Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

A while back, if you asked someone whether they'd buy a counterfeit item, or a cheap knock-off,  it'd be rare to get an admission.But nowadays, many people are proud to show off their big brand 'dupes' - that's short for duplicates.From fashion to tech, #dupes is an online trend... while shoppers at big chain stores are also embracing dupes of bags and Stanley cups.So, what's behind the rise of dupe culture? And who is it hurting?

Anya Phelan, a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Griffith University, shares her insights on soft plastic recycling challenges. She discusses the failure of the REDcycle program, exposing major issues like stockpiling and market demand. Anya highlights the renewed efforts from supermarkets and government to roll out a new recycling system. Together, they aim to create more collection points and tackle soft plastic overproduction. The conversation also touches on innovative community solutions and the need for sustainable alternatives in packaging.

We all know sport is good for kids, but what if it’s actually protective against mental illness and addiction later in life? A major Swedish study tracking over 16,000 children from birth to age 18 has found that playing team sports could be a game changer, especially for boys.The mental health benefits weren’t just noticeable, they were tangible. And with boys showing the strongest gains, it raises important questions about how we’re supporting their mental health from the sidelines.

P Diddy, the mushroom case, and what feels like every new podcast you’ve listened to over the past five years - the true crime movement has cemented itself in popular culture.But as people queue each morning for a coveted spot inside the courtroom at the P Diddy trial, is our obsession, and the viral coverage of true crime stories, having an impact on the legal system?

As waitlists increase more Australians are turning to AI for cheaper and easier therapy and mental health advice, but is AI up to the task?The movement has some human psychologists concerned. Not just about privacy, but about how vulnerable users might react to advice that lacks the empathy and nuance of real, human care.

There’s a common belief that after experiencing a disaster once, people are better placed the second time, you get better at sandbagging, know what to secure, and what to leave behind.But what toll does this actually take, enduring disaster after disaster? New research shows the cumulative toll on mental wellbeing goes far beyond the physical damage.

Author Jenny Valentish describes herself as an introvert and a reformed sociophobe. For most of her professional life, she resorted to Dutch courage before going to social events. So, how does she navigate life with a partner who says he's a "card-carrying extrovert"? In her new book, she offers advice for introverts and sociophobes.

If you’re a fan of pop psychology, you’ve probably heard about different learning styles, like the idea of having a ‘left or right brain’. Evidence shows many of these “neuromyths” simply aren’t true, and holding on to them may be holding us back.

Is the rising cost of living making you think twice about what ends up in your shopping basket? At this time it's worth taking a moment to reflect on your relationship with money and the beliefs that shape it.Because how we think about and handle money doesn’t just impact our wallet influences our stress levels, decisions, and the way we connect with others.

Families often try to force us to let go of pain from the past for the sake of family unity. What happens if you really don’t feel ready to move on?