Life Matters - Separate stories podcast
Episodes
Activating the outdoor gym
10 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wanted to use an outdoor gym but weren't sure where to start?It's a sentiment that many people share and a new program from the Adelaid...
How much can you really save growing your own produce?
10 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever tended to a homegrown tomato, you'll know the joys gardening can bring.And with the price of groceries climbing, many are looking to g...
What does true respite for carers look like?
10 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are three million carers in Australia looking after a loved one who's unable to care for themselves anymore.But what happens when carers need a...
Ask Aunty: Justice for a teddy bear crime
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the Aunties help out a listener whose beloved teddy bear was destroyed by the neighbours' dog. When the eye-watering bill for repairs come...
Navigating the parent-child relationship into adulthood
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever have that moment where a minor interaction with your parent makes you feel like you're suddenly a child again? Or have you, as the paren...
Why blood donation is the last true act of altruism
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Every day, thousands of Australians rely on blood transfusions to not just survive, but to live a normal life.And while it's estimated one in three o...
Sir Dave Day celebrates 100 years of David Attenborough
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sir David Attenborough, one of the most influential individuals of our time, is turning 100.For decades, his work in conservation and contribution to...
Ask Aristotle: Should we look away from the Met Gala?
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For its entire existence, the Met Gala in New York has always been for a handful of elite philanthropists and celebrities raising money for an exclus...
Work In Progress: Should we do away with 9am meetings to suit circadian rhythms?
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are you someone who dreads an early morning meeting, or do you find it hard to stay engaged in the afternoon?Your biology plays a big role in when yo...
It's never too late to take a golden gap year
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A gap year offers a chance to travel the world and step outside your usual routine before settling into "real life" and all the responsibilities that...
Where to start tightening the household budget
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rates are rising again, the cost of grocery staples is going up and people are feeling it. Calls to the National Debt Helpline are up 21 per cent co...
Are health influencers making us sick?
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We've been turning to the online world for health advice for decades now, but the medium — and the message — has changed drastically over that ti...
What it actually takes to leave an abusive relationship
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Australia, it's estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner.While public awareness of this nati...
Head and Heart: Should Australia have friendship leave?
04 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your friends are the family you choose for yourself, and even though you know how critical your friends are to your life, these relationships don't g...
Could 'friction-maxxing' inject satisfaction back into your life?
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dinner delivered to your door, one click and a package is on its way, location sharing so you don't have to text your partner to ask when they'll be ...
Why most of us find deeper voices more attractive
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New research has explored which voices we find more attractive and how our sexuality might shape the kinds of speech that turns us on. Though, it mi...
The widening gap between public and private education
03 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Parents have never had more options to give their child the best start in life. But when it comes to choosing the "best" school to provide your chil...
Understanding the father wound
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When Life Matters asked our listeners to share the stories of their mother wounds, it opened up another conversation of unmet needs: the father wound...
Ask Aunty: When is it OK to kick someone out of the group chat?
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week, the Aunties are advising a Life Matters listener on the politics of the group chat.When a friendship fades out, is it OK to remove the rin...
Social Studies: Who decides what makes a neighbourhood 'cool'?
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Are some places just cooler than others?This week a tribunal in Victoria reversed a decision to block an application for a new McDonald's in one of M...
Why do so many pianos end up in landfill?
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Is there a piano in your life? Does it still get played? Or does it sit silently in the corner, gathering dust while you decide what to do with it?Th...
Could burning waste really play a role in the circular economy?
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia sends 26 million tonnes of rubbish to landfills each year, and we're running out of room. Sydney is on track to run out of space in the nex...
Has sport drawn a new line on what's 'just part of the game'?
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hurling insults on the field was once widely accepted in sport.But this week the AFL — and elite athletes across the sporting spectrum — sent a...
Why we love getting cosy as the seasons change
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a favourite blanket that you only bring out when it gets to a certain level of cold?When the temperatures drop there are certain rituals ...
It's not too late to define your year with a misogi challenge
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Goal setting, vision boards, manifestation — however you do it, the concept of setting an intention and striving towards it can give us purpose and...
