Life Matters - Full program podcast

The idea of finding your one true love and settling down as a couple is baked deep into society. But attitudes are changing. On dating apps, in surveys and podcasts, people are signalling an interest and greater acceptance of open relationships. So is monogamy still fit for purpose in 2026 or has it had its day?Has anyone ever made you responsible for what happens after they die? It's a lot of pressure, but honouring a loved one's wishes can be even trickier when the family don't agree. This week, the aunties help a listener whose dad's ashes are being held hostage.

The data shows we're reading less than ever. About one in three Australian school students isn't developing the reading skills they need, and the shift reflects a broader global trend. Across the board, there are signs the next generation is just not interested in picking up a book, and historian and podcaster Dominic Sandbrook is concerned we're headed for a "post-literate" society. So does it matter if we've fallen out of love with reading? And what can we do to reverse the trend?Is there a place from your youth that feels like a sacred space? For Alistair Miller, it's the Corio Skate Bowls — built in 1980 as the first public skate park in Victoria, after he and his mates lobbied the local council to give them a space to burn off steam. Decades later, it's been earmarked for heritage protection. So what have we learned about creating public spaces for teenagers, and how do we protect them?The return of humans into space has reignited an age old question: is there extra-terrestrial life out there? And if we find it, what happens next? Resident Life Matters philosopher Patrick Stokes mulls over ethical quandaries of space exploration and alien life.

Breaking up is hard to do, especially when there are children involved. And for many parents working through a separation, it comes with guilt and fear that kids living across two separate households will be worse off. But a new research paper from the Australian Institute of Family Studies shows as long as kids feel a sense of safety and security, the bells and whistles are less important. As AI adoption surges, so too does the demand for data centres. But these facilities require enormous amounts of energy and water to operate. A NSW inquiry is now examining the rapid expansion, with three local councils pushing back. Researchers Brownyn Cumbo and Ascelin Gordon explore how this technology fits into our infrastructure, and what it means for the communities hosting it.The Artemis II crew have set a new record for space exploration, travelling farther from Earth than any humans before them. Head of the Australian Space Agency Enrico Palermo unpacks what we hope to learn from this mission, and how its success might shape the future of space exploration.

The federal government has unveiled its plan for gambling reforms, announcing a ban on gambling ads in sports stadiums and players' uniforms, and heavy restrictions around ads on TV, radio and online platforms. But does this go far enough to stop millions of dollars flowing out of people's wallets and into gambling company coffers? Researcher Samantha Thomas and advocate Anna Bardsley discuss how gambling companies are expanding to target new markets, and how the proposed reforms measure up.After more than 10 years of putting survivors, alcoholics, nudists, cheaters, bogans and countless others in the hot seat, there aren't many uncomfortable questions Kirk Docker hasn't asked. The co-creator You Can't Ask That has been inviting misunderstood or marginalised groups to answer the most controversial and curly questions — on television — for seven seasons. And the show's coming back for another round. Smart devices are everywhere. They're designed to enhance our lives, but these devices also collect a huge amount of data, with very few safeguards to protect your privacy. So are we as humans smart enough for these devices?

Would you watch Married At First Sight with your teenagers? It might sound like a strange parenting strategy — the show is messy, engineered for drama, and showcases some pretty troubling behaviour. Media lecturer Jessica Ford and men's mental health expert Simon Rice discuss how creating a safe space for conversations about respectful relationships could be a good place to start.There's a push to integrate financial literacy into Australian schools, with recent data showing 52 per cent of Australian women and 37 per cent of men don't understand basic financial literacy concepts. Katrina Samios, from the not-for-profit Financial Basics Foundation unpacks what practical financial lessons for young people could look like.Author, columnist, and screenwriter Kathy Lette has written dozens of books, but she credits just one as the spark that set her on the path to becoming a writer.When you reach a certain age, the world has a quiet way of suggesting this might be as good as it gets — you've peaked. But middle age doesn't have to be a slow fade. For Saskia Beudel, who took on Australia's most intense endurance cycling event in her 50s, it was a time to push the limits.

