The Conversation Hour

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Jul 31, 2025 • 52min

Supporting the families of emergency service workers

It is not uncommon to hear stories about the the trauma emergency service workers experience, but the toll it takes on their family members often gets overlooked. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at a new resource called Supportable, created by the Emergency Services Foundation, it offers mental health support those close to frontline workers.Also in this edition, what does the closure of Victoria's last wool cleaning mill in Geelong mean for the wool industry, plus how women's sports bars are bolstering visibility of women's sport.
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Jul 30, 2025 • 52min

Is social media addiction impacting your family?

The government has confirmed YouTube will be included in Australia's social media ban for kids under 16, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how damaging social media addiction can be to families and what role social media plays in perpetuating anxiety and depression in young people.Also in this edition, should schools separate classes, such as maths, around academic ability, the importance of LGBTQIA+ stories in film and TV and why scientists are arming birds with backpacks.
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Jul 29, 2025 • 51min

Do skate parks help keep kids connected?

DIY Bike ramps and skate ramps in parks are contentious, kids build them and then they get pulled down. In Brighton locals are debating whether makeshift bike jump should be removed. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what role skate parks can have in keeping young people connected.Also in this edition, a change to blood donation rules for cancer survivors, a child led movement empowering kids to tackle the climate change.
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Jul 28, 2025 • 49min

What will the Saints historic win mean for fans?

It was an extraordinary win for St Kilda FC against the Dees on Sunday afternoon, with a historic three quarter time comeback, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss how far the win will go in restoring hope in the club.Also in this edition, the closure of Australia's oldest Chinese restaurant, understanding meme stocks and can ultrafast fashion ever be certified as sustainable?
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Jul 25, 2025 • 51min

Is footy following the American model?

With rumours of Snoop Dog playing at the AFL Grand Final in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether or not it is ok for the AFL Grand Final to have the look at feel of the Super Bowl.Also, in this edition, is it becoming a bit cringe to post on social media and Obama says tomato sauce is just for kids — is he right?
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Jul 24, 2025 • 44min

Would we judge Monica Lewinsky as harshly as we did 3 decades ago?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what the reaction would be if the affair between Lewinsky and Bill Clinton if it happened today. Would the judgement be as harsh on Lewinsky? And what has it meant for her to reclaim her story?Also in this edition, does Australia need to be doing more policy wise in curbing the public appetite for ultra-fast fashion and what does the axing of Colbert tell us about the state of American politics. 
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Jul 23, 2025 • 52min

What is the state of your local basketball facility?

Last week construction started on a $60 million redevelopment initiative on the Frankston Stadium, with features including ten basketball courts and a new 1,000 seat show court, and while this is a great win for the basketball community in Frankston, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the health of courts around the state.Also in this edition what will the lasting legacy of Ozzy Osbourne be? Plus, could mentoring be the key to teacher retention?
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Jul 22, 2025 • 45min

Has footy become too long?

The AFL's new executive general manager of football performance, Greg Swann, has said he is looking to speed up games. In this edition of The Conversation Hour, we look whether games have become drawn out and what changes need to be made to tighten them up. Also in this edition, what is underpinning the rising rates of school bullying, why we need to talk more about mental health after cancer, plus a win for the spotted tree frogs of Mount Beauty.  
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Jul 21, 2025 • 50min

Are AI recruitment practices exacerbating ageism in the workforce?

One quarter of employers classify people over the age of 50 as old, that's according to a study into employer attitudes from the Australian Human Rights Age Commissioner and the Human Resources Institute. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what role AI recruitment systems play in age discrimination and speak with a careers coach on the measures some are taking to circumvent the system.Also in this edition, infidelity in the age of social media and how far will additional mental health clinics go in supporting the mental health of Victorians
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Jul 18, 2025 • 47min

Why meaningful work when you are young matters

New research suggests many young people aged between 20 and 34 aren't using their skills in their current job and can't get the hours they want, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what impact this can have.Also, in this edition, how much will the stadium debate sway the election results in Tasmania, the secret life of farmers and why we need to rethink making happiness the goal.

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