The Conversation Hour

Currently some people are having to wait up to 800 days to see a dentist.

Nearly 40 per cent of emergency responders are diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their life.

Feminism is a concept that has existed for decades, yet still its definition and application is a point of public debate. The Conversation Hour Team explores what this term means and how it can be applied in our daily lives.

A knock to the head used to be a normal part of contact sports.  But players of AFL, soccer, and rugby now recognise the long-term brain health implications, and in some cases are stepping away from the game they love.

It’s an exciting time for college women’s basketball, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explores what it means for women’s basketball locally.

Baby boomers often bear the brunt when issues of generational significance develop. But is that blame justifiable?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explore what needs to happen to prevent stigma and stereotyping around schizophrenia.

There are calls for women to have the right to carry capsicum spray, but how to we move past band-aid solutions in preventing violence against women in public spaces?

Being diagnosed with any form of cancer is distressing – but what happens when that cancer is rare one?

From the rising cost of living to the impact of climate change, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk what needs to happen to keep music festivals and live music thriving.

How do you process witnessing and experiencing something like the horror at Bondi on Saturday afternoon? In this edition of the Conversation Hour the team look at what helps, and what the research is telling us to support someone in the days and maybe years after experiencing a traumatic event.

We hear a lot about the role our parents play in shaping our identity, but what about a sibling? In this edition of The Conversation Hour the we talk how much a sibling can influence who we become.

In this edition of the Conversation Hour we look at why more people are working a second job, the challenges associated with the juggle, and what you are legally obliged to tell your boss about your other work.

From understanding how food is grown to the issue of food waste – in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at why we need to educate kids about food systems.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the broader social implications of what would happen if cash was phased out.

These days the average hospital stay after giving birth is 2 to 3 days, it used to be 5-7 days. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how we can best support mothers coming out of hospital and ensure that there is equitable access to care.

As we approach the Easter holidays and many of us get ready to board flights, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss how we behave on our planes and in our airports.

Gen X is often overlooked in generation debates, so who are they, and where are they now?

Menopause can have a debilitating impact on women's lives and barriers to treatment are not helping. So, why is there a global shortage and what does it say about how we treat women's health issues?

Some say op shops are pricing out the people who need them the most, but are the costs a justifiable way of raising funds to support other critical ventures such as the food from soup vans?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk what it takes to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in sport clubs and what actually works in changing concerning behaviours.

From trying to educate ourselves and do the right thing — have we created a fear around what is good and bad food and when we are allowed to eat it?

In this edition of The Conversation, we throw the spotlight on the health of hospitality in Victoria. Have our cafes, restaurants and pubs recovered or are some struggling to get a foothold again? And what needs to happen to ensure a thriving industry in Victoria?

From dismissing women's pain in the medical fraternity to understanding the impact of gender bias in medical research, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at the impact of a male -centric health care system and what needs to change to ensure better health outcomes for women.

Orchardist Guy Gaeta has recently told a senate inquiry into supermarkets that there won't be any family farms left within 5 to 10 years, and that all that will be left are corporate farms. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss the outlook for family farms and ask whether they are still being passed down.

From safety concerns to the broader environmental impact, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look why we might need to curb our love of a big car.

We can all have a bad night's sleep but what happens if it goes on for years? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk insomnia, from what causes it to how to treat it.

There is a small but growing movement of people who are pooling their resources with friends to create their own retirement village.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we hear the stories and experiences of migrant women living in Victoria to mark International Women's Day.

From registration fees, uniforms, to petrol, when we look at the cost of living crisis, is sport the first thing to go? The implications of kids not being able to afford to play sport are wide spread and don't just impact the individual family they impact us all as a community.

If you were diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and offered a clinical trial, would you take it? If you wanted to be on one that wasn't offered up front would you know how to access one? In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explore how clinical trials work and what needs to happen to ensure there is improved equity of access.

From assessing fire and flood risks to understanding the ecological impact, in this edition of The Conversation Hour, the team explore how much we really know about where we build.

What role does healthy eating play in maintaining our mental health? In this edition of The Conversation hour we meet the researches committed to understanding what food means for how we feel.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look back at the history and evolution of LGBTQIA+ party culture and the important role these celebrations played in establishing rights and recognition.

Over the last year only 15% of sports news, covered women's sport here locally in Victoria -so what needs to change to improve coverage?

Acclaimed UK author and broadcaster Elizabeth Day understands friendships, and says we need to treat them with the same level of care and respect as our romantic relationships. Elizabeth joined The Conversation Hour for a wide ranging chat about friendships and reflected on what the future of them hold with the rise of AI.

