Life Matters - Full program podcast

Nowadays it seems like there's a dietary supplement for everything. To ward off potential illnesses. To support mental wellness. To help with weight loss. And to enhance your fitness regime. So what's fueling supplement culture? And is it really making us healthier? Dr Michael Bonning is a GP and Chair of Public Health for the Australian Medical Association and Emma Fernance suffered vitamin B6 toxicity after taking iron supplements.Agrihoods are booming in the US, and several projects are now in the early planning stages in Australia. Advocates say they bring farm-to-table living to suburban communities and reconnect people with where their food comes from. Steve Grist is an agrihood advocate and founder of Arkadian Developments and Dr Jason Hilder is an urban geographer and Chair of Co-Housing Australia.Financial Counselling Australia has just released a set of principles aimed at guiding organisations to better respond to financial hardship. So if you find yourself in financial stress, what should you do? And how should you expect a business to treat you? Dr Domenique Meyrick is CEO of Financial Counselling Australia, which runs the National Debt Helpline.Actor, artist and author of "Say Everything: A Memoir", Ione Skye reveals how she makes and spends her money in In My Two Cents.

In a conversation on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, Madonna opened up about making peace with her brother Christopher Ciccone before he died in 2024. The pair had been estranged for many years. So, how can you reconnect with estranged family? And how do you know if it's the right decision for you? Naomi Mourra reconciled with her family after years of estrangement. And Dr Zoe Krupka, psychotherapist and senior lecturer at the Cairnmillar Institute, explains how you can safely take the first step.It can be awkward to split the bill with friends. But when you’re at a new friend’s birthday dinner and you think it's their shout, then get handed a massive bill…What do you do? Aunties Jenny Valentish, journalist and author of The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the house, and Nate Byrne, weather presenter and meteorologist on ABC News Breakfast, share their insights. 

A new global diet plan focuses not only on what you put into your body ... but how to produce food to keep the planet healthy. The EAT-Lancet Commission says adopting its diet recommendations could prevent 40,000 early deaths per day across the world...  and cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The diet's key message: eat way less meat and more plants. Briar McKenzie is an accredited dietitian and Senior Research Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health and Professor Ben Lyons is Director at the USQ Centre for Rural Economies.In 2011, Turia Pitt was caught in a grassfire while competing in the 100km Kimberley ultra marathon in Western Australia. She suffered burns to 65% of her body. She lost seven fingers, had more than 200 medical procedures, and spent two years in recovery. In her new book, Selfish, she turns her focus to different challenges - those as a parent and partner. She explores sacrifice, guilt, and burnout.Recently, 600 couples from the South American nation of Paraguay were married simultaneously in a gym. Is this a genius way to get around the financial strain of throwing a wedding? Or is it somehow less special than a ceremony of your own? What makes weddings so special anyway? They're expensive. They're full of drama. And they rarely turn out exactly how you wanted. Dan Woodman, Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne, discusses why weddings still have a role in people's lives.

Last week's big celebrity news that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban had ended their marriage after 19 years came as a bit of a shock. And within a day... came the next update... 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.Its estimated one in six Australian students receive private tutoring to help them catch up or get ahead at school. However, the billion-dollar industry remains largely unregulated, with no national standards or enforced accreditation. A new University of Sydney study warns this 'shadow' education sector is putting student safety, learning quality and fairness at risk. Dr Ben Zunica has researched the private tutoring industry and identified some concerns. He's from Sydney School of Education & Social Work, University of Sydney. Chantelle Ford is a private tutor and owner of Attain Education.A really meaningful piece of jewellery can feel like it's part of you... but some people take that to the next level with pieces that are literally made with body parts. Elton John for instance -- he had a double kneecap replacement surgery last year, then hired a jeweller to fashion his old kneecaps into shiny gold jewellery... a pendant and a brooch. Our taste in jewellery is pretty personal... One person's dream engagement ring is another person's gaudy horror. So, how did jewellery become the status symbol it is today? And what's your relationship with your jewellery? Adrian Dickens is a personal jeweller and lecturer with ArtsNational.

