Life Matters - Full program podcast

Do you feel like you are heard, appreciated and cared for? The concept of "Mattering" is increasingly seen as playing a key role in how positive you feel about your life. Professor Gordon Flett is at the forefront of research in this field. He is Professor Emeritus of psychology at York University in Canada and the author of The Psychology of Mattering: Understanding the Human Need to be Significant and Mattering as a Core Need in Children and Adolescents.And in Ask Aunty, when your family's bin is constantly overflowing… And there's one across the street that's consistently empty….. is that too good an opportunity to go to waste? So, does victimless bin appropriation exist? Today's aunties are comedian Geraldine Hickey and Simon Kennedy-Jewell, Ethi-Call counsellor for The Ethics Centre.

A new study from RMIT has found bringing residential speed limits down from 50 to 30 kilometres an hour would protect cyclists. Other studies show a drop in residential speed limits even more benefits, especially for our kids. So what do we need to do to make our streets safe, healthy and places that encourage us to get outside and play? Jennifer Kent is a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney's school of architecture, design and planning and Robyn Monro Miller AM is chief executive of Play Australia.Infertility is a taboo topic at the best of times, and when it comes to male infertility, the stigma can have big consequences for starting a family. New guidelines have just been implemented to inform and shape the care heterosexual couples going through infertility will receive. But will they reduce the stigma for blokes seeking help for infertility? Father-of-two Jason Wylie shares his story of infertility and Associate Professor Darren Katz, urologist and male fertility specialist, discusses the new guidelines.New research found one in seven adult Australians could imagine falling in love with an AI chatbot.  It comes as the world's most popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, prepares to roll out a new version that includes erotic conversations and the ability to "act like a friend." So is this innovation? Can a bot help alleviate loneliness? Or are there too many risks when you replace human connection with AI? Social media content creator Mia Anastasia says she treats ChatGPT as a friend. Professor Jeannie Paterson is Co-director of the Centre for AI and Digital Ethics, University of Melbourne and Scott Watters is CEO and Founder of the youth mental health service LifeChanger. 

Many people have mixed feelings about their smartphone. It's a convenience that is hard to put down. But it can make it challenging to be fully present with the people you're with. One coastal town south of Sydney has seen a grassroots movement to keep kids and adults off their devices. Instead, they're running phone-free events with board games, art, and even knitting! So, how do you find balance between your online and offline world? Jane Bourne is the founder of Kiama Unplugged and Australia Unplugged and Jocelyn Brewer is a Psychologist and founder of Digital Nutrition.Will coins and cash soon be just for collecting? The federal government has released draft legislation requiring supermarkets and service stations to accept cash for at least another three years. But there are plenty of exemptions. Jason Bryce is the spokesperson for Cash Welcome and Nicole Pederson-McKinnon is a financial literacy expert.Whether you've been pregnant or not, you're probably familiar with the term "morning sickness." But have you heard of Hyperemesis gravidarum? It's an illness that can have dire consequences for mums-to-be, so why don't we take it more seriously? Nicoles Rowles is a Brisbane mum who had Hyperemesis gravidarum and Caitlin Kay-Smith is the Founder of Hyperemesis Australia a charity supporting women with the condition.

Teachers and schools are constantly trying to figure out the best way to handle challenging behaviour. One of the go-to tools? Suspension. One in five students in NSW has been suspended from school... and new research shows that being excluded not only affects academic performance ... but mental wellbeing as well. So when is suspension the right option? Mark Johnson is Youth Programs Coordinator for south west Sydney YMCA, Angela Falkenberg is the President of the Australian Primary Principals Association, and Professor Kristin Laurens is Program Co-Leader of the Health and Wellbeing Program at Queensland University of Technology's School of Psychology & Counselling.The ABC has launched a new interactive tool that brings together thousands of years of oral histories that have been passed down for generations. The Deep Time website tells the ancient story of our continent and its people... and explores Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture over 65,000 years. The site covers everything from how people migrated across the land, how they survived an ice age.. and how they lived alongside megafauna. Solua Middleton is co-executive producer of Deep Time and Dr Noel Nannup contributed to the project.Have you heard about the tiny bakery in Sydney that's supposedly selling cinnamon scrolls that are to die for? Every weekend, the lure of baked good from Sundays Bondi draws a line of people that stretches down the road. Are the cinnamon scrolls worth a one-hour wait? Who knows! Does the act of queuing for hours to buy something increase the thrill when you finally get it? Or are expectations sky-high and destined to result in disappointment? Dr Paul Harrison is a senior lecturer in marketing at Deakin Business School.

