Life Matters

Australia has the highest uptake per capita of rooftop solar in the world, but for the 10% of the country who live in apartments the solar energy transition is harder to achieve. Overseas the solution has been balcony solar systems, but these aren't currently allowed in Australia. So what needs to change in how we support renewable energy in apartments?

Author, comedian and cabaret performer Libby Trainor Parker always assumed she would meet the love of her life, have a big family, and live in a house full of children's laughter. And in a way, she got that dream. But it's been a long road, with a lot of heartbreak, infertility, loss and grief, which she has documented in a new book.

If you've ever been stuck at a red light, wondering why you're still waiting when there are no cars coming the other way — AI might make this a frustration of the past. An Australia-first trial of AI-powered traffic lights is slated for later this year, and although a faster journey sounds appealing but how do we make sure those decisions are fair and safe for everyone using the road?

Plus meet 'Papa Bruce', the grumpy grandpa persona of Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man award-winning author Bruce Pascoe. 

When your kids become parents, it can feel like deja vu. You've weathered these same toddler tantrums and teenage rebellions — but this time it's your grandchildren testing the boundaries, and your own kids are now the ones in charge. For this instalment of The Grandparent Trap, it's time to explore some trickier territory. Author, podcaster and Mamamia editor Jessie Stephens and her mum Anne Stephens share how their relationship dynamic changed when the family added a new generation, and family psychologist Dr Josh Coleman weighs in on how to navigate conflict and estrangement if things aren't going so well.

Plus, Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe (or "Papa Bruce" to his grandkids) explains his role as the "grumpy grandparent" insistent on table manners and raising his grandchildren to become conscientious citizens. 

And if Christopher Nolan's screen interpretation of The Odyssey has got you dreaming of a Mediterranean holiday, you're not alone. Tourism operator Sam Wood, author Larissa Behrendt and The Book Show's Claire Nichols explore what's behind the rising trend in literary travel. 

When it comes to two-parent families, research shows women do 50 per cent more housework than men, and double the amount of caring duties. But the mental load is about more than juggling the significant burden of daily life admin. So what would it look like if that was equally shared? Sociologist Leah Ruppanner and psychologist Simon Rice explain how to divide and conquer before you find yourself in total burnout. 

What do you do if sleeping next to your partner has become an absolute nightmare? This week, Aunties Tito Ambyo and Fiona Harris share their advice with a listener who's considering separate beds in the hopes of catching some Zs and improving their sex life.

The federal government's setting up an Office of AI to lay out some ground rules for companies that want to build centres in Australia. So what does this say about our trust in AI, and the global corporations developing these tools? Tech reporter Cam Wilson, AI expert Toby Walsh and researcher Nicole Gillespie, who's been keeping tabs on public perceptions around AI since 2020, weigh in.

Imagine being told, every day, that today could be the day the world ends. That was the message drilled into Bek Condello for as long as she could remember. She shares what it was like being raised in a strict doomsday church, and how leaving led her to rebuild her entire life. 

In the latest instalment of The Grandparent Trap, children's author Jacqueline Harvey shares how becoming "Nanny Jac" to her step-daughter's gorgeous son Alfie brought a totally new kind of love into her life. 

One of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in the world sold this week for $71 million. The buyer has not yet been disclosed, but it begs the question: should any one person own an item like this?

Gayle is looking for love again in her 40s. She spent some time scouring the dating apps, but now she's ditched them in an effort to find someone offline. Well, kind of offline. She's also documenting her journey on social media. So what is the best way to find a new relationship in mid-life? Are people having more success offline than on — or are we just evolving past dating apps?

According to new research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies, young people aren't disengaged from politics and civic life — they're actually just engaging in different ways than the generations before them. Lead author of the research Dr Ebony Biden and Cheek Media Co founder Hannah Ferguson unpack the results. 

In Head and Heart you get some tips on moving out of the acquaintance zone and into the friend zone. 

There's a critical lack of affordable housing options across the board, and data suggests older women — who typically retire with less in savings and superannuation than men — are particularly vulnerable. There's no silver bullet, but one potential solution involves a co-housing model that puts community front and centre. Sharing With Friends CEO Susan Davies and author Sally Piper explain how the idea sparked a friendship and inspired a novel.

Everyone has those menial tasks that feel impossible — not because they're difficult, but just because they're so incredibly tedious. So how do you get through the dreaded to-do list? Time management coach Christie Flora explains the power of "get stuff done" parties bringing people together to collectively crush the boring life admin jobs.

With the news of Sam Neill's death reverberating around the world, friend and fellow actor David Wenham shares how he'll be remembered: not just as an extraordinary actor, but a beautiful person whose warmth, wit, and talent touched millions.

There are more than 100,000 children currently in some form of kinship care in Australia, and it's estimated more than half of those providing that care are grandparents. As part of Life Matters' special series The Grandparent Trap, Kinship Alliance Australia founder Meredith Kiraly and researcher Jocelyn Jones explore the complicated dynamics involved in raising children the second time around. 

Plus, Australian soap royalty Lynne McGranger shares why becoming a nanna was even more special than winning the Gold Logie. 

When a marriage ends in divorce, what do you do with the wedding ring? One option apparently gaining steam is taking that piece of jewellery and turning it into something new: the divorce ring. Jeweller Nicole Winkler and divorce lawyer Antonella Sanderson weigh in on what this trend says about our feelings around divorce.

After Life Matters dove into the ethical quandaries of the smart glasses revolution last week, former disability discrimination commissioner Graeme Innes got in touch to share how this technology has been a game-changer for accessibility.

If you're feeling a bit stuck in your career, or pessimistic about how AI might affect your future prospects, it might be time for a pep talk. Career management coach Jane Jackson and Money Money Money host Glen James want to help pull you out of your slump and get unstuck.

And it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye … this week Aunties Urvi Majumdar and James Colley share some advice for a listener in hot water after a dogsitting disaster.

Women over 55 are the fastest-growing cohort experiencing homelessness in Australia. Many have been pushed to seek alternative living arrangements, and new research suggests homesharing could be a viable option. Researcher Lyndall Bryant and Homeshare Australia New Zealand Alliance's Rosie Lawn explain how the model works and why there's such a significant demand.

When you're shaping the minds of the next generation, how do you bring 65,000 years of Indigenous peoples' stories into the here and now? University of Melbourne researchers Justin Wilkey and Jess Gannaway share how they're gathering knowledge from Indigenous educators across the world to help Australian teachers bring truth-telling into the classroom.

As part of Life Matters' new series The Grandparenting Trap, children's author Morris Gleitzman explains how sharing his love of stories and wild imagination with his two grandsons has brought him immense joy. 

There are dozens of medieval fairs across the country each year, with multi-day festivals selling out faster than you can say "hear ye, hear ye". So what's behind the nostalgia for a time none of us has ever experienced? Sociologist Dan Woodman and sword fighter Kiara Bruggeman break it down.

If talking about money makes you squirm, you might want to think twice before you open an account with the bank of mum and dad. University of Newcastle researchers Julia Cook and Mirella Atherton explain the tricky emotional — and legal — consequences of lending cash to your loved ones.

One person's dream holiday destination is another's backyard. But some UNESCO heritage sites are now so overwhelmed by tourists, they're asking to be removed from the list. So, if locals are asking you not to go, do you have a responsibility to change your travel plans? 

If you were running a car for eight hours a day without stopping, eventually you would run out of petrol and the car would break down. The same can be said for our bodies and minds, so taking effective breaks at work should be a priority. This Working Life host Lisa Leong shares how to build in restorative breaks throughout your day.