The A-Team is back to Wrap the Week, with Kate Hawkesby and Tim Wilson joining Mike Hosking to discuss the week that was.

They discussed Mike’s coffee woes, how being 60 differs to being 40, and a wayward delivery of cherries.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the world’s bestselling artists, Ed Sheeran is one of the most influential artists of his generation.

He’s sold almost 200 million albums and is one of only a handful of artists on Spotify Billions Club with more than ten tracks with over one billion streams.

Sheeran last toured New Zealand’s stages back in 2023, and he’s returning three years later, with 2026’s ‘Loop Tour’.

Despite his global musical success, Ed Sheeran has a reputation for being down to earth and humble, shrugging off the trappings of stardom in favour of a much more grounded presence.

He alternates between projects – huge stadium tours and local gigs, painting and podcasts, parenting and performing.

While the most enjoyable period of his career was the first two years after the release of Plus in which the world opened up to him, Sheeran explains that nowadays he prioritises balance.

“It's about finding the balance and not going nuts,” he told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.

“Not being like, I am just a popstar and that is all that I am, I think it’s really nice to be a dad, and also be a popstar, and have a balance of the two.”

Stardom and fame can take its toll, some people becoming jaded and disconnected from the world around them, however, Sheeran believes that only happens if you live in a bubble.

“I think you get jaded when things start getting very self-centred, and you think like, oh this is happening to me, and this is this, and this is that, and it’s very me, me, me, me, me.”

Sheeran tries to keep himself grounded, surrounding himself with regular people, getting out into the world, and taking public transport at his wife’s strong encouragement.

“I do remember playing shows where no one wants to come to them and releasing music that fell on deaf ears,” he told Hosking.

“So I feel super grateful to be, you know, people are still interested in my music, people are still coming to the shows.”

“I don’t think you can get jaded with that.”

‘Loop Tour’ is Sheeran’s sixth major concert tour, and although he still performs in the occasional pub, stadium tours are on a completely different level.

Although there’s definitely a pressure to match and even outperform his previous tours, Sheeran has faith in his music and what it means to his audience.

“I know I can create special moments.”

“I think that when you’re doing these shows, it’s an understanding that it’s not about me, it’s about the community and about the couples that are coming to the gig, the families that are coming to the gig, and what the songs mean to them.”

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the North Island, Red Wind Warnings are in place for Wellington and southern Wairarapa.

There are extensive public transport and flight cancellations.

Air New Zealand says it's already cancelled almost 100 flights today.

CEO Nikhil Ravishankar says told Mike Hosking that it will only operate flights if it's safe to do so.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jimmy Carr is well known for a couple of things, his controversial comedy and distinctive laugh chief among them.

And he’s bringing both to Kiwi audiences early next year, travelling right across the country, stopping in 13 different cities.

He’s got a prolific career in standup, as well as being a household name in UK television, not only hosting an array of panel shows, but a regular guest on many of the rest.

Carr has a busy schedule, and he told Mike Hosking that he works as much as he possibly can, as his work is such a joyful thing.

“If I have a night off, what am I doing? I’m sitting at home having my tea,” he said.

“If I come out and do a show, it’s such a joyful thing."

“I also think I do have a propensity to get cancelled once in a while,” Carr confessed, the comedian having seen his fair share of controversies.

“So you never know when your last one’s going to be.”

When it comes to cancel culture, Carr is a big advocate for freedom of speech.

“I’m not for everyone, and edgy jokes, there’s you know, limits of it, sometimes it’s not for everyone,” he told Hosking.

“But the whole cancel culture thing, you go, well, as long as you don’t get cancelled by your own audience, I think you’re golden.”

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People are becoming increasingly more interested in living longer.

Health, wellness, dieting, and fitness are more and more prominent on social media, and health monitoring technology are becoming increasingly popular.

Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol has been researching longevity for decades, and is considered to be one of the top five voices on the subject.

He’s just released his latest book, ‘Super Agers’, a detailed guide to living a longer, healthier life.

Topol told Mike Hosking it’s not necessarily about living longer, but rather extending the years someone lives with intact health.

He says living to 90 and being perfectly health throughout ought to be more important than trying to live to 110 and having many years of dementia, or profound frailty, or poor quality of life.

Although there are revolutions happening in regards to anti-inflammatory and hormonal medications, Topol says it’s never going to be as simple as a pill.

Things like lifestyle factors, environmental pollution, microplastics, and forever chemicals also need to be controlled, he explains.

Listen to the full interview for a detailed explanation of health, longevity, and the new developments in the medical sector.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A common deficiency could be holding you back.

Iron is the most common nutritional deficiency, both globally and in New Zealand, and it plays a role in everything from energy to brain function and development, thyroid function, and anxiety prevention.

Dr Libby Weaver is biochemist, nutritionist, and author, and her latest book ‘Fix Iron First’ delves into the role of iron in the body, and how a deficiency could be impacting your life.

She joined Mike Hosking to discuss her research.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis will be able to experience the drama as ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ returns for a second season.

Nicole Kidman’s Masha Dmitrichenko has invited a new cast of characters to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps, pushing them to the brink over the course of a week.

Annie Murphy and Murray Bartlett are among the cast, playing alongside Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin, and of course, Nicole Kidman.

For Murphy, the ensemble nature was a huge draw, telling Mike Hosking she was thrilled by the prospect.

“We were there for six months Munich, with a whole bunch of really talented, really theatre, dorky actors... I was thrilled.”

Bartlett was also excited to be a part of the show, having watched and “devoured” the first season.

Season 2 will be releasing on May 22nd worldwide on Amazon Prime.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outgoing New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson believes he's leaving the game in a better place than he found it.

He's confirmed he will leave the job at the end of the year, bringing to an end a six-year tenure that started just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Robinson says he's proud of what's been achieved during a turbulent period.

He told Mike Hosking that the next six months are critical for their role both domestically and internationally, with both their involvement in the establishment of international calendars and competitions as well as the opportunity they have to reset the financial model for the New Zealand game.

Robinson likes to think those would both be signed off by the end of the year, and that in conjunction with his family moving over to Australia, makes him feel it’s time to move on.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.