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While casual socialising, without a particular productive purpose, is supposedly on the decline, loneliness is on the rise. What are the causes of our diminishing 'social fitness' and how do we reclaim the lost art of the hang out. And why do some fruits become part of a country's food culture, while others fall by the wayside?

With the relatively recent rise of dating apps, the world of romance can feel quite foreign to anyone looking for love after the end of a long relationship. Hilary Harper answers questions about what she learnt while documenting and sharing her own foray into the world of online dating after 50 in the audio series — Dated.  And in Ask Aunty, should a brother be expected to host his nephew during an international trip?

Dassi Erlich shares how she found the courage to speak out, even as her community did everything it could to silence her, and how she and her two sisters built a formidable community coalition to see justice served. And Dr Kate Luckins found that there is a way to "do green" that doesn’t just help the planet, but also brings mental relief, joy and cost savings.

The same tools that have given us the flexibility to work from anywhere at any time, also mean that we can feel like we're expected to work from anywhere at any time. What will the right to disconnect, recently introduced by the federal government, mean for the way we work? And in the final episode of Dated, we meet Gene and consider what happily ever after looks like when we're dating in older age.

Asbestos-contaminated mulch has been discovered at dozens of sites across Sydney and NSW. How much of a risk is this contamination? And how could it have happened in the first place? And in part four of Dated, Hilary takes a hard look in the mirror and considers her relationship with her body and sexuality.

When Annabel Abbs-Streets found herself in the midst of chronic insomnia, she began to explore the mystery of the 'night brain' and found a wondrous world of people she now calls her 'night spinners'. And in part 3 of Dated, Hilary goes on her first first-date and finds the goods are not quite what was advertised.

Whether it's living an unhealthy lifestyle, an unsatisfying job, or some other aspect of your life, being in a rut can be a difficult experience. Dr Amantha Imber provides some helpful tips on getting yourself back on track. Plus on Ask Aunty with Reuben Kaye and Nelly Thomas: what to do when the man screaming at your colleagues on bin night happens to be your relative.

By 2050, superbugs are predicted to become the second biggest cause of human death, after heart disease. Could a new treatment, developed by Australian researchers, provide a cure? Plus part 2 of Dated sees Hilary navigating a changed dating scene, which has moved from pubs and parties to the online space.

Many older people are coming out of long relationships, and having to learn about dating apps. Hilary Harper is one of them! How do you pick up the pieces and work out when you're emotionally ready to resume the quest for love? How do you figure out what you want? In our 40s and beyond, our priorities around relationships shift. In the first instalment of our five-part series, Dated: Love Online After 50, Hilary sets the scene, letting us know what she's weathered and how her heart got to a place where she might be able to put herself out there again. Plus, many argue for the benefits of single-sex schools, but what does the evidence show? 

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has just introduced new regulations to protect customers experiencing financial hardship, but many consumer groups argue the protections governing phone and internet consumers need to be beefed up beyond the changes being proposed by the industry. And, as Taylor Swift begins her Australian tour, how has fan culture changed since The Beatles visited our shores 6 decades ago?

Cultural historian Witold Rybczynksi says deciding how to use our free time has been complicated since the start of human history. So what can we learn from our ancestors' approach to time off? And a growing movement that invites you to consider how you want to transition to old age, and how you want to spend the last years of your life.

When a big chapter in your life ends, it can be hard to accept. But it can also mean that a new beginning is just around the corner. So why not mark the end of this time with a ritual celebration? Plus Ask Aunty looks at how to deal with a boarded who isn't paying board.