Children are reading less and less. And adults? Well, we're not much better. A new report shows that kids need the time, space and a little helping hand to fall in love with reading. So why don't we have more dedicated spaces for kids to explore books? Jane Cowell is President of the Australian Library and Information Association, Megan Daley is a teacher-librarian, and Anna Burkey is head of Australia Reads.What if the leading performer in the next movie you saw wasn't human, but an AI entity? Tilly Norwood is young, brunette, with brown eyes and what sounds like an English accent. She's an AI-generated creation made by an artificial intelligence talent studio. So, what do audiences think? And how do AI performers affect living, breathing, creatives? Katina Michael is a Professor of technology, strategy, and innovation and visiting research scientist at the University of Sydney, Robert Sparrow is a Professor of Philosophy at Monash University, and Karen Jacobsen is a singer, songwriter, and voice of Apple's virtual assistant, Siri.It can be easier to outsource errands on your phone. Especially if those chores involve a trip to the shops with your kids. But is avoiding the hassle of the shopping centre car park and in-store meltdowns worth what you miss when their face lights up as they find the shoes that fit just right? Or the incidental deep and meaningful chats in the car What falls by the wayside in our relentless pursuit for efficiency? Dr Paul Harrison is Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University's Business School.

Bob Brown is a former politician, doctor, and environmentalist who was the leader of the Australian Greens. In his new book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders, he inspires a new generation to take action. He reflects on the value of nature and shares what motivates him to keep fighting. Australia has a shortage of GPs, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas. But, one GP clinic in regional Victoria is tackling the problem in a creative way by offering a reward to anyone in their community who can help recruit a doctor! John McColl is the co-owner of Beechworth Surgery and Dr Anita Munoz is the Victorian Chair of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.Midwife Oceane Campbell has lost count of the number of babies she's helped bring into the world. In her new memoir, she shares hilarious births, unexpectedly early arrivals and heartbreaking moments when things don't go according to plan.

When was the last time you had fun or experienced joy? It's something you'd assume should be pretty easy, but sometimes it can feel hard. That struggle to feel joy or notice the small joyful moments in our day is actually very normal. Dr Desiree Koslowski is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Southern Cross University and Dr Kerry Burnright is a gerontologist and author of a new book called Joyspan: A Short Guide to Enjoying Your Long Life.What should you do to support a friend who has bad luck with relationships? Letter-writer Morgan says she's fed-up with a friend who she thinks is scared to be alone. The friend's latest relationship is just eight months old and they've already broken up and reunited several times. Writer and author Patrick Lenton and comedian Urvi Majumdar discuss whether it's possible to help a friend without the emotional labour taking its toll on you.

Travel can have its frustrations: A cancelled flight, lost bags, a lengthy delay forcing you to spend hours at an airport, and the stress of trying to rebook the family's holiday at the last minute. The Federal Government has released new rules to establish reasonable standards for airlines and airports ... like when refunds should be issued and when food and drink vouchers are appropriate. So, what protections would you like to make your airline travel smoother? Traveller Peter Mansell had a planned trip to Bali that didn't go according to plan, Adam Glezer is founder of Consumer Champion, and Andy Kelly is Choice's Deputy Director of Campaigns.The internet pile-on is a well-established phenomenon in 2025. We've been living our lives online for decades now, so is it time for our behaviour on the internet to turn a corner? In two new projects, podcaster and author Clare Stephens asks what would we learn if we paused, just as the pitchforks are coming out, to ask what are we actually trying to achieve here? Have you ever wondered how to get your mug on a quiz show? Or have you wondered who comes up with all those left-field questions? Hamish Watt is the senior question producer for one of the country's highest rating quiz shows - Channel 9's Tipping Point Australia.Dawsons Creek. Little Britain. Friends. At the time, you thought these TV shows were hilarious. But by 2025 standards, they haven't aged well. But is that fair? Patrick Stokes, Associate Lecturer in Philosophy at Deakin University, debates whether we can view things that were made in a different time with different ethical standards and moral expectations.

The deep exhaustion of burnout makes it feel like you'll never emerge at the other end. A 2023 report found 80% of the Australian workforce struggles with burnout. So, what are the signs you are headed for a crash? How do you course-correct? Dr Roland Bull shares his personal experience of burnout and Dr Rachel Hannam, Clinical Director at North Brisbane Psychologists, talks about the steps you can take to overcome burnout.In Melissa Leong's new book Guts: A memoir of food, failure and taking impossible chances, she explores themes of abuse in the hospitality industry, racism, and mental health. The MasterChef judge also reveals how her career in food was an accident. In 2016, Peter Drew's posters became some of the most recognisable art in the country. He made his "Aussie" posters at a time of great distress about rising racism and anti-immigration sentiment. Now he's decided, 10 years from the first poster going up, it's time to relaunch the project.

