You have a big group of friends and like to socialise together alot. You suspect that one of your friend's isn't including her partner in those group occasions, and you don't want them to feel left out.What should you do?

Researchers are discovering more about the power of fun to help us feel better the rest of the time.So let's keep that holiday feeling going for as long as we can, and learn some more about how to incorporate fun into our everyday lives.

A friend helped Monica Jansons find her happy place, and it was life changing. Monica is now passing this advice about happiness on to her son. 'Be where you are.'  The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The first act of sex was likely a display of desperate cannibalism but since its emergence life has reproduced in many surprising ways.Historian David Baker's Sex: Two Billion Years of Procreation and Recreation is a comprehensive history of this most primal urge and reveals how it drives many of the decisions that we make whether we realise it or not.

Screens have become ubiquitous in our lives, and it's not just us grown ups that spend alot of time staring at them.Experts are concerned though, that rates of myopia are increasing in children and adults alike, and they're investigating the links to screen use.

Our friendships can play a crucial part in our wellbeing. They're fun, they're stimulating, they're comforting, they're supportive.But how do they begin? How do we sustain them?In her new book, Gyan Yankovich is celebrating the relationships that make up our lives: from the childhood best friend to the casual chats that make the week a little brighter.

A recent report by the ACCC has found that there are serious problems with access to child care and early education in Australia.And that won't be a surprise for most parents. Even if you're lucky enough to live in a town with multiple options, finding a place with enough days, with the right days, and at the right price can feel like an almost impossible task.What needs to change? And what is the cost to families when childcare is inaccessible?

Kristine Philipp got the job as a Girl Friday when she was fifteen. This would mark the beginning of an extraordinarily, ordinary working life which shines a light of women in the workplace.

Sleep can be elusive for many children, but when it becomes a chronic problem, some parents have been increasingly turning to gummy lollies that contain melatonin in a desperate bid to get their kids to sleep.These products are unregulated, and sometimes contain vastly higher amounts of melatonin than advertised. Meanwhile, the practice of prescribing melatonin to sleepless children is concerning sleep experts, because of a lack of long-term data about the impact of melatonin on growing brains.

Students are heading back to school, but for some, the act of leaving the house, and heading to classes, can become impossible.As Australia waits for the Federal Government to respond to a Senate inquiry into school refusal, experts argue that parents can take practical steps that will help if their child becomes unable to attend school.

When you fall in love, you hope that it will last forever! But sadly, that's not always the case. Scientists are discovering more about love and how it influences our bodies and brains.

Paris has undertaken a massive clean up effort to make the Seine river ready to host Olympic swimming events this year.But it's just one in a big wave of cities cleaning up their rivers. We look at how Australia is tracking, when we'll be able to take a dip in our own urban waterways and the benefits of swimming next to the skyline.

We often start the year wanting to have a clear plan—to know exactly what we want out of life and how to get it—but sometimes, with the clean slate of the new year, we can actually feel a bit lost. Many regular meditators say their practice is their ‘anchor in the storm’, and research supports their experience. How can you get started?

Getting outdoors is a fantastic way to stay in touch with nature, and enjoy it's beauty. Sanda Oo takes us on a tour of gardens she's tended and loved, over the years.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

While you've loved your first name your whole life, your second name - the one that belongs to your biological father - is causing you grief.

How do the memories of past relationships shape who we are today?Is there a temptation to look back with rose-tinted glasses, or wonder what could have been? And do we have to make peace with our past relationships so that we can embrace the new ones? 

Leo Norman and Cezary Carmichael are spending their gap year riding the country documenting the unique cultural and ecological importance of birds in Australia.

Growing up in India, Ahona Guha witnessed the impacts of terrorism on her community and family. By the age of 23, Ahona had joined and left a cult, and had experienced marriage and divorce.Today, Ahona works as a clinical psychologist with clients who are grappling with trauma and other mental health challenges.In her latest book, Life Skills for a Broken World, Ahona argues that instead of looking for happiness, we should search for things that give us meaning, to build a framework that will not only help navigate life's challenges, but also unearth joy.

At 59, Katie Clemmens was looking forward to the birth of her second grandchild. Then Katie was struck by a car and suffered a catastrophic brain injury. Her family decided to donate her organs to others who needed them.An insight into what organ donation means for grieving families, and the barriers to increasing donations. Plus, the personal boost blood donors get from giving to their community.

One in one hundred Australians live with a stutter that affects their speech, and for children it's even more common. So how can we be more accepting of children and adults who have one?

After multiple cases of drug-related harm at festivals in Victoria this month, Australia's approach towards drugs is back on the agenda. After initially pushing back against the question of pill testing, the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has said that she will seek out expert advice.And in Queensland, the Government is following Canberra's lead and opening a fixed drug testing site - for a trial period.Dr Monica Barratt and Professor Malcolm McLeod share their expertise about harm minimisation and look at the impact pill testing has had in Canberra, where a trial has been running for several years. 

While libraries full of the written word have their limits, the human library seeks to fill in those gaps by allowing you to borrow a 'human book'.It's a movement that's been running events around the world for more than twenty years, but it's still relatively small in Australia, with just a couple of organisations.

How much attention do you pay to your super?Many of us prefer to assume that everything's going to plan, and it will be there when we need it.But maybe it's worth checking again, because up to a quarter of Australian workers have had some amount of their superannuation go unpaid.Recent changes mean you'll now be able to take direct action to recover that money.Xavier O'Halloran from Super Consumers shares some tips on where you even begin?

As house repayments and rent continue their upward trend, many Australians are struggling to balance their budgets, and governments around the country are grappling with questions of housing affordability.Late last year, the Federal Government announced an investment of ten billion dollars in social housing, with a goal of creating 20,000 new social homes and 20,000 new affordable homes over the next five years.But some advocacy groups are calling for that number of new homes per year.Dr Weijie Hu and Dr Alistair Sisson talk about the role social housing should play in the Australian market.

What does it mean to move in a world that doesn't feel like it was made for you? And if that's your experience, how do you make people respond to what you do instead of who you are?Leisa Prowd was born with achondroplasia, so she doesn't look like a lot of other dancers. In her most recent show, I Am (Not) This Body, she invited audiences into her experience.

We all find it hard to get back on the fitness wagon — no matter how big our new year exercise resolutions.Trainer Jono Castano says the hardest exercise is getting through the door of your gym, but, once your mentality is in the right place, momentum does the rest.The former professional soccer player, who’s trained thousands (including celebrities Richard Branson and Rebel Wilson), suggests routine, 'micro-goals' and crafting your own 'fitness story'.

At 33, gastroenterologist Dr Will Bulsiewicz was overweight with high blood pressure and cholesterol, and abdominal pain. Then he went on his wife’s plant-based diet and completely transformed his lifestyle and his health. Now he wants those suffering from gut issues and IBS to benefit from what he’s learned.Guests:Dr Will Bulsiewicz, gastroenterologist and author of Fibre Fuelled: The Plant Based Gut Health Program for Losing Weight, Restoring Your Health and Optimising Your MicrobiomeDr Emma Halmos, dietician and researcher from Monash University’s Translational Nutrition Science Team, who've just published Low FODMAP: The Cookbook

When Helen Miller was a child, there was a Chinese pear tree in her front yard that was good for climbing,  pear throwing and general fun.

Your housemate is having an affair with a married man and you are uncomfortable. Do you have any right to have a say on whether she can continue her this relationship in our house? 

Life can be full of twists and turns. Then, there are moments when things take a complete U-turn. But, when we make a big change in our life, how do we know we've made the right decision? And, regardless of the outcome, is there always an opportunity for growth?

As we learn more about seaweed's potential uses, from micronutrients to bioplastics, will we also learn to take better care of the ecosystems it comes from, including Tasmania's endangered giant kelp forests?

Imagine a John Farnham-themed musical, in which three different John Farnhams travel back in time to teach you about their lives.Now imagine having a behind-the-scenes look at that show as produced by the students of a public school for neurodiverse kids in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. That is the spectacular storyline of a new film, This is Going to Be Big.

Receiving a dementia diagnosis, or finding out you may have one in your future, dramatically changes people's lives.We investigate what the future holds for our understanding of this mysterious disease and whether we will ever find a cure.

Australia is known for its banter, and it certainly has its place. But sometimes we need to have those deeper conversations. This is sometimes where men can struggle. Often men feel unable to open up about their feelings, to show vulnerability, but this is something Dylan Buckley is hoping to change through his book Honest Chat.

We think of our emotions as raw expressions of our most primal selves. But behavioural scientist Pragya Agarwal argues that, at all times, our emotions are actually being shaped by cultural and historical factors outside of our control. What would it look like if we all learnt to express what we truly felt?

Do you feel like you recognise your younger self? Or do you think you've changed? Turns out our personalities aren't as fixed as we'd previously thought. There's a growing body of evidence that our personalities shift as we reach our 60s, and again as we reach the end of our lives. Hear from personality experts Professor Brent Roberts and Associate Professor Tim Windsor about how you might change, and how you can tweak your personality to thrive in later life.

Tinnitus affects most people at some point in their lives, but experts are still learning about it, and what works for treating the condition. Still, hope is on the horizon as a trial using brain stimulation is set to expand.

You’re in the meeting from hell and feeling like you’re going to explode.Well guess what? Nearly 2000 years ago, Marcus Aurelius faced similar frustrations, and author Annie Lawson argues that what greatly helped him was Stoic philosophy.  She says that by mastering the art of stoicism you could be as successful at handling workplace annoyances as Aurelius was at ruling an empire. Guest: Annie Lawson, author of Stoic at Work

When science journalist Paul Biegler hurt his knee, he was given painkillers and told he’d need surgery. Then he read about the science of ‘pain mistakes’; Then he read about the science of ‘pain mistakes’; the idea that your brain can think you have an injury when you no longer do. Drawing from the methods he researched which can help reset the brain, such as hypnosis, virtual reality and ‘paced-up exercise’, Paul set out to fix himself.

With the madness of daily life, who doesn’t want to find a few extra hours in the day? But artist and best-selling author Jenny Odell says, if we’re trying to be more productive, we may be chasing the wrong goal. Instead, she suggests looking for purpose outside the world of work, deadlines and to-do-lists and changing the way we think about time altogether.

When journalist Jane Hutcheon’s mother recently passed away, she realised the models of retirement most familiar to her didn’t fit the kind of productive and liberated life she had envisioned for herself in her older years. She set out to find a new one.

It's time to solve a dilemma about a dominating dinner party guest. We've all been there, haven't we? You know, when there's that person at the table who does a lot of the talking, and not enough of the listening? How should you respond?

Terra Sword moved to Hobart to start a new chapter in her life and heal after a painful relationship breakup. She finds peace and quiets her mind while hiking on Kunanyi (Mt Wellington).The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Lucky Girl Syndrome, a trend that's gone viral on TikTok, promotes the idea that affirmative mantras and a positive mind-set will determine what you will attract into your life. If we believe we can get what we want, will the universe deliver?

Honey might be an Aussie breakfast staple, but have you ever thought about what we can learn about our environment from the flavour of honey? Whether it comes from an urban backyard beekeeper or from a regional coastal area, honey often holds surprising clues about its home environment.

When scientists Penny and Noel bought a property called 'Thiaki' in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, they had no idea what they were in for. Twenty years later, Penny reveals what she's learned about the land and the people who have lived on it.

Plans to establish a giant new Australian marine park in the Southern Ocean have re-sparked debates about the damage fishing does to marine environments. Is it possible to fish in a way that is environmentally sustainable and do Australian marine parks have the balance right?

Music can evoke many emotions. It can bring a party to life, and it can soothe a broken heart. But can sound heal? Some people believe that sound baths can help reduce stress and even ease physical pain. But what exactly is a sound bath? And is there any science behind the practice?

Coaches can play a big role in your life, and push you to be your best. Colin Fraser has an athletics trophy he won thanks to a special mentor.

Since the days of the Roman Empire, when soldiers exercised before battle, stretching has been used to decrease chance of injury. But new research shows the greatest benefit of stretching could be in the way it works to calm the body’s stress response. Professor of Health Sciences Tony Blazevich talks us through the best way to make that happen for you.

What's driving our natural immune response into overdrive and making us ill? We look at how culture, lifestyle, inflammation and disease are linked, and what we can do to reclaim our health.

When Jenny was a young girl her family would sit around a yellow laminex kitchen table, which was used for drawing, on as well as in the usual ways.

Australia is home to around 3,700 people who have lived to the age of 100 and beyond. An intergenerational art project has been partnering teenagers with centenarians to paint their portrait for a travelling exhibition which culminates in Canberra.

Scientists can now measure the age of our organ systems, and have found they can age at significantly different rates. That means your heart or brain may be younger or older than your chronological age.

Researchers at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of longevity say that any day now we will have the science that allows us to live to 150. But physician turned podcast superstar Dr Peter Attia and ageing researcher Dr Lindsay Wu say there are many things we can do to lengthen our life-spans right now.

Diana Greentree is an actress who's appeared in many productions on stage and screen. For many years, she's treasured a doll she carried on stage during her performances in The King and I.

It may seem like living longer is the latest in a long set of goals you're being asked to achieve. But should having a meaningful and happier life, no matter the duration, be a more desirable goal? And what helps that happen?

Harry Donnelly and Keith Blake had been footy friends for over four decades, but after Harry put a call out for someone to illustrate his poems he discovered a new side to his long-time friend. Now the pair work as a team, Harry writing poems and Keith illustrating them.   

By the time women turn 70, they've already lived through many lifetimes' worth of new technologies, jobs and relationships. And for some women the challenges don't stop there as they continue to defy expectations.  

