Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

With the calls to limit our fuel purchases to just what we need, is it unethical to stockpile?Is it human nature to protect our own self interest or do we have an ethical responsibility to not buy more than our share?

As petrol prices continue to soar, the only way to reduce your bowser bill is to go electric — or get rid of your car altogether. But could you realistically do that where you live?Australian cities have traditionally sprawled out, and now we're trying to correct that by going up, but the legacy has entrenched a car-centric culture for many of us.A University of Queensland researcher conducted an experiment in Brisbane, asking 10 people to totally ditch their cars for three weeks. It certainly wasn't as easy as it sounds, but plenty of people are doing it.

There's an longstanding rule that it's not polite to talk about politics at the dinner table. But in times of global turmoil, where freedom of expression is under threat, it can be harder to keep the peace with relatives and friends whose values don't align with your own.For many, the solution may be cutting off those relationships altogether. But is there a way to stay connected to people we love even when we disagree? And what do we stand to lose as a community if we can't hold space for different opinions?

After a friend goes through a break-up, often the real feelings their besties had about their ex come out into the open. But what do you do if they decide to reunite with the person you just declared as public enemy number one? 

It's seen as the heart of the home — the kitchen table is where we gather to prepare meals and break bread together.But the average kitchen lifespan is about 15 to 20 years. Outdated benchtops and cabinets are replaced with modern, minimalist fit-outs, with more than kitchen replacements and renovations amounting to billions every year.So what do we lose from our family history in this cycle of modernisation?

The looming fuel crisis is starting to bite, with service stations running out of petrol and prices soaring past $2.50 per litre. If you're in the middle of planning a trip, whether it's up the coast for Easter or hitting Greek Islands for European summer, the new reality is throwing travel plans into disarray.

What if you could have an AI clone of yourself at work respond to all your emails just like you would?It could reply in your tone, predict solutions for you and anticipate problems that may be coming. This Working Life host Lisa Leong has been investigating Identic AI, chatting with technology researcher Don Tapscott and his own agent, Digital Don, to find out the limits of these AI assistants.

A recent Senate inquiry report found that capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing have benefited investors over owner-occupiers, and there are signs the government may tinker with these settings in the upcoming budget.While it's no silver bullet, some argue it could be a huge step towards addressing intergenerational disadvantage keeping younger Australians who want to buy their own home locked out of the housing market.

Everyone needs a break from the daily grind from time to time. Usual routines start to feel stale, and the stress of everyday responsibilities and expectations can become a heavy load to bear. The idea of a sabbatical might sound appealing — but what if it wasn't your job, but your relationship, that you needed some reprieve from?It takes a whole lot to keep a marriage going, and for some couples, the best thing to make sure it continues is to take some time apart.So how do you broach the subject of a marriage sabbatical with your partner?

From mood swing tea to moisture-wicking pyjamas, marketing to menopausal women has become so lucrative it's been dubbed the hot flush gold rush.But experts say it could be doing harm to your health, as well as your wallet.  So how do you sort the snake oil from the good stuff?