Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Life Matters - Full program podcast

From the milk in your coffee to the phone in your pocket, so many things we use every day come off the back of a truck. But Australia is short around 28,000 truck drivers, and that number is forecast to grow. A new report from UNSW suggests women are an untapped talent pool. Researcher Catherine Deen and truck driver Kathy Graham discuss how to get more women behind the wheel. 

South Australian restaurants are about to find out if they've cracked the coveted Michelin Guide for the first time. But with New Zealand reportedly paying $6.3 million for the honour, is chasing those is actually worth it? Food and travel writer Ben Groundwater joins Adelaide-based chef Duncan Welgemoed to chew the fat.

We spend around 2,000 hours a year hunched at a screen, and it's leaving plenty of us with what's now been dubbed "tech neck". This Working Life host Lisa Leong explains what you can do to protect yourself at the desk. 

Just weeks after launching a new memoir about her quest for wellness, comedian Judith Lucy received a sobering diagnosis: breast cancer. Now days away from a double mastectomy, she reflects on the wild treatments she's tried to fix her burnout — from ayahuasca to faecal transplants — and how she's grappling with the unexpected.

In a house where YouTube, audiobooks, e-readers and Netflix are all competing for attention, it's easy to panic that screens will bring about the demise of children's literacy. But the research suggests it's not as simple as "books good, screens bad". University of Melbourne's Sybil Nolan and Australia Reads CEO Anna Burkey explore how to raise a reader in a house full of screens.

After a year of soaring fuel prices and consecutive rate rises, it's hardly surprising to learn consumer confidence is at its lowest level since the 1990s. But what does that mean in a practical sense? Does measuring consumer confidence tell us anything real, or is it just a number we've all agreed to be anxious about? Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison weighs in.

New research shows that around one in four women who freeze their eggs for non-medical reasons end up coming back to use them. Researchers Oisin Fitzgerald, Molly Johnston and Sherine Sandhu discuss what you really need to know before investing the time, money and emotional energy in this procedure. 

Forget ensuites and lap pools — does your home have a frog sauna or a butterfly puddle? Our cities are largely built for humans, but they can be a haven for wildlife too, including threatened and endangered species. Urban ecologist Sarah Bekessy and architect Bethany Kiss explore how we design our common spaces with all critters in mind. 

Sixteen years after breaking up, Powderfinger have confirmed they’re reforming for a national tour from September next year. As fans rush for tickets to relive their youth, music journalist Johnno Keetles asks the bigger question: are reunion tours ever as good as the memory, or are we just chasing the ghost of who we used to be?

If you've been paying attention to the news, to your social media feeds or to really any and all pop culture lately, you've likely heard that boys are not alright. But if you're only looking at the bad parts, the beauty and complexity of raising boys can be hard to see. Developmental paediatrician and author Billy Garvey says it's never too late to try a new approach, in fact it's never been more important to try.

When your relationship is on the rocks, what's your conflict style? The Life Matters aunties comedian Sashi Perera and ABC journalist Luke Siddham Dundon are here to help navigate a seemingly petty dilemma that could signal bigger issues.

Even if you've never been to the ballet, you're probably familiar with Mao's Last Dancer. It tells the story of how a young boy in rural China was plucked out of poverty to train at the Beijing Dance Academy and went on to perform on stages around the world. More than 20 years later, Li Cunxin is releasing his second memoir, The Lucky Son, which picks up where Mao's Last Dancer left off and explores the lessons on love, leadership and legacy he has collected along the way.

Observational data has found that, every year, the night sky is becoming 10 per cent brighter because of light pollution from our growing towns and cities. It's not just stargazing that's being affected — light pollution can harm wildlife and even human health. Australasian Dark Sky Alliance founder Marnie Ogg and academic Julian O'Shea explain how we can protect our dark sky.

Celebrity endorsements have been around since marketing began. But how would you feel if you saw an ad featuring someone you were almost certain was dead? Last week a Swedish manufacturing company released an ad for ball-bearings featuring the AI likeness of Greta Garbo, the legend of Hollywood's golden age who died more than 30 years ago. Resident Life Matters philosopher Patrick Stokes explores the ethical quagmire known as "ghostploitation". 

Around the world, the leading cause of disability isn't infection, road injury or stroke — it's pain. A landmark study of 6 million participants has found people experience heightened pain around age 55, peaking at about 75. And while the pain you feel in your body isn't all in your head, the way you think about pain can make a huge difference to how you feel it. Pain specialists Fiona Blyth and Michael Nicholas explain how reframing pain can help.

