Life Matters - Full program podcast

Wealth inequality is worsening and new figures show 1 in 7 Australians now live below the poverty line. So what impact would introducing a universal basic income really have? Jessica Chew, co-director of Basic Income Australia, and Simon Cowan, Research Director at the Centre for Independent Studies, debate this thorny issue.Extreme weather events are becoming more common, and that's making insurance harder to afford - or in some places, impossible to get. Even if you are covered, payouts and repairs can take months... or even years. But what if you didn't have to wait at all? Paula Jarzabkowski, Professor in Strategy, School of Business at the University of Queensland, discusses parametric insurance. Voting has closed for ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. We've been asking some notable readers to share the book that changed their life. This week, Astrid Jorgensen, the founder and director of Pub Choir, discusses her special book.Recently in the United States, six former surgeons general - their country's leading spokespeople on public health - joined forces to write an opinion piece for The Washington Post. They argued Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should not be in his current position as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor of philosophy at Deakin University, explores the ethics of speaking truth to power.

Today’s young travellers are chasing something very different when they head overseas. Sunrise yoga, ‘run club’ tours, and meaningful cultural experiences are replacing the boozy bus tours of the past. Quentin Long, Managing Director, Australian Traveller Media and Dean Vowles, Contiki Brand Partnership & Product Manager, discuss how coming-of-age travel is evolving. Israel and Hamas have both released captives, to long-awaited hugs, tears, and relief. But these moments don't come easy. Negotiations are fragile and hard-fought - when every message, every word, carries the weight of human life. So, what's it like to negotiate the release of hostages? Stephen Davis is an Australian hostage negotiator and shares his experiences.Ending a relationship shortly before you're set to say "I Do" can be complex. It's an emotionally charged time, family and friends are invested in the big day.... not to mention the financial fall-out and tricky logistics. Phoebe Rogers broke up with her fiancée two months before the big day. Psychologist and Policy Coordinator at the Australian Association of Psychologists, Carly Dober, explains the emotional factors at play when you have second-thoughts.

In less than two months, being a teenager in Australia will change in a big way. Kids under 16 will be kicked off most social media platforms - under a new government ban... which is supposed to protect the mental health of young people, and limit their exposure to harmful content. But some are already finding ways to stay on the platforms. In some cases, their parents are supporting their mission. Crikey tech reporter Cam Wilson discusses how effective the ban will be.Four million Australians work between 6pm and 6am - from nurses and cleaners to delivery drivers and security staff. But the people who keep our cities running after dark are largely invisible in planning. Researchers from the University of Melbourne’s Night Shift project say it’s time to design cities that better support night-time workers. So what would that look like? Dr Anna Edwards is a Research Fellow in Urban Studies at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Cities and Andrew Copolov is the founder of the Gig Workers Hub.This year multiple stories of embryo mix-ups and surprise donor-conceived siblings have come to light, highlighting issues in the assisted reproductive technology sector. It's led to a rapid review of the IVF industry, and now that report is in. Although there are wins for strengthening oversight of the sector, some are saying it doesn't go far enough. Karin Hammarberg is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine at Monash University.When two people marry, they'll bring with them different hobbies, different expectations, and different ways of communicating. So, it's unlikely you'll mesh perfectly, 100 per cent of the time. But - those disconnects can leave you feeling... well, lonely. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones discusses whether some level of loneliness in a marriage is to be expected.

Nowadays it seems like there's a dietary supplement for everything. To ward off potential illnesses. To support mental wellness. To help with weight loss. And to enhance your fitness regime. So what's fueling supplement culture? And is it really making us healthier? Dr Michael Bonning is a GP and Chair of Public Health for the Australian Medical Association and Emma Fernance suffered vitamin B6 toxicity after taking iron supplements.Agrihoods are booming in the US, and several projects are now in the early planning stages in Australia. Advocates say they bring farm-to-table living to suburban communities and reconnect people with where their food comes from. Steve Grist is an agrihood advocate and founder of Arkadian Developments and Dr Jason Hilder is an urban geographer and Chair of Co-Housing Australia.Financial Counselling Australia has just released a set of principles aimed at guiding organisations to better respond to financial hardship. So if you find yourself in financial stress, what should you do? And how should you expect a business to treat you? Dr Domenique Meyrick is CEO of Financial Counselling Australia, which runs the National Debt Helpline.Actor, artist and author of "Say Everything: A Memoir", Ione Skye reveals how she makes and spends her money in In My Two Cents.

In a conversation on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Madonna opened up about making peace with her brother Christopher Ciccone before he died in 2024. The pair had been estranged for many years. So, how can you reconnect with estranged family? And how do you know if it's the right decision for you? Naomi Mourra reconciled with her family after years of estrangement. And Dr Zoe Krupka, psychotherapist and senior lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute, explains how you can safely take the first step.It can be awkward to split the bill with friends. But when you’re at a new friend’s birthday dinner and you think it's their shout, then get handed a massive bill…What do you do? Aunties Jenny Valentish, journalist and author of The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the house, and Nate Byrne, weather presenter and meteorologist on ABC News Breakfast, share their insights.

A new global diet plan focuses not only on what you put into your body ... but how to produce food to keep the planet healthy. The EAT-Lancet Commission says adopting its diet recommendations could prevent 40,000 early deaths per day across the world... and cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The diet's key message: eat way less meat and more plants. Briar McKenzie is an accredited dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and Professor Ben Lyons is Director at the USQ Centre for Rural Economies.In 2011, Turia Pitt was caught in a grassfire while competing in the 100km Kimberley ultra marathon in Western Australia. She suffered burns to 65% of her body. She lost seven fingers, had more than 200 medical procedures, and spent two years in recovery. In her new book, Selfish, she turns her focus to different challenges - those as a parent and partner. She explores sacrifice, guilt, and burnout.Recently, 600 couples from the South American nation of Paraguay were married simultaneously in a gym. Is this a genius way to get around the financial strain of throwing a wedding? Or is it somehow less special than a ceremony of your own? What makes weddings so special anyway? They're expensive. They're full of drama. And they rarely turn out exactly how you wanted. Dan Woodman, Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne, discusses why weddings still have a role in people's lives.