The book that inspired Kathy Lette to become a writer
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author, columnist, and screenwriter Kathy Lette has written dozens of books — but she credits just one as the spark that set her on the path to bec...
Why a mental load audit could help stop the spiral
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Remember to get toothpaste. Change that dentist's appointment. Pick up a present before the birthday party on the weekend. Check whether the dog's ov...
Buyer Beware: When ethical consumption comes with a price tag
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How firmly do you hold onto your ethics when you're in the grocery aisle?With prices rising and everyone watching their budgets, you might be reconsi...
Grief, advocacy and the personal cost of pushing for change
27 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The grief of losing a loved one is different for everyone.For some people it's private and hidden. For others it becomes a force for action — setti...
Why 'twitchers' are taking flight
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's never been cooler to be a bird nerd. Birdwatching as a hobby is capturing everyone from retirees to footy players.And it turns out birding is gr...
Rent tech platforms on notice for collecting too much personal information
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australia's Privacy Commissioner has put the rent tech sector on notice, ruling that a platform had been unfairly collecting excessive amounts of per...
Local councils step in to protect residents in 'uninsurable' towns
26 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The cost of insurance has skyrocketed across Australia. In south-west Queensland, residents have seen premiums increase by 500 per cent, while some i...
Is narcissism really on the rise?
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A grandiose sense of self importance, an intense need for admiration, an inflated sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy — these are the hallma...
Ask Aunty: The missing family jewels
23 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When someone dies, splitting up their assets and sharing possessions among the family can be tricky — even when things are divided equally. This w...
Work is an Australian value. How hard is it for a refugee to start a new career?
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Work is a big part of Australian culture, but for people who are on the road to becoming an Australian, it's a hard value to grasp.Many refugees and ...
Ask Aristotle: Are 'ghost signs' a good thing?
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It could be a butterfly on your windowsill, a cloud shaped like a star or a love heart in your coffee. Ghost signs are the little coincidences or sy...
We need to talk about Australia's relationship with alcohol
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most Australians enjoy the occasional alcoholic drink — around two thirds of people over 14 have indulged in the past year, and 6.6 million of us a...
Calculating the added costs of the single living tax
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you're living the single life, you're likely feeling the sting in your wallet. Managing all the household bills is a lot harder to do on one incom...
Could you recognise concussion symptoms?
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty of ways you could end up with a concussion. A bump can happen anywhere, but recent moves to minimise the risks in professional sport...
Work In Progress: Why your boss is talking about psychosocial safety
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jackie O's lawyers are accusing her former employer of failing to protect her mental wellbeing while she was on air with Kyle Sandilands.It's an alle...
Ignorance isn't always bliss — the case for hope
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new poll from the Australian National University says most people think life was better 50 years ago. Objectively, it's kind of bleak out here. But...
What is the gold standard in ADHD diagnosis?
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Adult diagnoses of ADHD in Australia have soared in recent years, but the system is still struggling to support people equitably.An investigation by ...
The hidden costs of our public food systems
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new report has estimated the total cost of what Australia spends providing food for public institutions and programs.The cost of providing food for...
Is 'new' music a dying genre?
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you had the thrill of discovering a brand new song from a brand new artist, and it made you feel the way you did hearing Midni...
Would you hire a death doula?
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The concept of a birth doula to help someone along their journey of childbirth has become pretty common place, but have you heard of a death doula?Th...
Could permanent sport uniforms lead to healthier kids?
19 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Do you really care what kids wear to school? The World Health Organisation recommends children should get an hour of intense activity a day, but that...
Ask Aunty: Hoodwinked at the school fundraiser
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's no such thing as a free lunch — or, as it turns out, a free installation to connect an outdoor shower to your hot water system.The Aunties ...
How do we make workplaces truly inclusive of neurodivergence?
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, the number of Australians being diagnosed with ADHD and autism has risen. Neurodivergence has entered the mainstream, and the way we...
Australian households are powering the DIY clean energy transition
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has seized on the fuel crisis to underline the need for electrification and renewable energy.But a lot of Australians hav...
Social Studies: The evolution of politeness
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does politeness mean to you?We have seen what is deemed to be polite change rapidly over the last 100 years.But who decides what is and isn't ac...
