Life Matters - Full program podcast

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...

How to live a happier and healthier life and the power of a one-star review

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics paints a pretty dire snapshot of the nation's health and wellbeing. It shows that you and I are...

The mindset of saying yes and emotions run hot at a school sausage sizzle

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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! V...

Debating the future of gene-edited meat and supermodel Samantha Harris' meteoric rise

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The conversation about genetically edited meat is evolving.... and so are the rules. Genetically edited animals like fish, cows, and pigs, are being ...

The impact of a good book and will your house last the distance?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 sometime...

AI and cheating accusations complicating student life and how extreme weather is changing sport

15 Sep 2025

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...

The complex steps needed to protect koalas and why men with eating disorders face an added challenge

14 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 sta...

You've been diagnosed with ADHD, now what?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ADH...

Retail workers facing abuse and why phone scams are targetting Aussies

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dealing with angry and abusive customers has become part of the job for many retail workers in Australia. Some retailers have introduced measures lik...

Treaty promises to "reckon with the past" and what's it like to reunite with an old friend?

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Three decades after a federal treaty was first promised - but never materialised - Victoria has introduced the first ever treaty legislation into its...

The questions surrounding female perpetrators and what's the meaning behind work uniforms?

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mu...

Why new suburbs become fast food magnets and can your local club survive the volunteer drought?

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As our cities grow we're building new houses, new shops and new amenities from scratch. Melanie Davern, from Australian Urban Observatory and Jane Ma...

Taking action to change your personality and what to do when a young child is sharing her family's secrets?

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, actual...

The meaning behind the Australian flag and the minefield of an office romance

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the Australian flag a unifying emblem? A symbol of colonisation? Is it patriotic? Divisive? Exclusionary?Thousands of people attended the March fo...

Reimagining the Great Australian Dream and how much would you pay to call someone you loved?

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 Fr...

The struggle to share the mental load and coping when you're caring for a loved one

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Stopping a life of crime at the start and are universities dying?

31 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 declin...

Navigating difficult conversations and managing ex-in-laws

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 psyc...

Why are banks bailing on the regions and is gun control still under control?

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The mixed emotions of empty nesting and what is a sovereign citizen?

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, lik...

New frontier for gambling advertising and the cult of Swifties, Beliebers and Bey-hive

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The upsides to downsizing and Osher Günsberg on how to ask for help

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Recovering from perfectionism and handling an ex-best friend

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rates of perfectionism are skyrocketing, but one of the world's leading experts says you can shift the perfectionistic mindset. And, the aunties weig...

Navigating drug rehab wait lists, and why legal language is so confusing

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 eth...

Wild stories from a paramedic, and why one woman ran the City2Surf topless

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

The human heart of productivity, and pocket money pay gap

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 tac...

Charging EV users a road use charge, and the argument for pets on planes

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The argument for electric vehicle users paying a road use charge, the ethics behind disclosing adoptees' status, and what your nightmares reveal abou...

The moment you know a relationship is over, and surviving a getaway with the in-laws

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The evolving role of pharmacists, and have you been targetted by a "Gen Z stare"?

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Todd McKenney's journey to fatherhood, and what to do if you're filmed without consent

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

The pros and cons of our health star rating system, and what's the impact of "pretty privilege"?

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's next for our health star rating system? And, attractive people often benefit from special treatment. So, what's the impact of "pretty privileg...

Claiming the right to "own" your face, plus the real-life experiences of an Aussie spy

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Connecting to your family's past, and what happens when your friends have money... and you don't?

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 fina...

Being left behind as life moves online, and the app helping ease the load

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 thei...

Trusting parents' gut instincts, and who is in the We Do Not Care Club?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Peaceful protest is getting harder, and the heartbreak when a loved one goes missing

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...