Do you struggle to get your children’s attention when they’re captivated by a smartphone or tablet? Technology can be all-consuming but could we use social media for good rather than evil? Sarah Howells explores the realm of social marketing with Professor Rebekah Russell-Bennett from QUT Business School's School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations and her daughter, Charlotte. Continue reading

Having one of those weeks where you're too busy to keep across the news of the week? Well fear not, the Evenings poet-extrordinaire is here to save the day. Daniel Viles joins Peter Scott with a poetic take on the week's events. Continue reading

Every Thursday on Evenings, we like to feast on the big and not-so-big news stories of the week. Peter Scott's Eat the Week guests are: Amy Remeikis, Brisbane Times Political Reporter Everald Compton, seniors advocate, Chairman of the Longevity Forum and author (new book Flynn: The Man on the Twenty Dollar Notes) John Stainton, Manager of Eat Street Markets and documentary producer. Continue reading

Big news for netball and great news for women's sport in Australia today. Netball Australia has announced a new eight team national competition as well as a prime-time broadcasting deal. What does this mean for the future of the sport? Peter Scott speaks with Australian netball great, Liz Ellis. Continue reading

Do you know the best approach to managing a muscle injury? Should you apply ice or heat? How often should you do stretches? How long does it take to recovery from injuries? Peter Scott speaks with Paul Trevethan, Principal Physiotherapist at the Body Leadership Australia Team, about the best way to get back on track after a significant injury. Continue reading

Artificial intelligence (AI) was once the realm of science fiction but technological advances have quickly brought AI into our everyday lives. Could AI help to improve our health outcomes? A team of Queensland researchers has created a chatbot phone application to help people with neurological disorders. Peter Scott speaks with two of the researchers who helped to create HARLIE. Guests: Dr Jacki Liddle, Quality of Life Researcher and Occupational Therapist at the University of Queensland. She also works at the Queensland Brain Institute, Dr David Ireland, Electronic Engineer and Research Scientist at the Australian E-Health Research Centre, CSIRO. (Photo source:... Continue reading

Many Australians have made the annual pilgrimage to Turkey to commemorate ANZAC Day. But this afternoon Kelly Higgins-Devine explores the country of Turkey beyond the shores of Gallipoli. What's the history of Turkey? Given the country's strategic position, what role does it play in current global affairs? Kelly Higgins-Devine looks at these issues and also gets a taste of Turkish cuisine. Guests: Dr David Tittensor from Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Nancy Knudsen, author of Accidentally Istanbul and Victor Ulrich (head chef) and Susan Gencerler (restaurant owner), Ahmets Turkish Restaurant. Continue reading

Could virtual reality be the new norm? It might sound like the domain of gamers or something from a movie but virtual reality could soon be a real tool in of trade across many mainstream industries. Queensland researchers are playing a key role in bridging the gap between the virtual and the real worlds. They're helping to create practical uses for virtual technology. Kelly Higgins-Devine steps into the real world of virtual reality with guests: Gavin Winter, Visualisation and eResearch Manager from QUT's Institute of Future Environments, Dr Daniel Dagge, Brisbane psychiatrist, Professor Lauren Buys, QUT's Institute of Future Environments. Continue reading

Your weekly wrap of the world's news with Stephanie Smail from ABC News and Sarah Motherwell from AAP. Continue reading

Do you classify yourself as a foodie? Do you salivate at the thought of good gourmet burger? Or do you find yourself glued to television cooking shows each night? If you're guilty of sharing photos of your meals on social media then my next guest wants to hear from you. Katherine Kirkwood is studying your hunger for food... well, food porn to be exact, as part of her PhD. David Curnow speaks to Katherine Kirkwood about her PhD, 'Constructing the Everyday Foodie'. Continue reading

If you want to work in the music industry, it helps to stand out. When Jenny Valentish was sixteen, she started her own zine, called Slapper: The Groupie's Guide to Gropable Bands. The title, and Jenny's talent, did the trick, and she's been writing about music ever since. Jenny Valentish is in town for the Rock and Roll Writers Festival and she caught up with David Curnow. Continue reading

He co-founded Cold Chisel, and wrote some of Australia's most iconic songs including Khe Sahn, Cheap Wine and Flame Trees. But Don Walker has also had major success in his post-Chisel career, both under his own name and with the likes of Tex Perkins and Charlie Owen. What’s next for this classic Aussie rocker? David Curnow chats with Don Walker ahead of his appearance at the Rock and Roll Writers Festival in Brisbane. Continue reading

Do you have an adventurous spirit? Have you ever travelled alone? To some people, the thought of packing up all their worldly possessions to head off on a solo adventure might be frightening. To others it might sound very appealing! Kelly Higgins-Devine meets two women who decided to do just that. Sarah Marquis and Hannah Meyer share the challenges and the joys of travelling the world alone. (Photo source: sarah-marquis.squarespace.com) Continue reading