According to the latest study of death literacy and readiness, Australians aren't that well prepared for the inevitable. Just over half of us have a signed and sealed will. So what's preventing us from preparing for the end of life? The Law Report's Damien Carrick joins Kerrie Noonan from La Trobe's Death Literacy Institute to explore our complicated feelings around death.

You've heard of the Tough Guy Book Club, what about a book club dedicated to bro-mantasy? Men who enjoy romance fiction seem to face a certain stigma about the kind of books they choose. Bookish podcasters Luke Bateman and Kate Cuthbert discuss what it might take to shift the narrative.

More than half of Australian households with a mortgage have an offset account attached. It's meant to make your extra savings work for you by reducing the interest you pay on your home loan. But not everyone appears to be reaping the benefits. Following an ASIC investigation earlier this year, a Senate inquiry will look into how banks are managing offset accounts, and what happens when things go wrong. So what can you do to protect your money?

As daylight saving kicks off and the usual debate reignites, human geographer Thomas Sigler reveals just how political the "fixed" hours on our clocks really are, and what would happen if the world abolished timezones entirely.

As the Radio National readers start tallying up the votes for the Top 100 Australian Books countdown, Andrew Daddo shares why The Magic Pudding is the ultimate classic kids' adventure worthy of a spot in the hall of fame.

Whether it's buying a house amid rising interest rates, proposing to the one you love, or changing jobs, the anxiety that comes before a major life decision can become overwhelming. In some cases, analysis paralysis can stop you in your tracks. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explores how to navigate change in a healthier way.

There are over 160,000 amputees living in Australia and each one has their own story of loss and having to rebuild their life. James O'Brien's life changed rapidly after going on an idyllic beach holiday. He's documented his experience in a new podcast called The Limb Shift, where he interviews people about the resilience of life after losing a limb. 

Recent data from Australia's HILDA survey shows the average income we need to feel satisfied is climbing higher and higher. So is this just a case of lifestyle creep, or a genuine struggle to pay the bills even with a decent pay packet?

The University of Melbourne's Archives and Special Collections now holds a rare copy of a 15th century manual on hunting, torturing and executing women accused of witchcraft. So what can the world's most infamous witch-hunting handbook tell us about the spread of misinformation and dangerous ideas today?

Sex positivity has never been more talked about, but that doesn't mean the bedroom has caught up. And the stresses of everyday life can make a big impact, from resentment over the mental load to the daily grind of parenting. So what happens to a relationship when sexual satisfaction is lopsided? Sex and relationships therapist Georgia Grace and sexologist Cam Fraser explore.

This week, Aunties Denise Eriksen and Mike McLeish share their advice with a listener who reconnected with an old flame at their high school reunion. But how can they tell whether it was just a nostalgic fling, or if there really is something more waiting to be discovered?

The federal government's new Thriving Kids program officially starts today, designed to shift children with mild-to-moderate autism off the NDIS. Researcher Adam Guastella and Autism Awareness Australia CEO Nicole Rogerson explain what that means for the families caught up in this transition. 

On International Day of Older Persons, it's time to flip the script on our youth-obsessed culture, and consider the benefits of ageing. Neuroscientist Olivia Maurice joins dementia researcher Ruth Peters and author Maggie Kirkman to explore the bright side.

The RBA's ban on card surcharges is kicking in, so what does that mean for the price of your coffee? Financial services expert Steve Worthington and Mount Gambier bakery owner Dylan McQueen discuss what to expect. 

The RBA has raised interest rates to a 15-year high, and with wages still trailing inflation, cost-of-living pressures are mounting. So if you are struggling, what are the practical things you can do to feel some sense of stability? Financial counsellor Deb Shroot and financial planner Amie Baker discuss how to protect your from financial dread.

As AFLW marks 10 years of competition, internationally acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller is premiering a new show about the grit and determination it took to turn that dream into a reality. 

An estimated 82 per cent of workers are at risk of burnout, costing the global economy $8.9 trillion a year. This Working Life host Lisa Leong explores how we can get better at recognising and treating the symptoms before it's too late.

Last week's OpenAI hack of a Medicare website sent shockwaves through the community. While authorities have confirmed no personal information was compromised, it raises questions about the role of AI in dealing with sensitive medical information. What really happens to all those private details being recorded at your appointments? Researcher Andrew Cullen and AMA president-elect Michael Bonning discuss the role of AI assistants in the doctor's office and what can be done to protect patient privacy.

New research shows social isolation has nearly doubled in two decades, hitting young people hardest. So why does the most digitally connected generation in history feel so lonely? Michelle Lim, CEO of Australia's peak body tackling loneliness, explores how we got here and what we can do to shift the needle.

