Life Matters - Full program podcast

Most Australians enjoy an adult beverage now and then, but around 6.6 million of us are drinking at risky levels. Alcohol is one of leading risk factors for disease, costing the public purse around $75 billion a year, so minimising the burden to the health system is a priority for the federal government. Alcohol Change Australia CEO Erin Lalor and Sober in the Country founder Shanna Whan explain why open conversations about our relationship with alcohol are an important place to start.
Last week the Coalition's immigration policy pushed Australian values to the forefront, prioritising equality of opportunity and a fair go. But for refugees and asylum seekers, putting in a hard day's work is not always that simple. Jane Favero from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and new migrant Welde talk through what it really takes to make it in Australia when you're starting a career from scratch.
It could be a butterfly on your windowsill, a cloud shaped like a star or a love heart in your coffee. Ghost signs are the little coincidences or symbols that remind us of a loved one who's passed. So why do we look for messages from beyond the grave, and can it help us grieve?

If you're living the single life, you're likely feeling the sting in your wallet. Analysis from financial comparison site Finder estimates the average single person in Australia has $19,260 less in savings than the average partnered person. So how much does it really cost to live as a single person? Singlehood Australia advocate Gen Ford and podcaster Jill Stark explore the realities of the singles tax.
New research suggests Australian parents aren't confident in their knowledge around how to spot a concussion, and for some, it's meant keeping their kids back from playing sport. Neuropsychologist Vanessa Rausa explains how to find the right balance between safety and participation, to ensure every child has the change to play.
When it comes to safety in the workplace, there are standard expectations around protecting employees' physical health. But the rules around emotional and mental wellbeing are less clear. This Working Life host Lisa Leong unpacks how employers are navigating the delicate terrain of psychosocial safety.

Adult diagnoses of ADHD have soared in recent years, but the system is still struggling to support everyone. A Four Corners investigation has revealed hotspots where prescriptions for ADHD medication are higher than expected, and pockets of missed diagnosis. So if you're seeking out assessment for ADHD, how do you know where to find it? Clinical psychologist Maddi Derrick and social worker Sarah Hayden share what to look out for.
According to a poll from the Australian National University, most people think life was better 50 years ago. But does that mean optimism is dead? Tim Sharp from The Happiness Institute explains why hope isn't about ignoring reality and why optimism doesn't have to mean being naive.
New research suggests the public are in favour of a permanent move to sports uniforms, to make it easier for children to keep active every day. And this shift could have other hidden benefits to students' overall wellbeing.

A new report has estimated how much Australia spends providing food for public institutions and programs — hospitals, aged care centres, correctional facilities — and the bill totals $2.1 billion. Project lead Leah Galvin and researcher Stephanie Godrich talk through the improvements to the system that could make our public food healthier, better protect the environment and support local growers. 
Research shows there's been a dramatic decline in sales of new music over the last 20 years, and it's creating a nostalgia-spiral that could mean even when you want to find new music it all sounds the same. Tim Kelly from the Australian Institute of Music and Double J's Dan Condon explore what we're missing out on by sticking to the same old playlists we've grown up with.
The concept of a birth doula to help someone along their journey of childbirth has become pretty common place, but have you heard of a death doula? They can be involved at any stage of the dying process from helping you navigate your wishes, all the way to being engaged after you've passed to help your loved ones grieve.

In recent years, the number of Australians being diagnosed with ADHD and autism has risen. With up to 20 per cent of employees now identifying as neurodivergent, conversations about how to support this growing population are moving into the workplace. Clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and autism inclusion advocate Alex Lazarus-Priestly discuss how truly neuro-inclusive workplaces can support everyone to function better.
There's no such thing as a free lunch — or, as it turns out, a free installation to connect an outdoor shower to your hot water system. Aunties Annie Louey and Simon Kennedy-Jewell share advice for a listener who suspects they've been swindled by a fellow parent at the school fete.