Lessons from the latest gender pay gap figures
On average, for every $1 a man earns, a woman earns 78 cents.
Mar 04, 2025•50 min
The Conversation Hour
Expect engaging discussions with real people and inspiring stories connecting communities across Victoria, on The Conversation Hour with Richelle Hunt and Jonathon Kendall.
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Episodes
Is the vape ban deterring young people?
In this episode we explore new data that has shown a promising reduction in young people vaping.
Mar 03, 2025•41 min
Would you listen to AI generated music?
A new album featuring the likes of Kate Bush, Annie Lennox and Damon Albarn has just been released. But there is no actual music on the album. "Is This What We Want?" is a protest album which represents the impact on musicians of having AI use their work. As concerns grow about artists rights in the face of AI we ask you what authenticity in music means to you. We also hear a new development in brain cancer treatment and later in the hour we ask you whether you would want to have coffee with you...
Feb 28, 2025•49 min
What role should male sporting identities play in improving gender equity in sport?
From Andrew Gaze to Kieren Perkins, we hear from some of Australia’s most influential sporting identities about what role men should play in combating sexism in sport. We also look at why there are concerns for the survival of the hooded plover seabird and hear about a freshly launched initiative that aids people in rural communities with allergies.
Feb 27, 2025•50 min
What is the psychological impact of a home invasion?
In this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the trauma associated with a home invasion and how we are best placed to manage the impact it can have. Also, as health apps increase in popularity we explore some research out of Flinders University that looks at where they are helpful and when they can be harmful. The new series of White Lotus has us ‘set jetting’ and why renting a frock for that do could be a better option than buying.
Feb 26, 2025•51 min
What does the Queen Vic Market mean to Melbourne?
The Queen Vic market is something of an institution in Melbourne and according to some functions as a type of social glue, beyond a place to get your fruit and veg – but as fruiters strike what would a Melbourne without the market look like? Also in this edition of The Conversation Hour we hear about a new resource launched by PANDA that seeks to support women from culturally diverse backgrounds experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression. And a list of the 100 highest paid athletes has been r...
Feb 25, 2025•51 min
What does high density housing mean for parking?
With new medium to high density apartments potentially being built in your area, are you worried that parking will get worse? In this edition of The Conversation Hour we delve into what density housing means for where you park. Plus we learn about the Council to Homeless Persons new blueprint for the Victorian Government to end homelessness. And we also examine what the role Pope Francis has played setting social values across the globe.
Feb 24, 2025•50 min
Why Victoria is scrapping the voluntary assisted dying "gag clause"
While VAD laws were introduced into Victoria in 2017 a so called 'gag clause' has prevented doctors from initiating conversation with their patients about the option of voluntary assisted dying, essentially the doctors could only discuss with their patient if the patient specifically asked them about it. This law however is now set to be lifted and Melbourne GP Dr Nick Carr joined Richelle Hunt to discuss the significance of this change. Also in this edition of the Conversation Hour we talk what...
Feb 21, 2025•50 min
Do curfews prevent cats from ending up in pounds?
Animal rescuers claim that new Victorian government cat management policies will result in an increase in the number of cats that are euthanized in pounds, in this edition of The Conversation we ask how effective have cat curfews been to mitigate the number of cats that do end up in pounds. Also, why are job seekers getting ghosted by recruiters and what does best practice look like when it comes to comprehensive gender affirming care.
Feb 20, 2025•52 min
Is fake fashionable?
As TikTok videos with the dupe hashtag have racked up nearly six billion views are we seeing the rise of dupe culture and just how tempted are you to buy cheaper brand copies? Also, in this edition of The Conversation Hour Richelle Hunt speaks to an architect who says retrofitting public housing towers in Melbourne a better option than knocking them down and rebuilding. Plus, as we hear news today about a Victorian woman taking Uber to Federal Court after drivers refused to pick her up on 32 occ...
Feb 19, 2025•52 min
Why are more families sending their kids to private schools?
