Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

By ABC listen

What's Life Matters - Separate stories podcast about?

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.

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Life Matters - Separate stories podcast episodes:

06.23.2024
Should media literacy join reading and writing on the school syllabus?
The internet and social media has been a double edged sword for news and journalism. It's given a voice to communities that weren't often heard in the mainstream and enabled individuals and small collectives to report on news that would...
06.23.2024
'More addictive than heroin': Jonathan Haidt on why social media is so harmful and how to help kids get unhooked
The tragic statistics forming the basis of the youth mental health crisis can all be traced back to one moment - the invention of the smartphone and the emergence of the 'selfie-based social media ecosystem' in 2012. That's the argument...
06.23.2024
What’s it like being the only child in class who is not on Instagram?
At ten-years-old, when Aalia Elachi's smartphone broke and her parents decided not to replace it, she was devastated. But she's now fourteen and has loved the social-media-free life her parents have given her. What motivated the Elachis' decision and how...
06.20.2024
Ask Aunty: hot desking woes
You have recently started job sharing which entails also sharing a desk. But what happens when you job share partner helps themselves to the precious cashmere scarf you leave on the back of your seat.
06.20.2024
Why we need to talk about death
Our relationship with our own mortality is perhaps one of the most challenging relationships we have in our lives, so how do we feel ok about it? Dr Leah Kaminsky and Dr Chris Cheers join Beverley Wang to discuss what...
06.19.2024
How parents and grandparents can play a role in children's literacy
One in three of Australia's four million children are struggling to read proficiently, according to the Grattan Institute. That's a shocking figure, and one that understandably worries many parents, grandparents and guardians. Anne McLeish and Amy Haywood discuss how adults...
06.19.2024
Here's What I Know: what Shane Jacobson's learned about bending the truth
Shane Jacobson is a beloved fixture of Australian screen and stage, from plunging toilets as Kenny to singing in Guys and Dolls. He shares his motto for life's great moments, and a lesson from his mum about the perils of...
06.18.2024
Why are Australian homes so cold and can we warm them up in an affordable way?
Much of Australia is having a cold snap right now — with sub-zero temperatures in six different states and territories. And it can be very nice in those times to curl up in a warm room with a hot cuppa,...
06.18.2024
How to prevent mid-year burnout
Mid-year can be a tricky time: the weather is colder, the days are shorter, and the summer holidays can feel like they're a long way away. Is there a way we can better support ourselves and those around us from...
06.17.2024
Refugee Hero: Parisa Sekandari
Parisa Sekandari came into the world under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Some two decades later, the second time they rose to power, her life would dramatically change overnight. Now a Refugee Advocate and co-creator of the collectives 'Amplify Afghan Women'...
06.17.2024
The power of placebos
We often think of placebos in a medical context, as control measures for testing the effectiveness of drugs. But can placebos also influence how how things taste, or even how effective certain over-the-counter medicines are? Professor Joel Pearson shares the ways in which placebos harness the power of...
06.17.2024
New class of deadly drug sparks pill testing push
A new family of drugs are causing alarm among medical professionals. Up to fifty times stronger than fentanyl, nitazenes are synthetic opioids that have been detected in Australia in recreational drugs like MDMA and ketamine. Experts are warning harm minimisation...
06.16.2024
What does writing by hand do for our brain?
As the world becomes increasingly digitised, writing by hand can seem totally archaic. But research shows that, putting pen to paper brings far more cognitive benefit than is often assumed. What might happen if handwriting becomes a lost art?
06.16.2024
With great power: Why does AI make things up and how should businesses use it responsibly?
Google recently rolled out an experimental search feature, using AI to summarise results. And while it's generally very effective, sometimes it recommended putting glue in your pizza base. Legal research tools like Westlaw have implemented AI into their products, but...
06.16.2024
A question of reasonableness: Why are so many Australians working under a non-compete clause?
A study by E61 found that more than 20% of Australian workers are working under a non-compete clause — and that's everything from senior executives to hairdressers to fast food workers. The Assistant Treasurer, Andrew Leigh, has put non-compete clauses...
06.13.2024
Ask Aunty: when a saxophone saga jinxes a work opportunity
You are going for your dream job when you realise that you have history with your new would be boss. Guests: Lizzy Hoo, stand-up comedian, presenter, writer, and actor Patrick Lenton, writer, journalist and author
06.13.2024
Adult friendships: a guide to making (and keeping) friends in later life
When we're young, friends are everything and making new friends can be as easy and simple as having a shared interest. But as we grow older we seem to shed friends, and getting them back can be challenging. Dr Zoë...
06.12.2024
How social determinants shape the way we live and die
Most of us know how to reduce our risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or ding from Covid. But with new research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlighting the most common causes of death in Australia, we...
06.12.2024
Here's What I Know: Ailsa Piper on understanding the way things are
Ailsa Piper is a writer whose latest offering For Life explores grief. She shares what it means to let move past grief, how bodily shifts can make a difference to our state of mind and the power of swimming.
06.12.2024
‘Like attaching a car’s accelerator before the brake’: How can we better support young people experiencing early puberty?
Hitting puberty is challenging enough, but 13 per cent of Australians experience early puberty (for females, this means getting their period as young as eight), and new research shows there are unique brain changes for this cohort making them particularly...
06.12.2024
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06.11.2024
A message from the Gods or necessary bodily function: why do we dream?
Do dreams serve an evolutionary purpose? They're energy-zapping and leave us vulnerable to predation and yet dreams are necessary. Hilary Harper is joined by Rahul Jandial, an expert who's uniquely placed to talk all things brains and dreams.
06.11.2024
Balancing choice and protection: what are best ways to regulate voluntary assisted dying?
The ACT has become the latest Australian jurisdiction to legalise Voluntary Assisted Dying — with the changes taking effect in November 2025. That means that every State and Territory, except the Northern Territory has legalised the practice — but there...
06.10.2024
Norman Swan remembers Michael Mosley as a leading science communicator
Norman Swan met Michael Mosley as a young doctor. Norman reflects on Michael‘s transition from GP to leading science communicator and his ability to weave his personal story into scientific research. Guest: Dr Norman Swan, Producer and presenter of the...
