Life Matters - Full program podcast

Zoe Krupka, psychotherapist and senior lecturer, explores the mother wound and how cultural expectations shape mother-daughter tension. She discusses healing steps, curiosity-driven repair, and navigating generational differences. The conversation also tackles workplace gossip ethics, weighing loyalty, harm and when to escalate concerns.

Dr Deborah Graves, dementia support advocate and author who cared for her husband; Jim Rogers, dementia advocate who chased a travel bucket list after an early diagnosis. They talk about travelling with dementia, practical planning and routines, being open with communities and making meaningful local memories. Short, honest stories about preserving life and connection while navigating diagnosis.

Kate Colvin, CEO tackling homelessness policy and Housing First implementation. Leeson Timms, former manosphere member turned youth mental health facilitator sharing lived experience of leaving online extremism. Gillian Sandstrom, psychology of kindness researcher and author exploring the social perks of casual chats. They discuss small talk’s social benefits, exiting toxic online communities, and lessons from Finland’s Housing First approach.

Dr Paul Harrison, consumer behaviour scholar exploring why people prize human-made creativity over AI. Maggie Dent, parenting expert on adolescent development and calm, curious responses. Jackie Bailey, non-religious pastoral carer navigating a teen’s turn to Christianity. Fida Al-Haddad, bicultural support officer offering culturally safe hotline listening. Jorge Arosh, CEO leading a national hotline for people affected by war. They discuss hotline care, teen spirituality, and valuing human creativity.

Professor Michelle Spear, memory researcher at the University of Bristol, explains why we remember songs but forget where we left the car. Dr Kate Gregorevic, geriatrician and author, discusses how optimism shapes ageing and resilience. Peter Burke, Bicycle Industries Australia manager, examines e-bike and e-scooter safety, policy gaps and education for teens. Short, lively conversations about memory, positive ageing and e-mobility risks.

Danielle Lundberg, a mediator with a psychology and counselling background, explains navigating separation and rebuilding parenting after a split. She discusses the emotional shock of breakup, child-inclusive mediation and practical approaches to cooperation or parallel parenting. The conversation also dives into neighbour disputes about a blamed cat and how to handle proof, privacy and neighbourly diplomacy.

Patrick Stokes, philosopher exploring ethics and privacy; Dr Moira Junger, sleep psychologist and Sleep Health Foundation CEO; Dr Zach Seidler, clinical psychologist focused on young men and gaming engagement; Mike Keady, counsellor delivering therapy inside Fortnite and Minecraft. They discuss gaming as a therapy platform, navigating online risks and professionalism, couples choosing to sleep apart, practical tips, and ethical questions around age verification and sexual privacy.

Denise Scott, veteran Australian comedian and actor, talks about her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and returning to stand-up with Tickety Boo. Lisa Leong, workplace wellbeing expert and This Working Life host, shares highlights from her interview with Esther Perel on handling workplace conflict, power dynamics and exercises to build understanding.

Christine Bagley-Jones, a resident psychologist on judgment and compassion. Julian Warnock, who organised a living wake to celebrate his wife while she was terminally ill. Professor Karen Thorpe, child development researcher who studies early childhood quality and safety. Cecilia Cobb, founder of For Parents campaigning to let subsidies follow parents. They discuss expanding childcare subsidy choices, evidence and safety for non‑centre care, and the meaning and logistics of living funerals.

Dr Fiona MacDonald, policy expert on work and leave, discusses unpaid overtime and the push for a fifth week of annual leave. Paul Sadler, chair of Meals on Wheels Australia, outlines funding pressures, volunteer decline and service changes. Mandy Nolan, comedian and parent, shares candid stories about teaching her five kids to drive, managing anxiety and different learning styles.