On the face of it, getting an apology email from an estranged relative seems like a good thing. But what it you don't want to revisit history? How should you respond, and do you even need to?

Whether you're someone who holds onto belongings for their sentimental value, or someone who throws things out if they serve no purpose. Knowing what to keep and what to discard isn't always an easy task.Professional Organiser, Robyn Amott, shares her tips on how to make decisions around what to keep and what to cast out.Guest: Robyn Amott, Founder of Bless this Mess

For her 70th birthday, Kathy Williams received an album filled with photos and memories from her life.

We all have different versions of ourselves that we show to the world, whether that's at work, with family, or with friends.But when it's just you, alone in the dark, who are you? And if the answer isn't clear, how do you begin to find your sense of self?In her new book, It's On Me, Sara Kuburic explores existential psychotherapy. 

Art and stories are closely intertwined, and what better story to explore than your own? Research shows that using artistic practice can help us process difficult and traumatic events, and frame our life narrative in a way that supports our mental wellbeing. So how do you pick up the pen or paintbrush and share your story? We call on clinical psychologist and artist Associate Professor Paul Rhodes and author Amra Pajalic to help you build your narrative, find your audience, choose your medium, and revel in the catharsis that awaits you.

There's a growing recognition from the field of music psychology that shows that music can help us feel a sense of self-compassion and belonging.

As the world becomes increasingly digitised, writing by hand can seem totally archaic. But research shows that, putting pen to paper brings far more cognitive benefit than is often assumed. What might happen if handwriting becomes a lost art?

Ultra processed foods (UPF’s) have been shown to be particularly bad for our bodies, but new research is showing that they could also be having a major impact on our minds. What is it about these delicious snacks that is so harmful? And is it possible to live without them?

Kay Kerr used to wonder if she was doing love right, so she set about trying to find out everything she could about what she thought love was meant to look like. Since then Kay has learned that autistic people like her love in many different ways and that there was never meant to be anything typical about love in the first place.

Australians aren't the most liberal when it comes to talking about sex, especially experiences outside the cisgender, heterosexual, monogamous norm. So what made Australia so prudish? And how do we take a more live and let live approach to other people's sex lives? Polyamorous author Paul Dalgarno has experienced that prudish judgement first-hand, and explores its harsh impacts in his new book Prudish Nation. 

Relationship chatbots powered by artificial intelligence are now widely used, and for some these relationships feel very real.

When Mary Louise Parkinson was a child, her family had a signed copy of Sir William Dobell's 'Storm Approaching Wangi' on the living room wall. She wonders where it is now.

When writer Rachael Mogan McIntosh and husband Keith moved their family to the south of France for a year abroad, they were hoping for a bit of ambience and exposure to a new language. Instead, they found themselves in an 'opposite world' which caused them to question everything about their parenting style and the 'Australian way' we relate to our children.

We’ve all heard of post-high school gap years, but these days lots of people are taking adult gap years. For actor Rachael Coopes, that involved leaving behind her stable life and soul mate to study with French master clown Philippe Gaulier.

Carmel O'Sullivan's wedding ring was lost, then found, then remade after she divorced her husband. Kindness and the importance of relationships plays a key part in her story.

Your friend's boyfriend has 'super liked' you on Tinder. Do you tell your friend about it, or confront him? Or do nothing?

The idea of dating more than one person, or bringing additional people into an existing relationship can be a daunting one.But if it's something you'd like to explore, there are ways to address those concerns and build healthy, trusting non-monogamous relationships.

Mike Rucker spent years studying the science of happiness, until he realised his methods didn't work for his own life. Since then, he’s dedicated his life to studying fun including working out how to have Type 1 Fun', 'Type 2 Fun', 'Hard Fun' and 'Soft Fun'.

Books, writing and imagination all come together to create a magical and happy place for Ashleigh Meikle.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The benefits of conscious breathing techniques can be life changing. From bringing down stress levels to making for better sleep, to harnessing energy and improving intimacy. Learn how it works and some tips for starting breathwork.

Spending time in nature may be good for both your mental and physical health. 

A self-confessed 'control freak' by nature, Ruth Henderson found her happy place on the back end of a tandem bicycle driven by her husband.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Many of us could do with more joy and less stress in our lives but could laughing more help us achieve it?

Are you a shower singer? Perhaps you are in a choir? No matter how, or where, you do it, the act of singing can benefit you on many levels.

Doing something that isn't work can add a lot of joy and wellbeing benefits to our lives, but "unproductive" leisure activities are also the first on the chopping block when our other responsibilities pile up.In our work-centric world, serious leisure takes a back seat, but maybe that needs a re-think. We look at how to make space for hobbies, how to find one you'll stick with, and why you shouldn't skimp on this kind of 'you-time' with Act-Belong-Commit campaign founder Dr Rob Donovan and Charles Sturt University's Dr Yazdan Mansourian.

Tracey Edstein's rolltop desk belonged to her grandfather and was part of the family stonemasonry business for decades. She has kept the desk, as well as some of the mysterious objects from it's many drawers and compartments.

Most of the time, the listening we do is purely functional. But what happens when we make time to listen for pleasure, to listen with purpose and to listen deeply? What do more conscious listening experiences provide us? And how can we make more time for them in our lives?

Long before Paul Kelly ever picked up a guitar, he expressed himself in a different format: the poem. Now, he’s returning to his first love, and taking his fans with him on the journey.

Jimmy Little was one of Australians most loved musicians.  His daughter, Frances Peters-Little has just completed the first biography of the singer.

Have you ever bought something thinking you knew what it was for, and then later discovered it was for something else entirely? Benita Cattalini's chair wasn't for barbering.

Your ex sister-in-law sends a Christmas newsletter of what the family is doing and it upsets you. How do you tell her you'd prefer she ask about your family?

We all need people in our lives who can love and support us. But, for some people, their families of origin might not be able to provide that. That's where 'chosen families' can come in. So how can we build stronger connections with people who share our values, understand our lived experience and make us feel at home?  

As an Aussie writer living in New York with the man she loved, Alexandra Collier has the dream life. Until, she wakes up with ‘baby fever’. And, her partner doesn’t feel the same. But, as the relationships ends, a new possibility opens  up — becoming an SMBC  (a solo mum, by choice).

In Rachel Yoders' bestselling novel Nightbitch, a mother in the throes of early parenting is shocked to notice coarse hair sprouting from her neck, pointy ends to her teeth and the beginnings of a tail. She’s become Nightbitch. How do the demands of motherhood change us and can we survive with your pre-parenting identities intact?

The law of the land usually refers to rules laid down by lawmakers in Parliament House. But for the Yolngu people, the phrase has a deeper meaning: a connection with Country that's shaped the law across generations.A new documentary, Luku Ngarra, shares the story of Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, a civil rights activist, spiritual leader, and Yolngu lawman who, for decades, has fought for the recognition of Yolngu law. 

Superheroes are big business these days, dominating our movie screens as the major players compete to create the next big spectacle.So as the form of storytelling becomes more important, what does it mean to see yourself reflected in those heroes? Or in the creators working behind the scenes?Cleverman garnered critical acclaim in recent years, but it was decades earlier when the first Australian Indigenous superhero took to the screen in ABC's Basically Black.Blak Power, an exhibition at the Darwin Festival, showcases the work of more than a dozen artists from over the years.

When Frank Spry was a small child, he and his three siblings were placed in the Retta Dixon Home, a place that became notorious for the mistreatment of the children who lived there.In a new work with his son David, they are sharing the story of his childhood in Kingadong, the trauma of being taken away, and the triumph of spirit that has seen Frank become a powerful advocate for human rights.

Darren Pope's precious object is a little piece of Australian history. It was made during a restorative period in the life of the well-known artist, John Perceval, who died in 2000.

Every day there are conversations that dominate the airwaves and social media. But are we missing some of the big ideas that really matter?Untold at the Darwin Festival is bringing together a range of Indigenous creative and cultural leaders for some conversations that might not have been widely heard, but should be.

Head out to any coastline across Australia and you're likely to see a few intrepid fisherman relaxing in the morning air or testing themselves against the fish and the elements. But one thing tends to be missing from the scene - women.      Not so in Darwin, where you'll find men, women, even whole families taking their rods out to the water. But that wasn't always the case. What led to that cultural shift?  

After decades fighting for its creation, a new aged care facility designed by Aboriginal elders has opened its doors in north-east Arnhem Land.The Yutjuwala Djwarr centre allows elders to stay on country and in their community, and features include a traditional ceremony space, bush medicine plants, and even a rescue dog.What can we learn from the success of this facility, and how can similar features be implemented in aged care centres around the country?

Drinking fermented drinks like kombucha, cider, mead and kvass is all the rage these days. But fermenting master Sharon Flynn says learning how to make these drinks yourself will not only bring more pleasure to your palette but will help you connect with feminist history, the wonders of physics and your hunter-gatherer instincts.

School can be tricky for many children, but can we be too quick to think changing schools will make things better? With good parent and teacher communication, can issues often be ironed out? What things should you consider before changing your child's school? And, without proper consideration, is there a risk the same problems will arise in the new school? 

Nothing seems more Australian than eating fish and chips, but it's likely the fish being served to you isn't Australian at all and you wouldn't even know it. But until now, hospitality venues don’t have to label the fish they're serving. A federal consultation process means that may soon be changing.

You're getting ready for another Christmas lunch with your family. Your mother traditionally cooks a massive meal of several courses and dishes. She always insists on doing it herself.The problem is, she's getting a bit older, and doesn't feel she has the energy to meet her usual standards. But rather than accepting help with the cooking from you and your siblings, she requests that her adult grandchildren not invite their partners to lunch.The grandchildren are upset about this, but as your mother refuses to consider alternatives, you feel stuck in the middle. What should you do?Comedian Nelly Thomas and author Hugh Van Cuylenburg brainstorm solutions. 

2023 has been a long year. What are the wins you want to celebrate?  And what are you carrying that you want to ritually cleanse from your life? Life Matters is here to help with both.

Irrational meltdowns, outbursts of anger, obsessive fixations; if you're finding yourself acting decidedly toddler-like at this time of year, experts say it's because your ability to regulate your emotions and thoughts is completely depleted. So how can you apply the best toddler-calming techniques to yourself?

Bernadene Sward used to visit Croajingalong National Park in south-east Victoria, on an annual basis. She enjoyed her sojourns there with friends, family and lovers, at different times. It became her happy place.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

In 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development gathered 724 participants. And, for 85 years, it tracked how they lived, loved, and experienced life, becoming the longest, in-depth, longitudinal study we have on human flourishing. This year, the study’s authors collected the results and set out to answer one question, 'what makes a good life and what do I need to do to live one?'

On school holidays, most kids go to the beach or hang out at home with their folks.From the age of 4, Tyler Mahoney was going on gold prospecting trips in the middle of the West Australian desert. She grew up to be a world-class gold miner and a reality TV 'superstar'. 

Finding your tribe is not always easy, but Gail Mahon has found a happy place with others who swim regularly at the local pool.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The summer holidays can be a wonderful time, but the expectation to be with loved ones can be difficult to bear for those without strong family or friend groups. Why do we experience loneliness, and what can we do to help spark more connections in our lives, especially during the holidays?

A new online program launching in the new year aims to get older Katherine residents fitter and healthier in their homes. Whether they want to be able to carry their grandkids, safely get up and down steps, or simply get around the home more easily, the tailored telefit program will connect older residents with an exercise physiologists who will help them reach their fitness goals.

In the summer of 1950, author Kristina Olsson’s mother lost her infant son when he was snatched from her arms as she boarded a train.

The explosion in use of semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss are having major ripple effects.The food industry in the US is already reporting fewer sales of junk food and alcohol and the weight loss industry is pivoting to providing these drugs over less sustainable approaches. Are these drugs the next big disruptor in the food and health industries - and is that a good thing?

The holiday season can be a great time for slowing down and for connecting with friends and family but it's often not without its challenges. So how can we deal with those awkward moments and tricky conversations? And by letting go of the pursuit of the perfect Christmas does it free people up to enjoy time together?

Goodness, like beauty, can be in the eye of the beholder and, also like beauty, the expectations are often gendered.All of her life, Elise Loehnen had tried to live up to the ideal of the model women that she'd been taught: smart, but modest; hard working, but considerate.Over time, those pressures became too much, and Elise set out to understand the price she was paying to be perceived as good.

It's another year where Christmas might not look like what the young people in your life are used to.The cumulative effect of the cost of living crisis means more of us are cutting back even more, and some of the things we've come to expect - presents, holidays, fancy dinners, might be pared back for now.So how do you discuss these financial constraints with children? We look at how it can serve as a teaching moment in many ways, and look at some tips for saving cash on holiday trappings.

You occasionally babysit for some friends, and while you enjoy looking after the kids, you're not such a fan of the state they keep their home in.The bathroom and children's rooms are disgusting, with mould, mildew and dust everywhere.You're worried about the children's health but you're not sure if you should say something out of fear of embarrassing your friends.What do you do? Comedians Kyran Nicholson and Jennifer Wong figure it out.

If you've ever lacked confidence, you'll know how much it can impact your ability to function. It might prevent you going for a job, travelling overseas, or even starting a new relationship. And it can become a negative cycle. But there are ways we can boost our confidence and our self esteem. We look at how with clinical psychologist Dr Sarah Edelman. 

At this time of year, we all like to read good news stories just to get a warm fuzzy feeling.But co-founder of Future Crunch Angus Hervey argues that positive news stories are also important because they make us feel more motivated to make the world a better place.So, in a world where lots of bad things happen, how do we tell those good stories without being in pollyannaish? And how do we see our future through a lens of hope even when it can seems like we’re all doomed?

