Life Matters - Separate stories podcast
Life Matters helps you navigate the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work, and the world. With trusted experts and your stories, the show explores what truly matters to you. This podcast features separate stories from the program.
Episodes
Confidence coaches on the real trick to faking it 'til you make it
When you're asked to speak at a friend's wedding, do you seize up with panic, or embrace your moment on the microphone?Confidence can help us in a whole range of ways — and the lack of it can be really challenging. It can show up in your career, your relationships, the way you parent, and help you through the curveballs of daily life.So is confidence something you can cultivate?
Ask Aunty: How soon is too soon to start dating after your partner dies?
When a loved one dies, everyone around them grieves differently. For some, it means getting back into the swing of regular life as soon as possible.This week, the Aunties offer their wisdom to a listener who's feeling sensitive about how quickly their dad has moved on after losing the love of his life.
How towns are adapting to Australia's shrinking ski season
If you go by the calendar, we're about three weeks into Australia's ski season. But if you look outside at most of the country's alpine resorts you'll see that the snow didn't get the memo.Australia's snowfall has been in long term decline for decades now, and it's something that the towns, people and businesses on the frontline of Australia's winter economy have been grappling w
Neil the seal is back. It's time to leave him alone
Neil is an internet sensation. He's a 1,000-kilogram juvenile elephant seal who's been charming Tasmanian locals and online fans around the world for years.His regular midwinter haul-outs have brought him onto land and in close contact with humans and our built environment. But as Neil grows bigger, so too do the risks.So how can humans better manage the situation so that Neil's
Ask Aristotle: Loyal football fans or basic bandwagoners?
On Saturday morning thousands of people will wake up at 4am to watch the Socceroos and for many it may be the only game they watch this year.If you get swept up in the height of a competition and only support a team once every four years, is that really support? How do you balance loyalty in barracking for your team as a virtue against being carried away with tribalism?
The secret to a successful family holiday (and why the stress is worth it)
Most of us have a stand-out moment from a family holiday that is one of our most cherished memories.You also probably remember a trip that turned into a complete disaster with the whole family screaming at each other. So what are the benefits of a family holiday and how do you make the most out of the time away?
Why embracing death could be the key to a happy life
As the old saying goes, nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes.Whether it be a long time from now, or sooner than we think, it's a fact of life that we're all going to die. But what happens between now and then is up to you. So how might embracing that fact change the way you spend the rest of your days?
Should paying for TV guarantee an ad-free experience?
Remember when paying for TV meant skipping ads? That was the big promise of subscription television, and later, streaming. But these days, if you avoid the ads, increasingly you have to pay even more.It's a practice that's landed Amazon in court, with the ACCC alleging the company relied on unfair contract terms to introduce ads to Prime Video after customers had already signed u
Thirty years of Dolly the sheep
On July 5, the world will celebrate the 30th birthday of Dolly the sheep — the first mammal ever cloned from an adult cell.It was a landmark moment in the world of science that triggered international discussions about the ethics of cloning.Thirty years on, what are our perceptions of cloning and the legacy of Dolly the sheep?
Tim Minchin on the outlook for Australian theatre
In June alone, two major Australian theatre productions, Beetlejuice and Waitress, closed early.So what's really going on in Australian theatre, and why are big productions struggling — are we, the audience, part of the problem?
The freedom of rediscovering yourself after a late-in-life autism diagnosis
There's growing evidence that autism presents differently in girls and women, which means it often goes unrecognised until significantly later in life.For many women, the realisation lands when they're parenting a child through neurodivergence and starting to notice similar traits in themselves.So how does it feel to spend decades thinking you're just the odd one out, struggling
Middle children are disappearing. You should start listening to them
The evidence around how much birth order affects personality traits or behaviour has been debated for decades, but one thing is fairly clear from the data: middle children are disappearing.According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.48 babies per woman in 2024.We're flat out having second babies, let alone a third. So if middle c
Spotting text scams is about to get easier
In 2025 alone Australians lost almost $18 million to scams delivered via text messages. Come July 1, scammers face an extra hurdle to reaching your mobile — but that doesn't mean it's time to let your guard down.