One advocacy group wants 2026 to be the first year where you can watch the footy finals without the gambling ads. Can you even picture it? Currently, gambling ads are all-pervasive - on jerseys, on the TV between tackles and even on the field itself. Martin Thomas is CEO of Alliance for Gambling Reform and Dylan Jacotine is sharing his recovery from gambling addiction online.Students and staff at Australia's universities feel "betrayed, undermined and let down" according to the chair of a senate inquiry examining governance at our higher education institutions. Meanwhile, new Deakin University research found one third of Australians do not trust universities and two in five agree university managers "are more focused on revenue than quality." Deakin University's vice chancellor Professor Iain Martin says whether this is perception or reality makes little difference now.When's the last time you read a poem? Perhaps you were at a wedding, a funeral, or another special occasion. Or maybe you're the one who has written a sonnet for a special someone. In the age of algorithms and distraction – what's the role of poetry? Erik Jensen is the author of a poetry collection titled A Lick of Fireweed. He is also editor-in-chief and chief executive of Schwartz Media. School's out! And a lot of lucky families are at the beach, or somewhere exotic or far-flung. But if you're not posting postcard-perfect pics on Instagram, it's easy to feel a strong sense of FOMO - fear of missing out. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones explains how can you put the green-eyed monster in its place.Statement from Responsible Wagering Australia CEO Kai Cantwell: The industry has already reduced TV advertising by 71% over the past five years. Banning advertising won’t stop people from gambling - it will simply hand the market to illegal offshore operators who aggressively target vulnerable Australians and children online, refuse to pay out winnings, contribute nothing to Australian sport, racing or tax revenue, and operate without any of the safeguards licensed providers must follow.That’s why a balanced, middle-ground approach is needed - one that reduces children’s exposure to ads while keeping gambling within the regulated system, which polling shows is what Australians want.

In Victoria, there's a push to charge a fee to view the iconic Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road. Around the country, some of our national parks are free, but you pay to visit the most popular, like Kakadu. Nearly all of our beaches are free... but you'll get often slugged for parking. So, what's reasonable when it comes to charging access to Australia's great natural wonders? Liz Price is General manager of Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Professor Sarah Gardiner is Director of the Griffith Institute for Tourism.Keeping up with the best, most up-to-date nutrition information that's backed by science isn't always easy. Just recently, a study that spruiked the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss was retracted. But is the genie already out of the bottle? How hard is it to unpick scientific research that people have already been told is good, when it in fact goes bad? Simone Pettrigrew is Director of Health promotion at George Institute for Global Health.ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell me about the book that changed their life, and sat down with host of The Assembly Leigh Sales.Tesla's latest software upgrade has arrived on our shores. A software update just dropped... and it upgrades your car, to take a ton of driving tasks off your hands. But experts say driverless technology can be fraught with issues. Hussein Dia is Professor of Future Urban Mobility at Swinburne University of Technology.

For many of us, friendship groups are a key part of our social circle. Maybe it's your friend group from school or uni... or the gang you bonded with at your first job... it could be the parent group at your child's school. Friendship groups can be a source of joy, comfort, and camaraderie. They can also be tricky to navigate and Sahra O'Doherty, President of the Australian Association of Psychologists, offers some advice about how to walk that line.And in Ask Aunty, letter-writer Lydia and her husband are in their 70s, and slowing down a bit. So they think it seems fair that, after all those years of managing everything, their children should do some of the heavy lifting. But what happens when their children seem unwilling? Aunties Denise Eriksen, journalist and executive Director of Screen Careers, and Bridie Jabour, author, journalist and associate editor at Guardian Australia, offer their advice. 

For decades the thinking has been that bringing together people from different cultural or religious groups would be enough to effectively reduce prejudice in society. But new research from the University of Queensland says that method simply isn't working anymore. Staying prejudiced isn't an option if we want to live in a peaceful country. So how can we open the door of our echo chambers, and let other voices in? Dr Alexander O'Donnell is a research fellow at the Univeristy of Queensland's Institute of Social Science Research, Giridharan Sivaraman is the Race Discrimination Commissioner and Rabbi Zalman Kastel is the founder of Together for Humanity, an educational organisation that works to combat prejudice.In Victoria, plans are underway to memorialise former Premier Daniel Andrews with a bronze statue. Meanwhile, there's also a push to immortalise one of Melbourne's former local pollies, Darebin councillor Gaetano Greco. So who - if anyone, really - should get a statue in contemporary Australia? Clare McCracken is a Senior Lecturer at RMIT University's School of Art and Robert Hitchcock is a sculptor who has captured dozens of people in bronze. If you're a fan of 90s sitcoms, you'll know that the friendship depicted in the sitcom Friends isn't necessarily representative of real life. People in their mid to late-twenties, seemingly working very little, and spending every day and night, sitting around, drinking coffee and chatting with their mates. But contrary to this, many of us will finish school, then spend the next few years wondering where all our mates went. Dan Woodman, Professor of Sociology at the University of Melbourne, discusses why young adults are seemingly lonelier than older people.

