Rnz: Afternoons With Jesse Mulligan

Every Tuesday we take a dilemma and ask for your help in solving it. This week we're looking at emoji usage - and what to do if your boss chooses something inappropriate. We always love your reckons - 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Ximena Smith, Afternoons podcast critic, joins Jesse to share what she's been listening to: 'Expanse: The Nannup Four' 'Everything Is Fake and Nobody Cares'.

Verb Wellington's Claire Mabey chats to Jesse about what she's been reading: Empire of AI by Karen Hao The Other Catherine by Lauren Keenan Hekate by Nikita Gill

It's time for Mayoral minutes, where we speak with a local mayor about the challenges they're facing, how they're working to solve them and what makes their community special. This week we're heading to the Tauranga, from where Mayor Mahe Drysdale joins Jesse.

As fuel costs rise, Katy Gosset talks to a transportation engineer about thrifty ways to get around instead of using the car.

Clinical nurse Bini Mathew has been awarded the Aged Care Association 2026 Nurse of the Year. Bini is based in Palmerston North where she oversees two aged care homes, so is responsible for dozens of residents and staff members. The awards judges' said Bini has embedded cultural techniques into her everyday work and that's helping to improve outcomes for residents; as her boss says, Bini doesn't just talk about better care, she delivers it. Bini Mathew chats to Jesse.

Now to a "cleantech" startup aiming to eliminate carbon emissions from the making of steel. The idea involves replacing carbon with hydrogen, and CullBeck founders say it will reduce ironmaking processing times and overall costs. It also promises the generation of critical minerals - which are of geopolitical importance. Incubated at Victoria University of Wellington, the idea is now being backed by something called Aurora Climate Lab with the aim of commercialisation. CullBeck founder Martin Hacon is with Jesse.

Stats NZ released the latest marriage figures yesterday and they show a continual decline. 17,481 marriages and civil unions were registered in 2025, down 3% from 2024, and that was down from the years prior. The Australasian region - that's us and Aussie - also get married later, with an average age of 36 for men and 30 for women To get his take on why fewer of us are getting hitched - recently-ish married comedian Chris Parker is with Jesse.

It's that time of year when many companies will be doing performance reviews and the idea of a pay rise gets floated. But with inflation and cost of living pressures - are we dreaming to think there could be any raises in salary this year? New research just out by the job website Seek looks at this and more, to discuss we're joined by Seek country manager Rob Clark

It's a show within a show! Guaranteed to make you smile, or grimace. The Panel team previews tonight's edition of their programme.

A five-second chat with a stranger can sometimes do what a week of self-care can't. Tiny moments like a comment in the supermarket line, a quick exchange at a café are more than awkward filler says Dr. Gillian Sandstrom . They're real opportunities for connection that can boost wellbeing, build social confidence, ease anxiety, and even strengthen communities. Sandstrom is an Associate Professor of the Psychology of Kindness at the University of Sussex, and she argues we've massively underestimated the value of everyday small talk. Her new book is Once Upon a Stranger: The Science of How "Small Talk" Can Add Up to a Big Life. Challenge to you: spark a conversation with a stranger and let us know how it goes! 2101 or afternoons@rnz.co.nz

Afternoons TV critic Michelle Langstone reviews: Half Man (TVNZ+) Bait (Amazon Prime Video)

It's time now for our expert feature where we tackle a topic and put your questions to the people who know it best Today, we're talking about our fluffy feline friends, cats. Around 40 percent of New Zealand households share their home with a cat, making them our most popular pet. From midnight zoomies to mysterious stares, cats have plenty of quirky habits and today we're finding out what they really mean. If you want some answers to your cat's quirks or any other questions, please text us 2101. Molly Kelsey is a former vet nurse and now works as a cat behaviour consultant, she joins Jesse.

Every Monday we like to check out a local club or society doing something cool. If you've got a club we should know about then let me know - 2101 or Jesse@rnz.co.nz Honestly - no club is too niche This week we're chatting with Justin Connor from the carb club.

We catch up with Brad Foster, our friend across the Tasman, to find out what's hitting the headlines in Australia.

You might remember the film Heathers from the late 80s. It starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, and it's stood the test of time as a cult favourite. Some have referred to it as the original Mean Girls. Well now the stage musical is making its way to New Zealand! Heathers the Musical will feature performers from New Zealand and Australia, and it'll be on at the James Hay Theatre in Christchurch from the 15th of May, followed by the Wellington Opera House from the 28th, and finally The Civic in Auckland from the 10th of June. Broadway, TV and film director Andy Fickman is helming the production, he chats to Jesse.

A cool study caught our eye, and we wanted to learn more about it. A University of Waikato project is looking at taking advantage of neighbourhoods generating power through solar and seeing if that power could be shared in the community. Dr Min Zhang is the co-lead on the project and joins me now to discuss community energy sharing.

We came in this morning to a text machine full of with messages about the American butter that's in some of our supermarkets. Most of them echoed Susie's thoughts who asked: 'Why on earth are we importing butter when we are supposed to be the best producers?' We've got another question, despite coming all the way from the USA, a 500g block is up to $1 less than the cheapest locally produced brand, and we want to know how? To discuss Jesse is joined by NZX Head of Dairy Insights Cristina Alvarado.

Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

This week's critter is a gentle giant of the seafloor, a mussel so big it sticks out of the mud like a little underwater skyscraper. It filters the ocean, builds habitat for other species, and quietly holds entire ecosystems together. Nicola Toki joins Jesse to discuss.