Life Matters - Full program podcast
ABC Australia
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world. Let's talk! With trusted experts and your stories, Life Matters is all about what matters to you.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 15, 2025 • 53min
Exploring masculinity and conflicting bin etiquette
These days, there are a lot of conflicting opinions when it comes to whether there's a "right" way to be a man. What qualities of masculinity have you embraced in 2025? Also, in most neighbourhoods, there's an unspoken rubbish bin etiquette that is adhered to. What happens when one neighbour starts breaking the rules?
May 14, 2025 • 55min
Why one woman became a "reproductive refugee" to achieve her dream of parenthood
Jane was blocked from using her frozen eggs in Western Australia. She describes this as forcing her to become a 'reproductive refugee,' travelling across the country to access the medical care she needed to become a mother.Plus, can literary fiction counter the manosphere? And our resident ethicist weighs in on how AI is being used in courts to hear cases from the afterlife.
May 13, 2025 • 54min
Escort, removalist, can collector: how side hustles became mainstream
Andrew’s side hustle has helped fund his wedding and several overseas holidays. But it’s not just about the money; his side job keeps him fulfilled. We also opened the lines for you to share your thoughts on your own side hustle. Plus, we heard from an expert on side hustle culture and how it has evolved in recent years.Plus, new screening for endometriosis that could prevent invasive surgery, as well as why Australians love to love—and love to hate—Eurovision.
May 12, 2025 • 55min
Overprescribing and undertreating: the antidepressant dilemma
Kate first started taking antidepressants when she was 12 years old. Thirty years later, she's still on them. She's one of the three and a half million Australians taking antidepressants. One researcher says they're one of the most commonly overprescribed drugs and it's not getting to the root cause of Australia's mental health crisis.Plus, is the high school literature curriculum too white and too male? And how a new solar battery rebate could benefit you.
May 11, 2025 • 55min
The hidden struggle, one in three adults can’t read properly
Katelyn managed to finish Year 12 despite struggling with reading. Now an adult, she wants to open her world up to more opportunities, so for the past year, she's been on a learning journey with the Adult Literacy Service.Plus, battles for leadership, from the Catholic Church to the Australian Parliament, have us asking: what makes a good leader? And your last day on the job, for the rest of your life?
