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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.
Episodes

Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
145. Ryan’s story with HIV; The good, the beautiful, the lemonade
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
How far has science progressed with treating HIV? Quite far and Ryan will share all the details.
Today’s episode will give you a peak into Ryan’s life - from his HIV diagnosis, to breaking the news to his family, to recovering from work discrimination, and to conquering life. Cliché as it may sound but Ryan did make lemonades from lemons.
As you listen to this episode, we hope it gives you a glimpse of what HIV is now, how it’s being treated, the daily experiences of HIV patients and why there shouldn’t be fear and discrimination but instead love and acceptance.
Summary Outline
Today’s episode discusses about:
- Ryan’s HIV diagnosis
- Sharing HIV news to family and opening about being gay
- What you can do when diagnosed with HIV
- Discrimination in the workplace for people with HIV
- Bouncing back up from this
- Foot fetishes
- Current treatment for patients now
- How it’s like with dating and life
- Treatment options available for heterosexual men with or without HIV
- Who are bug chasers
- Condom use for protection
- And a lot more
Here is Ryan's message for a new HIV diagnosee:
BREATHE!!! This is not the end of your life but the beginning. Think on the bright side it’s all “POSITIVE” from here on!!!!
- Touch base with your local HIV organisation. They will have counselling services and/or a Peer Navigation programme or be able to point you to one. In Perth there is POWA(Positive Organisation WA).
- Find an HIV+ Peer and get peer support or even a group of peers. In perth we have a monthly brunch for People with HIV.
- Even if you don’t think you need counselling engage with one, its surprising how even when you think you have things sorted how the discrimination affects you.
- Engage with your specialist/Dr around your treatment options you don’t have accept the first one they suggest. It’s your own body you decide what goes in it and there are multiple HIV treatment regimens available now with different side effects what is best for me is not necessarily the best for you.
Enjoy listening!
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
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https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
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Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process
https://www.instagram.com/thesotaprocess/
https://open.spotify.com/show/4Jf2IYXRlgfsiqNARsY8fi
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