Life Matters - Full program podcast
Episodes
Don Spencer and Alex Papps celebrate Play School's 60th birthday and public displays of affection
24 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Play School is celebrating a milestone birthday this year: it's Big Ted's diamond jubilee. For six decades, the show's beloved presenters have been s...
The decline of male teachers and how to protect your backyard chooks from bird flu
23 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
According to the latest statistics, men make up less than a third of Australian school teachers. In primary schools, the figures are even lower, and ...
The secret to a sustainable wardrobe and why shopping simulators exist
22 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The average wardrobe contains about 199 pieces of clothing, according to research published last year. Among them are usually a couple of items that ...
People-powered cities and finding yourself in the family history books
21 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Pushing for change takes a sustained effort — it requires people to keep showing up, keep organising, and keep working together. And building a mov...
What does spirituality look like without religion and is there a 'wrong' way to grieve?
18 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia is increasingly a nation of non believers — in the 50 years from to 2021, the number of people claiming "no religion" rose from about 7 p...
John Williamson takes back true blue and life after a shark attack
17 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
"It really bothers me when any kind of white supremacist people have tried to use my song, I've objected to that a few times now. True blue is just.....
Why it's still worth learning a new language and dads locked out of parental leave
16 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It used to feel like learning a few key phrases in the local language before you headed overseas would help you get around. But with the rise of tran...
What makes a "good" salary in 2026 and reviving the local bowls clubs
15 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Results from the last HILDA survey shows the income Australians need to feel satisfied is climbing higher and higher. So is this just a case of lifes...
Giving building materials a second life and does the body really keep the score?
14 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A pilot project in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales is trying to demonstrate the value that remains in building materials of houses earmarked f...
AI anxiety and fibbing about your religion for the greater good
11 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
According to a 2026 report from Stanford University, Australians are among the heaviest intentional users of AI in the world — and yet, many of us ...
Dealing with anxiety after a health scare and chasing happiness
10 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After hanging up the Olympic swimming goggles, growing and birthing five beautiful children, Libby Trickett was ready to make her 40s the decade of h...
Using maths to make the 'perfect' decision and why communities need trees and bookstores
09 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1970s, the late physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman came up with a mathematical formula to help his friend decide what to order at th...
Our plastic shame and how to deal with dyslexia at work
08 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia uses 1.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging every year — and the majority of that packaging ends up in landfill. Exemptions that allow s...
What Dr Billy Garvey wants you to know about raising boys and reflecting on Richard Scolyer's legacy
07 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Where looksmaxxing crosses the line and the guilt of pet regret
04 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In an era where we have access to the technology, surgery and drugs to modify every aspect of our appearance, how can we build a relationship with ou...
Can we reset the ragebait machine and how to get better rest
03 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ten years ago, Facebook updated its platform to introduce new ways to interact with posts you see in your feed. Alongside a range of smiley face emoj...
Intergenerational BFFs and online nostalgia communities
02 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us make friends with people around our own age, and we bond over the things we're all navigating at the same stage of life. But there's somet...
What losing his son taught this dad about fatherhood and recovering scam losses
01 Jun 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lawyer and educator Adair Donaldson is navigating a kind of grief that no parent should ever have to go through. Earlier this year, his son Oliver, t...
Fixing our social media feeds and planning a new city in space
31 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's social media ban has been in place for six months — with mixed reports on its success. For teens managing to bypass the ban, they're st...
How to talk about gambling and spotting a romance scam
28 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The odds are, gambling is part of your life or the life of someone you know. It's a national pastime woven into Australian culture, so talking about ...
How coral became big business and a new system for job seekers
27 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Each year up to 190 tonnes of coral is allowed to be harvested from the Great Barrier Reef, making Australia the second-largest exporter in the world...
The weirdest Australian festivals and the future of sustainable fashion
26 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From the dunny derby to the championship tuna toss, some of Australia's most iconic events sound almost completely made up. But these quirky festival...
Why you're feeling stuck and how discounts influence buyer behaviour
25 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most of the best things in life start as a risk — changing careers, moving cities, building a dream. But data suggests we're not taking these chanc...
The real winners of the Enhanced Games and what to do if you find a fossil
24 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of spectators at a purpose-built complex in Las Vegas are about to watch something that's never happened before. The Enhanced Games will se...