As we increasingly return to our workplaces and pack back into trams, trains and buses, in this edition of The Conversation Hour, we look at what it means to be civil and stay safe on public transport?

As the difference between house and apartment prices increase, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team ask, do we need to do embrace apartments as forever homes? Do we need to start thinking of apartments as forever homes?

When we think about some of the most profound political debates of our time , what would it mean to include the vote of those that are most likely to be impacted?

With thousands of households still without power after the recent storms, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at whether community run power could help local communities better withstand extreme weather events.

Community health services can play a vital role in keeping you healthy, but how many of us understand how to access them and what would better investment mean for the sector?

Guilt, fear and grief are just some of the emotions that may emerge when suggesting a parent might need to go into aged care. They can be big, hard conversations particularly when met with resistance or refusal. So, what are the actions and approaches we can take now to make it a little less traumatic?

Have you recently put your hand up to coach a junior team but found yourself a little overwhelmed by the task at hand? Well, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team delve into a new resource that will help you get there.

Navigating how to educate young people about responsible drinking can be complex and challenging – but with new data indicating that a substantial amount of secondary school students are obtaining alcohol from their parents is it time to reassess how much we should be exposing teens to drinking?

From the Australian War Memorial to Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives – in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explores what role love letters play in documenting history.

A new right to disconnect law proposes that you are not obliged to respond to your employer if they contact you after hours but some might find it easier said than done.

A new Grattan Institute report has found that a third of children have reading difficulties and recommend that schools should adopt a 'structured literacy' approach. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look the vital role reading plays in adult life, why phonetics matter and what needs to happen to make a change in how we teach reading across Australia.

Kids sport is back- which means so is the life juggle of after school practice and training — and weekend matches. From establishing expectations to how you communicate with other parents in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss what matters when it comes to starting the year right.

Research suggests that prison visitation from friends and relatives can play a significant role in reducing recidivism and visitors new to the system say it is hard to access information. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explore what social connection means for rehabilitation.

Are you a late adopter to Taylor Swift? If so, what took you so long? In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at the cultural phenomenon that is Taylor Swift.

From when you tell the person you are dating about your prognosis, to being more aware of priorities to managing 'scanxiety'  - in this edition of The Conversation Hour three guests share what day to day life look like when you have a terminal illness.

How we discipline children has certainly changed over the decades and in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss  how to teach children responsible behaviours and raise good kids.

As the ACCC investigate supermarket pricing – in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explore what the alternative is to shopping at the supermarkets actually are. While farmers markets and green grocers offer another option how difficult is it to change consumer behaviour and habits?

There is nothing healthy about a tan, so what is the best way to educate a new generation about the dangers of tanning? In the 80s the Slip-Slop-Slap ad campaign was a game changer, but how much to does the power now rest with influencers?

Have you been to your mechanic lately only to be told there is a long wait to have any repairs done? With the uptake of electric vehicles what will the future of mechanics look like?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we delve into the slow flower movement – which aims to encourage sustainable farming practices by reducing flower miles, and encourage consumers to buy from the many local small-scale producers.

This year's Global Drug Survey throws a spotlight on understanding illegal steroid use. So, what are the risks, what drives people to take them and how much does stigma prevent people getting the help they need.

From early driver education to the condition of our regional roads, Nic Healey speaks with a range of guests on how we are best placed to prevent road deaths.

A little over a year ago, the Federal Government halved the number of subsidised visits you can make to a psychologist ere are calls to re-instate the number of subsidised visits. There are also calls to reduce the gap fee. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask how do we make visits to mental health professions affordable and accessible?

Each week, across the country, there's an activity that nearly 3.9 million Aussies share – and that's riding a bike. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what needs to change to get more people on bikes in 2024 — from infrastructure to understanding what bike is best for you.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the health of the regional and rural paper — and what it means to the health of regional communities

From using viruses to preserve food, to utilising left over vegetables from farms enrich meals with nutrients to re-purposing bread – in this edition we explore the cutting edge innovations to prevent food waste and what we can learn from our ancestors and their observations of the natural world.

What does it take to change careers later in life? And what support is available to help people hoping to do just that? From preventing age discrimination,  to offering better support to mature age students in this edition of The Conversation Hour we speak to the experts about what you need to do to make the leap.

There have been some dramatic images in the media recently of airline incidents,  how much does seeing these pictures exacerbate a fear of flying?

Are you working through your new year 'to-do list' ? For many of us a dental check up is on the list – but how likely are you to actually cross dental visit off the list? In this edition of The Conversation Hour Nic Healey filling in for Richelle Hunt speaks with a range of guests on how we are best placed to make dental care affordable and accessible.

