Screens: Should parents worry about kids screentime?

Excessive screen time is parents’ number one child health concern. But should they be so concerned? Let’s check the research. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler exceeds the screentime guidelines to chat with experts Anthea Rhodes, Taren Sanders and Luci Pangrazio to find out whethe…

Screens: Is social media bad for mental health?

From girl dinner to fitspiration, there’s no escaping social media – its memes and hashtags - for today’s teens and young people. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler does some mindless scrolling. They also DM experts Associate Professor Ivanka Pritchard, Dr Danielle Einstein, Associa…

Screens: Is the rise of streaming platforms making us watch more?

Streaming has changed everything in television and movies, offering us more choice than ever before, even more than titles available at the local video store. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler tracks down one of the last video rentals in the country, and then fast forwards to exper…

Screens: Does playing video games lead to violence?

Why is it that so many video games have violent content. And what is it about violent video games that makes them so popular? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler levels up by speaking with experts Associate Professor Michael Kasumovic, Associate Professor Jim Sauer and Dr Aaron Drumm…

Vices: Is there a safe limit of alcohol you can drink?

For a lot of people, alcohol is associated with partying, celebrating and an all-round good time. But does this social lubricant have its downsides? Is there any truth to the idea that a little bit of alcohol is actually good for you? Or is there no safe limit at all? In this episode, Cosmos jour…

Vices: Should you avoid sugar?

Many of us love the sweet pleasure that comes with sugar. It brings joy to our taste buds in desserts, soft drinks and fruits. But could sugary goodness be doing harm to our bodies? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock gets her bake on to investigate the science of sugar. Joined by Dr F…

Vices: Is vaping better for you than cigarettes?

We all know that cigarettes are bad for our health. But now they’re old news - it’s flavoured puffs of white smoke that are on our minds instead. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock puts her investigation hat on to find out what the science is on vaping. Joined by Professor Simon Chapm…

Vices: Is coffee good or bad for you?

There’s not many of us who don’t wake up to a coffee or tea in the morning. But is this little ritual a good or bad thing for our collective health? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock stocks up on caffeine to find out. Joined by Dr Crystal Yates and Kitty Pham, as well as the fantastic…

BONUS EPISODE: An interview with Professor Jim McLennan

While the Cosmos office takes a short summer break, we’ve got some bonus summer listening for you. This episode is the full interview Imma Perfetto did with Professor Jim McLennan, an adjunct at La Trobe University. A former psychologist, Jim has been involved in bushfire safety for decades. He r…

Bushfires: Has Australia always had fires this bad?

Fire is a part of our history, and it will be a part of our future no matter how much more carbon gets into the atmosphere. But have we always had bushfires as bad as we’re seeing now? Are the fires truly unprecedented? And are they going to get worse? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Imma Perf…