Most parents understand there is a huge amount they can do to set up (or stuff up) their kids' mental and emotional needs. Developmental paediatrician and parenting podcaster Billy Garvey shares how to prioritise what's most important. Aunties Denise Eriksen and James Colley help a listener figure out how to break the news that they're not a big fan of their friend's four-legged companion.

An estimated 1 in 3 Australian households do not have secure access to food — they're either not getting enough, not getting the right kind, or sacrificing other crucial things to afford their groceries. And with fuel prices skyrocketing and interest rises shrinking household budgets, people are turning to food banks to help put dinner on the table. So how do we address the complex issue of food security?Grief can plunge your entire world into darkness. Most of us find our own way to survive it, to let the life grow around it. For author Emma Grey, the answer was to "turn up the light" by seeking out snippets of hope through creative pursuits — from floral arrangements to photography.ABC analysis of Census data shows, for the first time ever, women are more likely to be married or partnered with a man who has a lower education than them. Sociologist Dan Woodman unpacks what's behind the shift.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that come October, card surcharges will be banned. But will it actually save you money any money?A significant amount of our learning takes place outside of the classroom and we know that homeschooling has risen significantly in the last few years. Mario Gabrieli, who's taking his son Leonardo on a journey from Sydney to Italy on the back of a Vespa, and home education researcher Rebecca English discuss the benefits of taking kids out of school. Deborah Lawrie knew from the age of 16 that she wanted to be a pilot, so when Ansett rejected her from their trainee program in 1978, she took the airline all the way to the high court — and won. The landmark legal battle allowed a trailblazing woman to finally pursue her dream career, and paved the way for equal opportunity in Australia.

Last week a woman in the US successfully sued Meta and Google, arguing their platforms were addictive. She said she was spending up to 16 hours a day online, starting from just six years old. It raises some big questions around the concept of social media addiction. Psychology researchers Deon Tullett-Prado and Sharon Horwood explain what the research says about how social media is changing our brains.Even if you're not technically addicted, ignoring the notifications on your phone and paying attention to your top priority tasks can feel impossible. So what can you do about it? Neuroscientist Lila Landowski shares why she decided to put pen to paper and write the dummies' guide to focus.When it comes to life admin, the more boxes to tick or steps to click through, the less likely you are to complete that boring task. And in some cases companies are embedding "digital friction" or "sludge" to keep us from cancelling that membership or ending the free trial. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison digs into why this has become such a profitable and common model.

As petrol prices continue to soar, the only way to reduce your bowser bill is to go electric or get rid of your car altogether. But could you realistically do that where you live? Researcher Dorina Pojani from the University of Queensland shares what she learned from an experiment in Brisbane asking 10 people to totally ditch their cars for three weeks.Getting to gigs and immersing yourself in the atmosphere of live music is a rite of passage for many young Australians, but there are significant barriers holding some people back. Kate Duncan and Jamison Kelh from youth music charity The Push have just launched the National Plan for Young Australians and Music, to provide equal access for all young Australians — no matter where they live, what their budget is, or what kind of music they're into.Anyone who lived through the toilet paper saga of the COVID pandemic era can attest that Australians have a tendency towards panic buying. With fuel prices rising, consumers are being warned not to start stockpiling, with concerns that mass hysteria at the petrol pump could soon lead to shortages. So what are the ethics of panic buying? Do we have a moral responsibility not to buy what we don't really need?

There's an longstanding rule that it's not polite to talk about politics at the dinner table. But in times of global turmoil, where freedom of expression is under threat, it can be harder to keep the peace. Psychotherapist Andrew Sloan talks through how to navigate relationships when we vehemently disagree, and what we stand to lose as a community if we can no longer hold space for different opinions.After a friend goes through a break-up, often the real feelings their besties had about their ex come out into the open. But what do you do if they decide to reunite with the person you just declared as public enemy number one?

