Life Matters - Full program podcast

Do Australia's proposed privacy reforms go far enough to protect us online? Plus, why older children sometimes regress into babytalk, and why we need more tour guides.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

We all make mistakes. After all, to err is human. So why are we in such fear of them?  And what are the best ways to recover from a mistake after the damage is done? Plus, what to do when a friend pits you in a competition you didn't ask to be in?

A new study has revealed that frailty may be one of the key factors that contributes to dementia providing a potential way to prevent or slow these diseases. And it turns out exercise, good diet, good social connections and better medicine management could help to turn frailty around and perhaps also reduce the risk of dementia. Plus three major Australian towns saw a boost in population, followed by a decline. When people move to regional towns for a change of lifestyle or to afford a house, what makes them stay long term?

The Australian government is banning social media use for people under 16. As parents applaud, youth experts say this move will have negative consequences for teens. Plus, how to retire early and sustainably.

Are we prepared enough for a future of more frequent natural disasters? We look at what is needed to boost community resilience in the face of climate change disasters. Plus, understanding the changing birth rate, and whether we should be polite to AI devices.

Facing your fears is old wisdom, but we're more scared of it than ever. Research is finding that exposure therapy is very effective in tackling anxiety, so why don't we face our fears more? Plus, the booming market of toys for 'kidults'.

Boundaries are the lines we draw around ourselves, and our time, that help us feel safe and confident, but they can be easily pushed and crossed by people in our lives if we don't learn how to set and maintain them. We look at how to set healthy boundaries and enforce them. Plus, how to talk to your 10-year-old about a friend who might be a bad influence.

Most people use DNA ancestry websites to trace their history, but for donor-conceived people, these services can create a map of present families, and trace a network of siblings. Is there a better way for them to connect? Plus, what Kamala Harris' loss will mean for women in the US and internationally, and some lessons about men and love from sex worker and author Charlotte Shane.

On the brink of the US election, many are discovering their partners hold conflicting political beliefs. Does that mean it's over? Hardly. Here's how to persist through political disagreement, and why half of Australians do. Plus, an A for good behaviour? Here's why Norway's model of grading might be the trick to tackle discipline issues in Australian classrooms.

What's the brain chemistry behind hangxiety, those feelings of dread the morning after a big night?  Plus What are you looking forward to? Helen Popovic on the importance of anticipatory happiness for a joyful life

How to deal with surveillance in the workplace, and parenting in a time of political polarisation. Plus, not too deep, not too small, learning the gentle art of medium talk.

In sickness and health is a well known oath but what is the true impact of chronic illness on our relationships? Plus, Ask Aunty ponders whether it is ok to propose marriage at a funeral.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Being made to repeat a year of school isn't as common as it used to be. Research is finding it might not have been as helpful as originally thought, and may have had lasting effects on these students. We hear your stories and figure out the best way to meet children's different needs at school. And a sort of inverse, children can also experience long term damage when treated like adults by their parents, and made to grow up too fast. That's parentification. Here's how you can heal.

Australians who've been affected by bank impersonator scams might be looking at reimbursement thanks to a recent decision by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. We look at who should be responsible for redressing these types of scams.  The beach bod tanned lifesaver is a evocative part of our nation's mythology, but the myth mightn't match reality, considering about one in four Australian adults can't swim. We look at this clash and how to improve swimming ability. Plus, drag royalty Art Simone on the history of Australian drag culture.

How much does your credit score really matter? There's been an uptick in Australians checking their score monthly. We look at how credit scores are actually used in Australia and whether rising credit score anxiety is warranted.  Plus, body horror film 'The Substance' has more women thinking about the pressure to remain beautiful as we age. Former Vogue editor Kirstie Clements comments on the state of age and beauty.  And learn about the animal shelter picking up pets whose have had to relinquish them in family crises.

Being vulnerable with others can lead to stronger connections, but it can fly in the face of our instincts. After all, you wouldn't want to expose your soft gooey centre to just anyone. We look at what it means to live with vulnerability and how it can boost your mental health. Plus, we ask aunty how to deal with a chaotic friend who kicks up a fuss about returning your keys.

Australia is one of the most bushfire-prone places on the Earth, and yet a large proportion of Australians in at-risk areas are not concerned about bushfire safety. How can imagining disaster improve our psychological preparedness ahead of bushfire season?  Plus, techniques to balance out stress in your relationship, and food guru Stephanie Alexander's words of wisdom.

A new report showing that some schools are outsourcing and, as a result, charging extra for physical education is causing concern for parents and researchers alike. How important is PE for kids' development? Is it really 'an extra'? Plus, the extraordinary world of synesthetes.

Specific issue telehealth services are popping up and delivering prescriptions of drugs like cannabis, as well as drugs for weight loss and ADHD, often after just one quick consult. It's left concern from the medical community that there's not enough consideration being made for the appropriateness of prescriptions for every instance. Plus, meet poetry slam champion Jo GIles who puts words to the experience of cystic fibrosis.

A growing cohort of younger couples are feeling like marriage isn't for them, but they still want to celebrate their love with some kind of ritual. We meet a couple who opted for a non-legally binding love ceremony and learn about how people build new rituals. Plus, we look at the phenomenon of gender disappointment and parents' expectations about gender in their kids, and journalist and author Johann Hari discusses his new book about the next generation of weight loss drugs.

Work friends are almost inevitable, and while there are many benefits to having allies in the workplace, there are also potential pitfalls. We look at how to best navigate friendships at work. And for Ask Aunty, a drama over bridesmaids' dresses.

