Life Matters - Full program podcast

How to be there for sick loved ones and The Good Retirement ep 2

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rosie Waterland and Jamila Rizvi's new book, Broken Brains, confronts how we treat mental health and physical health conditions differently and offer...

How to "find your tribe" and helping your elderly dad out of a pickle

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've moved or changed your living circumstances, it can be tricky to make a new crew of friends. What's the best way to find like-minded souls w...

Why Aussies are cancelling US holiday plans & can you copyright a recipe?

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do I need to buy a burner, or should I ditch my US trip? Some Aussies are questioning their holiday plans to the States, and travel agency Flight Cen...

How to talk politics without losing friends and comedian Brett Blake on second chances

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Is an electric vehicle actually the right choice for you?

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Like Bob Dylan in the 60s, the move to go electric might be seen as controversial or risky. But things have changed significantly since the first mod...

Why people are voting early and how to have a good retirement

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Blended families, dealing with your friends' children, and advice from a comedian

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Blending families and introducing new partners and siblings can be hard. So, what does it take to create a happy step family? And what happens when y...

What's behind the rise of women on steroids?

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jas Paterson is a competitive bodybuilder, and although she doesn't use steroids herself, she's seen first hand the rise in pressure to chemically en...

How to leave the productivity rat race

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you ever feel guilty at the prospect of downtime? The gnawing feeling that you should be doing something "better", something more productive? You'...

Why are humans so obsessed with leaving a legacy?

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88. He left a legacy as a reformer, reaching out to gay and marginalised people, demanding justice for the ...

Matters of the heart — the science of love from the World Science Festival

20 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are there actually physical symptoms when someone breaks your heart? Why do heart emojis look nothing like the thing beating in our chests? What can ...

Changing your relationship with work, and advice about an annoying colleague

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How would you describe your relationship with your job? And how would you like to change that relationship? Plus, advice about an annoying colleague....

Would you play Roblox with your kids to keep them safe?

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gayle had never even heard of Roblox when her then eight year old son asked if he could join the online platform, where millions of games would be at...

Gen X career switches and how to have a device free holiday

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

What's it like to be a tourist with a disability?

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brisbane's Story Bridge has just opened the worlds first accessible bridge climb. While tourism operators are offering up more accessible options, wh...

What have we learned about mental illness a year on from the Bondi Junction attack?

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie was a teenager when she had her first experience of psychosis. She's since gotten the support she needs to stay well, although she still bris...

Saying "yes" to yourself as you age and poor food etiquette at work

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Older Australians everywhere are redefining what it means to age, and many say they started "living their best life" when they hit their 50s, 60s, 70...

Men's Mental Health Social Media Groups: Help or Hindrance?

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's critical that men have an opportunity to talk about their mental health in a space where they feel accepted, free from judgement and with access...

How your budget and relationship can survive a home renovation

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Across Australia, a staggering 12.8 billion dollars worth of home renovations were given the green light last financial year. If you've ever renovate...

How safe do you feel exercising alone? and what to expect when tariffs take effect

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sissy Austin took matters into her own hands following a violent attack while running. She has now started a campaign to raise awareness about safety...

What happens when you regret sharing your kids online?

06 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Roisin Tarrant had a penny drop moment when she was visiting the MCG, the stadium packed to it's 100,000 person capacity. The number of people who fo...

Communicating with teens and negotiating with the 'bank of mum and dad'

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Netflix series 'Adolescence' is resonating with parents concerned about what their teens may be consuming online. How can parents make sure they'...

Rethinking after school care and Ben Lee's two cents

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is it time to rethink before and after school and holiday care? What are the ethics of voting? Ben Lee opens his bank account. And the reason why we'...

Is the price of fitness too high? And what your generation says about your vote.

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world for fitness, according to a new ranking from insurance comparison site Compare the Mark...

What does it mean to commit to a "no money" lifestyle in 2025?

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ten years ago, Jo Nemeth quit her job and closed her bank account. Today, she's more committed than ever to her money-less life. Back in the 60s this...

Is sexual harassment in schools getting worse?

30 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah knew something was wrong after her daughter's first day at a new high school. After some gentle questions, her daughter revealed a boy in her c...

Is the "Let Them" theory useful? And sharing tough news with your partner

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The "just let them" philosophy, popularised by motivational speaker Mel Robbins, has gone viral. So when might it help us let go of situations we can...

Do boycotts work? and how to spot early signs of coercive control

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, the federal government reached a landmark funding arrangement on education. Will this make schools fairer? And how can you stay sa...

Sharing finances with your spouse and how to raise good men

25 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hear one couple's story about shared finances, Thomas Mayo reflects on how to raise good men in reaction to the hit show Adolescence, and why separat...

Why do younger people with disabilities still end up in nursing homes?

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At 59 years old, Susan McDonald was one of the hundreds of people under 65 living in residential aged care just because of her disability. For two an...