For decades in Australia, a house hasn't just been a place to call home, it's been a good investment.House prices have significantly outpaced other parts of the economy and while the average cost of a house used to be about 3.5 times the average income, these days it's closer to 7.5.And that's great news for those who've received good returns on their investments, but has lead to tough times for anyone paying off a mortgage or trying to buy their first home.What's led to this rapid change? and is it possible to find a better balance in the way that we look at housing in Australia?

Jimmy Rees may now be a YouTube sensation and a children's author, but his most challenging gig is parenting his three kids. So what advice does he have about how to make the parenting juggle work especially around school holidays?This episode was first broadcast on 30 March, 2023

In Australia, a shark encounter is a possibility, but how likely is it? Having a healthy fear for an animal that has the potential to cause us harm is probably not a bad thing, but how do films and news coverage affect how we feel about sharks? And do they contribute to us having an irrational fear?

Public radio plays a huge role in many people's lives, providing entertainment, companionship, news, emergency information, and conversation.But as Radio National reaches its 100th anniversary, during a time of rapid technological and societal change, what will the next hundred years hold?

Many of us will come together with friends and family to share food this festive season, but how far back does the history of feasting go? And how are different culinary traditions influencing what we put on the table at Christmas?

Australian travel to the US is down 40 per cent on pre-pandemic numbers. Does the political unrest and gun violence we keep hearing about have something to do with it?We look at how news influences our travel choices, when to take it with a grain of salt, and how 'dangerous' or 'unstable' countries rehabilitate their images as attractive, safe travel destinations.

Climate change, foreign wars, economic stress, overwork and the ongoing recovery from pandemic trauma... if it all has you reaching for a glass of wine you're not alone.This period of chronic stress is causing an uptick in substance abuse in Australia.We look at who is most at risk of addiction and how to protect people in high stress times.

You love taking your dog to the local dog beach. She loves to play and tumble with the other dogs, but she's always well behaved and never overly aggressive.One day, you're supervising your dog playing with some other dogs, when another owner arrives and asks you to move down the beach. She says your dog looks too similar to one that bit hers and it's causing her dog anxiety.You wonder why she can't be the one to take her dog out of the situation, as now your dog has to play alone.Who gets to dictate the space at the dog beach? Comedian Michelle Brasier and ABC Everyday's Patrick Lenton solve this one.

Adhering to customs and traditions can be a great way of staying connected with family, community, or history. But in some circumstances they can be something that hold you back, and prevent you pursuing the life you want to lead. We'll be hearing your stories of how you've broken with tradition and carved out your own path. 

What started as the planting of single patch of green space the size of a tennis court has grown into the ‘tiny forest’ movement spreading throughout Australian cities and cities around the world. Climate scientists say these ‘micro-ecosystems’, often planted by local communities, have the potential to lower temperatures of their surrounding environments and mitigate the effects of global climate change. How can you get involved?Guests:Edwina Robinson, landscape architect and creator of four micro-forests in Canberra Peter Kanowski, Professor of Forestry, Australian National University

As young girls living in the Adelaide Hills, Stephanie West and her sister used to race the local steam train from one stop to another. Those times and memories are her happy place.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Having a baby is never easy, but if you have perinatal depression or anxiety, it can be outright impossible . So why is it still so hard for women to get support they need- particularly the medication that may be a lifesaver? Experts say it has a lot to do with unrealistic expectations and misinformation perpetuated by society and clinicians. But new guidelines are seeking to turn that around.Guests:Dr Nicole Highet, clinical psychologist, Executive Director for COPE, the Centre of Perinatal Excellence and Chairperson of the Australian Perinatal Mental Health Guidance Committee (which has just released their latest guidelines)Dr Wendy Burton, Practising GP, Chair of the Antenatal/Postnatal Specific Interest Group for the RACGP and GP educator with Mater Mother's HospitalTobi Harry, mother of two

If you're not a fan of heights, the thought of going 'bouldering' might be terrifying! But for Peter Lowe, the joy of this activity, and mastering it, takes him to his happy place.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The terms neurodiverse and neurodivergent have become more commonplace in recent years, but what do they actually mean, especially for the people they're used to refer to?Could these new ways of thinking about how our brains work shift our attitudes, not only about learning differences, but also about categories of mental illness?Sonny Jane Wise argues for replacing the pathology paradigm with a neurodivergent one, and suggests that it could improve life for all of us.

How much do you remember of the French, or Italian, or Chinese, or whatever languages it was you learned at school? For many of us, they fade once we graduate and lose the pressure to practice.But perhaps they would be easier to keep if the languages chosen were those of the community around us. What do we gain by becoming multilingual? And should the focus of our language education shift, to consider our local community?

As photos of food have flooded the internet, the urge to share on social media has begun to shape how we experience our meals in real life.Some restaurants have designed their dishes, their lighting, and their decor to let diners create the perfect shot. Others explicitly ask you to keep the phone in your pocket and stay in the moment.How is this visual medium changing what we eat and the way we understand our relationship with food?

Many of us grew up reading and listening to the stories of fairytale princesses. But what do stories like Snow White and Cinderella teach children about relationships and how they are expected to behave? In her latest book, Fairytale Princesses Will Kill Your Children, Jane Gilmore, has rewritten some of Disney's early fairytales.

Getting an unexpected notice from the Tax Office can be a nerve-wracking moment, particularly if you're tight on cash. It never seems to be like the old monopoly card saying 'there's a bank error in your favour'Across the country, thousands of Australians have been receiving that unwanted message, letting them know that they have an outstanding tax debt.For many it's less than a dollar, for others it's thousands and could date back more than a decade.The ATO has said that they want to increase the visibility of the debts, but why now? How does someone end up with an unexpected tax debt? And how does the ATO decide what to forgive and what to collect?

Watching shows about the homes of the rich and famous, or browsing luxe listings outside our budgets has been a modern obsession for some time. So how does an obsession with housing excess reflect our circumstances, and is a backlash on the horizon?

What does the next ten years hold for Australians? Where will we be living, how and where will we be working and who will be the people holding power? Demographer, Simon Kuestenmacher, has published a report forecasting what changes he believes we'll experience over the next decade. 

A recent survey by the Council of Single Mothers and their Children revealed that most single mothers are educated and in paid employment. But despite these factors, single mothers say they are worried about their long-term financial security. Do negative stereotypes and stigma continue to hold them back? And, if so, how can we start to change attitudes so that single mothers and their children can thrive?

Your high school reunion is coming up, and you're not sure whether to attend.You are looking forward to seeing certain people you don't get much opportunity to see, but the reunion is being hosted by your former bully and you're worried it's going to bring up some uncomfortable feelings.You also promised your close friend you'd go with her for solidarity, so you're unsure whether it's fair to let her down.What do you do? We pick it apart with comedian Lou Wall and ABC Newcastle Drive presenter Paul Culliver.

Mixing business with pleasure can be a recipe for disaster. But if you do work with your romantic partner how can you keep both your relationship and your professional life strong? From juggling childcare arrangements to keeping work talk out of the home, what are some of the challenges you have to overcome if you work with your significant other? We hear from listeners on how they've done it. 

We’ve all down the Dr Google rabbit hole that is the internet, and the amount of medical misinformation online can be scary. But the internet has also become a place where people with similar medical experiences can connect and even find information that their doctors haven't given them. So how do you know what’s total BS and what might actually be useful information?Guests: Dr Norman Swan, medical doctor and broadcaster, co-host of the Health Report, Coronacast and What's that Rash?Tegan Taylor, health and science reporter,  co-host of the Health Report, Coronacast and What's that Rash?

Welcome to 2024's workplace battlefield: how much you need to be in the office.CEO's are saying they want workers back full-time, whereas employees are demanding full flexibility.What is next year’s model of ‘how we do work’ likely to look like and how can you make it work best for you?Guests:Dr Ben Hamer, futurist, Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University's Centre for Work and Wellbeing and author of The Kickass Career: How to Succeed in the Future of Work NowSarah McCann Bartlett, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian HR InstituteDr Christina Boedker, professor at the University of Newcastle Business SchoolDavid Portway, HR manager at global agribusiness

Anja Christoffersen was born with VACTERL Association, a cluster of physical abnormalities that led to many trips to hospital over her early years, including extensive surgery when she was only 5 hours old.Anja has gone on to become an international model, an author, a public speaker, and the founder of the Women with Disabilities Entrepreneur Network and the Champion Health Agency, which aims to help people with disability professionalise their live experience.She's also an ambassador for this year's International Day of People with Disabilities.

Ending a marriage or a serious relationship can be worst time of your life.Even in the best of situations there are complicated questions to answer, but when children are part of the story and the question of custody ends up in court, then emotions can run very high indeed.The federal government recently passed major amendments to the Family Law act, which will come into effect in May next year.The changes remove the presumption of shared parental responsibility, and seek instead to prioritise the needs of the child.Jacqueline Dawson, principal of Sexton Family Law and Dr Henry Kha, senior lecturer in Law at Macquarie University explore what this will mean for families encountering the system.What will this mean for families encountering the system?

Ten years ago Brad Guy was on top of the world, literally. Then a tandem skydive ended very, very badly. While it's been an extremely challenging road since then,  Brad's story is ultimately one of hope.

Australia is seeing another wave of COVID infections—our eighth—with Queensland and South Australia identified as the early epicentres.Nationally, there are about a thousand cases a week, on average.But advice on how to react to the latest wave differs, depending on where you live. Western Australia has re-introduced mandatory masking in certain medical settings, but Queensland's Chief Health Officer says that mandatory masking would be 'disproportionate' in that state.What do we need to know, and are there ways to keep ourselves safer through the Christmas parties and family dinners?

More than one third of Australians take a dietary supplement, but far fewer people need to be.Most of us get the nutrients we need from our diets, so why are increasing numbers of people taking pills, gummies and tonics they don't need?Experts say that those who feel they "might as well", could be wrong about these products being low-risk. So, we investigate who actually needs to be supplementing their diet, with Clare Collins,  Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, and Dr Ian Musgrave, molecular pharmacologist at the University of Adelaide.

When Sharyn Hall grew up her family owned a hobby farm in Seeton in the Gippsland region of Victoria. Although the property is no longer in the family, she can enjoy the memories of that time and place.The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less. Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

As many Australians start to think about buying gifts for loved ones, criminals are also looking at ways they can cash in. The ACCC says there's been a worrying increase in scam websites impersonating high-profile Australian retailers. ACCC deputy chair, Catriona Lowe, tells us what scams to be looking out for, and how can we avoid falling victim to fraudsters this holiday season?

There’s a revolution taking place in our suburbs and regions and it’s coming from the ground up. Grassroots community development is on the rise, and not just in Australia, Darwin recently played host to the World Community Development Conference which saw community builders from around the globe gather to share ideas. So, what is ‘community development’ and how do you do it?

Former ABC weather presenter, Graham Creed, spent years studying and reporting on the weather. But after swapping city life for the country he developed a whole new understanding of weather patterns. Graham shares the highs, the lows and the many lessons that come with becoming a farmer. 

You've lived in a small apartment block for about a year, and never taken the bins out. One day, your downstairs neighbour aggressively tells you off for this, despite them always being out by the time you return home on bin night.The next week, you go to take them out, and the same neighbour threatens you because you're doing the task too loudly. The following few weeks, the bins are handled.You're now confused about the situation, and feeling unsafe around common areas because of this neighbour. How do you handle this situation? Comedian Chris Ryan and writer Fuzz Ali figure it out.

We all have moments in our life when someone or something changes the direction in which we're travelling. For Di Westaway OAM a request from a friend to go and climb a mountain in South America would change her life forever. Now we hear about your life-changing moments. 

If you spend much time on social media or consuming news, it can feel like we've lost the things that connect us as humans. But how different would the world be if we were all a little more forgiving? If we cut people a bit of slack and treated people with a little more grace? Author and journalist, Julia Baird, explores these ideas in her new book Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything

We think of night-time anxiety as an ‘unnatural inconvenience’. Actually, there’s an there’s an evolutionary reason for it. ‘Sleep is the most dangerous thing we can do’, says sleep expert Dr Rafel Pelayo. So how did our hunter-gatherer ancestors calm their biological alertness enough to ‘switch off’ at night? And how can we apply those methods to the modern world where our biggest predator is not a lion or tiger but the morning work presentation?Guests: Dr Rafael Pelayo, Professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University specialising in sleep medicine  Dr Leon Lack, Professor of psychology at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University

Finding out you're neruodivergent can bring about a tidal wave of different emotions, but a big one is a sense of belonging.Both finding out why belonging might have been tricky in the past, and finding where you belong now. For Melbourne teenager Clare, her autism diagnosis unlocked a new community where she could feel more comfortable and confident in being herself.She tells her story as a winner of the ABC's Takeover Melbourne competition, giving secondary school students the opportunity to tell their stories.

More than 600,000 Australians are being supported by the NDIS.And it's a scheme that, at it's best, can be life-changing. But what happens if you can't access it?Because once you turn 65, if you're not already on the NDIS, you become ineligible to lodge an application.The government has suggested that older Australians can be supported by aged care, but the cap has led to an age discrimination complaint to the UN, and concerns at the difference between the systems.Peter Freckleton, Mark Brown and Elizabeth Kendall discuss whether the age cap is appropriate.

How do you fall in love with the night sky if you cannot see the stars? Dr Nic Bonne is a vision impaired Astronomer and he’s been exploring ways of the exploring the universe through sound and touch.

The range of fruit and vegetables in the market stalls of Australia has expanded widely in recent decades. And it's not just new varieties of apples; these days you can get everything from mangosteen to dragonfruit to lingonberries, depending where you live. How do stores decide what the hot new fruit is? And how can we start adding something new to our plates?

