Life Matters

The school library is where so many kids first develop a love of reading and learn the skills they need to understand the world. But the very existence of those libraries is largely dependent on the discretion of the school, and some say they're under threat. The Australian Library and Information Association's Cathie Warburton, best-selling children's author Andy Griffiths and school librarian Hajnalka Molloy explain why school libraries are a vital learning resource for students.

After a player went through a serious mental health episode on the field, the AFL implemented a new rule: all clubs must have an in-house psychologist to keep an eye on players' mental fitness. So if the footy field was actually your office, could you spot the signs? Sport psychologist Courtney Walton and Mental Health First Aid Australia's Jackqui Barnfield run through how to support someone in crisis. 

What is it that motivates you to get to the gym? An investigation by the BBC has revealed a trend in companies using AI influencers to sell programs promising results that experts say are unrealistic. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison explores how marketing is being used in the health industry and what role AI plays in convincing us to get fit.

There are three million carers in Australia looking after a loved one who's unable to care for themselves anymore. But what happens when carers need a break? There's meant to be a system of respite care to serve this need, but that system is under strain. Jayne Christian, who has been caring for her mum since 2022, joins sociologist Myra Hamilton and Sharon Gudu, CEO of Carers New South Wales, to explore the future for respite care.

With the price of groceries climbing, many are looking to grow fresh produce at home and bring down household bills. Horticulturalist Michael Casey, home gardener Emmy Petersson and psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones break down the costs and benefits of growing your own produce.

A new program from the Adelaide University is looking to get over-50s back into exercise, utilising outdoor gym equipment. Lead researcher Alyson Crozier explains how, beyond the health benefits, the program is hopinh to combat social isolation and increase a sense of belonging. 

The parent-child relationship is a two-way street. It takes both sides to figure out how to relate to each other as adults -- and that can be especially tough if you have different expectations. Psychotherapist Zoe Krupka unpacks how to manage the changing relationship dynamics from childhood to into adult life. 

The Aunties help out a listener whose beloved teddy bear was destroyed by the neighbours' dog. When the eye-watering bill for repairs comes in, is it reasonable to expect the owners to pay up?

Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 years old. Over decades spent exploring and documenting the wonders of nature across the planet, he has shaped our collective understanding of the world. On the cusp of his birthday, Emeritus Professor Justin Marshall and Sir Dave Day convenor Gemma Pepper celebrate the enduring legacy of an extraordinary man.

Every day, thousands of Australians rely on blood transfusions to not just survive, but to live a normal life. And while it's estimated one in three of us will need blood or blood products in our lifetime, only one in 30 donates. Blood donation advocate Kate Fisher shares how human stories are key to encouraging more eligible donors to give the gift of life.

The Met Gala has always been for a handful of elite philanthropists and celebrities raising money for an exclusive institution. But this year's event, funded by Jeff Bezos, felt especially dystopian. So is it ethical to have a little bit of fun looking at fancy people dressing up in fun clothes, when it's sponsored by a billionaire oligarch?

After Chris Herrmann's wife died suddenly, he was left with the feeling that life is too short not to make the most of every moment. So he packed up and set off on a round-the-world trip. Retirement expert Bec Wilson shares how the "golden gap year" is giving people in their 50s, 60s and beyond a chance to see the world and take the trips they missed out on in their youth.

Rates are rising again, the cost of grocery staples is going up and people are feeling it. Many households are starting to look more closely at their budgets to figure out where they can make meaningful savings. Financial adviser James Wrigley and the National Debt Helpline's Karyn Hicks explain where to start if you're trying to cut back.

Circadian rhythms play a powerful role in how your manage your day. If you're a morning person, your energy might be waning by the early afternoon, while night owls feel more productive later in the day. But the workforce isn't set up to suit everyone's needs, so how do you get the best out of everyone?

In Australia, it's estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men have experienced violence from an intimate partner. While public awareness of this national crisis has improved, so often, the response is: why didn't they just leave? Abuse survivor Dr Ruth and domestic violence researcher and counsellor Elizabeth McLindon explain the complicated reality of escaping intimate partner violence, and why there are so many barriers for those who want to leave.

Health advice is everywhere online, with endless streams of content from wellness influencers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. These self-styled experts are at your fingertips to give advice you advice, — and they're often cashing in. Journalist Deborah Cohen has been investigating what's at risk when we turn to the algorithm for answers about our health.And there's carers leave for family, but what about friendship leave to make time for the family you choose? 

Parents have never had more options to give their child the best start in life. But when it comes to choosing the "best" school to provide your child a quality education, that decision can be costly. Author Jane Caro argues that the gap between public and private schools has grown, and turned what many would consider a basic right to education into a minefield of parental guilt.

In an age where people are writing entire novels using ChatGPT, author Bri Lee chose to compose her latest work completely by hand. It's a small act of resistance pushing back against the relentless quest for convenience — just one example of a broader trend described by columnist Kathryn Jezer-Morton as 'friction-maxxing'.

New research has explored which voices we find more attractive and how our sexuality might shape the kinds of speech that turns us on. Researcher Cate Madill explains what shapes the way we talk, and how our voices reflect power, status and our place in the world.

It's time to talk about the father wound. For many, these relationships can be complicated by absence, emotional distance and "dadmiration". Clinical psychologist Zac Seidler explores the challenges of navigating fatherhood when your relationship with your own dad was difficult, and where modern dads are looking for support, guidance and role models outside of Bluey.

This week, Aunties James Findlay and Diana Nguyen advise a Life Matters listener on the politics of the group chat. When a friendship fades out, is it OK to remove the ring-in? Or is it better to create a new chat on the side? What happens if they find out they weren't invited?

Australia sends 26 million tonnes of rubbish to landfills each year, and we're running out of room. Sydney is on track to run out of space in the next five years. Among the potential solutions are waste-to-energy facilities that burn rubbish and turn it into electricity. A few are already up and running, but there's significant community pushback. So could these projects really have a role to play in moving towards a circular economy?

If there's an old piano in your life, you might be wondering what to do with it when the keys won't play anymore. It's estimated at least 3,000 pianos are thrown away each year, often because they're costly to maintain, difficult to move, and hard even to give away. Jen Petrie and Mike Hendry share how they're giving unwanted pianos a second chance. 

The character of a place can be a significant drawcard, so we often feel protective over the vibe of our local community. But this week, a tribunal in Victoria ruled that there's no true authority on what's cool, reversing a local council decision to block McDonald's from moving into the trendy neighbourhood. Resident Life Matters sociologist Dan Woodman weighs in on who decides what's considered cool.

Recently, the Japanese Shinto ritual of misogi has been gaining traction online. It's a simple concept where each year you set yourself one main challenge that's so hard you might actually fail. The reward is in the attempt, rather than the success. Adventure photographer Daygin Prescott shares what he's learned from his own misogi, and researcher Hugh Riddell explains the benefits of striving towards one big goal at a time.

This week the AFL — and elite athletes across the sporting spectrum — sent a clear message that homophobic comments on the field can no longer be excused simply because they were said in the heat of the contest. Pride Cup CEO Hayley Conway explores how this moment sends a message to players and fans across all levels of competition, and what the future looks like for inclusion in sport.

The Danish call it hygge. The Dutch? Gezellig. In Sweden, it's known as mysig. Whatever you call it, celebrating and creating rituals around cosiness can be a salve in those cold winter months. Even in warmer parts of the world, many of us relish the opportunity to rug up as the seasons change. Journalist John Hanscombe and cultural researcher David Rowe settle in for a warm chat about the science of cosiness.