Life Matters - Full program podcast

Are there environments where you consciously or unconsciously hide parts of your identity in order to fit in? And what happens when the dynamics in a blended family of adult step-siblings get spicy?

What is explicit instruction and why are so many Australian schools embracing this? Plus, is it ethical to support a friend in any circumstance? And, should books come with age content guidance?

Many families adopt their own made-up words or odd phrases - it's known as a familect. Plus, there's less stigma around sex nowadays. So why are many young people opting for celibacy? And, if you've been dismissed when you're reaching out for help...all because of the size of your body, you already know the impact of weight stigma.

Is it OK for the teens in your family to crack open a zero-alcohol beer at your Sunday BBQ? Plus, why it's getting so hard to buy a ticket online for your favourite act. And, how does it feel to live somewhere blighted by profound sadness? Also, what happens if you never outgrow sibling rivalry?

You've seen the horrific stories about a man charged with child sexual offences at a daycare in Melbourne over the last week. For parents it's been a heart-wrenching time to drop your child off, and for male educators, it's been a week of tension and mistrust as victim-survivor groups call for a blanket ban on men in childcare. Today, we talk to those at the forefront of this complex and heated issue to help you understand it all.Plus why it's so hard to grieve a best friend, how to get strangers to cooperate on a jury and the science of being cool.

How did your high school years shape you... and what would you say to your teen self? And in Ask Aunty, should children be seen and not heard?

Why Aussies are paying thousands of dollars for whole body scans. Plus, how young people are learning to save and spend. Also, ABC meteorologist Nate Byrne's relationship with money. And are fitness trackers a win for wellbeing?

As the demands on parents have changed over the years, so have the expectations on grandma and grandpa. And, is it acceptable to use AI for personal messages? Plus, how people turn the worst day of their life into something that helps others..

Australia is running out of burial space. So what's the solution? Plus, a woman who tried 17 hobbies over the course of a year and what she learned along the way. Also, can you trust a corporation, or a brand, the same way you trust a person? And is it OK for students to call teachers by their first names?

Why are a generation of children on track to die before their parents? Plus, how to avoid being that annoying tourist and should we step up to help elite athletes living below the poverty line?

Parasocial relationships are a one-sided, emotional attachment with a celebrity or public figure. So, why do we feel a bond with people we've never met? And, Ask Aunty has a booty call quandary.

Are older Aussies being misrepresented in advertising? Plus, the AFL has just launched a tool for blind and low-vision fans that's transforming how they experience the game. Also, finance guru Alan Kohler shares his personal finance insights. And, who gets to decide what history says and what gets left out?

Almost half of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime. So why are we still so lost for words when it happens? Plus, modern medicine means birth typically happens in hospitals. So why are home births on the up? And, how are gardeners adapting to our changing climate?

The surprising emotions that come with a lottery windfall. Also, could playground design protect children from bullying? Plus, new research shows that if you use AI assistants like ChatGPT.... there is a cognitive cost. And, Gen Z is drinking less and spending more on fitness and wellbeing than any other generation. But does this health kick make them lonelier?

Global tension can impact us emotionally, mentally, even physically. So, how can we deal with this anxiety? Plus, how did you navigate the transition to school for your kids? Also, Australia's first lab-grown meat will be in restaurants within weeks. And when and where do you wear your earbuds?

When you think about home... where do you go? It it where you live or where you feel most like yourself? Plus in Ask Aunty, does loving your friends mean you also have to love their pets?

Creative Australia has released a new report that looks at how we find and engage with local music. Plus, dealing with the difficulties of family life when you work Fly In Fly Out. And, have human attention spans shrunk down to goldfish levels? Also, if you're struggling to buy a house....why don't you just ask your parents for money?

Aussie matchmakers share how they help singles find love. And after years of effort convincing the public of the urgency of climate change, are politicians now testing whether people still care? Plus, how early do you start Christmas shopping?

One couple's story of pandemic drinking and pulling their marriage back from breaking point. Plus, a major new study about Irritable bowel syndrome. And, how Dolly Parton and the city of Tamworth are turning little minds into big-time readers.

Councils around the country are calling for better regulation of e-scooters. Plus, how meal delivery apps have changed Australia. And, how is support for women's leagues in Australia holding up? Also, do public protests still have the same impact as in years past?

Was there a moment that made you realise you had to evolve your relationship style? And in Ask Aunty, how to navigate a family that isn't good at talking, listening, and validating.

Changes to alcohol delivery laws aim to prevent family violence. Meanwhile, the Buy Now Pay Later industry has undergone an overhaul, with new regulations coming into force this week. Plus, the Australian Government has updated its COVID vaccination guidelines website. And, should you parent someone else's child?

Have you ever pretended you're someone you're not, in order to impress a new love interest? And, shock after another embryo error at one of Australia's biggest fertility companies. Plus, does travel open our eyes or put fragile places at risk?

When it comes to reading, Aussie boys aren't keeping up with girls and the gap is getting wider. Why do families keep secrets... and what makes people finally reveal the truth? Plus, new research suggests that taking photos can be surprisingly powerful. And what happens when a business partnership fails?