For years, messages warning about the consequences of illegally downloading and sharing movies, music and TV were everywhere. But has the dominance of streaming services stamped out piracy? Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison explains how easy access to every piece of media imaginable has changed the game.

According to the latest HILDA survey, most Australians are pretty satisfied with their relationships. The data suggests couples without kids are among the happiest. Psychologist Stephen Andrew and sociologist Leah Ruppanner discuss the ingredients for a strong relationship.

Over the last couple of decades, the average number of words we say out loud each day has dropped. Between 2005 and 2019, researchers in the US found a 28 per cent decline in the number of spoken words. Linguistics professor Nick Enfield explains what's happening to our lost speech. 

Tutors are often the people who step up when your kids are struggling in their education. But some of these businesses are shutting up shop, with the rise of AI shaking up the industry. The Australian Tutoring Association's Mohan Dhall and researcher Ben Zunica explore whether a chatbot can really replace a human tutor.

We all want friends who are funny, smart, loyal and kind, but we also want them to have our back no matter what. Jaimie Krems and Keelah Williams are friendship scientists — they're also BFFs — who have researched the science behind why you love your vicious, maybe a little unhinged best friend. Their research won an Ignobel prize, so what other qualities do we want in a bestie?

When new neighbours threaten the harmony of a quiet cul-de-sac by persecuting a precious pooch, it's time to ask aunty.

Our suburbs are home to an incredibly diverse population. But when you look at Australia's urban sprawl, it can feel like the people in charge simply hit copy and paste. The upcoming Future Suburb Symposium, hosted by the University of Melbourne, wants to transform our suburbs from 'stubbornly generic, repetitive, and under-serviced', to places that are inclusive, exciting, and better reflect the needs of those who live there. So what would the ideal suburb of the future look like, and what needs to change to make it possible?

It's becoming easier to holiday with your pets in Australia, with at least one major airline now allowing small animals on planes and accommodation booking sites offering "pet-friendly" filters. But even if you find a motel or campground your pet can come to, what about the hikes, museums, cafes and restaurants, can they actually enjoy the holiday like you can? Author of a guide to travelling with pets Carla Francis and human-animal relationship expert Dr Tiffani Howell help you get the balance right.

And in Ask Aristotle with ethicist Patrick Stokes, is it ever ok to track your kids? 

Picture your childhood home for a moment. What details can you still remember? The colour of the kitchen cupboards? The view from your bedroom window? Your secret hiding spot? Lifelong memories are shaped by the daggy laminate benches and cracked vinyl couches of our childhood homes. Christian Duell has studied the significance of our first homes, and he is joined by Grand Designs Australia and By Design host Anthony Burke to unpack why the home you grew up is lodged in your heart for life.

Just this week the Australian Health and Welfare Institute estimated two in three people with migraine don't even have a formal diagnosis. It's part of a wider picture of just how misunderstood this condition is. So how would better understanding and treatment for migraine change the lives of almost 4 million Australians?

And how could letting go of your fitness goals help you achieve them?

They say life's short, but it's actually getting longer. By 2066, life expectancy for Australian women will have jumped from 86 years to nearly 90. And from 82 to 86 years for men. So how do we make sure those extra years of life are lived well?

There's something about physically picking up a cookbook, with it's pasta sauce-splattered, dog-eared pages that makes the meal enjoyed at the end feel a bit special. It goes some way to explaining the rise of cookbook clubs, like a traditional book club but with better food. Joan Tran and Dominique Lonsdale, co-founders of Cookbook Club Naarm join Stephanie Alexander AO, chef, restaurateur and cookbook author to unpack why these books can are so dear to us.

Olympian and mum of five Libby Trickett shares her favourite Australian kids book, and in Head and Heart our resident psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones helps you to prepare for empty-nesting, and hopefully avoid some of the heartbreak that comes with sending your kids off into the world. 

Looksmaxxing, promposal, copium... who decides which words are important enough to be elevated to dictionary status?

Competitiveness is baked into most aspects of modern culture, from work, to your kid's sport, to performing your best life on social media. But does competitiveness feel like a trait you can't turn off or on within yourself? Psychologists Dr Inge Gnatt and Gavin Freeman bring their experience from the ballet and elite team sport spheres to unpack where your competitiveness comes from and ask where it's taken you in life.

When a minor infringement can tank an entire friendship, was it ever that serious? Is it a relationship worth patching up? We call in the aunties.

