In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa speaks with Sophie Smith, a prostate cancer specialist nurse based in the UK, about what prostate cancer nursing looks like on the other side of the world. 

Sophie has been nursing for 23 years, with her entire career connected to urology and prostate cancer care. She now works with Prostate Cancer UK, providing information, support and guidance to men, partners and families navigating prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, side effects and life after treatment. 

Melissa and Sophie compare the UK and Australian systems, including the role of prostate cancer nurses, access to sexual rehabilitation, erectile dysfunction care, psychosexual support, pelvic floor education, penile implants, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and the sometimes-controversial topic of lymph node removal. 

This episode is a thoughtful and practical conversation about the parts of prostate cancer treatment that are not always discussed enough: erections, identity, relationships, grief, masculinity, intimacy and the importance of having someone safe to talk to. 

And yes, as always, we talk about penises. Because ignoring them has never helped anyone. 

Sophie’s biggest message to men going through prostate cancer treatment is to reach out and get support. Prostate cancer can feel lonely, especially when the changes affect sex, relationships and mental wellbeing. But you do not need to sit with those worries by yourself. 

Sometimes the hardest part is starting the conversation. Once one brave person says, “Actually, this has been difficult for me,” the floodgates often open. 

Resources & Links: 

• Prostate Cancer UK has a range of services that can help see links below: 

1. https://prostatecanceruk.org/ 

1. support services page with all the support we offer: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support 

1. Sexual Support: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support/sexual-support 

1. Partners Support Group: https://tackleprostate.org/support-groups/national-prostate-cancer-partners-support-group/ 

• Book an appointment 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 

• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia https://www.pcfa.org.au/  

Need support? 

At Restorative Health Clinic and Make Hard Easy, we support men and their partners with: 

• penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment 

• erectile dysfunction 

• peyronie’s disease 

• premature ejaculation 

• intimacy and sexual recovery 

• partner-inclusive support where appropriate 

• practical, evidence-based strategies for getting confidence back 

We offer in clinic consultations in Australia and telehealth consultations Australia/ World-wide, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

Host: Melissa Hadley Barrett  
Guests: Rob and Linda 

Category: Penile Implants| Prostate Cancer | Buried Penis | Penile Rehabilitation | Erectile Dysfunction| Men’s Health | Peyronie’s Disease 

Episode Summary:  

On this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett speaks with Rob about his experience of prostate cancer, recovery after treatment, and the very real ups and downs of getting back to life after diagnosis. 

This is a practical, honest, and hopeful conversation that walks through what recovery can look like for a man after prostate cancer treatment. Rob shares his story with openness and humour, talking about everything from preparing for surgery and losing weight beforehand, through to dealing with a catheter, continence recovery, penile rehabilitation, Peyronie’s disease, and eventually having a penile implant.  

Melissa reflects on working with Rob across different stages of his recovery, including using tadalafil, a vacuum pump, injections, and later navigating a period of Peyronie’s disease. What comes through strongly in this episode is that recovery is rarely a straight line. Sometimes things improve steadily, sometimes there are unexpected detours, and sometimes the plan changes along the way. That does not mean things have failed it just means the journey is real and sometimes there is a bend in the road(pun intended).  

Rob also talks about the emotional side of surgery and treatment. He was not necessarily thinking the worst would happen, but there was still worry about consequences, loss, and what life might look like on the other side. Melissa also brings in Linda, Rob’s partner, which adds another important layer to the conversation, the support of a positive, involved partner can make a real difference during recovery.  

One of the really valuable parts of this episode is the reminder that there is no single “right” recovery story. Rob had early continence challenges, but improved quite quickly with pelvic floor exercises, walking, and staying engaged in his rehab. He later developed Peyronie’s disease, which Melissa discusses in the context of connective tissue tendencies and risk factors, and eventually went on to have a penile implant, which he describes as something he noticed was there but did not find especially troubling and has improved his quality of life.  

Rob shares that his PSA is now undetectable, and despite the wobbly recovery path, he and his partner are active, travelling, getting on with life, and doing well. That matters, because many men fear that prostate cancer treatment means life is permanently diminished. This episode is a good reminder that life can still be full, active, intimate, and meaningful after treatment.  

Thankfully, recovery is often less about one magical fix and more about stickability(Melissa’s favourite made up word), persistence, support, and finding the right next step. 

