Life Matters - Full program podcast

What does "relationship maintenance" look like for you and your partner? Do you consider a relationship to be a living thing that requires care? Or have you got more of a "she'll be right" mentality? Psychotherapist Marryam Chehelnabi is the therapist on SBS's Couples Therapy Australia. And in Ask Aunty, what should you do if your group chat mates have been laughing about you behind your digital b...

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 insur...

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 bot...

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...

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 to...

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, psychothera...

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...

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 marriage...

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 Aust...

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 cl...

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 J...

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, wh...

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 ca...

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...

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 G...

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 Psycholo...

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...

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...

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 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...

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 a...

The conversation about genetically edited meat is evolving.... and so are the rules. Genetically edited animals like fish, cows, and pigs, are being developed for the dinner plate. In Australia, GMO foods were traditionally subject to strict regulation under the national food safety watchdog. But that's changing. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has recently revised its rules. John Gibson is a...

Any good book will transport you in some way -- pull you into a mystery, take you to a fantastical land... make you laugh, make you cry. But sometimes a book stays with you long after you finish reading it and changes the way you see the world forever. Bec Sparrow, writer and host of the Birds of a Feather book club, and Fiona Stager, co-owner of three Brisbane independent book shops, share their...

ChatGPT... Grammarly... Google Gemini...  AI tools have changed student life in the space of just a couple of years. Cheating seems easier than ever before. So, how do teachers monitor AI use, while accurately assessing students' work? Mark McLauchlin is a nursing student who is fighting AI cheating accusations. Dr Jasmine Thomas, Associate Director of I.C.T. Governance and Partnerships at the Uni...

Koalas are cuddly, world-famous, and deeply woven into our national identity. But behind the cute image is a species in crisis. Last week the NSW state government announced a major move: a Great Koala National Park on the Mid North Coast. A nationwide chlamydia vaccine rollout is also coming. Dr Christine Hosking, Conservation Planner & Researcher at The University of Queensland, and  Dr Stuar...