Life Matters - Full program podcast

It's being called "the biggest educational experiment in living memory" - almost all students around Australia will be learning from home during the covid-19 shutdowns. And the authorities are being very reassuring, saying it won't hurt kids' learning outcomes, or disrupt parents' home-based work too much, but not everyone is convinced. We hear from a primary and a secondary expert on how to realistically balance work and school and how to get the most out of what your kids’ school is offering you during the shutdown. Also, a new episode of walking together.

The spread of coronavirus has meant emergency relief charities have been inundated with requests for help. At the same time, donations are down and social distancing restrictions have meant organising staffing and food delivery has become increasingly difficult. So how have some organisations used innovative approaches to meet demand? Also, this year Alcoholics Anonymous turns 75. How have they adapted to changing times?

Flexing our creative muscles while we're stuck indoors can be a great way to pass the time, but it could also be the best way to keep ourselves mentally healthy during the shutdown. We hear from experts about why that is. We also hear about some of your best creative projects. And, on Coronacast, Dr Norman Swan talks about what it would take to completely eradicate the virus, and why our government is not currently pursuing that strategy when New Zealand's government is.

In this special holiday program, "astronomer-at-large" Fred Watson describes some of the astonishing discoveries we've made about the universe. Plus, we learn about a few of the unsung heroes of the Australian feminist movement, and take a journey through an award winning wetland which is providing a bridge between cultures.

A medical doctor and a dietician go through some of the best ways to keep our immune systems healthy in this trying time, two people from different cultures walk together as friends, a kindness hero from Tasmania creates a global movement, and Alone, Together: a song from you to us.

In this special episode we revisit some interesting and uplifting stories, like the media academic who went to sea on a container ship for five weeks and altered his sense of time. Plus we discuss the history of trade and collection of second hand objects and get some advice on caring for indoor plants.

Many of us may be feeling slightly helpless right now, but doctors say there is something we can focus on that will go a long way to lessening our chances of catching Covid19 and fighting it off more effectively if we need to. That is boosting our immune system. We talk to a doctor and a nutritionist about the best ways to boost those immune systems as soon as possible and we look at the evidence on how much these steps will actually help protect us from contagion. Also, we hear the first episode in our new series — Walking Together.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care revealed that a great deal of mistreatment was occurring behind closed doors in many facilities. Now that coronavirus shutdowns have meant many residents are having little to no contact with the outside world, how can we ensure they're being properly cared for? Also, meet the woman who launched a global juggernaut of random kindness.

For the almost 20 per cent of Australians who live with a disability, the coronavirus shutdown has brought many extra challenges. On top of that, many Australians living with a disability must deal with the added stress that comes with being particularly vulnerable to the effects of Covid19 if they do get it. Are they getting the support they need? Also, what can we learn from some of our friends in the animal kingdom who seem to have the ability to eat only what they need? And, on Coronacast, we learn the latest on the anti-malarial drug being hailed by Donald Trump in the US.

It’s a dog-eat-dog world. But the COVID-19 lockdown has placed so many people on the edge that it feels like a game changer. Is it possible that coronavirus is revealing that life’s fortunes are sometimes be more luck than good planning? Could we now become a more compassionate society? We take your calls. Plus, a new addition to our Alone Together playlist, and the latest Coronacast.