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Welcome to The Penis Project Podcast. Connecting men through science, stories, solutions but most of all support. Founded by Melissa Hadley Barrett & Dr Jo Milios (PHD), this podcast is dedicated to stories from men who have bravely recognised the importance of sharing their experiences, breaking down stigmas, and having no-filter chats about sexual health, cancer treatment and recovery, relationships and everything in between. This is your online men’s health support group where I answer questions you’ve always had but are too embarrassed to ask. https://melissahadleybarrett.com/podcast/
Episodes

Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
130. Lonely Nights, A Poem Reading Episode
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
It’s the Easter Week and we’d love for you to enjoy this poem as you take a break. ;)
This poem is written by Steve Jones, entitled Lonely Nights.
Enjoy!
For anyone who would like to share their poems and want us to read it for you, we are up for it! ;)
Have a great Easter week to those celebrating.
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
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

Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
129. The Universe of Deliciousness, With Author Julia Hollenbery
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Get ready for a sultry, pleasurable episode with our guest Julia.
For today’s episode, we speak with Julia. Julia is the author of the book entitled The Healing Power of Pleasure, Seven Medicines for Rediscovering the Innate Joy of Being. This book is a step-by-step guide to creating a happier, more sensual, and conscious life for you.
What you’ll be listening today will be quite extraordinary - by extra we mean a voice so sultry that when you hear it, we’re sure you’ll stop whatever it is you’re doing and just… listen.
It’s an episode about pleasure, body, sex, touch, sizes, life, and sensuality.
From Julia’s words and the episode’s takeaway - tremendous beauty and pleasure is possible.
How? That’s what exactly the episode will be about.
Click the play button below to start listening to Julia, Dr Jo, and Melissa in this sultry-licious episode. A first of its kind. ;)
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
128. Pills, Pumps, P Injections Easily Explained, Steve’s Journey Know how these 3 works
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
For today’s episode, we’ll hear back from Steve - the poet who didn’t know it.
Our previous episode with Steve was about his poems, now, we brought him back to hear about what he did to his penis post-op.
Did he use pills? Pumps? Or penile injections?
Well, he used all three! All powered by his guts and his desire to recover.
You see, Steve, isn’t a patient of Melissa nor Dr Jo’s but through his hard work, belief, and courage to do it - he used all of those three - pills, pumps, and p injections.
He first used the pills, then the pumps (still using it!) and the p injections.
Steve asked Melissa whether it’s ok to use pumps even if his function is 95% back. Yes, is what Melissa answered! Why? Listen to Melissa as she explains it. Melissa will reiterate how important these three things are in your recovery or rehab.
So, if you’ve been wondering how these three things work together - Melissa has the answers!
What can the pills do to the penis? Why do you need to keep using the pump to exercise it? Why use injections??
If you want brief, easy to understand answers - listen to the podcast now through the button below. And we suggest that you bookmark this episode - to remind you that these things are all based on science, not movies. ;)
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/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
127. Pele, A 16-year old BRAVE Young Man (Hard Flaccid Syndrome)
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
It’s difficult to have issues down there when you’re older but it’s more difficult when you’re younger! If you remember being a teenager or if you are one you will know how hard (or not it is).
For today’s episode, we have Pele, a young man who was so brave enough to seek help when things weren’t going good down there.
Pele is the youngest interviewee we have had on the podcast and we’re extremely glad that he willingly opened his story for all of us to listen to and learn from.
Three days after he was diagnosed with COVID, Pele noticed a decreased blood flow on one side of his penis, some pain in the base, his erection wasn’t the same, and that he was not having his morning wood. He didn’t immediately mention this to his parents but when a few days had passed and nothing improved, he went to ask his mum for help.
They went to a GP who referred them to a urologist. The urologist didn’t find any major issues… but recognised that there was a problem. So he referred Pele to Melissa. And Melissa to Dr Jo for holistic intervention.
What do you think happened to Pele? Was it caused by COVID or was it a result of something different or perhaps a combination of things?
The truth is, Pele suffered from Hard Flaccid Syndrome, which was directly related to his pelvic floor, previous surgery, growth, and… hard coughing (from Covid).
To understand it fully and hear the explanation why this phenomenon happened to our young man, listen to the episode now. ;)
We’d also like to take this chance to again remind you that it is totally ok to seek help, that there is help, and the earlier you get checked, the better.
Thank you, Pelé, for showing us your courage! May it inspire men whether young or old to seek the help they need.
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Thursday Mar 09, 2023
126. Steve, The Poet Who Didn’t Know It
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Thursday Mar 09, 2023
Today, we talk with Steve, the poet who didn’t know it.
Steve is one of our listeners who volunteered to be one of our guests. He found the podcast a very helpful resource for his recovery. From prostate cancer.
Like some of you who listen to the podcast, Steve was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at 56 years old. He also had a family history, given that his father and brother had the same diagnosis.
Post-op, Steve lacked information. So, he turned to Google and looked for support groups. There, he found Victoria, Tess, and then us.