For Harvard’s renowned happiness professor, Arthur C Brooks, being happy never came naturally. But, after treating himself like a human guinea pig, and applying all the most proven methods for living happily to himself, he’s happier than he’d ever been. And, now, the bestselling author wants to share his winning formula with the world. His new book, co-written with Oprah Winfrey, is Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier You.Guest: Professor Arthur C. Brooks, Founder of Harvard University's Leadership and Happiness Laboratory, writer of the Atlantic's 'Build the Life You Want' column, and bestselling author 

"As my voice was breaking, so was my sanity" this is a line from a new documentary film delving into the life and work of the artist, David Bromley. We chat to David Bromley about making the film and about how art helps him to manage his ongoing struggles with anxiety.

The diamond ring has long been thought an essential part of getting engaged. 

Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs have been in short supply due to their off-label use for weight loss. For those who've been prescribed it for this purpose by their doctors, it's been everything from 'life-changing' to causing intolerable side-effects. But for large bodied people, using it, or opting not to, has been a social and political minefield, attracting shame, stigma and judgement. We uncover the complex cultural reaction to the year of Ozempic, and how it has been fuelled by our obsession with thinness with Claire Murphy, Mamamia journalist. host of The Quicky podcast, Tiffany Petre, Director, The Obesity Collective and Kathryn Backholer, Professor of Global Public Health Policy at Deakin University, Co-Director, Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition.

You're on the organising committee of a volunteer community group that meets via video call, and your leader demands that everyone turns their cameras on.  You resent this, because after a long busy day, the last thing you feel is camera ready.  You've tried making excuses about not looking correct for camera, but have been met with stubbornness from your leader. Is there anything you can do to maintain your privacy? Comedian Simon Taylor and author and musician Clare Bowditch answer that tricky question.

There are many ways we can express our love for someone or something, but one option is to display it on our body. Whether it's a tattoo about love or loss, commitment or betrayal, the words and images we choose to get displayed on our bodies are often deeply personal. With the help of traditional tattoo artist, Horisumi Kian Forreal, we dive into the stories behind people's tattoos.

We all have our favourite foods, but the way Italian-Australian author Jaclyn Crupi loves pasta transcends that. Pasta, for her, is more than just a tasty treat. It represents community, celebration, history, and her Nonna. So, what is the Australian history of pasta, and which recipes can help us connect with this food as much as Jaclyn?

While Roschelle Don was in hospital recovering from strokes, she imagined herself getting back to the beach at Shoal Point in Mackay. Happily, she was able to do just that. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

When we look back on our life, it can seem very logical and sequential, like everything’s played out as it was always meant to. But, when you’re living that life, trying to work out which choices to make or whether to make a big change, it can feel impossible and terrifying. In the Leap series, we’ve heard from people who’ve made drastic life changes, but in the final episode, we hear from author and clinical psychologist Dr Rebecca Ray on how you can make those changes in your own life. Guests: Dr Rebecca Ray, clinical psychologist and author Di Westaway, founder of Wild Women on Top Simon*, 19-year-old from Melbourne Leap is a Life Matters series about people who've made huge changes in their lives. Find all episodes here or on the ABC Listen app.

The heart, the lungs, the liver, the brain: Most of us might not know precisely what all the parts of our body actually do — but we have at least a general idea. But within those organs, there are entire worlds: a host of different microbes that are also part of our body. Researchers are working to understand precisely how that microbiome effects our health and, at the same time, why they're seeing a significant drop in the diversity of that biome. A new documentary, The Invisible Extinction, examines the research of leading scientists on the human microbiome, as they work to discover what it does and why its vanishing.

It's one of the most visible professions in the country, and is essential for the growth of our children, but government modelling shows shortfalls in teachers in schools around the country, with projections that Australia will be short 4000 high school teachers by 2025. The federal government is offering scholarships worth up to $40 000 to attract new students to teaching, and has launched a new ad campaign: "Be That Teacher". Fiona Longmuir and Gabbie Stroud talk about why teachers are leaving the classroom. And what needs to change in order to keep them there.

A growing number of people are opting to wash their clothes less to minimise their environmental impact and make their clothes last longer. We look at how to best care for our clothes, how we became obsessed with laundry, and how to wash less without sacrificing hygiene.

One in eight Australians have an autoimmune disease, and it can affect any part of the body, causing long-term chronic illness. But how much is known about what causes autoimmune diseases, and are they really caused by stress?

In his new book, physician and addiction expert Dr Gabor Maté lays out what it is about today’s ‘toxic culture’ that he believes is leading to an extraordinary rise in mental health and chronic health conditions. And what can be done to heal.

When it comes to subjugating women, marriage has a dark past. While the institution has transformed greatly over time, it's worth considering what purpose it still serves and how that legacy hangs over it. Feminist writer Clementine Ford has been mulling those ideas over in her latest book I Don't, and declared herself a marriage abolitionist in the process. She explains the case against marriage.

Children's television shows and movies are a great source of entertainment, sometimes for parents as well. But when someone hurts, or gets hurt in one of these programs, what messages do children take away from that? Pain researcher Dr Sarah Wallwork reveals what's been uncovered about parents' responses to pain in the media.

For many of us, getting to witness our own funeral is a fascination that we've resigned ourselves to never realising. But that doesn't have to be the case. For those with death on the knowable horizon, a 'living funeral' or life party is becoming an option. While it could be an intense experience, it can be a precious final opportunity to connect with people from throughout your life. We look at the rise of the living funeral and what it can offer the dying and to-be bereaved with specialist grief counsellor Wendy Liu and life celebration celebrant Evelyn Calaunan.

You are planning a Halloween party when you learn a close friend is planning to hold one on the same night. You agree to move yours to the night before and you both agree to attend both. A week out, you ask your friend what she's wearing, but she says she's going to a different party and can't make it to both.  The rest of your friendship group attend her party but not yours, without apologies or explanation. How do you confront them about it? We work it out with comedian Lizzy Hoo and broadcaster Alex Dyson. 

Our friends can play many different roles in our life, but things can get complicated if romance comes into the mix. There are some positives, like knowing you get along well, but if the romance part doesn’t last, there is the risk you'll lose a friend as well as a partner. Clinical psychologist, Elisabeth Shaw, guides us through what we should consider if we're thinking of dating a friend.

At 22, Kalkadoon man Derrick Cusack didn’t think he’d live to see 30. He was in a toxic party scene and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. Then, he moved back to the country and was given an opportunity that changed the narrative of his life. Now he’s sober, a mentor to young Indigenous men, a small business owner, and a new dad. And, he’s running marathons around the globe. What gave him the strength to make such a radical change? Leap is a Life Matters series about people who have made a huge life change. Catch it on Thursdays on the radio or from November 9 as a bundle on the ABC Listen App. 

These days, if someone leaves you that you’re not married to, you may feel pretty jilted, but imagine if you could take legal action against that person and charge them with ‘lacerating your emotions’? Between 1788 and 1976, under the 'Breach of Promise Act', thousands of Australian women sued their former heart-throbs and won compensation for the emotional injury they’d caused. What can looking at this history teach us about how we see love both then and now? We find out with Dr Alecia Simmonds, Senior law lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and author of Courting : an intimate history of love and the law.

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." George Orwell knew how much language had the power to change minds, and inspire, or enrage, or repress. Dr Howard Manns looks at  how language shapes reality, and how we can recognise the truth behind the message when politicians or corporations or lobby groups want to recruit us to their cause.

The so-called 'bank of mum and dad' is estimated to be the ninth-largest lender in Australia. Which means that a lot of parents are doing what they can to help their kids buy a house, even when they're not wealthy themselves. Dr Julia Cook and Professor Hal Pawson explore how those conversations about housing finance should go within a family to make sure everyone is covered if things go wrong. And what effect this phenomenon has on our housing systems and on inequality.

Australia's teachers don't currently reflect the diversity of the population, but could this be preventing children from reaching their full potential? Associate professor Suzanne Rice, shares some of the reasons why teachers from diverse backgrounds not only improve outcomes for children in under represented groups, but how all children benefit from a having diverse teaching workforce. 

Every Halloween, cinemas and streaming services fill up with horror films, and this year alone has seen everything from ghostly explorations of family loss to the terror of a homicidal sloth. But what is it about horror stories that draws in fans? Why do so many of us enjoy a chance to be afraid? Maria Lewis has created her own share of scares—she's an author, screenwriter and film curator—and her latest book, The Graveyard Shift, is a love letter to slasher films, in which a late night radio host begins a dangerous investigation when a caller is murdered on-air.

In the past year or so, young boys and men have been exposed to influencers encouraging the spread of misogynistic and dangerous beliefs about women, on TikTok, YouTube, X and Snapchat. The federal government has announced $3.5 million in funding to help address this influence,  promote healthy masculinity and prevent violence against women. Masculinities researchers Steven Roberts from Monash University and Zac Seidler from Movember discuss the best way to spend it.

In her memoir, Desi Girl, Sarah writes about the complexities and nuances of coming of age as a first generation Pakistani-Australian, in the shadow of 9/11 and all that came after. She explores what it was like to carve out a space for herself in a place that wasn't built for people like her.

Interactions between humans and dingoes usually make the headlines because things have gone wrong. But a new analysis of animal bones from a First Nations midden has provided more insight into the closeness of dingoes and humans prior to colonisation. Post doctoral researcher Loukas Koungoulos from ANU explains.

We have certain beliefs about who can accomplish great things: child prodigies, gifted straight-A early achievers, junior sport champions. But by focusing on early promise and natural talent, we're missing the potential contributions of many, particularly those who have faced adversity. Bestselling author and organisational psychologist Adam Grant believes great success is accessible to everyone with the right environment to nurture their growth.  In his new book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, he discusses how you can tap into your own hidden potential, and how we can reform the world to get the best out of everyone. Guest: Adam Grant, organisational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, TED speaker, podcaster, author Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things

You have a great rapport with the father of one of your child's schoolfriends. You see each other often, have great platonic chemistry and hope to become better friends.  Then one day, while spending time with him and both of your children, your daughter feels the need to comment on your new haircut, gleefully accusing you of trying to look sexy for him. The encounter creates some awkwardness and tension between you and the school dad, which you hope to resolve, but you're unsure how to bring it up. What do you do? We break it down with comedian Anna Piper Scott and writer Yianni Agisilaou.

Who we are and what we do can sometimes seem inseparable. When we're asked to describe ourselves, many of us will automatically reel off our job title. And while a positive work-related identity can be a good thing, letting our job define us can be dangerous. Jono Nicolas, Founder and Managing Director of the Wellbeing Outfit, helps us understand what a healthy work identity looks like, and shares ways we can separate our working lives from who we are at home.

Naomi Mourra was raised to believe that any day Armageddon was coming, and that when it did, the entire human race would be violently wiped out except those, like her family, who lived according to the strict doctrine laid out in Jehovah's Witness literature. Then, as a teenager, Naomi realised there was something intrinsic to her identity that meant living by those guidelines herself would be impossible. How did Naomi navigate the choice that lay ahead of her, which she says was a matter of life or death? Leap is a Life Matters series about the people who've taken paths we might only have dreamed about and where it took them. Catch it on Thursdays on the radio or next month as a bundle on the ABC Listen App. 

In the last few years, because of COVID-19, a lot of consideration has been given to how much sitting through a high-pressure testing regime impacts students' mental health. This year, it’s business as usual, but several principals and clinicians say those mental health issues haven’t gone away, and in what’s being called a 'mental health crisis', the year 12 system we have is not fit for purpose. What does the alternative look like? We explore with youth mental health specialist Professor Patrick McGorry, and see an example of a different way with Michael Saxon, principal of Liverpool Boys’ High School, a public school in Southwest Sydney.

When Annemarie Smith is ready to meditate, she closes her eyes and revisits a family holiday to the island of Tanna. It has beautiful beaches and coconut trees, as well as an active volcano. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Remember the social media and internet of old where you actually saw your friends' and family's photos instead of streams of ads, promoted accounts and rage-bait? What happened to it? In his latest book, The Internet Con, journalist and activist Cory Doctorow examines why the internet is failing, and how we might replace this version with something far better.

One full year of paid parental leave with superannuation, access to universal childcare whether you’re working or not and more support for older women returning to the workforce; these are some of the key recommendations by the Federal Government’s Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce. The Taskforce was charged with finding ways to improve the financial lot of women. It says if women were able to fully participate in the workforce, the value to the Australian economy would be 128-billion dollars. We discuss what would need to happen to make this a reality with Terese Edwards, Executive Director of the National Council of Single Mothers and their Children and member of the Women’s Economic Equality Taskforce, as well as Council of Small Business Owners Australia CEO Luke Achterstraat and senior Deloitte economist Evie Fox Koob.

We often think of placebos in a medical context, as control measures for testing the effectiveness of drugs. But can placebos also influence how how things taste, or even how effective certain over-the-counter medicines are? Professor, Joel Pearson, shares the ways in which placebos harness the power of our brain's own belief. 

Author Sarah Krasnostein knew of Peter Carey's status as an Australian literary icon, but didn't feel the need to indulge the voice of yet 'another white Australian man'. But after finally picking up The True History of the Kelly Gang, her dismissal gave way to the obsession many other Australians had felt.  Her latest book explores what Carey taps into, and what his place in Australia's literary canon says about our culture. 

The rise in the use of engineered stone is causing a big health problem for workers, silicosis.  The Safe Work Australia report to governments on a proposal to ban engineered stone altogether will be made public soon. We hear from a former stone mason living with silicosis, and examine the evidence for a ban versus stricter regulation, with occupational lung disease specialist Dr Deborah Yates and occupational hygienist Kate Cole.