Whether it's climate change, nuclear war, or AI doomsday, conversations about the end of the world are becoming fairly commonplace. So how are we preparing for a seemingly endless list of existential threats? AI expert Toby Walsh and sociologist Jordan McKenzie discuss how we're collectively feeling about the end of days.

It's all fun and games at the younger levels of junior sport, but as players move through the age groups, the element of competition becomes more serious. Researcher Sam Elliott and Olympic medallist Libby Trickett explore how to strike the balance between encouraging healthy competition and making room for fun in kids' sport. 

The story of the Gallipoli campaign is a key part of our national identity. ANZAC history has been commemorated in myriad ways over the decades, but a new video game is raising eyebrows. Sociologist Dan Woodman weighs in on the role conflict plays in our national myths. 

Among readers, there are two main camps: the completionists, and those who DNF (do not finish). Giving up on a bad book is one thing, but it can be much harder to walk away from a goal that's taken years of effort. Endurance runner Jane Davies joins researcher Hugh Riddell to explore the power of shifting or simply walking away from a goal. 

Olfactory historian William Tullett has dedicated his career to understanding how an oft-overlooked sense has shaped not only our day-to-day lives, but human history. He argues we could learn a lot from stopping not just to smell the roses, but even the grislier scents too. 

Poetry has always been a pure, earnest and powerful way for humans to express themselves. A recent UK study revealed that 24 per cent of people aged eight to 18 read poetry at least once a month. In the digital age, what's behind this surge of young people turning to this timeless form of expression?

The NSW government will be implementing screen time caps in public school classrooms from 2028, in a bid to give students a much-needed "digital detox". Education researchers Therese Keane and Deborah Pino Pasternak join low-tech school principal Kenneth Crowther to discuss the balance of screens and old fashioned pen-and-paper learning. 

Research suggests women are more likely than men to experience roadblocks getting timely treatment for heart attacks. Peak heart health bodies from around the world have endorsed a new definition of heart attack that could help tackle this problem. The Heart Foundation's Natalie Raffoul and Mandy Hall join cardiologist Sarah Zaman to explore the potential solutions. 

Australian breakdancer Rachael Gunn, AKA Raygun, is attempting a public pivot after her widely panned performance at the Tokyo Olympics in 2024. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison weighs in on what it takes to pull off the celebrity rebrand. 

Whether it's the mother's day cake stall, election day sausage sizzle or end-of-term trivia night, you've probably chipped in to a local school fundraiser at some stage. But many P&Cs are being forced to scale up their efforts to cover what many consider to be essential resources and infrastructure. So why are gaps in public education funding being filled by the community?

When Graeme Base set out to create his second children's picture book, an English language illustrated alphabet didn't sound like a winning idea. But Animalia went on to sell more than 5 million copies, and is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. The beloved author-illustrator reflects on the books that built him.

What do you say when you answer the phone? The humble "hello" may be on its way out, with younger generations ditching the standard greeting. Linguist Daniel Midgley explores the history of hello and why language evolves over time.

If you've gone to see a counsellor or psychologist, you might be wrestling with tough questions about your relationships, career and life choices. But we don't often make space for existential questions about the meaning of life. Father-daughter psychologist duo Ross Menzies and Rachel Menzies argue that the big, unanswerable questions are worth talking about. 

When you’ve been training for a half marathon for months, but your best friend all of a sudden wants to run the race together, who wins when friendship complicates the competition? Aunties Alex Barwick and Annie Louey weigh in on this week's listener dilemma.

Many kids dream of becoming an explorer when they grow up, but Antarctic adventurer Tim Jarvis is one of the rare few that turned that into reality. He reflects on a life spent exploring the most remote corners of the world, and advocating for the protection of the environment.

Australians could soon be granted the right to ask large companies to destroy their personal information from online platforms. Niels Wouters has spent the last 18 months trying to get his son's information removed from a childcare app, with little success. He joins Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O'Shea to explore just how realistic the "right to be forgotten" could be in practice.

If you're looking for inspiration on what to vote for in Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books countdown, the kids' shelf is a good place to start. Bestselling author Liane Moriarty shares the story of a sickly dragon that has stayed with her since the first time she read it.

Ethics has been part of our national curriculum for over a decade, but researchers say a more structured approach could make a real difference to students in the long-term. Our philosopher-in-residence Patrick Stokes weighs in.

Everywhere you look, there are messages about how to optimise your life — whether it's your looks, your health, your morning routine, even your personality. But what happens when all that maxxing leaves you feeling maxxed out? Jack Waters shares what he learned from heading down a "relentless path of self-optimisation", while social scientist Jose Yong explains how it can lead to a life of monotony.

