create an opportunity for cross-pollination. If you are in the far north, guava moth may become your nemesis Figs can be a little more tender in the cold, so grab an early-ripening fig variety (Brown Turkey, Mrs Williams, Brunswick, Cape White, etc) when you think you’re “on the edge” Apples would also be a great tree to plant before it gets too wet and too cold – it reduces the fungal infections underground; in really wet spots, think about planting apple varieties “in raised beds”. Before planting a tree or two: ask around your district what grows well and ripens well. The trees really need not huge amounts of fertility at all (if they are on perfect soils they become tall and lanky too quickly, requiring pruning a lot) Select varieties you like to eat or process into apple-sauce (“applemoes” in Dutch); remember: if you are short of space, grab a young tree with two (or three) varieties grafted on the Main stem/Trunk Garlic should be in the soil this weekend – (to be honest, I planted mine a month ago!!) to avoid that dreaded garlic rust disease. It works for me as the bulbs are ready to harvest in late October before it becomes a pain! Another important tip is to put garlic in a different bed each year – simply to escape old rust spores hotspots The same goes for the Egyptian walking Onion (a kind of shallot that’s really easy to grow); it too suffers from a bit of rust (but not as bad as garlic), so keep these two crops separate! Cos lettuce will do well too – regular plantings of seedlings ensures a constant supply of salads Broadbeans and Peas are also still plantable for an early feast of Legumes in winter and spring;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Create a digital copy of your voice in just 15 minutes Apple's soon-to-be-released feature "Personal Voice" is designed for people who may be going to lose their voice, to be able to capture it digitally, and use it to communicate with others when they can't - Apple is calling it your "synthesized voice". It's open to everyone though, hinting at what may become more commonplace in the near future. Your digital avatar could actually sound like you, and read out the things you've typed. It takes just 15 minutes of training to achieve this and all happens on your device, no internet connection needed. That's just one of Apple's new accessibility features They've given an early look at some of the new accessibility features coming to iOS17. One is "Assistive Access" which allows an app to deliver an experience with just the essential features to lighten the cognitive load. Think of the camera app - make it as easy as possible to take a picture with one big "take picture" button and hide all the settings and options. Apple has created these experiences for their core photos, messages, phone, facetime and music apps adn I'd expect other app makers to be allowed to do the same thing. Montana's governor has signed their TikTok bill into law The law bans the app from the App Stores, but also prevents the operation of TikTok in Montana. Users though will not be liable for penalties. The counter legal action has already started with a group of content creators suing the state claiming it violates the First Amendment. The law will come into effect in 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hollywood sensation Jason Momoa secured his famous feature as Khal Drogo in HBO’s Game of Thrones by performing a haka before assuming his blockbuster role as DC’s Aquaman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice that shot him into superstardom. Momoa has been cast in the tenth instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise, Fast X as bad guy Dante Reyes, somewhat of a juxtaposition from previous roles. There is, of course, a Kiwi connection. Momoa told Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame he feels Native Hawaiians and Māori share a special connection of race and language, as well as parallels of having experienced colonisation. He recognises Māori as having been the first indigenous population to sign a treaty and says having seen how many Kiwis embrace Māori culture and language has strengthened his affection for Aotearoa New Zealand. “The Kiwis and people that take pride and know the language and understand that is beautiful, because that doesn’t happen where I come from and so there’s a lot of beauty in both cultures growing together – and it’s the greatest rugby team in the world.” For someone who considers himself an outdoorsman, Momoa told Tame his time spent in Aotearoa New Zealand going from summit to sea was “heaven.” He says our country is the most diverse ecosystem in the world – aside from the lack of desert – although “we’re all leading to that anyway,” he adds with a wry smile. In a very poignant moment, the mega-star becomes suddenly grounded and describes the moment when he landed in Auckland, saying he felt he had been here in a past life. “I think when I landed here, just the feeling that shot through my body when I was here… my people have been here, my ancestors have been here. I just felt a deep connection that’s unexplainable.” Having played such a well-known hero in Aquaman, there were a few raised eyebrows when it was announced he was cast as a villain. “I mean, playing the villain is the best, ‘cause you get to be bad,” he told Jack Tame. Momoa star says playing a role that opposes his own way of life is what makes it enjoyable. “You get to do stuff that you’re not allowed to do and I don’t necessarily sit by those values and I don’t follow that way so I’m playing someone that I don’t agree with, so that’s fun. That’s why I signed up for it.” As a self-confessed petrol head, Momoa is a perfect fit for a role in the Fast and Furious franchise. “I’d say about 80 per cent of the motorcycle stuff I did,” although he adds that’s that there were a few stunts that called for a professional as had he been injured “the movie would be over.