The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin
News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your Sunday morning listening covered with The Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin on Newstalk ZB.
Episodes
Antonia Prebble has basically grown up on our TV screens, and she's looking back on a major milestone this week.
This Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the first episode of Outrageous Fortune, and Prebble's been reflecting on all the memories that came out of that shows.
She says she felt like she grew up within her role on Outrageous Fortune - and the experience 'changed her life."
"If I'd have known from that first day on se...
It's safe to say that Kiwi comedian Guy Montgomery's been having a successful time across the Tasman.
He found fame in New Zealand through hit shows like Have You Been Paying Attention and Thank God You're Here - but across the ditch, Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee has been picked up for another season and he's been nominated for a Logie at the Australian Television awards.
Montgomery says it's all 'unbelievable'.
"Th...
Isola by Allegra Goodman. In the 16th century, Marguerite is born into great wealth but after being orphaned at the age of three a guardian, Roberval, is appointed, who over several years steals her entire fortune. Destitute, her only option is to rely on him for everything and when he takes her on an expedition to sea she falls in love with his servant. Incandescent with rage, Roberval abandons them on a remote, inhospitable islan...
Megan Singleton's continued her journey into Santa Monica, California - and she's been taking in the sights, sounds and rooftop bars.
She's been working her way through the area's best-reviewed restaurants and eateries, and she's even experienced the infamous driverless taxis in the region.
Read more about Megan's experience here.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on the Sunday Panel, Coast Day host Lorna Riley and managing director at 818, Chris Henry, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!
Read more
On the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast for Sunday 6 July 2025, comedian Guy Montgomery and his spelling bee are making waves in Australia, so much so, he's up for a Logie. He tells Francesca just how badly he wants to win that award for household bragging rights.
Outrageous Fortune turns 20 this week, key cast member Antonia Prebble joins us to reflect on the show and talk about new episodes of her podcast Wh...
Ice baths and cold plunges have grown wildly popular in recent years, thanks to podcasters, social media influencers, professional athletes and others touting their benefits.
They have been found to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after exercise, improve circulation and they've been linked to mood enhancement and stress reduction.
Health and well-being coach Kent Johns explains further.
LISTEN ABOVE
Three-cheese French quiche
Cook time: 30 minutes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 6 people
2 sheets savoury pastry
6 eggs
1 cup cream
Salt and pepper
Cheeses cut into small dice. These can any three you wish to choose or better still use up.
Camembert
Gorgonzola
Tasty cheese
Preheat oven to 180*C.
Grease a 26cm flan or quiche tin. Take the p...
You’ve probably heard the old saying: “Don’t eat cheese before bed, or you’ll have nightmares.” But is there actually any truth to it?
A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology suggests there might be. Researchers surveyed over 1,000 volunteers about their sleep, dreams, and eating habits. They found that people with worse symptoms of lactose intolerance (people who don't digest dairy well) were more likely...
After 57 years of making music - Black Sabbath have performed their final-ever show in the UK.
Fans from all over the world packed out Villa Park in Birmingham, watching on as Ozzy Osbourne and his band performed popular songs including War Pigs, Iron Man, and wrapped up with Paranoid.
Flicks.co.nz editor Steve Newall says the tribute show was opened by other rock icons, including Tool, Metallica and Guns N Roses.
LISTE...
There's criticism of Treaty requirements for school boards.
Education Minister Erica Stanford says a section in the Education and Training Amendment Bill requiring school boards to reflect tikanga Māori in policies and plans wasn't added by her.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon says many education regulations mention Treaty obligations - which isn't Stanford's focus.
NZ Herald political reporter Jamie Ensor explains further.
LISTEN ABOVE
Three disallowed tries courtesy of the TMO has made for a scrappy opening match for the All Blacks to begin 2025.
They’ve escaped with a 31-27 win over the French in Dunedin, having led 21-13 at halftime.
Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith says it was a close match, but the All Blacks found a way to win in the end.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Discussions are taking place over the future of the Census, and one expert is warning there's a factor the Government hasn't considered.
Last month, Minister Shane Reti announced the five yearly data collection will be scrapped - instead, he plans to use administrative data from Government agencies and an annual survey.
Wellington barrister Graeme Edgeler says the Data and Statistics Act requires a a periodic Census.
"There a...
As the All Blacks took to the field at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin last night to stagger over the line against the French, I thought about the calls I had on Marcus Lush Nights on Friday, talking about the future of our large stadiums - and in particular of Forsyth Barr Stadium and Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
It doesn’t seem to matter which city you’re in across the country, stadiums are problematic.
Auckland continues its decade...
After making an impression on millions around the world - and making an appearance in Wellington in 2024, 'The Art of Banksy' exhibit is set to hit Auckland.
Banksy is one of the world's most famous artists with a significant global following, but his identity remains unknown - despite exhibitions of his work selling out and attracting interest.
Banksy didn't personally curate this exhibit, but producer and curator Michel Boersma s...
The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. He’s beloved by loads of readers, especially for his brilliant book I Know this Much is True. This new one is, to a large degree, informed by the years he spent teaching creative writing to incarcerated women in a Connecticut prison. It’s the story of a man whose life is in a downward spiral. Corby Ledbetter is out of work and self medicating when he causes a devastating accident which upends bot...
If you're in a position where you can upgrade your seat for a long haul flight, there's still a debate to be had about which seat is better.
Air New Zealand’s Skycouch allows travellers the freedom to lie down on the plane - but how does it compare to the reclining seats in Premium Economy?
BloggerAtLarge's Megan Singleton compared the two - and wrote a review on her blog here.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Get the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast every Sunday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on the Sunday Panel, Newstalk ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills and host of the Front Page podcast, Chelsea Daniels, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the week - and more!
The Government's new sentencing reforms are set to kick in today - what do we make of these? Do we see these new changes making a difference?
Read more
Famed Australian comedian and social media star Jimmy Rees has made a name for himself across a number of platforms - and he's taking his latest tour on the road.
He's set to perform in New Zealand for the first time ever, as well as Hobart, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, and Canberra between October and December 2025.
He says there's plenty in his act for people to laugh at on both sides of the Tas...
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.