Running 150 marathons down Australia's east coast
If you look back at your life, what's the biggest swing you ever took?Was it publishing a novel, changing careers, or running a marathon?What about running 150 marathons, back to back, down the east coast of Australia, or the "tip to toe" as Erchana Murrary-Bartlett calls it.The competitive distance runner set herself this herculean challenge in 2022, and she's releasing a docume
How to fix your own toxic traits and stop the self-sabotage
We all have our own habitual behaviours that help us get through tricky moments or avoid stressful situations. But sometimes, what feels easier or more comfortable in the moment can hurt us long-term. Freeing yourself from self-sabotage isn't easy, but identifying those behaviours and understanding what's behind them is a good place to start.
Ask Aunty: Is a new baby a good enough excuse to skip the family gathering?
Family gatherings can be barrels of fun, but it often requires layers of planning and logistics to coordinate schedules.So when everyone else is putting in the effort, is it fair to feel a little miffed with the one who can't make it? What if they're juggling life with a new baby? This week, the Aunties make a ruling on the relatives who go MIA.
How pregnancy can trigger an eating disorder
A focus on regimented eating, rapid body changes and tracking weight are all signs of a potential eating disorder but also what you do during pregnancy. Research shows it is more common than you might think with 1 in 20 people experience an eating disorder during pregnancy. The signs can easily be missed by practitioners and experts are saying more should be done to bring awarene
Social Studies: Public displays of affection
Does seeing a couple on a bench sharing a kiss make your heart warm or does it make you blush and avert your eyes?Attitudes to public displays of affection — PDA — has changed fairly rapidly over the last century and could be in for another shift. Culturally it seems that Gen Z have some harsh opinions on PDA calling it 'cringe'.What does it mean going forward and how do these at
Reflecting on Play School's 60-year legacy
Play School, Australia's longest-running children's television program, is celebrating a milestone birthday this year. It's Big Ted's diamond jubilee. For decades, the show's beloved presenters have been singing, playing, telling stories and teaching generations of Australian children. So what's the secret to its success?
Where have all the male school teachers gone?
According to the latest statistics, men make up less than a third of Australian school teachers. In primary schools, the gender gap is even wider. The proportion of male primary school teachers has declined 40 per cent since 1985, and some researchers are warning they could become virtually extinct in Australian schools by 2067. When so many young boys are looking to online influ
Keeping bird flu away from your backyard chooks
So far, there are two confirmed cases of a new strain of bird flu on Australian shores. While the headlines about H5N1 bird flu have largely focused on the poultry industry, this has the potential to inflict damage to Australian animals broadly, including your backyard chickens.The RSPCA estimates that Australians keep about 2 million domestic chickens, so how do you keep your ho
50 Words Project reaches milestone of 100 languages
There are more than 250 Indigenous languages across Australia, carrying culture, history and knowledge through generations. The vital work of preserving those languages is being carried out in communities around the country, and one major project has reached an important milestone. The 50 Words Project began in 2019 with the aim of collecting audio recordings of 50 specific words
The seminal sex book that changed Dee Salmin's life
Dee Salmin has spent years as host of The Hook Up on triple j talking to people about their love lives and interviewing experts to understand the dynamics of modern dating.She's distilled all of that wisdom into a modern dating guide, It's Not Love Actually: How To Find The Life And Love You Deserve. But she says there was one stand-out writer on sexuality and feminism that total
Buyer Beware: Online shopping simulators
For many people the experience of buying something online can be more important than the actual product itself. This addiction has become so prevalent that websites have been created which allow users to browse products, add to cart and track the order without ever spending money or receiving anything.These 'dopamine sites' are popular in South Korea but what do they teach us abo
Buy better or wear more — the dilemma in sustainable fashion
In 2025 the average wardrobe contained about 199 pieces of clothing, a figure that has more than quadrupled over the last 60 years. So if we can agree that almost 200 items of clothing is probably too much for your average person, how many clothes are you allowed to own in a sustainable wardrobe?And is culling back the answer if you've already accumulated a few shelving units' wo
Sorting through sunscreen myths and misinformation on social media
Social media has become a go-to source for skincare advice, but it can be hard to know what's credible and what's not.Researchers in Canada recently analysed some of TikTok's most popular sunscreen videos and found those that discouraged sunscreen use attracted higher engagement than those promoting it.Australia has strict guidelines around what brands and influencers can say abo
Discovering yourself through your ancestors
Around 26 million people worldwide have taken an at-home DNA test to discover their ancestry. For some, there's simply a curiosity about the stories of their forbears. For others, it's a quest to understand themselves better. So what's behind this yearning to connect with our past? And what does learning about those previous generations teach us about ourselves?
