Life Matters - Full program podcast (ABC listen)

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

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'

In popular culture, there are changing depictions of relationships involving an age gap, and, in the LGBTQ+ community, large age gaps have long been more common. Does a significant age difference help or hurt a relationship?

And two women pilots share how they harnessed their fear of flying and forged incredible career paths in the air..

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

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 billion to end public school fees, plus the decline of cousins and how to reset your sleep.

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

Many of us struggle to ask for help when we need it, even when most people we love are willing to support us. So what holds us back, and how do you ask for the help you need without overstepping?

Plus, Jenny Tian and Suren Jayemanne unpick an annoying lunch encounter for Ask Aunty.

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

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

What does it mean to be a good person? And how do we sit with ourselves when we feel we have done wrong?

And in Ask Aunty, when a package goes missing from a communal table in an apartment block you suspect your neighbours of taking it. But was it an accident or intentional?

How to deal with surveillance in the workplace, and parenting in a time of political polarisation. Plus, not too deep, not too small, learning the gentle art of medium talk.

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 and your spouse have different perspectives on your teenager's love life?

Earlier this week, the federal government reached a landmark funding arrangement on education. Will this make schools fairer? And how can you stay safe on holidays when you're busy having a good time? Also, when people protest with their dollars, does it make a difference?

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

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

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 diminishing 'social fitness' and how to reclaim the lost art of the hang out.

And if your blood relatives aren't a positive part of your life, can you still create that type of family connection?

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 avoid it all imploding. Plus, how do you protect yourself, and your sanity, as you fall deeper into the world of the Sandwich Generation?      

Featuring:   

Dr Rebecca Ray, psychologist and author Setting Boundaries Dr Kaylene Henderson, a medically trained child health specialist and parenting expert Professor Ruth Phillips, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Sydney Shevonne Hunt, member of the sandwich generation   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 our favourite leisure experience is evolving.

We know that women tend to downplay their health problems, but when it comes to heart attacks the consequences could be deadly. Nadene Hall survived a heart attack in 2023 and shares her story.

You'll also hear what it's like to cook meals fit for a literal king with chef Tom Kime, and learn why you might want to avoid going into fix-it mode when your friends are venting to you with author Ross Judd.

It's all on Life Matters, helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

With climate change posed to wreak greater havoc in the decades to come, Australians are being urged to think before they buy (or rent). But how can prospective homebuyers and renters access information about flood, fire and erosion risks for prospective properties? 

And Virginia Trioli shares her favourite side dishes and the importance of paying attention to the small moments in life.

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

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

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 thinks this is a responsibility that’s yours and yours alone. How do you navigate the emotional strain when other family members aren’t stepping up to help?   

And Chelsea Goodan and Sahra O'Doherty say that teen girls have inherent power and wisdom that we can better nurture. And by focusing on their fears for teen girls, adults often overlook their strengths. 

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

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

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.

How much does your credit score really matter? There's been an uptick in Australians checking their score monthly. We look at how credit scores are actually used in Australia and whether rising credit score anxiety is warranted. 

Plus, body horror film 'The Substance' has more women thinking about the pressure to remain beautiful as we age. Former Vogue editor Kirstie Clements comments on the state of age and beauty. 

And learn about the animal shelter picking up pets whose have had to relinquish them in family crises.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Helping you figure oThe way we imagine the midlife crisis has shifted in recent years, with different expectations from Generation X and a renewed focus on the female experience. How can we recognise a midlife crisis and what's the best way to navigate through it?

And Jo Peck had just had her 60th Birthday when she was greeted with the news her husband of 25 years had taken his business elsewhere. So Jo took a dive into the dating pool, heart first.ut all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.

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

Most people use DNA ancestry websites to trace their history, but for donor-conceived people, these services can create a map of present families, and trace a network of siblings. Is there a better way for them to connect? Plus, what Kamala Harris' loss will mean for women in the US and internationally, and some lessons about men and love from sex worker and author Charlotte Shane.

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

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

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

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

Facing your fears is old wisdom, but we're more scared of it than ever. Research is finding that exposure therapy is very effective in tackling anxiety, so why don't we face our fears more? Plus, the booming market of toys for 'kidults'.

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

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

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. Hilary Harper answers questions about what she learnt while documenting and sharing her own foray into the world of online dating after 50 in the audio series — Dated. 

And in Ask Aunty, how do you handle an upselling hairdresser when you're at the salon and your they suggest extra products and treatments while you're in the chair.

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

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 makes an investment ethical? How do you ensure the companies you're investing in actually do what they say? And how much might you need to participate in this growing marketplace?

And can work ever be entirely based on competence? And why do some people get to fail and succeed while others don't?

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

Why is it taking longer, and so much more money, to build a home? Plus Darren Hayes on learning to not take things personally, and why more folks are having their tattoos removed.