The benefits of spending time around plants are pretty well known, and lots of us try to be in nature as a way of restoring our busy minds. What if we could bring the power of nature into the school environment as well? Therapeutic gardening researcher Dr Kate Neale and school principal Brendan Watson explain how.

Despite higher airfares and inflation across the board, it's been one of the busiest European summers for travel. But along with Mediterranean island hopping, travellers faced widespread wildfires, and blistering temperatures. The effects of climate change are here - how should you manage your travel plans in this context? With Ben Groundwater, travel writer and host of the Flight of Fancy podcast.

There's plenty to complain about right now, but does whinging and venting serve us in the long term? Habitual complaining can lead us to feeling more negative, but there are times where complaining can help us bond with others and find justice. So how do we complain effectively, without turning into a negative Nancy? We find out with Associate Professor Katie Greenaway, co-director of the Functions of Emotion in Everyday Life (FEEL) Lab at the University of Melbourne and Dr Bradley Elphinstone, Lecturer in Psychology at Swinburne University.

You recently went on a camping trip with your young children. They're most excited to do some campfire activities at the communal firepits, roasting marshmallows and telling spooky stories. But when you arrive, you find that all the firepits have been claimed, with other campers leaving their belongings at each pit, even when they're not using them. You don't feel as if you can move their things, and you don't want to end up in a confrontation that'll make your weekend worse, so you and your kids end up missing out on the activity. Comedian Nina Oyama and The Ethics Centre's Simon Kennedy-Jewell explore the etiquette around communal holiday spots.

So many things change when someone has a child, but we often don't think about how those changes might affect our friendships. A child entering the picture can change the whole dynamic of how a friendship operates from how often you see each other, to when and where you meet. Dr Zoe Krupka shares how we can ensure our friendships adapt and thrive to this new reality.

He was a lawyer, a husband, and a dad, but Mitch Larsson says he always felt restless living a 9-to-5 lifestyle. Then, someone suggested a career that Mitch felt would use his interpersonal skills, creativity, physicality, and intellect. Mitch says becoming a male escort allowed him to do the most meaningful work of his life and was the best decision ever made. What steps did he take to make the leap?

When the 300-year-old Sycamore Gap Tree in Northern England was chopped down last month in an act of vandalism, it prompted an outpouring of grief, not just from locals, but from around the world. What was it about this tree that was so special? And what is it about certain natural parts of our landscape that make us feel so strongly? Guests: Dr Rebecca Banham, post-doctoral fellow, University of Tasmania  Dr James Watson, Professor of Conservation Science, University of Queensland

Catherine Bell reflects on her childhood, time spent away from home at boarding school, and how much it meant to come back. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Walking into a hospital can be an intimidating moment. Even if you aren't experiencing a health crisis, the space tends to be designed for utility, not for comfort. And we're not often visiting hospitals for good news, so on those bad days, the system can feel overwhelming. Professor Catherine Crock is working to bring a bit more kindness to the hospital floor.

The RBA has raised rates multiple times over the last 18 months, with the aim of combating inflation, but that's meant additional pressure on mortgage holders, which has also flowed on to the rental market. Add in rising power bills and the price of a bag of groceries and a lot of Australians are feeling the pinch. Joey Moloney and Miriam Jay look at what's led to this cost of living crisis, what it's like for the people who are struggling and whether better times might be on the horizon.

Unlike many other sports, tennis fans are expected to remain silent when they are courtside. But why is this a requirement? Is it because crowd noise has a detrimental affect on play? Or is it more an indicator of the image that tennis wants to project? 

As conflict flares in Israel and the Palestinian Territories and continues in Ukraine, images showing graphic scenes  of violence have been popping into many of our social media feeds—without any editorial oversight—and it's leaving many of us feeling a bit shell-shocked. Georgie Harman and Dr Alexandra Wake look at what we can do to take care of ourselves if we've seen something horrific, and whether there lessons to take from the newsroom.

It's now possible to register with your local GP clinic, and potentially receive some benefits in return.  It's part of a new federal Department of Health program called My Medicare, which aims to improve care for patients and reduce visits to emergency departments. We speak with President of RACGP Nicole Higgins, and Dr Walid Jammal from Hills Family General Practice to see how My Medicare might work for you.

From Ned Kelly to Star Wars, the history of what we're allowed to see on our screens should reflect our culture and standards. So how well is the classification system working now and what's about to change? The history of cinematic censorship in Australia is the subject of writer and critic Simon Maraudo's, Book of the Banned: Devilish Movies, Dastardly Censors and the Scenes that Made Australia Sweat  

Hot flashes, rogue hairs and crippling anxiety, menopause might not feel like a laughing matter, but cartoonist Kaz Cooke is determined to shed light and lightness on a condition most women will experience. She tells us about the stories she heard from 9000 women about their experiences of perimenopause and menopause in her new book It's The Menopause.

Australia has seen a lot of devastation due to natural disasters in recent years, and some communities are turning to the arts to heal their trauma. While just participating in art, craft, performance and storytelling has regenerative effects, creative recovery can also allow communities to tell their stories and share them with the world. We look at how creative recovery works, its benefits, and how leaders are busting myths around the value of art with ABC TOP5 resident Anna Kennedy-Borissow, PhD Candidate and Graduate Research Teaching Fellow, University of Melbourne and Jessica Townsend, founder and operator of The Little Pocket and manager of the Regeneration Bushfire Recovery Project.

Your parents live two hours away, and you feel as if your young children aren't getting to see their grandparents often enough. With the pressure of work, sports, social events and seeing the in-laws, it can easily blow out to once a month between visits.  While your parents don't ask you to visit more, when you leave they tell you how much they miss you, and Facetime with toddlers doesn't feel like it's cutting it. Is there a magic number when it comes to how often you should see your ageing parents? Comedians James Colley and Urvi Majumdar tackle this pressing question.

Katinka Dineen has spent hours and hours with this place over her lifetime. 'Olive House' belonged to her grandmother, and Katinka has special memories of the connection it provided them.  The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

We might not like to admit it but, from time to time, we all experience feelings of jealousy. Whether it's in our intimate or family relationships or in our relationships at work, the green-eyed monster can rear its head. Clinical psychologist, Tamara Cavenett, shares some of the reasons we get jealous, and how it can affect our lives.

Have you attempted to become a ride-to-work-person but never made it work? Well, a new report shows that the problem is not you- it's your city. So how can Australian cities become cycling havens? How are places like Wagga leading the way? And how can we get riding while we wait for these urban transformations? Alice Clarke, Dr Matthew Mclaughlin, and Sara Stace look at the solutions.

When Jodi Wilson had her fourth child, she and her partner, Daniel, had their lives sorted. He had a well-paid Sydney job, and they were a heartbeat away from putting down a home deposit. But somehow, things holding together for a family of five fell apart for a family of six. Their choice: keep going or trade in their home deposit and 90% of their belongings for a caravan? How did a family of six turn their back on the rat race and never return?  Leap is a Life Matters series about the people who've taken paths we might only have dreamed about and where it took them. Catch it on Thursdays on the radio or next month as a bundle on the ABC Listen App. 

Coming home can be a powerful thing, especially if you live far, far away. Ainslie Wilson's new home is in Nebraska, but she brings her family back to Australia in the summer time, and visits the places she loved in her childhood. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

Media reports from active conflict zones lead our news bulletins, most recently in Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine. And it's easy to think of the media as separate from the conflict, somehow protected by their work, but it can be a dangerous job, and many reporters have been injured or killed in pursuit of their stories. Tony Loughran shares what happens behind the scenes to keep journalists safe when they're running towards a scene that everyone else is running away from.

From the consulting work of the big four to the alleged backchannel political conversations of Mike Pezzullo, now made very public, the influence of politics and business on the public service makes true independence seem increasingly complicated. So is the frank and fearless advice that public servants are meant to give our political leaders still possible? ANU professor Mark Kenny and Geoffrey Watson from The Centre For Public Integrity explore that question.

The global fashion industry is wasteful, environmentally harmful and exploitative, but through innovation and imagination could we create an industry that is more sustainable and equitable? Clare Press is a sustainable fashion expert, author and podcaster. In her new book, Wear Next: Fashioning the Future she invites us to imagine what that future of fashion might look like. 

As summer approaches, the markets begin to fill with fruit, as cherries, berries, melons, and stone fruit come into season and take over the shelves. But it can sometimes feel as if there are more varieties of fruit and vegetables than ever before, and tracking down the very best isn't always easy. Thanh Truong is a second-generation fruiterer, who's sharing his tips in a new book: Don't Buy Fruit and Veg Without Me.

The Voice referendum vote is having a negative impact on the mental health of First Nations people.  The federal government set aside an extra $10 million to boost support services, and research the consequences of the vote. Researcher Fiona Cornforth of ANU shares what's been learned so far, and  Indigenous psychologist Tanja Hirvonen talks about how to support those having a difficult time during the referendum, and afterwards. If you're a First Nations person in crisis call 13 YARN 13 96 76. Fact sheets about the voice from the National Centre for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, ANU can be accessed here.  

If someone nearby had a cardiac arrest, what would you do? A recent survey in Canada showed many people felt unprepared to help using CPR, particularly if the person experiencing the cardiac arrest was a woman. So what's the situation here in Australia?  Dr Janet Bray, Professor at Monash University's School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, specialises in out of hospital cardiac arrest.

Alternative erotic pursuits and perversions have been around for much longer than wikiFeet.com. Kink is undeniably human, but where does it stem from? Sex educator Esmé Louise James' new book Kinky History examines the origins of kink, its expression in surprisingly highbrow circles, and how what we consider alternative (read 'shameful') is constantly evolving. 

Mood tracking has become a popular way of understanding the sources of our feelings and regulating our emotions, and there's a lot of evidence that this practice can be beneficial to our wellbeing. But when we track using apps with AI capabilities, like Apple’s latest iOS update which promises mental health insights based on how we report our feelings, but can we believe them? We look at how emotion tracking apps can simultaneously improve our wellbeing and put us at risk of manipulation, with Associate Professor Peter Koval, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences and Monash University's Dr Benjamin Tag.

You've agreed to let a friend from interstate stay at your place while you're away for a few months, as long as they don't burden your sick sister who's also staying in the house. 

Group chats have become an increasingly important social tool. They can be a fantastic way to stay in touch with friends and family or to organise events, but they can also be awkward to navigate. They can feed our social anxieties and leave us feeling overwhelmed. Dr Kate Mannell and Dr Lillian Nejad share their advice on ways we can use group chats to nurture friendships without them adding to our mental load.

Buying flowers is one way we show love, but is that act showing love to the planet ? Critics of the cut flower industry like Sustainable Floristry network founder Rita Feldman and app developer Nikki Davey want us to think about the carbon footprint of our bouquets. But, Rita and Nikki say there are ways to gather a beautiful posie and help the environment at the same time.

Books, writing and imagination all come together to create a magical and happy place for Ashleigh Meikle. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The first act of sex was likely a display of desperate cannibalism but since its emergence life has reproduced in many surprising ways. Historian David Baker's Sex: Two Billion Years of Procreation and Recreation is a comprehensive history of this most primal urge and reveals how it drives many of the decisions that we make whether we realise it or not.

Most of us, as we move through life, begin to keep certain objects. Things that stay with us, no matter where we find ourselves in the world. But could you explain why you've kept those items and not the other pieces of life you've discarded along the way? In her new book, The Things We Live With, Gemma Nisbet traces her own story through the collections she's made, and the memories they inspire.

The Disability Royal Commission report recommended big changes to education for children with a disability. Special schools could become less widely used, and even potentially phased out over time. So what would it take to achieve this aim of inclusive education for all, when it comes to the education system itself, and attitudes amongst the wider community? We explore with Nicole Lee, President of People with Disability Australia, and Dr David Armstrong, Senior Lecturer in School of Education at RMIT University, adviser to government on educational inclusion & neurodiversity.

There are a plethora of books on how to a good parent, but what about how to be a good grandparent? Although becoming a grandparent can be a time of great joy, there can also be a good dose of trepidation about how best to go about it. Michael Carr-Gregg, an adolescent psychologist and one of Australia's leading parenting authorities addresses these concerns in his new book, Grandparents: A Practical Guide to Navigating Grandparenting Today. 

As the Beijing Winter Olympics draw to a close, many of the ostentatious venues are likely to fall out of use, becoming overgrown urban ruins and a playground for intrepid explorers. We investigate the allure of abandoned spaces in the modern age and what they say about our cities.

"Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning." Those were the words of Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the UN, back in July this year. Since then, Australia has seen its driest September on record and Sydney smashed its previous heat record for October 1st by more than 2 degrees. That follows on the footsteps of a Northern Summer that brought massive fires in Europe and North America and record lows in Antarctica's sea ice. Against that background, are there hopeful signs as well?  What will it take, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels? How achievable is that goal? And what does it mean if we miss our ever-narrowing window?

The number of Australians volunteering with organisations like the CFA and SES is declining. According to some in the sector, emergency services simply would not be able to cope if another Black Summer situation took place today. So how prepared are we for extreme weather, and how can we encourage more people to volunteer for emergency services?

Classical music is hardly a thing of the past. We still see its impacts all around, and not just in popular music. ABC Classic Weekend Breakfast presenter Ed La Brocq explores the link between classical music and now in his new book Sound Bites, from how the piano changed society to how harmonies brought anarchy to the world. 

