This week is palliative care week and in this edition of The Conversation hour we hear about the work of Very Special Kids and their role in providing palliative care for children with life-limiting illness. We hear the firsthand experience of a mother who was supported by the charity as well as her family support practitioner.

Also, in this edition, what will Susan Ley's leadership mean for the Liberal party, do we need to create better incentives for international touring acts to choose local supports and how much training do you get as an umpire?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at where a love of reading stems from and whether it is something that in innate or can be developed. Also, as farmers in some of the lushest parts of the state run out of water, we look at the impact it is having on livestock producers and just how serious the issue is becoming. And a controversial mural in Fitzroy prompts questions about what the role of public art should be.

How concerned should we be about the risk of concussion in kids footy? In this edition of The Conversation Hour, we explore the challenging decision many parents have to make about whether the risk is just too high.

Plus, the Catholic Church has a new pope, Pope Leo, so who is he and what will he stand for? Also, as Nicole Kidman sported a new hair do at the Met Gala this week, we talk the significance of hair and identity.

There has been a decline in the amount of young people driving trucks, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what needs to happen to attract and retain young people to the industry. We also look at why there has already been a spike in flu rates this year and the importance of keeping clothes manufacturing local. loring the issues that affect all Victorians.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we delve into why AFL recruiters are being sent to America , and what it could mean for the profile of the game internationally. We also discuss the impacts of the closure of the Bega Cheese processing site in Strathmore, talk the dangers of AI bias in surveillance and we reflect on what role the piano has in people's lives

It was a big night in Frankston last night as the Melbourne born Chicago Bulls player subbed in at a local A-grade competition in Frankston last night, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk the significance of the appearance with Melbourne's basketball community. Also in this edition, how much can Victoria's new chief police commissioner Mike Bush change the culture, what are the best looks at this year's Met Gala and why are some elite athletes been warned against having one night stands.

New research reveals that children are disproportionately represented in e-scooter deaths, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the risks e-scooters pose to young people and what needs to happen to keep kids safe on the roads. We also look at just how significant influences where in determining the election result. Plus, we look at just how unusual it is to have temperatures in the mid 20s in May.

As Gen Z are said to embrace the 'joy of missing out' aka JOMO — where does that leave Melbourne's nightlife? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask just how significant the generational shift is in how young people socialise. We also look at the social impacts of Married at First Sight and celebrate the talk toilets of Victoria.

If you are breastfeeding and a sports fan — have you stopped going to live sporting events because it is just too hard? In this edition of The Conversation we look at some research from Deakin that reveals the extent of just how challenging attending sporting events can be for new families. We also talk jobs of the future and why eco-protestors are sending their clothes back to the shops they bought them from.

Faced with a parental dilemma, you may have found yourself asking what would parenting author and educator Maggie Dent do. In this edition of The Conversation Hour Maggie Dent talks parenting in the social media age and why she takes issue with the term toxic masculinity. We also look at what it would mean for participation if period products were made free at all sporting facilities and what it takes to get a tier two sport into the Olympics.