Afternoons with Helen Farmer

Away from Dubai’s 5-star kitchens, what can food teach us about culture and community? Helen asks superstar chef, TV host and UN Food Security Advocate Andrew Zimmern. Plus, we find out who’s eating at Neighbourhood Food Hall (hint, he’s got a beard and you’d better be nice), and we talk festive desserts with Bateel Bakery.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research from McKinsey and Lean In has found women “want promotions less”, meanwhile, Zoe Ball is making headlines for leaning out to spend time with her family. Do we need to reframe how we view female ambition? Helen asks Anushka Kalyanpur DeLuca of Nannies & More and leadership expert Constanze Munz. Meanwhile, as new data from Betterhomes shows nearly 60 percent of UAE residents now plan to stay for over a decade, KCA’s Alex Elander-Phoenix explains how to foster a sense of belonging for our kids, their schools and our communities. Plus, Principal Lisa is on hand for an early-years parenting clinic…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From working on leave and carrying over holidays, to the impact of AI and job security into 2026, HR consultant Rohini Bhalla-Gill joins Helen for an end of year HR temperature check…Plus, kids are off school, excitement levels are high – but disagreements can ruin the festive vibes. So, how do you keep all your kids happy and off each other’s backs during the winter break? Leilani Rooks, Wildflower Family Coaching, joins Helen with some expert advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, your kid wants devices, and you want to go old school? We get a Adam the OT’s advice on how to navigate kids’ festive requests – and how to keep them occupied during the holidays too… Meanwhile, it’s often billed as the most joyous time of the year – but when there’s an empty seat at the table, grief can hit hard. So, how can we navigate the festive season while grieving? Helen asks Tanya Dharamshi, the clinical psychologist who leads Lighthouse Arabia’s Raymee Grief Centre. Plus, with rain forecast, Motor Mania’s Damien Reid is on hand with all the info you need to navigate the roads safely.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ADHD is one of the most talked about diagnoses right now, yet many still associate it only with distraction or disruption. Today we are flipping that narrative and asking how ADHD can actually work for you, not against you, with Nadia Mankani & Angela Marson, Certified ADHD coaches and co-founders of ADHD 360. Plus, with 6-7 named ‘word’ of the year, we ask Dr Sarah Rasmi what it tells us about communal experience in 2025 – and we’ve got your expat legal clinic too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.