Who should listen: 

This episode is for: 

• men preparing for or recovering from prostate cancer treatment 

• men dealing with erection changes or continence issues after surgery 

• men curious about penile rehabilitation or penile implants 

• partners supporting someone through prostate cancer recovery 

• health professionals wanting a real patient perspective on rehab and recovery 

 
Need support? 

At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men and their partners with: 

• penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment 

• erectile dysfunction 

• peyronie’s disease 

• premature ejaculation 

• intimacy and sexual recovery 

• partner-inclusive support where appropriate 

• practical, evidence-based strategies for getting confidence back 

We offer telehealth consultations Australia/ World-wide, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

What started as one man trying to make sense of prostate cancer became poetry, advocacy, and a way of helping other men feel less alone. 

In this episode of The Penis Project, Melissa is joined again by Steve Jones, known to many listeners as the poet who didn’t know it. Steve is now five years on from prostate cancer treatment and he reflects on PSA anxiety, recovery, poetry, weight loss, peer support, and finding purpose in the aftermath of a life-changing diagnosis. This is an honest, moving, and hopeful conversation for men, partners, and anyone navigating life after treatment. 

Steve shares his experience of being diagnosed during COVID, having a radical robotic prostatectomy, and then feeling like he was left to work out the rest on his own. He speaks honestly about PSA anxiety, the emotional toll of survivorship, and the reality that even years later, follow-up testing can still stir up fear. 

But this episode is not just about cancer. It is also about what can grow in the aftermath of a hard diagnosis. 

Steve talks about how prostate cancer unexpectedly opened the door to poetry, advocacy, deeper connection, better health, and a renewed sense of purpose. He also shares his work with A Touchy Subject, where he helps facilitate peer support chats for men navigating prostate cancer, sexual recovery, penile implants, incontinence surgery, and the many challenges no one talks about enough. 

Melissa and Steve also discuss the importance of early testing, why men need better access to holistic care after treatment, and how simple lifestyle changes like weight loss, movement, and resistance training can make a real difference to health, confidence, and recovery. 

This is a moving, funny, wise conversation about fear, resilience, and making something meaningful out of a difficult experience. 

About Steve 

Steve Jones is a prostate cancer survivor, writer, poet, advocate, and peer support facilitator. Since his diagnosis and treatment, he has become a strong voice for men navigating prostate cancer recovery, sharing his experience through poetry, media interviews, support groups, and community advocacy. 

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 

• Steve Jones’ book Words Woke Me https://rshealth.com.au/shop/p/words-woke-me-prostate-cancer-poetry-book  

• A Touchy Subject https://www.atouchysubject.com/  

• Steve’s previous two appearances on The Penis Project: https://thepenisproject.podbean.com/e/126-steve-the-poet-who-didn-t-know-it/  https://thepenisproject.podbean.com/e/151-words-woke-me/   

• True North on the Movember website https://truenorth.movember.com/  

• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia https://www.pcfa.org.au/  

Need support? 

At Restorative Health Clinic and Make Hard Easy, we support men and their partners with: 

• penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment 

• erectile dysfunction 

• peyronie’s disease 

• premature ejaculation 

• intimacy and sexual recovery 

• partner-inclusive support where appropriate 

• practical, evidence-based strategies for getting confidence back 

We offer telehealth consultations Australia/ World-wide, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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

Host: Melissa Hadley Barrett  
Guest: Richard Connell  

Category: Men’s Sexual Health | Peyronie’s Disease | Penile Rehabilitation | Erectile Dysfunction  

Episode Summary:  

Peyronie’s disease can affect much more than the penis. It can impact confidence, intimacy, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Many men suffer in silence or give up on treatment when it feels too hard, too uncomfortable, or too embarrassing to talk about. 

Episode Description: 

In this follow-up episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett welcomes back Richard Connell, inventor of the Comfort Grip, to talk about what’s changed since his first appearance on the show (Episode 194). 

If you’ve ever struggled with the original RestoreX clamp (or any traction device) slipping, pinching, bruising, or simply being too awkward to use consistently, this episode is packed with practical insights. Melissa and Richard discuss why so many men give up on traction therapy too early, and how small design changes can make a huge difference to comfort, confidence, and long-term results.  

