The Conversation Hour

It's been 20 years since the low FODMAP diet was created at Monash University. 

A team of researchers at Monash University is hoping to make potholes a thing of the past, by utilising smartphones to help detect them.

In this edition of the Conversation Hour we recap on the Erin Patterson's sentence and reflect on why the case has garnered the interest it has. Also in this edition we talk the significance of pools in community health, learn about a new app that speeds up the process of diagnosing cerebral palsy in babies, plus learn what goes into designing a uniform.

Melbourne University Publishing has announced that the literary journal Meanjin will cease publication at the end of this year. The publication has been running for 85 years and has published the likes of Helen Garner, David Malouf and Patrick White. In this edition of the Conversation Hour former Meanjin editor Sophie Cunningham who discussed the cultural significance of the magazine and the role the university should play in supporting the publication.Also in this edition, Bronwyn Pike AM, has been honoured for her contribution to the child and family sector services, she joined Richelle to reflect on her life and career. Plus, what does it take t be a single mum.

As Collingwood fans pile into buses bound for Adelaide ahead of the qualifying final, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss whether clubs should and could do more to enable fans to see the finals.Also in this edition we look at the mission to re grow banksia's in Victoria's Upper Murray after the black summer fires wiped them out. Plus, the widening appeal of country music.

In this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss the societal pressures people from migrant communities can feel to change their name when they come to Australia and the bureaucratic issues that can arise down the track in doing so.Also in this edition, is the introduction of CCTV in a park in Balaclava to "monitor whether local dog restrictions are being followed" too heavy handed on dog owners, does the popularity of the Life 360 tracking app suggest a shift towards the "anxiety economy" plus, we get the low down on what new Vogue US editor Chloe Malle will bring to the magazine.

It's called spogomi, was invented in Japan and has the slogan of 'trash pickup is a sport' and in this edition of The Conversation hour we meet a spogmi competitor.Also in this edition, why residents in Hamilton are divided over plans for a local art gallery. Plus, how can we better support people caring for someone with dementia.

In the wake of the anti-migration rallies over the weekend in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss the vital contribution migration makes to Australia, both economically and culturally, as well as debunk the argument that migration has caused the housing crisis.Also in this edition, an inner-city bar has made light of choking in an advertisement, we discuss why it is problematic. Plus, with father's day just around the corner we discusses the important role of fatherhood.

It has been a big week for AFL Players speaking out and speaking up, from Mitch Brown discussing what it is to be a bisexual man in the AFL to Bailey Smith opening up about his mental health struggles. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss what the AFL could and should be doing to better support its players.Also in this edition why farmers are protesting land access legislation,  plus why everyone is talking about Jamie Lee Curtis.

Are golf courses in the heart of our suburbs a luxury that too few people get to enjoy? Some locals in Aspendale and Edithvale are concerned that the sale of their golf course might be used for housing. In this edition of the Conversation Hour we discuss what a golf course means to a community and whether they should or could be multi-functional spaces.Also in this edition, the significance of former AFL player Mitch Brown talking about being a bisexual man, a heartfelt tribute to tribute to Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, Anthony Burke talks his new podcast the Homefront, plus a curious seal sighting.

In the wake of the death of two police officers in Porepunkah, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss  the mental health impacts on the broader police force, their families and community.And in what has been a challenging morning across the State we get updates on a school bus has rolled over in Stonehaven, and a crane incident in Derrimut. 

In Victoria greyhounds must be leashed at all times in public, this includes off-leash dog parks., with the exception of seven designated grey hound parks around the state. There are calls to change this law and in this edition of The Conversation Hour we delve into why the laws are in place and what would be at stake if they where changed and why there is the push to change them.Also, in this edition, new research looks at how long COVID continues to impact people's lives, plus the lasting legacy of Jeff Buckley.

With tragic news this morning of a cyclist fatality, in this edition of The Conversation Hour, we look at what measures need to be put in place to improve the safety of cyclists on our roads.Also in this edition, is it problematic for celebrities to put their name to weight loss products? What is the cumulative impact of grief on staff working in aged care? Plus,  we speak with one of the first female boundary umpires to umpire the men's AFL. 

Have you found yourself trying to chat to someone only to find they have their ear pods in? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore just how much ear pods are contributing to people feeling social isolation. Also in this edition, a big win for Softball Australia plus why the We Do Not Care Club is having an impact. 

