Life Matters

The human side of making our nation more productive, behind the pocket money gender pay gap, why our world leaders can't agree on the best way to tackle plastic pollution, and the dark side of your wellness obsession.  

The argument for electric vehicle users paying a road use charge, the ethics behind disclosing adoptees' status, and what your nightmares reveal about your health - plus, why Virgin Australia's new pets on planes policy has sparked backlash.  

In a long-term relationship, when does someone start thinking, "This isn't working anymore?" What goes on between that initial thought and the final decision that its definitely over? Investigative journalist Nicole Madigan shares insights from her book Torn: Four Women’s Stories of Why They Left – or Why They Stayed. Psychologist and psychotherapist Stephen Andrew discusses his thoughts as an expert who specialises in treating individuals couples, thrupples and polycules.

In Ask Aunty, a letter-writer asks: How can I survive my in-laws' very different holiday expectations? Aunties Maeve Marsden, writer, theatre-maker and Nate Byrne, meteorologist on ABC News Breakfast, did into this thorny issue.

As the role of pharmacists expands, there's a push to place them inside GP clinics to provide on-the-spot medication advice. Associate Professor Jean Spinks, Centre for Business and Economics of Health, University of Queensland, GP pharmacist Brooke Shelly, and Dr Michael Wright, President, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners discuss whether it could provide more efficient and effective care?

Outside school hours care is a lifesaver for parents who can't clock off in time for school pick up every day, but access to this kind of service is a postcode lottery. Guests Dr Kate Harrison Brennan, Director of the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and single mother Carla, discuss how to make this care an option for all working families across the country.

From recording frog calls to photographing fungi, everyday Australians are contributing biodiversity data like never before. So, how much impact has citizen science really had on research and conservation? Cam Slatyer, Atlas of Living Australia and Dr Jodie Rowley, amphibian biologist with the Australian Museum and founder of the FrogID app, talk about the role of citizen science.

If you've been on social media the last couple of weeks, you may have seen a viral video trend dubbed the "Gen Z stare"... older people say they make a comment or a request to someone under 25 years old and they're just met with a blank look. Dan Woodman, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Melbourne unpacks the phenomenon.

Performer Todd McKenney's decades-long career on stage has reached a full circle moment. He joins the cast of the classic musical 'Cats' once again, a role he first embodied almost forty years ago where he made a pact with a friend that made him a father.

What if a random interaction with a stranger ends with covert video uploaded to a social media platform? We hear from Tahnaya Smith, who was filmed without her consent and Professor Nicola Henry, from RMIT University's Social Equity Research Centre.

According to the Australian Federal Police, children as young as 12 are being radicalised by extremist groups online. And now terrified families say there's nowhere to turn. So, what does early intervention look like? Social worker and anti-radicalisation expert Peta Lowe explains where to find help.

What's next for our health star rating system? And, attractive people often benefit from special treatment. So, what's the impact of "pretty privilege"? Plus, how sex ed has changed in the 50 years since the book Where Did I Come From? hit our shelves. Also, why Australia's latest star-studded international tourism campaign may not work.

Who owns the copyright... to your face? And, a new book delves into the history of Aussie fatherhood. Also, a glimpse into the life of a spy... with the former head of Australia's top espionage agency. Plus, how much does it cost you to get to work each day?

How are you connected to your family history? And in Ask Aunty, is it possible to maintain a relationship with friends who have a very different finances to you?

Everything's moving online! Where does that leave the less-tech-savvy among us? Especially... our seniors? And, caring for someone at the end of their life can be all-consuming and overwhelming. Now there's a tool to help people organise the support they need. Plus, a few years ago, we couldn't get enough of streaming... but the dial may now be swinging back towards physical media you actually own. Also, do we owe each other honesty, all the time?

In hospital, gauging parents' instincts is about to be part of standard care. From the end of next month, all NSW hospitals will require staff to ask this question: "Are you worried they are getting worse?" Plus, who's a member of the We Do Not Care Club? And, a deep dive into Australia's home-grown conspiracy theories.