Life Matters - Full program podcast
Episodes
Finding a place to feel at home and bringing a pet as a plus-one
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of your home, what springs to mind? For some, home is their happy place, a sanctuary of comfort and calm. But for others, it's complic...
Scott Pape's vision for kids' cash and reimagining the verge garden
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
School is back and across the ditch there's a new subject in the New Zealand curriculum: financial education will be taught in classrooms from year 1...
Rethinking cancer survival and dressing for expression in your third age
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia is a world leader in cancer survival, with more than 1.6 million people now living with and beyond cancer. But survival alone doesn't tell ...
A reality check on women's sport and convincing your boss to let you work from home
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
While women's sport is booming in Australia, beneath the surface there are signs of a culture that's lagging behind. Accusations of disrespect, mistr...
Falling in love at the dog park and healing through companionship
01 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The dog park is a magical place for our four-legged friends. But it's also a unique space for humans to connect with each other, form friendships, bu...
Life Matters
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Simone Stolzoff on how to nurture your non-work self
29 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've always defined who you are by what you do, you may have found it difficult to nurture other parts of your identity. But journalist and aut...
The magic of family stories and why you're drawn to doomscrolling
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If your kids asked you what metadata is, or how an algorithm works, or why they still have to write an essay even though ChatGPT can do it for them, ...
What it takes to become an astronaut and how to build heat-proof housing
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When she was five, Katherine Bennell-Pegg looked up at the stars and never looked back. While most childhood dreams drift back to Earth, hers didn't....
Reimagining boyhood and sending teenagers to work in aged care homes
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Conversations about masculinity are often heavy. It can sometimes feel like the message boys hear is not just that there is a problem, but that they ...
Grand designs and why we breakup in January
25 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From the desks we work at to the places we retreat to at the end of the day, the spaces around us quietly shape how we feel, how we live, and how we ...
How does nostalgia for our past help us in our present?
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's a viral nostalgia trend at the moment with millions of people posting photos of themselves from a decade ago. So, what is it about today tha...
We're retiring later, but a fresh exercise routine could help us live longer
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Up to one in five Australians are postponing retirement or re-entering the work force later in life. For many, there's just not enough in the nest eg...
What it takes to build community and why we're burnt out on volunteering
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You've heard the saying "it takes a village". But when so much of our modern lives are geared towards convenience and individualism, where do we find...
Is Doctor Google dead and is comedy an art form?
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We've all Googled our symptoms, but would you ask AI for medical advice? David Hansen from CSIRO's e-Health Research Centre, Dr Michael Bonning and c...
How do we create space for grief after Bondi and are buttons making a comeback?
18 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Bondi terrorist attack has left the Jewish community and the nation at large reeling. Journalist Nadine Cohen, artist Joel Adler and grief sociol...
Debriefing your holiday break and getting ghosted by your hook-up
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you spent the holidays with your immediate or extended family, it may have been joyful. But is may also have been stressful and draining. Psychol...
Data privacy and daycare apps, plus will aged care changes result in a system we can trust?
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The rise of apps linked to childcare centres gives crucial reassurance to worried parents that children are safe and happy at daycare. Throughout the...
The crisis in foster care, and why weather obsession takes hold
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Victoria, some foster carers are reporting sudden reductions in their allowances for looking after children with high-level needs. It highlights t...
AI and cheating accusations, and what if your workday is actually a work night?
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
ChatGPT... Grammarly... Google Gemini... AI tools have changed student life in the space of just a couple of years. Cheating seems easier than ever...
Relationship endings and new beginnings, and treating chatbots as friends
11 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a shock. As did stories that Keith has reportedly moved o...
Dr Billy Garvey, host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast, on kid's mental health
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Unlike previous generations, most parents today know there is a huge amount they can do to set up (or stuff up) their kids' mental and emotional need...
What's behind the rise in silver separation and women going it alone
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our best stories of 2025 helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let's talk! With trusted...
How to stop children committing crimes, and talking to your kids about their own safety
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Over Summer, we've been revisiting some of your favourite stories from 2025.Today, we'll be discussing how to help our kids - or grandkids - navigate...