Europe has endured one of the worst fire seasons in modern history, burning through more than 600,000 hectares over summer. With a Super El Nino predicted to sweep across Australia, it could be a tough season here as well. Community resilience advocate Jean Renouf and professor of pyrogeography David Bowman explain how working together with the people in your neighbourhood can be the key to survival. 

A recent study from RMIT University found 72 per cent of women were wearing shoe sizes that didn't match the actual length of their feet. Researcher Carol Tan and shoemaker Darren Bischoff explain what makes it so hard to find the right fit.

There's been strong growth in the number of supermarket-owned products on our shelves. In the last financial year, Coles' private label sales grew by more than 6 per cent, while Woolworths increased by 5.5 per cent. Consumer behaviour expert Gary Mortimer and Gippsland Jersey cofounder Sallie Jones explain what it means for the prices you pay at the checkout.

In years gone by, psychedelics like MDMA and psylocibin were seen as experimental party drugs. But that narrative has shifted. Investigative journalist Rich Haridy has been watching this previously taboo field come out of the shadows and into mainstream culture in recent years. His new book explores the line between hype and hope. 

We're three quarters of the way through 2026, and you might need a spring clean for those new year’s resolutions languishing on your to-do list. The end of the year still seems so far away, and you can't really start taking the foot off the gas just yet. So when you hit the September slump, how do you get yourself out of it?

Vinted has landed in Australia — the latest in an explosion of online platforms dedicated to reselling pre-loved clothing. At the same time, the original op shopping experience is changing, with US giant Savers expanding in Australia. Avid secondhand shopper Hannah Klose joins sustainability advocate Ainsley Simpson and Red Cross retail boss Richard Wood to explore what this all means for the future of op shops.

Usually, if you're going out to watch a band, a comedy gig, or theatre production, the thing getting you out the door is be the act itself. But a recent study shows that the identity of a venue itself can be a strong driver. Researcher Lenny Vance and  DarkLab's Kimberley Galceran explore why those special venues can make all the difference.

Data from the UK shows the number of people who dabble in open water swimming has doubled since 2016, largely driven by women. Sue Thornton from the New Granny Grommets and researcher Rebecca Olive discuss the joys of swimming, surfing, and paddling in the great outdoors.

Australian author Alice Pung penned her seminal memoir Unpolished Gem two decades ago, which she started writing age 19. Even as a teenager Alice had lived a full life, and the story of how her parents, grandmother and aunt travelled by foot through three countries to seek resettlement as refugees in Melbourne, has become a modern Australian classic. Such is the power of memoir, and in this episode we unpack the memoirs that have helped people better understand themselves and the world around them through another person’s story. Vote now in the Radio National Top 100 Australian books countdown here. 

If your mum raised you in the thick of diet culture, you’ve probably had some body image lessons to unpick from that era. And when you have to play more of an active role in helping mum manage her health as she ages, you know you can always ask aunties Jane Caro and Diana Nguyen to help navigate this tricky terrain. 

Fresh off the release of her much-anticipated sequel Big Little Truths, beloved Australian author Liane Moriarty reflects on her career as a writer, the relationships and life experiences that have inspired her fictional worlds, and the secret to staying true to her own voice. As an author whose characters have been brought to life on screen by the likes of Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, it's no mean feat.

Have you been dazzled by the bright headlights of other vehicles while driving at night? A recent inquest into the death of veteran BBC broadcaster Jenni Murray heard that dazzling headlights were a factor in her fatal crash. It's an issue that's causing concern for drivers around the world. Road safety specialist David Beck and motoring journalist John Cadogan explore what can be done.

As you're whittling down your shortlist for Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books countdown, you might be digging deep into the memory box for inspiration. Parenting author and educator Maggie Dent shares the classic Australian children's book that deserves top spot in her list — despite the messy lamington kitchen adventures it inspired.

When news broke of Dolly Parton’s death last week, the outpouring of grief came from across the political spectrum, from all genres of music, and communities all over the world. She achieved fame in an era where celebrity was built through mass media, but that landscape doesn't exist in the same way anymore. So could our culture, in its hyper-fragmented form, ever produce another figure so universally loved?

Plenty of workplaces have mentoring programs where senior staff provide guidance and wisdom to younger team members. But have you heard of reverse mentoring? Reserve Bank Australia governor Michelle Bullock recently mentioned she has a reverse mentor helping her learn more about AI. Careers coach Leah Lambart and mentee James Arvanitakis explain how workplaces across Australia are encouraging reverse mentoring.  