Are rental blacklists being misused? and how fantasy sports are taking off in Australia

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever found yourself on a rental blacklist? There are databases across the country that real estate agents and landlords can check before app...

Big conversations with friends and dealing with teenage romance

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Friends are there to help you when the going gets tough but what do you do when your friendship is the cause of your pain? And what happens when you...

Bravery in all its forms and when is public shaming ok?

18 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One woman's courageous actions that saved the life of a police officer. Why electricity bills are set to rise and how to opt out of the grid. And whe...

The truth behind hoarding clean-up TikToks and the heavy toll of migraines

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You're scrolling online and a video pops up of a room full of clutter and rubbish, then cuts to someone wearing a hazmat suit scrubbing grime off a w...

Are housing co-operatives the future of renting? And the zen of lawn care

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Advocates of housing co-operatives say they could be part of the solution to Australia's rental crisis, so what is the model exactly, and why isn't i...

The psychology of grudges and a 'rainbow space invasion'

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Creative solution to GP shortage? and the struggle to get work after being a stay-at-home-dad

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

What are your COVID silver linings? and giving your pet a good death

11 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's been five years since The World Health Organization declared COVID a global pandemic, and life has changed for so many of us as a result in both...

Disaster resilience, first time voters and the dangers of family vlogging

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

What does it mean to go 'no contact'? and how to spot a wellness scam

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

How aunts and uncles shape us, and jealousy in relationships

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Is it safe for kids to play contact sports? and surprising Aussie divorce stats

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What are the protections for kids playing contact sports, and is it safe to let your little ones play the sports they love? Australian divorce rates...

Grandparents footing the bill and how to talk about obesity

04 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Grandparents are finding themselves paying for more and more family expenses, South East Queensland and Northern NSW is preparing for a cyclone, and ...

When the breadwinner loses their job and the cultural value of reality tv

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How the stereotype of being the "breadwinner" can make a job loss particularly destabilising for men.  We also discuss the cultural value of reality...

Why fewer people are going to the cinema, and are you the fix-it friend?

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Going to the cinema remains the most popular cultural experience in Australia, yet attendance is on the decline. You'll hear from two experts on how ...

Family business highs and lows, bookstore bad recommendations

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

ADHD in relationships, Kathy Lette on men and feminism and the art of slow looking

26 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The toll that ADHD can have on relationships, both for the person with the diagnosis and the other partner and the benefits of 'slow looking'

Life insurance and genetic testing, tween skincare, and our changing relationship with faith

25 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Your rights in an era of covert filming and should all public space be free?

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Can you be financially stable while renting and how 'lemonading' can help you stay positive

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Trusting your gut and raising kids who aren't spoilt

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

The rise of illegal tobacco, dads feel guilty too, and the ethics of living in a big house

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

What's the future of long service leave and a diagnosis that changed everything

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Does your childcare maths add up? and the link between stoicism and men's mental health

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Family estrangement, wellness conspiracies, and the happiest place on earth

16 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Celebrating the single life and can you keep a secret?

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Switching careers for a job in tech and do you believe in ghosts?

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

No Buy 2025 and the psychological impact of spending less

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

How the egg shortage is affecting consumer behaviour and the ethics of inherited wealth

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What the ongoing egg shortage is revealing about consumer behaviour and the ethics of giving and receiving inherited wealth and why we fall in love w...

How to navigate your child's first phone, altruistic organ donations and the power of silence

09 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

How to navigate the dynamics of step-families. And Ask Aunty, help my friends kids are annoying

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

What next for gender affirming care in Australia, how to reset your weekend and the rise of selling second-hand online

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Solo travel empowering women, how tariffs work, flies detecting crimes

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Making sense of crime stats, AI chatbot companions and cutting down on food waste

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Making sense of crime stats, AI chatbot companions and cutting down on food waste.

Accidental vaping exposure, the red tape restricting farmers' markets and reset your weeknight

02 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Accidental vaping exposure, growers frustrated over farmers' markets red tape and how to reset your weeknight. 

What's your relationship with work? And Ask Aunty, help me with my annoying collegue

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would you like to change your relationship with work? and Ask Aunty with what what to do when a draining workmate is sapping time and energy.

The role of public psychiatry, how to reset your workday, and a new push for outdoor learning

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia's mental health system in crisis, how to reset the workday, and the importance of outdoor learning in improving children's behaviour.

Near death experiences, finding your third place and Lunar New Year traditions

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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

Creative ways to save up for a home, losing your libido and the nostalgic power of music

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Alternative strategies to save up enough to buy a home and why losing your sex drive isn't always a problem that needs to be fixed.

More trees for cooler suburbs, writing a dating profile and goodbye Sunday scaries

26 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why urban greenery is even more important in summer, how to savour your Sunday and a dating app ghost writer.

