In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast , we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Justin Lehmiller, a renowned research fellow at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University and one of the leading voices in the field of human sexuality. Dr. Lehmiller, author of Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Sex Life and The Psychology of Human Sexuality , shares groundbreaking insights into the fascinating world of sexual fantasies and desire. Dr. Lehmiller di...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min•Ep. 186
In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Nazanin licensed clinical psychologist specializing in addictions, eating disorders, sexual health, and mental wellness. She is also the host of the renowned Sexology podcast, which boasts over 400 episodes exploring various facets of intimacy and relationships. Together, we delve into one of the most common challenges faced in long-term relationships: reigniting passion and navigating mismatched desires. We discuss how to move from “roommates” to ...
Dec 11, 2024•43 min•Ep. 185
In this episode, Melissa and Shane dive deep into health topics encountered by Shane, including personal experiences with prostate cancer, low testosterone, and hormone replacement therapy. They cover: Health Management and Responsibility The significance of individual responsibility in monitoring and managing personal health. Exploring the role of hormone levels in cell regeneration and cancer development, with Melissa sharing a study on how low testosterone might increase the risk of high-grad...
Nov 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 184
In this episode, Melissa welcomes Richard, a 71-year-old gay man, who shares his journey through prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, offering an honest look into the physical, emotional, and relational changes that come with it from the perspective of a gay man. Key topics include: Prostate Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Richard’s decision to opt for robotic prostate surgery over radiotherapy and the recovery process that followed. Reflections on his initial fears, including conc...
Nov 12, 2024•36 min•Ep. 183
Recently Kate and I attended this conference in Brazil. It was 4 days jam packed with information in the sexual health field. People from all over the world attended and from many different professions. Many urologists, sexologists, a few nurse practitioners, occupational therapists and many more. I have attended this conference in previous years and it is always exciting to update skills and think about what we can incorporate into our care to assist more people in their intimate lives and canc...
Oct 29, 2024•38 min•Ep. 182
This episode on The Penis Project we are excited to interview Dr. Declan Murphy and Dr. Renu Eapen, both who have a wonderful podcast called GU CAST. In this episode we will discuss advanced prostate cancer among many other topics, such as: - PSA anxiety is a very real feeling that many men and their families feel when waiting for PSA results. - What a rise in PSA means and why you don’t need to panic and why you shouldn’t compare your result with your mates. - Bust some PSA myths, plus what to ...
Oct 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 181
This is another exciting episode which came highly requested by you, The Penis Project audience. We have interviewed David previously on the podcast in episode 46, and two patients who have undergone this procedure (episodes 83 and 174) so listen here for the backstory Mr Dangerfield in conjunction with Prof Chris Coombs have developed a surgical technique to restore erections utilizing nerve grafting. Listen to Melissa have an informal chat with David about this revolutionary surgery. Topics co...
Oct 01, 2024•25 min•Ep. 180
This is a very special episode featuring none other than Victoria Cullen from “A touchy Subject” and Robert, a longtime patient of both Victoria and me (Melissa Hadley Barrett). Robert had an open prostatectomy in May 2009 and has been on a journey of self-discovery ever since. He initially saw men’s health Dr in Brisbane for 4-5 years until he went searching for other options. He injected twice a week for years a mysterious mix … he did achieve an erection, but this was not ‘wife friendly” as n...
Sep 17, 2024•46 min•Ep. 179
Today we speak with Emily, a sexologist with a psychology background. Emily has a great podcast, “That’s Orgasmic” of which I am a keen listener. Recently I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Emily’s podcast and thought The Penis Project audience would benefit from her education, view point and information. In this episode we discuss; mismatched libidos (takeaway message – you are not broken), how to build desire, premature ejaculation from a psychological approach , “Post nut clarity” wha...
Sep 03, 2024•44 min•Ep. 178
Today we talk to John who had a prostatectomy in February 2024. Joh has taken his recovery very seriously and has paid particular attention to the products and practices that made his recovery easier. Today he was kind enough to share what he has learnt. We hope that these tips and tricks will help you have smoother sailing. We talk about pads, travelling with pads, penile clamps, underwear he found comfortable, pumping tips and many more. Please see the blog on our website for more detailed inf...
Aug 20, 2024•35 min•Ep. 177
So, we have talked a lot about the pelvic floor on this podcast, but usually it is about strengthening it to maintain/ improve continence post prostate cancer treatment. But what happens if your pelvic floor is too tight? Well, you can have too much of a good thing. Today we talk to Archie, a 29 year old guy who has a tight pelvic floor. This caused him issues in the bedroom. When your pelvic floor is too tight it can be a contributing factor to sexual dysfunction in both men and women. For wome...