Richard explains how the Comfort Grip helps men who find the standard clamp too painful, too fiddly, or too difficult to reach in a flaccid state. The conversation also explores his newer innovation, the Comfort Bend, which is designed to make counter bending more comfortable by reducing pressure points and improving the way force is distributed during treatment.  

Melissa also shares what she’s seeing in clinic, including how these add-ons are helping men stay consistent with traction therapy, especially those with Peyronie’s disease, penile shortening, or difficulty tolerating the original setup. The episode finishes with a broader discussion about innovation in men’s health, the lag between clinical evidence and real-world problem-solving, and why practical, low-risk solutions matter so much in this space.  

In this episode we cover: 

• Why some men find penile traction therapy difficult to tolerate 

• Common problems with the standard RestoreX clamp, including slipping and discomfort 

• How the Comfort Grip may help improve comfort and usability 

• What the Comfort Bend is and why it may help with counter bending 

• Why consistency matters in Peyronie’s disease treatment 

• The challenges some uncircumcised men may experience with traction devices 

• Why practical solutions in men’s health can make a real difference 

• How better support and better design may help men stay engaged in treatment 

About  Richard Connell: 

Richard Connell is the inventor of the Comfort Grip, an accessory designed to improve comfort and usability for men using the RestoreX penile traction device. His work has focused on solving the real problems men report when trying to use traction therapy consistently, including pain, slipping, awkward setup, and difficulty with counterbending. 

 
Need support with Peyronie’s disease? 

At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men with: 

• Peyronie’s disease 

• erectile dysfunction 

• Premature ejaculation 

• Phimosis 

• penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment 

• sexual recovery and confidence 

• men’s health concerns affecting intimacy and wellbeing 

We offer telehealth consultations Australia/ World-wide, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

Host: Melissa Hadley Barrett  
Guest: Carlotta Thomas  

Category: Partner Support | Prostate Cancer | Intimacy and Sexuality | Penile Rehabilitation  

Episode Summary:

Prostate cancer does not just affect one person. It can affect the couple, the relationship, the way intimacy feels, and the confidence both people bring into the bedroom. Many men and their partners feel alone in that. This episode reminds listeners that they are not broken, they are not failing, and they are definitely not the only ones trying to work out what comes next. 

It also gently challenges the old idea that intimacy only “counts” if there is penetration or a reliable erection. Thankfully, human connection is a bit more creative than that. 

Episode Description:

In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett speaks with Carlotta Thomas about something that does not get talked about nearly enough, the partner perspective after prostate cancer. Carlotta is a breast cancer survivor and the partner of a prostate cancer survivor, and she shares a deeply honest, thoughtful, and hopeful perspective on what it means to navigate love, intimacy, communication, and recovery in a relationship touched by cancer.  

Melissa first met Carlotta through a Canadian support and education organisation (The Walnut Foundation) for men and their partners affected by prostate cancer and was struck by how openly and powerfully she spoke about the realities of being the partner of someone going through treatment and recovery.  

Together, Melissa and Carlotta explore the reality that for many couples, sex and intimacy after prostate cancer may need to look different, especially in a newer relationship. They talk about the common assumption that sex must always mean penetration and why broadening that definition can be both freeing and healing. Carlotta shares how she and her partner navigated those early conversations, how they learned what worked for each other, and why intimacy can be as simple as touch, affection, holding hands, and being emotionally present.  

This episode is particularly valuable because it normalises the awkward bits. The conversations that feel hard. The fear that a partner may withdraw. The uncertainty around erections, desire, and body confidence. Melissa and Carlotta talk openly about how communication is not optional if couples want to stay connected through change.  

There is also a strong message of hope in this episode. Melissa reflects on how many men eventually regain erectile function, sometimes naturally and sometimes with support such as rehabilitation or injections, but that the process can even improve people’s intimate lives. Carlotta’s message is that this journey is one that involves faith, love, courage, resilience, and communication.  