Reconnecting with family for the holidays and Ask Aunty

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Spending the holidays with extended family can be both wonderful and challenging and Ask Aunty tackles a tricky mother-in-law dilemma. 

Alcohol and warning labels, plus how free is public education?

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why don't we see cancer warning labels on alcohol in the manner we do on cigarettes? Also, the Greens have made an election promise to offer $10 bill...

Is your daily commute a drag or quality me time? and why home insurance is becoming unaffordable for so many

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your daily commute a drag or quality me time? Why home insurance is becoming out of reach and walking 30,000kms.

How pill testing works and the joys of embracing grey hair

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does pill testing work, should teens be able to start building super sooner? and the joys of embracing grey hair.

Mobile cameras detecting seatbelts and how to reset your morning

19 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are mobile cameras fit to detect people not wearing seatbelts, how to reset your morning routine, plus why is tanning back in vogue?

Improving your relationship with money and a road trip gone wrong

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We examine where your beliefs come from and if they have held you back or made you more able to manage financially.And when you go on a driving holid...

Surviving the squish!

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The physical, emotional and financial toll of caring for ageing parents while raising children is a double whammy that can leave you reeling. Even y...

Coping under pressure and getting it right about teenage girls

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Your siblings have gone AWOL so it’s all on you — all the appointments, decisions and physical care. And if you’re a woman, it seems everyone t...

Supporting yourself and your family across the generations

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

So you’ve decided to care for your parent at home, we'll dive into the sorts of honest conversations you must have with your partner and kids to av...

Looking after your parents, your children, and yourself

12 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you’ve hit midlife with kids at home and ageing parents, welcome to the Sandwich Generation. Stuff’s about to get real and you are going to ne...

Finding love online and on the apps

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the recent rise of dating apps, the world of romance can feel quite foreign to anyone looking for love after the end of a long relationship. Hil...

Happily ever after?

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Things are going well with Gene. It's the happily ever after Hilary hadn't considered would come so soon, if at all. At this stage of life, Hil wonde...

Hidden agendas, heartbreak, and... things get hot and heavy

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do you deal with people who lie, overshare, or don't respect your feelings? Hilary confronts the reality that the people she meets on the apps mi...

Meeting a new partner and the truth about romantic love

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The way we meet potential lovers has changed drastically over the past decade, moving from pubs and parties to the online space. How can we navigate ...

Starting a new relationship

05 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two years after the breakdown of her 20-year marriage, Hilary Harper feels like she might be ready to date again. But how do you pick up the pieces a...

Turning bad sex into good sex and handling friendship breakups

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes sex is disappointing. Instead of giving up on it altogether, how can you turn bad sex into something more satisfying?And in Ask Aunty: You ...

Making a big change in how you're living

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At 22, Kalkadoon man Derrick Cusack didn’t think he’d live to see 30. He was in a toxic party scene and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. N...

Making a big change in your beliefs

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a teenager, Naomi Mourra realised there was something intrinsic to her identity that meant living by the guidelines she'd been raised with would b...

Making big changes in your life

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Meet the man who ditched the 9-5 life to become an escort, and never looked back.Dr Time Sharp makes the argument that seeking out discomfort, taking...

Making big changes at home

29 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When Jodi Wilson had her fourth child, she and her partner, Daniel, had their lives sorted. But somehow, things holding together for a family of five...

What does a good life mean? And bin night drama

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What are the elements of a so-called 'good life' and what helps you live one?And what should you do when your colleagues are regularly berated by a m...

The surprising science behind how our brains work

25 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do dreams serve an evolutionary purpose? They're energy-zapping and leave us vulnerable to predation and yet dreams are necessary. What does dreaming...

Rethinking diet culture and how we see our bodies

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s been an explosion of media telling us that consuming more protein can do everything from building muscle to extending our lives, but what d...

Healing your body through strength and stimulation

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Building strength has also been shown to be effective at healing injury, both physical and psychological. But how can you start building a routine fo...

Keeping your brain and body healthy as you age

22 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

More and more research is showing that building muscle helps us live longer and better lives. So how can you start getting stronger at any age?And it...

Making and maintaining adult friendships and a concern over clothes

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you form new friendships in adulthood: genuine, meaningful, comfortable friendships, not just friendly acquaintances? And once you make them, ...

Finding success in business, ethically

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a growing movement in the world of finance and advocacy, arguing that making money and doing good don't have to be mutually exclusive.What m...

Discovering new versions of yourself as you age

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Helping you figure oThe way we imagine the midlife crisis has shifted in recent years, with different expectations from Generation X and a renewed fo...

Raising healthy, happy children

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does science say about single sex schools? Does gender impact the way we learn, or have we all fallen victim to ‘neurosexism’?And Dr Norman ...

Building healthy relationships with ourselves, our friends, and our families

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Aloneness doesn't have to equal loneliness. How can you enjoy your own company and build habits around quality solo time?We explore the causes of our...