06.10.2024
How can we help our children regulate their emotions in a healthy way?
Tantrums are a fact of life for most parents — the world can be a lot for a young child to take in — and sometimes their emotions can get the best of them. But some psychologists are saying that...
06.10.2024
People are giving less: how are charities pivoting to stay afloat during a cost-of-living crisis?
Charities are reporting a huge spike in demand for services across the country. At the same time, donations are dropping as potential donors are experiencing financial hardship, sometimes for the first time in years. How has the cost-of-living crisis impacted...
06.09.2024
What we're learning about romantic love
When you fall in love, you hope that it will last forever! But sadly, that's not always the case. Scientists are discovering more about love and how it influences our bodies and brains.
06.09.2024
The surprising benefits of insomnia
While grieving a series of deaths in her close circle of family and friends, Annabel Abbs-Streets found herself in the midst of chronic, severe, insomnia. After railing against her sleeplessness, becoming increasingly frustrated, she decided upon a different tack. She...
06.09.2024
Protein is the ‘miracle nutrient’ of the moment, but how much do you really need?
There’s been an explosion of media telling us that consuming more protein can do everything from building muscle to extending our lives, but experts say more is not always better and too much could actually be harmful. So what does...
06.06.2024
Ask Aunty: You feel judged for your choice in supermarkets
You like shopping at the posh supermarket across the street but when a neighbour makes a snide comment about your shopping habits you wonder whether it’s time to give up the supermarket or your friendship with the neighbour.
06.06.2024
Why your relationship with your hair is deeper than you think
Hair can be a fun way to express who we are, it can also signify a lot about us, from our cultural heritage to our age. Clinical psychologist Nasalifya Namwinga joins Beverley Wang to explore the connection between our hair...
06.05.2024
Does adaptation need to become the new priority on climate change?
May this year was the hottest on record, globally speaking, and that marks 12 straight months of record heat. And with that heat comes disaster events: wildfires are raging in California, heatwaves have impacted South and South-East Asia and floods...
06.05.2024
Here's What I Know: Chris Cheers on uncomfortable emotions
Chris Cheers is a psychologist, educator and author who works mostly with the queer and arts community. He shares why sometimes stress can tell us we are doing something meaningful, the importance of curiosity and why he prioritises making time...
06.05.2024
Health at Every Size is not about bingeing on junk food, so how does it work?
As traditional dieting has been proven to be ineffective for many people, the Health at Every Size movement has offered a more holistic alternative. But a new journalistic investigation has found that major American food companies have distorted the HAES...
06.05.2024
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06.04.2024
'She was able to have golf lessons': Confronting the inquiry into the gender pain gap through art
Michelle Hamer is an acclaimed artist whose work delivers a strong message through what may be considered a gentle medium. She is also no stranger to chronic pain. But it was in asking others to share their experiences that informed...
06.04.2024
Do we need laws to prevent genetic discrimination?
Genetic testing is increasingly becoming essential in disease management and prevention, but some argue that life insurance discrimination could deter people from getting tested. The Council of Australian Life Insurers says they support a near-total ban on the use of genetic...
06.03.2024
Here's What I Know: Morris Gleitzman on looking below the surface of things
Morris Gleitzman is a bestselling children’s author, whose work includes Two Weeks with the Queen and more recently Tweet. He reflects on the importance of looking under the surface, making the time to read and typing with all his fingers.
06.03.2024
Blossom, practical and creative ways to find wonder in the floral world
It's time to stop and smell the roses. Adriana Picker has a particular passion for the floral world. She sees her life 'punctuated by plants'. Her book is called 'Blossom, practical and creative ways to find wonder in the floral...
06.03.2024
Death anxiety may be unconsciously influencing your life but you can turn it around
While we like to distract ourselves from the concept of death, Terror Management Theory, a school of psychological thought, argues that anxiety about our own and others' mortality drives many of our more perverse behaviours. Some researchers are now arguing...
06.03.2024
Is the minimum wage keeping pace with the cost of living?
The Fair Work Commission have raised the minimum and award wages by 3.75%, roughly in line with inflation. But, despite increases above what many business groups have asked for over the last 5 years, wages have fallen in real terms. ...
06.02.2024
'Side, back, front?' What's the best position for a good night's sleep?
There are plenty of devices on the market that aim to help improve your sleep posture, but does it really need shifting? Professor Danny Eckert looks at why we like to sleep in a certain position, and when those positions...
06.02.2024
We can acquire food allergies as adults. Can it be avoided?
While far less common than developing an allergy in childhood, adults can get food allergies too. Professor Clare Collins looks at causes adults to acquire food allergies and whether there is any way to avoid it.
06.02.2024
Busting the myths about only children
If you labelled a child 'selfish', 'spoiled', or 'maladjusted' because of their skin colour or religion you'd be rightfully accused of discrimination. So why do people feel entitled to make the same judgements about only children. Myths about only children...
05.30.2024
Ask Aunty: a tricky bathroom situation at work
You ride your bike to work, and so does your senior colleague. When you enter the shower, you always find that your senior colleague is leaving their hair around the drain. It might be time for a difficult conversation. Can...
05.30.2024
What’s your relationship with risk?
If you look up the word 'risk' in the dictionary you may well find that it refers to the possibility of something bad happening, but it can also be an opportunity to evolve. Clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating joins Beverley...
05.30.2024
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05.29.2024
Life in a tourist town
Have you ever gone to the perfect holiday spot and thought: I wish I could just live here forever? What is it like for the people who actually do? From the busy days of peak season to the slow days...
05.29.2024
Here's What I Know: Dr Yves Rees on why we need to feel our feelings
Dr Yves Rees is a historian, author and podcaster and prominent voice on issues and experiences of gender diversity. They share how taking up ocean swimming with the Salty Slags club boosted their wellbeing, and why they make an effort...
05.29.2024
Feeling ‘suffocated’ by the role of mother and wife, Molly Roden Winter found an outlet - polyamory
When teacher Molly Roden Winter’s husband is home late, leaving her to put the kids to bed (again), she storms out of the house, finding herself at a bar exchanging numbers with a cute guy. Molly never expects to pursue...