What book changed your mind and could you fall in love with a character?
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our best stories of 2025 helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let's talk! With trusted...
Why young workers are still being exploited, and tackling the class ceiling
04 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we're taking a look back at some of your favourite stories from 2025 and revisiting those all-important "firsts" at work.A study shows more th...
What message do your clothes send to the world?
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When you get dressed in the morning, what role does your identity play in the clothes you choose to wear? And how do your feelings that day influence...
Coming off antidepressants and getting an ADHD diagnosis
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're bringing you some of our favourite stories from Life Matters in 2025 over summer, to help you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationshi...
Is camping about to get pricier and our obsession with big things
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're bringing you the best stories from Life Matters in 2025 that helps you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work...
Science says we peak at 60, plus why so many women are joining the "we do not care" club
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over Summer, we've been revisiting some of your favourite stories from 2025.Science says we reach our mental peak at 60. So, why are we always being ...
The race to find the elixir of youth, and what's considered "old" in the workforce?
28 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over Summer, we've been revisiting some of your favourite stories from 2025.Today, we'll be discussing the hint to find the elixir of youth - and the...
What it looks like to follow Mel Robbins and 'just let them'
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you heard of the "Let Them theory", the viral self-help trend popularised by American motivational speaker Mel Robbins?The mantra, according to ...
Life Matters: Live Show from the World Science Festival
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are there actually physical symptoms when you get your heart broken? Why do heart emojis look nothing like the thing beating in our chests? What can ...
The rise in women using steroids and how blind marathoners learn to race
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Conspiracy theories, extremism, and the tradwife subculture
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's summer on ABC Radio National so we're bringing you some of your favourite stories from the year gone by.Today, we're giving you a peek behind th...
Family secrets and surviving your partner's addiction
21 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's summer on ABC Radio National so we're bringing you some of your favourite stories from the year gone by.Today, we're diving into family relation...
Exploring what home means to you and handling your friend's annoying kids
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Home can be a refuge where you curl up, feel safe and read a good book. But your sense of 'home' doesn't have to be a physical place. Psychologist ...
When you regret sharing your kids online and homebirths on the rise
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the Life Matters archives, it's all about parents today.You'll hear about how the way we're sharing our kids identity online is shifting. We als...
Moving to regional Australia for better balance and the importance of hobbies
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's summer! Which means you're hearing the best of the best from Life Matters this year.Today we're giving you the wrap up on all things work life b...
From dupes to dark tourism - navigating ethical gift giving at Christmas
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're replaying some of your favourite stories from Life Matters this year for our summer specials.Today you'll hear our top stories to navigate the ...
Can your relationship survive a home reno and modular housing's role in boosting supply
14 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's summer on Life Matters so we're bringing you some of your favourite stories from the year gone by.Today we're talking housing, diving into how d...
The moment you feel like an adult, and how to stay calm amid house guest drama
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As kids, we imagine we'll hit a point when our 'adulting' instincts magically kick in, but many of us never quite feel as adult as we think we should...
How to navigate personal body change, and what's the secret to reaching 100?
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As cosmetic procedures and weight loss treatments become more widely accessible, body changes can be rapid. So when the body you've known for years c...
When to stop being a bystander, and can AI make you laugh?
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Being an active bystander - that is, speaking up or intervening in the face of injustice - feels like the right thing to do when you see something yo...
Life under Australia's social media ban, and how to enjoy smooth holiday travel
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In under 24 hours, the internet will look very different. Nationwide, anyone under 16 will be locked out of social media. Facebook, Snapchat, TikTo...
The future of Aussie libraries, and using AI to get closer to God
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether it's the big flashy state library in your capital city, or the humble one in your suburb, the role of a library is stretching to meet demand ...
Parenting with Dr Billy Garvey, and dealing with an in-law culture clash
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey says behavioural and emotional difficulties are the number one reason parents come to see him. But, Dr Bi...
The mystery behind our country's empty houses, and could price tag changes get us to eat more veggies?
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New research claims that the number of empty dwellings across Melbourne has risen dramatically... from more than 27,000 in 2023 to nearly 32,000 in 2...