The US President Donald Trump has linked autism to vaccines ... even pointing the finger at paracetamol. His claims have been widely criticised by medical experts worldwide and Australian regulators have been quick to point out the safety of both vaccines and paracetamol. But when a US President speaks, the ripple effects are global... and Australia's autism community is paying close attention. Dr Andrew Whitehouse is Deputy Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia and a director of Autism Awareness Australia.  Autism activist Dr Jac den Houting is a Senior Research Fellow at La Trobe University, and ABC Top 5 Humanities Resident for 2025.As Australians face increasing time pressures both at home and work, the number of volunteers has dropped. So how can you make the time to keep your volunteering commitments alive? Mark Pearce is the CEO of Volunteering Australia and Bhawana Basnet is a finalist in the Queensland Volunteer Awards 2025.There is a deepening divide in society and no matter what side of politics you sit on ... or even if you consider yourself removed from politics ... the "us versus them" mentality is wide-spread. Psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones discusses what's behind this thinking.

For a long time signing an online petition was seen as the slackest form of activism. But now the digital world has supercharged petitions. Australia's under 16 social media ban started as an online petition. Supported by regular people, calling for change. Whether it's slowing down traffic on your street or shaking up national policy, petitions can give regular people power. Julie-Ann Finney led a petition calling for a Royal Commission into Veteran suicides. Paige Mulholland is communications manager at Change.org and Dr Sky Croeser is a senior lecturer in Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry at Curtin University.Last week, New South Wales' first public long COVID clinic announced it will close its doors at the end of the month. In a statement, St Vincent's Hospital said patients who had been visiting the clinic would continue to receive the same comprehensive care but "within well-established clinical frameworks and with specialist input available as required". The statement also said: "Patients currently under the care of the Long COVID Service will be contacted directly by our team in the coming days to discuss their transition and ongoing symptom management." But the clinic's closure is leaving many long COVID patients frustrated and angry... and unsure exactly how they will manage their condition, which is complex and can be debilitating. And as we approach the sixth anniversary of COVID first surfacing ... patients, clinicians and researchers are still grappling with some basic questions. Why are some people struck down with long COVID and not others? How can we better diagnose it? What treatments will help the most? And how can we ensure all Australians have access to this help? Charlotte Sangster is living with long COVID and Dr Emma Tippett is a Clinical Research Fellow at the Burnet Institute and Founder of the Clinic Nineteen.If you're on any kind of social media, you may have seen this mythical dessert popping up everywhere. Dubai chocolate. It's milk chocolate, filled with pistachio cream. But what's really remarkable is how much it costs - about $25 for a standard-sized block. There's the same excitement around Labubus, Ooshies, and even - if you were around in the 90s - the Beanie Baby craze. So, is an item going viral enough to make it worth something? Dr Paul Harrison, Deakin University's head of Consumer Behaviour, discusses what makes some trends reach fever pitch... and others fizzle.In our regular segment My Two Cents, we ask those questions you'd rather not answer about money. In this episode, hear how veteran rock and roller Mick Thomas of Weddings, Parties, Anything and The Roving Commission, makes his money decisions.