Last week's big celebrity news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a bit of a shock. And within a day... came the next update... Keith has reportedly moved on and is in a new relationship. While we're talking about two global superstars here... in a lot of ways, they're also going through a pretty relatable experience. About 30% of Australian marriages end in divorce....and many people go on to find new partners and remarry. Kate Halfpenny is a journalist and author who's written about endings and beginnings in her own relationships. Elisabeth Shaw is a clinical psychologist and CEO of Relationships Australia NSW.Its estimated one in six Australian students receive private tutoring to help them catch up or get ahead at school. However, the billion-dollar industry remains largely unregulated, with no national standards or enforced accreditation. A new University of Sydney study warns this 'shadow' education sector is putting student safety, learning quality and fairness at risk. Dr Ben Zunica has researched the private tutoring industry and identified some concerns. He's from Sydney School of Education & Social Work, University of Sydney. Chantelle Ford is a private tutor and owner of Attain Education.A really meaningful piece of jewellery can feel like it's part of you... but some people take that to the next level with pieces that are literally made with body parts. Elton John for instance -- he had a double kneecap replacement surgery last year, then hired a jeweller to fashion his old kneecaps into shiny gold jewellery... a pendant and a brooch. Our taste in jewellery is pretty personal... One person's dream engagement ring is another person's gaudy horror. So, how did jewellery become the status symbol it is today? And what's your relationship with your jewellery? Adrian Dickens is a personal jeweller and lecturer with ArtsNational.

Children are reading less and less. And adults? Well, we're not much better. A new report shows that kids need the time, space and a little helping hand to fall in love with reading. So why don't we have more dedicated spaces for kids to explore books? Jane Cowell is President of the Australian Library and Information Association, Megan Daley is a teacher-librarian, and Anna Burkey is head of Australia Reads.What if the leading performer in the next movie you saw wasn't human, but an AI entity? Tilly Norwood is young, brunette, with brown eyes and what sounds like an English accent. She's an AI-generated creation made by an artificial intelligence talent studio. So, what do audiences think? And how do AI performers affect living, breathing, creatives? Katina Michael is a Professor of technology, strategy, and innovation and visiting research scientist at the University of Sydney, Robert Sparrow is a Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, and Karen Jacobsen is a singer, songwriter, and voice of Apple's virtual assistant, Siri.It can be easier to outsource errands on your phone. Especially if those chores involve a trip to the shops with your kids. But is avoiding the hassle of the shopping centre car park and in-store meltdowns worth what you miss when their face lights up as they find the shoes that fit just right? Or the incidental deep and meaningful chats in the car What falls by the wayside in our relentless pursuit for efficiency? Dr Paul Harrison is Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University's Business School.

Bob Brown is a former politician, doctor, and environmentalist who was the leader of the Australian Greens. In his new book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders, he inspires a new generation to take action. He reflects on the value of nature and shares what motivates him to keep fighting. Australia has a shortage of GPs, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas. But, one GP clinic in regional Victoria is tackling the problem in a creative way by offering a reward to anyone in their community who can help recruit a doctor! John McColl is the co-owner of Beechworth Surgery and Dr Anita Munoz is the Victorian Chair of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.Midwife Oceane Campbell has lost count of the number of babies she's helped bring into the world. In her new memoir, she shares hilarious births, unexpectedly early arrivals and heartbreaking moments when things don't go according to plan.

When was the last time you had fun or experienced joy? It's something you'd assume should be pretty easy, but sometimes it can feel hard. That struggle to feel joy or notice the small joyful moments in our day is actually very normal. Dr Desiree Koslowski is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Southern Cross University and Dr Kerry Burnright is a gerontologist and author of a new book called Joyspan: A Short Guide to Enjoying Your Long Life.What should you do to support a friend who has bad luck with relationships? Letter-writer Morgan says she's fed-up with a friend who she thinks is scared to be alone. The friend's latest relationship is just eight months old and they've already broken up and reunited several times. Writer and author Patrick Lenton and comedian Urvi Majumdar discuss whether it's possible to help a friend without the emotional labour taking its toll on you.

Travel can have its frustrations: A cancelled flight, lost bags, a lengthy delay forcing you to spend hours at an airport, and the stress of trying to rebook the family's holiday at the last minute. The Federal Government has released new rules to establish reasonable standards for airlines and airports ... like when refunds should be issued and when food and drink vouchers are appropriate. So, what protections would you like to make your airline travel smoother? Traveller Peter Mansell had a planned trip to Bali that didn't go according to plan, Adam Glezer is founder of Consumer Champion, and Andy Kelly is Choice's Deputy Director of Campaigns.The internet pile-on is a well-established phenomenon in 2025. We've been living our lives online for decades now, so is it time for our behaviour on the internet to turn a corner? In two new projects, podcaster and author Clare Stephens asks what would we learn if we paused, just as the pitchforks are coming out, to ask what are we actually trying to achieve here? Have you ever wondered how to get your mug on a quiz show? Or have you wondered who comes up with all those left-field questions? Hamish Watt is the senior question producer for one of the country's highest rating quiz shows - Channel 9's Tipping Point Australia.Dawsons Creek. Little Britain. Friends. At the time, you thought these TV shows were hilarious. But by 2025 standards, they haven't aged well. But is that fair? Patrick Stokes, Associate Lecturer in Philosophy at Deakin University, debates whether we can view things that were made in a different time with different ethical standards and moral expectations.