We often hear about cat curfews and importance of keeping cats indoors for the damage they do to native wildlife -but have dogs been going a bit under the radar? Do they do just as much environmental damage? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore whether we need stronger laws about where dogs can and can't go.Also in this edition of The Conversation Hour, how can we make aged care settings more homely, new research from Australian scientists signal abrupt changes in Antarctica plus, do you remember the Reverse Garage shop?

Homophobia in sport has made the headlines today, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what role captains could play in changing the culture in sport. Also in this edition, how a Wimmera mechanic is making a difference to the lives of young people experiencing financial disadvantage, do we need to cut red tape around modular housing? And the significance of introducing female boundary umpires to the AFL men's game.

Parents often feel a bit conflicted when it comes to book week, of course it is great to promote reading, but the last minute dash to cobble together a costume can be a bit of a burdensome. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore what role book week really plays in encouraging young readers and if it is worth the pressure.Also in this edition, how to improve women's inclusion in the mining sector plus how viable is it to get rid of the little stickers on our fruit and vegetables?

From Taylor Swift's new album The Life of a Showgirl to Pamela Anderson's film The Last Showgirl, social media feeds have been awash with plumes of brightly coloured feathers and sparkly outfits, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask why the Showgirl is having a moment.Plus, we look at a VR work that captures the experiences and reflections of flood affected people, pay tribute to David Stratton and delve into the many and varied uses of pickle juice.

Australian NFL hopeful Archie Wilson broke down crying when the teen reflected on living away from his family in the US, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we explore the toll homesickness can have on young players. Plus, as the 10th season of AFLW kicks off — we look at the roles of sport fans in promoting gender equality.Plus, from a beauty brand  hiring an OnlyFans star to market one of their product lines to Pamela Anderson repping pickles — how do brand ambassadors work, how are they chosen and do they work?

The quality of meals in aged care are on the agenda today as Maggie Beer AO, champion of improving meals in aged care presents at the Press Club. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at whether food standards are improving in aged care and why it is such a critical element of aged care reform.Also in this edition, why some retailers are locking their doors during open hours, the lost art of bra fitters and a look at the First Nations fashions featured in Country to Couture.

It can be a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't when it comes to women returning to work after childbirth. Seven's AFL commentator Abbey Holmes was recently trolled after announcing she would be returning to work seven weeks after having a baby. So why does society judge, and what can the potential impact of that judgement be?Also in this edition, more Victorians died of drug overdoses last year compared to any other year in the past decade, according to findings from the Coroners Court of Victoria. We explore what role Naloxalone, a drug that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, could play in reducing these deaths.Plus, we also talk why cuts to US Scientific agencies could put Australia's long range weather forecasting at risk and a curious death notice that appeared in the paper today.

For some the local pool becomes a vital source of staying fit over winter but keeping the pool heated comes at an environmental cost, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the future of keeping aquatic centres running over the chillier months.Also in this edition, chat bots are increasingly be used by people with eating disorders, so when are they helpful and when are they harmful? We look at a new national training program that helps long day care services manage food allergies plus how concerned should we be about vitamin B6 in our energy drinks?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.   

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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. 

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?

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.  

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

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.

New data has revealed that birthrates in Melbourne are in decline, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we explore whether stigma around not having kids is also in decline or if attitudes, particularly towards women, remain somewhat judgy. Also in this edition,  the implications of reduced access to rural and regional courts, the power in sartorial soft diplomacy and what AI can tell us about animal behavour. 

A police messaging service called STOPIT that was set up to report harassment on Melbourne's public transport system has led to more than 60 arrests over the last 3 years, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we discuss what role it has played in capturing and preventing instances of unwanted sexual behaviour which could otherwise go unreported.Also in this edition, outback killer, Bardley John Murdoch has died in prison, he was sentenced to life for the murder of British backpacker Peter Falconio , in 2005, we revisit the case that inspired Wolf Creek.Plus, what does a day off alcohol mean for your health and preserving heritage listing and green spaces while increasing housing.

A new study by Birth Trauma Australia has found that women who struggled to get a diagnosis for their injuries were 2.4 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at how better to support women experiencing birth trauma.Also in this edition, we look at a new study that has revealed a third of young workers are exploited, plus after the accidental Federal Treasury document revelation, that the 1.2 million homes target would not be met, what will it mean for tackling housing affordability.

Later this year age-assurance technology will be introduced to internet search engines, to reduce children's exposure to harmful content, in this edition of the Conversation Hour we delve into what impact the changes may pose to privacy. Also in this edition we also explore why Melbourne rents are at record highs, and discuss what is the best ways to boost vaccination rates in Australia.Plus, some handy tips on how to reduce your wardrobe and stay stylish.