How refrigerators, kids' menus and milk helped create a generation of picky eaters
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
These days, it's not uncommon for children to be a little fussy about what they eat. Estimates vary around the world, but as many as half of kids exh...
Work In Progress: Career advice for young people
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you given career advice to the young people in your life?The traditional pathway for school-leavers to study and then find a job may not be as r...
Does the 'perfect' day exist?
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New research from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States show there are three big things that happen when people experienced a better th...
Dog-friendly workplaces and pups at the pub
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Australians are keen animal lovers — 73 per cent of households have some sort of pet, and almost half have a dog in the home.Since the pandemic, th...
The draft code that could claw back control for kids online
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Children now have a digital footprint by the time they graduate day care, and it only explodes when they get to school.A new draft Children's Online ...
Tech giants are pushing back against the right to repair
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When a household appliance gives out after a couple of years, the path of least resistance is usually to replace it. For all sorts of reasons — out...
Buyers Beware: Sporting cults
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We all know someone about to run a marathon, starting pickleball or doing CrossFit. And yes they're doing the exercise component, but it's also becom...
Buyer Beware: Sporting cults
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We all know someone about to run a marathon, starting pickleball or doing CrossFit. And yes they're doing the exercise component, but it's also becom...
Watch out for 'slopaganda' in your feeds
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's never been quicker or easier to generate content to suit whatever message you're selling and make it look innocuous, like any other crazy video ...
Why it feels harder than ever to start your own business
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A new report from the Committee for the Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) has found the creation of new businesses has been steadily declining...
The tiny parasite killing the backyard bee explosion
12 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever had a hobby go horribly wrong? In an attempt to save the bees, thousands of people set up colonies of the European honeybee in their b...
From throuples to polycules, how does ethical non-monogamy work?
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The idea of finding your one true love and settling down as a couple is baked deep into society. But attitudes are changing.On dating apps, in survey...
Ask Aunty: How do you honour a loved one when their ashes are held hostage?
09 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Has anyone ever made you responsible for what happens after they die? It's a lot of pressure, but honouring a loved one's wishes can be even trickier...
Ask Aristotle: What would you say to an alien?
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The recent expedition from Artemis II has reignited an age-old question: is there extra-terrestrial life out there? And if there is, what should we d...
How to avoid a bookless dystopian future
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The data shows we're reading less than ever. About one in three Australian school students isn't developing the reading skills they need, and the shi...
It's not a phase mum — 1980s skate park up for heritage protection
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably wandered through a heritage protected church or grand old colonial building. But have you ever been to a heritage-listed skate park?I...
Local councils push back on the rise of data centres
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The adoption of AI requires a vast amount of computing power, which is why data centres are popping up all over the country.With 270 of these facilit...
Home after divorce — creating a sense of security for your kids
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You never get married thinking it will end in divorce, and you never have kids thinking that one day they'll live across two separate houses.But life...
Why is the Artemis II mission such a big deal?
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Artemis II crew have set a new record for space exploration, travelling farther from Earth than any humans before them.It marks a significant mil...
You Can't Ask That is back — they want your curly questions
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After more than 10 years of putting survivors, alcoholics, nudists, cheaters, bogans and countless others in the hot seat, there aren't many uncomfor...
Are we smart enough for smart devices?
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Smart devices are now pretty much everywhere. They're designed to enhance our lives, but often they can make things inexplicably difficult.These devi...
Does restricting ads go far enough to protect problem gamblers?
06 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
More than three years after a national report on gambling reforms, the federal government has unveiled its plan: gambling ads will be banned from spo...
How to teach kids about money
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's a push to integrate financial literacy into Australian schools, with recent data showing 52 per cent of Australian women and 37 per cent of m...
Could watching Married At First Sight be a teachable moment for teens?
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Would you watch Married At First Sight with your teenagers? It might sound like a strange parenting strategy — the show is messy, engineered for d...
Peaking in mid-life and pushing beyond your limits
05 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Would you say you've reached the prime of your life yet? Have you peaked? It's a question that starts to creep in around mid-life when you've settle...
What happens when no-one can afford groceries?
