First phone – Hot chicken – The Witness
...and other recs this week!
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
Our guest on FIRST this week might be a familiar voice, even if you don’t recognise her face. Lucy Blakiston runs the hugely popular Shit You Should Care About Instagram account, which she co-founded with her friends Liv and Ruby, and also does the narration for their new series Extremely Online. If you follow The Fold or Remember When… (or one of SYSCA’s three podcasts) then you might have heard Lucy on there recently too.
It’s a long way from her first phone, a $69 Pinkalicious flip-top she’d used to call Telecom and listen to their plans because she had no one to text or call. That and other good stories can be heard in this week’s episode – have a watch!
This week’s new podcasts
On When the Facts Change [Apple | Spotify], Bernard Hickey went to Whanganui’s Durie Hill elevator for a fascinating chat with musician and public transport historian Anthonie Tonnon.
On The Fold [Apple | Spotify], Duncan Greive caught up with writer / commentator / podcaster / doctor Emma Espiner.
On Business is Boring [Apple | Spotify], Simon Pound spoke to Jodie Imam and Lance Hodges from Tractor Ventures about financing startups.
Gone By Lunchtime [Apple | Spotify] got together to talk the vibes of the last fortnight in politics.
The Real Pod [Apple | Spotify] shared house move stories watched the latest room reveals on The Block NZ.
And Remember When… [Apple | Spotify] looked back on the arrival of Lady Gaga and the rise of Pokémon GO.
Follow and listen wherever you get your pods!
Extremely Online: Are robots taking over the world?
The idea that robots will recognise their consciousness and take over the world is what some scientists call “the technological singularity.” In this week’s episode of Extremely Online, made with the support of NZ On Air, we learn it could be closer than we think. So should we be worried?
The Witness
Justin says: “I’ve been listening to The Witness, a super harrowing but hard to stop listening to podcast about the life of Joseph O'Callaghan, who became the youngest person ever to enter witness protection in Ireland after his 2005 testimony helped convict two drug-dealing gangsters for murder. Provides some crazy insight into Dublin’s criminal underworld.”
New Shakira
Sam says: “Much to the consternation of my neighbours and my Alexa, I blasted Shakira’s new single ‘Don’t Wait Up’ pretty much on repeat all last weekend. It’s a lean, mean banger from one of the most underrated popstars (She Wolf!!!) who simply never misses.”
Peach’s Hot Chicken
Stewart says: “Peach’s Hot Chicken in Panmure is basically the only place I want to eat now. I usually find fried chicken boring and would rather just go to KFC – but not anymore! This chicken is hot, spicy and so delicious. The burgers are served in plush brioche buns, the sides menu is simple but perfect (I opted for mac’n’cheese and have no regrets) and there’s a well-curated craft beer selection to accompany. I don’t think I’ve ever willingly gone to Panmure before but now I’ll be a regular visitor.”
Will & Able
Lucy says: “As office manager I'm always looking for ways we can improve our footprint and support local businesses, so I was stoked to find Will & Able, a company that employs New Zealanders with disabilities to make their eco-friendly cleaning products. All the packaging is made from 100% recycled milk bottles and you can send the empty bottles back to their recycling plant to be refilled – I highly recommend giving them a go at home or in your workplace.”
La Rosa Latin Pastries
Charlotte says: “There’s a dairy, a post box, a hairdresser and a Chinese takeaway in the set of corner shops where Forest Lake Road meets Ulster Road in Kirikiriroa suburb Beerescourt. Among this seemingly ordinary spot in the city of the future, you’ll also find La Rosa Latin Pastries. The South American bakery is beloved for their empanadas, especially the immensely popular Spanish chorizo – a flavour so elusive I’ve never tried it, never even witnessed it. Beyond the empanadas, the cabinets heave with cakes and other sweets from across the continent. I recommend the pastafrola (quince tarts), alfajores (dulce de leche cookies) or their perpetually comforting Italian-influenced custard horns.”
That’s all for this week! Please reply to get in touch and share with anyone else who might like to subscribe too. See you next Wednesday 👋