The deep exhaustion of burnout makes it feel like you'll never emerge at the other end. A 2023 report found 80% of the Australian workforce struggles with burnout. So, what are the signs you are headed for a crash? How do you course-correct? Dr Roland Bull shares his personal experience of burnout and Dr Rachel Hannam, Clinical Director at North Brisbane Psychologists, talks about the steps you can take to overcome burnout.In Melissa Leong's new book Guts: A memoir of food, failure and taking impossible chances, she explores themes of abuse in the hospitality industry, racism, and mental health. The MasterChef judge also reveals how her career in food was an accident. In 2016, Peter Drew's posters became some of the most recognisable art in the country. He made his "Aussie" posters at a time of great distress about rising racism and anti-immigration sentiment. Now he's decided, 10 years from the first poster going up, it's time to relaunch the project.

One advocacy group wants 2026 to be the first year where you can watch the footy finals without the gambling ads. Can you even picture it? Currently, gambling ads are all-pervasive - on jerseys, on the TV between tackles and even on the field itself. Martin Thomas is CEO of Alliance for Gambling Reform and Dylan Jacotine is sharing his recovery from gambling addiction online.Students and staff at Australia's universities feel "betrayed, undermined and let down" according to the chair of a senate inquiry examining governance at our higher education institutions. Meanwhile, new Deakin University research found one third of Australians do not trust universities and two in five agree university managers "are more focused on revenue than quality." Deakin University's vice chancellor Professor Iain Martin says whether this is perception or reality makes little difference now.When's the last time you read a poem? Perhaps you were at a wedding, a funeral, or another special occasion. Or maybe you're the one who has written a sonnet for a special someone. In the age of algorithms and distraction – what's the role of poetry? Erik Jensen is the author of a poetry collection titled A Lick of Fireweed. He is also editor-in-chief and chief executive of Schwartz Media. School's out! And a lot of lucky families are at the beach, or somewhere exotic or far-flung. But if you're not posting postcard-perfect pics on Instagram, it's easy to feel a strong sense of FOMO - fear of missing out. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explains how can you put the green-eyed monster in its place.Statement from Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell: The industry has already reduced TV advertising by 71% over the past five years. Banning advertising won’t stop people from gambling - it will simply hand the market to illegal offshore operators who aggressively target vulnerable Australians and children online, refuse to pay out winnings, contribute nothing to Australian sport, racing or tax revenue, and operate without any of the safeguards licensed providers must follow.That’s why a balanced, middle-ground approach is needed - one that reduces children’s exposure to ads while keeping gambling within the regulated system, which polling shows is what Australians want.

In Victoria, there's a push to charge a fee to view the iconic Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. Around the country, some of our national parks are free, but you pay to visit the most popular, like Kakadu. Nearly all of our beaches are free... but you'll get often slugged for parking. So, what's reasonable when it comes to charging access to Australia's great natural wonders? Liz Price is General manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Professor Sarah Gardiner is Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism.Keeping up with the best, most up-to-date nutrition information that's backed by science isn't always easy. Just recently, a study that spruiked the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss was retracted. But is the genie already out of the bottle? How hard is it to unpick scientific research that people have already been told is good, when it in fact goes bad? Simone Pettrigrew is Director of Health promotion at George Institute for Global Health.ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell me about the book that changed their life, and sat down with host of The Assembly Leigh Sales.Tesla's latest software upgrade has arrived on our shores. A software update just dropped... and it upgrades your car, to take a ton of driving tasks off your hands. But experts say driverless technology can be fraught with issues. Hussein Dia is Professor of Future Urban Mobility at Swinburne University of Technology.

For many of us, friendship groups are a key part of our social circle. Maybe it's your friend group from school or uni... or the gang you bonded with at your first job... it could be the parent group at your child's school. Friendship groups can be a source of joy, comfort, and camaraderie. They can also be tricky to navigate and Sahra O'Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists, offers some advice about how to walk that line.And in Ask Aunty, letter-writer Lydia and her husband are in their 70s, and slowing down a bit. So they think it seems fair that, after all those years of managing everything, their children should do some of the heavy lifting. But what happens when their children seem unwilling? Aunties Denise Eriksen, journalist and executive Director of Screen Careers, and Bridie Jabour, author, journalist and associate editor at Guardian Australia, offer their advice.

For decades the thinking has been that bringing together people from different cultural or religious groups would be enough to effectively reduce prejudice in society. But new research from the University of Queensland says that method simply isn't working anymore. Staying prejudiced isn't an option if we want to live in a peaceful country. So how can we open the door of our echo chambers, and let other voices in? Dr Alexander O'Donnell is a research fellow at the Univeristy of Queensland's Institute of Social Science Research, Giridharan Sivaraman is the Race Discrimination Commissioner and Rabbi Zalman Kastel is the founder of Together for Humanity, an educational organisation that works to combat prejudice.In Victoria, plans are underway to memorialise former Premier Daniel Andrews with a bronze statue. Meanwhile, there's also a push to immortalise one of Melbourne's former local pollies, Darebin councillor Gaetano Greco. So who - if anyone, really - should get a statue in contemporary Australia? Clare McCracken is a Senior Lecturer at RMIT University's School of Art and Robert Hitchcock is a sculptor who has captured dozens of people in bronze. If you're a fan of 90s sitcoms, you'll know that the friendship depicted in the sitcom Friends isn't necessarily representative of real life. People in their mid to late-twenties, seemingly working very little, and spending every day and night, sitting around, drinking coffee and chatting with their mates. But contrary to this, many of us will finish school, then spend the next few years wondering where all our mates went. Dan Woodman, Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne, discusses why young adults are seemingly lonelier than older people.

