Life Matters - Separate stories podcast

Even at low speeds... if you have a car crash... and you're a woman... you're more likely to be seriously injured than a man.But interestingly, car crash testing and plane safety testing is dominated by "male" crash test dummies... and has been for decades.These dummies are part of a system of testing methods designed with men in mind.... and it's been letting women down

When you think of the 1960s, what comes to mind? Hippies, Vietnam War protests, the music?What about the 1990s? VCRs, grunge music, minimalist fashion?We're about to reach the halfway point of the 2020s, so what is the defining legacy of this decade? 

You've scraped together a hefty deposit... and you've found the home you love in a price range you can afford.But then on auction day - a flurry of bids goes tens of thousands of dollars above the top end of the price guide... and it doesn't even sell because it hasn't met the reserve price.And you hear it later sells for much more than that ... leaving you clutching your real estate brochures and looking at your bank balance feeling disillusioned... and shut out.New plans in Victoria and New South Wales seek to address the issue of underquoting. So, will these reforms create a fairer system? Will they help first home buyers?And will the changes do anything to address Australia's housing crisis?

If you're over 50, new research shows that unaffordable and poor quality housing is getting in the way of living a dignified second act.And whether you make payments to the bank or another home owner it doesn't really matter, houses that are affordable and in good condition are in the minority. 

This week, listener Sarah is asking for help. She broke up with her partner Mike years ago, because he never wanted to get married. Now, Mike is engaged to the woman he met after he and Sarah went their separate ways. Why has the news prompted such emotion?

Women's teams are breaking records and hearts, with the Matildas selling out stadiums and record attendance for the women's Ashes earlier this year. But at the grassroots, the gap is real: data shows that nearly 30% more boys aged 0–14 participate in club or association sport than girls.So what's behind the 'gender play gap'? And how do we close it? 

For many of us who work, this time of year is a countdown until much-needed holidays over Christmas and the New Year.But a large number of people will push through with no break from work... not even on Christmas Day.Now, a new legal ruling has enforced the concept that employers must "request not require" staff to work on public holidays.So, what are the attitudes and trends when it comes to Aussies working over Christmas... and other major public holidays?

For the third year in a row, ABS figures show an increasing number of Australians are taking on two or more jobs as the cost of living rises.New research reveals the toll it's taking on your wellbeing.So, are the days where you can cover your bills with one job over?

What happens when your unkind childhood behaviour still weighs on your conscience years after you've said farewell to school?Today's letter-writer is in a reflective mood about the way he treated a classmate many years ago. Should he try to make amends?

The clichéd Australian stereotype of a family used to be: a couple living in the suburbs with 2.4 children.But according to the last census, there were 2.6 million Aussie couples without children...  and projections that couple-only families are set to increase.Not only that, there's also been a cultural shift:  People without children have a growing visibility... they're more likely to share and celebrate their lives.