In this episode we discuss: 

• the partner perspective after prostate cancer 

• navigating intimacy in a new relationship 

• why sex is more than penetration 

• how to talk about awkward or emotionally difficult topics 

• the impact of treatment changes on connection and confidence 

• how couples can adapt and find new ways to be intimate 

• why communication is one of the most important tools in recovery 

• hope, resilience, and learning together as a couple 

About Carlotta Thomas: 

Carlotta Thomas is a breast cancer survivor, advocate, leader, and the partner of a prostate cancer survivor. Melissa describes being struck by Carlotta’s honesty and vulnerability when they met through a Canadian prostate cancer support and education event. In this episode, Carlotta shares her lived experience of navigating love, partnership, communication, and intimacy in the context of cancer recovery.  

 
Need support with Prostate Cancer or Intimacy? 

At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men and their partners with: 

• penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment 

• erectile dysfunction 

• intimacy and sexual recovery 

• partner-inclusive support where appropriate 

• practical, evidence-based strategies for getting confidence back 

We offer telehealth consultations Australia/ World-wide, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

In this eye-opening episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa chats with Chris Bustamante—better known online as Injector Chris — a New York and San Diego–based Nurse Practitioner who has become one of the world’s leading experts in penile aesthetics, including penis fillers, scrotal enhancement, ShowTox, Scro-Fill, HoleTox, and more. 

Chris brings a unique combination of artistry, anatomy, and sexual-health expertise to a niche area of men’s health that is rapidly growing but often misunderstood. Together, Melissa and Chris unpack the science, the artistry, the risks, and the motivations behind male cosmetic procedures—from girth fillers to anal Botox—while smashing stigma and celebrating patients’ right to feel confident in their bodies. 

Whether you're curious, skeptical, or considering enhancement yourself, this is an honest, deeply educational, boundary-pushing conversation you won’t want to miss. 

 This Episode, We Cover: 

Chris shares his journey from makeup artistry → biology → nursing → nurse practitioner, and how combining aesthetics with sexual health led him to create Lushful Aesthetics, one of the most recognised male-enhancement clinics in the US. 

Melissa and Chris dive into: 

• The difference between cosmetic artistry and simply “knowing the technique” 

• Why penile filler is nothing like facial filler 

• The rise of revision work—and why many patients are coming in after botched jobs elsewhere 

• Ideal candidates for girth enhancement 

• Why proper technique preserves sensitivity 

• What partners think—and why many return to get procedures themselves! 

Chris also explains some of the most intriguing procedures in modern sexual health: 

ShowTox™ 

Botox in the shaft to reduce retraction and help men appear more like a “shower” than a “grower”. 

HoleTox™ 

Anal Botox for: 

• Easier and more comfortable anal play 

• Anal spasms 

• Proctalgia fugax 

• Chronic fissures 

• Post-surgical spasm 
  (With important safeguards to prevent incontinence) 

Scro-Fill™ 

Scrotal filler to enhance fullness, particularly for men experiencing: 

• Testicular retraction 

• Loss of volume from testosterone suppression 

• Aesthetic concerns 

• Preference for a fuller “hang” 

Penile Filler 101 

• How Chris approaches girth enhancement with an artist’s eye 

• Why anatomy varies dramatically and requires tailored technique 

• The dangers of “one-size-fits-all” injectors 

• Typical filler volumes, costs, longevity & touch-up schedules 

• Why shaft fillers should be placed along the sides, not the top 

• Preserving the dorsal nerve to maintain sexual sensation 

• How to counsel men who want only subtle changes vs. those wanting dramatic gains 

Peyronie’s Disease & Aesthetics 

• Why filler cannot treat plaque—but can improve post-treatment symmetry 

• When cosmetic filler can help visually balance a penis after deformity 

Premature Ejaculation & Fillers 

• Can glans filler help? 

• What the early research shows 

Stigma, Masculinity & Why Men Want Enhancements 

• The shift toward openness in gay and straight communities 

• Generational differences in disclosure 

• Why older men (including 70+) are embracing enhancements 

• Male cosmetic procedures as the new “sports car” 

Connect with Chris 

Instagram: @injectorchris 
Clinic: Lushful Aesthetics (NY & San Diego) https://www.lushfulaesthetics.com/  
 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa is joined by internationally recognised intimacy expert and relationship coach Allana Pratt for a wide-ranging conversation about emotional healing, embodiment, vulnerability, and what it truly means to build meaningful, intimate relationships. 

With over a decade of podcasting experience and more than 20 years working with individuals and couples, Allana brings a powerful blend of psychology, spirituality, body-based awareness, and practical tools to help people reconnect — with themselves first, and then with others. 