Overcoming social anxiety and untangling sleep envy
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recent research suggests social anxiety is on the rise. Beyond the usual feelings around making awkward small talk, many people are struggling to soc...
The value of NDIS social supports and is your car spying on you?
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Among the major changes slated for the NDIS, funding for "social and community participation" looks likely to be significantly reduced. These program...
The friendship wealth gap and the price of volunteering
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Not all friendships are for life, and there are plenty of reasons people drift apart. Sometimes distance makes it harder to catch up, or life just pu...
Life Matters
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Forgotten women of Australian history and our deep obsession with gambling
18 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Less than 4 per cent of the statues in Australia depict women from our history. It reveals a lot about who we remember, and how they're immortalised....
Local councils tackling homelessness and bringing life back to cemeteries
17 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Since, COVID, there's been a 39 per cent increase in the number of people sleeping rough. When housed residents see this in their local parks, they c...
Reframing shame around sexual hang-ups and splitting up the family photo albums
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you feel self-conscious about your body, or have trouble with performance anxiety, most of us experience sexual hang-ups at some point or ano...
Keeping up with specialist bills and why beauty therapy is more than skin deep
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A Grattan Institute report indicates that over one million Australians a year are delaying or skipping specialist health care because they can't affo...
Calls for intra-generational fairness in budget and rules of modern dating
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The government has laid out the federal budget for the next year, and there's a theme: intergenerational fairness. We know the scales are not tipped ...
Saving the school library and first aid for mental health
11 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The school library is where so many kids first develop a love of reading and learn the skills they need to understand the world. But the very existen...
Caring for the carers and the economics of homegrown produce
10 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are three million carers in Australia looking after a loved one who's unable to care for themselves anymore. But what happens when carers need ...
How parenting dynamics change in adulthood and the price of doggy destruction
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The parent-child relationship is a two-way street. It takes both sides to figure out how to relate to each other as adults -- and that can be especia...
Celebrating 100 years of David Attenborough and cancelling the Met Gala
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 years old. Over decades spent exploring and documenting the wonders of nature across the planet, he has shaped ...
The golden gap year and where to start tightening your budget
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After Chris Herrmann's wife died suddenly, he was left with the feeling that life is too short not to make the most of every moment. So he packed up ...
The reality of leaving an abusive relationship and are influencers making us sick?
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Australia, it's estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. While public awareness of this nat...
The great school debate and friction-maxxing
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Parents have never had more options to give their child the best start in life. But when it comes to choosing the "best" school to provide your child...
Dads discovering the father wound and the unspoken politics of the group chat
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to talk about the father wound. For many, these relationships can be complicated by absence, emotional distance and "dadmiration". Clinical...
The unpopular solution to our growing waste problem and what to do with old pianos
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia sends 26 million tonnes of rubbish to landfills each year, and we're running out of room. Sydney is on track to run out of space in the nex...
How misogi celebrates one big win and the science of cosiness
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Recently, the Japanese Shinto ritual of misogi has been gaining traction online. It's a simple concept where each year you set yourself one main chal...
The personal toll of advocacy and balancing out the mental load
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The grief of losing a loved one is different for everyone. For some it's private, while for others, it can become a force for action that drives them...
A win for renters' privacy and the local councils trying to save uninsurable towns
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's Privacy Commissioner has put the rent tech sector on notice, ruling that a platform had been unfairly collecting excessive amounts of per...
How to spot a real narcissist and the case of the missing family jewels
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A grandiose sense of self importance, an intense need for admiration, an inflated sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy — these are the hallma...
Why we need to talk about booze and what it really takes to make it in Australia
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most Australians enjoy an adult beverage now and then, but around 6.6 million of us are drinking at risky levels. Alcohol is one of leading risk fact...
The singles tax and psychosocial safety in the workplace
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you're living the single life, you're likely feeling the sting in your wallet. Analysis from financial comparison site Finder estimates the averag...
What's going on with adult ADHD diagnosis and is optimism dead?
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Adult diagnoses of ADHD have soared in recent years, but the system is still struggling to support everyone. A Four Corners investigation has reveale...
What it costs to feed Australia and why we don't listen to new music
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new report has estimated how much Australia spends providing food for public institutions and programs — hospitals, aged care centres, correction...
