On The Couch

Join Maddy as she sits down with Kath Albury to explore the digital cultures and sexual health of young people in Australia.  Kath, an Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellow and Associate Investigator in the Swinburne Node for ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADMS), shares her Fellowship research which explores the impacts of digital transformation, ranging from enterprise technologies to everyday digital practices, on the sexual and reproductive health workforce.   This episode was recorded in February 2025      Read transcript here       Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook      Recommendations   Podcast: 404 Media   Garbage Day the email newsletter  WIRED - The Latest in Technology, Science, Culture and Business  Twin Peaks  Charlie Jane Anders   Doomscrolling antidote: Charlie Jane Anders' Happy Dancing Buttondown   Never Say You Can’t Survive  Heather Corrina – What Fresh Hell is this?    Zahra Stardust's Indie Porn  Olivia Laing 'Everybody: a book about freedom'     References  Family Planning NSW  Andrea Dworkin and Andrea Dworkin on Goodreads  Playboy   Catharine A MacKinnon and Catharine A MacKinnon on Goodreads   Catherine Lumby  Tobin Saunders  Vanessa Wagner  Big Brother  Chinwag Chat  International AIDS Conference  Our Bodies Ourselves  Picture and People magazine   Zines   Digital capability vs Digital literacy   Hot Docs  Discord  PrEP  Medicare  Digital Culture  Meta  Digital Footprint  Tumblr  Community of Practice  Lave and Wagner  Twitch  Manosphere  Learning Consent  Alannah & Madeline Foundation  Crushed But OK  Process evaluation of Crushed But Okay campaign  Swinburn University of Technology  DeepSeek  NAPWA  ARC Centre of Excellence  Automated Decision Making and Society.  Building digital and data capabilities for sexual policy and practice stage two report  Information, influence, ritual, participation: Defining digital sexual health - Kath Albury, Natalie Hendry, 2023  Safety, risk and wellbeing on dating apps: final report  Young people and sexting in Australia: ethics, representation and the law  What We’re Reading  Caddyshack Project on Goodreads  Play Safe  Play Safe Pro  Sexual Health InfoLink    Credits     Host: Maddy Stratten  Guest: Kath Albury   Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Editing: Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)     NSW Health social media community guidelines 

“Awareness doesn't come about by silence”. Naomi is joined by Naomi Hoffman, a clinical sexual health nurse and HIV positive speakers Tasha and Mel. Listen as they discuss testing and treatment options available in Australia and the importance of raising awareness of women and HIV.  Naomi shares her clinical experience working with and supporting women living with HIV in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Sexual Health Clinic. As a proud Kamilaroi women, Naomi works to educate the wider community to remove stigma associated with HIV.  Tasha and Mel, from the Positive Speakers Bureau, share their lived experience with HIV, their advocacy for marginalised communities and their impact in education and prevention.   Take some time and experience the real and honest stories from Tasha and Mel and expand your knowledge of HIV through a new lens.  This episode was recorded in November 2024     CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references physical and emotional trauma    Read transcript here     Check out our webpage for more information   Follow us on Instagram and Facebook       Recommendations  Positive Speakers Bureau  World AIDS Day  National HIV Testing Policy  NSW Health DBS (dried blood spot) Testing  My Test  Positive Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Network (PATSIN)    References     Positive Speakers Bureau  Positive Life NSW  Shingles  AZT  Red Cross  Albion Centre  Disability Support Pension (DSP)  T150  ACON  You Can't Ask That  CALD  IBAC Unit, St. Vincent's Hospital  National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA)  ASHM  Pregnancy and HIV  Ending HIV - Injectable HIV Treatment  PrEP  PrEP Access Now (PAN)  U=U (ASHM)  Word On The Sheets  Gilead    Credits    Host: Naomi Viret   Guest: Naomi Hoffman, Tasha and Mel  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

