Life Matters - Full program podcast

Daniel Finlay decided to get a vasectomy at 30 years old, the decision surprises his peers but he's not alone. New research from Adelaide University suggests more Australian men are making that decision earlier than previous generations. So what's driving this family planning decision for men?
All over the country more people are engaging in the Nordic pass-time of sauna.The popularity has risen due to a push by the health and fitness industry on how this practice can optimise your workouts. But what is behind our fascination with sauna and is it here to stay?
From commanding the halls of power to playing hide and seek in the halls of his house, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has a lot more time on his hands now to devote to his favourite activity: playing silly games with his grandchildren.
In Social Studies, Professor Dan Woodman unpacks new analysis that shows young Australian men are turning to religion at higher rates than their female counterparts. So how widespread and entrenched is this trend, and what's driving it?

Is your first best friend still in your life? For many of us, those friendships fade as life moves on. But for others, like comedian Matt Okine, that childhood friend is still in their life decades later. So what's special about a friend who's known you since childhood and what makes those friendships last?
This month Brisbane woman Jenitar Na'amoana has given birth to identical quadruplets, in a case that has gained global attention. It's an incredible feat of the human body, with about a one in 15 million chance of occurring. But what is it like on the other side, raising that many children all at the same time?
Do you feel like your reward for being good at your job is getting more work? You may have incurred the competence tax. This Working Life host Lisa Leong can help you with that.

Australia has the highest uptake per capita of rooftop solar in the world, but for the 10% of the country who live in apartments the solar energy transition is harder to achieve. Overseas the solution has been balcony solar systems, but these aren't currently allowed in Australia. So what needs to change in how we support renewable energy in apartments?
Author, comedian and cabaret performer Libby Trainor Parker always assumed she would meet the love of her life, have a big family, and live in a house full of children's laughter. And in a way, she got that dream. But it's been a long road, with a lot of heartbreak, infertility, loss and grief, which she has documented in a new book.
If you've ever been stuck at a red light, wondering why you're still waiting when there are no cars coming the other way — AI might make this a frustration of the past. An Australia-first trial of AI-powered traffic lights is slated for later this year, and although a faster journey sounds appealing but how do we make sure those decisions are fair and safe for everyone using the road?
Plus meet 'Papa Bruce', the grumpy grandpa persona of Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man award-winning author Bruce Pascoe.

When your kids become parents, it can feel like deja vu. You've weathered these same toddler tantrums and teenage rebellions — but this time it's your grandchildren testing the boundaries, and your own kids are now the ones in charge. For this instalment of The Grandparent Trap, it's time to explore some trickier territory. Author, podcaster and Mamamia editor Jessie Stephens and her mum Anne Stephens share how their relationship dynamic changed when the family added a new generation, and family psychologist Dr Josh Coleman weighs in on how to navigate conflict and estrangement if things aren't going so well.
Plus, Dark Emu author Bruce Pascoe (or "Papa Bruce" to his grandkids) explains his role as the "grumpy grandparent" insistent on table manners and raising his grandchildren to become conscientious citizens. 
And if Christopher Nolan's screen interpretation of The Odyssey has got you dreaming of a Mediterranean holiday, you're not alone. Tourism operator Sam Wood, author Larissa Behrendt and The Book Show's Claire Nichols explore what's behind the rising trend in literary travel.

When it comes to two-parent families, research shows women do 50 per cent more housework than men, and double the amount of caring duties. But the mental load is about more than juggling the significant burden of daily life admin. So what would it look like if that was equally shared? Sociologist Leah Ruppanner and psychologist Simon Rice explain how to divide and conquer before you find yourself in total burnout. 
What do you do if sleeping next to your partner has become an absolute nightmare? This week, Aunties Tito Ambyo and Fiona Harris share their advice with a listener who's considering separate beds in the hopes of catching some Zs and improving their sex life.