Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

Demystifying the internet for teenagers

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If your kids asked you what metadata is, or how an algorithm works, or why they still have to write an essay even thought ChatGPT can do it for them,...

Is there virtue in bearing witness to tragedy online?

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you've spent any time on social media, you've likely come across footage of violence and crisis.With so much trauma at our fingertips, the questio...

Celebrating John Clarke's legacy and the spellbinding magic of family stories

28 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We all have that person in our lives who's told the same story a thousand times. But these stories matter, often more than we realise – they can h...

Can good design keep a heatwave out of your house?

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We've just come through another week of record-breaking heat in the south-east, and it's exposing a hard truth: a lot of our homes simply aren't desi...

Does the gender of my AI assistant matter?

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When you speak to an AI assistant, what voice talks back?Whether it's Siri, Alexa or Google assistant, so many of the default voices are passive, pol...

How to launch a childhood dream with Katherine Bennell-Pegg

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What pushes someone to climb the outside of a skyscraper with no ropes, no safety net, and nothing between them and the ground? Or to strap themselve...

Why schools want a say over kids' hairstyles

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A private college in Queensland has issued a list of banned hairstyles to its students ahead of the new school year, begging the age-old question: wh...

Inside the aged care home where teens help fill the workforce gap

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you think of an aged care home, you're probably picturing silver hair and wise old faces – not teenagers.But one aged care home on the New South...

If we could start again, how would we re-imagine boyhood?

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Conversations about masculinity are often heavy. We know how the rise of harmful content online amplifies violent misogyny, and how stereotypes cont...

Why do we break up in January?

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

There's something about the start of a new year that invites you to stop and reflect.Once the holidays are over and life settles back into routine, i...

Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross on good design and solving the housing crisis

25 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

From the desks we work at, to the places we retreat to at the end of the day, the spaces around us quietly shape how we feel, how we live, and how we...

Ask Aunty: politics at the school canteen

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteering is all about inclusion but what happens when you manage the volunteer roster and your fellow parents aren't happy about a particularly n...

Why do we look to the past in uncertain times?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What was happening in your life in 2016?There's a viral trend asking us to look back at who we were a decade ago. Old photos. Old haircuts. Old versi...

Variety is the spice of life when it comes to exercise

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you considered taking up rollerskating? What about pickleball? Aqua aerobics? Whatever it might be, trying something new to get your body movin...

Why some of us are delaying retirement or going back to work

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you're counting down the days to retirement, it could be further away than you think. Recent data suggests almost one in five Australians have po...

Taking back control of your online life

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you tried typing your name into an online search engine?It can be surprising what shows up – and even harder to figure out how to control or c...

Why do we look to the past in uncertain times?

21 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What was happening in your life in 2016?There's a viral trend asking us to look back at who we were a decade ago. Old photos. Old haircuts. Old versi...

We all like the idea of community, but what does it take to build one?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone's lonely but nobody can hang out. That's how New York-based writer and speaker Amanda Litman felt at the start of 2025. Her answer: to host...

Are weight loss drugs changing our relationship with food?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Weight loss drugs are in high demand across Australia, and it'll soon be a lot easier to get your hands on them. Changes to the Pharmaceutical Benef...

Social Studies: Our volunteers are burning out

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Volunteer numbers have been in steady decline in Australia recently, but the amount of work those volunteers need to do has stayed roughly the same.T...

Why we're still so drawn to multi-level marketing schemes

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Multi-level marketing schemes have been around for decades — but things have shifted since the days of Tupperware parties and door-to-door Avon lad...

Can AI chatbots give you accurate, tailored medical advice?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Doctor Google is dead, AI has taken its place.Around 230 million people already turn to ChatGPT for medical advice — so they've created a whole new...

Is stand-up comedy an art form?

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When comedian Craig Quartermaine applied for an arts grant to do a stand-up comedy project, the application was "deemed ineligible" because comedy wa...

How can we create space to grieve in the wake of the Bondi massacre?

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Bondi terrorist attack has left the Jewish community and the nation at large reeling.We're in a time of profound grief, and even if you're nowher...