The dangers of medical conspiracies
When we're feeling ill, most of us will do anything to get better. With trust in medical institutions, it's never been easier to find alternative information online. But when a loved one tells you they're experimenting with some fringe medical treatments that you find concerning, what do you do?
Tackling big city problems with people power
Real change can start with one afternoon of action, but if you want it to last, it requires people to showing up, keep organising, and keep working together.And building a movement often means finding common ground with people outside your usual circles.Kurt Iveson and Amanda Tattersall travelled the world looking at how large-scale movements are built and what it takes for very
Finding spirituality outside of religion
Australia is increasingly a nation of non believers — in the 50 years from to 2021, the number of people claiming "no religion" rose from about 7 per cent to nearly 40 per cent.Yet other research suggests those identifying as "spiritual" is on the rise. So how do we find spirituality outside of religion?
Ask Aunty: Is it OK to call dibs on a dying relative's belongings?
When it comes to grief, everyone processes things in their own way. But where do you draw the line between healthy, open conversations about death, and a totally insensitive remark?This week, the Aunties share their advice with a listener who's having a hard time understanding how one family member is dealing with their loved one's end of life.
Returning to the ocean after a shark attack
The ocean is central to daily life in coastal communities all over Australia. So when the worst happens, as it did last week when a young woman was bitten by a shark in the middle of a sunny winter's day at Coogee Beach, it can make that deep blue water feel different.The same debates play out over which preventative measures were in place, or what could have been done to avoid d
Ask Aristotle: When does a white lie get out of hand?
It's just a white lie — how much harm could it cause?Just to get through an awkward moment or even out of politeness. But if you have to maintain that lie over time, when does it start to become unethical?
John Williamson on what it really means to be true blue
"It really bothers me when any kind of white supremacist people have tried to use my song, I've objected to that a few times now. True blue is just...your promise is your bond."John Williamson has spent his five-decade long career bringing our wide brown land to life in song. He's never shied away from speaking his mind, especially when his words are used for causes he stands aga
Work In Progress: When AI upskilling turns into 'botsitting'
AI is increasingly becoming part of our working lives. Even for the AI-sceptic, it's pretty hard to avoid.But it takes time and effort to teach these tools how to fit in with workplace culture, policies and systems. Research shows there's a capability gap among Australian workers, with some burnt out on "botsitting", and those who aren't quite fluent in AI falling behind.
Is it worth learning a new language to travel?
Learning a few key phrases in Spanish or German — or wherever your destination was — used to be a right of passage when travelling overseas.However, now AI translators can do that for you almost instantly, and you can fairly confidently move around a foreign country without the language barrier. But there are so many cultural clues you can pick up by learning the language of the
The dads locked out of paid parental leave
The first children born under Australia's legislated paid parental leave scheme turn 16 this year, and 2026 marks a major milestone for new parents. From July 1, they'll be eligible for a full six months of paid leave.The system has had significant benefits for new parents, but it's not spread evenly. Aussie dads have some of the lowest uptake of paid parental leave in the world.
Saving the local bowls club
Long before the film Crackerjack popularised the flipper, the venerated sport of lawn bowls has been a staple of Australian life. But for the oldest bowls club in New South Wales, that gentle sound of knocking bowls on the green has come to an end. After almost 150 years, Balmain Bowling Club in Sydney called last drinks over the weekend.Despite their best efforts, the board expl
Head and Heart: Caring for your estranged parent
It's an expectation that at some stage you will have to take care of your parents. But how do you manage this if your parents weren't really there for you?It can take a toll on every aspect of your life, so how can you best protect yourself as you navigate this stage of life?
What is a "good" salary in 2026?