The US President Donald Trump has linked autism to vaccines ... even pointing the finger at paracetamol. His claims have been widely criticised by medical experts worldwide and Australian regulators have been quick to point out the safety of both vaccines and paracetamol. But when a US President speaks, the ripple effects are global... and Australia's autism community is paying close attention. Dr Andrew Whitehouse is Deputy Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia and a director of Autism Awareness Australia. Autism activist Dr Jac den Houting is a Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University, and ABC Top 5 Humanities Resident for 2025.As Australians face increasing time pressures both at home and work, the number of volunteers has dropped. So how can you make the time to keep your volunteering commitments alive? Mark Pearce is the CEO of Volunteering Australia and Bhawana Basnet is a finalist in the Queensland Volunteer Awards 2025.There is a deepening divide in society and no matter what side of politics you sit on ... or even if you consider yourself removed from politics ... the "us versus them" mentality is wide-spread. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones discusses what's behind this thinking.

For a long time signing an online petition was seen as the slackest form of activism. But now the digital world has supercharged petitions. Australia's under 16 social media ban started as an online petition. Supported by regular people, calling for change. Whether it's slowing down traffic on your street or shaking up national policy, petitions can give regular people power. Julie-Ann Finney led a petition calling for a Royal Commission into Veteran suicides. Paige Mulholland is communications manager at Change.org and Dr Sky Croeser is a senior lecturer in Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry at Curtin University.Last week, New South Wales' first public long COVID clinic announced it will close its doors at the end of the month. In a statement, St Vincent's Hospital said patients who had been visiting the clinic would continue to receive the same comprehensive care but "within well-established clinical frameworks and with specialist input available as required". The statement also said: "Patients currently under the care of the Long COVID Service will be contacted directly by our team in the coming days to discuss their transition and ongoing symptom management." But the clinic's closure is leaving many long COVID patients frustrated and angry... and unsure exactly how they will manage their condition, which is complex and can be debilitating. And as we approach the sixth anniversary of COVID first surfacing ... patients, clinicians and researchers are still grappling with some basic questions. Why are some people struck down with long COVID and not others? How can we better diagnose it? What treatments will help the most? And how can we ensure all Australians have access to this help? Charlotte Sangster is living with long COVID and Dr Emma Tippett is a Clinical Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute and Founder of the Clinic Nineteen.If you're on any kind of social media, you may have seen this mythical dessert popping up everywhere. Dubai chocolate. It's milk chocolate, filled with pistachio cream. But what's really remarkable is how much it costs - about $25 for a standard-sized block. There's the same excitement around Labubus, Ooshies, and even - if you were around in the 90s - the Beanie Baby craze. So, is an item going viral enough to make it worth something? Dr Paul Harrison, Deakin University's head of Consumer Behaviour, discusses what makes some trends reach fever pitch... and others fizzle.In our regular segment My Two Cents, we ask those questions you'd rather not answer about money. In this episode, hear how veteran rock and roller Mick Thomas of Weddings, Parties, Anything and The Roving Commission, makes his money decisions.

A new report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics paints a pretty dire snapshot of the nation's health and wellbeing. It shows that you and I are living in a society that's more socially fragmented, less happy, and less healthy than it has been in years. So, what is needed to live a happier, and healthier life? A panel of experts weighs in on the nation's health, including Dr Jenny Gordon, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Nancy Pachana, geropsychologist, University of Queensland, and Kim van Schooten from the UNSW School of Population Health.Consumer decisions are now heavily driven by online reviews. Australians can offer online opinions on restaurants, cafes, hair salons, mechanics, call centres... even local schools. But on the flip side, a business can live or die on the power of reviews. One study found 98% of Australians read online reviews before making a purchase. So, how much weight do you give online reviews when you're making a purchase, deciding where to eat, or planning a holiday? Professor Gary Mortimer, retail consumer behaviour expert at QUT Business School, shares his insights. And Cafe Fifty Two co-owner Aisha Jones reveals how she fought back when a customer left her a one-star review. ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell us about the book that changed their life. This week, we spoke to former Play School host Simon Burke. The way we think about risk for kids has changed drastically over a generation or two, moving towards a world with all the sharp edges and trip hazards removed. While the chance of harm is minimised, no one is ever challenged in environments with zero risk. Research shows that the benefit does outweigh the risk when it comes to risky play, and a new study includes a tool to calculate exactly where that inflection point is. David Eager, Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention at the University of Technology Sydney, breaks down the benefits and harms.

What would happen if you decide to embrace the word yes? Yes to opportunities! Yes to scary invitations! Yes to chances to have fun! Yes! Yes! Yes! Virologist Kirsty Short gave it a go and found it helped her get in touch with what she really wanted in life. Dr Giac Giacomantonio, Brisbane-based psychotherapist, discusses why saying yes can be hard but rewarding.Volunteering at school events is about building community spirit … but it's also about being fast, efficient, and able to work as part of a well-oiled machine at sausage sizzles and cake stalls. Letter-writer Mark is a longtime member of the parent committee at his kids' primary school. And he has a dilemma for aunties Nazeem Hussain, comedian and writer, and Monica Dux, columnist and author.

The conversation about genetically edited meat is evolving.... and so are the rules. Genetically edited animals like fish, cows, and pigs, are being developed for the dinner plate. In Australia, GMO foods were traditionally subject to strict regulation under the national food safety watchdog. But that's changing. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has recently revised its rules. John Gibson is a Professor of livestock genetics at the University of New England and Peter De Kruijff is an online environment reporter for ABC Science.The first Indigenous supermodel, Samantha Harris, got her start in modelling at age 13. Her childhood success stands in stark contrast to her mum's upbringing as a survivor of the Stolen Generations. It's their special relationship that takes centre stage in a book they teamed up to write, called Role Model.There are mental and physical health benefits of a garden. But unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of their own personal green space - a backyard, a courtyard, or even a balcony with potplants. Now, new research has explored the connection between people's ability to garden and their housing situation.They're asking, why isn't gardening space part of the housing crisis discussions? Dr Jonathan Kingsley is Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion at Swinburne University and Jo Heriot is a committee member of the Ceres community garden in Melbourne.