Recent research found that reading about the impacts of climate change increases our negative emotions and decreases hope — but those same negative emotions can be a positive predictor of climate-friendly behaviours. Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie and facilitator Beth Hill from Psychology for a Safe Climate discuss how processing eco grief and climate anxiety can be an important step in taking meaningful action.

You don’t have to work in the emergency department to experience rolling crises at work. Computers crash, machinery stops working, the printer chews your document. In those moments of panic and indecision, it's easy to make the wrong choice. How can you better prepare yourself for these times?

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has been considering the ways housing affects children's health and development. They found that around 1 in 8 kids who grow up in rentals have moved at least 10 times by the time they reach the age of 14. Researcher Amy Clair and psychologist Rachel Samson explain how housing instability can affect kids in the long-term and what we can do to make these transitions easier. 

Increasingly, Australians are turning to AI tools to understand their rights, draft complaints, or even prepare a case for court. In some ways it's making our justice system more accessible, but it also means courts, tribunals and complaints bodies are dealing with more submissions — including some that shouldn't be there. 

Grocery tourism has been a named one of the biggest trends of the year, with one report estimating 77 per cent of travellers enjoy visiting grocery stores abroad. As far as tourist attractions go, it's an inexpensive way to spend an hour and get a sense of the daily life in that city. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison unpacks what's behind the trend. 

Voluntary assisted dying is now legal in all states and territories of Australia, but many terminally ill Australians who are eligible for VAD still face challenges in accessing this choice. Anita Rumore, who cared for her father before he died by VAD last year, joins legal expert Ben White and advocate Linda Swan to talk through the barriers that remain.

When you're reading picture books to your little ones, what keeps you (and them) engaged? Is it the words that tell the stories, or the illustrations that bring them to life? Best-selling children's author Andy Griffiths and his collaborator, illustrator Bill Hope explain what it takes to combine those elements and craft a story that stays with its readers.

It's never been easier to take a photo. But how often do you actually revisit your happy snaps now that they're sitting in the cloud instead of a precious family album? Looking back over old photos can transport us to those special moments in our shared history, so how do we preserve these memories forever?

All Australian states and territories now have workplace health obligations in place that require employers to protect your psychosocial safety. That means preventing things like unachievable job demands and inadequate reward and recognition. We all experience some of these things to some extent in the workplace, but where is the line? Employment lawyer Mariah Loriente and psychotherapist Andrew Sloan explain what it means for you.

When you’re gifted a bag of clothes, what is the acceptable course of action for the items you don’t want to keep? Is it ever ok to resell a gift? Aunties Fiona Harris and Jennifer Wong weigh in on the rules of engagement when it comes to unwanted gifts.

We know spending time outdoors is good for our mental health. Now, there's even more research to prove it. A study out of Scotland found people who lived close to woodland areas were 10 per cent less likely to be prescribed antidepressants. Urban planning researcher Sebastian Pfausch and Gardening Australia's Hannah Moloney explain just how strong the healing power of nature can be.

More Australians are living alone than ever before, but so much of our society is designed for couples and families. Author of The Spinster Cookbook, Eli Davies, explores what it means to cook for yourself and by yourself, and how to find joy in the practice.

You don't have to venture too far to find yourself wading into conspiracy theories on the internet. But it can be hard to draw the line between harmless speculation and something more serious. Our resident philosopher Patrick Stokes weighs in on the ethics of conspiracy.

We celebrate mother's day, father's day, and even invite the grandparents along to kindy once a year to partake in special craft activities, but are we overlooking the role of our beloved aunties and uncles? Journalists Kate Leaver and Tiger Webb explain the special relationship they each have with their nieces and nephews, and how being an aunty and an uncle has changed them.

As the world reflects on the life of Dolly Parton, who died overnight aged 80, millions of children will remember her simply as "the book lady". Among her many accolades, one of her proudest achievements was establishing the Imagination Library. Lindsey McKee, CEO of United Way, which runs the free book program in Australia, shares how Dolly Parton's legacy made it all the way to Tamworth. 

This northern hemisphere summer has been punishingly hot, a real mood killer if you were planning a glamorous Euro trip. And the summer looming here could be just as bad. New research shows that a fifth of people surveyed had changed their most recent holiday because of the weather. So what does our changing climate mean for your travel plans and the tourism industry?

If there's a bird feeder hanging in your backyard, you're not alone. Around 50 per cent of Australian households say they feed wild birds. But it might be time to reconsider, because there's a risk it could be a hotspot for bird flu transmission. Urban ecologist Daryl Jones and Euan Ritchie explain how to safely interact with your feathered friends.