Big Design Adventures with Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the desks we work at to the places we retreat to at the end of the day, the spaces around us quietly shape how we feel, how we live, and how we ...
Search and rescue in the wild, and the meaning behind what we wear
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you're heading on an overnight hike or about to tackle a challenging climb on your summer break, how much thought have you given to the worst-case...
How to prevent deadly shark attacks, and do you care if music is AI-generated?
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last Thursday morning, a woman died and her boyfriend was seriously injured in a shark attack at a remote NSW beach. The attack happened as the coupl...
Making a second marriage work, and how to deal with best friend drama
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Although we’d all love to imagine you can have a second chance at love, the divorce rate for second marriages is double that of first. Psychotherap...
Why backyards have a vital role, and saving our kids' social media history
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A big backyard used to be part of the Australian dream. But a shift has happened over time. Block sizes for new houses across our cities have shrunk ...
Defining the 2020s, and anonymous fashionista Fashion Critical shares her style insights
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of the 1960s, what comes to mind? Hippies, Vietnam War protests, the music? What about the 1990s? VCRs, grunge music, minimalist fashi...
Debate over changes to the auction system, and what happens when your ex moves on?
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New plans in Victoria and New South Wales seek to address the issue of underquoting houses set for auction. So, will these reforms create a fairer ...
Why so many people are working multiple jobs, and how do we close the gender play gap?
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the third year in a row, ABS figures show an increasing number of Australians are taking on two or more jobs as the cost of living rises. Lesslee...
Celebrating a childfree life, and should you make amends if you were a bully as a kid?
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to the last census, there were 2.6 million Aussie couples without children... and projections that couple-only families are set to increa...
Keeping young people safe at Schoolies, and facing ageism in the healthcare system
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pill testing was available at Schoolies on the Gold Coast in 2024, but this year the Queensland government has taken a firm stance against the practi...
How Schoolies celebrations have changed, and the power of a mentor
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Schoolies travel has been a rite of passage for Aussie teenagers since the 1970s, but the event that was synonymous with getting sauced on the sandy ...
What a longer mortgage would cost you, and Australia's millionth refugee
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the United States, there's a new proposal to address their nation's housing crisis. The Trump Administration is working to introduce 50-year mortg...
The impact of Black Friday, and how parents supporting their adult children became the norm
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's sales season and Black Friday takes place on the last Friday of every November. But it's no longer just a day. It's more like a month-long retai...
Reigniting the spark for work, and what happens when your best friends are mates with your ex?
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the time of year when you can't wait for time away from your job. But, as you reset for 2026, workplace researcher Dr Michelle McQuaid says ...
Begging in public places, and how to support the next wave of artists and performers
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Across Australia, the laws around begging vary from state to state. In Victoria - where begging is illegal - its become an issue of public debate, fo...
How to consume ethically, and will our coastline look very different in a decade's time?
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Would you give up Christmas presents? Or are you like many of us and associate what you spend, with how much you care? There's been a backlash agains...
Illicit tobacco's impact on smoking, and who wants to be a trillionaire?
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week police and health inspectors shut down two illicit tobacco stores in Sydney... the first to be closed under new state laws targeting illega...
Bringing down the house, and avoiding subscription traps
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What would it take for home owners to let go of the idea of their house as a financial asset, and to re-think what owning a home means? One Australia...
Talking about consent, and what happens when a family heirloom is offered to someone else?
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often think about consent as something related to sex, but consent plays a role in many everyday encounters. Talking to your kids about consent ca...
What to do when landfill runs out, and do organ recipients owe a debt of gratitude?
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Around the country, it's getting more expensive to get rid of rubbish... and there are fewer places to dump it. It is a warning the waste industry ha...
A plan to give households access to free electricity, and the truth behind toxic toys
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you don't own your home or if you live in an apartment and can't put panels on the roof, you've largely been locked out of the benefits of rooftop...
Are e-bikes safe for your kids and re-thinking gluten's dietary villain status
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty of benefits to power-assisted pedal bikes, or "e-bikes", they're great for commuting or touring a new town. But not all e-bikes are ...