Any good book will transport you in some way -- pull you into a mystery, take you to a fantastical land... make you laugh, make you cry. But sometimes a book stays with you long after you finish reading it and changes the way you see the world forever. Bec Sparrow, writer and host of the Birds of a Feather book club, and Fiona Stager, co-owner of three Brisbane independent book shops, share their favourite reads.By 2050, climate change could see over $600 billion dollars wiped from our property market ... and over 1 million homes left "uninsurable". With floods, fires, and extreme heat - we may be forced to abandon some areas, which are becoming too badly affected. And if you choose to stay put - how can you be sure your home will stay standing? Jennice Evans, has felt this first-hand, while Associate Professor Nick Osbaldiston, from James Cook University, and sustainability strategist Lee Stewart share their expert insights.Between 2019 and 2023, one fertility group saw a 220% increase in single women undergoing IVF. What's behind the rise in women choosing solo parenthood? Jacqui Green is a solo mum by choice and David Greening is an Associate Professor with City Fertility.

ChatGPT... Grammarly... Google Gemini... AI tools have changed student life in the space of just a couple of years. Cheating seems easier than ever before. So, how do teachers monitor AI use, while accurately assessing students' work? Mark McLauchlin is a nursing student who is fighting AI cheating accusations. Dr Jasmine Thomas, Associate Director of I.C.T. Governance and Partnerships at the University of Southern Queensland and Dr Cameron Edmond, lecturer in game development, at Macquarie University's School of computing are both navigating the world of academia and AI.Footy fever is in the air with the AFL and NRL grand finals just around the corner. But that's not the only kind of heat hitting the world of sport. As temperatures rise, so do the challenges for athletes, clubs, and fans alike - from the grassroots to the global stage. Dr Greg Dingle is a Senior Lecturer of Sport Management at La Trobe University and former AFL player Tom Campbell is co-founder of Footy For Climate.It's been almost a week since Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and the public commentary has been extreme. There's no doubt the conservative commentator was a polarising figure - in life, inspiring both devotion .. and hatred. Patrick Stokes, lecturer in philosophy at Deakin University, discusses the ethics at play when it comes to the death of someone whose views you disagree with.

Koalas are cuddly, world-famous, and deeply woven into our national identity. But behind the cute image is a species in crisis. Last week the NSW state government announced a major move: a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast. A nationwide chlamydia vaccine rollout is also coming. Dr Christine Hosking, Conservation Planner & Researcher at The University of Queensland, and Dr Stuart Blanch, Conservation scientist with the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, debate whether these steps will help our national treasures.Eating disorders can affect anyone, and anyone can have body image concerns... but the stereotype remains that it's an illness that mostly affects women. This is despite the fact that an estimated one third of people with eating disorders are male... a number that's rising, according to eating disorder charity the Butterfly Foundation. Because of this stereotype, men often face an added challenge... treatment is typically focused on women. Dr Richard Knight is a social worker and researcher who has lived with an eating disorder and Richard Newton, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Monash University, has worked with people with eating disorders for more than 40 years.ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell us about the book that changed their life. This week, we spoke to Take 5 host Zan Rowe. Indoor farming, where rows of fresh produce are stacked in vertical towers, could be a viable way to insulate homegrown food from our rapidly changing climate. Australia's biggest fully automated vertical farm is looking to expand next year. So, what role could farming up - instead of out - play in our food futures? Paul Gauthier is a Professor of Protected Cropping at the University Queensland and leading researcher in vertical farming.

So, now you know! You have ADHD! But, what comes next? Is there a way that you, and those who love you, can “do life” that better suits your ADHD brain? Journalist and author Matilda Boseley and psychiatrist Dr Sunil Reddy share how to make households, workplaces, relationships and day-to-day life as ADHD-friendly as possible.And what do you do when you're stuck between your best mate and your best mate's wife? Aunties Nelly Thomas and James Findlay step in to help letter-writer Tom move forward when thing go wrong in his close friend's marriage.

Dealing with angry and abusive customers has become part of the job for many retail workers in Australia. Some retailers have introduced measures like body-worn cameras, extra CCTV and duress alarms to improve safety. But the problem has become so serious that this week a major independent supermarket chain said it's considering closing stores because of violent customer behaviour. Retail workers Megan Sheather and Gabbi Colloff share their experiences. Professor Gary Mortimer, retail consumer behaviour expert, QUT Business School, explains why retail work is so fraught nowadays.Scams these days are pretty sophisticated. And given the number of ways they can get to you, social media, email, text message, it might feel almost quaint to get a scam phone call. But people lose more money to phone scams than any other method of contact, with Australian victims losing over $107 million dollars this way last year. Kathy Sundstrom is the National Manager of Outreach & Engagement at IDCare and Dr Kate Gould who leads the Monash Cyberability project, explain why scams are so prevalent.In our regular segment My Two Cents, we ask those questions you'd rather not answer about money. Comedian and former triple j breakfast host Matt Okine shares why sometimes it's ok to make money decisions with your heart, not your head. Ballerina Cappuccina, Chimpanzini Bananini, Bombardiro Crocodilo ... do these names mean anything to you? If you know what I'm talking about, you've probably got a tween in your household because they're the latest batch of online memes designed to waste time and turn your brain to mush. It's been labelled brainrot... Essentially, material designed to waste your time... And it's not just tweens. We're all guilty of it occasionally. Dan Woodman, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Melbourne, explains the appeal behind the scroll.

