Life Matters - Full program podcast

It used to feel like learning a few key phrases in the local language before you headed overseas would help you get around. But with the rise of translation apps, is it even worth it anymore? Neuroscientist Olivia Maurice and linguist Peter Crosthwaite explore the benefits of learning another language. 
Australia's paid parental leave scheme is about to be extended to six months, but as it stands, it's mostly mums taking time off. Research shows dads desperately want to spend more time with their kids, but simply can't afford it under the current system. So what would the gold standard system look like, and how realistic is it?
AI is increasingly becoming part of our working lives. 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.

Results from the last HILDA survey shows the income Australians need to feel satisfied is climbing higher and higher. So is this just a case of lifestyle creep, or a genuine struggle to pay the bills even with a decent pay packet?
After almost 150 years, Balmain Bowling Club in Sydney called last drinks over the weekend. And sadly, it's a familiar tale. Researchers from the University of New South Wales crunched the numbers in 2022 and found that Sydney had lost nearly half of its bowls clubs since 1980. So what's the future for these community hubs?
On Head and Heart we ask our resident psychologist Christine Bagley-Jones how to navigate caring for your ageing parents if you feel like they never fully cared for you.

A pilot project in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales is trying to demonstrate the value that remains in building materials of houses earmarked for demolition. How much could we save if we put the materials left behind to good use rather than contribute to growing landfill?
We now live in a digital first world but if you aren't constantly using technology there's the real likelihood you are being left behind — and when you do have to log on, it's probably a stressful experience. You'll hear about new research into the phenomenon of "technostress" and a program meant to bridge the digital divide.You've probably heard the saying "the body keeps the score", but do you know where it comes from? If you answered no, you wouldn't be alone. Some argue that the core idea has been oversimplified beyond the bounds of scientific evidence. So does the body really keep the score? And can unexplained physical symptoms actually be a sign of repressed traumatic memories?

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 it. It's a complicated relationship. So how are you feeling about the way AI is showing up in your relationships, your work, your daily life? Download This Show host Rae Johnston and psychotherapist Andrew Sloan unpick what's behind AI anxiety.
Is it OK to fib about your faith to get your child into a good school? This week Aunties Annie Louey and Monica Dux 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.

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 would later find out was a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) heart attack. She joins Dr Barbara Murphy to talk through dealing with the ongoing anxiety that often comes after a major health scare.
International Day of Play recognises the right of every child to have access to the time and space to play. The latest survey shows a quarter of Australian kids feel they need better opportunities to play outdoors. Play Australia CEO Robyn Munro Miller explains how to build communities where kids have the space to get outside and play.
Recent ABS data reveals that people are less happy now than they were in 2020. So when did we start to consider our happiness and how has life satisfaction changed over time? Sociologist Dan Woodman explores what happiness means to us in 2026.