This episode goes far beyond sex, exploring how unresolved emotional pain, self-rejection, and disconnection from the body can show up as relationship struggles, sexual dysfunction, and ongoing dissatisfaction — and how learning to truly feel can be transformative. 

This episode offers a powerful reminder that sexual health is not just physical — it’s emotional, relational, and deeply human. 

In This Episode, We Discuss: 

•  Allana’s journey into intimacy and relationship coaching — and why intimacy is about far more than sex 

• How intimacy with self is the foundation for intimacy with others 

•  The link between emotional suppression, trauma, and physical symptoms — including sexual dysfunction 

• Understanding the autonomic nervous system and emotional regulation 

•  Why repeating relationship patterns is a sign of unresolved emotional work 

•  What “becoming the one before finding the one” really means 

• Practical communication tools for couples to build safety, presence, and trust 

• Why structured check-ins can prevent resentment and emotional drift 

•  Dating as a practice ground for honesty, boundaries, and self-worth 

•  How to respond to rejection without collapsing into self-blame 

• Why vulnerability is a strength — not a liability 

Key Takeaways 

• Healing doesn’t happen in the head alone — it happens through the body 

• Secure intimacy starts with self-acceptance, not performance or achievement 

• Relationships thrive when two whole people come together — not two people trying to complete each other 

• Communication isn’t about being right; it’s about being heard 

• Emotional safety allows desire, pleasure, and connection to return 

About Allana Pratt 

Allana Pratt is a globally recognised intimacy expert, relationship coach, and host of the Intimate Conversations Podcast, now in its 14th season. She works with individuals and couples to heal heartbreak, develop emotional resilience, and create deeply fulfilling relationships grounded in authenticity and embodiment. 

How to Work with Allana 

Podcast: Intimate Conversations with Allana Pratt 
Instagram / YouTube: @allanapratt 
Patreon Community: Weekly Q&A and teachings 
Website: www.allanapratt.com/connect 

 Special Offer for Penis Project listeners: 
Use the code READYNOW to access a subsidised Intimacy Breakthrough Experience call with Allana. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

In this an honest and emotional episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa and Kate shift the spotlight to a voice that is far too often missing in prostate cancer conversations — the partner. 

Rachel bravely shares her lived experience of navigating intimacy, grief, love, patience, and reconnection after her partner underwent prostate cancer surgery. What unfolds is not a clinical education session, but a raw, validating conversation about what happens to relationships when erections, continence, desire, and confidence change overnight. 

Together, they explore how prostate cancer is not just a medical diagnosis, it is a life changing event. One that impacts communication, identity, sexuality, and emotional safety on both sides. 

This episode is essential listening for partners, couples, and clinicians who want to better understand the unseen emotional labour carried by those standing beside the man with the diagnosis. 

In This Episode, We Discuss: 

• Why prostate cancer is a couple’s condition, not just a men’s health issue 

• The silent grief partners experience  

• Why erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and medicalised sex can affect intimacy 

• Feeling out of sync: when one partner is focused on survival and the other on connection 

• The loss of spontaneity, desire signals, and sexual confidence 

• The emotional complexity of “being supportive” 

• Why saying “I don’t mind if we never have sex again” can feel like rejection 

• The impact of ED on a partner’s sense of desirability and femininity 

• Navigating injections, pumps, implants  

• Shifting from performance and penetration to connection and shared pleasure 

• Practical strategies that may help  

Key Takeaways 

• Desire doesn’t disappear after prostate cancer — it changes shape. 

• Partners grieve too, and their pain deserves space and validation. 

• Intimacy is about connection, not outcomes. 

• Support for partners is a glaring gap — and one that must be addressed. 

Support for Partners 

If you are a partner navigating life after prostate cancer and would like to connect with others in a similar situation, you can email: [email protected] 
(Your details can be passed on confidentially — partner anonymity respected.) 

Resources & Links: 

• Book an in clinic or telehealth consult with our sexual health practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic 

• For more information check out our websites www.rshealth.com.au , www.makehardeasy.com.au and www.melissahadleybarrett.com 

• Book: Come Together – Emily Nagoski 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

In this candid and surprising episode, Melissa is joined by guest host Kira and anonymous guests “George and Mildred” for a deep dive into their relationship story, how menopause and erectile dysfunction impacted their marriage, and how a journey into the swinging lifestyle ultimately strengthened communication, intimacy, and connection. 

