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PODCAST

Life Matters - Full program podcast

Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let"s talk! With trusted experts and your stories, Life Matters is all about what matters to you.

society & culture relationships

All Episodes

0:55:11

The debate over universal basic income, and what are...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/15

Wealth inequality is worsening and new figures show 1 in 7 Australians now live below the poverty line. So what impact would introducing a universal basic income really have? Jessica Chew, co-director of Basic Income Australia, and Simon Cowan, Research Director at the Centre for Independent Studies, debate this thorny issue.Extreme weather events are becoming more common, and that's making insurance harder to afford - or in some places, impossible to get. Even if you are covered,

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0:55:04

Coming-of-age travel is evolving, and what's it like...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/14

Today’s young travellers are chasing something very different when they head overseas. Sunrise yoga, ‘run club’ tours, and meaningful cultural experiences are replacing the boozy bus tours of the past. Quentin Long, Managing Director, Australian Traveller Media and Dean Vowles, Contiki Brand Partnership & Product Manager, discuss how coming-of-age travel is evolving. Israel and Hamas have both released captives, to long-awaited hugs, tears, and relief. But these moments don't

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0:55:04

Under 16s are already using workarounds to stay on...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/13

In less than two months, being a teenager in Australia will change in a big way. Kids under 16 will be kicked off most social media platforms - under a new government ban... which is supposed to protect the mental health of young people, and limit their exposure to harmful content. But some are already finding ways to stay on the platforms. In some cases, their parents are supporting their mission. Crikey tech reporter Cam Wilson discusses how effective the ban will be.Four million

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0:55:06

Rethinking our dependence on supplements, and why...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/12

Nowadays it seems like there's a dietary supplement for everything. To ward off potential illnesses. To support mental wellness. To help with weight loss. And to enhance your fitness regime. So what's fueling supplement culture? And is it really making us healthier? Dr Michael Bonning is a GP and Chair of Public Health for the Australian Medical Association and Emma Fernance suffered vitamin B6 toxicity after taking iron supplements.Agrihoods are booming in the US, and several

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0:52:55

Taking the first step to end family estrangement, and...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/09

In a conversation on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Madonna opened up about making peace with her brother Christopher Ciccone before he died in 2024. The pair had been estranged for many years. So, how can you reconnect with estranged family? And how do you know if it's the right decision for you? Naomi Mourra reconciled with her family after years of estrangement. And Dr Zoe Krupka, psychotherapist and senior lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute, explains how you can safely

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0:55:02

Global push to eat less meat, and Turia Pitt on why...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/08

A new global diet plan focuses not only on what you put into your body ... but how to produce food to keep the planet healthy. The EAT-Lancet Commission says adopting its diet recommendations could prevent 40,000 early deaths per day across the world... and cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The diet's key message: eat way less meat and more plants. Briar McKenzie is an accredited dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and

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0:55:04

Relationship endings and new beginnings, and concerns...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/07

Last week's big celebrity news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a bit of a shock. And within a day... came the next update... Keith has reportedly moved on and is in a new relationship. While we're talking about two global superstars here... in a lot of ways, they're also going through a pretty relatable experience. About 30% of Australian marriages end in divorce....and many people go on to find new partners and remarry. Kate

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0:55:02

How to stop the decline in young readers, and will AI...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/06

Children are reading less and less. And adults? Well, we're not much better. A new report shows that kids need the time, space and a little helping hand to fall in love with reading. So why don't we have more dedicated spaces for kids to explore books? Jane Cowell is President of the Australian Library and Information Association, Megan Daley is a teacher-librarian, and Anna Burkey is head of Australia Reads.What if the leading performer in the next movie you saw wasn't human, but

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0:55:04

Bob Brown on standing up for the planet, and a...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/05

Bob Brown is a former politician, doctor, and environmentalist who was the leader of the Australian Greens. In his new book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders, he inspires a new generation to take action. He reflects on the value of nature and shares what motivates him to keep fighting. Australia has a shortage of GPs, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas. But, one GP clinic in regional Victoria is tackling the problem in a creative way by offering a

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0:54:21

Embracing joy in life, and how to support a friend...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/02

When was the last time you had fun or experienced joy? It's something you'd assume should be pretty easy, but sometimes it can feel hard. That struggle to feel joy or notice the small joyful moments in our day is actually very normal. Dr Desiree Koslowski is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Southern Cross University and Dr Kerry Burnright is a gerontologist and author of a new book called Joyspan: A Short Guide to Enjoying Your Long Life.What should you do to support a

