

The Conversation Hour
ABC
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

Aug 8, 2025 • 52min
Is customer service in retail a lost art?
It's all eyes on retail this morning with the opening of the Mecca superstore but was does good retail customer service actually look like? In this edition of The Conversation Hour explore what role those working behind the counter play in retail success.Also in this edition the legacy of Carrie Bradshaw, a behind the scenes look at one of Melbourne's most curios museums, plus we take you to the Australian Alpaca National Show.

Aug 7, 2025 • 52min
Creating hospital meals for culturally diverse patients
Dieticians at Western Health are introducing a multicultural hospital meals program, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore the significance of food and how it connects to a sense of heritage and community.Also in this edition, what love letters can tell us about history, plus a disconcerting side effect associated with playing Tetris.

Aug 6, 2025 • 50min
The kids taking charge of air pollution
The politics of school drop off and pick up has long been discussed, but a new study looks at one particular element — the environmental impact of so-called 'idling'. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we learn about the 'Idle off' campaign which saw students urge parents to turn off the ignition when they parked close to school in an effort to reduce pollution and give young people agency in the face of climate change.Also in this edition, we pay tribute to singer songwriter Col Joyce and look at how streaming has changed song structures.

Aug 5, 2025 • 50min
New study reveals prevalence of women experiencing migraine
A new study from Jean Hailes Women Health has found that one in three Australian women are living with migraines, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss just how debilitating the neurological condition can be and why there needs to be greater awareness of the impact it can have on women's lives.Also in this edition, why some parents are considering banning sleep overs, police recruitment study plus why academics are turning to pop icons to understand the culture.

Aug 4, 2025 • 52min
Why we need to talk about IVF 'add-ons'
AsAustralia's health ministers have agreed to undertake a review of the nation's fertility sector, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at whether there will be greater regulation around so called IVF ‘add ons.’ Also in this edition, it was a big weekend for Super Netball, so do we need to treat it more like football, with the big stadiums and TV coverage? Plus we debrief on the Logies.

Aug 1, 2025 • 49min
The legacy of Where Did I Come From
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Australian publication of the iconic sex education book Where Did I Come From, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore what made the book so popular and the various controversies that emerged.Also in this edition, why folk are invested in the Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson coupling, what a Logies win means plus what is the Stop Killing Games movement all about.

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.

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.

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.

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?


