Life Connected: A 7NEWS Podcast

For many Australian families, staying connected now depends on more than just picking up the phone.

In this episode of Life Connected, powered by nbn, we look at the simple tech habits, internet checks and family routines that can help older Australians stay closer to the people they love.

Dr Jo Orlando, Shaun White and Chris Grice explore how families can use technology to stay close, reduce isolation and make everyday moments with loved ones feel easier — from bedtime stories over FaceTime to helping older Australians feel more confident online.

This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allana Crew was on the phone to her dad back in 2019 when she felt "something go" in her brain. She was a 32-year-old, healthy mum of two, who didn't drink or smoke. She had never imagined that she would suffer a stroke.

A telehealth link called Telestroke connected her with a stroke specialist in Melbourne, hours away from her home in Gippsland. The doctor was able to identify Allana's unclear symptoms through a screen, from 150km away.

This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 77, Peter Sheedy thought he knew where his family came from. But one online thread led him from his home near Mackay to a remarkable family story stretching from Ireland to the Mount Morgan mining fields in Queensland.

What started with a nephew’s discovery on Ancestry opened up a family tree Peter he never would've found without the internet - revealing lost relatives, forgotten links and the resting place of three generations of family members.

In this episode of Life Connected, Peter shares how the search changed his understanding of his past, while Ancestry’s Jason Reeve and Ballarat genealogist Carol Armstrong explain why family history can uncover far more than names and dates.

This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paris hasn't sat in a mainstream classroom in years, not because it's too far but by choice. The flexibility of learning from home has empowered her to pursue her hobbies and prioritise the things that are most important to her. Homeschooling isn't setting kids back, according to Riverside Christian College principal Michelle Gouge who revealed their dux last year learnt entirely away from the classroom. This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days after the birth of her first child, Dubbo mum Letitia Bassingthwaighte experienced postnatal psychosis — a frightening condition she had never even heard of.

The specialist help she needed was a four-hour round trip away, putting pressure on herself and her family.

But as she prepared for the birth of her second child, everything changed. She found Gidget Foundation and its telehealth program.

In this episode of Life Connected, powered by nbn, Letitia shares how online care gave her access to specialist support from home. Gidget Foundation CEO Arabelle Gibson and clinical psychologist Katie Peterson explain how telehealth has been life-changing for regional parents.

If this episode raises anything for you, support is available:

Gidget Foundation Australia: thegidgetfoundation.org.au
PANDA: 1300 726 306
Lifeline: 13 11 14

This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years ago, Gippsland Jersey was little more than an idea. There was no big marketing budget. No agency. No production crew. No national distribution network.
Today, the regional Victorian dairy brand is stocked in supermarkets, supplies cafes, works with multiple dairy farms and has been recognised with awards including Australia’s Best Milk.

The answer to her success lies in a combination of purpose, persistence and technology.

This series is sponsored by nbn. Australia’s broadband network. Find out what’s available at your address and learn how to get the most from your internet connection at nbn.com.au.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When 17-year-old Mac Holdsworth shares an intimate image of himself with someone he believes to be an 18-year-old girl online, he quickly becomes the target of a sex scam and is blackmailed for money.

A year later, a person linked to Mac's bank transfer is taken to court and pleads guilty. But by then, the image has already been shared, and Mac has taken his own life.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When two mothers’ babies - too young for vaccination - caught measles in the early 1980s, they never imagined it would lead, years later, to a fatal diagnosis that would cut their lives short.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Dan lost most of his vision at 16 due to a rare genetic condition, his world changed overnight. In this powerful and personal story, Dan shares what it was like to lose his eyesight as a teenager, how it impacted his identity, and the barriers he still faces in public spaces today. From using a cane to bonding with his guide dogs, to being denied access to venues, Dan speaks openly about what true accessibility and inclusion really means.

This video explores the everyday challenges of living with blindness — and what all of us can do to create a more inclusive society. Whether you're in hospitality, education, or just want to better understand the blind and low-vision community.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Aiyden O'Donoghue falls from a moving train, he’s left lying on the track with the next one due in 15 minutes. He's 15 years old, and suddenly, his future looks more uncertain than ever.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

For any rail-related incidents, don’t hesitate to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or in an emergency, call 000.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.