A new report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics paints a pretty dire snapshot of the nation's health and wellbeing. It shows that you and I are living in a society that's more socially fragmented, less happy, and less healthy than it has been in years. So, what is needed to live a happier, and healthier life? A panel of experts weighs in on the nation's health, including Dr Jenny Gordon, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Nancy Pachana, geropsychologist, University of Queensland, and Kim van Schooten from the UNSW School of Population Health.Consumer decisions are now heavily driven by online reviews. Australians can offer online opinions on restaurants, cafes, hair salons, mechanics, call centres... even local schools. But on the flip side, a business can live or die on the power of reviews. One study found 98% of Australians read online reviews before making a purchase. So, how much weight do you give online reviews when you're making a purchase, deciding where to eat, or planning a holiday? Professor Gary Mortimer, retail consumer behaviour expert at QUT Business School, shares his insights. And Cafe Fifty Two co-owner Aisha Jones reveals how she fought back when a customer left her a one-star review. ABC Radio National has launched its Top 100 Books of the 21st Century. Over the next few weeks, you can vote for the books that you believe belong on the list. We're asking some notable readers to tell us about the book that changed their life. This week, we spoke to former Play School host Simon Burke. The way we think about risk for kids has changed drastically over a generation or two, moving towards a world with all the sharp edges and trip hazards removed. While the chance of harm is minimised, no one is ever challenged in environments with zero risk. Research shows that the benefit does outweigh the risk when it comes to risky play, and a new study includes a tool to calculate exactly where that inflection point is. David Eager, Professor of Risk Management and Injury Prevention at the University of Technology Sydney, breaks down the benefits and harms.

What would happen if you decide to embrace the word yes? Yes to opportunities! Yes to scary invitations! Yes to chances to have fun! Yes! Yes! Yes! Virologist Kirsty Short gave it a go and found it helped her get in touch with what she really wanted in life. Dr Giac Giacomantonio, Brisbane-based psychotherapist, discusses why saying yes can be hard but rewarding.Volunteering at school events is about building community spirit … but it's also about being fast, efficient, and able to work as part of a well-oiled machine at sausage sizzles and cake stalls. Letter-writer Mark is a longtime member of the parent committee at his kids' primary school. And he has a dilemma for aunties Nazeem Hussain, comedian and writer, and Monica Dux, columnist and author.

The conversation about genetically edited meat is evolving.... and so are the rules. Genetically edited animals like fish, cows, and pigs, are being developed for the dinner plate. In Australia, GMO foods were traditionally subject to strict regulation under the national food safety watchdog. But that's changing. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has recently revised its rules. John Gibson is a Professor of livestock genetics at the University of New England and Peter De Kruijff is an online environment reporter for ABC Science.The first Indigenous supermodel, Samantha Harris, got her start in modelling at age 13. Her childhood success stands in stark contrast to her mum's upbringing as a survivor of the Stolen Generations. It's their special relationship that takes centre stage in a book they teamed up to write, called Role Model.There are mental and physical health benefits of a garden. But unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of their own personal green space - a backyard, a courtyard, or even a balcony with potplants. Now, new research has explored the connection between people's ability to garden and their housing situation.They're asking, why isn't gardening space part of the housing crisis discussions? Dr Jonathan Kingsley is Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion at Swinburne University and Jo Heriot is a committee member of the Ceres community garden in Melbourne.

Any good book will transport you in some way -- pull you into a mystery, take you to a fantastical land... make you laugh, make you cry. But sometimes a book stays with you long after you finish reading it and changes the way you see the world forever. Bec Sparrow, writer and host of the Birds of a Feather book club, and Fiona Stager, co-owner of three Brisbane independent book shops, share their favourite reads.By 2050, climate change could see over $600 billion dollars wiped from our property market ... and over 1 million homes left "uninsurable". With floods, fires, and extreme heat - we may be forced to abandon some areas, which are becoming too badly affected. And if you choose to stay put - how can you be sure your home will stay standing? Jennice Evans, has felt this first-hand, while Associate Professor Nick Osbaldiston, from James Cook University, and sustainability strategist Lee Stewart share their expert insights.Between 2019 and 2023, one fertility group saw a 220% increase in single women undergoing IVF. What's behind the rise in women choosing solo parenthood? Jacqui Green is a solo mum by choice and David Greening is an Associate Professor with City Fertility.

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.Footy fever is in the air with the AFL and NRL grand finals just around the corner. But that's not the only kind of heat hitting the world of sport. As temperatures rise, so do the challenges for athletes, clubs, and fans alike - from the grassroots to the global stage. Dr Greg Dingle is a Senior Lecturer of Sport Management at La Trobe University and former AFL player Tom Campbell is co-founder of Footy For Climate.It's been almost a week since Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and the public commentary has been extreme. There's no doubt the conservative commentator was a polarising figure - in life, inspiring both devotion .. and hatred. Patrick Stokes, lecturer in philosophy at Deakin University, discusses the ethics at play when it comes to the death of someone whose views you disagree with.