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

The looming fuel crisis is starting to bite, with service stations running out of petrol and prices soaring past $2.50 per litre. If you're in the middle of planning a trip, whether it's up the coast for Easter or hitting Greek Islands for European summer, the new reality is throwing travel plans into disarray.In Australia, the average kitchen lifespan is about 15 to 20 years. Interior designer Caroline Cumberbatch and author Kate Legge contend that we risk losing the heart of the home in the modern bid to replace and renovate these spaces that hold our family history.If you could delegate all the boring work-related tasks to an AI version of yourself, would you do it? This is the idea behind Identic AI, an assistant trained to mimic your tone and correspond on your behalf. This Working Life host Lisa Leong shares what she learned from chatting with researcher Don Tapscott and his AI agent, Digital Don.

A recent Senate inquiry report has found capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing have historically benefited investors over owner-occupiers — so is it time to tweak the system? Independent MP Allegra Spender and the Australian Urban and Housing Research Institute's Michael Fotheringham discuss how these changes might work and whether it would be enough to address housing affordability for the next generation.From mood swing tea to moisture-wicking pyjamas, marketing to menopausal women has become so lucrative it's been dubbed the hot flush gold rush. But experts argue it could be preventing women from getting the health advice they actually need.Everyone needs a break from the daily grind from time to time. The idea of a sabbatical might sound appealing — what if it wasn't your job, but your marriage, that you needed some reprieve from?

As our cities grow, there's a push to build up, not out — including in our suburbs. For more families, that means home will be an apartment rather than a house. Kate Longley, who lives in an apartment with her two children, joins architect Natalia Krysiak to discuss how to make higher density living more family-friendly.University is a big leap for any young person. But for country students who have to move away to study, it comes with the added expense of relocating and living away from home. Wendy Mason from the Country Education Foundation says the rising cost of living is making it even harder. Author, columnist, and screenwriter Kathy Lette has written dozens of books — but she credits just one as the spark that set her on the path to becoming a writer."Leisure sickness" refers to the idea that people are more likely to get sick on the holidays than during the working week. There's little science to back it up, but there are some theories as to why it might happen — and what you can do about it.

Mother-daughter bonds are strong, but many come with heavy cultural baggage: expectation, guilt, and comparison. Psychotherapist Zoe Krupka unpacks why so many women are talking about "the mother wound". If you knew a secret about a new co-worker, would you share it with your colleagues? Where do you draw the line between harmless gossip and unprofessional chatter?

A new report has found Aussie couples are moving away from pooling their money, and are choosing to be more financially independent in their relationships instead. But a separate bank account doesn't automatically mean the money is protected if the relationship ends. Researcher Kira Duggan, solicitor Antonella Sanderson and journalist Shelly Horton discuss the ins and outs of shared finances.More than 446,000 Australians are living with dementia. For many, it's a diagnosis that can turn your world upside down. But it doesn't mean life stops. For both Jim Rogers, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia in his 50s, and Debra Graves, who cared for her husband Don after his diagnosis, an important part of their new reality was prioritising travel. Analogue hobbies are having a moment again — crochet clubs, scrapbooking and journalling are all over social media. These once old-fashioned pastimes are finding a whole new wave of fans, with some data suggesting it's younger generations leading the charge. So what's behind the resurgence?

Small talk might feel trivial, but professor in the psychology of kindness Gillian Sandstrom says these tiny exchanges can help us live a kinder, more connected life. Gillian unpacks it all in her new book Once Upon A Stranger.Leeson Timms knows the world of the 'manosphere' all too well. He was drawn in by the allure of confident blokes and an assured place in the world, only to realise the damage it was causing to others around him. British documentary maker Louis Theroux's latest project Inside the Manosphere has put this misogynistic world back in the spotlight. But does it go far enough? And what can Australia learn about curbing homelessness from looking to Finland's Housing First policy?

