The Penis Project Podcast: Breaking Taboos in Men’s Sexual Health

In this special Christmas edition of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa is joined by members of the Restorative Health Clinic team for a candid, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt look back at the year that was.  From awkward inbox messages and clinic mishaps to deeply meaningful patient moments, the team reflects on what it’s really like working in men’s sexual health — a space where humour, vulnerability, trust, and life-changing conversations collide every day.  This episode is part thank-you, part behind-the-scenes, and part reminder that sexual health work is serious — but laughter matters too.   Key Takeaways  Men’s sexual health is about much more than erections — it’s about confidence, connection, and quality of life  Trust takes time, but once it’s built, men open up in powerful ways  Porn has skewed expectations — most penises are completely normal  You don’t need to have a penis to understand men’s sexual health — listening matters more  A good clinic culture blends professionalism, compassion… and humour   Clinic Updates & Announcements  New clinic location: Icon Cancer Centre, Midland  Expanded support for men post-radiation (prostate, bladder, colorectal cancer)  Telehealth services now supporting rural, remote, interstate, and overseas patients  Upcoming training & conferences:  International Society of Sexual Medicine (Porto, Portugal)  Advanced Botox training for penile health applications  Christmas closure:  19th December- 12th January    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 deeply insightful episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett sits down with Jeremy Lipkowitz — a former Buddhist monk turned mindfulness teacher and men’s recovery coach — to explore how compulsive behaviours like porn addiction can quietly undermine men’s sexual health, relationships, and sense of self.  Jeremy shares his personal journey from genetics research at Duke University to living as a monk, and how mindfulness, neuroscience, and self-compassion became the tools that helped him (and now others) break free from addiction. Together, Melissa and Jeremy unpack the neuroscience of porn use, its impact on intimacy and erectile function, and how men can rewire their brains to rediscover genuine connection and confidence.  In This Episode, We Cover:  Jeremy’s unique path from scientist to monk to men’s recovery coach  How porn addiction develops — and why it’s often hard to recognise early  The neuroscience of addiction: dopamine, neuroplasticity, and “amygdala hijack”  How compulsive porn use impacts erectile function, libido, and intimacy  The truth about porn, body image, and unrealistic sexual expectations  The role of mindfulness and meditation in rewiring the brain and regaining control  How to “urge surf” — using 90 seconds of awareness instead of autopilot  The power of community and accountability in creating lasting change  How mindfulness helps men face emotions rather than escape them  Key Takeaways:  Addiction isn’t about weakness — it’s about avoiding uncomfortable emotions.  Porn rewires the brain to crave novelty, dulling connection and satisfaction in real life.  Mindfulness builds awareness and self-control, allowing men to choose consciously rather than react automatically.  Healing comes through connection, compassion, and understanding — not shame.  You don’t have to be perfect to make progress; awareness is the first step to change.  About Jeremy Lipkowitz:  Jeremy is a certified mindfulness and emotional intelligence teacher, former Buddhist monk, and founder of Unhooked Academy — a global community helping men break free from compulsive behaviours and build discipline, purpose, and fulfilling relationships. He also hosts the Unhooked Podcast, where he interviews experts and shares practical tools for self-mastery and recovery.  Learn more: www.UnhookedAcademy.com  Follow Jeremy: @jeremylipkowitz  Listen to his podcast: Search “Unhooked” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app.  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyLipkowitz     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 deeply human episode of The Penis Project podcast, Melissa sits down with former NRL legend and now men's mentor Ryan Girdler, whose life after professional football has taken an unexpected and transformative turn.  Ryan talks candidly about growing up in a blue-collar household in the 70s, the pressures of masculinity, and how being driven hard as a child shaped his identity. He reflects on his footy career, the unspoken expectations to “be tough,” and how those patterns carried over into life after retirement—leading him to overwork, burnout, and eventually, a total personal reset.  Through meditation, breathwork, and support from his wife, Ryan found a new path. Today, he mentors men through profound emotional, physical, and spiritual work, helping them reconnect with themselves, develop healthier expressions of masculinity, and live with more balance, softness, and purpose.  This conversation goes far beyond sport. Ryan opens up about parenting, vulnerability, inner dialogue, relationships, and why so many men feel lost in today’s world. He also explores his work with Reconnected Men, breathwork retreats, and his partnership with the enigmatic healer, Imrah, known to many as “the alchemist.”  