Life Matters - Full program podcast

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?

Everything's moving online! Where does that leave the less-tech-savvy among us? Especially... our seniors? And, caring for someone at the end of their life can be all-consuming and overwhelming. Now there's a tool to help people organise the support they need. Plus, a few years ago, we couldn't get enough of streaming... but the dial may now be swinging back towards physical media you actually own. Also, do we owe each other honesty, all the time?

In hospital, gauging parents' instincts is about to be part of standard care. From the end of next month, all NSW hospitals will require staff to ask this question: "Are you worried they are getting worse?" Plus, who's a member of the We Do Not Care Club? And, a deep dive into Australia's home-grown conspiracy theories.

Australia has a proud history of taking to the streets to protest a cause... but it's getting harder. Plus, it's National Missing Persons Week and the way we talk about missing people can make it even harder for those left behind. Also, are group chats a poor substitute for hanging out in person? And, with our national dictionary poised to close ... who's going to keep track of 'Strine?

Should everyone have the right to easily delete their social media footprint when they turn 18? And, forget the pulpit - are influencers the new missionaries? Plus, if you've ever muttered, "They don't make things like they used to," the tide may finally be turning. Also, what have you got hanging on your walls at home?

We're in a state of change and evolution when it comes to expectations around masculinity in 2025. So, what does it mean to be a man in a contemporary world? Plus, what's the best way to address oat milk theft from an office fridge?

Westpac wants a million Aussies to leave city life behind... and move to the regions. And, if you could redesign your work to suit the demands of your life, what would you change? Also, the towns that realised if they wanted something, they were going to have to build it themselves. Plus, younger people's habits may be sounding the death knell for nightclubs.

We're a day away from the end of Dry July. Has it got you thinking about going teetotal for good? And, there is another case of alleged abuse inside a childcare centre. Now some parents are petitioning to use their childcare subsidy for nannies, au pairs or even grandparents. Plus, they cause pollution that leads to hundreds of premature deaths a year... but is that enough to get us to give up wood burning heaters?

Is it worth giving up some of our privacy to keep kids safer online? And could an extra long weekend be good for our collective mental health? Plus, the impact of famous faces in advertising. Also, the benefits of being a board game family.

The power of the word "cancer". And, why mainstream school isn't working for many families. Plus, how ABC finance guru Alan Kohler manages his money. Also, what one woman gained by taking a break from looking at her own reflection.

Parents today have a greater awareness of the importance of supporting kids' mental health and emotional needs. But in an era of information overload, how do you navigate the best way forward? And, what's appropriate behaviour at a funeral?

Why are homeless rates in Australia getting worse and what can we do about it? And, the controversy surrounding fashion label Princess Polly being given B Corp Certification. Plus, an AI influencer is making waves around the world. Should we be worried?

A new report found almost one quarter of HR professionals now classify workers aged 51 to 55 as "older". Plus, so-called "appointment television" is dwindling around the world... so who controls the remote in your home? And, what are the ethics of visiting a tragic tourism site?

Why many Australians are optimistic about the uses of psychedelic drugs. And, a new Netflix show has used AI to cut costs, leaving fears about job replacement. Plus, why do some people develop a god complex? Also, the fallout from the "Coldplay concert affair."

A new study reveals young workers still face obstacles in the workplace. Plus, is there a healthy way to deal with a relationship ending? And, journalist Monique Ross transformed her life by becoming a basket weaving instructor. Also, why superheroes and dinosaurs keep entertaining us in movies.

Some people decide to make fitness part of their lives as they get older. So, how do you embrace physical activity if you've never been "sporty"? And, what happens when you and your partner have different sleep routines?

Sneaky card surcharges can be frustrating for consumers. But will the RBA's ban mean savings? And, new research about older people and anxiety. Also, how Outback Mike deals with the financial jungle. Plus, dealing with awkward silences.

Some educators say the popularity of mid-term holidays is proving a challenge in classrooms. Plus, the role the YIMBY movement is playing in solving Australia's housing crisis. And, why walking is making a comeback.

How housing prices are locking people out of the market... and locking them into relationships too. And what's behind the viral #GirlDad movement? Plus, are new laws the answer to keeping pets happy? Also, when a brand or identity is called out for bad behaviour and needs to apologise, why don't we usually believe they're remorseful?

Medical patients may lose their regular GP if they don't have frequent appointments. Also, what's behind Australia's obsession with big tourist attractions? Plus, a new study shows footy umpires are dealing with frightening and violent behaviour. And, have you suffered decision paralysis when it comes to your career?