Making workplaces truly neuro-inclusive and the school fete dilemma
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, the number of Australians being diagnosed with ADHD and autism has risen. With up to 20 per cent of employees now identifying as neu...
The neighbourhoods driving the DIY energy transition and why picky eating is a modern problem
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At a time when Australians are grappling with the global fuel crisis, those who got in early on clean energy may be feeling a sense of relief. But it...
The science of the perfect day and dogs in public spaces
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New research from the University of Pennsylvania shows there are three key indicators of a better-than-average day. But there are also unavoidable ta...
Can kids claw back their digital privacy and fighting for the right to repair
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Children now have a digital footprint by the time they graduate day care, and it only explodes when they get to school. A new draft Children's Online...
The bees are dying again and the rise of 'slopaganda'
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In an attempt to save the bees, thousands of people set up colonies of the European honeybee in their backyard. But for many, an outbreak of the para...
Understanding ethical non-monogamy and a family split over Dad's ashes
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The idea of finding your one true love and settling down as a couple is baked deep into society. But attitudes are changing. On dating apps, in surve...
Rescuing the 'post-literate' generation and what ancient philosophers say about aliens
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The data shows we're reading less than ever. About one in three Australian school students isn't developing the reading skills they need, and the shi...
What kids of divorce really need and the future of space exploration
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking up is hard to do, especially when there are children involved. And for many parents working through a separation, it comes with guilt and fe...
How to tackle Australia's gambling problem and why You Can't Ask That is back
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The federal government has unveiled its plan for gambling reforms, announcing a ban on gambling ads in sports stadiums and players' uniforms, and hea...
Watching Married At First Sight with your teenager and rethinking financial education
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Would you watch Married At First Sight with your teenagers? It might sound like a strange parenting strategy — the show is messy, engineered for dr...
Parenting advice from Dr Billy Garvey and how to uninvite a friend's four-legged plus-one
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most parents understand there is a huge amount they can do to set up (or stuff up) their kids' mental and emotional needs. Developmental paediatricia...
How to solve food insecurity and why Australian men are 'marrying up'
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
An estimated 1 in 3 Australian households do not have secure access to food — they're either not getting enough, not getting the right kind, or sac...
Learning on the road and the woman who fought Ansett to fly
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that come October, card surcharges will be banned. But will it actually save you money any money?A signif...
Is social media addiction real and focus for dummies
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Last week a woman in the US successfully sued Meta and Google, arguing their platforms were addictive. She said she was spending up to 16 hours a day...
Putting the car-free experiment to the test and the ethics of panic buying
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As petrol prices continue to soar, the only way to reduce your bowser bill is to go electric or get rid of your car altogether. But could you realist...
How to stay friends when you hate their politics and advice about a toxic ex
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's an longstanding rule that it's not polite to talk about politics at the dinner table. But in times of global turmoil, where freedom of expres...
Reimagining boyhood and launching childhood dreams with astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Petrol prices throwing travel plans out the window and AI agents doing your admin
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The looming fuel crisis is starting to bite, with service stations running out of petrol and prices soaring past $2.50 per litre. If you're in the mi...
Giving up your capital gains tax discount and the hot flush gold rush
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A recent Senate inquiry report has found capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing have historically benefited investors over owner-occupiers ...
Making apartments more family-friendly and is 'leisure sickness' a real thing?
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As our cities grow, there's a push to build up, not out — including in our suburbs. For more families, that means home will be an apartment rather ...
Understanding 'the mother wound' and drawing the line on workplace gossip
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mother-daughter bonds are strong, but many come with heavy cultural baggage: expectation, guilt, and comparison. Psychotherapist Zoe Krupka unpacks w...
How to protect your f*** off fund and travelling with dementia
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new report has found Aussie couples are moving away from pooling their money, and are choosing to be more financially independent in their relation...
The big benefits of small talk and leaving the 'manosphere'
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Small talk might feel trivial, but professor in the psychology of kindness Gillian Sandstrom says these tiny exchanges can help us live a kinder, mor...
A national hotline for witnesses to war and talking teens through spirituality
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Teaching e-scooter safety and why optimism is good for your health
15 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new program has launched in Queensland to teach teenagers how to safely ride e-bikes and e-scooters on the roads. It comes as trauma experts warn t...
Co-parenting after separation and clearing an innocent cat's name
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking up can be brutal, especially if you have children together. Navigating feelings of anger, sadness, betrayal and shock without bringing the k...
