Sunday Morning for Sunday 15 December 2024

8:10 What’s next for Asma al-Assad and her family?

British born Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria’s deposed dictator Bashar al-Assad, was once seen as a symbol of female empowerment. Now she is facing the very real prospect of spending the rest of her days in Putin’s Russia in exile.

Veteran foreign correspondent Martin Fletcher joins Jim to discuss what is likely to happen to Asma and her wider family following the capture of Damascus.

 

8:30 The Bitcoin billionaire who set up a $2 million treasure hunt

What would you do if you became a billionaire? When Jon Collins-Black found himself in that position, he decided to recapture some of the whimsy and imagination of his youth and set up a treasure hunt across America. 

His book, There's Treasure Inside contains all of the necessary clues to find one of the treasure chests which boast an incredible array of booty. He joins Jim to explain.

 

8:50 The Sunday Morning Quiz with Jack Waley-Cohen   

Our quiz master Jack Waley-Cohen is back for another Sunday Morning quiz.   

Jack is the mind behind the questions on BBC quiz show ‘Only Connect’ which is known for being both difficult to crack and totally obvious.

It’s Sunday morning, so wake up your brain and have a go!      

 

9:06 Mediawatch

Mediawatch talks to two media bosses about the economic problems of the industry right now - and decisions facing the government in 2025. Also: how the government stepped in on two other businesses big problems - racing and the Cook Strait ferries.

 

9:35 Best Song Eva: Anna Burns Francis 

Anna Burns-Francis is a highly respected journalist and interviewer, who has most recently been part of the Breakfast team at TVNZ. But following cutbacks at the state broadcaster, she has decided to move on and start a new chapter. She joins Jim to discuss what the future holds, and share one of her favourite songs.

 

10:06 What’s My Book About: Niki Bezzant

Health writer Niki Bezzant joins Jim to discuss her new book The Everything Guide: Hormones, Health and Happiness in Menopause, Midlife and Beyond.

Intended as a kind of handbook for Gen X women, Niki re-frames aging and looks at tackling body image struggles and mental health challenges that can kick in during perimenopause for many.

 

10.35 How country music is invading hip hop

Lil Nas X, Beyonce, and now Shaboozey. The gap between genres is shrinking and hip hop seems to be becoming an essential part of contemporary country music.

RNZ Music 101 host Charlotte Ryan joins Jim to discuss this shift.

 

10:45 Techniques that really work to find your missing stuff

Losing things seems to be part of the human experience. Misplacing keys, phones, jewellery or your passport can be a hugely frustrating ordeal, and most people will begin hunting for a missing object in a random and unsystematic fashion.

Malaka Gharib is the digital editor of NPR podcast Life Kit. She’s had plenty of experience losing things, so she’s researched some useful techniques to find what you are looking for.

 

11:05 NZ charity delivers aid to more than a million people in conflict zones

In its tenth year of operation, ReliefAid has delivered aid to more than a million people in international conflict zones. It is supporting civilians in Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria and Afghanistan. Founder Mike Seawright joins Jim to talk about what it’s like on the ground, and a Christmas campaign focussing on Gaza.

 

11:35 Calling Home: Tim Blanks

This week, calling home from London is Tim Blanks. He is the Editor-at-Large of fashion website The Business of Fashion, a role he’s held since 2015. He’s written extensively for the industry’s top names including Vogue, GQ and The Financial Times, and spent 17 years hosting the Canadian television show Fashion Files.

 

11:45 News from the motoring world with Dean Evans

Motoring journalist and editor of car guide Driven Dean Evans joins Jim to discuss the latest in the world of cars, including Jaguar’s attempt to reinvent itself with its newest model, controversy over the use of road cones, and concern about the level of speed surveillance being incorporated into new car models.