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still: A documentary about the extraordinary story of Michael J. Fox, in his own words - from his childhood on a Canadian army base to the heights of stardom in 1980s Hollywood and the private challenges of living with Parkinson’s Disease (AppleTV+). The Gone: An Irish-New Zealand drama about a young Irish couple that vanishes from a small North Island town, and the Irish and Kiwi detectives that must team up to find them (TVNZ+). Tracked: Hosted by Vinnie Jones and filmed in New Zealand, this series follows eight teams as they race through the South Island wilderness in an attempt to reach an evacuation zone before being caught by a group of elite trackers (Three from Monday, and on ThreeNow). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, our very own Eleanor Catton became the youngest-ever winner of the Booker Prize at 28-years-old with The Luminaires. In the decade since, she adapted the book for television, wrote the feature film screenplay for Jane Austen’s Emma, moved to the UK and had a child. And now, a decade on, she’s back with her new book Birnam Wood. Eleanor’s currently in New Zealand for the Auckland Writer’s Festival and she joined Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone in the kitchen was fighting over the last spoonful of porridge when we first created this. If you need recipe inspiration for feijoas, definitely put this one on the list. When feijoas are out of season, use any other in-season fruit you have at home. Serves: 1 Time: 10 minutes - 1/2 cup rolled oats - 3/4 cup plant based or dairy milk - 1/2 cup feijoas, flesh only and roughly chopped - 1 tbsp almond butter - 1 tbsp maple syrup - 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract - ¼ tsp sea salt Method: Place all of the ingredients into a pot and heat over a medium heat. Stirring regularly, bring the porridge to a boil. Reduce the porridge to a simmer and cook until thick or until it reaches your desired consistency. This takes roughly 3-5 minutes. Pour the porridge into a bowl and top with yoghurt and extra feijoas. Eat immediately. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Have them cold or reheat in the microwave or in a pot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Good Person (cinema) Allison is a young woman with a wonderful fiance, a blossoming career, and supportive family and friends. However, her world crumbles in the blink of an eye when she survives an unimaginable tragedy, emerging from recovery with an opioid addiction and unresolved grief. In the following years, she forms an unlikely friendship with her would-be father-in-law that gives her a fighting chance to put her life back together and move forward. Starring woman of the moment, Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman. The Mother (Netflix) While fleeing from dangerous assailants, an assassin comes out of hiding to protect her daughter she left earlier in life. Starring Jennifer Lopez and directed by Kiwi Niki Caro of Whale Rider fame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne feels it's becoming inevitable that a wealth tax will be introduced here in New Zealand. He says he'd like to involve Jack Tame in a discussion around this this because he know Tame will have a view. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I don’t know what is about movie stars, but every time I meet one, I just can’t help myself. It was always a terrible problem when I lived in the U.S. I’d go to a movie publicity event – known in the news business as a junket – and after waiting patiently for an hour or two for my four minutes with Russell Crowe or Hugh Jackman or Jennifer Lawrence, I’d go into the room for interview number fifty-six of the day, right after Polish morning TV and Slovenian Red Carpet Reports, and I’d flirt. Sometimes it was just shameless. I’d be throwing wise-cracks around and laughing like a muppet, making all sorts of weird facial expressions. And I’d always try and charm the stars by pretending to play it cool. ‘I know you hate this.’ I’d say. ‘I know everyone asks you the same questions.’ ‘My challenge to you, Jessica Chastain, is to try and slip the word Octopus into our conversation.” It wasn’t until I got back in the office and reviewed the tapes that I’d realise. My producer would pull the interview up on screen and ask. ‘What are you... doing?’ ‘Are you.. are you flirting?’ “Umm.. no...!” The problem was, I genuinely wasn’t aware of it in the moment. All I was aware of was this was a big star and I had about a commercial break’s worth of time to try and win them over and elicit something more interesting than the Ecuadorian showbiz reporter who’d gone in before me. I plumbed some lowly depths. I gushed to Anne Hathaway about her singing voice and tried to impress Rihanna with my knowledge of the T20 Cricket World Cup, which was underway at the time. We used to get emails about it all the time, at TVNZ. Mike Hosking would tease me on air. ‘Was Jack Tame just flirting with People Magazine’s sexiest person alive?’ It should be said, my A-list flirting was not limited to the fairer sex. Maybe I don’t bat my eyelids quite as much, but I still revert into wise-cracking Jack when it comes to blokes. And so I found myself a few days ago, waiting my turn for a couple of minutes with Jason Momoa. He was friendly, with the studio entourage you’d expect of a Hollywood A-lister. And of course, as a Hawaiian, he’s got a special affinity for New Zealand. The interview went well, but for some bizarre reason, as I shook his hand and stood up to leave, I felt compelled to speak up and charm him. I don’t know what it was but the words just spilled out of my mouth. ‘Of course, there’s one big difference between Hawaii and New Zealand.’ I said. ‘What’s that?’ he asked. ‘Hawaii doesn’t have seagulls.” Everyone paused. The room when quiet. “Huh.” Said Jason Momoa. I said I was a flirt. I didn’t say I was a GOOD FLIRT.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small Mercies, Dennis Lehane The acclaimed New York Times bestselling writer returns with a masterpiece to rival Mystic River—an all-consuming tale of revenge, family love, festering hate, and insidious power, set against one of the most tumultuous episodes in Boston’s history. In the summer of 1974 a heatwave blankets Boston and Mary Pat Fennessy is trying to stay one step ahead of the bill collectors. Mary Pat has lived her entire life in the housing projects of “Southie,” the Irish American enclave that stubbornly adheres to old tradition and stands proudly apart. One night Mary Pat’s teenage daughter Jules stays out late and doesn’t come home. That same evening, a young Black man is found dead, struck by a subway train under mysterious circumstances. The Future of Geography, Tim Marshall From the New York Times bestselling author of Prisoners of Geography and leading geopolitics expert comes a must-read book on today’s space race—including the increasingly tense power struggle between the US, China, and Russia and what it means for all of us here on Earth. Spy satellites orbiting the moon. Space metals worth more than most countries’ GDP. People on Mars within the next ten years. This isn’t science fiction—it’s reality. Humans are venturing up and out, and we’re taking our competitive spirit with us. Soon, what happens in space will shape human history as much the mountains, rivers, and seas have impacted civilizations around the world. It’s no coincidence that Russia, China, and the USA are leading the way. The next fifty years will change the face of global politics and the world order as we know it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley has been touring Cambodia and is once again the envy of us all. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate 'Ethically Kate' Hall has some tips for a more sustainable Mother's Day this year. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many gardeners and observant nature nerds report seeing weird, white, slimy structures lying on the forest floor and on top of the mulch in gardens Basket fungi are large spherical football-like structures that carry the spores of the fungus: it’s the brown smudgy stuff on the white, rubbery polygons. Those spores smell quite putrid and attract all kinds of flies that lap up the moisture – it’s probably full of proteins; nutrients! The spores stick to their feet and as they land in the forest, garden mulch, or on some organic debris, the fungal spores are distributed – repeating the cycle. When you see a very juvenile version (they look like creamy-white eggs, sticking half out of the ground) just grab one and cut it open It’s remarkable how the basket fungus is totally compressed, folded up and ready to hatch inside that “egg”: Main points of the story… What can we learn from this fungus? a) they recycle stuff – there is no waste in nature b) They spread the spores throughout the forest by employing invertebrates such as flies c) Nature cooperates/collaborates… everybody wins in the arrangement (who invented the word “competition”?)… let me guess: Economists? d) Nature communicates with natural, chemical clues: the smell of the spores attracts the vectors e) Want to know how to economize on transport cost by reducing the size of packages? Have a look at the basket fungus! f) There are no straight lines in Nature’s Design See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a lot of rules have changed or tightened up and made residential property investment a slightly different prospect, more and more people are asking whether they should instead consider commercial investment property. There’s a lot to weigh up, so I thought it could be an interesting discussion to have – what are the pros, cons, things you might not realise, things you need to consider, lending arrangements, potential yield and capital gain and how does it compare? