Conversations with Friends - Are we Having Fun Yet?

Is our pursuit of “optimisation” making life better? Or have we forgotten to leave room for spontaneity, pleasure and fun? Join us around the table at Conversations with Friends for a shared dinner by Elie Assaf of Lebanese Grocer & Yola, alongside a live panel conversation. We'll explore modern life, wellness, relationships, food and whether our constant pursuit of “optimisation” is actually making life any better. Somewhere along the way, adulthood became incredibly complicated. We’re tracking our sleep, our exercise and what we eat, while trying to be better partners, parents, friends, professionals and somehow keep up with it all. But in trying to do everything well, have we left enough space for the things that make life actually feel good? For our next Conversations with Friends, we’re bringing together four different perspectives to unpack it: Jo Robertson – Psychologist and host of TVNZ’s 'What Happened to Sex?', bringing a lens on relationships, intimacy and connection, and what our increasingly busy, optimised lives might be doing to them. Tom Hishon – Chef, restaurateur and co-founder of Daily Bread, bringing a perspective on food, hospitality and the simple pleasure of gathering around a table. Sophie Burton Hishon – Nutritionist and founder of Golden State, bringing a ‘food as medicine’ perspective to the conversation, exploring wellness, nourishment and the way our pursuit of health shapes how we choose to live. Isabella Caselberg – Creative and founder of Caselberg Studio, bringing a creative and cultural lens. From ambition and work to social media, taste and the pressure to curate a life that looks as good as it feels. Over dinner, we’ll ask: Are we overthinking wellness? Have our routines become another form of work? And are we still making enough room for spontaneity, pleasure and fun? Whats included • A multi course dinner by Elie Assaf • A welcome drink courtesy of Vinarchy • Panel discussion during dinner • A generously curated goodie bag thanks to our sponsors Eternal Blue, Sage Journal & Byré • Long table seating designed to encourage conversation 6:00 pm — Arrival & welcome drink 6:30 pm — Seated for dinner A Conversations with Friends dinner by Duo Events. T&C's • Ticket holders who wish to be seated with friends are welcome to email [email protected]. We’ll make every effort to accommodate your request. • Dietary requirements need to be sent to us at least 7 days before the event. • Any photographs taken at Conversation with Friends by our photographers, may be used to promote future events. Please tell our photographer if you don't wish to be photographed.