Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

After an extensive career in Hollywood and beyond as the star of blockbusters like The Hobbit and TV series like BBC’s Spooks, Richard Armitage has pivoted.  He’s turned his hand to the written word, releasing his first novel ‘Geneva’ in 2023, his second novel, ‘The Cut’ released just this month.  The story is inspired by a conversation he had in a cemetery, and the novel is unique in that it’s designed to be an audiobook before a physical text.  Writing for performance is slightly different to writing for reading, Armitage explained to Jack Tame.  “The way I work on it is to visualise it as a piece of cinema or television, and then I write it down in a sort of visceral way.”   “It’s slightly more pared back,” he said.  “And I’m kind of leaning into atmosphere.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is nearly upon us, bringing with it the array of music festivals that call New Zealand home. The line ups are beginning to be announced, but what acts are worth making the trip?  Music connoisseur Estelle Clifford has compiled a list of artists and bands she thinks is worth shelling out to see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Pint-sized Bratislava has the unique distinction of being the only capital city in the world wedged by three countries. Just inside the border of Slovakia, the city is also sandwiched by Austria and Hungary. You can lay your eyes on those three countries from various perches around town." "Bratislava’s old town is a little bon-bon, a perfectly formed tangle of twisting cobbled streets, studded with pastel-hued 18th century buildings. But far from simply being an urban relic from a bygone age, the Slovakian capital has an unmistakably cosmopolitan, contemporary feel and quirky personality, best exemplified by its infatuating public art installations." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne is back from overseas, where he was visiting his sons over in London. While he was, there was an incident at a Premier League football match in London where he left with his heart swelling with pride even though their team West Ham got thrashed 5-1. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travelling can be a busy and challenging time, and making more sustainable choices can sometimes fall by the wayside.  But Kate Hall has a few tips and tricks on how to make travel a little bit more sustainable, both before you go, and while you’re away.  Before you go:   Switch off appliances at the wall, empty fridge/freezer if away for longer, manage heating/cooling.   Plan travel so you don’t overpack or buy unnecessary items.   While travelling:   Choose lower-emission transport where possible (direct flights, trains, buses).   Reusable items (water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery) to avoid single-use.   Support local food and businesses, minimise waste.   Mindset shift:  Travel lighter, consume less, and think about footprint beyond just flights.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 6 September 2025, actor turned author Richard Armitage joins Jack to discuss his new novel ‘The Cut’, how audiobooks are changing, and the differences when writing for a story that’s to be heard instead of read.  Jack reflects on an ailing body.  Kevin Milne is back from his trip abroad and shares a touching family experience at the Premier League.  Nici Wickes has a delicious Father's Day recipe that’s easy for the kids to be involved in making.  Plus, Mark Zuckerberg is suing Mark Zuckerberg... tech expert Paul Stenhouse breaks it down.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ed McKnight has been working in personal finance for a fair few years and although he typically tries to be encouraging when giving advice, he does have some more brutal truths to tell.  He joined Jack Tame to offer up the three brutally honest pieces of money advice that most Kiwis will need to hear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frosty by Mark Winterbottom   The incredible true story of the boy from Doonside who became a Bathurst king.   Mark Winterbottom's story is unlike any other in motorsport. It's not about privilege or million-dollar sponsors - it's the tale of a working-class kid with a dream so big it defied the odds.   Frosty's story is a motorsport fairy tale that is also proof that with heart, hustle and an unyielding will to succeed, you can achieve greatness. Mark went on to win 10 Australian national kart titles and 25 state championships before transitioning into Formula Ford in 2001. His meteoric rise continued in 2003 when he clinched the Konica V8 Supercar Series Championship and was honoured with the Mike Kable Young Gun Award. Mark would also become one of Ford's most famous drivers when he broke through to beat Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup by winning the 2015 Supercars Championship in his flying Falcon.   Frosty is more than a story of fast cars, chequered flags and brushes with some of mot

