The Conversation Hour

As our breakfast show co-host Sharnelle Vella gets ready to go on maternity leave you may have heard her special baby shower broadcast this morning. One listener had some great advice which was how she introduces her two dogs Bruce and Barry to the new member of the family. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we speak with a pet behaviourist on how to make that transition as smooth as possibl...

Speech pathology services have recently been included in Medicare rebates for young people with under 25s with stuttering, speech sound disorders, or cleft lip or palate now being eligible for rebates for assessment and treatment. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore the significance of the change. Also in this edition, we celebrate World Wildlife Day.

There has been major flight disruptions in the Middle East, as the US-Israel strikes on Iran unfold. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we speak with an airline captain about what happens in the cockpit when a major international conflict erupts, and we speak with the Insurance Council of Australia about why war acts are generally excluded across the majority of travel insurance products. We...

Brunton Avenue will soon be known as Barassi Way, paying home to the footy great. Running alongside the MCG, the location is in many ways apt, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore however whether it would be better suited to a more walkable area where fans can stop and pay homage and read about Barassi's legacy. Also in this edition, do we need to learn to put our phones away at gig...

Set The Standard is a Vic Health initiative designed to help local sports clubs fight racism by helping coaches and club leaders build culturally inclusive spaces. In this edition of The Conversation Hour Ian Hamm, Yorta Yorta man and Vic Health joins the program to discuss just how serious the issue of racism is in sports clubs and discusses some of the best strategies in combating it.  Also in t...

Melbourne airport is having a renovation, so what's number one on your list of improvements? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we speak with an airport architect and former airline captain on what makes a great airport. Also in this edition, the legacy of Don Bradman, the push make genetic testing for disease more accessible plus what will the next chapter of the Australian Open look like a...

A baby monkey, and his orangutan soft toy have gone viral after the macaque named Punch was rejected by his mother. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore the deep connection we have with soft toys in our childhood and learn about the psychological principal of attachment theory. Also in this edition, sex after 60, we meet fashion designer Prabal Gurung plus a special announcement abo...

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we meet the mother of an autistic child who has created what she describes as a 'Big Hug' suit to assist her young son with hair appointments and look more broadly at what measures hairdressers take to support neurodivergent customers. Also in this edition, calls for inquiry into a prominent Melbourne gynaecologist, the crucial role of photojournalists in d...

From Footscray to Frankston — hospital design has been in the spotlight lately; in this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk patient centred design and how hospital design is changing. Also in this edition, we talk Man on the Run, a new documentary on Paul McCartney on life post The Beatles plus the mental load of making dinner.

With news of the MotoGP moving to Adeliade, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what will happen to the Philip Island race track and the other events that happen there.  Also in this edition, combating the concerning trend of peptide injectables, plus as Emerald Fennell's film Wuthering Heights performs well at the box office despite some less than complimentary reviews, we look at...

If you live in the suburbs do you have a fire plan? If you live in a housing estate and a grass fire broke out and you needed to leave how bad do you think the traffic would be? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss fire preparedness on the urban fringe. Also in this edition, as Neighbourhood Houses Victoria fights for funding we look at the important role they play in the community...

The Electrical Trades Union recently launched a campaign called Nowhere To Go, designed to draw attention to the lack access to toilets for women working in trade. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how widespread the issue of proper access to toilets are in the workplace across a range of industries. Also in this edition, why we need to celebrate the spirit of spontaneity wh...

Parks Victoria has recently spruiked for applications for park rangers, advertising 62 new roles across the state. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we where talking about the vital role they play in safe guarding precious environmental sites. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we ask if and additional 62 is really enough and what level of experience is needed to become a park ranger. A...

It's World Radio Day and in this edition of The Conversation Hour we celebrate you — the talkback caller and take your calls on the talkback that has moved and inspired you over the years. But first, the complex question of where parking meters should and shouldn't be located plus, the rise of 'quiet tech' in sports wear.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour hiker Sarah Gibbs shares her harrowing account of being assaulted by a man while hiking the Goldfields Track and her concerns about the lack of police response in the aftermath. We also speak with Respect Victoria changing community attitudes towards gendered violence and improving the justice system response. Also in this edition, the call to save Sir Roy...

High-rise apartments could be built at a so called "activity centre" in the south-east suburbs, that's according to draft plans released by the State government. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what activity centres actually are and whether high-density has become a dirty word.  Also in this edition, the significant role the game Dungeons and Dragons' is playing in Victoria's a...

A Victorian man was left injured after he was attacked by a Kangaroo, while trying to protect his pet dog. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss how to stay safe around the species. Also in this edition, the hype around Wuthering Heights, antiques in an age of fast furniture and the art of voice coaching.

Recent data indicates that food studies is becoming increasing in popular with secondary school students, and has come along way since the days of home economics. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss why more students are studying it and meet a teacher who is brining the subject to life in Ringwood. Also in this edition, should you be able to take paid leave to look after or grieve...

With reports of declining vegan food options in supermarkets and on restaurant menus - in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore whether people are turning away from vegan diets and discuss what undercurrents might be at play.  Also in this edition, is tourism wrecking our national parks, plus do you clean your kids room?

As Tasmania trials a UK based model whereby schools share resources, staff and knowledge to improve student results, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how the program works and whether we should be looking at employing a similar model here in Victoria. Also in this edition, do hidden car door handles pose a safety risk, plus are people still buying sewing patterns?

The Sydney Mardi Gras party has been cancelled, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what underpins the decision and the significance of the after party to the event. Also in this edition, the welfare of gig workers on hot days, why hotels are starting to welcome pets plus what makes icecream icecream.

Writers Victoria has lost its funding from the State government, threatening its survival, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss its role in supporting local emerging writers. Also in this edition, how concerned should we be about space junk, a push to get young people into aviation, plus who is Bad Bunny?

The Australian Open has wrapped for another year and endured some particularly hot days during the tournament. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk climate proofing sports stadiums and what innovations are taking place globally in this space. Also in this edition, is it better to renovate or rebuild public housing towers, would you wear a second hand wedding dress plus all the latest f...

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask you about the first job you had and what skills you have taken from it into later life. Also in this edition, the health impacts of teeth grinding, do you find sad movies healing, plus what's in bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

As prep students head to school for the fist time, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk the school buddy program, where older children are paired with preps to help them feel connected. Plus, later in the hour combating declining rates of volunteering, do you feel like you have to dress up to go to the tennis? And is 'friendflation' making it harder to catch up with your mates?