With everything that happened to him, he learned how important it is to support others going through this journey. This was the reason why he became a staple in Facebook support groups… and along the way, poetry and words found him.
He used words to share his journey, to express his thoughts, to give life to what he was going through, and ultimately, to inspire others.
As you listen to this episode, you will transcend to a different kind of world - a world of words - where we believe a lot of you will feel as if the words are speaking to you.
It’s magnificent how we get to see that words can heal us - whether that’s through poetry or through frankness and honesty.
Enjoy listening and watch out for some poem reading from Melissa a in our next episodes! ;)
Jo has arranged for poetry reading in Melbourne in March (from the man himself). If you are interested in attending, please see below:
Thank you, Steve, for sharing your story and the things you wrote to help others cope.
Please see below helpful resources:
-
- Victoria Cullen: My life line, mental support and all around saviour early on!
- Tess Deveze
- Penis Pleasure Masterclass: https://connectable.podia.com/penis-pleasure
- Find me at: https://www.connectabletherapies.com/
- These are the three private FB groups that I share my poetry with.
- Tafy Seade – Inner active Pelvic Health and Physiotherapy
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
125. Ross the Runner The Eureka patient
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Wednesday Mar 01, 2023
Today, we speak with Ross. Ross will talk about his prostate cancer journey and a marathon he will be joining in London, at 64 years old!
Ross was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2020. This was two years after a routine check-up in 2018 showed elevated PSA readings.
At first, Ross procrastinated taking action as everything he read about prostate cancer was all gloom and doom.
After a lesson on the possibility of cancer spreading by his wife and meeting with Dr Jo and Melissa, Ross learned that it’s not all gloom and doom. That there’s hope. There’s help. And there are ways to treat prostate cancer and still have a quality of life. With this knowledge he decided to fight it head on.
He started with his PRE-hab before surgery and enjoyed the results thereafter. Why? Because he stopped wearing pads 3-4 days post-op!
As Dr Jo describes it, Ross the Runner is a Eureka patient.
Now, Ross is ready to take on another challenge.
He will be running the 42km London Marathon. For those who haven’t heard of this event, runners for this marathon need to apply and be accepted to join - in fact for every 20 applications received, only 1 gets accepted. Ross is that one. :)
This episode is about the fact that people get scared and sometimes fear treatment. This is normal.
We hope this episode will also teach you that there is hope, there is help, and it’s available - whatever step you take and to let you know that you’re not alone.
Ross will run the marathon and raise funds for PCAHelp - an organization helping prostate cancer patients in Western Australia, to Prostate Cancer UK where they do fabulous research that benefits men and their families all around the world. If you would like to support this great cause and help other men with prostate cancer, please see links below.
- GoFund Me for Prostate Cancer Patients in WA
- PCAHelp Org
- https://thepenisproject.org/125-ross-the-runner-the-eureka-patient-prostate-cancer-recovery/
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/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
124. Todd’s Phoenix is Rising Again
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Todd, our guest for today is all the way from the USA, thanks to the wonder of Zoom. He is a patient of Melissa’s and was very kind enough to share with us a glimpse of his experience from diagnosis to recovery. Get ready for a full dose of honesty and vulnerability.
Todd’s father had prostate cancer and as such his brothers and him have always been checked regularly. Once he got the diagnosis, he made sure to explore all the available options - radiation, cyberknife, and many more. The decision was difficult, but in the end he chose surgery.
From Todd’s experience, having all the information is not the only thing that a patient needs when deciding on treatment, but also, they need proper guidance in decision making.
Forward to today, he is now 1 year post op. The cancer is gone which is great, but he has been very distressed about sexual function and the lack of support for what he was going through after surgery.
Which brought him to find Melissa! And now, here he is to share his story.
Todd will talk about how he had to search for a solution to help him solve his problems, find answers to his questions, and what he did to get the phoenix to rise again!
What made the Phoenix rise again? Injections! Ta-da, the heavens opened!
However, Todd had to admit it wasn’t all smooth sailing… which prompted Melissa to have a full-on discussion about the proper way to do those injections and some trouble shooting tips. Make sure to take note of her instructions on that. ;)
And stay tuned for part 2 when we invite Todd back!
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/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Restorativeshealthclinic
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rshealth_perth/
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
123. 300-400 Times Penile Injections
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Today, you will be meeting Paul. A 71-year-old gentleman and a penile injection user for more than 4 years! A very satisfied one at that. 😉
At 51, Paul started to do routine blood tests to monitor his sugar and PSA levels. Fourteen years after, at 65 years old and a few fingers up the bum, Paul was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.
A year after his surgery, his sexual function did not improve. As a man, he thought “I’ll give it time” thinking it will sort out by itself. But it never did! So, he went back to his urologist to seek help. Pretreatment, he had an active sex life and to give it up altogether without doing anything else, was not Paul’s idea of a good solution.
He met Melissa and that’s when things started getting hard again. Pun intended.