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Google's big event of the year, where they announced a new Pixel Tablet transforms into a Smart Home display If you're looking to buy an Android Tablet, this could be the way to go. It's a fully functioning tablet, then when placed on the dock transforms into showing your photos, being an assistant, telling you what's next on your calendar. You can Chromecast to it, allowing you to use it almost like a mini-TV. The only downside is that if someone wonders off with the tablet, then you can't do anything with the stand. Google also announced their first foldable phone ($US1800) and a cheaper Pixel 7a phone. We can expect AI to come to almost every part of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail, even Search - the most lucrative part of Google! In the demo, the 10 blue links (and the sponsored links) we've come to expect when we search move down the page and up top we get a generative answer to our question. The response includes links to its source material. For now, to get this you'll need to opt in and the answers will only appear when the algorithm thinks the answer is better than the links. Their goal is to have you ask one question, instead of multiple, to get your result. eg. "What should I do in Paris?". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silo: A dystopian drama set in a future where society exists hundreds of stories deep underground, and where men and women must obey a series of regulations designed to protect them from the outside world (Apple TV+). A Small Light: A historical drama that follows the life of Miep Gies, who helped Anne Frank and her family hide during World War 2. You may know the story of Anne Frank, but this tells the story of what happened on the other side of the bookcase (Disney+). Louis Theroux Interviews: Louis Theroux embarks on a series of intimate one-on-one interviews with the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Bear Grylls, Katherine Ryan and Rita Ora (Neon). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine if your life suddenly became a real version of the Truman Show. It’s happened to Ronald Gladden, a 30-year-old man who thought he was a juror in a US court case that was being filmed for a documentary called Jury Duty. It slowly becomes a courtroom full of chaos. But what Ronald doesn’t know is that everyone is an actor, including the actor James Marsden acting as himself. Ronald’s now become an internet sensation and has been dubbed the nice guy of Jury Duty after his good nature and warmth shines through. Ronald Gladden joined Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's my top 5 sources of inspiration: - The ingredients in my house - The ingredients in the stores - Eating out - it doesn't have to be expensive; I had a $13 roti canai in Hamilton at a little Malaysian place last week and it's put me on the road to spiciness all week with soups, curries and stir fries all being whipped up in my kitchen - Viewing - my top 5 places for getting inspired: Jamie One Pan Wonders Sat night TVNZ ONE - FREE, Toscana - Netflix, Chef's Table Pizza series Netflix, magazines are my next go-to FREE from any library, and finally cookbooks of course. - Try Books for Cooks at Moore Wilson's or any other bookshops - I can get lost for hours browsing these. (Note: I'm not as big on online inspiration unless you can trust the source) - Food-related Festivals and classes - like WOAP, Choc Festival, Food Shows, cooking classes etc. These expose you to trends and who's doing what and can really uplift you and get you thinking about different ways to cook, serve and eat food. They don't have to be expensive either. The Bhakti Lounge in Wellington and The Yoga Loft in Ak run these marvelous vegetarian cooking classes and they're from $40.00. - Or try a night class at a local secondary school - I still cook some recipes that I learnt decades ago at a class. A creme brulee and a feta and fennel whip. Keep the knowledge flowing in to keep new flavours flowing out I say! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Close The 13-year-old boys Léo and Rémis have a close friendship at school and in the flower fields where they and their parents pick the harvest for home. When schoolmates shoot a wedge into the relationship, the consequences are fatal. Ghosted (Apple TV) Salt-of-the-earth Cole falls head over heels for enigmatic Sadie — but then makes the shocking discovery that she’s a secret agent. Before they can decide on a second date, Cole and Sadie are swept away on an international adventure to save the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne would like to talk about mothers, how he adores them, even if occasionally they embarrass you. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’d been planning to take them to a fancy new restaurant. There were some walks out west I thought would be lovely. Mum quite likes Auckland. Dad, it’s fair to say, does not. But when they arrived in the ‘09 together for the first time in a couple of years, they both had the same thing at the very top of the priority list. They wanted to see my new home. I slipped the key in the front door and before I’d even pushed it open, Mum was gushing. “Oh, Darling,” she said. “It’s beautiful.” “Mum!” I said. “It’s only the hallway. At least save your praise until you’ve seen a bedroom or two.” Mum... didn’t save her praise. She loved the bedroom. She loved the study. She loved the bathrooms and the lounge. She loved the cupboard with the washing machine and the skylight above the bath. For five minutes, she walked around with her hands on her hips, loving everything, admiring everything, praising everything, and beaming. “It’s fantastic, darling. Perfect. It’s gonna’ make a wonderful home.” Dad, did not tour the house with the same technique or enthusiasm. He stepped inside, kicked off his boots, and immediately started examining the seal on my bedroom window. “Hmm,” he said. “What’s the putty status on these things?” “Umm.. I dunno. I think it’s ok.” “Sash windows” he said. “Only bottom