
Moving to regional Australia for better balance and the importance of hobbies
16/12/2025 | 55 mins.
It's summer! Which means you're hearing the best of the best from Life Matters this year.Today we're giving you the wrap up on all things work life balance.You'll hear from someone who thinks it's just important to have a hobby as it is to have a fulfilling job. And by now we know AI is coming for our jobs, but what would it mean for our career trajectory if it takes our internships? Plus the town trying to add a public holiday to it's roster for their resident's mental health, and a healthy tourism boost.

From dupes to dark tourism - navigating ethical gift giving at Christmas
15/12/2025 | 55 mins.
We're replaying some of your favourite stories from Life Matters this year for our summer specials.Today you'll hear our top stories to navigate the ethical minefield of shopping at Christmas time.If your kids are begging you for "dupes" of popular items - it's a double edged sword - on one hand you'll be saving money and on another you could be encouraging a trend that rips off smaller designers, so how can you manage it?And for the music lover in your life it's good news - CDs are back - and they're becoming an alternative for people turning away from unethical streaming companies.Plus if you're looking for a holiday with a bit of a twist - would you consider dark tourism? Hear why visiting a place with a dark past is on the up.

Can your relationship survive a home reno and modular housing's role in boosting supply
14/12/2025 | 55 mins.
It's summer on Life Matters so we're bringing you some of your favourite stories from the year gone by.Today we're talking housing, diving into how downsizing isn't always as straightforward as it seems. We'll also dig into the strain housing stress can put on relationships, namely the self-induced stress of a renovation with Grand Designs Australia host Anthony Burke, and investigate what role modular housing can play in addressing supply shortages.

The moment you feel like an adult, and how to stay calm amid house guest drama
11/12/2025 | 51 mins.
As kids, we imagine we'll hit a point when our 'adulting' instincts magically kick in, but many of us never quite feel as adult as we think we should. So what do we even mean when we talk about 'adulting', can we learn to do it, or is it better to learn that we don't really need to? Moya Sarner is a psychotherapist and journalist and author of When I Grow Up: Conversations with Adults in Search of Adulthood and Dr Rebecca Ray is a psychologist and author.It can be a delicate balance when you try to support someone you love in a time of need. It's even more complicated when that person moves into your home. In today's Ask Aunty, letter writer Daphne is trying to keep the peace after her newly-separated brother moves in with her family. Aunties Denise Eriksen, Journalist and Executive Director of Screen Careers and comedian and writer Bec Shaw offer their insights.

How to navigate personal body change, and what's the secret to reaching 100?
10/12/2025 | 55 mins.
As cosmetic procedures and weight loss treatments become more widely accessible, body changes can be rapid. So when the body you've known for years changes in a profound way, how do you navigate that mentally? And when – if ever – is it okay to comment on other people's bodies, or have a conversation about their appearance? Steve Molk lost more than 100kg over the course of three years and Professor Gemma Sharp is a clinical psychologist who leads a body image, eating and weight disorders research program.When so many of us look back on the movies which shaped our childhood, one element stands out - the magic of Dick Van Dyke. The veteran actor is about to turn 100 - and he's still cheeky, energetic, and larger than life. So, what's the real secret to ageing well? Is it mindset? Attitude? Something more? Nancy Pahana is a geropsychologist and Everald Compton, 94, never plans to retire.When we want to weigh the moral heft of a political decision in this country, we don't crack open a philosophy textbook. We pull up a stool at the nearest bar and ask, "does it pass the pub test?" But why is this our gold standard? Patrick Stokes is an Associate Professor philosophy at Deakin University.



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