Caravan parks can offer an affordable holiday option, especially for those looking to holiday with the extended family — but with significant increases in insurance premiums some operators are concerned about their financial viability into the future.

Kids aren't playing sport as much as they used to, so what underpins this trend and how do we get young people active again?

There is an estimated four million people living with arthritis in Australia but experts say there's a lack of access to treatment.

From cost, availability to accessibility in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk parking

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss how to talk to kids about bushfires, from understanding the warning system to looking after their wellbeing.

As students across Victoria nervously await the release of their ATAR results next week, The Conversation Hour looks at what options are out there for students beyond a high ATAR.

As the cost of living rises so does the cost of a meal at a pub, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk the place of pubs in local communities and what it takes to keep them running.

In this edition of the Conversation Hour the team talk pets at Christmas, from how to find a reputable breeder and not get scammed to why some are urging you to 'adopt — not shop' – to keeping the tinsel out of reach on Christmas Day.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk genetic testing. While it can be a game changer in disease prevention there are concerns that it could lead to discrimination, particularly when it comes to life insurance and there are calls for greater regulation around this.

Do you find toddler food confusing- do you feel like you are being health washed?

From protecting your pets, through to the importance of staying calm if you have been bitten – In this edition of The Conversation Hour our favourite snake experts to answer your questions.

We all need to waste less, for both environmental and economic reasons and in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at how to stretch your leftovers

It's been four years since Voluntary Assisted Dying was made legal in Victoria and some are calling for the scheme to be expanded to include people with dementia. In this edition if the Conversation Hour the team speak with a range of guests about what safeguards would need to be put in place and hear the story of someone living with dementia who explains why she would like to have access.

More and more public and private businesses are hiring private security guards to try and improve safety, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at how effective this is and ask whether it potentially creates a whole new level of problems.

Mental health related consultations are increasingly becoming a significant proportion of a GPs day and in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at what needs to be done to better support GPs to do this work and whether it is indicative of a lack of access to mental health specialists more generally.

It's been a year since ChatGPT was launched – so how is it actually being used? From education to the health sector the team look at how the technology is being utilised and explore some of the greater concerns from bias to what it might do to our brains.

If you get injured at work or if you get sick and can not work for a period of time- do you know what to do- what your rights are? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how to navigate workers compensation and look at whether there is some way it can be made easier for those who need to access it.

Recent data shows nearly one-third of Australian teenagers aged 18-19 have experienced intimate partner violence in the past year. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss how to ensure teens understand what it means to have a healthy relationship.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk grief and why words matter in recognising someone's loss.

From access to green spaces, to even a proper footpath, in this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at what role infrastructure plays on our health and wellbeing

From the sporting facilities available to where recruiters search – do private schools have an advantage of public school?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour we take you behind the scenes at the SecondBite warehouse as part of the  ABC Gives appeal.

Renowned artist David Bromley and his wife lawyer Yuge Bromley join The Conversation Hour to talk about importance of making art available to all. The team are also joined by music education advocate Anita Collins and Susannah Day from The Torch who discuss what it means to make art.

Is it time to shift the dial attitudes to renting? While most Australians might hope to own their own home one day, how realistic is that now? And is it time to put stronger policy into place that support long term renting options?xploring the issues that affect all Victorians.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at the importance of follow up care and support for parents after a premature birth.

The number of Victorians dying on our roads is increasing. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team talk road safety and how we can change driver attitudes and behaviours.

From hospitals to banks to our transport network – the impact of the Optus outage was wide reaching.

Australian Sports Commission data shows that participation in mountain biking has increased more than 100 per cent over the last five years. In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look at how a growing number of regional towns are looking to the sport as the next big tourist attraction.

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team discuss what actually constitutes as sustainability in the restaurant business – from where the food is sourced to how the staff are treated to who is driving the trend. Are sustainable restaurants a fad or here to stay?

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team look the role social media is playing in tweens using unnecessary beauty products and discuss the impact it has on their skin

In this edition of The Conversation Hour the team explores what shift work can do to your body and speak with a researcher who has looked specifically at the impact of shift work on pregnant women.

There are two shocks that happen when you are told you have cancer. One is being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, the other is all the costs associated with the disease. With the rising cost of living, cancer is fast becoming a disease that some simply can't afford to have.

As life online becomes increasing fraught with the risk of being scammed The Conversation Hour looks at whether match makers are making a comeback.

Some have suggested that fast trains could be one measure to solve the housing crisis. but others argue it could lead to further disadvantage with regional towns becoming dormitories for city folk.