opening. A simple mechanism but fiddly with the cords. You’ve gotta keep an eye on these things, son.” He walked into the lounge and lifted a blind. “Hmmm,” he said. “Mold. Get a butter knife and let’s check this. We’ll strip back the paint, prime it, putty it, sand it, prime it, paint it. It’s gonna need attention on the outside, too.” Room by room, he stepped around the house like a forensic investigator, testing every switch, twiddling every door handle, squinting at the corners where the ceilings meet the walls and running his finger along every window frame like a hunter seeking an animal’s scent. “Water!” He’d say. “You’ve gotta look for it. Water gets in everywhere.” He stood outside and checked the deck. He checked the branches on the trees in my backyard. He pointed out invasive climbing plants and ran his eyes along every exterior weatherboard. “Water!” he said. “It gets in everywhere.” The tour alone took more than hour. A few days later, by the time they left, Dad had fixed, rehung, or altered no fewer than eight different doors in my home. He’d prepped a window for priming and a linen closet for gib-stopping. He’d bought chisels, a paint brush, filler and methylated spirits, and he’d found a corner of a exterior door frame where the wood felt like sodden cardboard. “Water!” he said. “It gets in everywhere.” We didn’t make it to the restaurant I’d intended to visit. We didn’t make it out west. We didn’t go for nice walks or do the kind of big city things that aren’t so easy when you live in a town of less than 300 people. Instead we spent the whole time with screwdrivers and spirit levels, packing out hinges, and drilling holes for striker plates. It was all good for Mum – she loved my home. But the night before he left, Dad was horrified to discover a door he hadn’t previously noticed, where the old panelled wood was far too big to ever close properly in the frame. “Gaaaah!” He said. “That’s gonna kill me.” “But next time I’m up, bring my jack plane.” Mum quite likes Auckland. Dad does not. But it’s nice to know they’ll be back.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Album: Subtract Wife’s illness, plagiarism court case and death of music entrepreneur friend Jamal Edwards all came to bear on Sheeran’s sixth studio album, made with the National’s Aaron Dessner. The fifth and final entry in his series of albums titled with mathematical symbols, Sheeran wrote and recorded its 14 tracks with Aaron Dessner, a member of US alt-rock band the National who also had a major creative role in Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore. It is billed as a return to traditional singer-songwriter performance, after the polished pop of much of Sheeran’s catalogue; a press release promises songs ranging from “pared back, folk-leaning textures to bolder, full-band/orchestral arrangements”. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Death of a Bookseller, Alice Slater In this "utterly unforgettable" debut (Catherine Ryan Howard), a disaffected, true crime-obsessed bookseller develops a dangerous obsession with a colleague. Roach would rather be listening to the latest episode of her favorite true crime podcast than assisting the boring and predictable customers at her local branch of the bookstore Spines, where she’s worked her entire adult life. A serious true crime junkie, Roach looks down her nose at the pumpkin-spice-latte-drinking casual fans who only became interested in the genre once it got trendy. But when Laura, a pretty and charismatic children’s bookseller, arrives to help rejuvenate the struggling bookstore branch, Roach recognizes in her an unexpected kindred spirit. Despite their common interest in true crime, Laura keeps her distance from Roach, resisting the other woman’s overtures of friendship. Undeterred, Roach learns everything she can about her new colleague, eventually uncovering Laura’s traumatic family history. When Roach realizes that she may have come across her very own true crime story, interest swiftly blooms into a dangerous obsession. A darkly funny suspense novel, Death of a Bookseller raises ethical questions about the fervor for true crime and how we handle stories that don’t belong to us. Le Bron James, Jeff Benedict NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * From the #1 bestselling author of The Dynasty and Tiger Woods comes the definitive biography of basketball superstar LeBron James, based on three years of exhaustive research and more than 250 interviews. LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of the twenty-first century, and he’s in the conversation with Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time. The reigning king of the game and the first active NBA player to become a billionaire, LeBron wears the crown like he was born with it. Yet his ascent has been anything but effortless and predetermined— the truth is vastly more interesting than that. What makes LeBron’s story so compelling is how he won his destiny despite overwhelmingly long odds, in a drama worthy of a Dickens novel. As a child, he was a scared and lonely little boy living a nomadic existence in Akron, Ohio. His mother, who had LeBron when she was sixteen, would sometimes leave him on his own. Destitute and fatherless, he missed close to one hundred days of school in the fourth grade. Desperate, his mother placed him with a family that gave him stability and put a basketball in his hands. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.