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0:55:05

How new airline rules will impact passengers, and the...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/10/01

Travel can have its frustrations: A cancelled flight, lost bags, a lengthy delay forcing you to spend hours at an airport, and the stress of trying to rebook the family's holiday at the last minute. The Federal Government has released new rules to establish reasonable standards for airlines and airports ... like when refunds should be issued and when food and drink vouchers are appropriate. So, what protections would you like to make your airline travel smoother? Traveller Peter

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0:55:04

Life Matters

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/30

The deep exhaustion of burnout makes it feel like you'll never emerge at the other end. A 2023 report found 80% of the Australian workforce struggles with burnout. So, what are the signs you are headed for a crash? How do you course-correct? Dr Roland Bull shares his personal experience of burnout and Dr Rachel Hannam, Clinical Director at North Brisbane Psychologists, talks about the steps you can take to overcome burnout.In Melissa Leong's new book Guts: A memoir of food, failure

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0:55:10

The campaign for sports finals without gambling ads,...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/29

One advocacy group wants 2026 to be the first year where you can watch the footy finals without the gambling ads. Can you even picture it? Currently, gambling ads are all-pervasive - on jerseys, on the TV between tackles and even on the field itself. Martin Thomas is CEO of Alliance for Gambling Reform and Dylan Jacotine is sharing his recovery from gambling addiction online.Students and staff at Australia's universities feel "betrayed, undermined and let down" according to the

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0:55:03

The debate over entry fees for Australia's iconic...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/28

In Victoria, there's a push to charge a fee to view the iconic Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. Around the country, some of our national parks are free, but you pay to visit the most popular, like Kakadu. Nearly all of our beaches are free... but you'll get often slugged for parking. So, what's reasonable when it comes to charging access to Australia's great natural wonders? Liz Price is General manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Professor Sarah Gardiner is

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0:54:28

Embracing the ups and downs of a friendship group,...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/25

For many of us, friendship groups are a key part of our social circle. Maybe it's your friend group from school or uni... or the gang you bonded with at your first job... it could be the parent group at your child's school. Friendship groups can be a source of joy, comfort, and camaraderie. They can also be tricky to navigate and Sahra O'Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists, offers some advice about how to walk that line.And in Ask Aunty, letter-writer

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0:54:34

Breaking free of prejudice and who deserves a bronze...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/24

For decades the thinking has been that bringing together people from different cultural or religious groups would be enough to effectively reduce prejudice in society. But new research from the University of Queensland says that method simply isn't working anymore. Staying prejudiced isn't an option if we want to live in a peaceful country. So how can we open the door of our echo chambers, and let other voices in? Dr Alexander O'Donnell is a research fellow at the Univeristy of

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0:55:05

Fact-checking President Trump's autism claims and how...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/23

The US President Donald Trump has linked autism to vaccines ... even pointing the finger at paracetamol. His claims have been widely criticised by medical experts worldwide and Australian regulators have been quick to point out the safety of both vaccines and paracetamol. But when a US President speaks, the ripple effects are global... and Australia's autism community is paying close attention. Dr Andrew Whitehouse is Deputy Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia and a

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0:55:05

The positive power of petitions and the struggle of...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/22

For a long time signing an online petition was seen as the slackest form of activism. But now the digital world has supercharged petitions. Australia's under 16 social media ban started as an online petition. Supported by regular people, calling for change. Whether it's slowing down traffic on your street or shaking up national policy, petitions can give regular people power. Julie-Ann Finney led a petition calling for a Royal Commission into Veteran suicides. Paige Mulholland is

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0:55:04

How to live a happier and healthier life and the...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/21

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 living in a society that's more socially fragmented, less happy, and less healthy than it has been in years. So, what is needed to live a happier, and healthier life? A panel of experts weighs in on the nation's health, including Dr Jenny Gordon, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Nancy Pachana, geropsychologist, University

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0:53:20

The mindset of saying yes and emotions run hot at a...

Life Matters - Full program podcast ·

2025/09/18

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! Virologist Kirsty Short gave it a go and found it helped her get in touch with what she really wanted in life. Dr Giac Giacomantonio, Brisbane-based psychotherapist, discusses why saying yes can be hard but rewarding.Volunteering at school events is about building community spirit … but it's also about being fast, efficient, and able to

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681 results

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