According to a new study, our overall mental functioning is at its highest between 55 and 60. Good news if the number of candles on your birthday cake is getting harder to count. You're about to hear from the man behind this research to unpack what this means... and from a specialist in older people's health on how to make the most of this peak. Gilles Gignac, from the School of Psychological Science at the University of Western Australia, unpacks what the research means for everyone.  Dr. Stephanie Ward is a geriatrician and voices the ABC TV series Old People's Home for 4 Year Olds.COVID completely changed the way many of us saw a doctor. Gone are the days of sitting in the GP's waiting room, flicking through old magazines as you waited to be seen. Telehealth is a great convenience for many of us, and especially if you're living in a rural community with less access to healthcare. But, does telehealth come at a cost? What are the benefits, and the risks, when we go online for our healthcare? Justin Untersteiner is the CEO of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and Dr Centaine Snoswell is a health economist at the University of Queensland.If you thought once the kids hit adulthood, then the family trip was done, you'd be wrong. Research shows multigenerational holidays and large group family trips are a popular trend. According to the Family Travel Association - over 50% of parents say they're planning to travel with both their children and kids' grandparents. And a new trend study by an international hotel chain... found that skip-generation travel is also popular....  That's when a grandparent and grandchild book a trip together... and leave the parents at home! Dianne Bortoletto is a freelance travel writer and Jackie O'Connor is co-founder and co-host of The Modern Grandparenting 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 back? After the initial horror -- would you call it out? Today's aunties are James Findlay, ABC broadcaster and journalist, and comedian Annie Louey.

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 insurance harder to afford - or in some places, impossible to get. Even if you are covered, payouts and repairs can take months... or even years. But what if you didn't have to wait at all? Paula Jarzabkowski, Professor in Strategy, School of Business at the University of Queensland, discusses parametric insurance. Voting has closed for ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. We've been asking some notable readers to share the book that changed their life. This week, Astrid Jorgensen, the founder and director of Pub Choir, discusses her special book.Recently in the United States, six former surgeons general -  their country's leading spokespeople on public health - joined forces to write an opinion piece for The Washington Post. They argued Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should not be in his current position as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Patrick Stokes, Associate Professor of philosophy at Deakin University, explores the ethics of speaking truth to power. 

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 both released captives, to long-awaited hugs, tears, and relief. But these moments don't come easy. Negotiations are fragile and hard-fought - when every message, every word, carries the weight of human life. So, what's it like to negotiate the release of hostages? Stephen Davis is an Australian hostage negotiator and shares his experiences.Ending a relationship shortly before you're set to say "I Do" can be complex. It's an emotionally charged time, family and friends are invested in the big day.... not to mention the financial fall-out and tricky logistics. Phoebe Rogers broke up with her fiancée two months before the big day. Psychologist and Policy Coordinator at the Australian Association of Psychologists, Carly Dober, explains the emotional factors at play when you have second-thoughts. 

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. Crikey tech reporter Cam Wilson discusses how effective the ban will be.Four million Australians work between 6pm and 6am - from nurses and cleaners to delivery drivers and security staff. But the people who keep our cities running after dark are largely invisible in planning. Researchers from the University of Melbourne’s Night Shift project say it’s time to design cities that better support night-time workers. So what would that look like? Dr Anna Edwards is a Research Fellow in Urban Studies at the University of Melbourne's Centre for Cities and Andrew Copolov is the founder of the Gig Workers Hub.This year multiple stories of embryo mix-ups and surprise donor-conceived siblings have come to light, highlighting issues in the assisted reproductive technology sector. It's led to a rapid review of the IVF industry, and now that report is in. Although there are wins for strengthening oversight of the sector, some are saying it doesn't go far enough. Karin Hammarberg is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine at Monash University.When two people marry, they'll bring with them different hobbies, different expectations, and different ways of communicating. So, it's unlikely you'll mesh perfectly, 100 per cent of the time. But - those disconnects can leave you feeling... well, lonely. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones discusses whether some level of loneliness in a marriage is to be expected.