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New figures show a staggering 44 per cent of Australians are finding it harder to pay for food right now.With skyrocketing fuel prices and interest r...
Social Studies: Women are 'marrying down' when it comes to education
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time ever, women are more likely to be married or partnered with a man with a lower education than them.New ABC analysis of Census data...
Turning up the light to find hope and creativity through grief
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Grief can plunge your entire world into darkness. Most of us find our own way to survive it, to let the life grow around it.For Emma Grey, the answer...
Will ditching card surcharges save you money?
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Reserve Bank of Australia has announced that come October, card surcharges will be banned. That extra few cents on your coffee, concert tickets, ...
The benefits of an extended break from the classroom
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Did you ever get taken out of school for an extended break?A significant amount of our learning takes place outside of the classroom and we know that...
Meet Deborah Lawrie, the woman who took Ansett to court to become a pilot
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Deborah Lawrie knew from the age of 16 that flying was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. But when she applied become a trainee pilot wi...
Is social media addiction a real thing?
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Last week a woman successfully sued Meta and Google arguing their platforms were addictive. She said she was spending up to 16 hours a day online, st...
Buyer Beware: Friction by design
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How likely are you to bail on a boring online admin task when it gets a bit hard?The endless box-ticking, pages to sign and notification approvals cr...
A neuroscientist's tips to ditch the distractions and focus
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever found yourself re-reading the same sentence over and over again, or opening your phone to check a text and then losing an hour, you're...
Ask Aristotle: Is it unethical to stockpile?
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
With the calls to limit our fuel purchases to just what we need, is it unethical to stockpile?Is it human nature to protect our own self interest or ...
Want to save money on fuel? Try ditching your car entirely
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As petrol prices continue to soar, the only way to reduce your bowser bill is to go electric — or get rid of your car altogether. But could you re...
The plan to get more young people into live music
29 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The friendly jostle to get a spot near the front, the crackle of the speakers as the band takes their place on the stage — attending your first gig...
Ask Aunty: What to do when your friend gets back with a toxic ex
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After a friend goes through a break-up, often the real feelings their besties had about their ex come out into the open. But what do you do if they ...
How to love someone when you hate their politics
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
There's an longstanding rule that it's not polite to talk about politics at the dinner table. But in times of global turmoil, where freedom of expre...
Are petrol price hikes throwing your Big Lap plans off course?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The looming fuel crisis is starting to bite, with service stations running out of petrol and prices soaring past $2.50 per litre. If you're in the mi...
Does the modern kitchen still function as heart of the home?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
It's seen as the heart of the home — the kitchen table is where we gather to prepare meals and break bread together.But the average kitchen lifespa...
Work In Progress: Would you let an AI clone take care of your menial tasks?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could have an AI clone of yourself at work respond to all your emails just like you would?It could reply in your tone, predict solutions ...
Work In Progress: Would you let an AI clone take care of your menial tasks?
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could have an AI clone of yourself at work respond to all your emails just like you would?It could reply in your tone, predict solutions ...
Head and Heart: How to take a marriage sabbatical
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone needs a break from the daily grind from time to time. Usual routines start to feel stale, and the stress of everyday responsibilities and ex...
Pouring cold water on the hot flush gold rush targeting menopausal women
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
From mood swing tea to moisture-wicking pyjamas, marketing to menopausal women has become so lucrative it's been dubbed the hot flush gold rush.But e...
Would you give up your capital gains discount if it meant the next generation would be better off?
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A recent Senate inquiry report found that capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing have benefited investors over owner-occupiers, and there a...
The book that inspired Kathy Lette to become a writer
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author, columnist, and screenwriter Kathy Lette has written dozens of books — but she credits just one as the spark that set her on the path to bec...
What does a family-friendly apartment look like?
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As our cities grow, there's a push to build up, not out — including in our suburbs.For more families, that means home will be an apartment rather t...
Why do I always get sick when I take time off?
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
You've planned some time off. You madly finish off all the work you need to get done before your break. Your first day of leave begins and... you get...
Is going to uni becoming too expensive for country kids?
22 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
University is a big leap for any young person. But, for country students who have to move away to study, it comes with the added expense of relocati...