

The Conversation Hour
ABC listen
Expect engaging discussions with real people and inspiring stories connecting communities across Victoria, on The Conversation Hour with Richelle Hunt and Jonathon Kendall.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 27, 2025 • 47min
Are we done with tanning?
A year ago professors Georgina Long AO and Richard Scolyer AO from the Melanoma Institute Australia were named joint Australians of the Year so, one year on, just how far have we in changing attitudes to tanning and preventing one of the most preventable cancers?Plus, as school holidays draw to an end, how much time have your kids spent on the online gaming platform Roblox? Recent research suggests it could be 137 minutes and there are concerns about what young people are exposed to there.We also talk dating over 50 and celebrate David Briggs AM from the Little River Band, who made this year's Australia Day Honour list.

Jan 23, 2025 • 52min
Police at Pride: a complex history
For the first time in 22 years the Victoria Police will not participate in the Midsumma Pride March, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the history and significance of police involvement at Pride. Plus, Micheal Hutchence would have turned 65 this week, so what made him just so iconic? And in the wake of major global events, such as the fires in LA, we explore the psychology of survivor guilt and how to overcome it.And we get you all the latest from the tennis.

Jan 22, 2025 • 51min
Should we ban cars around schools?
New research reveals that a quarter of drivers admit to speeding through school zones because they didn't notice the signs. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether it is time to consider banning cars around a certain radius of schools. Also, community and industry leaders in Cairns are pushing for a tourism tax to visit some of Queensland's more popular tourist destinations, we look at why a tax is necessary and what role it could play in mitigating the impact of over tourism. Plus, with the news of the closure of online retailer Catch.com.au what will it mean for the increasing dominance of Amazon. And we get all the latest from the tennis.

Jan 21, 2025 • 49min
Is it time to build a bigger garage?
As Australia's love affair with big cars continues, how are we best placed to tackle on street parking congestion? Well, South Australia has proposed changes to planning legislation that would force developers to provide larger garages, so, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether we should we be doing the same in Victoria. Plus, President Trump has stated in his inauguration speech that it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders male and female — so how will this impact transgender rights here in Australia? And as Trump's 'meme coin' generates billions — what will a Trump presidency mean for crypto? Plus we get all the latest from the Australian Open.

Jan 20, 2025 • 49min
What are the lifelong impacts of a school suspension?
New figures reveal school suspensions have skyrocketed across Victoria's state government primary and secondary schools, with almost 90 students a day so, how much does a suspension- tarnish you for life? What are the lifelong impacts of a suspension? TikTok is restoring services to the US after it went dark ahead of the ban — so what is the future of the app in America under Trump? Plus, is there a way to simplify superannuation? A new Grattan Institute report has proposed a three-pronged strategy which includes a government-backed annuity scheme. And we bring you all the latest from the tennis.

Jan 16, 2025 • 50min
Returning to sport after childbirth
As elite athletes like Naomi Osaka break new ground for mums returning to sport after child birth — what does real support look like at both an elite and grass roots level? Plus, rising tennis star Destanee Aiava has recently spoken about her diagnosis of borderline disorder, The Conversation Hour looks a how much is really understood about the condition and what speaking about it publicly means for combating mental health stigma.Plus, as news breaks today about the ceasefire deal between Isreal and Hamas, we recap on what is known so far.

Jan 15, 2025 • 51min
Why we need to rethink how we define obesity
Global health leaders are calling for a new way of thinking about how obesity is defined, proposing two new categories, clinical obesity and pre-clinical obesity and moving beyond Body Mass Index as a key indicator. So, how will this change how we diagnose and treat the condition? And speaking of health, could making vitamins only available a pharmacies, assist people make more informed decisions about whether they need to take them. And we get the latest on the McCrae landside and preview day 4 at the Australian Open.

Jan 14, 2025 • 51min
Will the National Autism Strategy help create more inclusive work environments?
Australia's first national autism strategy was announced today, so how effective will it be in creating more inclusive work places? It's day three of the AO so what does it take for the players to stay in the game? Plus, after the landslide in McCrae, what needs to happen to safeguard coastal houses?

Jan 13, 2025 • 51min
Kyrgios is back at the AO plus what it means to be living in Hollywood through the fires
As Nick Kyrgios makes his return to The Australian Open tonight The Conversation Hour asks what he means for the game, plus how we are best placed to combat racism in sport more broadly. Richelle Hunt also speaks with Melbourne music producer Anthony Steep about living in Hollywood during the LA fires and we hear from research ecologist Jon Keeley on the how the Santa Ana winds are fuelling the fires. And later in the hour we explore the rise and rise of the beauty store.

Dec 13, 2024 • 50min
What's it really like to live on a small island?
While some fantasise about dropping everything and escaping to a remote destination, there are already so many Australians that are living that reality.