Life Matters - Full program podcast

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...

Debating a teenager's right to delete, and are influencers the new church missionaries?

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Should everyone have the right to easily delete their social media footprint when they turn 18? And, forget the pulpit - are influencers the new miss...

The evolution of masculinity, and what happens when stolen milk drama spills into the workplace?

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 contemporar...

The push to move Aussies to the regions, and should parents redesign the workplace?

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 you...

Living booze-free in Australia, and should parents get more choice in how to spend their childcare subsidy?

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Digital age verification online, and is the solution to burnout more public holidays?

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 baggage that comes with the word "cancer" and why more families are homeschooling

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Helping kids through mental health challenges, and how to deal with a rude funeral guest

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Parents today have a greater awareness of the importance of supporting kids' mental health and emotional needs. But in an era of information overload...

A plan to tackle homelessness in Australia, and does Princess Polly deserve the sustainability tick of approval?

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are homeless rates in Australia getting worse and what can we do about it? And, the controversy surrounding fashion label Princess Polly being gi...

The age considered "older" in the workplace, and is your toddler in charge of your remote?

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Pioneering work with psychedelic drugs, and AI threatening some workplace roles

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 re...

Why young workers are still being exploited, and do you have a breakup ritual to help you move on?

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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, journa...

Finding a physical activity that fills you with joy, and juggling different sleep schedules

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Call to ban card surcharges, and older Aussies dealing with anxiety

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

The debate over letting kids skip school for a holiday, and the rise of the YIMBY movement

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Housing affordability is now impacting divorce, and are you a #GirlDad?

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How housing prices are locking people out of the market... and locking them into relationships too. And what's behind the viral #GirlDad movement? Pl...

The risk of losing your doctor, and what's your favourite big Aussie tourist attraction?

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Medical patients may lose their regular GP if they don't have frequent appointments. Also, what's behind Australia's obsession with big tourist attra...

How we mask aspects of ourselves, and dealing with a difficult step-sister

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

A new teaching method that's old-school, and what are the limits to supporting a friend?

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Families who develop their own lingo, and why Gen Z is saying no to sex

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Zero-alcohol beverages are having a moment, and why is buying tickets online so stressful?

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Fixing a broken childcare system and grieving your best friend

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Give a pep talk to your high school self, and how should children behave in public?

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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?

The pros and cons of whole body MRIs, and why are young people tight-lipped about money?

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The special role of grandparents, and should AI write our heartfelt messages?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Creative burial ideas, and why you should ask strangers "what do you do for a hobby?"

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

Children living shorter lives than their parents and how to not be 'that' annoying tourist

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Connections with people you've never met, and what to do if you're 'ghosted'

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Challenging tired stereotypes in advertising, and the tech that's changing who gets to watch sport

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

What to say after someone you love says "I have cancer", and what's it like to give birth at home?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 b...

Winning a million-dollar lottery, and playgrounds that prevent bullying

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The surprising emotions that come with a lottery windfall. Also, could playground design protect children from bullying? Plus, new research shows tha...

Finding calm in times of global crisis, and helping kids transition to school

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Global tension can impact us emotionally, mentally, even physically. So, how can we deal with this anxiety? Plus, how did you navigate the transition...

Exploring your sense of home, and is a pet dog a party guest?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

How we fall in love with particular songs, and the challenges of Fly In Fly Out work and parenting

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 lif...

Putting your love life in the hands of a matchmaker, and why are climate targets starting to unravel?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Aussie matchmakers share how they help singles find love. And after years of effort convincing the public of the urgency of climate change, are polit...

Dealing with a spouse's alcohol addiction, and a new study about an embarrassing illness

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One couple's story of pandemic drinking and pulling their marriage back from breaking point. Plus, a major new study about Irritable bowel syndrome. ...

Safety concerns escalate over e-scooters, and what's your relationship with meal delivery apps?

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Councils around the country are calling for better regulation of e-scooters. Plus, how meal delivery apps have changed Australia. And, how is support...

The lessons we learn in relationships, and what to do when your family doesn't "do feelings"

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 tal...

Changes to liquor laws aim to curb family violence, and is it acceptable to discipline other people's children?

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Changes to alcohol delivery laws aim to prevent family violence. Meanwhile, the Buy Now Pay Later industry has undergone an overhaul, with new regula...

The extreme things we do for a crush, and fears after another Australian embryo mix-up

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How to ensure boys embrace reading, and why do families keep secrets?

09 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 peopl...

New guidelines for cosmetic injectables, and what happens when you donate your body to science?

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia's medical regulator last week introduced new safeguards aimed at protecting young people from potentially dangerous side-effects of non-inv...

The changes that parenting brings to your life, and is it wise to get involved in your child's friendships?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 cha...

The push for Australia to invest more in the gaming industry, and why is grey divorce a phenomenon?

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Should Australia offer more support to the gaming industry? Why is later-in-life divorce becoming more common? Plus, musician Sarah McLeod offers her...

A legal test case for the Right to Disconnect, and new data about forever chemicals

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

How to respond to a mental health crisis, and should you withdraw your super early?

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

Changes set to make an ADHD diagnosis easier for some patients, and retiring comfortably on a budget

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is an ADHD diagnosis set to become easier and more accessible? How can you lead a comfortable and fulfilled retirement without spending a fortune? Al...

Our relationship with our clothing and a warning about a new girlfriend

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The world of human cryopreservation and why drama is engulfing parent WhatsApp groups

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Have you imagined a life without the internet and what's behind the rise of 'dupe' culture?

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 mor...

Playing team sport improves mental health

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Surviving disaster after disaster: new research reveals hidden mental toll

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Our money relationships and family estrangement

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 famil...

How do you help a loved one who's being drawn to extremist views?

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Australian Federal Police, children as young as 12 are being radicalised by extremist groups online, and petrified families say ther...

Tracking or Trusting? When location sharing crosses the line

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Has camping become too expensive?

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Camping in NSW national parks could soon cost more under a major proposal to standardise fees across the state. Supporters say it will improve facili...

Inside the "toxic" tradwife subculture

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 polit...

Exploring masculinity and conflicting bin etiquette

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 yo...

Why one woman became a "reproductive refugee" to achieve her dream of parenthood

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jane was blocked from using her frozen eggs in Western Australia. She describes this as forcing her to become a 'reproductive refugee,' travelling ac...

Escort, removalist, can collector: how side hustles became mainstream

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 fulfill...

Overprescribing and undertreating: the antidepressant dilemma

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 milli...

The hidden struggle, one in three adults can’t read properly

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Katelyn managed to finish Year 12 despite struggling with reading. Now an adult, she wants to open her world up to more opportunities, so for the pas...

Letting dreams go and super intense parents in kids' sports

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If your dream for a career, relationship, family or life goal, doesn't work out, it can be devastating. But, can it also bring peace, relief and pers...

It's legal to smack kids in Australia, but advocates want to see the laws change.

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

Pathways to home ownership and intergenerational housing easing loneliness

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Owning a home is often considered part of the Australian dream, so how do some people make that dream a reality? And how could intergenerational comm...

Screen time links to poor youth mental health questioned by new research

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.