In this special edition mini-episode, Maddy and Winnie sit down with Public Health Placement Student Jade Scott at the University of Wollongong recording studio. Listen as they reflect on Jade’s project that explored podcast production and how it can be better used as an innovative tool for sexual health education and promotion.   This episode was recorded in October 2024     Read transcript here  Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook       References   Caddyshack Project On The Couch  The Infinite Dial 2023 Australia from Edison Research  Keegan Julia, Cooper Spring Chenoa, Porter Andrew, Ciervo Courtney, Khalid Rafia (2023) Unlearning and relearning sexuality: a qualitative exploration of The Sex Wrap, a sex education podcast. Sexual Health 20, 531-537.  Talking Frank   Love Clews   Sticky Q’s   Sydney Sexual Health Centre   Sexual Health Matters   Doing ‘IT”  University of Wollongong  Sexual Health Victoria  Sexual Assault Support Service  Sydney Sexual Health Centre  University of Technology Sydney  Caddyshack Instagram  Caddyshack Facebook    Credits  Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Guest: Jade Scott Producers: Maddy Stratten, Winnie Adamson & Jade Scott Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

"Young people are experts in their own experiences." Maddy chats with Laura Crozier a victim survivor, passionate youth advocate, Affirmative Consent Project Officer, a podcast co-host and ice hockey enthusiast. Laura shares how our life experiences shape not only who we are, but how we can help others. In this episode we are reminded the importance of centering young people in our work and ensuring their voices are heard and respected. This episode was recorded in August 2024     CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual, physical and emotional trauma   Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations  Growing Up Clueless & This is ADHD      References  Youth Affairs Council of Victoria  Australian Youth Affairs Coalition  Growing Up Clueless  Co Culture  Time to Talk  Respectful Relationships Program  Kyneton Community House  Zonta club of Kyneton  Queefing  Affirmative Consent legislation for Victoria  Stealthing video  Yeah Nah campaign  The Hum Academy  National secondary students' sexual health survey  Play Safe Pro – condom ordering  Caddyshack Project Condom Dispenser Project  Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District  Chantelle Otten  Chanelle Moriah author of I Am Autistic and This Is ADHD   Caddyshack Project What We're Reading   Caddyshack Project Goodreads profile     Credits Host: Maddy Stratten Guest: Laura Crozier Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines  

How can we include pleasure in the consent conversation? Listen as founder of Learning Consent Dr Joy Townsend goes beyond the traditional definition of consent and discusses effective role modelling and consent culture in todays society. Learning Consent delivers comprehensive relationships, sexuality and consent education programs for educational institutions and organisations. Joy shares with Naomi her passion for helping young people to catch a vision for how great communicative, connected and pleasurable sex can be. This episode was recorded in March 2023   CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual assault and sexual