From hormones to tantrums, raising a teen is challenging for all involved - but could it also be impacting your relationship? A new book says yes, but that doesn’t have to be the case…Rachel Kelly, author of The Gift of Teenagers, joins Helen to discuss the upsides of adolescence. Meanwhile, with kids in Abu Dhabi getting their first device at an average age of 3, and new research suggesting child tracking apps could be doing more harm than good, is parenting getting too tech reliant? Sahar Zarr...
May 13, 2025•58 min
Last month, Afternoons met Jessica, a new mum who leapt into action to help her 'agency' cleaner, after discovering she - and her colleagues - had been denied healthcare, visas and access to their passports. Having worked with Dubai Police to get the team's documents returned to them, Jessica set about helping them with their CVs to find them better employment - but as she explains to Helen today, she ended up hiring them instead. Plus, lawyer Dilini Loku joins us for an employment clinic, Dr Bi...
May 12, 2025•56 min
Dubai Opera is cracking down on tardiness, warning latecomers will no longer be allowed to enter between curtain up and interval. Etiquette coach Ziying Zhou tells Helen why she's in favour, while the people of the UAE have their own say on the bad behaviours that drive them bananas. Emily Jenkins from DW travel is on hand to talk all things Disney - and the growth the megabrand's arrival could bring to the Middle East's tourism market. Meanwhile, we talking travelling for carbs with Birch Baker...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Dubai Police have issued a behavior warning to football fans following unrest and a number of arrests at a match on Saturday. But what prompts disruption at sporting events - and how can it be successfully prevented? Helen puts that big question to two experts in the field - Professor of Afro-Eurasian Sport Simon Chadwick and Scott Armstrong, the founder of Mentl. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 08, 2025•20 min
1000 new residents arrived in every day in the first quarter of this year, according to new statistics. So, what do they need to know? We asked two relocation and assimilation experts. Meanwhile, the experts tell us what new tariffs on non-American movies could mean for the film industry here, and Helen talks postnatal support with two professionals working to improve life for new mums. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 07, 2025•1 hr 5 min
It's the news that's dividing parents - but is AI education really anything to be frightened of? Not at all, according to our experts. Helen gets the lowdown from Fortes Education's Dr. Neil Hopkin and Vasudha Kalhandeparkar, AI & Data Expert Lead at Grant Thornton. Meanwhile, we talk third culture divorce - and taboos - with the team behind FemFam Dubai, and author Heather Darwall-Smith lets us in on the secrets behind her new book How To Be Awake So You Can Sleep Through the Night. See omn...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 7 min
A fitness influencer’s appearance in Dubai has gone viral after he brought his daughters on stage to show off their six-packs. But should kids ever be set appearance-driven physical goals – or is that a shortcut to body dysmorphia? Helen asks Florence Gillet of Beyond Body Image and PT Rory Brown. Plus, OT Adam Griffin and speech pathologist Tina Younes talk Speech, Language and Hearing Month, Anna Kaminski from NeuroKinds discusses new research on the impact of yelling at kids, and Charlie Bann...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Helen sits down with legendary chef Marco Pierre White today to discuss his collab with a food delivery service in Dubai, the relevance (or not) of Michelin, and why he hates a tasting menu. It seems everyone is collaborating in Dubai’s kitchens at the moment. But why? Chef Akmal Anuar and Chef Alessandro Salvatico let us in on the benefits of a four-hands dinner. And with one of Dubai’s hottest openings now under their belts, Johnny Tomazos, and Chef Praba Manickam of The Cullinan join Helen in...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 3 min
From new destinations to a new GCC Visa, Helen gets the expert lowdown on all things travel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 01, 2025•22 min
Netflix’s star-studded new series The Four Seasons follows the fallout of a friendship group hit by divorce within its ranks. Helen asks mediator Karen Sutherland and lawyer Byron James how this dilemma tends to shake out in normal life. Meanwhile, as the UK unveils proposals for a social media curfew to keep kids safe online, and the US seeks to criminalise non-consensual image sharing, we ask education expert Dr Alison Burrows and Barry Lee Cummings of Beat the Cyber Bully how this could chang...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min