For many Australians with a mortgage, kids and rising living costs, earning a six-figure salary is no longer the guarantee of comfort it once seemed to be.Results from the last HILDA data shows the income Australians say they need to feel satisfied is climbing higher and higher.So in 2026, what's a "good" salary?
Does the body really keep the score?
Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps The Score has sold millions of copies worldwide since its release in 2014, firmly establishing itself as one of the most successful non-fiction titles of its time.The book explores how trauma can affect the body years after an inciting event, and looks at alternative therapies to help people heal their bodies and brains.But some argue that thi
How to give building materials a second life
After major flooding in 2022, hundreds of homes in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales were bought by the state government so people could move out of danger zones and into new areas.Some of these houses were re-located, but many were torn down.It got people thinking what would happen if we could deconstruct instead of destroy the homes that are no longer fit for purpose, and
Managing 'technostress' in older generations
The digital world is well and truly here, but for some people it can be very isolating.Many essential services have a digital first approach and for older generations it can require a lot of navigating and upskilling.This feeling of unease has been called "technostress" and there are organisations aiming to close the digital divide.
Ask Aunty: Can a lapsed Catholic exaggerate their faith for the greater good?
Is it OK to fib about your faith to get your child into a good school? This week the Aunties share advice with a listener who's weighing up whether or not they should tell a little white lie to help their kid's chances at the local Catholic school.
Navigating AI anxiety when it's a tool you rely on
In just a few short years, AI has gone from being a novelty to becoming embedded in our lives.According to a 2026 report from Stanford University, Australians are among the heaviest intentional users of AI in the world — and yet, many of us don't trust AI.It's a complicated relationship. So how are you feeling about the way AI is showing up in your relationships, your work, your
How Libby Trickett is dealing with health anxiety after a SCAD heart attack
After hanging up the Olympic swimming goggles, growing and birthing five beautiful children, Libby Trickett was ready to make her 40s the decade of health and fitness. But last June she had what she thought was a bad panic attack. Eight months later, she found out it was actually a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack.SCAD mostly affects otherwise healthy wo
Building neighbourhoods your kids want to play in
According to a Play Australia survey from 2025, more than 70 per cent of children play in their homes — or at their friends' houses — and a quarter of kids said they needed better opportunities to play outside. Today is the UNICEF International Day of Play, recognising the United Nations-backed right of every child to play.Which is all well and good — but are we actually buildin
Social Studies: What defines happiness?
When you look at the things in your life, what really makes you happy? Recent ABS data reveals that people are less happy now than they were in 2020.When did we start to consider our happiness and how has life satisfaction changed over time?
The secret formula for making the 'perfect' decision
When you've got a difficult choice to make, what's your go-to system to reach an answer?Do you pull out the magic eight ball, or do you reach for a mathematical formula?The late physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman encountered this dilemma in the 1970s, struggling to decide if he and his friend should try something new off the menu at their favourite Thai restaurant. Feyn
What is the future for bookstores?
For many book lovers, the local store is their happy place.Even if you're not an avid reader, bookstores can carry cultural significance, giving people the opportunity to gather and be a part of their community.Research reveals that in a decade, nearly half of Australia's bookstores have shut down. So what is the future of bookstores and what does it mean for the book industry?
Should we be considering trees as part of our critical infrastructure?
When you think about the critical infrastructure that makes up a city, what comes to mind? Roads, bridges, power lines, public hospitals — what about trees?The gentle giants that shelter our footpaths, filter our air and cool our cities provide a lot for the communities where they grow. And in many places, people have a deep attachment to those trees.So when one gets cut down, so
What happens to the soft plastic you recycle?
Australia uses 1.3 million tonnes of plastic packaging every year.And while most of us do our best to recycle, the majority of that packaging still ends up in landfill.Exemptions that allow some companies to export certain types of plastic waste are being wound back, but trust in our recycling system has taken a real hit in recent years. So is Australia equipped to deal with our
The hidden challenges of dyslexia at work
As many as one in five Australians have dyslexia.The condition makes the basics of literacy, reading and writing, a huge hurdle, and if not managed properly can have major snowball effects on confidence and self esteem — especially if it goes undetected.But plenty of high profile people with successful careers have learned to live with dyslexia, like British actor Tom Holland, wh
Buyer Beware: How loyalty programs use your data
How many loyalty programs are you a part of?There are many different programs out there each with their own set of incentives which get you to take part.But are you getting any real benefits from them in exchange for your purchasing data?
