Afternoons with Helen Farmer

4.9 (19)
KIDS & FAMILY
UPDATED DAILY

A laid back look at life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what's happening and where to go with free advice, expert opinion and storytelling which gives an inside scoop in to real life UAE. Calling foodies, culture vultures and people who want answers from our trusted team of engaging experts.

12 HR AGO

Would you let AI pick your dinner?

You’ve gotten used to using it at work. But could a Dubai-founded food app make your home life easier too, by letting AI plan your meals? Arij Baidas, founder of YuFood, tells Helen how she’s aiming to solve our dinner dilemmas. Meanwhile, from tomato shortages in India to issues growing rice in Japan, climate change could be about to change what we view as staple foods. Dr Dhanush Dinesh, Founder of ClimEat, tells us how to prepare. On the entertainment front, Susanna Skelding, the Founder of Active Netball, tells us all about a brand new international female sports event, The UAE Netball Cup, taking place this weekend. And from the re-release of Jaws to Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the F1 premiere, via new TV shows and family movies, Entertainment Editor William Mullally is on hand today to address all your viewing needs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 14m
1 DAY AGO

Should you consider freezing your eggs?

Dancing with the Stars co-host Julianne Hough has revealed that she recently had her eggs frozen for the third time. With more women than ever choosing to freeze their eggs, how much do we really understand about the process, the costs, and the emotional toll? Cassie Destino – Founder, IVF Support UAE and Dr Bohaira El Geyoushi, Consultant Gynecologist at American Hospital Dubai, specialising in Reproductive Medicine and IVF join Helen to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 min
2 DAYS AGO

What can we learn from the Bezos pre-nup?

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez have reportedly signed an “ironclad” pre-nup which lawyers have described as more complex than a business merger. But is a pre-wedding agreement something ‘normal’ couples should be considering too? Helen askes Expat Law's Byron James. We also talk hustle culture, and the impact on male mental health, with Dubai's stressed men, and psychologist Joslin Gracias. And do your kids stick to screen limits appropriate to their age? Do you even know what they are? Vivamus Clinical Director, Dr. Marie Thompson, and Dr Alison Burrows, Professor of Education at Middlesex University Dubai, give us the facts... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 17m
3 DAYS AGO

Why won’t Gen Z stay in a job?

Forty per cent of professionals aged 18 to 25 have already held three or more jobs early in their careers, according to 2025 MENA Salary Survey. But are they wrong to job hop – or are employers missing a trick when it comes to keeping new talent? Helen asks a recruiter – and some Gen Zers themselves. We also talk teen skincare, acne, and the dangers of taking your dermatological advice from TikTok with two leading dermatologists. And if you’re struggling with the mental health impacts of menopause, you’re not alone. We get the lowdown on the hormonal realities of transition with a specialist psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 18m
4 DAYS AGO

Should you discipline other people's kids?

It's a controversial topic - but with communal discipline still common in many cultures, does it truly take a village to raise a child? And if so, how do you establish the norms in your own community. Helen puts it to three parenting experts. Meanwhile, as a major oncology conference in the USA hears how cancer patients are now delaying or refusing treatment in favour of miracle diets, essential oils and advice from TikTok influencers with no medical qualifications, Helen factchecks some medical claims with breast cancer surgeon turned patient, Dr Liz O'Riordan. We get the facts on healthcare before travel, and vaccine catch-ups, with Dr Howard Podolsky, and Tom Poulson from Haus&Haus is also on hand to talk property buying mistakes, and how to avoid them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 22m
4 JUN

Impact of bosses on employees' mental health

Researchers say 69 per cent of workers believe their boss has as big an impact on their mental health as their partner. That's grand if your boss is great - not so helpful if your boss is a less supportive influence. But what does good and bad management really look like? And what can we do if our bosses are draining us more than they're empowering us? Paul Littlejohn, Founder of Wingman Executive Consulting and Lorna King, workplace culture consultant, join Jennifer Crichton to discuss. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 23m
3 JUN

The #SkinnyTok ban

Regulators in Europe have forced a ban on dangerous diet culture social media posts - but will it make a difference? Helen asks body image expert Florence Gillet. Plus, Dubai Police are on hand to update us on their efforts to curb E-crime, we discuss the power of women over 50 in the workplace, and as the Beckhams make headlines for all the wrong reasons, therapist Marissa Peer explores the sad realities of family estrangement… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 21m
2 JUN

Kids, concussions, and the dangers of viral challenge trends

A new ‘sport’ based on rugby tackling without protective equipment has led to the death of a teen in New Zealand. So, what is RunIt Straight, why is it causing so much concern, and what do those behind it need to learn from rugby’s safety standards? We ask Scott Hastings and Apollo Perelini from UAE Rugby, and hear from parents and sports scientists too. Meanwhile, World No Tobacco Day 2025 took place over the weekend – but as new research reveals the UAE’s tobacco use still far exceeds the global average, are we still underestimating the risks to our health? Helen is joined by tobacco researcher Andrea Leinberger-Jabari, pulmonologist Dr Ana Catarina Moreira and family medicine specialist Dr Amna Khushnud. We also discuss defamation law in the UAE, and Haus & Haus are on hand to discuss the pros and cons of off-plan investment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1h 32m

See All (111)

4.9

out of 5

19 Ratings

Inspirational

29/01/2020

FrantasticLife

I love this podcast, Helen gets some excellent guest experts on the show and is a natural born interviewer making this a very enjoyable listen.

A laid back look at life in the UAE. Stay up to date with what's happening and where to go with free advice, expert opinion and storytelling which gives an inside scoop in to real life UAE. Calling foodies, culture vultures and people who want answers from our trusted team of engaging experts.