The career of singer-songwriter Jackson Browne spans five decades. He's released nineteen albums and penned hits including These Days, Running On Empty and Somebody's Baby. Jackson Browne's work transcends the music industry, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is also a passionate advocate for social justice and environmental change. Kelly Higgins-Devine and her Friday Countdown co-host, Sean Sennett, take a musical trip down memory lane with special guest, Jackson Browne. Continue reading

Have you ever explored your family history? Perhaps you've always wondered how to delve into the past to learn about your ancestry. Where do you start? David Curnow puts that question to Stephanie Ryan, Senior Librarian in Family History at the State Library of Queensland. Continue reading

You might add a pinch of salt to your dinner each night but how much salt is already in the food we eat? David Curnow speaks with Deanne Wooden from the Heart Foundation as part of World Salt Awareness Week. How do we reduce our intake and avoid the hidden salt in the food we love to eat? Continue reading

When you think of 'war veterans', how often do women spring to mind? The Queensland branch of the Returned & Services League (RSL) has put out a call to action for women veterans. They’ll be placing the spotlight on female veterans at the inaugural Women Veterans Symposium in Brisbane this week. Kelly Higgins-Devine explores the challenges facing ex-servicewomen and some of the support options available. Guests: Janice Johnson, Director of Psychology at Mates4Mates; Darlene Brown, ex-servicewoman who suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after overseas deployment; Miriam Dwyer, Chief Executive Officer of the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation at the Greenslopes... Continue reading

When you start thinking about the universe, you begin to realise just how tiny we are on planet earth Researchers from around the world have gathered at the University of Queensland to share their insights at the 5th Women in Astronomy Workshop. Kelly Higgins-Devine discusses some of the fascinating discoveries and exciting research underway with three women passionate about the fields of astronomy and astrophysics. Guests: Doctor Lisa Harvey-Smith, an astronomer at the CSIRO in Sydney. She studies the birth and death of stars in our Galaxy using some of the world's largest radio telescopes; Professor Tamara Davis, a prize-winning... Continue reading

How much money do you need to live on each day? Could you survive on $18 a day? That's what the average Salvation Army client lives on to cover costs of groceries, power bills, clothing and medical bills. The Salvos are running a campaign with a difference to help raise funds for those in need. The "Be a Souperhero" challenge kicks off on Saturday 25th July and our own Kelly Higgins-Devine is taking part. For one week, Kelly will be eating nothing but soup for every meal (including breakfast) and she'd love your help. To donate to Kelly's Souperhero challenge:... Continue reading

Do schoolyard bullies grow into adult bullies? How can we break the cycle of violence and help steer children towards a positive future? These are some of the issues on the agenda at the 'Youth Violence: Cutting to the Core' conference being held at Griffith University this week. Kelly Higgins-Devine chats with key speakers from the conference. Guests: Dorothy Espelage, Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Illinois; Professor Dell Elliott, Research Professor in the Institute of Behavioural Science at the University of Colorado; Leilani Darwin, Headspace project worker with a focus on the mental health and wellbeing... Continue reading

At what point do we hit middle age? Are some people more likely than others to have a mid-life crisis? On Afternoons, Kelly Higgins-Devine explores the modern age mid-life crisis. Guests: Meredeth Trotta, who blogs as M. Blazoned Dr Peter O'Connor, psychologist and author of “Understanding the MidLife Crisis” Robyn Vickers-Willis, psychologist and author of "Navigating Midlife: Women becoming themselves". Continue reading

Are you a diligent recycler? Do you regularly lift the yellow lid of the recycling bin? Do you know the best way to dispose of your old phones? On Afternoons, Kelly Higgins-Devine rolls up her sleeves and delves into household recycling. Guests: E-waste: Carmel Dollison, CEO of the Australia and New Zealand Recycling Platform; Recycling myth-busting: Brad Gray, Head of Campaigns at Planet Ark; Reuse of unwanted goods: Dr James Bradfield Moody, CEO of TuShare (www.tushare.com). Recycling websites: www.techcollect.com.au www.recyclingnearyou.com.au www.mobilemuster.com.au Continue reading

Local Musician Nik Phillips has been singing and writing songs for 30 years. Now he's singing a different tune in China and it seems he's hit the right note. He talks with David Curnow about his latest venture. Continue reading

Weather is always a topic of conversation. In fact it's the main topic at the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society Conference underway this week. How do forecasters communicate their knowledge without sending us into a panic? Kelly Higgins-Devine asks the experts. Guests: David Schultz, professor of Synoptic Meteorology at the University of Manchester Joe Courtney and Adam Morgan from the Bureau of Meteorology Sonya Fiddes from the University of Melbourne Blair Trewin, climatologist from the Bureau of Meteorology. Continue reading

Osteoporosis is a condition which affects both women and men. But what causes it and how do you know if you're at risk? Kelly Higgins-Devine explores the potential causes and treatment available for osteoporosis this afternoon. Guests: Dr Greg Lyubomirsky, CEO of Osteoporosis Australia Associate Professor Belinda Beck from Griffith University Lisa Weis, competitive weightlifter Sue Salta, osteoporosis study participant. Continue reading