Dr Billy Garvey on raising boys
Every parent wants their child to grow into a kind, capable adult. But many who are raising young boys right now are worried about their future. Childhood development expert Billy Garvey has worked with thousands of families over the last two decades, helping anxious, angry, withdrawn boys and supporting the parents who don't know where to begin. He joins Life Matters to talk abo
Reflecting on Richard Scolyer's legacy
Richard Scolyer, the leading melanoma pathologist and former Australian of the Year who revolutionised cancer research, has died at age 59.He leaves behind an incredible legacy, having volunteered himself as "patient zero" in a radical approach to treat an aggressive brain tumour.In an open letter published after his death, Scolyer described his life as one "filled with happiness
How to bond with a dog that upends your daily routines
Bringing a pet into your family is supposed to be a love-at-first-sight moment signalling a life ahead with your new best friend, but often the day-to-day reality can be a lot harder.So what happens when that initial excitement wears off, and the stress of pet ownership sets in? How do you build a relationship with your four-legged friend, and make it through the hard days?
Ask Aunty: When a beloved family pet becomes too much to handle
After years of training and patience, listener Simone's reactive dog and excitable toddler are living happily together, but the stress of constant supervision — and an extremely restricted social life — has taken its toll.So how do you know when loyalty to a beloved pet is no longer enough? And what do you do when every option feels heartbreaking?
Looksmaxxing, GLP1s and learning to love your authentic self
In an era where we have access to the technology, surgery and drugs to modify every aspect of our appearance, how can we build a relationship with our selves based on compassion and acceptance?
Can we reset the online outrage economy?
Ten years ago, Facebook updated its platform to introduce new ways to interact with posts you were seeing in your feed. Alongside the humble thumbs-up, a range of smiley face emojis offered a one-click shortcut to express love, surprise, sadness, and the most powerful emotion of all: anger. In the years since, it seems our online appetite for anger has only grown, with algorithms
Is there a way to build rest into your everyday life?
According to Beyond Blue, 1 in 2 Australian are facing burnout in the workplace.Burnout almost seems like an inevitable condition of the modern age.And we're so used to it, we kind of just accept this as a natural state of feeling awful all the time, feeling like there's never enough time to rest.But what if you could change that, without totally changing your life?
Ask Aristotle: The ethics of whistleblowers
When something happens that you think crosses a moral line, do you call it out? And if you have, what was the moral cost? The bravery of whistleblowers has touched every corridor of power — politics, the military, banking, policing — whistleblowers are behind some of the most significant moments in history.But what are the ethical considerations?
An ode to intergenerational friendship
We share a lot of life's milestones with our friends. Remember the year of 21st birthdays? Then the season of weddings, babies, mortgages.Most of us make friends with people around our own age, and we bond over the things we're all navigating at the same stage of life.But there's something valuable in friendships that span generations, too. Friends who are decades older or younge
Work In Progress: Why are you overwhelmed at work?
You can probably think of at least five things at work that are kind of related to your job, but in reality become distractions that keep you from achieving what you need to do. As constant emails, notifications and all the other tasks of your workday build up, this accumulation has been given a new name: "thoughtload".How do we recognise our "thoughtload" and process it so we ca
Old bands to old cities — finding your nostalgia community online
From pop culture milestones to forgotten parts of the city you love — there's a Facebook page for that.Whether it's a page sharing memories of music and art from a beloved decade, or old buildings from a town you used to live in, the internet loves a bit of nostalgia because we love it too. These pages are little pockets of nice in an online world that can get pretty ugly, but th
Head and Heart: Can you tell a friend to go to therapy?
Part of being a good friend is providing a sympathetic ear, but what do you do if you think they need professional help?It can be hard to be there for a friend when they keep circling the same issues and aren't tracking well.What are the signs you need to look for and how do you start the conversation without crossing a line?
