Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

How's your day been? Any plans for the weekend? What do you do for work?Small talk might feel trivial, but in her new book Once Upon A Stranger, professor in the psychology of kindness Gillian Sandstrom says these tiny exchanges can help us live a kinder, more connected life.So how can we overcome the awkward, and get a little more chit chat into our lives?

On the internet, a tiny piece of punctuation has become an unlikely battleground.The extra-long hyphen known as the em dash (—) has developed a reputation thanks to its frequent use in AI-generated writing.In a bid to reclaim the punctuation mark, a Sydney design agency has released new takes on some common fonts: Areal and Times New Human, featuring what they call the "am dash".The idea is simple: download the typeface, use the dash, and signal that your words are written by a human.

For many Australians, the images of war and suffering flooding our screens aren't just distant headlines.Unless you've lived it, it's hard to describe the feeling of being physically safe here, while your homeland seems to be unravelling.That's where Witness to War comes in. It's a free mental health support hotline where people can speak to someone in their own language who understands, because they've lived through it too.You can call Witness to War on 1800 845 198 between Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm AEDT.

Our teenage years are often a phase of experimentation and discovery as we figure out who we are and where we belong.Adolescence can also be a time the bigger questions about meaning, purpose, and spirituality start to emerge.So how do you encourage your child to explore those big ideas, while quietly hoping they don't land somewhere that completely scrambles your own worldview?

Whether it's the lyrics to a song from 25 years ago, or the entire script of a classic movie, our memory has a habit of holding onto things we don't technically need.So why is it that the brain sometimes fails when it comes to more everyday tasks, like remembering where we left our keys, or why we walked into a room? 

Dr Kate Grigorovic, geriatrician and author on healthy aging, offers a fresh look at growing older. She discusses a long Yale study showing many over-65s improved over time. Topics include how a positive outlook links to cognitive and physical gains, mindset-driven health behaviors, limits of causation, equity concerns, and practical steps to boost optimism and agency in later life.

When you think of teaching your kids about road safety, you probably picture them behind the wheel of a car.But as e-bikes and e-scooters have taken over our streets, that definition has to change.A new program has launched in Queensland to teach teenagers about using these devices safely on the road. But when the stakes are so high, is safety education enough?

When your pet is accused of a crime, how far should you go to clear their name?This week Katherine asks the Aunties where the line is between nosey neighbour and loyal pet owner.

Breaking up can be brutal, especially if you have children together. Navigating feelings of anger, sadness, betrayal and shock without bringing the kids into it can be complicated. But if you can make peace, could it also be an opportunity for growth?After a bit of time, more breathing room and a new rhythm to your family life can bring moments of real joy that you didn't see coming.So what's the secret to staying sane while bringing up kids with your ex?

Are you happily married, but sleep divorced? Even when sleeping in a different bed from your partner improves your relationship, your sleep and your mood, it can be hard to convince other people that sleeping in separate beds isn't the end of the world.So why are we so attached to this idea that sharing a bed equals love — and should more of us be getting a sleep divorce?