Episodes
Whether you're a saver or a spender, have you ever wondered what drives your behaviour around money? And what do you do when your best friend and her sister, who is also a friend, are feuding on the netball court and you're caught in the middle?
Published 02/29/24
Ten per cent of Australians have cut it out, but doctors say they may not need to do so. Meanwhile, 80 per cent of those with coeliac disease don’t know they have it. So, whether you have a gluten sensitivity or are coeliac, how do you get the diagnosis and treatment you need? Plus when Maura Pierlot began reading ethical texts, she found a moral compass that guided her throughout her life. And she believes you’re never too young to learn the art.  
Published 02/28/24
Unions and other bodies are calling for specific types of leave for things like menstruation and menopause, but do we need additional solutions to create truly equitable workplaces? And as Dungeons & Dragons turns 50, how has the game changed over the years and why is it still capturing the imagination of so many people?
Published 02/27/24
A recent report by the former ACCC chair Alan Fels claims that rising prices have been caused, not just by inflation, but also by companies with too much market power using that position to increase their profits. What's led to this concentration of corporate power? And what does it mean for consumers, workers, and suppliers? And prison visits from relatives have been shown to have a positive effect on the prisoner, both in jail and upon release. What can be changed to make the visiting...
Published 02/26/24
While casual socialising, without a particular productive purpose, is supposedly on the decline, loneliness is on the rise. What are the causes of our diminishing 'social fitness' and how do we reclaim the lost art of the hang out. And why do some fruits become part of a country's food culture, while others fall by the wayside?
Published 02/25/24
With the relatively recent rise of dating apps, the world of romance can feel quite foreign to anyone looking for love after the end of a long relationship. Hilary Harper answers questions about what she learnt while documenting and sharing her own foray into the world of online dating after 50 in the audio series — Dated.  And in Ask Aunty, should a brother be expected to host his nephew during an international trip?
Published 02/22/24
Dassi Erlich shares how she found the courage to speak out, even as her community did everything it could to silence her, and how she and her two sisters built a formidable community coalition to see justice served. And Dr Kate Luckins found that there is a way to "do green" that doesn’t just help the planet, but also brings mental relief, joy and cost savings.
Published 02/21/24
The same tools that have given us the flexibility to work from anywhere at any time, also mean that we can feel like we're expected to work from anywhere at any time. What will the right to disconnect, recently introduced by the federal government, mean for the way we work? And in the final episode of Dated, we meet Gene and consider what happily ever after looks like when we're dating in older age.
Published 02/20/24
Asbestos-contaminated mulch has been discovered at dozens of sites across Sydney and NSW. How much of a risk is this contamination? And how could it have happened in the first place? And in part four of Dated, Hilary takes a hard look in the mirror and considers her relationship with her body and sexuality.
Published 02/19/24
When Annabel Abbs-Streets found herself in the midst of chronic insomnia, she began to explore the mystery of the 'night brain' and found a wondrous world of people she now calls her 'night spinners'. And in part 3 of Dated, Hilary goes on her first first-date and finds the goods are not quite what was advertised.
Published 02/18/24
Whether it's living an unhealthy lifestyle, an unsatisfying job, or some other aspect of your life, being in a rut can be a difficult experience. Dr Amantha Imber provides some helpful tips on getting yourself back on track. Plus on Ask Aunty with Reuben Kaye and Nelly Thomas: what to do when the man screaming at your colleagues on bin night happens to be your relative.
Published 02/15/24
By 2050, superbugs are predicted to become the second biggest cause of human death, after heart disease. Could a new treatment, developed by Australian researchers, provide a cure? Plus part 2 of Dated sees Hilary navigating a changed dating scene, which has moved from pubs and parties to the online space.
Published 02/14/24
Many older people are coming out of long relationships, and having to learn about dating apps. Hilary Harper is one of them! How do you pick up the pieces and work out when you're emotionally ready to resume the quest for love? How do you figure out what you want? In our 40s and beyond, our priorities around relationships shift. In the first instalment of our five-part series, Dated: Love Online After 50, Hilary sets the scene, letting us know what she's weathered and how her heart got to a...
Published 02/13/24
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has just introduced new regulations to protect customers experiencing financial hardship, but many consumer groups argue the protections governing phone and internet consumers need to be beefed up beyond the changes being proposed by the industry. And, as Taylor Swift begins her Australian tour, how has fan culture changed since The Beatles visited our shores 6 decades ago?
Published 02/12/24
Cultural historian Witold Rybczynksi says deciding how to use our free time has been complicated since the start of human history. So what can we learn from our ancestors' approach to time off? And a growing movement that invites you to consider how you want to transition to old age, and how you want to spend the last years of your life.
Published 02/11/24
When a big chapter in your life ends, it can be hard to accept. But it can also mean that a new beginning is just around the corner. So why not mark the end of this time with a ritual celebration? Plus Ask Aunty looks at how to deal with a boarded who isn't paying board.
Published 02/08/24
New school funding from the Federal Government may be a step towards closing the widening inequity gap in our public schools. But experts say, for that to happen, we need buy-in from the states, and the money needs to be spent correctly.  An Dr Rob Brander looks at how to stay safe while enjoying a day at the beach.
Published 02/07/24
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Published 02/06/24
What would change if care policy took a whole-of-life approach? One that acknowledges that our personal lives are part of our reality, even at work. And that we  may be caring for different people, at different stages, of life at the same time. And answers to the strange things we experience every day, like why can't I get that song out of my head and why do I see faces in everyday objects?
Published 02/05/24
Extreme ice bathing, cuddle therapy, and ecstatic dance are just some of the wellness fads we now see everywhere on social media. Is it possible to try them out without getting burnt? And Junda Khoo shares his journey from a teenager living on instant noodles to the head chef at a celebrated restaurant.
Published 02/04/24
How do we incorporate fun into our everyday lives?
Published 02/01/24
Helping you figure out all the big stuff in life: relationships, health, money, work and the world.
Published 01/31/24
A recent report by the ACCC has found that there are serious problems with access to child care and early education in Australia. What is the cost to families when childcare is inaccessible?  And a celebration of the relationships that make up our lives: from the childhood best friend to the casual chats that make the week a little brighter.
Published 01/30/24
Practical steps that will help if your child becomes unable or unwilling to attend school. And what do we know about the melatonin gummies that are becoming popular for children with sleep problems?
Published 01/29/24
Many regular meditators say their practice is their ‘anchor in the storm’, and research supports their experience. But how do you get started? And we all hope love lasts forever, but sadly, that's not always the case. Scientists are discovering more about love and how it influences our bodies and brains.
Published 01/28/24