Life Matters - Full program podcast

• The future of Aussie libraries, and using AI to get closer to God

  Whether it's the big flashy state library in your capital city, or the humble one in your suburb, the role of a library is stretching to meet demand for its free programs and resources. That evolution hasn't come without friction, so in modern Australia, who, and what, are our libraries really for? Cathie Warburton is CEO of The Australian Library and Information Association, and Dr Heather Robinson is Research Associate at Flinders University and author of Beyond the books: Culture, value, and why libraries matter.More and more people are turning to AI for spiritual support, by using bots for religious worship and guidance. They're known as "faith bots" and there's one for pretty much every belief. Christians can use Text Jesus. There's a virtual Islamic Scholar called Sheikh GPT. And Gita GPT allows you to exchange messages with the Hindu god Krishna. So, can AI help you become closer to God? Can it strengthen your faith? Dr Rosemary Hancock is a Senior lecturer and Convener of the Religion, Culture and Society Research Focus Area, at the University of Notre Dame and Venerable Dr JueWei, is Head of program of applied Buddhist studies and humanistic Buddhism at Nan Tien Institute.It's a time to eat, drink, and be merry. But for Australians struggling with - or recovering from - addiction, holiday gatherings can become a test of willpower. An addiction specialist shares his first Christmas off the booze.  Benn Veenker is Manager of Lived Experience at Turning Point.

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• Parenting with Dr Billy Garvey, and dealing with an in-law culture clash

  Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey says behavioural and emotional difficulties are the number one reason parents come to see him. But, Dr Billy says parents can learn to respond to challenging behaviour in a way that works for both them and their kids.What do you do when it feels like you and your in-laws speak different languages when it comes to parenting? And the situation is heightened when your mother-in-law moves in to offer emergency childcare? Aunties Bridie Jabour, author, journalist and associate editor at Guardian Australia and James Colley, head writer for ABC's Gruen, offer their insights.

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• The mystery behind our country's empty houses, and could price tag changes get us to eat more veggies?

  New research claims that the number of empty dwellings across Melbourne has risen dramatically... from more than 27,000 in 2023 to nearly 32,000 in 2024. And across the country ... experimental ABS data suggests that up to 140,000 dwellings are sitting vacant. So, why would houses, apartments, and blocks of land be left sitting empty? And is there a way to utilise these properties to address Australia's housing crisis? Rayna Fahey is Director of Advocacy, Prosper Australia and Dr Michael Fotheringham is CEO of the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.Only around one in twenty Australians eat enough fruit and veggies. The rest of us are falling way short of where we need to be. Price is a common complaint, but is fresh produce really that expensive? A Monash study has looked at the perception of prices of fresh produce - and found that displaying a cost-per-serving on the ticket induces shoppers buy more vegetables. Fiona Newton is an Associate Professor and consumer psychology expert at Monash Business School and Jane Martin is Executive Manager of the Food for Health Alliance.You've got dinner plans with a group of friends, and you've been looking forward to it for weeks. But in the days -or hours- leading to the catch-up... you get one... maybe several texts. Sorry, I can't make it. Sorry, work has been insane this week. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. So, are we flakier than we used to be? Dan Woodman is a Professor of Sociology at University of Melbourne.

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• Big Design Adventures with Kevin McCloud and Tim Ross

  From the desks we work at to the places we retreat to at the end of the day, the spaces around us quietly shape how we feel, how we live, and how we connect with each other. Good design isn't just about looks – it's about comfort, dignity, possibility, and the way a space can hold us, support us, even change us. Kevin McCloud, presenter of TV show Grand Designs and Tim Ross, comedian, broadcaster and self-described design nerd dig into how design can make our lives better.Have you ever asked a hairdresser or a tradie if they can do a better price for cash? Have you done work for someone and got paid "cash in hand." Or perhaps a friend has a small business with a percentage of income generated "under the table." Australia's shadow economy is thriving and Tony Goding, Assistant Commissioner and Chair of the ATO's Shadow Economy Taskforce, is one of the people cracking down on this illegal activity.

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• Search and rescue in the wild, and the meaning behind what we wear

  If you're heading on an overnight hike or about to tackle a challenging climb on your summer break, how much thought have you given to the worst-case scenario? It's not something anyone likes to dwell on, but preparing for all possibilities can be the difference between life, death, or being extracted by specialist rescue teams. So how prepared are you to venture into the wilderness? Dr Jo Kippax is an emergency doctor and 2026 Tasmanian Australian of the Year, Dr Jim Whitehead is a search and rescue trainer, and Krystal Dacey is a PHD candidate looking into the way we behave when we're lost in the wilderness.The Christmas party invite says smart casual. But what does that mean when it's 35 degrees and storms are on the way? And why are double pluggers acceptable in a Queensland office setting, but you'd never catch anyone in Sydney with their toes out at work? There's no doubt our weather and cultural trends influence what we wear. But how much personal freedom do we really have when we're getting dressed? Alex Haslam is a Professor of Social and Organisational Psychology, University of Queensland.Two major clothing retailers have been busted using AI-generated ads. Now Heineken, Polaroid, and Cadbury are pushing back- branding their campaigns "human made." So, why are we bothered whether an ad is AI-generated or not? Paul Harrison is Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University's Business School.

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