Why a midlife career change can be both terrifying and transformative

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever thought about quitting your job to do something totally different? Most of us will change careers at least once or twice in our workin...

Forget touchscreens, car buttons are making a comeback

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

As if our phones weren't enough, it can feel like so much of our lives are mediated by touchscreens – and one of the worst offenders would have to ...

Ask Aunty: Have I just been 'ghosted'?

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hook-ups, no strings attached, and one night stands: descriptions for casual sexual encounters imply zero obligations. But what happens when your exp...

Surviving holidays with 'the fam'

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The first question that often gets asked when you re-emerge after the summer holidays is what you got up to during the break?If you spent the time wi...

What do new aged care reforms mean for those in care?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We trust the aged care system to care for our loved ones as if they were family. That's why the stories of abuse and neglect uncovered during the Age...

Concerns about children's data on daycare apps

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The rise of apps linked to childcare centres gives crucial reassurance to worried parents that children are safe and happy at daycare. Throughout the...

Why is lunch a growing challenge for Australian schools?

14 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In Australian primary schools, many tuckshops are struggling, teachers are paying for kids' lunches out of their own pockets, and some public primary...

Ask Aristotle: Is it ethical to create AI clones of the deceased?

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Suzanne Somers was one of the biggest TV stars of the 1980s and 1990s... starring on sitcoms like Three's Company and Step by Step.She also made a na...

Foster care concerns as volunteer numbers drop around Australia

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Across the country there are about 45,000 children in out-of-home care... and about 8,000 are in a foster care home.  These children rely on foster ...

Why are we so interested in the weather?

13 Jan 2026

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, th...

Millions of Aussies work at night: why aren't our cities built for them?

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if your work day is actually a work night? Four million Australians work between 6pm and 6am - from nurses and cleaners to delivery drivers and...

Buyer Beware: How long would you stand in line to buy something special?

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard about the tiny bakery in Sydney that's supposedly selling cinnamon scrolls that are to die for? Every weekend, the lure of baked good ...

Schools and students grapple with AI and cheating

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

ChatGPT...  Grammarly... Google Gemini...  AI tools have changed student life in the space of just a couple of years. Cheating seems easier than ev...

New guidelines rethink male infertility

11 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Infertility is a taboo topic at the best of times, and when it comes to male infertility, the stigma can have big consequences for starting a family....

How to start again after a relationship ends

11 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a bit of a shock. As did stories that Keith has reported...

Chatbot relationships: What are the risks when your companion is AI?

11 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How do you feel about striking up an erotic conversation with the world's most popular AI chatbot?Yes, ChatGPT wants to step out of the friendship zo...

Dr Billy Garvey answering questions about your kid's mental health

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Billy Garvey, developmental paediatrician and host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast, has dedicated his career to helping parents support their...

Ask Aunty: When your guest's plus one has four legs and a tail

08 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If your good friend has a new life partner, you would, of course, be welcoming when they come visit. But, what if their special someone has four legs...

Why are women choosing to holiday alone?

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

If you've scrolled through your social media feed recently you've probably noticed a friend, or colleague, or your friend or colleague's mum. posting...

Are you for or against pets on planes?

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Pushed in designer strollers, pampered at doggy daycare, fed a hand-made all-organic diet - our pets are gaining status, with many people treating th...

What's behind the boom in silver separation?

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

More older Australians are finding themselves suddenly single, facing housing stress, and heading back to work, all thanks to a growing trend of late...

How are young people learning about money?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Kids aren't getting taught about money in school ... and it turns out, they're not talking finance at home either. A CommBank study shows half of Au...

How to have conversations with kids about safety

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A Four Corners investigation has revealed serious issues in some Australian childcare centres, exposing systemic failures and abuse by staff. While w...

How do you stop a child from committing a crime?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A new report has detailed the consequences of catching critical issues that cause young people to offend too late. The cost of detaining young peopl...

My Two Cents: Nate Byrne

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In My Two Cents we're asking those questions you'd rather not answer about money.In this episode we find out if it's raining cash in ABC weather pres...

What is the book that changed your mind?

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes a book stays with you long after you finish reading it. Sometimes a book finds a permanent place in your heart... and changes the way you s...