In this edition of The Conversation we look at why families are going private over public and discuss the lengths parents are going to to get their children in non-government education. Also, a Victorian MP wants to lower the age that drivers get their P plates to 17, we speak with an accident researcher about why the age should stay at 18. Plus, should music and sport mix?
Feb 18, 2025•51 min
Does there need to be a greater focus on wellbeing in the police force?
In this edition of the Conversation Hour we look at the role of police leadership in creating a stronger sense of wellbeing in the force. Plus, a three month doping ban has been handed to tennis champion Jannik Sinner — and a number of big names in the tennis community have said that the ban is too lenient.
Feb 17, 2025•50 min
How much time do you spend travelling to work?
In this edition of The Conversation Hour Richelle Hunt looks at just how long our commute times to work are getting and what needs to happen to reduce that time. Also, the average age of performer at Glastonbury is 49, so, why is the demand for so called heritage acts so strong ?Plus, why we need to talk about the grief we feel when our children grow up.
Feb 14, 2025•52 min
Do we need social workers at train stations?
At train stations in Dandenong and Frankston social workers are helping disadvantaged Victorian connect with support service, in this edition of The Conversation we look at whether social worker rather than security guards is the solution in assisting our most vulnerable. We also discuss a new study from Monash University that looks that best way to create stronger connections between schools, families, and the broader community. Plus, how do we face sorting through our parents things after they...
Feb 13, 2025•51 min
Have you stopped reading books?
Do you find yourself looking at the pile of books on your nightstand wondering why they remain unread? Well, you are not alone. But the good news is behaviour scientists have been looking at the what the barriers to reading are and have come up with some strategies to get you reading again. Also, in this edition of The Conversation Hour, The federal government has said it will acquire Regional Express if it fails to find a buyer, so what does this mean for the health of regional aviation. And as...
Feb 12, 2025•51 min
How much do you understand about the food that ends up in your shopping trolley?
A new VicHealth survey has revealed that 3 in 5 consumers find it difficult to know if they can trust the health claims made on the foods they are buying, so how much will a government mandated health star rating help people make more informed choices in the super market aisle? Also, how much are sales of Tesla cars being impacted by public perceptions around Elon Musk? We also talk the importance of making music accessible in schools and how much Victorians are spending at their school canteens...
Feb 11, 2025•50 min
What happened to Chapel Street?
It was once a glamorous shopping destination, but these days it's largely associated with crime. So, what went wrong, and will we ever see the return of Chapel as a key fashion hot spot in Melbourne? Also, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk investment in women's health and Super Bowl fever.
Feb 10, 2025•50 min
Does sex education in schools need a refresh?
A new study from Edith Cowan University reveals teens think their sex education classes need a greater focus on relationships, so what needs to happen to improve sex education in schools?We also look at the recent restrictions to paracetamol in supermarkets and pharmacies — and how far these measures will go in reducing harm. Plus, a lot has been said and written about Bianca Censori's Grammy dress, so we ask you who determines what you wear.
Feb 07, 2025•50 min
Begging is still a crime in Victoria , but should it be?
The Lord Mayor is targeting begging around the city and is allocating additional resources to minimise public disturbance. Begging is still a crime in Victoria — but when begging is symptomatic of disadvantage is it time to change the laws? Also, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at worrying trend of stolen meat being resold on the street and the rise of opioid use.
Feb 06, 2025•51 min
Will private security guards create a safer in the city?
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece has announced that he will be trialling private security guards to target alcohol consumption and begging in the streets of Melbourne to minimise public disturbance, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether this will be an effective measure and if a more holistic approach is required. Also, in this edition, we look whether apartment living is conducive to families, what Ozempic shortages mean for people with diabetes and unpack what Trump means when he sa...
Feb 05, 2025•50 min
Are periods a barrier to playing sport?
In this edition of The Conversation Hour we talk how to better support young women and girls who experience period anxiety in sport. Plus, if you caught American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan's Grammy acceptance speech you would have heard her plea for artists to be offered a liveable wage — so how viable would that be in Australia? Also, we explore a new immersive exhibition that takes it's participates through the experience of a bushfire.