Three decades after a federal treaty was first promised - but never materialised - Victoria has introduced the first ever treaty legislation into its parliament. It has been a hard won battle for First Nations people, and this landmark Victorian process has survived where others have fallen in the wake of the failed Voice referendum. Katie Kiss, Kaanju and Birri Widi woman and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner joins Larissa Baldwin-Roberts, Bundjalung woman and co-founder of advocacy organisation Common Threads, to discuss what this means for the rest of the country.Research shows most of us would love to reconnect with old friends, but only one in three of us actually takes that step. So what holds us back? Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones discusses how can we start welcoming old friends back into our lives.If it seems like everyone you know is running a marathon or a half-marathon, you're probably not mistaken. Last week, the entries opened for Brisbane Marathon and recently, the Sydney Marathon attracted huge crowds. Every Australian city now boasts run clubs - some people are even using them to find a partner. Dr Lloyd Rothwell, Sports Management Researcher at the University of Technology Sydney and Erchana Murray-Bartlett, ultramarathoner and run coach, talk about why running is having a moment.

Convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson will spend at least 33 years behind bars for the deaths of three family members via an infamous death cap mushroom lunch. The sentence was the culmination of an almost two-years long criminal justice process.... heavily scrutinised by the public and the press. Dr Brianna Chesser, Associate Professor in Criminology and Justice at RMIT University, discusses why public fascination with female offenders remains high.What's the role of workplace uniforms? Last week, Qantas announced Australian fashion designer Rebecca Vallance would design its first new uniform in more than a decade. It's a bold move for the national carrier. Do uniforms serve as branding? Or do they inspire a sense of pride in workers? Dr Prudence Black is a Research Fellow in the School of Humanities at the University of Adelaide and Pam Jabbour is CEO Total Image Group.Do you ever visit a new city... or new part of your own town and realise ... "there's nothing unique here, I could really be anywhere in the world"? The same chain stores are selling the same clothing everywhere. The same two grocery chains are ubiquitous in every suburb. It's just ... bland. So, what's be behind this gradual creep? And when did you start to notice it? Paul Harrison, Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University's Business School discusses the death of the main drag.Finals season is here, and AFL and NRL players are facing some of the most high-pressure moments of their careers. But you don’t have to be an athlete — or a sports fan — to know that feeling. Whether it’s pitching an idea at work, sitting an exam, or giving a speech at a wedding, we all face moments when we're under pressure to perform and the nerves kick in. Shayne Hanks, Sport and Performance Psychologist from Performance Boost, shares what we can learn from elite athletes.

As our cities grow we're building new houses, new shops and new amenities from scratch. Melanie Davern, from Australian Urban Observatory and Jane Martin from Food for Health Alliance unpack why so many new developments become fast food highways. Its in light of a proposal to change local planning processes in Victoria to address the growing problem of fast food over-saturation in suburbs like those in the Surf Coast, the Mayor Mike Bodsworth's discusses the potential impact, would it make us healthier?Philip Johns is the president of the 70 year old Rotary Club of Port Pirie in South Australia, but he's worried the club won't see many more birthdays. From Lions Club playgrounds to Rotary rotundas and sausage sizzles galore, the contribution of local service clubs is visible in every community, but they're folding after in the face of volunteer shortages. Philip joins Mark Pearce, CEO of Volunteering Australia to discuss what community service looks like in 2025. ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. We asked broadcaster David Marr about the book that changed his life. And speaking of reading, if you can't remember the last time you got some quality hours in with your favourite book - there's a retreat for that! Amy Hart is the co founder of 'A Place to Pause' and Anna Burkey from Australia Reads discuss the rise and usefulness of the reading retreat.

Is it possible to change your personality? Many of us may have thought about it, but journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic, Olga Khazan, actually did it.After spending a year intensively researching the science of personality change, she applied that science to herself. She wrote about her experience in her new book, Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change. And Dr Carly Johnco, clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at Macquarie University, discusses the evidence-based ways to change the essence of yourself.In Ask Aunty, our letter writer needs advice about how to deal with her daughter's young friend who is sharing TMI (too much information) about her parents. Today's aunties are writer, actor, and author Fiona Harris, and comedian Matt Okine.

Is the Australian flag a unifying emblem? A symbol of colonisation? Is it patriotic? Divisive? Exclusionary?Thousands of people attended the March for Australia rallies on the weekend... and one of the most common sights in the crowds was the Australian flag.The images have sparked a conversation about the flag's use and its meaning. Graeme Davison is an Emeritus professor of history at Monash University and John Vaughan is a vexillographer, flag designer and historian.This week, the head of the world's biggest food company, Nestle, was sacked after he failed to disclose his relationship with a subordinate. According to a 2023 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, nearly one in three employees has been in a romantic relationship with a coworker.But there's been a dramatic shift in workplace culture in recent years... and a greater understanding of workplace power imbalances. Liv Arnold is a columnist and author, and met her husband at work. Sahra O'Doherty is the President of the Australian Association of Psychologists.Experts say the pandemic saw millions turn their backs on the jobs they'd been in for years, and decide to swap industries altogether. Linda Hartley-Clark has experience swapping careers. She's an actor turned relationship therapist. And Kate Flaherty, Career Development Association of Australia, shares her professional expertise.And a hat-snatching CEO has prompted debate after he was caught on camera taking an autographed tennis cap from a young child at the US Open and all hell breaks loose. So, what does a moment of bad behaviour reveal about a person's character? Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor of philosophy at Deakin University, discusses the ethical issues at play.

Australia’s housing crisis is a complex challenge - but what if it was also our biggest opportunity?In a new ABC Radio National series, The Home Front, Professor of Architecture Anthony Burke explores how smart, thoughtful design could transform the way we live - and help us reimagine the Great Australian Dream.For most people, calling a loved one is part of daily life. But in prison, the high cost of phone calls can cut people off from vital family support. Research shows that those who stay connected with loved ones are less likely to reoffend after release. Damien Linnane knows the cost of a phone call. He spent 10 months in prison and is editor of Paper Chained, a magazine for people affected by incarceration. Marius Smith is CEO of Vacro, a specialist criminal justice reintegration service that campaigns for fully funded phone calls in prisons.