OpenAI is coming for LinkedIn   The company announced it'll be expanding and applying its AI knowledge to new applications. First up, matching employers and job seekers.   The "Jobs Platform" is designed to match those with AI skills to employers who want those skills. They're working on a certifications program too. There are also reports they're working on a web browser and a social media app.   The woman who runs this new "applications" vertical along with ChatGPT knows a thing or two about social media – she is the former head of Facebook and CEO of Instacart, a shopping and delivery marketplace.     Mark Zuckerberg is suing Mark Zuckerberg   It's a pretty famous name, huh? So imagine life for poor Mark Zuckerberg in Indiana. Facebook keeps suspending his account while falsely accusing him of "impersonating a celebrity". But when it suspends his account, it suspends his advertising account too. Mark S. Zuckerberg says there is a breach of contract because he paid $11,000 for

This is a regular complaint from gardeners: Lichen on the stems of our shrubs, trees and bark. In this case: Julie’s treasured Magnolias.  It kind of makes sense as the shrub or small tree often appears to have more lichen than leaves – mostly smallish buds, not large, impressive flowers. And few leaves that often look small and somewhat discoloured.  No wonder gardeners are concerned about Lichen!  Here are the identified species of lichen on our Magnolia: Cartilage Lichen and Common Sunburst Lichen.  Lichen do not live in or from the plants – they don’t invade the plants or steal nutrients, they just sit there on the branches in the sun. Often the more light or sun there is, the healthier the lichens are.  Gardeners often think that the plants’ lack of health is due to the presence of lichen but a far more accurate diagnosis is exactly the opposite. Shrubs and trees which are not in the most perfect place (with the best sun or shade) or with a minimal amount of healthy fertilisers

The Paper   Following up on the story from "The Office," the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch discovers a disappearing Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters. This mockumentary follows the daily lives and struggles of dreamers in love with journalism, and their less-than-competent co-workers, trying to deliver accurate news without the resources or training to do a great job (TVNZ+).     In Flight   Jo Conran's son is imprisoned for a murder he denies. A gang blackmails her into smuggling, pushing her into a world of corruption and violence to save her child's life (TVNZ+).     Bay of Fires   Betrayed and in immediate danger, Stella is forced to move her family to the last place on Earth anyone would expect, a place where the locals hide secrets and outsiders are viewed with suspicion bordering on the murderous (TVNZ+).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv

The Roses   Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Theo and Ivy: successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. However, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentments soon emerge when Theo's career nosedives and Ivy's own ambitions take off.    Ice Road: Vengeance   A grieving American ice road trucker, Mike McCann, travels to Nepal to fulfil his late brother's final wish and scatter his ashes on Mt. Everest. There he meets Dhani, a skilled mountaineer, who agrees to guide him along the infamous Road to the.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the perfect thing for a Father’s Day brekky or brunch – it’s so easy and you can adapt it for your dad’s taste buds by adding bacon, chorizo, flaked smoked fish, avocado, and the rest.   Serves 4     Ingredients  500g Agria potatoes, washed   1 medium onion, sliced thinly   2 tbsps. olive oil   2 tsp curry powder   1 tsp sea salt + decent grind black pepper   4 eggs   Cooked bacon, chorizo, smoked fish, or avocado to serve   Dad’s favourite relish or chutney to serve   Parsley or chives to garnish     Method  Preheat oven to 200 C.   Parboil washed potatoes in well-salted water. When cool enough to handle, slice thickly or crush roughly if they’re smaller potatoes. We want lots of surface area to get crispy.   Tumble potatoes into a large shallow roasting dish. Scatter over onion, then add oil and seasoning and toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.   Make some gaps in the potat

