The Conversation Hour

It can be a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't when it comes to women returning to work after childbirth. Seven's AFL commentator Abbey Holmes was recently trolled after announcing she would be returning to work seven weeks after having a baby. So why does society judge, and what can the potential impact of that judgement be? Also in this edition, more Victorians died of drug overdos...

For some the local pool becomes a vital source of staying fit over winter but keeping the pool heated comes at an environmental cost, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the future of keeping aquatic centres running over the chillier months. Also in this edition, chat bots are increasingly be used by people with eating disorders, so when are they helpful and when are they harmful?...

It's all eyes on retail this morning with the opening of the Mecca superstore but was does good retail customer service actually look like? In this edition of The Conversation Hour explore what role those working behind the counter play in retail success. Also in this edition the legacy of Carrie Bradshaw, a behind the scenes look at one of Melbourne's most curios museums, plus we take you to the...

Dieticians at Western Health are introducing a multicultural hospital meals program, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore the significance of food and how it connects to a sense of heritage and community. Also in this edition, what love letters can tell us about history, plus a disconcerting side effect associated with playing Tetris.

The politics of school drop off and pick up has long been discussed, but a new study looks at one particular element — the environmental impact of so-called 'idling'. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we learn about the 'Idle off' campaign which saw students urge parents to turn off the ignition when they parked close to school in an effort to reduce pollution and give young people agency i...

A new study from Jean Hailes Women Health has found that one in three Australian women are living with migraines, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how debilitating the neurological condition can be and why there needs to be greater awareness of the impact it can have on women's lives. Also in this edition, why some parents are considering banning sleep overs, police recruit...

AsAustralia's health ministers have agreed to undertake a review of the nation's fertility sector, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at whether there will be greater regulation around so called IVF ‘add ons.’  Also in this edition, it was a big weekend for Super Netball, so do we need to treat it more like football, with the big stadiums and TV coverage? Plus we debrief on the Logie...

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Australian publication of the iconic sex education book Where Did I Come From, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what made the book so popular and the various controversies that emerged. Also in this edition, why folk are invested in the Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson coupling, what a Logies win means plus what is the Stop Killing Game...

It is not uncommon to hear stories about the the trauma emergency service workers experience, but the toll it takes on their family members often gets overlooked. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at a new resource called Supportable, created by the Emergency Services Foundation, it offers mental health support those close to frontline workers. Also in this edition, what does the cl...

The government has confirmed YouTube will be included in Australia's social media ban for kids under 16, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how damaging social media addiction can be to families and what role social media plays in perpetuating anxiety and depression in young people. Also in this edition, should schools separate classes, such as maths, around academic ability,...

DIY Bike ramps and skate ramps in parks are contentious, kids build them and then they get pulled down. In Brighton locals are debating whether makeshift bike jump should be removed. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what role skate parks can have in keeping young people connected. Also in this edition, a change to blood donation rules for cancer survivors, a child led movement e...

It was an extraordinary win for St Kilda FC against the Dees on Sunday afternoon, with a historic three quarter time comeback, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss how far the win will go in restoring hope in the club. Also in this edition, the closure of Australia's oldest Chinese restaurant, understanding meme stocks and can ultrafast fashion ever be certified as sustainable?

With rumours of Snoop Dog playing at the AFL Grand Final in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether or not it is ok for the AFL Grand Final to have the look at feel of the Super Bowl. Also, in this edition, is it becoming a bit cringe to post on social media and Obama says tomato sauce is just for kids — is he right?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what the reaction would be if the affair between Lewinsky and Bill Clinton if it happened today. Would the judgement be as harsh on Lewinsky? And what has it meant for her to reclaim her story? Also in this edition, does Australia need to be doing more policy wise in curbing the public appetite for ultra-fast fashion and what does the axing of Co...

Last week construction started on a $60 million redevelopment initiative on the Frankston Stadium, with features including ten basketball courts and a new 1,000 seat show court, and while this is a great win for the basketball community in Frankston, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the health of courts around the state. Also in this edition what will the lasting legacy of Ozzy...

The AFL's new executive general manager of football performance, Greg Swann, has said he is looking to speed up games. In this edition of The Conversation Hour, we look whether games have become drawn out and what changes need to be made to tighten them up.  Also in this edition, what is underpinning the rising rates of school bullying, why we need to talk more about mental health after cancer, pl...

One quarter of employers classify people over the age of 50 as old, that's according to a study into employer attitudes from the Australian Human Rights Age Commissioner and the Human Resources Institute. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what role AI recruitment systems play in age discrimination and speak with a careers coach on the measures some are taking to circumvent the sy...

New research suggests many young people aged between 20 and 34 aren't using their skills in their current job and can't get the hours they want, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what impact this can have. Also, in this edition, how much will the stadium debate sway the election results in Tasmania, the secret life of farmers and why we need to rethink making happiness the goal.

New data has revealed that birthrates in Melbourne are in decline, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore whether stigma around not having kids is also in decline or if attitudes, particularly towards women, remain somewhat judgy.  Also in this edition,  the implications of reduced access to rural and regional courts, the power in sartorial soft diplomacy and what AI can tell us about...

A police messaging service called STOPIT that was set up to report harassment on Melbourne's public transport system has led to more than 60 arrests over the last 3 years, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss what role it has played in capturing and preventing instances of unwanted sexual behaviour which could otherwise go unreported. Also in this edition, outback killer, Bardley Jo...

A new study by Birth Trauma Australia has found that women who struggled to get a diagnosis for their injuries were 2.4 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how better to support women experiencing birth trauma. Also in this edition, we look at a new study that has revealed a third of young workers are exploited, plus after the acci...

Later this year age-assurance technology will be introduced to internet search engines, to reduce children's exposure to harmful content, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we delve into what impact the changes may pose to privacy.  Also in this edition we also explore why Melbourne rents are at record highs, and discuss what is the best ways to boost vaccination rates in Australia. Plus, so...

The Victorian opposition have proposed new policy that would see the Victorian police, instead of local councils in charge of protest registrations. But some argue that could be counterproductive, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what the best system is to support peaceful protests. Also in this edition, as bus drivers strike around the state we look at how to improve the bus ne...

AHPRA is releasing new guidance for prescribing of medicinal cannabis after an investigation found unsafe practices where leading to harmful impacts on patients, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what measures need to be put in place to ensure the wellbeing of health consumers. Also in this edition, a recent survey from the United Workers Union has revealed the under staffing in...

With the recent announcement of closure of 10 Bendigo Bank branches across Australia, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what is lost when a local branch is closes and whether we need stronger policy to keep branches open. Also in this edition, what will the RBA rate decision tell us about the cost of living crises, why Australia was gripped by the mushroom murder trial, and we al...