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The Penis Project Podcast: Breaking Taboos in Men’s Sexual Health

The Penis Project Podcast: Breaking Taboos in Men’s Sexual Health

By: Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett
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 With over 219,000 streams and nearly 200 episodes, The Penis Project Podcast—hosted by Australian Nurse Practitioner and Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett —offers groundbreaking conversations about men’s sexual health. Launched in 2020 by Melissa and physiotherapist Jo Milios, the podcast combines expert knowledge, scientific insights, and interviews with her patients and their partners to address sensitive topics men often struggle to discuss, including erectile dysfunction, prostate and bladder cancer recovery, Peyronie’s disease, premature ejaculation and intimacy in relationships. Melissa, who refers to herself as the ”Unexpected Sexologist,” brings decades of clinical experience and compassion to every episode, highlighting that sexual wellbeing involves both physical and emotional health. Join this global community in breaking down stigma, finding support, and accessing practical solutions to common yet overlooked men’s health issues. Available on all major podcast platforms, with new episodes every fortnight—start listening today.Copyright 2020 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • 211 - Talking About Sex Shouldn’t Be Taboo – A Global Perspective with Sangeeth Sebastian

    211 - Talking About Sex Shouldn’t Be Taboo – A Global Perspective with Sangeeth Sebastian
    Dec 30 2025
    In this special episode of The Penis Project Podcast, the tables are turned — and Melissa Hadley Barrett is the one being interviewed! Joining her is Sangeeth Sebastian, a journalist and sexuality writer from Kerala, India, and the founder of VVOX — a groundbreaking platform with a mission to make accurate, science-based sexual and mental health knowledge accessible to everyone and end sexual shame. With nearly two decades in journalism, Sangeeth brings empathy and investigative depth to the conversation as he and Melissa explore everything from erectile dysfunction and Peyronies disease to libido, body image, and the silence surrounding sexual pain. Together they unpack why shame remains one of the biggest barriers to intimacy, how open communication can transform relationships, and what it means to create a culture of curiosity over judgment. In This Episode, We Cover: Sangeeth’s journey from award-winning journalist in Kerala to sexuality educator and founder of VVOX Why he launched VVOX and how its helping people unlearn sexual shame Melissa’s insights into men’s sexual health — erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, Peyronie’s disease, and post-cancer recovery The social and cultural roots of shame around sex How misinformation affects both men’s and women’s confidence and pleasure The importance of empathy, language, and education in sexual healing What it takes to build a healthier, shame-free global conversation around sex Key Takeaways: Shame is cultural — but it can be unlearned through education and open dialogue. Science and compassion together heal more than medicine alone. Sexual health is human health: it affects confidence, connection, and quality of life. True intimacy grows from honesty, curiosity, and mutual respect. Access to accurate information is the foundation of sexual freedom. About Sangeeth Sebastian: Hailing from Kerala, India, Sangeeth Sebastian is the founder of VVOX (pronounced we-vox), a platform dedicated to ending sexual shame by making reliable, evidence-based education about sexuality and mental health available to everyone. With nearly 20 years of experience as a journalist, he has worked with major Indian media houses including The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and India Today Group. An award-winning sexuality writer and DAAD researcher, his work has been recognised internationally and featured in outlets such as BBC, The Guardian, AFP, Channel 4 UK, and The Daily Mail. Sangeeth also received the Likho Award for Excellence from the Humsafar Trust for fair and inclusive LGBTQ+ representation in media. Learn more about VVOX: https://www.youtube.com/@vvoxIndia www.vvox.in Resources & Links: Book a telehealth consult with our sexual health nurse practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic For more information check out our websites www.rshealth.com.au , www.makehardeasy.com.au and www.melissahadleybarrett.com Listen & Subscribe If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Your feedback helps us continue bringing important conversations to light. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. Connect With Us We love hearing from real people, navigating penile health. If you’d like to share your journey or ask a question, get in touch. Email: admin@rshealth.com.au Websites: https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders https://makehardeasy.com.au https://melissahadleybarrett.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissahadleybarrett TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/ TEDX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA
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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • 210: Merry Christmas and wrap up for 2025

    210: Merry Christmas and wrap up for 2025
    Dec 16 2025

    In this special Christmas edition of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa is joined by members of the Restorative Health Clinic team for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt look back at the year that was.

    From awkward inbox messages and clinic mishaps to deeply meaningful patient moments, the team reflects on what it’s really like working in men’s sexual health — a space where humour, vulnerability, trust, and life-changing conversations collide every day.

