Home Podcasts Life Matters - Full program podcast
Life Matters - Full program podcast

Life Matters - Full program podcast

ABC Australia 245 Episodes Jul 10, 2026

Life Matters helps you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. With trusted experts and your stories, it's all about what matters to you.

Episodes

The pep talk to pull you out of a career slump and solving a dogsitting disaster Jul 10, 2026 0:53:53 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 sha
Homesharing solutions, Morris Gleitzman's grandparenting joy and the renaissance of medieval festivals Jul 9, 2026 0:55:06 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 shap
Beware the bank of mum and dad and where not to go on your next holiday Jul 8, 2026 0:55:06 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 ar
Untangling gambling from sports culture and are smart glasses cool now? Jul 7, 2026 0:55:06 Sports betting is the fastest-growing form of gambling in the country, and it's overwhelmingly popular with men. Experts say that's no coincidence. Researcher Rohann Irving and lived experience advocate Mark Kempster explore how gambling got so tied up with our love of sport and our ideas about masculinity, and whether there's any way to untangle it.Smart glasses have been around
Introducing the Grandparent Trap and unpacking tax time anxiety Jul 6, 2026 0:55:05 Grandparents in 2026 are more enmeshed in their grandchildren's lives than ever. While most are providing some form of care for their grandchildren, close to three in five say their grandparenting style doesn't always match what's expected of them. In the first instalment of a new Life Matters series, parenting expert Maggie Dent and demographer Liz Allen unpack the complexities
Cultivating confidence and dating after death Jul 3, 2026 0:52:59 Confidence can be the magic ingredient to help us through the curveballs life throws our way. It shows up in your career, your relationships, the way you parent, and unexpected everyday moments where you just need a boost. So is confidence something you can cultivate? Personal coach Kate James and psychotherapist Giac Giacomantonio share their tips on building confidence brick by
How do we deal with Neil the seal and the ethics of football fandom Jul 2, 2026 0:55:03 Neil the seal is an internet sensation. His regular midwinter haul-outs have brought him onto land and in close contact with humans and our built environment. But as he grows bigger, so too do the risks. So how do we manage the situation so that Neil's pilgrimages don't put him — or others — in harm's way?Australia's snowfall has been in long-term decline for decades, and it's so
Family holidays without the fighting and embracing death for a happy life Jul 1, 2026 0:55:06 Family holidays are where we make some of our most cherished memories — and some of the most stressful, chaotic ones, too. So how do you make the most out of the time away? Parenting expert Justin Coulson and writer Rebel Wylie share how to plan for a successful getaway, and what makes it all worthwhile.Once upon a time, paying for TV meant skipping the ads. But these days, we're
Tim Minchin on the future of Australian theatre and discovering autism in your 50s Jun 30, 2026 0:55:06 Two major Australian musicals, Beetlejuice and Waitress, have been forced to cancel the remaining legs of their tours and close early. So why are big productions struggling, and is the audience part of the problem? Tim Minchin and Live Performance Australia's Eric Lassen unpack what's going on in the Australian theatre scene.For Pam Brinsmead, life had always felt like a movie wh
Middle children are disappearing and what this runner learned completing 150 marathons Jun 29, 2026 0:55:05 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. We're flat out having second babies, let alone a third. So if middle children are no more, what do we stand to lose? In 2025 alone Australians lost almost $18 million to scams delivered via te
Stepping out of the self-sabotage spiral and family function fatigue Jun 26, 2026 0:53:38 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. Clinical psychologist Rebecca Ray explains how identifying self-sabotaging behaviours and understanding what's behind them is the best place to start breaking the cycle.This week, A
Don Spencer and Alex Papps celebrate Play School's 60th birthday and public displays of affection Jun 25, 2026 0:55:06 Play School is celebrating a milestone birthday this year: it's Big Ted's diamond jubilee. For six decades, the show's beloved presenters have been singing, playing, telling stories and teaching generations of Australian children. Long-term hosts Alex Papps and Don Spencer join media researcher Jessica Balanzategui to discuss the secret to the show's success? A regimented focus o

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