What this dad wants you to know about fatherhood after losing his son
Earlier this year, lawyer, educator and advocate Adair Donaldson was confronted with unimaginable loss.His son Oliver, the youngest of four boys, died suddenly. He was 19.As Adair navigates the grief that has followed, he's found himself reflecting on fatherhood. These reflections have taken the form of a series of letters — deeply personal, generous letters — to the fathers of b
Reimbursing small-scale scam victims
Last year Australians lost more than $2 billion to scams, and while the number of victims has fallen, the total combined losses has risen.The federal government has announced its plans to claw back some of that money, introducing an automatic reimbursement scheme for scam victims with verified losses up to $3,000.So could this help stop cyber criminals from taking off with your h
What would it take to fix our social media feeds forever?
Australia's social media ban has been in place for six months — with mixed reports on its success. For teens managing to bypass the ban, they're still swimming in the same addictive stream of harmful content. But could we change the way these algorithms work, and make social media a better place for everyone?
Could we be living on the Moon any time soon?
NASA has announced the next big step in its Artemis program: they're going to build a home base for astronauts, on the Moon.It'll take until at least 2032 before the base can support a "sustained human presence", and even then, it'll be trained astronauts living and working there.But does this take us one step closer to a future where everyday humans are living somewhere other th
A trail expert's guide to beginner hiking
Hiking is a a great way to see the world and get active, but there are real risks involved that require careful consideration and planning. So when Tourism Australia described the Western Arthurs Traverse in Tasmania as a great place to "boost your step count", it received some criticism for perhaps underselling the difficulty of the Grade 5 track. How do we strike the balance be
When gambling becomes more serious than a harmless punt
The odds are, gambling is part of your life or the life of someone you know.Three in four Australian adults spend money on gambling in a typical year, and two in five of us gamble at least once a week.So do you know when it's time to talk your mates about gambling and the harms it can bring?
Ask Aunty: What should I do if my friend is being scammed online?
This week the Aunties give some advice to a listener worried that her friend is being scammed by a romantic suitor. If you suspect something is too good to be true, how do you burst the bubble of someone when they're finally happy after years of being unlucky in love?
Social Studies: Are your digital skills better than a teenager?
New data from the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority shows that in 2025, only 37 per cent of year 10 students were proficient in digital skills.So if the kids can't even keep up with this newfangled techy world — what hope do the rest of us have?
Do we need to rethink coral harvesting on the Great Barrier Reef?
Each year the Queensland government allows up to 190 tonnes of coral to be harvested and exported from the Great Barrier Reef.Coral fishery members say it is a highly regulated industry which operates within the rules and well under the limit. However, the Australian Marine Conservation Society is calling for a phase-out of live coral harvesting by the end of 2028. Is it somethin
Will changes to the unemployment system help people slipping through the cracks?
The federal government has announced a major overhaul of the unemployment system that it says is ill equipped to support many of the people who rely on it.The plan is to change the way support is provided to people depending on their needs, rather than the current one-size-fits all approach.So does this sound like a fairer system? And will it actually help people find meaningful
Does anyone care about sustainable fashion anymore?
Sustainability has been a fashion buzzword for well over a decade.But the controversial sale of ethical fashion brand Everlane to fast-fashion giant Shein has many shoppers asking whether sustainable clothing can make for financially sustainable businesses. So if ethical fashion has become just another marketing trend, does this change the way you shop?
Work In Progress: How to quit your job
The average person spends around 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime.That's a lot of time to spend somewhere if you're not happy. So how do you know if it's time to leave?And when it comes to quitting, the when and how requires some thought.
What do the world's longest golf course and the dunny derby have in common?
Have you ever noticed that some of Australia's most iconic events sound almost completely made up?From Winton's dunny derby, to Port Lincoln's championship tuna toss, there seems to be an event for just about everyone. While they can sound delightfully absurd from the outside, these quirky festivals tell us something deeper about regional Australia. Often times, the novelty comes
Why you're feeling stuck, even when you 'make it'
A range of economic indicators paint a picture of Australians becoming stuck. Stuck in one job, in one city, in a place where the risks of trying something new are just too great. Even the great Australian dream of owning your own home can come with its own kind of "golden handcuffs", tying people to one version of their life.So what's driving this inertia, and is there anything
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