New research from the University of Melbourne has found that young people are now significantly more likely than older generations to hold hostile attitudes towards women. It can be easy to feel like there's no hope of things getting any better. But researcher Sara Meger and youth mentors Daniel Allars and Daniel Principe say it starts with finding opportunities to change young minds.

Roadies were the backbone of Australia's rock and roll scene, making the magic happen before and after the curtains dropped. But now it's taking a toll — physically, emotionally and socially. Adelaide University researcher Brad West, roadie Rod Louey-Gung and geropsychologist Nancy Pachana explore what other industries can learn from the original gig workers.

If someone was bad mouthing your best friend you'd go into bat for them, but what if the person they're talking down on is themselves? Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explains how to nip the negative self-talk in the bud.

According to a new report from Screen Australia, 78 per cent of Australians have played a video game in the past six months. Gaming is one of the fastest-growing industries of Australia's screen sector, yet unlike film and television, we don't often talk about its cultural value. Video game developer Luke Muscat and researcher Brendan Keogh explore what's missing from these conversations.

The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) is inducting 10 Australian YouTube content creators into the archive. It's a big step in recognising their cultural contribution, but with technology and media appetites changing so quickly, how do we keep up? Digital culture researcher Nicholas Carah and the NFSA's Patrick MacIntyre explain who gets to decide what's worth preserving in our digital world.

Romance fiction is often dismissed as a guilty pleasure, but this growing genre accounts for a hefty chunk of the publishing industry. So why do we look down our noses at these books? Author Kodi McAlister and sex historian Esme Louise James explore our changing relationship with romance novels.

We all die. But how much have you thought about what will happen before, during and after? Funeral celebrant and author Jackie Bailey explores why planning for a "good death" can bring a sense of peace and control, and make the grieving process a whole lot easier for the people you'll eventually leave behind. 

There's nothing like a secret crush. But should it stay that way? This week, Aunties Patrick Lenton and Michelle Law give some advice to a listener whose true feelings about a platonic friend are at risk of being exposed. Is it time to 'fess up? 

With home ownership still out of reach for a huge swathe of Australians, the Australian Council of Trade Unions is calling on the government to improve stability for long-term renters. Its wishlist includes increased investment in public housing and stronger tenant rights, including minimum two-year lease terms. Housing policy researcher Hal Pawson joins two lifelong renters to explore what actually contributes to a sense of stability for people renting long-term.

Waking during the night or struggling to fall asleep can become more common as you get older, and poor sleep has all sorts of flow-on effects. Researchers in Finland have found a connection between poor sleep and a shorter working life. Sleep expert Moira Junge and podcaster Sarah Macdonald explore what gets in the way of a good night's sleep as we get older.

We all love a good whinge. Complaining about the little everyday inconveniences can help us work through things, and sometimes, it can even lead to social change. So where's the line between a harmless whinge that facilitates social bonding and becoming the Eeyore of your friend group?

If the weekend is something you take for granted, it might be worth remembering it's a concept that only came about 100 years ago in the United States, and it’s even younger here in Australia. But over the last few decades the sanctity of the weekend has shifted. Historian Sean Scalmer explores whether the weekend is on its way to becoming a relic.

It's estimated around 1 in 7 Australian mothers will experience postnatal depression in the year after giving birth, and 1 in 5 will experience postnatal anxiety. On the other side of her own experience with postnatal anxiety, Australian senator Marielle Smith is calling for a national inquiry into postpartum health care. She joins clinical psychologist Nicole Highet and rural parenting advocate Stephanie Tretheway to explore how far we've come and what we could be doing better.

More than 60 per cent of Australian employers say they're using AI "significantly" or "extensively" in recruitment. It might be to write job ads, screen and shortlist applicants, or even to interview candidates. So, if you're job hunting, how do you beat the bot?

Susan Delcour had been eagerly counting down the days until her treatment for breast cancer was over. But after that final appointment, she realised she actually missed the routine of regular appointments and familiar faces checking in. Nearly 1.7 million people are living with, or beyond, cancer in Australia — and that number is expected to reach 2.6 million by 2050. So how do we better support people who are adjusting to life after cancer?

Better protections have just landed for workers in some sections of the gig economy, giving delivery drivers a set of minimum standards to ensure fairer pay. But the gig economy has expanded beyond food and ridesharing. Employment relations expert Alex Veen explores how workplace protections are keeping up with the changing face of employment.

The next generation of budding STEM workers are being encouraged to enter the sciences via pen pal friendships with working scientists.STEMpals founder Jennifer Payne and researcher Zoe Xirocostas share the joy in exchanging letters with aspiring scientists.