Aug 06, 2024•36 min•Ep. 176
Today we speak with Frank, who was 49 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is now 16 months post-op and has had an unremarkable healing journey. He has no incontinence, and his erectile function has returned. It hasn’t all been plain sailing as you will hear, but with ‘stickability’ following the rehab roadmap he is back on track and now the surgery feels like a blip on the horizon. Frank talks about how he now wants to talk about his journey with others for two reasons: 1. To help oth...
Jul 23, 2024•28 min•Ep. 175
This is another episode where you the listeners asked for it, so you got it. Most exciting this week is we have guest interviewer Victoria Cullen from ‘A Touchy Subject’ on the interview. If you don’t know about Victoria and you have had prostate cancer treatment- you, should, she has awesome information for people in this area so check out her website https://www.atouchysubject.com/ . Many of you saw the TV show where Dr. David Dangerfield was interviewed about this surgery. Professor Chris Coo...
Jul 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 174
You the listeners asked for it, so you got it. Many requests come through that the listeners of The Penis Project podcast want to know more about women, so this week we talk to a Michelle who will discuss how Kate helped Michelle’s vagina and Vulva stopped feeling like ‘broken glass’. In this episode we also have Kate who works at RSHC and assisted Michelle in having pain free sex for the first time in years! Michelle had previously seen many clinicians none of which assisted with her issue unti...
Jun 26, 2024•34 min•Ep. 173
Today on The Penis Project Project podcast I speak with Louise Hug. I work closely with Louise as she sees many of the men that I see pre-prostatectomy and she does women’s pelvic health too, so we cross paths quite a bit. Sometimes men tell me snippets of their consultations with Louise, and she has some great tips to share and ways of explaining pelvic floor training. So, for today’s episode I have asked her to share them with you. About Louise: Pelvic Health Physiotherapist MClin (Pelvic Heal...
Jun 11, 2024•42 min•Ep. 172
Today we speak to Saara Jamieson, a scientist with a very cool invention. Cool Beans is an innovative, cooling underwear designed to boost sperm health and improve the likelihood of conception for couples, but as you will hear in this episode, this is not all they do. Cool Beans are a registered medical device with the Therapeutic Goods Administration Registrar (ARTG 379655). Who would have though a pair of jocks could be a medical device - the mind boggles! Cool Beans are far more than your run...
May 28, 2024•35 min•Ep. 171
This week we hear the story of Faryar who had his prostate removed in November 2023. If you are a regular listener to The Penis Project you may have heard stories of “young blokes” who recover quickly and this prostate removal business is a blip on the radar for them, you may even think “well that’s ok for these young fellas”. But this is a story of guy a bit older who has an amazing recovery. Why did he have such a smooth recovery? I believe prior preparation is the key. This is not to say that...
May 14, 2024•22 min•Ep. 170
Today we speak with Ken who recently celebrated his 70th Birthday. I met Ken when he had his prostate removed, however today we are not discussing his prostate cancer journey but his life journey of being born left-handed, with a stutter and gay. This is a story that I found fascinating. Did you know that being gay was only decriminalized in Australia in 1980’s to the 2000’s depending on the state, USA 1970’s in some states and 2000’s in others, in the United Kingdom 1980’s to late 1990’s. In th...
Apr 30, 2024•48 min•Ep. 169
In this episode I speak to the amazing founder of “A Touchy Subject”, Victoria Cullen. https://www.atouchysubject.com/ A Touchy Subject is a great resource for men and their partners about sexual recovery when diagnosed with prostate cancer. They are obsessed with uncovering ‘the practical stuff’ from the latest clinical literature, and from the thousands of conversations we have with men ‘MacGyvering’ their way through sexual recovery. They have YouTube videos, blogs, free programs and more to ...
Apr 16, 2024•54 min•Ep. 168
Is it possible to break your penis? Yes it is. Today we discuss this tricky penis problem with Liam. This issue is always a problem but even more so when your penis is your livelihood. Listen here to find out how he broke it, what it felt like and the treatment to get back together. This is a fascinating story that will make yours eyes water if you are a penis owner. ---------- Websites: https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders http://www.menshealth...