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 toxicity after taking iron supplements.Agrihoods are booming in the US, and several projects are now in the early planning stages in Australia. Advocates say they bring farm-to-table living to suburban communities and reconnect people with where their food comes from. Steve Grist is an agrihood advocate and founder of Arkadian Developments and Dr Jason Hilder is an urban geographer and Chair of Co-Housing Australia.Financial Counselling Australia has just released a set of principles aimed at guiding organisations to better respond to financial hardship. So if you find yourself in financial stress, what should you do? And how should you expect a business to treat you? Dr Domenique Meyrick is CEO of Financial Counselling Australia, which runs the National Debt Helpline.Actor, artist and author of "Say Everything: A Memoir", Ione Skye reveals how she makes and spends her money in In My Two Cents.

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, psychotherapist and senior lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute, explains how you can safely take the first step.It can be awkward to split the bill with friends. But when you’re at a new friend’s birthday dinner and you think it's their shout, then get handed a massive bill…What do you do? Aunties Jenny Valentish, journalist and author of The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the house, and Nate Byrne, weather presenter and meteorologist on ABC News Breakfast, share their insights. 

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 dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and Professor Ben Lyons is Director at the USQ Centre for Rural Economies.In 2011, Turia Pitt was caught in a grassfire while competing in the 100km Kimberley ultra marathon in Western Australia. She suffered burns to 65% of her body. She lost seven fingers, had more than 200 medical procedures, and spent two years in recovery. In her new book, Selfish, she turns her focus to different challenges - those as a parent and partner. She explores sacrifice, guilt, and burnout.Recently, 600 couples from the South American nation of Paraguay were married simultaneously in a gym. Is this a genius way to get around the financial strain of throwing a wedding? Or is it somehow less special than a ceremony of your own? What makes weddings so special anyway? They're expensive. They're full of drama. And they rarely turn out exactly how you wanted. Dan Woodman, Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne, discusses why weddings still have a role in people's lives.

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 marriages end in divorce....and many people go on to find new partners and remarry. Kate Halfpenny is a journalist and author who's written about endings and beginnings in her own relationships. Elisabeth Shaw is a clinical psychologist and CEO of Relationships Australia NSW.Its estimated one in six Australian students receive private tutoring to help them catch up or get ahead at school. However, the billion-dollar industry remains largely unregulated, with no national standards or enforced accreditation. A new University of Sydney study warns this 'shadow' education sector is putting student safety, learning quality and fairness at risk. Dr Ben Zunica has researched the private tutoring industry and identified some concerns. He's from Sydney School of Education & Social Work, University of Sydney. Chantelle Ford is a private tutor and owner of Attain Education.A really meaningful piece of jewellery can feel like it's part of you... but some people take that to the next level with pieces that are literally made with body parts. Elton John for instance -- he had a double kneecap replacement surgery last year, then hired a jeweller to fashion his old kneecaps into shiny gold jewellery... a pendant and a brooch. Our taste in jewellery is pretty personal... One person's dream engagement ring is another person's gaudy horror. So, how did jewellery become the status symbol it is today? And what's your relationship with your jewellery? Adrian Dickens is a personal jeweller and lecturer with ArtsNational.

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 Australia Reads.What if the leading performer in the next movie you saw wasn't human, but an AI entity? Tilly Norwood is young, brunette, with brown eyes and what sounds like an English accent. She's an AI-generated creation made by an artificial intelligence talent studio. So, what do audiences think? And how do AI performers affect living, breathing, creatives? Katina Michael is a Professor of technology, strategy, and innovation and visiting research scientist at the University of Sydney, Robert Sparrow is a Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, and Karen Jacobsen is a singer, songwriter, and voice of Apple's virtual assistant, Siri.It can be easier to outsource errands on your phone. Especially if those chores involve a trip to the shops with your kids. But is avoiding the hassle of the shopping centre car park and in-store meltdowns worth what you miss when their face lights up as they find the shoes that fit just right? Or the incidental deep and meaningful chats in the car What falls by the wayside in our relentless pursuit for efficiency? Dr Paul Harrison is Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University's Business School.

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 clinic in regional Victoria is tackling the problem in a creative way by offering a reward to anyone in their community who can help recruit a doctor! John McColl is the co-owner of Beechworth Surgery and Dr Anita Munoz is the Victorian Chair of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.Midwife Oceane Campbell has lost count of the number of babies she's helped bring into the world. In her new memoir, she shares hilarious births, unexpectedly early arrivals and heartbreaking moments when things don't go according to plan.