Learning another language is a bucket list item for many of us. Maybe you want to do it for travel, appreciation of another culture, or to connect with distant relatives. But it takes a lot of work and it's easy to think you're past it... don't be so sure. Learning a language can have many benefits for our brains and sense of belonging. We explore them and how to set yourself up for success with linguist Ingrid Piller and psycho-linguist Mark Antoniou. 

You've moved into a sharehouse with an old acquaintance who has been the primary leaseholder on a property for nearly a decade. You hadn't questioned how much you'd been paying for rent until you see a rent increase letter that shows you're paying a significantly higher share than your housemate. You feel betrayed since you'd become good friends of late. How do you this bring up and make sure things are fair? We hash it out with comedian and journalist Ange Lavoipierre, and writer and actor Bjorn Stewart.

He's been a singer and a star; performed at country halls and the MGM Grand; shaken hands with more than a few world leaders and been crowned himself as the King of Moomba. And in his new book, Last of the Entertainers, Barry Crocker is taking the audience backstage to share a few of those adventures with him.

We're all guilty of comparing ourselves to others, especially with the ubiquity of social media. But when we have an over-achiever in our life, how does our tendency to compare achievements affect how we view both our life and theirs? Psychologist Chris Cheers shares why we're programmed to compare ourself to others and how we can learn to redefine success.

Terra Sword moved to Hobart to start a new chapter in her life and heal after a painful relationship breakup. She finds peace and quiets her mind while hiking on Kunanyi (Mt Wellington). The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

As the child of migrants, growing up in country Victoria , Kon Karapanagiotidis was bullied relentlessly. And the only place he felt safe was in the kitchen cooking in the exact tradition he was being bullied for. It was the only place, ‘the pressures of masculinity switched off’. Now, the founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is partnering wit his mum, Sia, to help others-particularly young men- learn the practice that has helped him survive, Greek cooking. Kon and Sia’s new book is called Philoxenia, A seat at my table : Vegetarian and Vegan Greek Kitchen Recipes.

The word psychopath brings to mind a Hannibal Lecter-style-villain, but researcher David Gillespie says we're more likely to come across a psychopath in our workplaces, particularly in management, than we might think. And, he says, there are ways to protect yourself. David's new book is called Toxic at work: surviving your psychopathic workmates- from the dominant bullies to the charming manipulators.

A self-confessed 'control freak' by nature, Ruth Henderson found her happy place on the back end of a tandem bicycle driven by her husband. The theme for Life In 500 Words is My Happy Place. Describe your happy place, where it is and why it's special to you, in 500 words or less.  Record your My Happy Place story into your mobile phone, and email it to us at lifematters@abc.net.au

The pandemic—and its ensuing lockdowns—drastically altered our lives for more than two years. We're now beginning to see the ongoing effect of those year on the many children who went through long periods of social isolation and online schooling. Professor Kim Cornish explores the biggest challenges arising out of the pandemic for the next generation, and how we can support them to not just survive, but to thrive.

Citing "changing conditions and rising costs", Tasmania's Dark Mofo has become the latest event to announce a one-year hiatus, joining Falls Festival, which made the same decision earlier this year. Many companies are still recovering from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis is making a night out a harder sell, even as the cost of putting on a show is going up. Evelyn Richardson and Tandi Palmer Williams help to unpack what audiences want to see on Australia's stages and what that means for the state of our performing arts?

Parents often worry that rough and tumble play between children will end badly, assuming that someone will get hurt or upset. However, with the right boundaries in place, rough play can be good for children's physical, social and emotional development. Dr Emily Freemen helps us navigate when the play is being beneficial and when it might be worth getting them to stop?  

What is it that connects us to our family? And to the places we've called home? For some it's a tradition carried on through the generations or a shared memories of a time together; but that same power can exist in the flavours of a favourite meal or the scent of a herb crushed between fingers. As part of the Nature Festival of South Australia, Keitha Thuy Young and Durkhanai Ayubi are sharing their own connections.

Professor Maree Toombs is a pioneer in the research and prevention of suicide amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Together with her team she developed I-ASIST, a program that trains First Nations people in suicide intervention.  Maree has been officially recognised for her work as an Australian Mental Health Prize Winner in the Professional category. Guest: Maree Toombs, Euahlayi and Kooma woman, Professor in the School of Public Health, University of Sydney.

The importance of getting a good night's sleep has been known for a while. But if you're struggling to get enough sleep during the week, might it be possible to catch up on weekends? A panel of sleep experts have released new guidance around what sleep patterns are best for us, and although sleep regularity is best practice, there benefits to catching up on sleep if you've been missing out. Dr Tracey Sletten led the team and she shares their findings. 

When we think of protesters, we tend to think of the young. But older people have always participated in protest, even if those contributions are less obvious.

We're used to hearing about burnout at work, but there's also its insidious cousin: bore-out. Being chronically bored in our jobs can lead to depression for workers and poor productivity for employers.  So, why are so many of us bored in our jobs? And what can be done about it? We explore with Professor Sharon Kaye Parker, Director of the Centre for Transformative Work Design, and career coach Karen Gately.

You're someone who tries to stay positive when it comes to your outlook on life. Lately, you've noticed whenever you spend time with this mate of yours, you always come away feeling down in the dumps. He complains about everything! What do you do? Can you salvage this friendship? Comedian Annie Louey and artist  and author Sam Leighton-Dore hash it out.

We can often seek friendship from those who are at a similar stage in life to ourselves. But can friendships that span generations enrich our lives in new ways? Clinical psychologist, Nasalifya Namwinga, will share what we can personally gain from intergenerational friendships, as well as the ways in which they can help build a more inclusive society.

Have you ever thought about why we fall for scams? Why fake news gains traction? Or how people get away with producing fraudulent work? Dr Christopher Chabris, is a cognitive scientist and one of the minds behind a book called Nobody's Fool: Why we get taken in and what we can do about it. He shares some of the ways fraudsters exploit our cognitive habits to deceive us, and what we can do to protect ourselves.

Rebecca Brown has a diary written during World War II by her great-grandfather in the Philippines, written entirely in Spanish.

As many households are making tough decisions about how to spend their money, experts are concerned that people are ignoring issues, deferring GP appointments and skipping screening tests because they're worried about the cost. But is there a risk we're missing crucial opportunities to detect cancer early? We delve into how the cost of living crisis is impacting our health decisions, and explore what financial support is available for people who receive a cancer diagnosis. 

What does it mean to move in a world that doesn't feel like it was made for you? And if that's your experience, how do you make people respond to what you do instead of who you are? Leisa Prowd is a dancer, performance artist and choreographer who's performed in Australia and Europe, but she was born with achondroplasia, so she doesn't look like a lot of other dancers. In Leisa's latest show, I Am (Not) This Body, she's inviting audiences into her experience.

Staff at many of Australia's universities have been protesting this year: against casualisation, underpayment, poor working conditions, and job cuts. Meanwhile, student satisfaction has been dropping, and domestic students argue it's too costly to get a degree. Has something gone wrong with our higher education system, and if so, is it fixable? Can the future of universities be made sustainable for students and staff?

How much time do your children spend doing extra-curricular activities? Whether you've got a sporty kid who attends regular footy or athletics training, or a child who is always in the studio brushing up on their dance or drama skills, can too many activities be bad for them? Dr Lexi Frydenberg shares the benefits and drawbacks of children's extra-curricular activities. 

We all have different versions of ourselves that we show to the world, whether that's at work, with family, or with friends. But when it's just you, alone in the dark, who are you? And if the answer isn't clear, how do you begin to find your sense of self? In her new book, It's On Me, Sara Kuburic explores existential psychotherapy. 

Governments of all levels are trying to regulate short stay accommodation in an effort to address the shortage of permanent rental properties. But how much difference will this make, and what's the best way to regulate? Nicole Gurran Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Sydney and urban geographer Thomas Sigler explain.

Worry and rumination is on the rise in Australia, but could an online course help you to reign in your negative thoughts? Issues like global warming and financial insecurity have contributed to us worrying more. But Professor Jill Newby, one of the researchers who helped design the online program, says results from a recent trial show it's proving successful at reducing the time people spend ruminating.

The feeling of being disappointed by Paris is so common it has a name: 'Paris Syndrome'. And in the age of social media, more of our holiday destinations aren't meeting the expectations set by those perfect Instagram selfies. A new generation of travellers are coming to grips with the gulf between travel expectations and reality, and have been sharing their disappointment on social media. So how do you avoid being let down by your dream destination? Travel journalist Ben Groundwater shares his tips.

Art and stories are closely intertwined, and what better story to explore than your own? Research shows that using artistic practice can help us process difficult and traumatic events, and frame our life narrative in a way that supports our mental wellbeing. So how do you pick up the pen or paintbrush and share your story? We call on clinical psychologist and artist Associate Professor Paul Rhodes and author Amra Pajalic to help you build your narrative, find your audience, choose your medium, and revel in the catharsis that awaits you.

Your workplace is participating in a charity stepathon and offering internal cash prizes for the team that racks up the most steps. For the second year in a row, you've noticed one of your colleagues is reporting step counts that can't possibly be legitimate. While everyone else is averaging 10 thousand steps, this colleague is reporting 35 thousand. You think she might be cheating, but since the exercise is for charity you wonder whether it's worth saying anything. Do you speak up and ask for an official check of her fitness app, or turn the other cheek?  We break it down with comedians Gillian Cosgriff and Ivan Aristigueta.

Parenting any child has its challenges, but stepping into the parent role for the kids of your new partner can be particularly fraught (evil stepmothers, anyone?). But the good news is it doesn't have to be! Blended families are on the rise, and although every family is different, there are ways step-parents can avoid conflict, build trust, and define what role they play within the family. Clinical psychologist Dr Charlotte Keating, shares her advice on how to help everyone thrive within blended families. 

Since the days of the Roman Empire, when soldiers exercised before battle, stretching has been used to decrease chance of injury. But new research shows the greatest benefit of stretching could be in the way it works to calm the body’s stress response. Professor of Health Sciences Tony Blazevich talks us through the best way to make that happen for you.

Coaches can play a big role in your life, and push you to be your best. Colin Fraser has an athletics trophy he won thanks to a special mentor.

Before he was feted, or vilified, Peter Singer was just a young Australian grad student, sitting down to eat a spaghetti and meat sauce lunch with a fellow student. What happened at that lunch that led to the publication of the book that made him a household name, Animal Liberation? And, nearly 50 years on, as he publishes a new edition of that seminal text, why is he more optimistic about our environmental future than ever before? 

When Helen Miller was a child, there was a Chinese pear tree in her front yard that was good for climbing,  pear throwing and general fun.

As parents, many of us put a lot of emphasis in building our kids' independence, toughness and… insert cringe here... resilience. But what about their ability to be gentle, caring, communicative and kind? In the push to make all our kids strong, and to encourage girls to play trucks, do STEM and speak up, social worker Jess Sanders wonders if we have forgotten to also value and reward the expression of these softer traits in both boys and girls. She explores the power of sensitivity in her new book Your softness is your strength.

A recent survey from Roy Morgan has found that Australians' trust in corporations is at the lowest it's been since measuring began five years ago. "Greedy", "corrupt" and "a lack of professional integrity" were just some of the sentiments being expressed about our corporate sector. Why are so many of us feeling negative towards businesses? And what would it take to restore your trust? We find out with Professor Carl Rhodes, Dean of Business at UTS, and Swinburne Law School Industry Fellow Helen Bird.

Casual chats in the supermarket might not seem like much, but they can be a lifeline for someone experiencing loneliness. However, as technology continues to replace more and more workers, those casual encounters are becoming less frequent. Dr Louise Grimmer and Dr Michelle Lim explore whether having 'chatty checkouts' could help those experiencing loneliness.  

When Andrea came to Australia for a working holiday from Italy more than a decade ago he found a job, got a working visa, met someone special, had a son, and made plans to stay. But before his application for permanent residency could be finalised, Andrea and his partner broke up and he was made redundant. So, when his son was eighteen months old, Andrea was told he had 28 days to leave the country. Now, after years of short term visas and appeals, a decision by the Minister seems to be the only path left to remain with his son.

More of us are living in apartments, and that's good for housing affordability, and sustainability. But when you buy an apartment, you may miss the part about just how connected your financial future is with that of the other owners, and the potential for conflict that can cause. Guests: Karen Stiles, Executive Director, Owners Corporation Network Stephen Goddard, 30 year specialist in strata law at Goddard Solicitors

Animals can be wonderful companions to have in our lives. But a pet is also a full-time commitment, and not everyone is in a position to take that on. What are the options if you want the chance to provide that care part time, or just pat a good dog for the afternoon?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is more than being excessively clean. For 23 years, Penny Moodie wasn't sure her obsessive fears and intrusive thoughts were OCD, because of what she'd seen in culture. Through her therapeutic journey, she learned more about her disordered relationship with uncertainty and the anxiety-behaviour loop that robbed her of peace for so many years. Now, through her memoir, she hopes to illuminate the real experience of OCD for those who live with it, and those who care for them. 

Doing something that isn't work can add a lot of joy and wellbeing benefits to our lives, but "unproductive" leisure activities are also the first on the chopping block when our other responsibilities pile up. In our work-centric world, serious leisure takes a back seat, but maybe that needs a re-think.  We look at how to make space for hobbies, how to find one you'll stick with, and why you shouldn't skimp on this kind of 'you-time' with Act-Belong-Commit campaign founder Dr Rob Donovan and Charles Sturt University's Dr Yazdan Mansourian.