Apr 02, 2024•19 min•Ep. 167
In this episode of the "Penis Project Podcast," I chat with Jason Phillips to discuss his journey following his prostate surgery. Jason wants to give back, get on with life as he knows it and most importantly raise awareness about prostate cancer for other men. His way of doing it? Running 129km in rural Western Australia to raise money for research at PCFA. I hope you enjoy this inspiring story. Follow his training and run at his socials below. He leaves the starting blocks 24th April and is ho...
Mar 26, 2024•26 min•Ep. 166
In this episode of the "Penis Project Podcast," I chat with Jenny and Peter to discuss Peter's journey with penile implants following his prostate surgery. They cover various topics related to the decision-making process, surgery, recovery, and post-surgery experiences. Peter details his pre-surgery anxieties, which surprisingly gave way to a smooth recovery with minimal discomfort. Jenny and Peter kindly and openly share their experiences relating to sexual activity, challenging common beliefs ...
Mar 19, 2024•36 min•Ep. 165
Today we speak to George all the way from Canada. George came to Australia and fixed his continence and got his old fella to remember what he was supposed to do. This man had a very complicated and drawn-out post op recovery but is now on his way to penile perfection, thanks to his physio in Canada recommending he visit Jo Milios and subsequently Melissa whilst he was down under. Listen here to see how his recovery went ahead in leaps and bounds once he hit the ”lucky country” ---------- Website...
Mar 05, 2024•31 min•Ep. 164
If you are a regular listener to The Penis Project then you will probably remember Rod Popcorn from episode 53. If you haven’t listened back that far, then I recommend you go back as this is a funny, honest account of a prostate cancer recovery. Rod will be 4 years post op this April and he joins us today to share a hilarious story about a recent experience that involved a needle, an erection, a motorbike and airport security. This episode is short but it will have you chuckling to yourself for ...
Feb 20, 2024•18 min•Ep. 163
Happy Valentine’s Day! Since today is the day of love and friendship, I thought it would be a good time to discuss online dating. Today we are talking to Lee, and this is a fun and informative discussion. Lee has been online dating intermittently for two decades, so this guy has experienced it from the beginning. Any young people listening will be amazed to know what it was like before apps. I learnt a lot from this interview, and I am sure you will too. Even if you are not in the market for a n...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 162
In this episode, we have a chat with Jonathon and Jeanine, all the way from NZ. Jonathon thought he would get prostate cancer, as his family had a history of it, and he was proactive in getting a diagnosis and watched it for 4 years before finally being advised it was time to remove it in December 2022. This is an excellent, honest conversation with this lovely couple where they discuss their fears, treatment and recovery journey. They are both open and vulnerable with how this journey affected ...
Feb 06, 2024•50 min•Ep. 161
This week, Melissa and Kate speak to a couple who met at a swinger’s group. Yes, you heard correctly, swingers. This is a lifestyle choice that many of our listeners may not know anything about. I think I am open minded and have come across many different types of relationships, but I have to say I learnt a lot in this interview. Kate is a little more naïve, so she was shocked as to what she heard and asked lots of interesting questions. I encourage you all to listen, have a laugh and keep an op...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 160
You've probably heard about stress causing ED, but what about the role of repressed emotions? In this episode I chat via Zoom with Michael Hodge in Texas, who shares his unique perspective and introduces what he describes as the "root cause model" of sexual dysfunction. Michael’s personal journey included five years of grappling with severe pelvic pain, persistent urinary issues, and sexual dysfunction in his 20s. After his recovery, he embarked on a quest to uncover the root causes of these com...
Jan 09, 2024•38 min•Ep. 159
To round up 2023 I thought I would do a quick snippet from all of us here at RSHC (Me, Kendall and Kate) and Dr. Jo Milios (Co podcast founder) about highlights this year, and what is planned for 2024. I hope all our listeners have had an amazing 2023, and are looking forward to 2024. We at Restorative Sexual Health Clinic have had an exciting time, and are looking forward to learning and sharing new knowledge with all of you in 2024. Thanks so much for listening, following along and being a par...
Dec 19, 2023•28 min•Ep. 158
This week we meet Dr. Elisabeth Gordon, a New York based Integrative sexual health psychiatrist, who is passionate about sexual health education, health and happiness. It was very exciting to speak with Elisabeth, who had some great insights to share on mismatched libidos. This is an issue I am often asked about in clinic, and I reached out to Dr. Elisabeth to see if she could share her knowledge with us. Dr. Gordon’s philosophy is that - “Sexuality is an essential component of identity and a ke...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 157
