Claim OwnershipLife Matters - Separate stories podcast
Subscribed: 1,690Played: 227,701
Subscribe
© Copyright 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
Description
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let's talk! With trusted experts and your stories, Life Matters is all about what matters to you.
2506 Episodes
Reverse
Chernobyl, Auschwitz, the Killing Fields, and most recently, Leongatha in Victoria.Now, the Jonestown cult site is opening as a tourist attraction and survivors have voiced their concern. It begs the question - is it ethically dubious to visit these tragic sites? And is it possible to visit in a respectful way?
Would you give up the convenience of having the world's music, movies and television shows at your finger tips, if it meant paying artists fairly?Outrage this year over former Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's perceived ethical failings has led to a number of high profile artists ditching the platform, but is temporary outrage enough to turn people off streaming totally? And what would replace it?
Earlier this year fast fashion retailer Princess Polly received a coveted tick of approval in the sustainability world: B Corp certification.But people are fired up that the brand is now listed as a sustainable company.So can fast fashion be socially and environmentally responsible?
A while back, if you asked someone whether they'd buy a counterfeit item, or a cheap knock-off, it'd be rare to get an admission.But nowadays, many people are proud to show off their big brand 'dupes' - that's short for duplicates.From fashion to tech, #dupes is an online trend... while shoppers at big chain stores are also embracing dupes of bags and Stanley cups.So, what's behind the rise of dupe culture? And who is it hurting?
We all want the housing crisis to end, but are you willing to sacrifice your house if it could help others live the dream you had?The downsides to downsizing might include leaving your friends, your GP and the neighbourhood you love.So how can we make it easier for Australians to downsize, and what impact would it have on the housing crisis?
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 two experts on how to survive a home renovation.
Australia's housing crisis is getting worse.New homes aren't being built fast enough and supply is near its lowest in a decade. Earlier this year the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council reported just 177,000 homes were built last year, falling short of the 223,000 expected.That makes the federal government's target of 1.2 million new homes in four years look unlikely.It's a game of catch-up we can't hope to win if we keep building houses the way we always have. So, what if we could build them up to 50% faster?
It can be a delicate balance when you try to support someone you love in a time of need. It's even more complicated when that person moves into your home.In today's Ask Aunty, letter writer Daphne is trying to keep the peace after her newly-separated brother moves in with her family.
As kids, we imagine we'll hit a point when our 'adulting' instincts magically kick in, but many of us never quite feel as adult as we think we should. So what do we even mean when we talk about 'adulting', can we learn to do it, or is it better to learn that we don't really need to?
When we want to weigh the moral heft of a political decision in this country, we don't crack open a philosophy textbook.We pull up a stool at the nearest bar and ask, "does it pass the pub test?"But why is this our gold standard?
When so many of us look back on the movies which shaped our childhood, one element stands out - the magic of Dick Van Dyke.The veteran actor is about to turn 100 - and he's still cheeky, energetic, and larger than life.So, what's the real secret to ageing well? Is it mindset? Attitude? Something more?
As we age, our bodies naturally change.But with cosmetic procedures and weight loss treatments more widely accessible, that change in your body can be rapid – and it can be a lot to process, even if it’s something you wanted.So when the body you've known for years changes in a profound way, how do you navigate that mentally?And when – if ever – is it okay to comment on other people's bodies, or have a conversation about their appearance?
Being an active bystander - that is, speaking up or intervening in the face of injustice - feels like the right thing to do when you see something you disagree with. But it doesn't always go to plan, and your best intentions can backfire. There's new analysis suggesting that, in schools at least, encouraging kids to intervene isn't always helpful.So how are you meant to know when it's the right time to stop being a bystander and step up?
We're asking your favourite Australians about their relationship with money in our series My Two Cents.Today... is it raining cash in ABC weather presenter Nate Byrne's world?
"An AI and a robot walk into a bar—AI says, 'I'll have something strong.' Robot says, 'Same—my battery's at 3%."That's what happened when ChatGPT tried to write a joke.Simply put ... artificial intelligence may be a lot of things ... chatbot, digital assistant... but it is not funny.At least not right now... because an Australian researcher is trying to work out whether AI robots can do stand-up comedy.Not necessarily write jokes... but deliver a comedy routine that leaves people in stitches.So, do you think AI could make you laugh?
1You've been gearing up for a holiday all year... and now the day is finally here.The tickets are booked, bags are packed, you've even picked out your outfit for the plane.And then a conversation with your travel companions kind of... derails your excitement.When you arrive at your destination, you want to go out at night and have fun... but they plan to spend days by the pool and nights resting.So, how do you manage different expectations of your holiday?
The December 10 social media ban for under-16s has been widely publicised and debated. And although a lot of parents have voiced support for the move - it certainly doesn't mean it will be an easy transition.In fact, experts say it will mean a pretty solid adjustment for families, and a lot to navigate.
In under 24 hours, the internet will look very different. Nationwide, anyone under 16 will be locked out of social media.Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, X, Reddit, YouTube - all off-limits.If you're not yet 16, you'll be waiting until your birthday to log back in.
More and more people are turning to AI for spiritual support, by using bots for religious worship and guidance.They're known as "faith bots" and there's one for pretty much every belief.Christians can use Text Jesus.There's a virtual Islamic Scholar called Sheikh GPT.And Gita GPT allows you to exchange messages with the Hindu god Krishna.So, can AI help you become closer to God? Can it strengthen your faith?
It's a time to eat, drink, and be merry. But for Australians struggling with - or recovering from - addiction, holiday gatherings can become a test of willpower. An addiction specialist shares his first Christmas off the booze.
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
When I was struggling with health problems while I had 3 children under 5, one of my good friends taught me a valuable lesson: "Any job worth doing is worth doing badly!" That freed me up to get everything done, because it took less time to just do them to the essential standard. It also freed me from my perfectionist mother's voice in my head with the converse saying ending with the word "well".
lots of corporate speak, which ordinary people find incomprehensible, you have not addressed the enormous difficulties most people face trying to negotiate the NDIS, many people are being asked to be administrators which they are not, & they get lost in trying to understand the paperwork, how they can access NDIS, and many other problems
This is incredibly frustrating hearing users who do not need these drugs. The wait and price neurodivergent people pay to actually get this drug, because of how these people are misusing and causing issues in regulations is just cruel. we need these drugs and have such a hard time attaining them because of this party crap. i need this medication as medocation to function; it brings clarity, i can finally read and write, listen and focus. i cried at the reaction my body had, i finally found something that saved my life, yet people are seriously ruining my ability to even get it legally. The statements made by these rec users is so disappointing and show little awareness of the real issues people face who need these drugs.
We know that people's health and wellbeing is better when they interact with other species in positive ways. Imagine creating an Aged Care facility adjacent to an Animal Shelter and there was a shared space for interaction. Even better, aged care, childcare and animal shelter! In some parts of Europe (Netherlands, Scandinavia) they have created co-facilities for aged care and childcare.
let's get more funding to fix this problem of mental health. I'm a hip hop artist and will work on improving awareness of this issue
I like it very much as I get more and more knowledge about health .
I love the Fitzroy Diaries. What a delightful writer!