Feb 04, 2025•49 min
Do you feel pressure to buy your kids a house?
As the latest house price figures from CoreLogic were released today, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we speak with a sociologist about the rise and rise of the bank of mum and dad. Also, with the announcement that Philadelphia is tipped to play Los Angeles at the MCG in October next year we explore what underpins the increasing popularity of NFL in Australia. And we get all the latest from the Grammys red carpet.
Feb 03, 2025•42 min
Is there still stigma around older women dating younger men?
With the launch of Babygirl in cinemas this week we take your calls on what it means to be a woman in a relationship with a younger man. Also, as Botox becomes increasingly accessible we ask what safeguards need to be put in place to protect against the harms of the substance. And in the wake of the devastating collision between an aircraft and army helicopter in Washington DC we speak with an airline captain about what systems are in place to prevent collisions and what happens now to ensure fu...
Jan 31, 2025•48 min
Why Lithium batteries fueled fires are particularly difficult to extinguish
As firefighters battle a fire at a Melbourne warehouse, fuelled by lithium-ion batteries, we speak with a forensic fire investigator about what made it a particularly difficult fire to fight. There has also been a fire at in the wetlands of Altona, we also ask how it is a wetland burns. Plus, as the world's most dangerous airlines are named — we get the inside word from a former airline captain on how legitimate the ratings are and what impact they may have on consumer behaviour. And we also tal...
Jan 30, 2025•49 min
Are teachers carrying parental load?
As school returns for another year is there a rising pressure and tension between teachers and parents?-Are teachers now pseudo parents taking responsibly for conversations around important issues like the dangers of vaping or bullying for example? Also, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we also look at where things are at with genetic testing protections. Late last year the Federal Government announced it would ban life insurers from using genetic tests but health groups say they are sti...
Jan 29, 2025•47 min
Why are young people playing the pokies?
When you think of who might play pokies young people probably would not spring to mind and yet a recent study has shown that 18-24 year olds are the largest demographic of pokie players in Victoria. So, what underpins this troubling trend and how do we better educate young people about the harms of gambling? Plus, as bushfires burn in Victoria's west we look at the devastating impact on business, tourism and the local wildlife.
Jan 28, 2025•36 min
Are we done with tanning?
A year ago professors Georgina Long AO and Richard Scolyer AO from the Melanoma Institute Australia were named joint Australians of the Year so, one year on, just how far have we in changing attitudes to tanning and preventing one of the most preventable cancers? Plus, as school holidays draw to an end, how much time have your kids spent on the online gaming platform Roblox? Recent research suggests it could be 137 minutes and there are concerns about what young people are exposed to there. We a...
Jan 27, 2025•47 min
Police at Pride: a complex history
For the first time in 22 years the Victoria Police will not participate in the Midsumma Pride March, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at the history and significance of police involvement at Pride. Plus, Micheal Hutchence would have turned 65 this week, so what made him just so iconic? And in the wake of major global events, such as the fires in LA, we explore the psychology of survivor guilt and how to overcome it. And we get you all the latest from the tennis.
Jan 23, 2025•52 min
Should we ban cars around schools?
New research reveals that a quarter of drivers admit to speeding through school zones because they didn't notice the signs. In this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether it is time to consider banning cars around a certain radius of schools. Also, community and industry leaders in Cairns are pushing for a tourism tax to visit some of Queensland's more popular tourist destinations, we look at why a tax is necessary and what role it could play in mitigating the impact of over tourism. Pl...
Jan 22, 2025•51 min
Is it time to build a bigger garage?
As Australia's love affair with big cars continues, how are we best placed to tackle on street parking congestion? Well, South Australia has proposed changes to planning legislation that would force developers to provide larger garages, so, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we ask whether we should we be doing the same in Victoria. Plus, President Trump has stated in his inauguration speech that it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders...
Jan 21, 2025•49 min
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