violence     Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    Recommendations Welcome to Consent , Teaching Consent & 1800Respect    References Learning Consent  Joy’s PHD “Her sexual self: A narrative investigation of young women’s sexual subjectives”  Marie-Pierre Cleret  UNESCO International technical guidance on sexuality education  Comprehensive Consent Sarah Casper  French Philosopher – communicative approach to consent  Bad sex vs sexual violence blog  Laurie Penny  Secondary School Survey   Liz Kelly’s Continuum of sexual violence  Professor Michael Flood  Porn literacy curriculum  Betty Dodson  National Student Safety Survey    Credits Host: Naomi Viret Guest: Joy Townsend Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Naomi is joined by Maggie Smith, a Clinical Nurse Consultant from the T150 clinic at the Albion Centre in Sydney. T150 is an innovative specialist HIV and Sexual Health Service providing holistic care for the transgender and gender diverse community in a dedicated clinical space. Maggie provides clinical insight into TransHealth and unpacks the importance of community advocacy in ensuring accessible healthcare for the trans and non-binary community.   This episode was recorded in August 2023   Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations T150 & He She They    References Albion Centre  Australian Professional Association for Transgender Health (AUSPATH)  Australian Sexual Health and HIV Nurses Association (ASHHNA)  The Gender Centre  Brotherboys and Sistergirls  First Nations People  Cervical Screening (Pap Smear) Transgender Definition  Dr Melissa Kelly  World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)  Maple Leaf House  Binary and Non-Binary  ACON  Pre-Exposure prophylaxis - PrEP  Gender affirming health care - Transhealth  Reassignment surgery  Cis  Pronouns  Medicare  Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme   Reandron  Decanoate  ERMS  IMS  Blood Borne Viruses precautions  MDA National  Risk of Regret    Credits Host: Naomi Viret Guest: Maggie Smith Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Join Maddy as she sits down with Ruiqi Fan, a clinical nurse specialist working at the Sydney Sexual Health Clinic. Ruiqi talks about being an international student to now working with international students in a clinical setting, providing insight into the experience. Listen as we better understand why having multilingual nurses and interpreters is important in delivering sexual health services for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in Australia. This episode was recorded in June 2023    Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations The International Students Health Hub & Sydney Sexual Health Centre    References Sydney Sexual Health Centre  International Student Health Hub  RMB – Chinese Yuan currency  The Guardian  The Daily Telegraph  CPR training  Vaginal douching  Sexual Health Infolink  Australian Healthcare System  Provincial – China health/hospital cover  Medicare  ACON  Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service  Translating and Interpreting services  PrEP campaign – ending HIV  Caddyshack Project Instagram  Caddyshack Project Facebook    Credits Host: Maddy Stratten Guest: Ruiqi Fan Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   NSW Health social media community guidelines