You work for a company in an industry that is obsessed with thinness, diet and fitness culture. You don't buy into it, but you can't avoid getting side-eye and snarky comments from your colleagues when you bring in certain foods for lunch.  It's making you feel frustrated, but as the outlier, you're worried that saying something might hurt your job prospects. Do you speak up and try and change things from within, ignore the comments, or try and find a new job?  We tease it out with comedians Kirsty Webeck and Rich Higgins from The Listies. Every Friday we challenge our guests with a dilemma from your 'too hard basket' - to discuss, unravel, and maybe even help solve for you. Send your dilemma via email to lifematters@abc.net.au. Keep it to 150 words and you can always use another name.

What sparks desire is different for everyone, and it can change over time. In new relationships it might not take much to get in the mood for sex, but spontaneous desire can slip away. Clinical sexologist Tanya Koens, shares her tips on ways we can stay connected with our bodies and in tune with what turns us on as we age.

If you thought humans were the only creatures with a handle on numbers, think again. Plenty of animals can count, or at least seem to be able to. Unlike baby pandas sneezing or cats riding robot vacuums, the way some animals count isn't just a quirky internet video trick. According to cognitive neuroscientist Dr Brian Butterworth, animal counting could shed light on how human minds manage maths, and break new ground in treating learning disorders. 

Ruth Venables married into The Pinto family, who came to Australia from East Timor. Her precious object is a cup - a trophy bearing the name of the Pinto family matriarch, Donna Fernanda Pinto. 

'Medical gaslighting' is when a patient's concerns are unfairly dismissed or incorrectly labelled as psychological by their doctor. A growing body of research shows this is more likely to happen to women and people of colour, resulting in delayed or incorrect diagnosis. If you think this is happening to you, there are things you can do. Guests: Maureen Williams, patient advocate who lives with Addisons Disease and consultant researcher specialising in diagnostic error and cognitive bias Dr Mary Dahm, Senior Research fellow at the ANU Institute for Communication in Health Care Dr Fatima Khan, medical doctor who runs her own menopause clinic and teaches medical students at the Epworth Hospital in Melbourne

Tom Taylor has written stories for the biggest names in comics, shaping new futures for figures like Superman and Wolverine. But it's a very different set of heroes that's had critics singing his praise. Taylor's Neverlanders, a reimagining of the story of Peter Pan and the lost ones, has become the first graphic novel to be awarded the CBCA's Book of the Year for Older Readers. So is the literary establishment opening its arms? And does it even matter what the awards say, if the work is loved by readers?

Last week Australia Post announced a $200 million dollar loss, its first since 2015. And the CEO, Paul Graham, has warned that the organisation will need significant government funding if major changes aren't made. But what is the role of the postal service in Australia today? And is it still possible to balance the finances of a business with the community service obligations of a public service?

Mandy Partridge's story goes back to her days at university, and her involvement in student theatre. The precious object is a poster for a play called 'Hijacker'.

Australia is known for its banter, and it certainly has its place. But sometimes we need to have those deeper conversations. This is sometimes where men can struggle. Often men feel unable to open up about their feelings, to show vulnerability, but this is something Dylan Buckley is hoping to change through his book Honest Chat.

Leaving high school can be a moment of great excitement and sometimes great stress. Suddenly you're meant to know what you want to do with your life and what the steps are to get there. At the same time, the structure and routine you're used to vanishes overnight. For people with an intellectual disability it's the same big transition, but is there enough support to help them reach the same milestones that many of us take for granted?

No matter how few or how small, dentists say tiny teeth need looking after in the early stages of life. With a senate committee examining access to dental health services for the community at large, we look at what more can be done to improve care for children.

Have you ever bought something thinking you knew what it was for, and then later discovered it was for something else entirely? Benita Cattalini's chair wasn't for barbering.

Doodling might seem like idle distraction, but aimlessly putting pen to paper can be great for your mental health. Research has shown doodling can improve focus, mood and memory. So how do you get over the fear of failure and get started?

What makes you pick up a book? Do you get seduced by the cover? Rely on recommendations from a friends? Or would you part with your money based on the author endorsement on the cover? Author endorsements have become an essential part of the publicity machine, but should we trust the puff? Author, Kate Mildenhall, shares her thoughts on the practice. 

More than 2 million Australians saw a psychologist in the past year, but very few of us understand how much therapy is enough. We look at when it's time to go it alone and how to end that deep and peculiar relationship with your therapist. 

You have a coworker in your team who is a huge pain in meetings. Every time he has the floor, he waffles for ages to show off everything he knows about the topic, and ends up wasting everyone's time. You want to run a brainstorming meeting, but you want to keep it to the point, and you're worried this colleague won't be able to. Do you exclude him? Or find a way to keep him in line? We hash it out with comedians Amy Hetherington and Ben Russell.

Is there a right or wrong way to spend our weekends? It's hard to know if we should use them to get on top of jobs, or treat them like a holiday, especially if your loved ones have very different ideas about how weekends should be spent.  Psychotherapist Dr Zoe Krupka shares her tips on how we can get the most out of those precious days.

You’re in the meeting from hell and feeling like you’re going to explode. Well guess what? Nearly 2000 years ago, Marcus Aurelius faced similar frustrations, and author Annie Lawson argues that what greatly helped him was Stoic philosophy.   She says that by mastering the art of stoicism you could be as successful at handling workplace annoyances as Aurelius was at ruling an empire.  Guest: Annie Lawson, author of Stoic at Work

Rhonda Garad's brother took his own life one night 40 years ago when he was only 18. Her precious object is a mohair jumper he was wearing the last time she saw him.

We think of domestic violence as something that only affects adults, but new research shows it’s also common in teenage relationships. What can parents do if they suspect their child is being abused? And what do young people think should be done about this growing issue? We explore with ABC TOP 5 Humanities resident Dr Carmel Hobbs and Sex Education Australia's Justine Kiely-Scott.

The economic system around us can feel inevitable, as much a part of the fabric of the universe as gravity and about as changeable. But the choices we make about what we value, and how we value it — as individuals, as communities, and as countries — aren't actually set in stone. The system we have now has been the result of decades or centuries of decisions, slowly leading to this moment. In his new book, Hoodie Economics, Jack Manning Bancroft argues it's time to take a fresh look at what we value and how we value it.

It's been seven years since medicinal cannabis was first legalised in Australia and its use has become increasingly common, with almost three hundred thousand prescriptions made over the past two years. But as more Australians are being prescribed the drug, are workplace regulations and other laws keeping pace? Several states are in the process of reviewing their road laws, but recent reporting suggests that workers in some industries feel like they are having to choose between their medication and their job.

Honey might be an Aussie breakfast staple, but have you ever thought about what we can learn about our environment from the flavour of honey? Whether it comes from an urban backyard beekeeper or from a regional coastal area, honey often holds surprising clues about its home environment.

When we're somewhere beautiful it's natural to want to capture the moment. But some selfie hunters are ignoring signs and jumping barriers to capture the perfect shot. What impact does this have on the environment when many signs and barriers are in place to protect endangered flora and fauna? We speak with researcher, Sam Cornell, about his work looking into this issue.

Incentives and surcharges related to private health cover are under review, and some people who pay for private health insurance aren't even using it. Is the current funding model fit for purpose, and do taxpayer funds and incentives directed to private health insurers help take pressure off the public system?

Street photography has the potential to capture the special and sometimes surprising moments of everyday life. But now that we all have a camera in our pocket, is it still possible to find our own perspective on the world? The celebrated photographer Vineet Vohra shares his tips for exploring a familiar street with a fresh eye.

When it comes to presentation and manner, Australians are pretty casual, and more of the world is following suit. Employees are pushing back against formal dress codes in workplaces, and formal dress is necessary in fewer social settings. So are we losing anything by dropping the formalities? How does our presentation change the way we relate to each other, and ourselves? 

It's not just younger people who struggle with body image. Our relationship with our bodies can become fraught as we age, but it doesn't have to be that way. We look at how to feel good in your body as it matures, and find vitality at every age with The Embrace Collective's Dr Zali Yager and Associate Professor Eyal Gringart, an expert in older body image at Edith Cowan University.    

You have just fallen pregnant and have been very excited to share the big news with your family, but you've decided to wait until after your sister's wedding. When the big day comes, people start guessing about it and your news becomes hard to hide. You tell a few family members in private, and now your sister is furious. She's no longer speaking to you, and you want to mend things before your new family member arrives. What do you do? Comedians Adam Rozenbachs and Mish Wittrup hash out this dilemma. 

How do you feel about your favourite star and what would you do to show your devotion to them? Would you hand over a month's wages to see them in concert? Or get a tattoo? We look at the benefits of fandom, and how we can draw identity and community from our idols with psychologist, Chris Cheers, who shares his love for Dolly Parton.

As we grow into adults, and for some, have children of our own, we often feel a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices our parents made in raising us. In the final episode of Modern Dads, Hugh evaluates how the relationship with his own father evolved, from child to adult, and father.

For those that struggle with mental illness, and their loved ones,  the journey to diagnosis can be a long and difficult one. Vicky Paras tells the story of a pink lacy bra she received from her daughter.

We all fantasise about not having to work and retiring into total leisure. But if your only retirement plan is “just not working”, you can run the risk of developing relevance deprivation syndrome, or RDS, and be left feeling depressed or listless. So how can you hold onto relevance while enjoying the rest of retirement?

'Cult' is a label that's usually only applied from the outside. The groups themselves claim to offer a vision of community and a better way of life. But if that sense of community gives way to hierarchy and control, what happens next? What draws people to cults? What keeps them there? And how can they find their way back out? Anke Richter has spent a decade looking into these questions and the result is a new book, Cult Trip

Do you have time to just sit and relax? Or are you always bouncing from one deadline to the next?  Many of us are taught to value ourselves by our productivity, so against that backdrop, what does it mean to rest? Tricia Hersey, the founder of the Nap Ministry and author of Rest Is Resistance, wants us to reclaim the right to take a break: not because it will recharge us to do more work, but because rest should be a fundamental right.

Once upon a time in Australia, if you went into a pub you'd have two or three beers to choose from. Now there's an enormous range: pilsners; lagers; stouts; IPAs, each with their own flavour notes.  But what makes any given beer taste and feel the way it does? Dr Matthew Fielding has been working with brewers to find out what happens when you make a few small changes to a batch, all in the name of science.

One in six pregnant women will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. And for those women, the diagnosis can dominate the pregnancy and birth. But some experts are worried that we're over-diagnosing the condition, and making medical interventions that may be doing more harm than good. We speak with Professor Paul Glasziou and mum Roxy Boubis.    

Making a bet on a horse race or a sporting match might seem harmless at first. But for some it can be part of a pattern of behaviour that ruins lives. A new scheme called BetStop came into effect this week and it's aiming to help problem gamblers block themselves from betting on the phone and online.

For award-winning sex educator and bestselling author Cory Silverberg, sex education is about assuring young people that there is no right or wrong way to have a body and that our bodies can be inhabited in ways that are empowering, shame-free and completely unique.

You don't have to be a rev head to fall in love with your car. Doron Rosmarin describes a very precious object that's become part of his family's history.

Do you feel like you recognise your younger self? Or do you think you've changed? Turns out our personalities aren't as fixed as we'd previously thought. There's a growing body of evidence that our personalities shift as we reach our 60s, and again as we reach the end of our lives. Hear from personality experts Professor Brent Roberts and Associate Professor Tim Windsor about how you might change, and how you can tweak your personality to thrive in later life.

You have a friend who is a serial flake. You've spent years dealing with delayed text message replies and last minute cancellations, and it's starting to get exhausting.

Do you look back on your high school years with fondness or would you rather forget them? High school reunions can be a great opportunity to reconnect with teenage friends, but they can also fill us with trepidation. So how can we make the most of them and steer clear of any awkward moments?

The law of the land usually refers to rules laid down by lawmakers in Parliament House.  But for the Yolngu people, the phrase has a deeper meaning: a connection with Country that's shaped the law across generations. A new documentary, Luku Ngarra, shares the story of Reverend Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, a civil rights activist, spiritual leader, and Yolngu lawman who, for decades, has fought for the recognition of Yolngu law. 

Superheroes are big business these days, dominating our movie screens as the major players compete to create the next big spectacle. So as the form of storytelling becomes more important, what does it mean to see yourself reflected in those heroes? Or in the creators working behind the scenes? Cleverman garnered critical acclaim in recent years, but it was decades earlier when the first Australian Indigenous superhero took to the screen in ABC's Basically Black. Blak Power, an exhibition at the Darwin Festival, showcases the work of more than a dozen artists from over the years.

When Frank Spry was a small child, he and his three siblings were placed in the Retta Dixon Home, a place that became notorious for the mistreatment of the children who lived there. In a new work with his son David, they are sharing the story of his childhood in Kingadong, the trauma of being taken away, and the triumph of spirit that has seen Frank become a powerful advocate for human rights.

How does chef Adam Liaw divvy up the domestic load at his place? The gender wars of household chores is something that plagues families, and the invisible labour that comes with kids can tear couples apart. How does he do it with three kids?

Taxes might theoretically be avoidable for some, but not life's other great leveller. Hayley Campbell is a journalist and author who decided to explore death from the standpoint of people whose job it is to care for the dead and dying - what's it like to be part of that almost invisible world?

The Matildas have been powering through the Women's World Cup tournament, winning over new fans and inspiring kids all over to take up football. But what does it take to parent an elite athlete? There's a lot of pressure and sacrifice, and chances of 'making it' are slim. Is it worth it? And how do you keep your child happy through it all? With Steve Titmus, journalist and father of Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus and Professor Richard Keegan, High Performance Sports Fellow, University of Canberra.

Music can evoke many emotions. It can bring a party to life, and it can soothe a broken heart. But can sound heal? Some people believe that sound baths can help reduce stress and even ease physical pain. But what exactly is a sound bath? And is there any science behind the practice?

