Life Matters - Separate stories podcast ABC Radio

Your brother and sister-in-law have a very laid back parenting style and although your niece and nephew are lovely they get away with murder. Your two children idolise their older cousins but you and your husband are left to supervise and control every interaction. How do you hand back the reins and tactfully tell the parents to step it up?

The saying goes that a true friend, is for life. But what happens when you have a disagreement or a falling out with a close friend? How far do you go to restore and maintain that relationship? We hear your stories of the ups and downs in your relationships with close friends.

Saving the Great Barrier Reef can seem like a herculean task and it's something that can only happen if we're able to solve the global climate crisis. But ecologists say that restoring coastal wetlands can do a lot to give the reef the best chance of surviving, and landowners in Queensland are taking it into their own hands to make that happen, including third generation cane-farmer Len Parisi.

Objects we hold close to our hearts take on their own meaning, regardless of what form or shape they are. Monique Kurdian's precious object is small enough to fit in the palm of her hand - she calls this story 'The Fire Horse'.

When menopause hit Alison Daddo, the severity of her symptoms caught her completely unawares. She became exhausted, depressed and her relationship hit rock bottom. But, with the right support, Alison says she got through it, and came out the other end "awakened". She is now healthier, happier, able to "not give a crap" about the small things and better able to care for herself. Life Matters discusses what could make menopause a positive and empowering experience for you.

During lockdowns, did your diet suffer at all? More takeaway? Sugary drinks, more junk food? This was a common story and the effects on our mental health are now starting to be understood.