Life Matters

We've all Googled our symptoms, but would you ask AI for medical advice? David Hansen from CSIRO's e-Health Research Centre, Dr Michael Bonning and consumer health expert Elizabeth Deveny weigh up the risks of relying on AI chatbots to navigate your health concerns.

When comedian Craig Quartermaine applied for an arts grant, it was a flat-out no. Comedy wasn't on the list of "accepted" performing arts. So, if the purpose of "art" is to act as a mirror to reflect society, does stand-up deserve a ticket to the show?

The face of multi-level marketing schemes seems to be changing, but the chances of success remain the same. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison examines how MLMs hook us in, and what keeps us coming back for more.

The Bondi terrorist attack has left the Jewish community and the nation at large reeling. Journalist Nadine Cohen, artist Joel Adler and grief sociologist Margaret Gibson unpack how you can create space for mourning to heal and move through tragedy. 

Ben Collins had been contemplating a career change for years before hitting the books again in his late 40s to become a junior doctor at 51. So when is the right time to make a career pivot? You'll hear Ben's story and career counsellor Ellen Hooper's advice on making the move.

When was the last time you pressed an actual button to get where you needed to go? Australia's car safety body warns touchscreens are taking over, and is pushing for a return to physical controls. 

If you spent the holidays with your immediate or extended family, it may have been joyful. But is may also have been stressful and draining. 

Psychologist Anushka Phal helps you work through any emotions that came up during what may have been some intense family time. 

And, aunties, comedian Geraldine Hickey and ABC meteorologist Nate Byrne, advise on what to do when you want your new hook-up to be casual but not MIA!

The rise of apps linked to childcare centres gives crucial reassurance to worried parents that children are safe and happy at daycare. Throughout the day, educators snap pictures of activities and upload them to the app.But what happens to the pictures and sensitive documents accumulated over the years on these apps? Some parents, like Niels Wouters, are finding out that when your child graduates to big school, their data doesn't automatically go with them. Luci Pangrazio is an Associate Professor at Deakin University and Chief Investigator at the Centre for the Digital Child and Nesha Hutchinson is Vice President of the Australian Childcare Alliance.

One of the cornerstone reforms from the Aged Care Royal Commission's final report is a new federal Aged Care Act. So do these changes bring us closer to a system we can trust to care for our parents ... and ourselves? Debra Nicholl is CEO of Elder Rights Australia and  Lisa Backhouse has been advocating for aged care reforms and gave evidence to Royal Commission about the substandard level of care her mother experienced.

In Australian primary schools, many tuckshops are struggling, teachers are paying for kids' lunches out of their own pockets, and some public primary schools are hiring chefs. And yet, many kids are still going to school hungry and without lunch. So, why is lunch a growing challenge for Australian schools? Bec Spink is the principal of Wirrigirri Primary School in Victoria and Rebecca Golley is Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University.

In Victoria, some foster carers are reporting sudden reductions in their allowances for looking after children with high-level needs. It highlights the ongoing challenges around the country when it comes to finding foster carers for children who need safe and stable homes. So, what needs to change? Emma is a foster carer, Samantha Hauge is Chief executive of the Foster Care Association of Victoria, and Renée Leigh is CEO of Adopt Change, and member of the National Foster & Kinship Care Collective.

The Bureau of Meteorology has revamped its website and to say that people have strong opinions is an understatement. Whether you like or loathe it, the flood of reactions shows how the weather means so much more to us than small talk. So what is it about the weather... why are we so obsessed? Nate Byrne is ABC News Breakfast weather presenter and meteorologist and Lawrie Zion is professor of journalism at La Trobe University and author of The Weather Obsession.

Suzanne Somers was one of the biggest TV stars of the 1980s and 1990s... starring on sitcoms like Three's Company and Step by Step. She also made a name for herself marketing the iconic fitness gadget - the ThighMaster. Sadly, Suzanne died of cancer in 2023... but now her husband of 46 years has brought her back... kind of. Somers' widower Alan Hamel has created an AI clone of her and plans to upload it on her website, to be a 24/7 AI chatbot for her fans. So, is this ethical? Patrick Stokes is Associate Professor of philosophy at Deakin University.

ChatGPT... Grammarly... Google Gemini...  AI tools have changed student life in the space of just a couple of years. Cheating seems easier than ever before. So, how do teachers monitor AI use, while accurately assessing students' work? Mark McLauchlin is a nursing student who is fighting AI cheating accusations. Dr Jasmine Thomas, Associate Director of I.C.T. Governance and Partnerships at the University of Southern Queensland and Dr Cameron Edmond, lecturer in game development, at Macquarie University's School of computing are both navigating the world of academia and AI.

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.

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.

The news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a shock. As did stories that 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.

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.

A new version of the world's most popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT,  will include 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. 

Unlike previous generations, most parents today know there is a huge amount they can do to set up (or stuff up) their kids' mental and emotional needs.

In an era of information overload, Developmental Paediatrician, host of the Pop Culture Parenting podcast and author Dr Billy Garvey aims to help parents understand and prioritise what's most important. 

Also, aunties, journalist Denise Eriksen and Head Writer for the ABC's Gruen James Colley, advise on how to respond when your best friend's plus one has four legs and a tail.

Our best stories of 2025 helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let's talk! With trusted experts and your stories, Life Matters is all about what matters to you.

Today you'll hear about finding joy in going solo. 

Over Summer, we've been revisiting some of your favourite stories from 2025.

Today, we'll be discussing how to help our kids - or grandkids - navigate the world safety.

How do you actually talk to your children about their own personal safety - without scaring them, but still giving them the confidence to make good decisions when you're not around?

We also look at a different kind of safety - financial safety - and why we should be talking about money at school, and at home.

Also, how to stop children from committing a crime - how early do we need to intervene?