When you’re young you can’t imagine a point in your life when you’re living with physical limitations.   I mean, sure, maybe you’re not as strong as you’d like to be. Maybe you’re not quite as quick and fit as some of your mates. But for me at least, the thought of a relatively straightforward physical action being too difficult or too painful never even crossed my mind. You take health and dexterity, mobility, and general limberness for granted.    I remember Dad getting home from his football games when I was kid. He’d limp through the front door, strap ice packs to both of knees, and splay himself out on the couch, still in his grubby kit. When you’re a kid, you can see your dad’s in pain, but you never pause to wonder if that might happen to you, one day, too.     A couple of years ago I couldn’t get past a sharp pain in my left hip. I thought I’d pulled a muscle, and I went to the physio for the first time in my life. But a series of scans moved me quickly up food chain. Physio-s

Lynda La Plante is the queen of crime fiction.  She has 50 novels to her name and is the creator of hit TV shows like Prime Suspect, Widows, and Above Suspicion. Her works place compelling and determined women centre stage – Anna Travis, Jane Tennison, and Lorraine Page just a few of them.   La Plante’s latest novel introduces a new lead detective, CSI Jessica Russell, as she brings together a team of scientists and experts to deal with a complicated and brutal crime.  She joined Jack Tame to discuss the inspiration behind 'The Scene of the Crime’ and its focus on forensics.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fourth studio album from Auckland-based band The Beths, ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’ explores some deeply personal topics within the band’s classic indie-rock sound.   Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the band’s introspective album.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Bobbing about on my bucket list for far too long, I’ve finally just enjoyed my first foray to heart-stealing Hamilton Island. Glamourous and gorgeous in equal measure this holiday jewel in the Whitsundays archipelago completely smashed my expectations. With an embarrassing surfeit of island vacay options in Queensland, I had assumed Hamilton Island, or Hamo as the locals call it, might just be another pleasant dime-a-dozen speck of palm-fringed sand, edging warm ocean water.   "But Hamo is so much more." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a common belief that having a pet is good for one’s wellbeing. You often hear stories about how looking into a dog’s eyes gives you an emotional boost or that using real and fake animals in rest homes boosts residents’ moods, but it turns out it’s not a guaranteed path to better mental health – reality is more nuanced.   Some studies do find that pet owners report lower anxiety and loneliness, and greater life satisfaction. However, other studies show no significant difference, and some have even found that pet owners actually reported lower wellbeing, including higher loneliness, than non-owners.   The type of bond between owner and pet plays a crucial role.   Owners with insecure attachments (e.g. anxiety about separation or doubts about their pet’s affection) tend to report higher depression and anxiety – this likely to be worse if your pet also has insecure attachment and worries when you’re not there!   Feeling a shared identity with a pet (e.g. similar traits or habits) is li

Manhattan Down by Michael Cordy   On the anniversary eve of the 9/11 terror attack, New York swelters under a heat dome of record temperatures. Even the global leaders assembled at the UN HQ are forced to admit that the climate crisis has reached boiling point and the world's time is running out.   That same day, at precisely 5-25 p.m., everyone on Manhattan Island - every man, woman and child, including all the world leaders at the UN - falls unconscious. Everyone that is, except for Samantha Rossi, a single mother reeling from devastating personal news and Nick Lockwood, a wounded NYPD detective who wakes from a coma just as the City That Never Sleeps falls into one.   Rossi's first concern is her daughter. Lockwood's is his city. As night draws in, they must work together to unravel the mystery of what has happened and why. Each must decide how far they will go and what lines they will cross to save what matters most to them.   Manhattan Down is a pulse-pounding contemporary thriller wh

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 30 August 2025, the grand dame of crime fiction, Lynda La Plante joins Jack to discuss how her characters fit in the modern world of publishing and her new book ‘Scene of the Crime’.  Jack weighs up the balance between transparency, trust, and the public service.  As thoughts turn towards summer, travel correspondent Mike Yardley explores Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays.  Tech expert Paul Stenhouse explains the use of AI in the US's 911 call centres.   And are pets as good for our wellbeing as we like to think? Clinical psychologist Dougal Sutherland explores life satisfaction as a pet owner.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.