iWonder January Highlights: Happy New You

Self-improvement begin with self-awareness, with three films new to iWonder this January each setting out to arm people with information and enlightenment to help set them out on the path of personal development.

First up, ‘$avvy’ sheds shocking light on the extent to which women still take a backseat when it comes to taking control of their finances, and with advice from experts in the field, the film invites all viewers to reflect on our relationship with money. ‘Bias’ then sets out to help address the unconscious levers in each of us that colour the way we view and interact with the world, while ‘The Migraine Solution’ tackles the common yet crippling affliction that affects millions every day, as well as offering hope for the future.

Then in this January’s iWonder What Top Five, we pull together five films to help those on their personal missions to be better, tackling everything from bad habits to better eating.

$avvy

#Money #Gender #Inequality

Launches 25 Jan

Once the lavishes of Christmas spending subside and the financial dust settles in January, many will be left asking themselves the question, where did it all go? In this sobering documentary told with humour and captivating honesty, ‘$avvy’ reveals how and why women are still behind men when it comes to managing their money.

Investigating the historical, cultural, and societal norms around women and money, ‘$avvy’ questions why women often abdicate major financial decisions to the men in their lives and reveals why it’s increasingly critical for women to understand and take control of their personal finances.

‘$avvy’ explores how and why our financial culture sidelines women and tells a new story about women who are taking matters into their own hands. How do we break taboos around talking about money? Why do financial gender roles persist? How does the lack of financial education in schools deepen inequities? And what can more women do to break free?

Bias

#Psychology #Investigation #Revealing

Launches 23 Jan

As humans, we are biased. Yet few of us are willing to admit it.

The toxic effects of bias make headlines every day: sexual harassment, racial profiling, the pay gap. We confidently make snap judgments, but we are shockingly unaware of the impact our assumptions have on those around us.

We follow filmmaker Robin Hauser on a journey to uncover her hidden biases and explore how unconscious bias impact on all aspects of our daily life. Robin embarks on an investigation into the nature of bias and the science behind it, before travelling across the world to explore cutting-edge research into how it can be mitigated. Is it possible to de-bias our brains or does attempting to do so with technology lead to other problems?

The Migraine Solution

#Science #Medicine #Hope

Launches 18 Jan

For anyone who has experienced a debilitating migraine headache, this condition is no mystery. But for the rest of the world, it’s one of the least funded, least understood, and most confounding chronic conditions.

'The Migraine Solution' unravels the mystery and debunks the myths, looking toward a world without migraines. Featuring interviews with the leading researchers in headache medicine, neuroscientists and doctors, as well as migraine sufferers, this documentary highlights the entire scope of this baffling yet common condition.

From laboratories at leading scientific universities like Stanford to the Mayo Clinic, we learn about the latest in cutting-edge migraine treatment, as well as what still needs to be accomplished in future research.

 iWonder When

January 21st

National Hugging Day, observed annually on January 21st, is dedicated to celebrating the positive impact that hugs can have on mental and emotional well-being.

The day was created by Kevin Zaborney in 1986 in the United States. Zaborney, a minister and counsellor, wanted to encourage people to show more affection in public and to emphasise the importance of human touch and connection.

On National Hugging Day, people are encouraged to give hugs to friends, family members, and even strangers (with their consent, of course). The aim is to promote the many benefits of hugging, such as reducing stress, boosting oxytocin levels (the "love hormone"), improving mood, and strengthening social bonds.

The day isn't just about physical embraces; it's also a reminder of the emotional support and comfort that hugs can provide, encouraging people to connect on a deeper level, promote kindness, and recognise the power of a warm embrace in improving overall well-being.

 iWonder Who

Taryn Brumfitt

Writer, director, and star of ‘Embrace’, streaming now on iWonder, Taryn Brumfitt is an Australian activist, speaker, and body positivity advocate, whose transformative journey from body dissatisfaction to self-love sparked a global movement.

After a before-and-after photo she posted went viral, Taryn became a leading voice challenging societal beauty standards. In 2012, she founded the Body Image Movement, aiming to encourage women to embrace their bodies regardless of size or shape.

Her efforts have earned her well-deserved recognition, including being named one of Australia's 100 Women of Influence. Taryn continues her advocacy, fostering conversations about body acceptance, empowering individuals to redefine beauty, and promoting self-love on a global scale.

iWonder What

Be Better

Nobody’s perfect, but for those determined to be that little bit better in 2024, this month iWonder pulls together five films covering everything from bad habits and body comfort, to lying and toxic masculinity.

1) Slaves to Habit

#Addiction #Psychology #Behaviour

Smoking, overeating, compulsive shopping, nail-biting… We all have a habit that we would like to get rid of, but where the brain is willing, the body is often weak and gives in to temptation. This revealing new documentary takes an in-depth look at bad habits, the behaviour that surrounds them, and the startling new science on the interaction between brain chemistry, habit, and self-control.

2) Embrace

#Body-image #Campaign #Australia

At home in Adelaide, Taryn Brumfitt is a wife and mother of three. But internationally, she is a highly recognised body image activist whose powerful message has reached over 100 million people worldwide via traditional and social media. After receiving more than 7000 emails and messages from people all over the world, Taryn realised that there was a global body-hating epidemic and felt compelled to find answers.

3) The Truth About Liars

#Pyschology #Science #Society

World-class specialists reveal the only certain thing we know about lying: everyone does it. Integral to our survival, the ability to lie is fundamental to how far we succeed in our work, romance, and everyday life. Featuring the latest science, psychology, and technology, this documentary also exposes our greatest weakness: our ability to sort the lies from the truth remains in the dark ages.

4) The New Science of Food

#Global #Food #Health

From a street market in Brazil to a donut shop in Boston, this visually-rich film takes us on a journey into the fascinating world of dietary science, presenting surprising research about the food we’ve been consuming and a new recipe for healthier lives.

5) Man Up

#Masculinity #Mental Health #Support

The stereotypical man is strong, silent, and tough as nails. But according to research, men are lonelier, more disconnected, and more vulnerable to depression and suicide than ever. The host sets out on a journey, from construction sites to boardrooms to find out why we are losing our men. This series challenges stereotypes and smashes the stigma around mental health