Data privacy and daycare apps, plus will aged care changes result in a system we can trust?
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The rise of apps linked to childcare centres gives crucial reassurance to worried parents that children are safe and happy at daycare. Throughout the...
Russ Harris on how to stop worrying, and drama over screen time at grandpa's house
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author of the international bestseller The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living, Dr Russ Harris says ruminating, over-thinking and worrying ...
Why weather obsession takes hold, and are death bots ethical?
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Bureau of Meteorology has revamped its website and to say that people have strong opinions is an understatement. Whether you like or loathe it, t...
Courtney Act's first children's book, and do you use tech to monitor your sleep?
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 2003, Courtney Act made a splash as a contestant on the first season of Australian Idol. And since then Australia's most famous drag queen has a s...
The best way to assess your family's childcare, and Wikipedia co-founder on public trust
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jimmy Wales might not have the name recognition of Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk, but his invention has been just as influential to the history of the...
The crisis in foster care, and who's looking after feral cats?
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In Victoria, some foster carers are reporting sudden reductions in their allowances for looking after children with high-level needs. It highlights t...
The power of mattering, and should you "borrow" your neighbour's bin?
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you feel like you are heard, appreciated and cared for? The concept of "Mattering" is increasingly seen as playing a key role in how positive you ...
The debate over speed limits, and treating chatbots as lovers and friends
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new study from RMIT has found bringing residential speed limits down from 50 to 30 kilometres an hour would protect cyclists. Other studies show a ...
Switching off the online world, and will we soon see the end of cash?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many people have mixed feelings about their smartphone. It's a convenience that is hard to put down. But it can make it challenging to be fully prese...
Rethinking suspension in schools, and why do people queue for hours to buy something?
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers and schools are constantly trying to figure out the best way to handle challenging behaviour. One of the go-to tools? Suspension. One in fiv...
Peaking at 60, and does telehealth come at a cost?
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to a new study, our overall mental functioning is at its highest between 55 and 60. Good news if the number of candles on your birthday cak...
How to do relationship maintenance, and what happens when the group chat gets mean?
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does "relationship maintenance" look like for you and your partner? Do you consider a relationship to be a living thing that requires care? Or h...
The debate over universal basic income, and what are the ethics around speaking up?
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Coming-of-age travel is evolving, and what's it like to broker a hostage release?
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s young travellers are chasing something very different when they head overseas. Sunrise yoga, ‘run club’ tours, and meaningful cultural ...
Under 16s are already using workarounds to stay on social media, and is your workday a night?
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Rethinking our dependence on supplements, and why agrihoods are taking off in Australia
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nowadays it seems like there's a dietary supplement for everything. To ward off potential illnesses. To support mental wellness. To help with weight ...
Taking the first step to end family estrangement, and drama over splitting the bill
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 2...
Global push to eat less meat, and Turia Pitt on why being selfish can be a life-changer
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Commiss...
Relationship endings and new beginnings, and concerns about unchecked private tutoring
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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....
How to stop the decline in young readers, and will AI "actresses" take over the screen?
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 h...
Bob Brown on standing up for the planet, and a creative way to attract a rural GP
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bob Brown is a former politician, doctor, and environmentalist who was the leader of the Australian Greens. In his new book, Defiance: Stories from N...
Embracing joy in life, and how to support a friend who has bad luck with relationships
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 strugg...
How new airline rules will impact passengers, and the appeal of a quiz show
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
The key to surviving burnout and Melissa Leong's unexpected career in food
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The campaign for sports finals without gambling ads, and do our universities have a trust problem?
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
The debate over entry fees for Australia's iconic landmarks and letting driverless technology take the wheel
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 park...
Embracing the ups and downs of a friendship group, and how do you share family responsibilities?
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Breaking free of prejudice and who deserves a bronze statue?
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For decades the thinking has been that bringing together people from different cultural or religious groups would be enough to effectively reduce pre...
Fact-checking President Trump's autism claims and how volunteering can "fill your cup"
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The US President Donald Trump has linked autism to vaccines ... even pointing the finger at paracetamol. His claims have been widely criticised by me...
The positive power of petitions and the struggle of living with long COVID
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...