Women do the bulk of the laundry, the cooking, the school lunches and running the family's social calendar. And this picture hasn't really changed in 20 years, according to the most recent Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey.So, what are the struggles in trying to share the domestic mental load? Matt Johnson is co-host of parenting podcast Two Doting Dads and Alistair Thomson is a historian, co-author of Fathering: An Australian history. He's also a proud dad, stepdad and grandad.When you're caring for a loved one who's unwell, the light at the end of the tunnel is obviously their recovery. But what about cases where that won't ever happen? Bruce Willis' wife, Emma Heming Willis, has recently revealed she and her 70-year-old husband now live separately due to his care requirements. Dementia advocate Pam Eade, who was diagnosed in 2021 shares her insights. As does Sophie Hennessy who runs the Nightingale Project - which runs a palliative model of advanced dementia care.Our modern lives are filled with beeps, dings, and buzzes. From washing machines and dishwashers to smartphones and fitness trackers. Driving is now a chorus of warnings and alerts - and while these features are meant to keep us safe, new research shows one in five drivers are turning them off. Milad Haghani is an Associate Professor in Urban Risk & Resilience at The University of Melbourne. And David Alais is a Professor of Psychology, University of Sydney.And finally, psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones offers advice about how to deal with trauma dumping - one-sided sharing of emotional information.

The dollar figure of detaining young people has shot up dramatically in the last five years, despite the actual number of people in the system declining. So if getting to these kids too late is costing us both financially and in community safety, just how early do we need to be intervening? Report author Dr Caroline Croser-Barlow and Emeritus Professor Ross Homel who led a decades-long early intervention and early prevention program in Queensland discuss. Right now, there's a fierce debate about what universities are for. Are they just factories for job-ready graduates? Or should they also be breeding grounds for big ideas, for curiosity, for critical thinking? Historian and academic Frank Bongiorno discusses what role universities play in modern Australia. ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. We're asking some notable readers to tell me about the book that changed their life, starting with comedian Lizzy Hoo. Former AFL player Mitch Brown has publicly identified as bisexual becoming the first player in the code's history to do so. The official response from the AFL has been mixed, so Dr Victoria Rawlings is asking what would it take to create a world where people no longer need to come out?

Are there conversations in your life that you try to avoid? And how might that be holding you back from getting what you actually want? Clinical psychologist Elisabeth Shaw says that, with the right tools, we can learn to communicate our needs and actually feel heard. Also, what do you do when your ex-mother-in-law gets in touch with some not-so-helpful life advice?

There's a small town on the west coast of Tasmania locked in a David and Goliath battle to save their last bank. Janet Lay has lived in Queenstown on Tasmania's west coast and has started a petition to keep their local bank in town. Since 2017, 36 per cent of brick and mortar bank branches have closed around regional Australia. Simon Lyons from the Regional Banking Investment Alliance asks how can we stop the flow of banks bailing on the regions? Since strict gun control measures were introduced following the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, the number of firearms in Australia has increased by 25 per cent according to figures from The Australia Institute. In light of this week's fatal shooting of two Victorian police officers, we asked violence prevention specialist Dr Samara McPhedran what's behind the rise in gun ownership - and whether Australia's gun laws are still keeping people safe.Australia's newest Miss Universe has just been crowned, so we ask sociologist Dan Woodman if beauty pageants are still relevant in a body positive world?Australia is building more data centres to keep pace with our increasing participation in the digital world, but what do these resource-hungry facilities mean for communities nearby? Councillor Naim Kurt is the Deputy Mayor of a region soon to be home to these centres and Bronwyn Cumbo discusses the rise in these centres in Australian communities. EDITOR'S NOTE: August 28, 2025: An earlier version of this segment stated Bendigo Bank would charge fees to business customers using Bank@Post services. Bendigo Bank has since clarified its retail and business customers will be able to use Bank@Post services fee-free for the next 12 months. Statement from Bendigo Bank spokesperson:Following a review of evolving customer preferences, a reduction in business activity and an increase in costs, the Bank has made the difficult decision to close the Queenstown branch located at 33 Orr St, Queenstown. The Bank apologises for any inconvenience.Bendigo Bank is proud of its regional heritage and operates Australia’s second largest regional branch network. To preserve our ability to continue delivering for our customers and communities, we must ensure our branches are adequately supported and resourced. From Tuesday, 1 July 2025, operating hours will reduce to Tuesday and Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 1:30pm to 4:00pm before our Queenstown branch and ATM close permanently from Friday, 26 September 2025. The Bank is in the process of communicating these changes to customers. For more information, click here. A range of banking options are available to customers impacted by this change. There is no action for customers to take as there will be no impact to how their accounts operate. Customers can continue to transact as normal at any Bendigo Bank branch, ATM or at any time via internet banking, our mobile app or by phone on 1300 236 344. Customers can also choose to bank in-person using Bank@Post at any of the 3,500 Australia Post outlets across Australia. The nearest Australia Post LPO where customers can transact fee free for at least the next 12 months is located next door to the branch at 32 Orr Street, Queenstown. Bendigo Bank maintains more branches per customer than any other Australian Bank. The Bank is committed to its branch network and the personalised interactions that occur in branch every day. For more branch closure information, click here.

There's no shortage of advice for the early years of parenting, but what about the other end of the journey, when your kids leave home? For some, like senior writer at Good Weekend Tim Elliott, it brings a deep sense of loss. For others, like Kate Christie, author and empty nester, it's a time to celebrate new freedoms. Where do you stand on the empty nest spectrum?The term sovereign citizen is in the news again following the fatal shooting of two police officers in Victoria this week. But what does it actually mean, and is this ideology becoming a more serious threat to public safety and the rule of law? Legal researcher Dr Harry Hobbs explains. Running a marathon, a half-marathon, even a 5K, is no small thing, but for blind and vision-impaired runners, it's a whole different level of difficult. A Sydney running club is making it possible by pairing vision-impaired runners like Nicole Tillotson with specially trained guides Caroline Wong.