This conversation explores the real relationship work behind non-monogamy, including boundaries, ground rules, consent culture at clubs, the importance of emotional safety, and how past breaches of consent can shape future intimacy. 

What You’ll Hear in This Episode 

• How they met (army posting, friendship-first, and a hilariously blunt pickup line) 

•  Menopause, libido changes, and the ripple effects inside a long-term relationship 

•  What ED did to confidence, connection, and communication — and why many men withdraw silently 

•  Their first visit to Restorative Health Clinic, and the moment treatment helped restore intimacy 

•  The relationship rupture: online searching for connection, betrayal, and rebuilding trust 

•  The turning point: honest conversations that revealed the issue wasn’t “just sex” — it was the relationship 

•  How and why, they entered swinging (slowly), why it wasn’t instant confidence, and what helped 

•  Attraction, compatibility, and why “the whole package” matters more than perfection 

•  Sexual identity and exploration (bisexuality, comfort, and removing shame) 

•  The “unicorn” dynamic: what it means, how it works, and why friendship matters as much as sex 

•  Clubs explained for beginners: 

• what swinging clubs are like 

• what “play areas” are 

• how different venues have different vibes (more social vs more kink-friendly) 

•  The Dom/Sub dynamic: how it developed, how they practised safely, and why education matters 

• Consent and confidentiality: what “yes” must look like, and why assumptions can be harmful 

•  A powerful consent story: what happens when boundaries are crossed, and how recovery can take time 

•  Jealousy (teased at the end): acknowledging it exists and setting up the next part of the conversation 

Key Takeaways 

• ED and libido changes don’t just affect sex — they affect identity, confidence, and emotional connection 

• Silence and embarrassment can create distance in long-term relationships 

• Non-monogamy isn’t a “quick fix” — it often requires more communication, not less 

• Healthy swinging relies on boundaries, consent, and emotional safety 

• Consent isn’t a one-time checkbox — it’s ongoing, clear, and must be re-established 

• Intimacy can be rebuilt, but breaches of trust (or consent) can take months to heal 

Listener Note 

This episode includes frank discussion of sex, non-monogamy, and consent experiences. Please listen with care. 

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 

• https://breathworkforsurfers.com.au/ Mentioned in the podcast Ryan did this program with tom Carroll 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

Let’s talk bollocks — literally. In this candid and funny episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa chats with Kurt Brookes and James McConnell, co-hosts of the bold new podcast Never Mind My Bollocks, produced by Made in Manchester. Together, they’re breaking the silence around vasectomy — a topic often buried in myths, awkwardness, and outdated notions of masculinity. 

Kurt, a comedy creator, and James, an NHS scientist and geneticist, bring their lived experience and friendship to the mic. What started as a casual post-comedy-night confession (“You’ve had one too?!”) became a mission to normalise the conversation about vasectomy — with honesty, humour, and zero shame. 

From misconceptions about “losing your manhood” to the truth about recovery, ejaculation, and “blue balls,” this episode goes where most won’t — cutting through the misinformation with science, storytelling, and a laugh or two. 

In This Episode, We Cover: 

• How Never Mind My Bollocks began and why the world needs to talk about vasectomy 

• Myths that persist: masculinity, testosterone, and “dry orgasms” 

• What really happens before, during, and after the snip 

• Why vasectomy doesn’t make you “less of a man” 

• Lived experience vs. medical expertise — and why both matter 

• Common misconceptions around reversibility, chronic pain, and recovery 

• How humour helps break taboo around men’s sexual health 

• Kurt Brookes is Deputy Creative Director at Made in Manchester. James McConnell is a geneticist and allied health professional working within the NHS. Together, they created Never Mind My Bollocks to make vasectomy conversations real, relatable, and stigma-free — sharing stories from men and experts alike to help others make informed choices about their reproductive health. 

 Listen to Never Mind My Bollocks on all major podcast platforms. 

Key Takeaway: 
Talking about vasectomy shouldn’t be taboo. Kurt and James remind us that openness — not silence — is the real sign of strength. 

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: [email protected] 
 

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 

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: [email protected] 
 

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