From parking to road tolls to school fees, prices are rising in the UAE. So, how do we respond? Helen gets expert advice from Beth Clay of Financed Well and financial coach Jay Adrien Tolentino. Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of the annual GCC Board Gender Index Report shows the UAE leading the way with 14.8% of board seats held by women. The experts break down why its important. And as George and Amal Clooney say they’ve NEVER had a row in 11 years of marriage, Dr Thoriaya of the Human Relations I...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min
As a new report from the FA reveals a rise in problematic behaviour from parents at kids football, we discuss the impact with football coach Matt Blenford and psychologist Mark Samways. Helen also discusses a new wave of conversation around male eating disorders with author Liam Kelly and dietician Carina Khoury, a new law on communicable diseases in Dubai with Dr Maryam Mojtabavi, and Haus & Haus MD Simon Baker is on hand with investment advice for the Dubai market. See omnystudio.com/liste...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 4 min
From music festivals to theatres to food events - and even an opportunity to volunteer your dog's time, Helen is joined by a host of experts to delve into what the UAE has to offer over the next few days. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Most UAE firms have paused hiring, citing rising operational costs. What does it mean for small businesses, their staff, and those looking for work? Helen speaks to Tish Tash MD Polly Williams, recruiter David McKenzie and HR consultant Rohini Gill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 24, 2025•26 min
The tragic death of an autistic 8-year-old in the UAE has raised the alarm over the pressure on carers. What support is available – and what do families need? We asked two parents with children of determination, Gareth Jones and Steph Hamilton. We also looked at open finance, and how it could change the way families - and specifically women - save, with Sophia Bhatti, Founder & CEO, Wimbledon Wealth. And would you turn to AI for therapy? Increasing numbers of young people are - but is that s...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 16 min
The Stolen Girl is the latest TV show to terrify parents. But should we really be afraid of our kids' being a part of slumber parties with their peers? Helen puts it to Priya Mitchell from PMC Safeguarding. As Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez prepare to splash the cash, we ask experts Mark Kawaja orf Le Table Events and Rhiannon Downie Hurst, founder of Bride Club ME, what they'd do if money was no object. And do you know how to make the most of AI - and how to teach your kids to do the same? We go...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 10 min
A rising number of firms are offering staff fitness trackers – and incentivising their use. But do they improve employee health – or do they invade privacy? Helen asks workplace culture consultant Lorna King and Ali Hashemi, CEO of Meta[bolic]. Meanwhile, Leena Magdi, author of Mourning Air, & psychologist Dr Alia El Naggar of Canadian University Dubai talk grief, road safety expert Phil Clarke is on hand to discuss how we enforce the law against using a mobile while driving, and we talk rea...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 15 min
Camaraderie in the kitchen is the theme of today's show - from Chef Kelvin Cheung of Jun's teaming up with Taqado, new supperclub Tiff's Table bringing together Tiffany Eslick and pastry chef Nadia Parekh, and two of the UAE’s top female restaurateurs - Neha Mishra of Kinoya and Panchali Mahendra of Atelier House Hospitality - joining forces for a new venue. Helen is also joined by Raffi Vartanian to find out how his firm, Ziba Foods, is supporting female farmers in Afghanistan. And Miles Bucker...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Helen meets the Dubai-based new mum leading the charge on reuniting eight workers with their passports after they fell victim to a rogue employer. Meanwhile, employment lawyer Thenji Moyo is on hand to clarify the rules. Fatima Haddad from domestic abuse crisis centre Shamsaha is on hand to discuss Sharjah’s moves to protect women and children by seizing the properties of abusive partners. We have more health info than ever before - but is that leading to anxiety and over-diagnosis? Dr Heather E...
