In an age of outrage, respectful disagreement can feel like a lost skill. Communication specialist Leah Mether shares practical ways to navigate difficult conversations, challenge ideas without attacking people, and stay curious when emotions run high.

Guest: Leah Mether, Communication Specialist and author of ‘Soft is the New Hard and Steer Through the Storm’

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Leah Mether: How to Disagree Without Damaging Relationships appeared first on JOY Drive.

Vegan leather is often marketed as a sustainable alternative to traditional leather. Associate Professor Caroline Swee Lin Tan explains what goes into many vegan products, why durability matters, and the environmental questions consumers should ask before they buy.

Guest: Dr Caroline Swee Lin Tan, Associate Professor and Program Manager of the Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship) at RMIT University

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Associate Professor Caroline Swee Lin Tan: Is Vegan Leather Better for the Planet? appeared first on JOY Drive.

Black coats. Black boots. Black puffer jackets. Melbourne’s fashion stereotype is famous worldwide, but where did it come from? Jye Marshall explores the city’s relationship with black clothing, creativity, identity and culture.

Guest: Jye Marshall, Lecturer in Fashion Design, Swinburne University of Technology

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Jye Marshall: Why Does Melbourne Wear So Much Black? appeared first on JOY Drive.

New research is exploring whether the effects of long-term unhealthy diets can be reversed — and what sugar may be doing to memory and brain health. Associate Professor Evangeline Mantzioris explains the findings and what they mean for all of us.

Guest: Associate Professor Evangeline Mantzioris, Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Accredited Practising Dietitian, University of South Australia

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Associate Professor Evangeline Mantzioris: Can Years of Sugar Affect Your Memory? appeared first on JOY Drive.

From donor agreements and surrogacy to parenting, separation, property and gender recognition, family law can look different for LGBTQIA+ people. Bec Dahl answers some of the most common legal questions facing rainbow families and relationships today.

Guest: Bec Dahl, Partner at Nicholes Family Lawyers

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Nicholes Family Lawyers is a proud JOY sponsor and supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. Their experienced team can help with rainbow family law, including surrogacy, egg and sperm donation, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and asset protection.

For more information, visit nicholeslaw.com.au, or call 03 9670 4122, or email [email protected]

The post Bec Dahl: Law Talk – The Legal Questions Every Rainbow Family Should Ask appeared first on JOY Drive.

It affects energy, metabolism, temperature, weight and much more, yet many people know very little about it. Associate Professor Theresa Larkin explains how the thyroid works, why thyroid conditions are so common and the symptoms many Australians overlook.

Guest: Dr Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Associate Professor Theresa Larkin: How the Thyroid Works appeared first on JOY Drive.

From billionaire morning routines to celebrity wellness habits, we are constantly told success leaves clues. Tamsin Simounds explains why personal growth is not about copying someone else’s formula but about experimenting to discover what works for your own life.

Guest: Tamsin Simounds, Behaviour Change Expert and author of ‘The Experiment Mindset: Unlocking the Science of Personal Growth’

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Tamsin Simounds: Why Copying Successful People Often Fails appeared first on JOY Drive.

Scientists are learning more about the constant conversation happening between our gut and brain. Associate Professor Vincent Ho explains the gut microbiome, the vagus nerve and how digestion may influence everything from sleep and mood to stress and overall wellbeing.

Guest: Dr Vincent Ho, Associate Professor of Medicine and Academic Gastroenterologist at Western Sydney University

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Associate Professor Vincent Ho: What Your Gut Is Trying to Tell Your Brain appeared first on JOY Drive.

The 2025 Aussie Bird Count has revealed Victoria’s most-reported birds, from magpies and wattlebirds to lorikeets and galahs. Sean Dooley explains what the results tell us about our suburbs, our environment, and the wildlife that share our everyday lives.

Guest: Sean Dooley, National Public Affairs Manager at BirdLife Australia

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Sean Dooley: Victoria’s Favourite Birds Revealed appeared first on JOY Drive.

A fever at 11 pm. A painful infection on a Sunday. A mental health crisis in the middle of the night. Dr Mahima Kalla explains the growing range of after-hours healthcare options available to Australians and how to work out which service is right for the situation.

Guest: Dr Mahima Kalla, Research Fellow, Digital Health Validitron at the University of Melbourne

Presenter: Warren Andrew

The post Dr Mahima Kalla: Where Do You Go When You Need Healthcare After Hours? appeared first on JOY Drive.