Life Matters - Full program podcast

The grief of losing a loved one is different for everyone. For some it's private, while for others, it can become a force for action that drives them to fight for change. This kind of advocacy work can make an incredible impact, but it also takes a considerable personal toll. Kate Everett, co-founder of Dolly's Dream, shares how she's navigated the balance between grief and advocacy after losing her 14-year-old daughter to suicide. 
Remember to get toothpaste. Change that dentist's appointment. Pick up a present before the birthday party on the weekend. Before you know it, you're spiralling under the weight of the mental load. It's a phrase most of us are pretty familiar with, but do we really understand where we're spending it, and what it's costing us? Sociologist Leah Ruppanner explains how a mental load audit could help claw back time, attention and energy for the things that bring you joy.
Putting together your grocery list can be a delicate balance between what you want to put on your plate, your personal finances, and sometimes, your politics. And with the cost of staples on the rise, making ethical choices at the supermarket can come with a hefty price tag. Consumer behaviour expert Paul Harrison talks through the marketing tricks that play on our emotions and how to avoid consumer guilt at the check-out.

Australia's Privacy Commissioner has put the rent tech sector on notice, ruling that a platform had been unfairly collecting excessive amounts of personal information from prospective tenants. Researcher Samantha Floreani and Antonia Mercorella from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland unpack how the industry is likely to respond and what it could mean for renters.
After residents in south-west Queensland were hit with increases of 500 per cent on insurance premiums, local councils have stepped in. The group of councils is investigating an option to offer their communities mutual protection. So could this be a model that more places adopt? 
It's never been cooler to be a bird nerd. Birdwatching as a hobby is capturing everyone from retirees to footy players. BirdLife Australia's Christina Zdenek explains what's behind the twitcher trend and where to start if it sounds like the hobby for you.

A grandiose sense of self importance, an intense need for admiration, an inflated sense of entitlement and a lack of empathy — these are the hallmarks of narcissistic personality disorder. In an era of toxic reality TV and mercurial political leaders, it can feel like we're surrounded by narcissists. Psychiatrist Steve Ellen explains what narcissism really means and why the label has become therapy-speak shorthand for any kind of selfish or entitled behaviour. 
When someone dies, splitting up their assets and sharing possessions among the family can be tricky — even when things are divided equally. The Aunties give advice to a listener who feels cheated out of their inheritance, after a relative gave away some of the family jewels.

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.