Join us on the first Wednesday of every month!
Next event is 5 June at A Rolling Stone (Note the venue!)
5 June Speakers
“The 4 Flavours of Pro Wrestling”
by Taylor Ruddle
Did you know that pro wrestling in different countries is actually really different from each other? Comedian and lifelong rasslin’ fan Taylor Ruddle takes us on a deep dive through the culture and styles of the 4 major professional wrestling cultures – America, Japan, Mexico and Europe. We will explore the cultural aspects of each country and how they influenced the unique presentation of the pro wrestling shows that they produce as well as some of the superstars in each region. Pro wrestling skeptics are most welcome, you might just come away with a newfound appreciation for the art form known to some as “Redneck Anime.” Can you smell what The Rudd is cooking? Come along to find out!
Taylor Ruddle is an award winning stand-up comedian based right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch. When not writing the most egregious puns, gags and goofs you’ve ever heard of he spends his days playing video games, watching pro wrestling or attempting to get fit. The key word there being attempting. Taylor hosts a podcast called Ruddle Me This available on all the podcast platforms as well as aired every Friday on Plains FM and performs stand-up comedy every week at The Austin Club in Christchurch.
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“What can young people teach adults about better sex and relationships?”
Dr Tracy Clelland
You learn a lot by listening to children and young people talk about relationships and sexuality when you have been an educator/researcher for 30 years. I have learned that adults get busy and forget the fundamentals of healthy, joyful and pleasurable relationships—elements that young people are told to work out for themselves. As one 16-year-old stated,” How do we learn about sex and relationships? It’s like Nike says, you just do it”. This talk will explore what children and young people can teach adults about nurturing the joy and pleasure of intimate relationships. Be prepared for an interactive talk where you may have to talk to the person next to you—just like in a relationship.
Tracy is a relationship and sexuality educator, teacher, researcher, mother, adventurer, and former university lecturer. Fundamentally, Tracy is an advocate for people’s right to access sexual and reproductive healthcare and education that supports kōrero about sexuality. When she is not off backpacking in Africa, she can normally be found mountain biking in the hills.
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“It’s NOT all about sugar: ultra-processed foods and their impact on mental health”
by Julia Rucklidge
Over the last few decades, scientists have been uncovering an uncomfortable truth: Our current modern food environment is affecting our mental health. In this talk, Prof Rucklidge will discuss what we know about food choices and mental health problems and simple ways to improve your diet for optimizing brain health. The talk intends to challenge our current approach for addressing mental health challenges in our community and suggest one avenue for big change.
Professor Julia Rucklidge, a clinical psychologist, is the Director of Te Puna Toiora, the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab at the University of Canterbury. Originally from Canada, she’s a renowned clinical psychologist focusing on nutritional interventions for mental illnesses. Despite having no training in nutrition and lived off cheerios as a kid, she keeps getting invited to speak on food! With hundreds of publications and global talks, she advocates for healthy eating to enhance mental health. Notable achievements include co-authoring “The Better Brain,” a TEDx talk with 5 million views, and receiving awards like the Ballin Award and being named one of New Zealand’s top 100 influential women.