How can we treat ourselves with kindness when unexpected emotions arise? Naomi sits down with psychologist Chris Cheers and reflects on the mental health impacts of lockdown on the queer and creative community. His book, The New Rulebook is a practical game changing guide to embracing uncertainty offering radical, evidence-based solutions to improve wellbeing. Providing individual psychology services and workshops to artists and creatives, and the LGBTQIA+ community, Chris is passionate about creating accessible, accepting and safe spaces. This episode was recorded in May 2023   Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook     Recommendations      The New Rulebook & QLife    References    Emotional Agility Susan David  Acceptance commitment therapy  Viktor Frankl Man’s search for meaning  Friends by Robin Dunbar   Credits  Host: Naomi Viret    Guest: Chris Cheers  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Maddy catches up with Kirli Saunders and dives into the importance of language, decolonization, feminism and queer space. Kirli is a proud Gunai Woman and award-winning multidisciplinary creator and consultant. Awarded NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year in 2020, Kirli is an experienced speaker and facilitator advocating for the environment, gender, racial equality and LGBTIQA+ rights. In this episode Kirli shares her passion for continuing connection to Country and reads a powerful poem called Based On Us from her book Returning. This episode was recorded in October 2022   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the name of and discussion around a deceased person. This episode may contain words, descriptions and terms which may be culturally sensitive and reflect the views of those at the period in which the content was created.    Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations AIATSIS, Kindred & Returning   References Vale Aunty Velma Mulcahy   Cyanotype  Joyce Saunders The Incredible Freedom Machines  Matt Otley  Bec Young  Red Room Poetry  Tamryn Bennett  Jo Featherstone  Kirli Saunders Consulting  Bindi  Kindred  Returning  Going Home Play  Department of Education on language  United Nations Indigenous Decades of Language  Brotherboys and Sistergirls  Uluru Statement  Griffith Review Dr Lilly Brown and Genevieve Grieves  Raise the Age  Alok  Heartbreak High   Tony Birch The White Girl  Melissa Lucashenko  Ellen Van Neerven  Jazz Money  Florence Given  The Front Left   Gang of Youths  Frontier War Stories  Horror Show  Based On Us – Poem from Returning    Credits Host: Maddy Stratten Guest: Kirli Saunders  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Curious about sexology and the difference between a sex therapist, body therapist, sex coach and sex worker? Maddy chats with Aleks from The Pleasure Centre to explore why an individual or couple may seek sex therapy. Offering a safe and inclusive place, Aleks' practice is guided by multiple evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Hear about the Sex Buffet and Queering Sex concepts and how to put pleasure and desire on the menu.  This episode was recorded in September 2022   CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual trauma     Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations The Pleasure Centre & The Science of Sex    References   Tanya Koens  Matt Tilley  PLISSIT model  Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges  Sapiens  Schitts Creek    Credits Host: Maddy Stratten Guests: Aleks Trkjula  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson    Music:  Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Join Maddy in conversation with Frances Turner from Nurse Nettie, answering the most commonly asked sexual and reproductive health questions by young people. Nurse Nettie is an online service that provides qualified sexual health information to young people living in New South Wales, Australia. Fran provides a glimpse behind the curtain of how the team approach answering questions without judgement, making health information accessible and inclusive.  This episode was recorded in June 2022   Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations Nurse Nettie & Sexual Health Infolink (SHIL)    References Nurse Nettie  NSW Health Play Safe  Pronouns  Sexual Health Infolink  LGBTIQA+ community  Labia Library   FemFresh  NSW Health  Caddyshack Project  Medicare Card  Herpes  Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)  Sexually Transmissible Infections (STIs)  Men who have Sex with Men (MSM)  Sexual Health Clinics  Aboriginal Medical Services  Child Protection Units  Mandatory Reporting Guidelines (MRG)  Can I get an STI from that?  Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)  Cervical Screening (Pap Smear) Diethylstilboestrol (DES) Premature ejaculation  Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)  Citalopram    Credits Host: Maddy Stratten Guests: Frances Turner from Nurse Nettie Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson    Music:   Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Listen as Naomi chats with Liz and Jan from Relationships and Private Stuff about their lived experience of working with people with disability. People on the autism spectrum, with disability or brain injury face the same issues as other people when it comes to relationships. Friendship is important. And the desire to love and be loved, whether as a friend or an intimate companion, is a drive that defines a person in a way that no disability ever can. This episode was recorded in May 2022   CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual assault     Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook     Recommendations Planet Puberty & Sexuality, Education, Counselling and Consultancy Agency (SECCA)      References Relationships and Private Stuff  Lotus Project  Family Planning  Dateables  Love on the Spectrum  Sex, safe and fun guide  Shine SA  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)  Jewish Care  Participate Australia  Anglicare     Credits  Host: Naomi Viret Guests: Liz Dore & Jan McGuire   Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson    Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines

Join Naomi as she unpacks the transgender experience with Sophie from ACON’s TransHub. TransHub is a digital and resource platform providing clear and easy information about gender affirmation and healthcare for all trans and gender diverse people in NSW. Sophie dives deep into the history of transgender language and provides insight into the trans and non-binary experience. This episode was recorded in February 2022    Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information Follow us on Instagram and Facebook   Recommendations Transhub & Disclosure    References Transhub  ACON  Trans Definition Census  Marriage equality  Asexual  Gender identity vs Sexual orientation  Cisgender  Cisalpine and Transalpine Gauls  Pronoun  Gender dysphoria  Elagabalus  Brotherboys and Sistergirls  Gender Fluid  Social affirmation  Legal affirmation  Medical affirmation  Gender affirming doctors  Informed Consent Medical guidelines Top surgery  Tucking  Binding  Transphobia  Pansexual  RuPaul's Drag Race  Courtney Act  Disclosure  Norman Bates (Psycho movie)  Ally    Credits   Host: Naomi Viret Guests: Sophie Keeffe  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson    Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines  

Join Winnie as she chats with Kyla Lawson, to find out more about the invisible population Kyla works with as a Health Promotion Officer with Women Partners.   Women Partners is a NSW based service that offers individual counselling, support groups and Sexual Health information for all women whose male partner is having sex with men or has come out as gay or bisexual.   This passionate and inclusive discussion breaks down stigmas and discrimination. Listen and reflect on how we can advocate in the HIV space and engage with a growing movement that’s normalising sexuality and equitable access to sexual health for all communities.   This episode was recorded in August 2025     Read transcript here             Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram and Facebook       References  Women Partners  Acon  Leichhardt Women's Community Health Center  NSW Health HIV 2024 Data report  Playsafe: How to find the right STI testing service for you  Sexual Health Information Link  ASHM HIV Management Guide for Clinical Care  OurPath (USA based)  Straight Partners Anonymous (UK based)  PozHet  Positive Life NSW (and other branches throughout Australia)  Stigma Health  Atomo HIV Test    Journal articles & International research:   The female spouse: A process of separation when a husband 'comes out' as gay | PLOS One  (PDF) Betrayed, Beaten, Banished: The Stigma of Being a Rural Tongqi in China  Mental health and suicidal ideation among Chinese women who have sex with men who have sex with men (MSM): Women & Health: Vol 56 , No 8 - Get Access  (PDF) Invisible “Others”: Sexual Health Vulnerabilities of Wives of Men who Have Sex with Men    Stigma and Shame reading:   Turan, J.M., Elafros, M.A., Logie, C.H. et al. Challenges and opportunities in examining and addressing intersectional stigma and health. BMC Med 17, 7 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-018-1246-9  Stangl, A.L., Earnshaw, V.A., Logie, C.H. et al. The Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework: a global, crosscutting framework to inform research, intervention development, and policy on health-related stigmas. BMC Med 17, 31 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-019-1271-3    Multicultural experiences of identifying as MSM within Australia   Saliba, B., Kang, M., Mao, L., Prestage, G., & Hammoud, M. A. (2025). Navigating intersecting identities and disclosure strategies: qualitative insights from gay Arab Australian men. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2025.2507367  Bernard Saliba bio: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Bernard.Saliba    PreP for women:  Lade Caroline, MacPhail Catherine, Rutherford Alison (2023) Provider views of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cisgender women – where do women fit in HIV elimination in Australia?. Sexual Health 20, 558-565. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23163  Lade Caroline, MacPhail Catherine, Rutherford Alison (2023) Provider views of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for cisgender women – where do women fit in HIV elimination in Australia?. Sexual Health 20, 558-565. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23163  The Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) National PrEP Guidelines Update. Prevent HIV by Prescribing PrEP. Sydney, 2023. Available from: https://ashm.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ASHM-Health_PrEP-Guidelines.pdf  Catherine MacPhail Bio: https://scholars.uow.edu.au/catherine-macphail    Credits      Host: Winnie Adamson  Guest: Kyla Lawson   Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines   

Join Naomi as she chats with Rachel Wotton and Mohammed Samrah about the importance of people with disability’s access to sexual and reproductive health services. Rachel, a sex worker and academic in the field and Mohammed, a man of lived experience have a dynamic and eye-opening conversation about sex as a human right.  Rachel shares parts of her PhD research and elaborates on the role the NDIS plays in the disability communities' access to sex worker services. Mohammed eloquently shares his own lived experience and how sex worker services have transformed his life.  This episode was recorded in September 2024    Read transcript here   Check out our webpage for more information  Follow us on Instagram and Facebook     References    Charles Sturt University  Co Culture Communication  Petbarn  NDIS  Administrative Review Tribunal  Changes to NDIS Legislation  Bill Shorten  Rachel Wotton PASA - Research  PTSD  Rachel Wotton TED Talk - Open Your Mind to What Goes on Behind Closed Doors  Rachelwotton.com  PLISSIT Model  Bumble  Tinder  Hinge  Scarlet Road Website  Caddyshack Instagram  Caddyshack Facebook    Credits   Host: Naomi Viret  Guest: Rachel Wotton & Mohammed Samrah  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)    NSW Health social media community guidelines