What's Life Matters - Separate stories podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Matters - Separate stories podcast episodes:

Should media literacy join reading and writing on the school syllabus?

'More addictive than heroin': Jonathan Haidt on why social media is so harmful and how to help kids get unhooked

What’s it like being the only child in class who is not on Instagram?

Ask Aunty: hot desking woes

Why we need to talk about death

How parents and grandparents can play a role in children's literacy

Here's What I Know: what Shane Jacobson's learned about bending the truth

Why are Australian homes so cold and can we warm them up in an affordable way?

How to prevent mid-year burnout

Refugee Hero: Parisa Sekandari

The power of placebos

New class of deadly drug sparks pill testing push

What does writing by hand do for our brain?

With great power: Why does AI make things up and how should businesses use it responsibly?

A question of reasonableness: Why are so many Australians working under a non-compete clause?

Ask Aunty: when a saxophone saga jinxes a work opportunity

Adult friendships: a guide to making (and keeping) friends in later life

How social determinants shape the way we live and die

Here's What I Know: Ailsa Piper on understanding the way things are

‘Like attaching a car’s accelerator before the brake’: How can we better support young people experiencing early puberty?

0932

A message from the Gods or necessary bodily function: why do we dream?

Balancing choice and protection: what are best ways to regulate voluntary assisted dying?

Norman Swan remembers Michael Mosley as a leading science communicator

How can we help our children regulate their emotions in a healthy way?

People are giving less: how are charities pivoting to stay afloat during a cost-of-living crisis?

What we're learning about romantic love

The surprising benefits of insomnia

Protein is the ‘miracle nutrient’ of the moment, but how much do you really need?

Ask Aunty: You feel judged for your choice in supermarkets

Why your relationship with your hair is deeper than you think

Does adaptation need to become the new priority on climate change?

Here's What I Know: Chris Cheers on uncomfortable emotions

Health at Every Size is not about bingeing on junk food, so how does it work?

0927

'She was able to have golf lessons': Confronting the inquiry into the gender pain gap through art

Do we need laws to prevent genetic discrimination?

Here's What I Know: Morris Gleitzman on looking below the surface of things

Blossom, practical and creative ways to find wonder in the floral world

Death anxiety may be unconsciously influencing your life but you can turn it around

Is the minimum wage keeping pace with the cost of living?

'Side, back, front?' What's the best position for a good night's sleep?

We can acquire food allergies as adults. Can it be avoided?

Busting the myths about only children

Ask Aunty: a tricky bathroom situation at work

What’s your relationship with risk?

0906

Life in a tourist town

Here's What I Know: Dr Yves Rees on why we need to feel our feelings

Feeling ‘suffocated’ by the role of mother and wife, Molly Roden Winter found an outlet - polyamory

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