Why teens are trying therapy via Fortnite and should you get a sleep divorce?
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Denise Scott on making comedy through cancer and workplace conflict tips from Esther Perel
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
At a pivotal moment in her career, one moment changed everything for comedian Denise Scott. She knew it was bad immediately, and a few appointments l...
Giving parents more choice in child care and saying goodbye at a living funeral
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are growing calls for the childcare subsidy to apply to a broader number of care options. Whether it's grandparents, nannies, au pairs, or what...
The future of Meals on Wheels and teaching teens to drive
08 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Meals on Wheels has been around for more than 70 years, but in a growing number of communities the service is facing challenges. Meals on Wheels chai...
Getting what you want in the bedroom and discovering infidelity after death
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you had to rank your sex life between 1 to 10, where would you land? According to a recent survey, nearly half of Australians are unhappy with the...
Is dynamic pricing coming to Australian supermarkets and the end of letters
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Electronic shelf labels — those little digital screens replacing paper tags — are becoming more widespread across supermarkets in Australia, wher...
What happened to O Week and could art save your life?
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Crowded lecture theatres and late nights at the uni bar were once staples of university life. But with so much learning now delivered online, campuse...
What's the harm in zero-alcohol drinks and should you try a no-buy year?
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It wasn't long ago that zero-alcohol drinks were a niche product. Now they're everywhere, including on supermarket shelves, looking almost identical ...
The obsession with longevity and how not-for-profit venues could revive live music
01 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It has never been harder to be a small live music venue in Australia, but what if there was another way? Churchill Fellow Sam Whiting, the Australian...
Dropping the shame around debt and phasing out a stale friendship
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Debt can bring up a lot of emotions — stress, shame, embarrassment — but it's a reality for most of us. Almost half of Australians with debt stru...
Talking about Tourette's and what universal child care could look like
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of the BAFTA awards, one moment has eclipsed the stories behind any of the films that were recognised. A Tourette Syndrome advocate ...
The Tricketts on taking sport beyond the scoreboard and reviving native languages
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's love of sport runs deep. We idolise the scoreboard, pack out stadiums, and beam with pride when our athletes bring home gold. But for som...
Rebuilding trust in the medical system and the key to feeling like you belong
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Endometriosis affects around one in seven girls and women in Australia, and getting a diagnosis can take, on average, six to eight years. QENDO chief...
Breathing new life into the main drag and the website that lets you rate your neighbours
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The main street is the heart of a country town, and it can often give you a quick picture of how the place is faring. With new data showing more than...
Hitting the reset button on everyday overwhelm and navigating neighbourly disputes
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life — hustling to make ends meet, managing never-ending life admin, staying fit and healthy...
Saving your local pool and how to embrace friction in your life
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, Australia built thousands of public pools, which are now reaching the end of their lives. Royal Surf Life Sav...
The libraries that shaped us and withering takes on Wuthering Heights
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One of the oldest libraries in Australia, the State Library of New South Wales, is marking its 200th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebr...
Escaping the supermarket duopoly and turning your hobby into a serious leisure pursuit
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Coles is in federal court this week, accused by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of misleading shoppers with fake discounts ...
Beyond the health star rating and Ben Crowe's nine lessons to live by
15 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Food ministers from across Australia and New Zealand have green-lit the process to make the health stars you see in the supermarket mandatory for all...
What it's like coming out in 2026 and advice for a struggling grandparent
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Nearly 50 years after the first Mardi Gras march lit up the streets of Sydney, demanding an end to discrimination, so much has changed. But for many ...
Why hair is such a big deal and advice from an Olympian on sharing your wins
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about good hair days — and bad ones — as if they're small things. But for people who are losing their hair, it can feel like losing a par...
Our love-hate relationship with running and the reality of tiny home living
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Running rarely feels easy, even for people who love it. Your legs ache, lungs burn, and then there's the nagging voice in your head telling you to wa...
Why the Mardi Gras party matters and the art of saying no
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From its beginnings as a protest march in Sydney's inner city, Mardi Gras has become an internationally renowned celebration of LGBTQIA+ life. But th...
Turning a trade into a long-term career and optimising your work playlist
08 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As the national skills shortage bites, the trades are attracting more people looking for a new career. Australia's jobs and skills commissioner Barne...