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 Joyspan: A Short Guide to Enjoying Your Long Life.What should you do to support a friend who has bad luck with relationships? Letter-writer Morgan says she's fed-up with a friend who she thinks is scared to be alone. The friend's latest relationship is just eight months old and they've already broken up and reunited several times. Writer and author Patrick Lenton and comedian Urvi Majumdar discuss whether it's possible to help a friend without the emotional labour taking its toll on you.

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, what protections would you like to make your airline travel smoother? Traveller Peter Mansell had a planned trip to Bali that didn't go according to plan, Adam Glezer is founder of Consumer Champion, and Andy Kelly is Choice's Deputy Director of Campaigns.The internet pile-on is a well-established phenomenon in 2025. We've been living our lives online for decades now, so is it time for our behaviour on the internet to turn a corner? In two new projects, podcaster and author Clare Stephens asks what would we learn if we paused, just as the pitchforks are coming out, to ask what are we actually trying to achieve here? Have you ever wondered how to get your mug on a quiz show? Or have you wondered who comes up with all those left-field questions? Hamish Watt is the senior question producer for one of the country's highest rating quiz shows - Channel 9's Tipping Point Australia.Dawsons Creek. Little Britain. Friends. At the time, you thought these TV shows were hilarious. But by 2025 standards, they haven't aged well. But is that fair? Patrick Stokes, Associate Lecturer in Philosophy at Deakin University, debates whether we can view things that were made in a different time with different ethical standards and moral expectations.

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 can take to overcome burnout.In Melissa Leong's new book Guts: A memoir of food, failure and taking impossible chances, she explores themes of abuse in the hospitality industry, racism, and mental health. The MasterChef judge also reveals how her career in food was an accident. In 2016, Peter Drew's posters became some of the most recognisable art in the country. He made his "Aussie" posters at a time of great distress about rising racism and anti-immigration sentiment. Now he's decided, 10 years from the first poster going up, it's time to relaunch the project.

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 Australia's universities feel "betrayed, undermined and let down" according to the chair of a senate inquiry examining governance at our higher education institutions. Meanwhile, new Deakin University research found one third of Australians do not trust universities and two in five agree university managers "are more focused on revenue than quality." Deakin University's vice chancellor Professor Iain Martin says whether this is perception or reality makes little difference now.When's the last time you read a poem? Perhaps you were at a wedding, a funeral, or another special occasion. Or maybe you're the one who has written a sonnet for a special someone. In the age of algorithms and distraction – what's the role of poetry? Erik Jensen is the author of a poetry collection titled A Lick of Fireweed. He is also editor-in-chief and chief executive of Schwartz Media. School's out! And a lot of lucky families are at the beach, or somewhere exotic or far-flung. But if you're not posting postcard-perfect pics on Instagram, it's easy to feel a strong sense of FOMO - fear of missing out. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explains how can you put the green-eyed monster in its place.Statement from Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell: The industry has already reduced TV advertising by 71% over the past five years. Banning advertising won’t stop people from gambling - it will simply hand the market to illegal offshore operators who aggressively target vulnerable Australians and children online, refuse to pay out winnings, contribute nothing to Australian sport, racing or tax revenue, and operate without any of the safeguards licensed providers must follow.That’s why a balanced, middle-ground approach is needed - one that reduces children’s exposure to ads while keeping gambling within the regulated system, which polling shows is what Australians want.

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 General manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Professor Sarah Gardiner is Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism.Keeping up with the best, most up-to-date nutrition information that's backed by science isn't always easy. Just recently, a study that spruiked the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss was retracted. But is the genie already out of the bottle? How hard is it to unpick scientific research that people have already been told is good, when it in fact goes bad? Simone Pettrigrew is Director of Health promotion at George Institute for Global Health.ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell me about the book that changed their life, and sat down with host of The Assembly Leigh Sales.Tesla's latest software upgrade has arrived on our shores. A software update just dropped... and it upgrades your car, to take a ton of driving tasks off your hands. But experts say driverless technology can be fraught with issues. Hussein Dia is Professor of Future Urban Mobility at Swinburne University of Technology.