In 2021, Shaun Resnik became the first single man to be approved to have a child through surrogacy. His son Eli is now a toddler, and has a unique family patchwork. We meet some of the parent figures in Eli's life and take a look at the possibilities of alternative family structures. Plus, as Year 12s around the country sit their final exams, we ask what are exams good for?

Many of us are happy to have left our sharehouse days behind, but in a cost of living crunch, more older Australians are reopening their doors to housemates. We hear some success stories and find out whether it's right for you. Plus, almost all of us aren't getting our daily serve of vegetables, which is hurting our health and our farmers. So, how do we get more plants on plates?

Gathering a group of abuse survivors in a boxing class might sound like a cagey exercise, but the Left Write Hook program proves that powerful movement and writing can help process trauma. We meet the people behind the program and a new feature documentary telling its story. We also take a look at the specific difficulties new fathers face, and the story of The Cubbies, the 1970s adventure playground made for children, by children.

Gen Z workers are turning away from management roles, in what some are calling "conscious un-bossing". Why is it happening, and how might workplace leadership need to evolve for the next generation? Plus, a new children's book looks at what it's like to have a parent in prison, and Konrad Marshall on the pain and pleasure of running.

Some say perfectionism has become a hidden epidemic — but dialling back the desire to be perfect is easier said than done, so how do we sit with our less than perfect selves. Plus what should you do when a friend of a friend asks you on their podcast and you don't love the result?

What if risk-taking can be harnessed for good? Then, Brodi Snook on the portal to joy, plus a new campaign called 'Buckets of Love' aims to create a positive change for the industry.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

The decision-making process can be complex, but understanding your motivations and values can help you choose the right path. Dr Charlotte Keating shares her insights on the psychology of decision-making And when one of the regulars in a bookshop-cafe takes liberties with the crossword and red pen, is it time to have words?

People over 65 are being prescribed antidepressants as pain treatment based on studies that either exclude older adults or include only a small number of them. We look at other treatments for chronic pain, and ask what's the best way to navigate discussions with your doctor if you're concerned about the current approach? And how can people navigate the end of a marriage in a healthy and sustainable manner?

William Hanson, an etiquette coach who has been teaching people protocol and good manners for the last 17 years shares why those things remain important and how they've changed in the digital age. And Attica founder and head chef Ben Shewry reveals the obsessions that have driven his career over the years.

With climate change posed to wreak greater havoc in the decades to come, Australians are being urged to think before they buy (or rent). But how can prospective homebuyers and renters access information about flood, fire and erosion risks for prospective properties?  And Virginia Trioli shares her favourite side dishes and the importance of paying attention to the small moments in life.

Facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, Emily Lahey sold off 3-minute pieces of her remaining time to strangers in a daring public art project called Time To Live. And we are told it’s important to sit in discomfort, but how exactly do we do that? What are the practical things we can do when our tummy is churning or we can’t sleep at night?

What does it mean to be a good person? And how do we sit with ourselves when we feel we have done wrong? And in Ask Aunty, when a package goes missing from a communal table in an apartment block you suspect your neighbours of taking it. But was it an accident or intentional?

In popular culture, there are changing depictions of relationships involving an age gap, and, in the LGBTQ+ community, large age gaps have long been more common. Does a significant age difference help or hurt a relationship? And two women pilots share how they harnessed their fear of flying and forged incredible career paths in the air..

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

If you’ve hit midlife with kids at home and ageing parents, welcome to The Sandwich Generation. Stuff’s about to get real and you are going to need help because it will be the trickiest time of your life, and nobody talks about it. But we see you and listen up ‘cause we’ve got some answers.    Featuring:   Dr Michelle O’Shea, Senior lecturer in the School of Business at Western Sydney University Dr Megan Godwin, PhD Australian Women’s Wellbeing expert  (QUT) Mark McCrindle, social researcher   Shevonne Hunt, member of the sandwich generation

So you’ve decided to care for your parent at home, we'll dive into the sorts of honest conversations you must have with your partner and kids to avoid it all imploding. Plus, how do you protect yourself, and your sanity, as you fall deeper into the world of the Sandwich Generation?       Featuring:    Dr Rebecca Ray, psychologist and author Setting Boundaries  Dr Kaylene Henderson, a medically trained child health specialist and parenting expert  Professor Ruth Phillips, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Sydney  Shevonne Hunt, member of the sandwich generation

Your siblings have gone AWOL so it’s all on you — all the appointments, decisions and physical care. And if you’re a woman, it seems everyone thinks this is a responsibility that’s yours and yours alone. How do you navigate the emotional strain when other family members aren’t stepping up to help?    Featuring:    Dr Jenny Brown, family systems therapist and mental health social worker    Rohini Balram, researcher at Western Sydney University and contributor to the research for Carers NSW    Shevonne Hunt, member of the sandwich generation

The physical, emotional and financial toll of caring for ageing parents while raising children is a double whammy that can leave you reeling. Even your own mental and physical health can suffer and nobody even notices. We’ll hear how best to survive in the Sandwich Generation.   Featuring:    Dr Megan Godwin, PhD Australian Women’s Wellbeing expert  (QUT) Christopher Hall, Psychologist and CEO of Grief Australia  Elena Katrakis, CEO Carers NSW   Shevonne Hunt, member of the Sandwich Generation

Our panel of experts share their ideas on the big and little things that need to change to ease the burden and make life better for the Sandwich Generation.   Featuring:    Elena Katrakis, CEO Carers NSW   Ruth Phillips, professor of Social Policy at the University of Sydney    Dr Megan Godwin, PhD  Australian Women’s Wellbeing expert  (QUT)

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.