Apr 16, 2025•1 hr 17 min
It used to be that cheating meant being in the same place as someone other than your spouse. Has the online world muddied the waters? Helen asks Dr Thoriya. Meanwhile, Sophie Thomas and Anna Kaminski discuss rising ADHD diagnosis in adults, and lawyer Scott Hutton is on hand to take your property questions… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 11 min
New research shows more over-40s are giving birth than teenagers for the first time in history. Why? And what does it mean for the future of fertility? We ask Lindsay Davidson, who had her son at 43, and Dr Luciano Nardo of Now Clinics. Meanwhile, as a new Netflix documentary sounds the alarm over kidfluencing, Meta says it will ban its live features for under-16s. So, where is the line when it comes to our kids’ online interactions? Coach Maysaa Fahour and Dubai-based child influencer DJ Michel...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 23 min
Are Tik Tok trends ruining the cinema experience? It depends who you ask, says entertainment journalist William Mullaly. Meanwhile, Chef Gregoire Berger tells Helen what’s next for him after a decade at Ossiano, Courtney Brandt has your food headlines, and we delve into a new dubai chef collab bringing us ceviche, squared… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 25 min
US unis have long been on the wishlist for families here in the UAE – but are we now seeing a sea change amid safety concerns for students in the states. Varun Jain, CEO of UniHawk & Heather Harries, Heather Harries Education Hub, are on hand to bring us up to speed. Meanwhile, new research suggests 98% of consumers now see reviews as an essential part of how they buy goods and services, meaning businesses now routinely ask for our feedback. But when does engaging with customers tip into int...
Apr 10, 2025•53 min
A wife wants to work, her husband and sponsor doesn't want her to - so what happens? It's a query that created a stir on social media in Dubai this week - so we put it to employment lawyer Thenji Moyo and family lawyer Madeleine Mendy... Also on today's show, the UK is celebrating its first live birth after womb transfer - bringing the total babies born globally after the procedure to an estimated 120. Dr Partha Das from Orchid Fertility is on hand to explain the potential impact. As a new study...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min
Ambitious? Self-reliant? The language used in many job postings appeals to people with ‘a grand view of self’, according to new research. Helen breaks down the implications with researcher Jonathan Gay from the University of Mississippi and Genie Recruitment's Nicki Simpson. Meanwhile, as another research paper suggests everything from the time we apply our skincare to sun exposure to - wait for it - our partner's own skincare habits could be impacting our skin health, she gets the lowdown from ...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 11 min
From family finances to shares and retirement savings, money anxiety is hitting many of us right now. Helen gets advice from financial coaches Jay Adrian Tolentino and Carol Glynn. She's also joined by the Family Hub's Hanan Ezzeldin and Ben Fox from Repton Al Barsha to discuss the ongoing discussion around Netflix' Adolescence - and the role schools and educators can play in the discussion. Do you use 'politisms' to say what you DON'T really mean? If so, you're not alone, as Dr Ben Beaumont fro...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 29 min
A new free AI programme claims to help anyone overcome stagefright. But is confidence all it takes to become a memorable speaker? We ask speaker and coach Flo Akinbiyi. On the food front, Matthew Jones from Bread Ahead unveils his third Dubai store, while star Chef Tristan Farmer opens the doors to his newest restaurant this weekend. And as a new study finds 20% of Emirati consumers would swap to lab-made meat for health and planet, is it really the better option? We asked nutritionist Kripa Gok...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 30 min
After a career treating breast cancer, Liz O’Riordan didn’t expect to find herself on the other side of the desk. She tells Helen why she’s now dedicating her life to inspiring other women to take charge of their own wellbeing… Meanwhile, following yesterday's discussion of rising autism rates among kids, one Ma’an backed social entertprise has turned its attention to inclusivity and accessibility at work for an increasing cohort of autistic adults. We meet 13-year old Repton pupil Smayan Sethi,...
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Singer Chappell Roan's comments that her friends with kids are living in 'hell' sparked a huge online debate this week - but why? Dr Thoraiya joins Jen Crichton to unpick our collective inability to scroll past content we don’t relate to. We marked World Autism Day with Occupational Therapist Adam Griffin and Dr Alexandre Machaeo who both say it's time we advance from awareness of to truly understanding neurodiversity. And we hear from UAE-based author Sara Hamdan, whose recent record-breaking b...
Apr 02, 2025•1 hr 29 min
Researchers in the US say just a couple of years ago, your average American would have classed an annual salary of 200 hundred thousand dollars - roughly 60 thousand dirhams a month - as rich. But is that all there is to it? Or are our expectations changing? What does it mean to live a rich life in 2025? Beth Clay from Finance Her Well and Christian Kiefer, CEO & Founder of Spa Wellness Project Management join Jen Crichton to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 23 min