Australia's medical regulator last week introduced new safeguards aimed at protecting young people from potentially dangerous side-effects of non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Plus, the University of Queensland's body donor program has stopped accepting bodies. Turns out, so many people want to donate ... they've run out of space. And, have mobile phones taken over our lives like parasites?

There is no manual or perfect guide to tell you how to raise a child, everyone just kind of figures it out as they go. So, how has being a parent changed you? And in Ask Aunty, if another child is being mean to your little one... should you get involved?

Should Australia offer more support to the gaming industry? Why is later-in-life divorce becoming more common? Plus, musician Sarah McLeod offers her thoughts about money. And, is a university degree worth it?

How have the Right to Disconnect laws impacted your work life? And, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 85% of Australians have at least three types of forever chemicals in their blood. Plus, what's the best way to protect vulnerable people from cyber scams?

A call to emergency services can save lives, but what should you do when you see someone in mental health crisis? What are the long-term effects on your finances when you dip into your super early? Also, Gen Zs have identified "recession indicators", but what's the reality? And, why do some people love the thrill of extreme sports?

Is an ADHD diagnosis set to become easier and more accessible? How can you lead a comfortable and fulfilled retirement without spending a fortune? Also, new family law changes aim to make splits fairer ... even for the family dog.

Our clothing is one of the most individual forms of self-expression. So, what do your clothes say about you? And in Ask Aunty, what should you do if you get a warning about a new romantic partner?

An Australian mother is trying to raise the funds to cryogenically preserve the body of her teenage son, who died tragically last week. So, what are the ethical implications of cryogenics? Meanwhile, WhatsApp parent chat groups have some people pulling their hair out. But should they be banned? And can you offset doing something morally wrong?

The internet has opened up the world and changed the way we live our lives. But are we better for it? Plus, from fashion to tech, dupe culture is more popular than ever. So why are shoppers embracing copies of big brand items? Also, could modular homes be the answer to Australia's need for more housing?

Michael is a rugby league educator who’s spent the past forty years helping at risk youth stay out of trouble by getting them involved in sport. He says the benefits go far beyond the footy field. Michael’s on the ground experience echoes recent a Swedish research showing that participation in team sports can significantly reduce the risk of mental illness and addiction later in life.Plus, soft plastics recycling returns, will it work this time? And a psychologist takes on AI therapy bots.

There’s a common belief that after experiencing a disaster once, people are better placed the second time, you get better at sandbagging, know what to secure, and what to leave behind.But what toll does this actually take, enduring disaster after disaster? New research shows the cumulative toll on mental wellbeing goes far beyond the physical damage.Plus, how to navigate retirement when your health takes a turn and how neuromyths are holding us back.

If your emotional 'hangups' about money are holding you back, is there a way to let them go? And, if you're being pressured to reconnect with a family member and you simply don't want to, what's the best way to respond?

According to the Australian Federal Police, children as young as 12 are being radicalised by extremist groups online, and petrified families say there's nowhere to turn. So, what does early intervention look? Plus, how to get your groceries down to $10 a week and which generation is bearing the brunt of cossie lives.

Nearly one in five young adults think it’s normal for a partner to track their location. For many, it feels harmless, families use it for peace of mind, parents to check kids got home safe. Plus, sober curiosity and the small changes that can have a big impact on your relationship with alcohol. And does the Coalition split signal a bigger divide between city and country?

Camping in NSW national parks could soon cost more under a major proposal to standardise fees across the state. Supporters say it will improve facilities and reduce no-shows, but others fear it will make nature less accessible.Plus, the race against aging and why your best ideas happen in the shower.

Stacey Knight is a self-described tradwife who blogs about her family life. The movement has made headlines overseas for its links to far-right politics, but Stacey says her lifestyle is about simplicity—not ideology. So why are more young women embracing traditional roles?Plus, why is protein in everything now—and is a robot coming for your job?

These days, there are a lot of conflicting opinions when it comes to whether there's a "right" way to be a man. What qualities of masculinity have you embraced in 2025? Also, in most neighbourhoods, there's an unspoken rubbish bin etiquette that is adhered to. What happens when one neighbour starts breaking the rules?

Jane was blocked from using her frozen eggs in Western Australia. She describes this as forcing her to become a 'reproductive refugee,' travelling across the country to access the medical care she needed to become a mother.Plus, can literary fiction counter the manosphere? And our resident ethicist weighs in on how AI is being used in courts to hear cases from the afterlife.

Andrew’s side hustle has helped fund his wedding and several overseas holidays. But it’s not just about the money; his side job keeps him fulfilled. We also opened the lines for you to share your thoughts on your own side hustle. Plus, we heard from an expert on side hustle culture and how it has evolved in recent years.Plus, new screening for endometriosis that could prevent invasive surgery, as well as why Australians love to love—and love to hate—Eurovision.

Kate first started taking antidepressants when she was 12 years old. Thirty years later, she's still on them. She's one of the three and a half million Australians taking antidepressants. One researcher says they're one of the most commonly overprescribed drugs and it's not getting to the root cause of Australia's mental health crisis.Plus, is the high school literature curriculum too white and too male? And how a new solar battery rebate could benefit you.