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

A new program has launched in Queensland to teach teenagers how to safely ride e-bikes and e-scooters on the roads. It comes as trauma experts warn the number of serious injuries and fatalities associated with these devices is rising, so when the stakes are so high, is education enough? Are you a glass half-empty or half-full kind of person? A long-term study out of Yale University suggests it actually pays to be an optimist, with people who have a positive attitude around getting older showing improvement in areas like memory, cognition and physical mobility. Geriatrician Kate Gregorevic unpacks the science behind ageing well.Why is it that you can hold onto the lyrics to a song from 25 years ago, or the entire script of a classic movie, yet can't remember where you parked your car or why you walked into a room? Researcher Michelle Spear talks through the mysteries of our memory.

Breaking up can be brutal, especially if you have children together. Navigating feelings of anger, sadness, betrayal and shock without bringing the kids into it can be complicated. Family mediation specialist Danielle Lundberg shares the secret to staying sane while bringing up kids with your ex.Life Matters listener Katherine asks the Aunties for advice on clearing her cat's name after a neighbour wrongly accused them of a stinky crime.

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

At a pivotal moment in her career, one moment changed everything for comedian Denise Scott. She knew it was bad immediately, and a few appointments later it was confirmed: breast cancer. Now, on the other side of treatment, Denise is touring a new stand-up show, Tickety Boo.Skate parks, playgrounds and BMX tracks are everywhere — but a recent survey shows teenage girls are barely using them. What would make our parks and playgrounds more inclusive of teenage girls? And could redesigning them benefit everyone?This Working Life host Lisa Leong dissects the juiciest tips from her interview with world-renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel on how to navigate conflict in the workplace.

There are growing calls for the childcare subsidy to apply to a broader number of care options. Whether it's grandparents, nannies, au pairs, or whatever the case may be, how might that work? And if your choice is a childcare centre, what does that mean for you?When Jan Warnock was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she decided she wanted to say goodbye on her own terms. So the family held a living wake. Jan's husband Julian Warnock and anthropologist Cindy Stocken share how celebrating life before you go, with the people you love, can make space for grief and healing. For Head and Heart, resident psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explains why it's human nature to judge people, but we have a choice to make about what to do with that judgement.

Meals on Wheels has been around for more than 70 years, but in a growing number of communities the service is facing challenges. Meals on Wheels chair Paul Sadler, volunteer Carol Gillman and geropsychologist Nancy Pachana discuss changes rolling out across the country and the future of Meals on Wheels.Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many Australians, and often it's the people who raised us sitting in the passenger seat. But do we have the skills to prepare our teenagers to hit to road?The Australian Council of Trade Unions has put forward a proposal to increase annual leave from four weeks to five. At the same time, the average worker is doing around the same amount of unpaid work each year. Fiona Macdonald and Rae Frances talk through how we could tackle big changes to the way we work.

If you had to rank your sex life between 1 to 10, where would you land? According to a recent survey, nearly half of Australians are unhappy with their sex lives, putting us well below the global average. So what's going on? Sexologists Tanya Koens and Cam Fraser unpack the orgasm gap, barriers around intimacy and how to speak your mind in the bedroom.For Ask Aunty, a grieving widow shares how reading his late partner's diary revealed a hidden betrayal. How do you navigate grief while wrestling with regret, and should you keep people's secrets after they're gone?

Electronic shelf labels — those little digital screens replacing paper tags — are becoming more widespread across supermarkets in Australia, where prices can be updated instantly at the push of a button. It's certainly saved hours of employee time printing and updating labels manually, and although it's not inherently problematic, some are concerned that the way it's being used overseas could have implications for Australian shoppers. ABC technology reporter James Purtill retail marketing and consumer behaviour professor Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology unpack what this could look like on Australian shelves.Australia Post has warned the day will soon come when it delivers its last letter, with the rising cost to provide the service outstripping demand. So what might a post-post world look like, and how will the record of history we leave behind change without letters?As workplace culture makes headlines following the fallout between radio duo Kylie Sandilands and Jackie O, behavioural scientist Aaron McEwan look at how to recognise toxic behaviour in the workplace, and what you can do about it.