Since online gambling became widely accessible it's never been easier to spend big - and lose even bigger. It's opened up a new frontier for gambling advertising with companies offering huge sums to creators like Konrad Benjamin of Punters Politics to promote online casinos to their social media followers. Konrad and online gambling researcher Dr Mark Johnson dive into what can be done to control this nascent issue.Early findings from the Class Inclusion at Work report reveal that only 44% of class-marginalised workers were offered career development opportunities in the past year, compared with 76% of their more privileged peers. You'll hear about the impact this has from Catherine Hunter the CEO of Diversity Council Australia and Dr Angelo Capuano, law lecturer at Central Queensland University who faced social class barriers early in his career.Are you a Swiftie? Maybe a part of the Bey-hive? If you're a serious fan of any artist, you understand the hype when they announce a new album or tour. When Taylor Swift announced her new album last week, it sent fans into overdrive, many of whom have already had an almost a religious experience at her shows. You'll hear from consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison about why a select few celebrities inspire such fanaticism.Jordan Fyfe is a disabled artist, researcher and advocate who is currently finishing her PhD, and an ABC Top 5 Arts Resident for 2025. Her research focuses on the many barriers that face people with disabilities to attend or work in the arts - and what needs to change to improve access.

The downsides to downsizing from the family home might include leaving your friends, your GP and the neighbourhood you love. So we asked someone who has made the move, a buyers agent and the CEO of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute whether making it easier for Australians to downsize would really move the needle on the housing crisis.What would have helped you come to terms with your own mental health challenges earlier? Osher Günsberg is one of the best-known names in Australian entertainment and mental health advocacy. His latest book tackles what to do when it feels like you've tried everything to feel better, and are asking the question "now what?" - and it's something he wished he had earlier in his journey. If you met your life partner online, you might want to keep scrolling past this one. A cross-cultural study compared relationship satisfaction, intimacy, passion, and commitment and on all four measures, people who met online scored lower than people who met in real life. Love researcher Adam Bode and Simone Springer who runs a singles meet up group discuss the merits of how you meet your lover.

Rates of perfectionism are skyrocketing, but one of the world's leading experts says you can shift the perfectionistic mindset. And, the aunties weigh in on how to respond to an out-of-the-blue package from an ex best friend.

The struggles of those stuck trying to get their loved ones into rehab, what changes to autism patients on the NDIS scheme mean for families, the ethics of lying in a memoir, and why legal language is so hard to navigate.

Wild tales from the emergency room, the legacy of Olympic housing, and why one woman ran the City2Surf topless.

The human side of making our nation more productive, behind the pocket money gender pay gap, why our world leaders can't agree on the best way to tackle plastic pollution, and the dark side of your wellness obsession.

The argument for electric vehicle users paying a road use charge, the ethics behind disclosing adoptees' status, and what your nightmares reveal about your health - plus, why Virgin Australia's new pets on planes policy has sparked backlash.

In a long-term relationship, when does someone start thinking, "This isn't working anymore?" What goes on between that initial thought and the final decision that its definitely over? Investigative journalist Nicole Madigan shares insights from her book Torn: Four Women’s Stories of Why They Left – or Why They Stayed. Psychologist and psychotherapist Stephen Andrew discusses his thoughts as an expert who specialises in treating individuals couples, thrupples and polycules.In Ask Aunty, a letter-writer asks: How can I survive my in-laws' very different holiday expectations? Aunties Maeve Marsden, writer, theatre-maker and Nate Byrne, meteorologist on ABC News Breakfast, did into this thorny issue.

As the role of pharmacists expands, there's a push to place them inside GP clinics to provide on-the-spot medication advice. Associate Professor Jean Spinks, Centre for Business and Economics of Health, University of Queensland, GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly, and Dr Michael Wright, President, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners discuss whether it could provide more efficient and effective care?Outside school hours care is a lifesaver for parents who can't clock off in time for school pick up every day, but access to this kind of service is a postcode lottery. Guests Dr Kate Harrison Brennan, Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and single mother Carla, discuss how to make this care an option for all working families across the country.From recording frog calls to photographing fungi, everyday Australians are contributing biodiversity data like never before. So, how much impact has citizen science really had on research and conservation? Cam Slatyer, Atlas of Living Australia and Dr Jodie Rowley, amphibian biologist with the Australian Museum and founder of the FrogID app, talk about the role of citizen science.If you've been on social media the last couple of weeks, you may have seen a viral video trend dubbed the "Gen Z stare"... older people say they make a comment or a request to someone under 25 years old and they're just met with a blank look. Dan Woodman, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Melbourne unpacks the phenomenon.

Performer Todd McKenney's decades-long career on stage has reached a full circle moment. He joins the cast of the classic musical 'Cats' once again, a role he first embodied almost forty years ago where he made a pact with a friend that made him a father.What if a random interaction with a stranger ends with covert video uploaded to a social media platform? We hear from Tahnaya Smith, who was filmed without her consent and Professor Nicola Henry, from RMIT University's Social Equity Research Centre.According to the Australian Federal Police, children as young as 12 are being radicalised by extremist groups online. And now terrified families say there's nowhere to turn. So, what does early intervention look like? Social worker and anti-radicalisation expert Peta Lowe explains where to find help.

What's next for our health star rating system? And, attractive people often benefit from special treatment. So, what's the impact of "pretty privilege"? Plus, how sex ed has changed in the 50 years since the book Where Did I Come From? hit our shelves. Also, why Australia's latest star-studded international tourism campaign may not work.

Who owns the copyright... to your face? And, a new book delves into the history of Aussie fatherhood. Also, a glimpse into the life of a spy... with the former head of Australia's top espionage agency. Plus, how much does it cost you to get to work each day?

How are you connected to your family history? And in Ask Aunty, is it possible to maintain a relationship with friends who have a very different finances to you?