Logo
    Search

    About this Episode

    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?

    Recent Episodes from Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

    Balancing the books on the shadow education system

    Balancing the books on the shadow education system

    When students are struggling at school or trying to get into a selective-entry high school, some parents may decide to engage a private tutor. But the industry, dubbed the shadow education system, remains largely unregulated, so standards and outcomes vary greatly. With cost-of-living pressures biting, how can parents make the best decisions for their children? Meanwhile, concerns remain about inequity for those families who cannot afford to pay for extra schooling.

    Is the travel industry ageist?

    Is the travel industry ageist?

    The Boomer generation pretty much kickstarted the whole backpacking movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Now some hotels won't accept bookings from people over sixty-five years old, and your travel insurance might skyrocket once you turn seventy.

    Is the travel industry ageist? And what opportunities exist for players willing to embrace 'inclusive' tourism?

    What do you get out of being a fan?

    What do you get out of being a fan?

    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.

    Will switching to a 'dumb phone' bring your attention back?

    Will switching to a 'dumb phone' bring your attention back?

    Many of us have a problematic relationship with our smartphones, checking emails or doomscrolling into the late hours of the night.

    It can feel hard to resist the pull of constantly pinging notifications, could downgrading to a phone without these capabilities restore your inner peace?

    There's a small but growing group switching to 'dumb phones' to take control of their lives back. We look at what it's like, and how to get on top of your digital nutrition.

    The unparalleled joy of watching a muster dog round up sheep

    The unparalleled joy of watching a muster dog round up sheep

    The world is becoming increasingly automated, but when it comes to herding livestock on a farm, working dogs are more efficient than any machine. So what is it about the dog and sheep relationship and the dog and farmer relationship that is so special? And why, judging by the popularity of ABC TV’s Muster Dogs, is watching a muster dog at work something none of us can get enough of?

    Rodney and Jeff have 7 kids co-parented with five other couples. How do they make it work?

    Rodney and Jeff have 7 kids co-parented with five other couples. How do they make it work?

    Rodney and his partner Jeff are the proud parents of seven kids. They co-parent with five other couples and believe living in extended, chosen families is the best way to make life happy for everyone involved. For anyone finding the nuclear family model unsustainable, both practically and financially, how could they follow Jeff and Rodney’s lead?  Â