It wasn't that long ago that buying something required you to hand over some cash, or at least use a physical card. But by last year 40 per cent of payments were coming from digital wallets on a phone or smart watch. So how would you feel about using your biometric data to make a purchase? Researcher Lauren Perry and tech journalist Kirsten Drysdale talk through the ethical implications of using facial recognition technology in commerce.

A Queensland council that came under heavy criticism for demolishing makeshift campsites has announced it will turn a local park into a dedicated space for people experiencing homelessness. Advocates Gregory Smith and Leanne Mitchell explore the role that local councils can play in supporting their communities and providing services to fill the gap.

Ever since the Duolingo owl became a TikTok sensation, it seems like every organisation — from corporate brands to your state police department — wants to act like a cool, hip person on the internet. Does this actually generate sales? And did this phenomenon exist before the internet?

Around 1 in 5 of us will experience chronic pain. If you've lived through it, you know how terribly draining it can be. But understanding how pain works and what its purpose is can help. Neuroscientist Lorimer Moseley and chronic pain advocate Lauren Richards explain what's happening in our brains when we experience pain, and why that doesn't mean it's all in your head.

When it comes time to downsize, how do you sort the family keepsakes worth holding onto from the sentimental junk? This week Aunties Janty Blair and Lawrence Leung have some advice for listener Lorraine, whose grown-up kids have no interest in storing the boxes of stuff she's held onto for all these years. 

Canberra's beloved bus shelters have just been added to the ACT Heritage Registry — but these "concrete monstrosities" weren't always adored. Architecture advocate Izzie White and public art curator Beth Jackson explore how ordinary features can influence the way we interact with our cities.

August marks Family History Month, a chance to dig through the archives and find out how your ancestors lived. So would you know where to start looking? For comedian Luke McGregor, the search took him all the way to Scotland to reconnect with his clan and himself.

We all have a set of moral principles we try to live by, but sometimes other factors get in the way. Not for a Melbourne-based pilot who recently gave up a 40-year aviation career over concerns about climate change. Patrick Stokes explores what it means to live your life entirely according to your virtues.

Sleep has played a crucial role in human evolution, and evolutionary biologist David Samson argues our ability to function on little sleep is actually a superpower. If we look back to traditional hunter-gatherer societies, we can take some insights on how modern humans could stress less about sleep and feel better rested. 

When you're sitting in the chair at the salon or the barber shop, the care you're receiving often goes deeper than beauty therapy. But we don't train hairdressers to deal with trauma. Researchers Hannah McCann and Stacey Page explore the urgent need to better equip the people who become our de facto therapists with the tools to do this heavy emotional labour.

The average person spends around 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime. That's a lot of time to spend somewhere if you're not happy. This Working Life host Lisa Leong explains the classiest way to quit your job, and what to consider before you pull the trigger.

The Australian Census is upon us. Among the questions that statisticians will be keenly poring over is a fairly simple one: what is the person's religion? But answering it isn't always straightforward. For people who grew up religious, but no longer practice, there can still be some cultural attachment to their faith. Social trends researcher Rebecca Huntley and journalist and comedian Sami Shah explore what our religious statistics really say about us. 

Emily Novo had put off seeing the dentist because she was worried about the cost — then she ended up in a hospital emergency department. She's among more than two million Australians who've skipped dental care because they can't afford it. The Australian Dental Association says it's high time we fill the gap.

What happens when your approach to managing money doesn't sync up with your partner's? Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones talks through how to have the sensitive chats about finances without starting a huge fight. 

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

Childhood friendships are special, and formative in our adolescence. But finding, making and maintaining strong healthy connections can be tricky. Ladies We Need To Talk host Yumi Stynes and clinical psychologist Jacinta Grimes explore how to support the young people in your life through the ups and downs of friendship. 

This week, aunties Nelly Thomas and James Colley help out a listener who's feeling weird about their son being taken to church while on a sleepover. Is it worth bringing up the discomfort with the other parents? And should they let their kid go for another sleepover?

When you think about your golden years, what do you picture? For most of us, the ideal scenario means growing old in the place we've set down roots. While the idea of "ageing in place" has obvious benefits, it's not always feasible. Joan White shares how her regional Queensland town wants to fill the gap by building a community-owned aged care facility. 

Every year 50,000 people go missing in Australia, leaving their loved ones in a state of ambiguous loss. Researcher Sarah Wayland joins Loren O'Keeffe, whose brother went missing in 2011, to discuss how to navigate this state of unknowing, and how our communities can better support people going through this.

Paid social clubs are bringing strangers together for shared dinners, drinks and social activities, offering connection at a time when we know one in six Australians experience severe loneliness. But can you really buy friendship?