    This episode is part thank-you, part behind-the-scenes, and part reminder that sexual health work is serious — but laughter matters too.

    Key Takeaways

    • Men’s sexual health is about much more than erections — it’s about confidence, connection, and quality of life
    • Trust takes time, but once it’s built, men open up in powerful ways
    • Porn has skewed expectations — most penises are completely normal
    • You don’t need to have a penis to understand men’s sexual health — listening matters more
    • A good clinic culture blends professionalism, compassion… and humour

    Clinic Updates & Announcements

    • New clinic location: Icon Cancer Centre, Midland
    • Expanded support for men post-radiation (prostate, bladder, colorectal cancer)
    • Telehealth services now supporting rural, remote, interstate, and overseas patients
    • Upcoming training & conferences:
    • International Society of Sexual Medicine (Porto, Portugal)
    • Advanced Botox training for penile health applications

    Christmas closure:

    19th December- 12th January

    Resources & Links:

    • Book a telehealth consult with our sexual health nurse practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic
    • For more information check out our websites www.rshealth.com.au , www.makehardeasy.com.au and www.melissahadleybarrett.com

    Listen & Subscribe

    • If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Your feedback helps us continue bringing important conversations to light. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app.

    Connect With Us

    We love hearing from real people, navigating penile health. If you’d like to share your journey or ask a question, get in touch. Email: admin@rshealth.com.au

    Websites:

    https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders

    https://makehardeasy.com.au

    https://melissahadleybarrett.com

    Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/

    https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissahadleybarrett

    TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett

    Facebook:

    https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/

    https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814

    Linkedin:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/

    TEDX:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA

    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • 209: Unhooked - Mindfulness, Porn Addiction & Reclaiming Intimacy with Jeremy Lipkowitz

    209: Unhooked - Mindfulness, Porn Addiction & Reclaiming Intimacy with Jeremy Lipkowitz
    Dec 2 2025
    In this deeply insightful episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett sits down with Jeremy Lipkowitz — a former Buddhist monk turned mindfulness teacher and men’s recovery coach — to explore how compulsive behaviours like porn addiction can quietly undermine men’s sexual health, relationships, and sense of self. Jeremy shares his personal journey from genetics research at Duke University to living as a monk, and how mindfulness, neuroscience, and self-compassion became the tools that helped him (and now others) break free from addiction. Together, Melissa and Jeremy unpack the neuroscience of porn use, its impact on intimacy and erectile function, and how men can rewire their brains to rediscover genuine connection and confidence. In This Episode, We Cover: Jeremy’s unique path from scientist to monk to men’s recovery coach How porn addiction develops — and why it’s often hard to recognise early The neuroscience of addiction: dopamine, neuroplasticity, and “amygdala hijack” How compulsive porn use impacts erectile function, libido, and intimacy The truth about porn, body image, and unrealistic sexual expectations The role of mindfulness and meditation in rewiring the brain and regaining control How to “urge surf” — using 90 seconds of awareness instead of autopilot The power of community and accountability in creating lasting change How mindfulness helps men face emotions rather than escape them Key Takeaways: Addiction isn’t about weakness — it’s about avoiding uncomfortable emotions. Porn rewires the brain to crave novelty, dulling connection and satisfaction in real life. Mindfulness builds awareness and self-control, allowing men to choose consciously rather than react automatically. Healing comes through connection, compassion, and understanding — not shame. You don’t have to be perfect to make progress; awareness is the first step to change. About Jeremy Lipkowitz: Jeremy is a certified mindfulness and emotional intelligence teacher, former Buddhist monk, and founder of Unhooked Academy — a global community helping men break free from compulsive behaviours and build discipline, purpose, and fulfilling relationships. He also hosts the Unhooked Podcast, where he interviews experts and shares practical tools for self-mastery and recovery. Learn more: www.UnhookedAcademy.com Follow Jeremy: @jeremylipkowitz Listen to his podcast: Search “Unhooked” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz Resources & Links: Book a telehealth consult with our sexual health nurse practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic For more information check out our websites www.rshealth.com.au , www.makehardeasy.com.au and www.melissahadleybarrett.com Listen & Subscribe If you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Your feedback helps us continue bringing important conversations to light. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. Connect With Us We love hearing from real people, navigating penile health. If you’d like to share your journey or ask a question, get in touch. Email: admin@rshealth.com.au Websites: https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders https://makehardeasy.com.au https://melissahadleybarrett.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/ https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@melissahadleybarrett TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/ TEDX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjHj1YTmLoA
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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