Are high school reading lists still relevant?

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Why are the same old titles still ruling school reading lists? We praise "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Great Gatsby", but is it time to pass the t...

The book that changed Astrid Jorgensen's life

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

We've been asking some notable readers to share the book that changed their life.  This week, Astrid Jorgensen, the founder and director of Pub Choi...

Could you fall in love with a fictional character?

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Fictoromance is the act of falling in love with a fictional character.The phenomenon can be traced back to Greek mythology.Is it wrong to lust after ...

Why are young workers still so widely exploited?

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Almost half of Australia's young workers aged 15 to 30 have been pressured into unpaid overtime, and a third aren't paid superannuation.With so much ...

Experts fear AI is replacing work done by interns and grads

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix has used artificial intelligence in one of its TV shows for the first time, with visual effects for series El Eternauta completed in one tent...

The uncomfortable truth of the 'class ceiling' at work

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Australia prides itself on the idea of a fair go.However new research from Diversity Council Australia shows that social class influences who gets ah...

Why we're being targetted by the "Gen Z stare"

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

When you were a kid, your parents probably told you "don't stare, it's rude!"But, if you've been on social media the last couple of weeks ... it seem...

My Two Cents: Alan Kohler

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In My Two Cents, we're asking those questions you'd rather not answer about money. What can we learn from how ABC finance guru Alan Kohler manages h...

The emotions, memories and secrets hidden in your wardrobe

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Our wardrobes hold emotion, memory, and even a little rebellion, so how can you use your clothes to better inhabit who you are and who you want to be...

Ask Aunty: staff kitchen etiquette breach

01 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most offices have an unspoken etiquette around how to eat in the shared spaces, but what happens when a colleague grossly misinterprets those rules?

Supporting your neurodivergent kids

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Hayden is a mum of five, including two neurodivergent daughters and has supported many families navigating ADHD and autism.At 48, she discovere...

Are antidepressants overprescribed in Australia?

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With one in seven Australians taking antidepressants, one researcher says they're one of the most commonly overprescribed drugs.So, what does a perfe...

Getting an ADHD diagnosis is about be simplified. But will it be easier?

31 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Getting an ADHD diagnosis can totally depend on where you live and how much you can afford. For many people, that means long waits and big bills. But...

Should you pay to access national parks?

30 Dec 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...

Outnumbered by elephant seals and king penguins: my weirdest day at work

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a land where the animals are in charge, a marine ecologist has stories of cross-species camaraderie and weather turning deadly for the latest in o...

Why are we obsessed with big things?

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Long family road trips in Australia offer some big reasons to pull over.The Big Banana at Coffs Harbour, the Big Merino in Goulburn, and the Big Lobs...

The Good Retirement: Seeing the world

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Years, decades even, before we retire, we start to dream of travel. Sights never seen, places never been...the world is a retiree's oyster.In this fo...

Why women are joining the We Do Not Care Club

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chin hairs, smiling and making others happy. These are just some of the things the worldwide We Do Not Care Club have struck off their list.The club ...

You reach your mental peak at around 60 years of age. Here's why

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Your school years are your best years." "Life begins at 40."According to researchers, what we're told about age isn't exactly correct.Contrary to co...

The anti-ageing race

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Billionaires have entered the space race, and now they're funding a different kind of race—one against time itself.Currently, a $101 million prize ...

My Two Cents: Dr Karl

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're asking your favourite Australians about their relationship with money in our new series 'My Two Cents'.He's got all the answers to your science...

Surprising research on what's seen as "older" in the workplace

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new report by the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Australian Human Resources Institute found almost one quarter of HR professionals now ...

Snap this! How photography can change lives

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you love taking photos? Well, it's doing more for you than you might think. Whether it’s snapping your dog, the sky at sunset, or your grandkids...

A psychologist's deep dive into Mel Robbins' 'Let Them Theory'

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Made famous by American author and podcast host Mel Robbins, the viral self-help mantra 'just let them' is about letting go in situations you can't c...

Ask Aunty: When your new date comes with a warning label

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When dating someone new, it can feel wonderful to get swept up in feelings of lust and delight. So, what happens when you get a warning to tread a li...