Paul had to make a huge change in his mindset to seek help, but it was worth it. Melissa introduced him to penile injections and he has been using them ever since. His numbers? 300-400 times.
How did he get so proficient? Stickability! He followed the instructions and switched injection sites.
Paul agrees that using injections affects spontaneity, but like vacations, it is fun to plan the sexy times with your partner. He says that it stings a little but you can treat it as THE fine line between pleasure and pain!
Listen to Paul’s story and hopefully, you also get to enjoy 300-400 times. 😉
All resources relating to penile injections are in the show notes below:
https://thepenisproject.org/123-300-400-times-penile-injections/
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
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

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
For today's episode, we talk with Australian Hall of Famer (2007), five-time Hawthorn Premiership Player & 1986 Brownlow Medalist, Berto ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico!
He has recently opened up about his own unexpected men’s health crisis in 2022 – an episode of urinary retention -, which caused pain ‘far worse than any previous football injury’ ’over his 240 game career. This included the punctured lung and multiple broken ribs suffered in the 1989 AFL Grand final vs Geelong - a game many report as the “finest ever GF” for its ferocity & the infamous poleaxing of Dipper by the ‘’GOD ‘’of Football-, Gary Ablett Snr.
In this riveting interview with Dr Jo Milios (Men’s Health Physiotherapist) and West Coast Eagles Physiotherapist Chris ‘Tex’Perkin, Dipper reveals the stark story of his ‘’middle of the night’’ emergency, when he was carted off in an ambulance after his bladder became blocked, requiring emergency surgery, catheterisation and a going need to wear adult diapers.
Dipper reveals what happened and why, and takes us on a personal journal of living with ongoing urinary incontinence linked to problems of the bladder & prostate!
As you will hear, Dipper also points out that many lessons have been learnt, but there are still many more that need addressing when it comes to common physical issues in men’s health.
For example, a referral to a physiotherapist specialising in pelvic floor muscle training was advised by his Drs, but then not undertaken.
When Chris Perkin asks ‘’Why?’’, Dipper’s answers reveal much about the culture of the great Aussie male, where asking for help, or even a drink of water – were not part of the traditional male footy player’s macho image in the 1980’s.
Stoicism, ‘’pushing thru’’ and showing no cracks in the armour were essential credentials, and reflect a time and place, you may be surprised to tune into. True to form, however, Dipper’s humour and candour are incredible! Listening to his attempts to perform a pelvic floor ‘’Nuts 2 Guts’ exercise will leave you scratching your head…
Most poignant to Dr Jo, however, was Dipper’s answer to ‘’how he is now?’’ – 8 months after surgery to clear the urinary tube, remove excess prostatic tissue (BHP- Benign Prostate Hyperplasia) and fix the urinary retention issue that had caused him so much pain.
Well, Dipper says, ‘’I don’t need to empty my bladder 60-80 times per day and every 20 mins during the night anymore, I piss like a 12-year-old, I just don’t know when I’m going to piss and I don’t have prostate cancer…’.
ENJOY! LISTEN & LEARN! – Dipper is now a LEGEND of Men’s Health – the Merv Huges of Football.
RESOURCES:
- A previous interview by Dipper about testicular cancer & Men’s Health: https://fb.watch/ixccQt6J7w/?mibextid=v7YzmG
- Heraldsun
- 2. Online US news story: https://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl-2022-robert-dipper-dipierdomenico-lifts-lid-health-issue-225435620.html
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process

Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
In 2022 Melissa and Kendall, together with Dr Rob Newton, had the chance to present during one of PCFA’s Shine A Light episodes.
Today, you will be able to listen to those very informative presentations and a few Qs and As.
You will first hear from Melissa. Followed by Kendall. And then by Dr. Rob Newton – who we also interviewed here in the podcast (Episode 104: Exercise is Medicine with Dr Rob Newton).
Melissa’s talk revolved around sexual health before, during, and most especially after prostate cancer.
Whilst Kendall’s talk was all about diet, nutrition, and weight.
Finally, Dr. Rob Newton focused on how exercise affects a cancer patient’s journey. His presentation explains the reason why he encourages everyone to do any type of exercise regardless of what shape they are in.
This one is a full-blown (no pun intended!) episode with lots of important nuggets related to prostate cancer – from sexual health to diet, weight adherence, and exercise.
When you start this episode, we suggest that you take notes. All the information shared here is relevant, scientific, and helpful.
You can also watch the episode on our Youtube channel.
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Websites:
https://melissahadleybarrett.com Men’s health only
https://rshealth.com.au/ All genders
http://www.menshealthphysiotherapy.com.au/
Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/p/Melissa-Hadley-Barrett-100085237672685/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085146627814
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melissahadleybarrett/
https://www.instagram.com/restorativehealth.clinic/
TikTok: @melissahadleybarrett
YouTube: Melissa Hadley Barrett
Linkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-hadley-barrett/
Music
David Mercy
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1HbvnltKu4XbWTmk0kpVB9?si=D1xP5dDVQK-zzNU3rViRWg
Producer
Thomas Evans: The SOTA Process