The Happy Hour

On The Happy Hour this week, we're chatting about breaking bad habits and behaviours in our lives. Whether it’s giving up smoking, overeating on junk food, or excessive social media scrolling, or something else. These habits can be hard to brush off, yet the almost automatic way in which we reach for them can have negative impact on our mental and physical health. For this month's Off The Mat Chat, yoga teacher Dawn Blezard tells us what yoga sutras say about breaking these habits or addictions and discusses some first steps we can take to change them. You can find out more about Dawn by searching for "Pathway Yoga with Dawn" on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube. Image shows Dawn smiling at the camera. She has blonde hair with darker ends that's done up in two French brairds. She's wearing a blue t-shirt and sitting in front of a bright yellow couch.

Gary Williamson is a professional photographer that often shares his amazing black and white snaps online. Gary joined Happy Hour's Paulina Kuchorew to chat about photography and how he can still pursue his passion despite being registered blind. You can find Gary on Instagram @swirly_magnolia Image shows a striking black and white self-portrait of Gary walking down a tunnel. He's a dark silhouette walking down the centre of the long tunnel towards a bright light. Above him, half rings of soft lights make it seem like he's walking out of the ribcage of a great whale. [Image credit: Gary Williamson]

Joining us on the Happy Hour again is a sight impaired chef Kim Jaye. And this time around Kim takes a classic recipe and adds an Indian twist. Delicious, and perfect to prep ahead for a sunny picnic this summer. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

BBQ season is here! And with many of us heading into our gardens to enjoy some al fresco dining, new research shows that this summer it’s back to BBQ basics with a more paired down menu. Joining us on the Happy Hour to share his insight into the latest BBQ trends is England cricket legend turned grill school owner and chef, Matthew “Hoggy” Hoggard. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

A new survey shows that nine in ten UK adults admit that they experience regular forgetful moments. This might include simple things like losing our phones or forgetting why we entered a room. Joining us on the Happy Hour to share his best advice to help sharpen our focus is Dr Amir Khan. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

We’re looking at heart health today, as new research from British Heart Foundation shows that a rise in the rate and number of deaths in working-age adults aged 20-64 from cardiovascular disease in the UK. Joining Paulina Kuchorew on the Happy Hour to discuss the findings is Julie Ward, a Senior Cardiac Nurse from the British Heart Foundation. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

You’ve heart us say it again and again, spending time outdoors can be a great way of boosting not just your physical wellbeing but also mental wellbeing. Well, today, we’re chatting with a charity that is supporting those living with a disability in Yorkshire, to access and enjoy the countryside. Joining Happy Hour's Paulina Kuchorew to tell us more about what they offer is Tom Marsh Countryside Activities Officer, and Communications Officer Rachel Gregory, from Open Country. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Around 14 million UK adults have sought mental health support in the last five years, with a third say accessing support through the NHS was ‘difficult’, with long waiting times, lack of local services or frustration with not knowing what kind of therapist was right for them, impacting care. Joining Paulina Kuchorew on the Happy Hour to discuss these figures is Mahin Hamidi, a registered therapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

What if by simply putting your best foot forward, you could help support an important cause? Well, joining us today to tell us about the annual fundraiser organised by charity National Kidney Federation, is Pete Revell, their Head of Marketing & Fundraising. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, this year the focus falls on the importance of community. Joining us now to chat a bit about community as well as where this concept falls in yoga practice, is yoga teacher Dawn Blezard from Pathway Yoga A birds eye view photo shows Dawn holding a pose on her black yoga matt. Her legs are crossed and she holds onto her toes on either side of her body as she looks up at the camera. She has blonde hair set in two French braids and is wearing a lilac long sleeve top with patterned leggings. The yoga matt is black with high contract purple alignment lines, which are designed to help align your body and improve posture during yoga poses.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12th till 18th of May, and this year we focus on the importance of community in supporting individual wellbeing. Joining us now to talk about the importance of finding a community that understands you is RNIB Northern Ireland Volunteer and service user Dawn Hopper. Find out about RNIB's Connect Facebook groups here: Connect Facebook groups | RNIB Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

We have a lovely conversation as speak with the hosts of Good Company, a new show here on our radio station. Focusing on the joys and challenges of relationships when you’re blind or partially sighted, this monthly special show brings you new themes and new conversations each month, offering more than just food for thought as we deep dive into partnership, love, family, healing, and communication. And joining Paulina Kuchorew on the Happy Hour are Good Company presenters, Karen Wye and Amelia Hilton. Find out more about the show here: Listen to Good Company on RNIB Connect Radio | RNIB Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

On the Happy Hour show this week we focus on innovation in healthcare, in particular, using AI to assist in early disease diagnosis. A new AI-powered app could help check for early signs of skin cancer, and over 20 other health indicators, all from the comfort of our own home. Joining Paulina Kuchorew to talk about it are George Tomeski, CEO of company Helfie AI, and their CTO Nikhil Sehgal. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

This week on the Happy Hour we try out Claire's recipe for a delicious, indulgent, and slightly boozy cheesecake. Perfect for hosting! Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Harry Georgiou is a passionate disability activist and campaigner that also works with DFN Project SEARCH. Today, he joins us to highlight the importance of having open discussions around mental health. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

As the warm sunny weather slowly makes an appearance across the UK, so does hay fever. With higher pollen counts, you might be struggling to enjoy the great outdoors. Joining Paulina on the Happy Hour with his best tips for how survive hay fever season is airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax allergen barrier balm, Max Wiseberg. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

Getting outside amongst nature offers so much for the mind, body and soul. But what if you could improve your physical and mental wellbeing whilst making a real difference for those affected by breast cancer? Joining us on the Happy Hour to talk about the iconic pink ribbon walk are Claire Pulford from Breast Cancer Now and Sonia Hood, a salon owner and hairdresser from Warwick, who has taken part in a Pink Ribbon Walk every year, for the past 20 years. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

A San Diego-based regenerative medicine company is pioneering a novel approach to treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (or COPD). A condition which affects over 400 million people worldwide and over 1.2 million across the UK. Joining us on the Happy Hour to talk about the new treatment, is President, acting CEO and Co-Founder of SMSbiotech, Dr. Abdulkader Rahmo. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

We love an easy recipe, today, Paulina returns to the kitchen to try a roasted red pepper pasta sauce. The recipe Paulina is trying out is here but you can find it below with adjustments for Celsius, etc. Ingredients: Method: 1. Set your oven to 200 celcius. 2. Roughly cut or break your peppers and take out the cores. 3. Coat in olive oil. 4. Put in the oven on some baking paper for about 20 minutes. 5. In the meantime, add your cashews, basil, garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme (if using) to your blender. 6. Boil your pasta whilst you wait. 7. Once peppers are done, add them to the blender along with a cup of hot water and blitz until smooth. 8. Check if needs more salt and pepper and serve with your pasta or put the sauce aside in the fridge and reheat in a pot if serving later. Notes: If the sauce is too thick as you blend, add a dash of water. If you don't have a strong blender, you can soak your cashews overnight in water. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

With Mother’s Day just around the corner here in the UK, we’re going to speak today to Olga Itsenko-Mahler. She’s a blogger, a mom, massage therapist and business owner, who lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and two boys. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.