Running a half-marathon when you can't see the road ahead

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Running a marathon, a half-marathon, even a 5K, is no small thing. The training, the early mornings, the commitment can take a lot out of you.Now, im...

Women bodybuilding and the growing use of illegal steroids

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to a recent study, women in bodybuilding are four times as likely to use anabolic steroids -- which help your body build muscle -- than ave...

What's holding back women’s sport in Australia?

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Despite progress, women’s sport still battles for visibility.Experts say issues like low pay, poor scheduling, and weak infrastructure are stalling...

What can we learn from extreme sports enthusiasts?

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While lots of us will be spending the holidays horizontal for days on end, a brave subset of Aussies use their time off to enjoy extreme sports - ski...

Inside the "toxic" tradwife subculture

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From homeschooling to homesteading, groups of women are eschewing moden life to take up the "traditional" roles of 1950s-era wives and mothers.And wh...

The psychology behind "us versus them" thinking

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Riots, murders, and politically-motivated terrorism. No matter what side of politics you sit on ... or even if you consider yourself pretty removed f...

The wild world of Australian conspiracy theories

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Conspiratorial thinking has spread through the megaphone of the internet, and Australians aren't immune.Now it's the subject of a new book, Conspirac...

How do you help a loved one drawn to extremist groups online?

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Australian Federal Police, children as young as 12 are being radicalised by extremist groups online. And now terrified families say ...

The truth behind family secrets

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two of the world's top models, Gigi and Bella Hadid, confirmed their family had been keeping a secret. The sisters revealed they have a younger half-...

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

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are around 20,000 babies born in Australia and New Zealand each year, conceived through assisted reproductive technology.But not everyone has e...

How pandemic drinking almost destroyed a marriage

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

COVID lockdowns changed many people's relationship with alcohol. For journalist Kate Halfpenny and her husband Chris Ogge, a decision to leave the ci...

Expanding your idea of home

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Home can be a place of comfort and sanctuary. It can also be where stress lives or where you don’t quite feel seen. Are there ways to think throug...

Ask Aunty: Are your friends' kids kind of annoying?

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone talks about how to keep the romance alive in relationships after you have kids.But what about keeping the friendship alive with your friends...

My Two Cents: Matt Okine

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In our regular segment My Two Cents, we ask those questions you'd rather not answer about money.Comedian and former triple j breakfast host shares wh...

Do you regret sharing your kids online?

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a millennial on the internet, you likely have a whole library of you own personal embarrassing digital history floating around out there.Bu...

Homebirths are on the rise in Australia

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Giving birth at home used to be fringe but it's gaining popularity. Since 2019, delivering a baby at home under the supervision of a birthing special...

How has Australian fathering changed over the last century?

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you think about your dad, what does he look like?Which kinds of memories does he feature in... and where's he absent? Fathering takes many form...

Will AI replace the internship?

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix has used artificial intelligence in one of its TV shows for the first time, with visual effects for series El Eternauta completed in one tent...

What would it take for you to move to regional Australia?

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a submission to the economic roundtable the federal government is hosting in August, Westpac says there's major productivity gains to be made if o...

Would more long weekends help your burnout?

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Australia is seeing unprecedented rates of burnout with many workers taking "sick days" to try and cope with the ongoing demands of work and life in ...

Is now the time to start a new hobby?

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wake up, work, chores, sleep and repeat. Life’s grind can leave you burnt out and craving balance.But what if the secret to feeling better is addin...

Can fast fashion ever be "sustainable"?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this year fast fashion retailer Princess Polly received a coveted tick of approval in the sustainability world: B Corp certification.But peop...

Is it ethical to visit a massacre site?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Chernobyl, Auschwitz, the Killing Fields, and most recently, Leongatha in Victoria.Now, the Jonestown cult site is opening as a tourist attraction an...

What's behind the rise of 'dupe' culture?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A while back, if you asked someone whether they'd buy a counterfeit item, or a cheap knock-off,  it'd be rare to get an admission.But nowadays, many...

What would it take for you to ditch streaming services?

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would you give up the convenience of having the world's music, movies and television shows at your finger tips, if it meant paying artists fairly?Out...