Wellbeing

In this episode, we speak with Oliver Christen, author of As She Chose: A Conscious End to a Life Well Lived. Oliver shares the deeply personal story behind his book, which chronicles his mother's decision to approach the end of her life with dignity, intention, and presence. Drawing on his experiences as a son, traveller, entrepreneur, and student of meditation, Oliver explores themes of choice, mortality, spirituality, family, an...

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Jay Horvat from the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) to discuss why lung health is fundamental to overall wellbeing and how emerging research is uncovering surprising new influences on respiratory disease.

Professor Horvat explains the challenges faced by Australians living with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and particularly ...

GLP-1 receptor agonists have become some of the most talked-about medications in recent years. You may have heard names such as liraglutide, semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). These treatments have attracted attention because they can significantly reduce appetite and support weight loss while also helping to manage blood glucose levels.

The breakthrough came when researchers developed long-acting ve...

This week on Wellbeing, we welcome Renée McDonald, counsellor, psychotherapist, coach and spiritual mentor. With more than 20 years’ experience helping people navigate life’s challenges, Renée shares her insights on spirituality, personal growth, resilience and finding meaning in a busy world. We explore the connection between emotional wellbeing and spiritual wellbeing, how to reconnect with your authentic self, and pr...

Professor Andrew Bailey emphasises that leisure is not simply time off or entertainment, it is an important contributor to mental, emotional and social health.

In this edition we'll hear that:

• Meaningful leisure activities help people recover from stress and improve ov...

Professor Kelvin Kong advocates strongly for improving the health, hearing, education and life opportunities of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, especially through early detection and treatment of ear disease.

As an Indigenous surgeon and a proud Worimi man, he has focused much of his work on chronic ear infections (otitis media or "glue ear"),...

On this edition, Guy Murphy talks to Dr Heidi Janssen (lead in the ESTEEM After Stroke Recovery Program), Jen Murrell (a dance instructor in the program) and Ann Angel (a participant in the program).

ESTEEM stands for Exercising, Socialising and Thinking: an

Today, Guy Murphy talks to Professor Adele Bianco of l’Università degli Studi Gabriele d’Annunzio Italy. They cover sociological topics such as anxiety, mistrust and mental health in modern society.

Professor Bianco's research shows that anxiety in modern society is not just an individual problem—it is a systemic outcome of economic structures, technological change, and global uncertainty.

"Wellbeing is never only...

Taking time to rest, reflect, and recharge is essential for building the resilience needed to show up fully for your work, your relationships, and your life. That’s the focus of this edition of Wellbeing. Self-care a core part of staying healthy, and it only works properly when both individuals and workplaces take responsibility.

Dr Shaun Prentice is a...

Dr Christine Aus is a Newcastle-based GP with expertise in travel medicine through clinics like Chromis Occupational Medicine. She provides tailored pre-travel consultations, vaccinations (including yellow fever), and advice on disease prevention, such as malaria. Her work also includes post-travel care, helping diagnose and manage illness after trips, ensuring travellers are medically prepared before departure and supported on ret...

Denis Stewart is widely recognised as the Godfather of Australian Herbalism—a pivotal figure in the modern development of herbal medicine in Australia. His influence spans more than five decades of clinical practice, education, and advocacy in natural therapies.

Stewart’s journey in...

Stevie Amos Burke is a researcher and writer whose work explores grief, emotional regulation, and human resilience. He is the creator of the R.E.A.L.™ Framework, an education-safe, non-clinical model that helps people process emotion and make clearer decisions under pressure. His research bridges psychology, neuroscience, and lived experience to make complex ideas practical and access...

Dr. John Elfers, a core faculty member in the Transpersonal Studies program at Sofia University (formerly the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) — has been a key researcher in exploring how grief and gratitude intersect, especially within a transpersonal (beyond the ordinary self) psychological framework. His work, often in collaboration with Dr. Patty Hlava and others, suggests tha...

On this edition, we'll hear how bacteria work and move substances in and out of their cells, and how scientists understand how microbes behave together in the microbiome and affect human health.

Ben Hipwell is a researcher (PhD candidate) in the bacterial regulation and transport lab at the University of Newcastle, working under Dr Karl Hassan. His research investigates Read more