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

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

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

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

Gen Z workers are turning away from management roles, in what some are calling "conscious un-bossing". Why is it happening, and how might workplace leadership need to evolve for the next generation? Plus, a new children's book looks at what it's like to have a parent in prison, and Konrad Marshall on the pain and pleasure of running.

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

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

Genetic testing is increasingly becoming essential in disease management and prevention, but some argue that life insurance discrimination could deter people from getting tested. What is the way forward to ensure safe access to this evolving field of research?

And a new exhibition by Michelle Hamer called 'I'm a Believer' confronts the dismissive language around those living with chronic pain.

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

What's the best way to get children speaking a second language? Plus, in the midst of the Black Friday shopping week, why do we find a sale so hard to resist?

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

William Hanson, an etiquette coach who has been teaching people protocol and good manners for the last 17 years shares why those things remain important and how they've changed in the digital age.

And Attica founder and head chef Ben Shewry reveals the obsessions that have driven his career over the years.

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

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

Grandparents are finding themselves paying for more and more family expenses, South East Queensland and Northern NSW is preparing for a cyclone, and how to talk about obesity with children.

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

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

In the last year, there's been a surging interest from parents around the country to limit their children's access to smartphones and social media, due to concerns for their mental health. 

Much of this momentum has been motivated by the research outlined in a new book by social scientist Jonathan Haidt, 'The Anxious Generation'. 

So what does Haidt's work show about the link between smartphones, social media and the youth mental health crisis?  And how are parents in Australia already taking collective action to give their children a smartphone-free adolescence?  

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 wonders what she's looking for in the long term and where this dating quest is supposed to lead her.  

An in 2014, Matty Hannon set out on the adventure of a lifetime. But, near the start of the trip, he met Heather Hillier. After a few months of letter writing, she agreed to join him and his tale of adventure became a love story.

Building strength has also been shown to be effective at healing injury, both physical and psychological. But how can you start building a routine for physical and psychological healing without injuring yourself further in the process?

And there is growing evidence that the vagus nerve can be stimulated through humming, singing, push-ups, social contact, and even some yoga poses. Will those activities help to reduce stress levels?

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

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

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

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 Swan's taps into his training as a paediatrician to bring parents the latest evidence on how to raise happy and healthy children, particularly through their middle years.

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

Are proposed changes to HECS-HELP and paid placements enough to stop the 'debt spiral' that some students are describing? And will they attract new students to degrees that have previously seemed unaffordable?

And Nova Weetman shares her thoughts on how we grieve when life and personal responsibilities will not go away, but also reflecting the ups and downs that any relationship inevitably goes through.

How do you support your kids and help them cultivate social courage? Comedian, actress, and writer Nina Oyama on how she learned not to overshare online. Plus, new research shows how 'mum and dad' landlords could help deliver affordable housing. 

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 might challenge her trust while looking inward at how her baggage affects her interactions. Older daters are covered in scars. Some heartbreaks and hang-ups significantly influence how we connect with others. So, how do we protect ourselves while trying to be vulnerable with strangers?

An Hilary takes a hard look in the mirror and considers her relationship with her body and sexuality. With the help of sex therapist Tanya Koens, she learns how to overcome the trauma of her past and embrace pleasure again with someone new.

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

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

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 while running. Beyond behavioural change, what actually makes public exercise spaces safer?

Plus how US tariffs could affect you, how comedian Lizzy Hoo counts her cash and is AI in shopping centres actually useful?

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 with fictional characters.

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

We all make mistakes. After all, to err is human. So why are we in such fear of them?  And what are the best ways to recover from a mistake after the damage is done? Plus, what to do when a friend pits you in a competition you didn't ask to be in?

The decision-making process can be complex, but understanding your motivations and values can help you choose the right path. Dr Charlotte Keating shares her insights on the psychology of decision-making

And when one of the regulars in a bookshop-cafe takes liberties with the crossword and red pen, is it time to have words?

Flirting can be playful and exciting, but how do you embrace that spark of connection? And what happens when your online dating pool spills into your workplace?

Across Australia, a staggering 12.8 billion dollars worth of home renovations were given the green light last financial year. If you've ever renovated a home you'll know it can be fraught with unexpected issues, costs and not to mention the strain it can put on your relationship. You'll hear from Restoration Australia's Anthony Burke and the Director of the Brisbane Centre for Attachment and Relationships Clare Rosoman on how to survive a home renovation.

Plus how women are turning to Facebook groups to stay safe when dating, and a story of surviving cardiac arrest.

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

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 holiday with an old friend, they are driving erratically, partly because they are holding their phone to navigate. How should you react and who should apologise afterwards?

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

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't control? And, is there ever the right time to share difficult health news with your partner? 

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

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

Gathering a group of abuse survivors in a boxing class might sound like a cagey exercise, but the Left Write Hook program proves that powerful movement and writing can help process trauma. We meet the people behind the program and a new feature documentary telling its story. We also take a look at the specific difficulties new fathers face, and the story of The Cubbies, the 1970s adventure playground made for children, by children.

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

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're eating less fruit and vegetables.