Paris has undertaken a massive clean up effort to make the Seine river ready to host Olympic swimming events in 2024. But it's just one in a big wave of cities cleaning up their rivers. We look at how Australia is tracking, when we'll be able to take a dip in our own urban waterways and the benefits of swimming next to the skyline.

Food poisoning can be debilitating and in some cases, even fatal. So how can you help figure out what made you ill, and help a 'food detective' take that information and solve your case?

Tracey Edstein's rolltop desk belonged to her grandfather and was part of the family stonemasonry business for decades. She has kept the desk, as well as some of the mysterious objects from it's many drawers and compartments.

Most of the time, the listening we do is purely functional. But what happens when we make time to listen for pleasure, to listen with purpose and to listen deeply? What do more conscious listening experiences provide us? And how can we make more time for them in our lives?

Your someone who tries to stay positive when it comes to your outlook on life. Lately, you've noticed whenever you spend time with this mate of yours, you always come away feeling down in the dumps. He complains about everything! What do you do? Can you salvage this friendship?

When is it safe to let your child meet a friend without you there? How old should they be before going on social media? And what can we do if our partner disagrees on how much independence they should have? For many parents it's hard to know when to give a child more independence. But there are ways to know when they're ready for more responsibility. 

Every day there are conversations that dominate the airwaves and social media. But are we missing some of the big ideas that really matter? Untold at the Darwin Festival is bringing together a range of Indigenous creative and cultural leaders for some conversations that might not have been widely heard, but should be.

Head out to any coastline across Australia and you're likely to see a few intrepid fisherman relaxing in the morning air or testing themselves against the fish and the elements. But one thing tends to be missing from the scene - women.       Not so in Darwin, where you'll find men, women, even whole families taking their rods out to the water. But that wasn't always the case. What led to that cultural shift?  

After decades fighting for its creation, a new aged care facility designed by Aboriginal elders has opened its doors in north-east Arnhem Land. The Yutjuwala Djwarr centre allows elders to stay on country and in their community, and features include a traditional ceremony space, bush medicine plants, and even a rescue dog. What can we learn from the success of this facility, and how can similar features be implemented in aged care centres around the country?

Drinking fermented drinks like kombucha, cider, mead and kvass is all the rage these days. But fermenting master Sharon Flynn says learning how to make these drinks yourself will not only bring more pleasure to your palette but will help you connect with feminist history, the wonders of physics and your hunter-gatherer instincts.

School can be tricky for many children, but can we be too quick to think changing schools will make things better? With good parent and teacher communication, can issues often be ironed out? What things should you consider before changing your child's school? And, without proper consideration, is there a risk the same problems will arise in the new school? 

Nothing seems more Australian than eating fish and chips, but it's likely the fish being served to you isn't Australian at all and you wouldn't even know it.Right now, hospitality venues don’t have to label the fish they're serving. But, depending on the outcome of a federal consultation process which has just wrapped up, that may soon be changing.

How do we understand ourselves in relation to our family, our communities and our work?Social worker Erin Riley interrogates how they have created and recreated their identity through their sexuality, their gender and their personal politic. They unpick the ways they have sought justice for themselves by rejecting narratives placed onto them.

Two Australian astronomers have had asteroids named after them in recognition of their work helping us better understand the universe. Professor, Jonti Horner, shares what it feels like to have his named immortalised in space and talks about how space exploration continues to transform life here on earth.  

There's a new drug treatment on the horizon for those diagnosed with post-partum depression in the USA. Here's what we know about this illness, and the way we support those who are diagnosed with perinatal depression in Australia.

Everyday items can form part of strong memories, particularly if you've used them with beloved family members. Marysia  Crisafio's cups were once used to share coffee with her relatives in Poland.

This year marks a decade since the national apology for Australia's forced adoption practices, but some of those affected believe that justice has never truly been served.Right now, there's a parliamentary inquiry in WA investigating this history, a redress scheme in the pipeline in Victoria, and a push for changes to the rules about who can contact whom. What would it take to heal the wounds of forced adoption? 

You have this footy friend who is a semi-professional athlete. He has a public profile so he has two social media accounts: one for the public, and one just for mates.The other day, you saw that he'd used his private account to write some hurtful comments on a post from your local footy club's women's team. You're shocked because he's so supportive and encouraging about women's sport in person.How do you confront him about it?

The line between our work life and our home life has become increasingly blurred. And rarely do our work worries disappear as soon as we arrive home. However, left unchecked, work stress can have a huge impact on our home life, our loved ones and our own mental and physical wellbeing. So are there ways to contain our worries and draw clear boundaries around our work and home life? 

Ben Shewry is the head chef and owner of the internationally renowned Melbourne-based restaurant, Attica.Ben is a man who strives for excellence in everything he does, and at the top of that list is being a dad. But how do you divorce with excellence, and impact your kids with as little negativity as possible?

As the world becomes increasingly digitised, writing by hand can seem totally archaic. But research shows that, putting pen to paper brings far more cognitive benefit than is often assumed. What might happen if handwriting becomes a lost art?

The founders of narrative medicine, which has recently arrived in Australia, argue that teaching doctors how to write would not just make them better listeners but would greatly improve the quality of the healthcare we receive.  

With the cost of living top of mind for many people, some are taking part in edible exchanges as a way to swap food with their neighbours. It's also somewhere you might exchange information and learn a thing or two about how to make your own garden or kitchen more productive.

There's been a record number of complaints against financial institutions in the past year, but what's driving these disputes? Is the cost-of-living crisis playing a significant role in the rise? Are there ways consumers can avoid getting into disputes with their banks? And does more action need to be taken by financial institutions to better support consumers?

There's a question often levelled at survivors of sexual assault: "why didn't you report it?" There are plenty of factors that keep survivors from speaking up and seeking justice, no matter what age they were or how long ago the abuse happened, from shame, to re-traumatisation, and the difficulty of getting a conviction. But when a win comes, it can be transformative. We look at the road to justice and how it is changing.

Libraries are havens for many of us: places where we can indulge our imagination, learn about the world around us and about ourselves.For Daniel, it was a space that helped to save him as a teenager. When he was coming out about his sexuality and looking for answers, the librarians provided the books and the emotional support that he needed.

What do we consider a virtue today? It's worlds away from the moral model of even the recent past. What we consider indicators of good character in the 21st Century - authenticity, vulnerability, self-acceptance, might make us feel better, but according to author Lucinda Holdforth, they might also be failing our democracy.

The CFMEU says a tax on 'super profits' could help us build enough social and affordable homes to fix the housing crisis. Meanwhile, the federal government is trying to pass legislation that would see individual taxpayers contributing. Should corporate entities be doing more?

July has been the hottest month on record globally, with heatwaves across the northern hemisphere and major fires in Canada and Europe bringing memories of our own Black Summer three years ago.Meanwhile, some local councils in Australia have found themselves unable to secure flood insurance.Against a trend of extreme weather events that scientists warn is likely to continue or escalate, what can we do to protect our own homes and communities?

The exercise books Nick Hughes' father wrote during his time as an emergency dentist in World War II are now in a museum. 

You work closely with this couple so you invited them to your wedding. You get on well but lately there have been a few disagreements at work and you find yourself slowly beginning to despise the way they both work. You really regret inviting them to your special day. What do you do? Do you have to suck it up and have them as guests? Or is there a way out of it?

Friends are often the ones that see us through life’s ups and downs, celebrating or commiserating with us. But they can also teach us valuable lessons. From the friends who we grew up with, to those who help us negotiate adult life. What do friendships teach us?

In the second episode of Modern Dads, Hugh van Cuylenburg is joined by Elijah Buol.When Elijah was a young boy in South Sudan the war took both of his parents before he was 10, and Elijah spent years in a refugee camp before arriving in Australia as an unaccompanied minor.Now Elijah has four children of his own, but while no one tells you what you're meant to do when you become a Dad, most of us have an example to guide us. What if you don't grow up with your parents around you? How do you chart your own path?

Talking to our little ones in baby talk can feel like a silly indulgence, but, according to a new study, baby talk may play an essential role in brain development. The subject of the research? Dolphin parents and their bubs.

As a teacher at a Christian school, Steph Lentz had preached against homosexuality. Then, she began a passionate affair with a woman from church. After coming out to her school, not only was Steph fired, but she was forced to ask herself: could she be gay and still be a 'true Christian'?

While the Women’s World Cup takes the region by storm, we learn how the hard, unpaid, foundational work of sports administrators paved the way for women in sport.

Whether it's listening to birds sing or feeling your skin tingle as you dive into cold water, our five senses can bring great joy to our lives.But, in all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget to stop and smell the roses and the sensations of the world begin to fade into the background as we go from task to task.For Gretchen Rubin, it took a reminder that those senses aren't always permanent to help her stop and appreciate all that they brought her, and now she's sharing her tips on reconnecting with the world.

Is Australia’s domestic violence prevention broken? Five women have allegedly been killed by a current or former partner in the space of two weeks in Australia.We know men’s violence against women is a national crisis, but how is it being prevented? And, why aren’t we seeing the rates of these murders decrease?

Can a country town survive without a pub? Pubs are more than just places to get a drink. In small towns, pubs act as community centres, event spaces, general stores and even post offices. So how did the pub become rural community hubs, and what happens to a town when the pub shuts up shop?

What happens to all your stuff when you're gone? If you haven't thought about it, it might be time to. While it might seem daunting de-cluttering for the end of life, for some, experts say it can be a freeing ritual that also helps loved ones out. We look at how to make death cleaning a part of your end of life ritual, and the role material things play in grief.

Childcare fees have been on the rise for a while, but have gone up again in the past few weeks. At the same time, the federal government's rebates for parents increased on July 10. So what's happening for parents who were hoping childcare fees would become more affordable?

Jen Coughran has lost two really important people in her life, but from that is a close connection and association with butterflies.

The Victorian Government cited a massive cost blowout when it withdrew from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games: they said the price tag had gone up from $2.6 billion to more than $7 billion.And no other Australian state has put up their hand to take on the event.Meanwhile, the Women's World Cup is drawing record crowds, and it received over 200 Million dollars in government support.Are those investments worth it? What do these giant sporting events contribute to our economy, our culture, or our general good?

You have a friend who you've known for years, but he's the type of guy who never steps in to pay his fair share of the bill.

For relationships to work, people have to make sacrifices. And prioritising the needs of our partners or our families can also make us feel good. But the sacrifices we make have to be sustainable. So how can we make sure we get the balance right? And how can we meet the needs of others while also being mindful of our own needs?

How does the relationship between parent and child change as your kids find their way into adulthood?In the new series, Modern Dads, Hugh van Cuylenburg chats to six dads from very different backgrounds, to find out how they approach fatherhood. What are their greatest triumphs? What keeps them up at night? And what do they wish they'd known before becoming a dad?For Rob Moodie, 2005's Victorian Father of the Year, it was important to be a parent first and a friend second when his children were younger, but to allow that relationship to change as they grew up. Rob also happens to be Hugh's father-in-law. But while this story is emotionally close to home, it's being told from world's apart. Rob shared his story from Malawi, where he's working with the University of Malawi's public health program.

A draft Israeli law proposes that parents who lose their sons in war should be able to access their son's sperm- using a medical procedure known as sperm retrieval- to create a 'future grandchild'. What are the ethical considerations at play? And could this happen here? 

Like many people, Rachel Ward had felt frightened by the effects of climate change. And, like many people, she couldn't think what she could do that would be big enough to make a real difference.Then, in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires, she heard about the idea of regenerative farming.Ward and her family had owned a farm for decades, but it had always been managed by someone else. That was about to change.Ward's new documentary, Rachel's Farm, tells the story of her work on the land, and the connections that came along the way.

Robogals founder Marita Cheng has long been on a mission to get more girls into engineering careers. Now she's telling her story with the help of generative AI.

What's driving our natural immune response into overdrive and making us ill? We look at how culture, lifestyle, inflammation and disease are linked, and what we can do to reclaim our health.

One Victorian council has eased regulations around tiny houses in a bid to address Australia’s housing crisis. They have removed permits for caravans, tiny houses and tents on properties that already have an existing dwelling and have placed no time limit on how long they can stay there. With overwhelming support from their local constituents, what can other councils learn from this? And, what role can tiny homes play in easing the current pressure on the housing market?

This week, parents across the country will be getting their children's latest NAPLAN results. In good news, due to a change in NAPLAN reporting, you'll see a more detailed breakdown of how their child is doing. In bad news, because of these changes, it’s likely your child has been assessed as doing worse than you thought. How should you navigate these results?

As the Hollywood strikes continue, some of your favourite TV and film franchises are set to be disrupted. But what does this all mean for the economics of the screen industry,  and how we'll be watching and paying for content in the future?

You may listen to music at home through a sound bar or a blue tooth speaker. Laurie Dacy has a pair of hi-fi speakers.

”Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it; so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale has had its effect.”That quote by Jonathan Swift comes from the 18th Century, but it rings even more true in the era of the internet.The Australian Federal Government has introduced legislation to combat misinformation and disinformation on social media, but who should have the responsibility to decide what we see?

Your best friend has recently divorced, and your mate has a new, much younger girlfriend. You don't want to spend time with her, so how do you manage to keep the friendship?

When was the last time you really connected with someone? Since the pandemic, the number of people experiencing loneliness has sky-rocketed. So why are so many of us feeling lonely and are there ways we can actively overcome feelings of isolation and disconnect?

Imagine a John Farnham-themed musical,  in which three different John Farnhams travel back in time to teach you about their lives. Now imagine having a behind-the-scenes look at that show being produced by the students of a public school for neurodivergent kids in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. That is the spectacular storyline of a new film having its world premiere at MIFF.