This Episode, We Cover:  Ryan’s early life & sporting beginnings  Growing up under pressure in a hardworking family and feeling driven to please others  How internal and external expectations pushed him into rugby league  The emotional impact of a “boys don’t cry” upbringing  Masculinity, identity & the struggles men face today  Why modern masculinity feels confusing—and why “toxic masculinity” breaks Ryan’s heart  The lack of healthy male role models  Balancing discipline with vulnerability  Why many men feel they must fix everything rather than be present  Life after professional sport  Losing identity and purpose at 30  Overworking to fill a void—“trying to beat yoga at yoga”  How breathwork and meditation became lifesaving tools  The profound influence of his wife in redirecting his path  Breathwork, nervous system regulation & healing  Ryan’s introduction to meditation through a big wave surfer  Using pranayama as the “cheat code” to stillness  How breathwork helped him “wield the mind” rather than be controlled by it  Why he believes every man should experience nervous-system regulation  Reconnected Men & the work he does now  One-day and three-day men’s retreats in Queensland and Sydney  Holotropic/transformational breathwork sessions  Corporate breathwork and team integration sessions  His mentoring program combining discipline, stillness, personal story, and emotional growth  The story of Imrah – “the alchemist”  How Ryan reconnected with Imrah after 25 years  Imrah’s unusual upbringing in the Pilbara and his unique abilities  Their partnership in retreats and breathwork events  Why I have named Ryan  “the conduit”   Parenting, relationships & emotional presence  Raising daughters with boundaries, connection, and regulated technology use  Letting go of control in relationships  How softness, listening, and heart-led responses change family dynamics  Ryan’s message to men  "You don’t always have to be in control. And you don't have to do it on your own."  Key Takeaways:  Masculinity isn’t the problem—disconnection is.  Men thrive when they learn discipline and vulnerability.  Breathwork, meditation, and nervous system tools can fundamentally shift a man’s internal world.  Healing begins with self-awareness, not fixing others.  You can be strong and gentle at the same time—and your family will feel the difference.  Sometimes your partner sees your path before you do.  Life after high-performance sport requires finding new meaning, not new metrics to “win.”  Connect with Ryan Girdler & Reconnected Men  Reconnected Men (retreats & programs): https://www.reconnectedmen.com   Instagram: @ryangirdler  Transformational Breathwork & Retreats  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 

In this heartfelt and humorous episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett is joined by husband-and-wife duo David and Denise Price — a couple who’ve faced prostate cancer together with courage, curiosity, and a lot of laughter.  David, a professional speaking coach and keynote presenter, and Denise, a writer and storyteller, open up about how prostate cancer changed (and strengthened) their relationship — from navigating continence and erectile recovery to rediscovering pleasure, communication, and connection in new ways.  They share how pelvic floor exercises became a “couples’ activity,” why David calls his penis “Neville,” and how humour, love, and teamwork helped them through the challenges of treatment and recovery.  This episode is equal parts informative, real, and uplifting — a reminder that intimacy isn’t just about sex, and that open communication can transform even the toughest times into opportunities for growth and connection.  Episode Highlights  The importance of humour and resilience in prostate cancer recovery  “Erection parties” and finding levity in hard (and not-so-hard) times  David’s flagpole story — and what it taught him about raising more than flags  How exercise and pelvic floor rehab changed his life  Rediscovering intimacy through outercourse, toys, and open communication  Denise’s journey from sexual repression to pleasure and confidence  The emotional impact of “dry orgasms” and how couples can adapt together  Why men should talk openly about prostate health — and get tested    Key Takeaways:   Communication is everything — before, during, and after prostate cancer treatment.  Pelvic floor exercises are for life (and for both partners!).  Intimacy after surgery is possible — it just might look a little different.  Pleasure and connection go far beyond penetration.  Being informed, asking questions, and involving your partner make the journey smoother for everyone.  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   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 reconnects with Mike and Shirley from the USA, who first joined us back in 2023. Now celebrating an incredible 48 years of marriage, they share how life, love, and sex have evolved nearly four years after Mike’s prostate cancer surgery.  Together, they open up about recovery, resilience, and rediscovering intimacy after cancer — proving that sexual function and emotional connection can keep improving long past the two-year mark many men are told is the “limit”. Their journey is one of teamwork, trust, and trying everything from pumps to performance rings to injections — the famous “four Ps” as coined by Mike: Pills, Pump, Puncture, and Performance Ring.  Key Takeaways:   Recovery doesn’t stop at two years. Erections and sensation can continue to improve with regular therapy and effort.  Devices aren’t kinky — they’re medical tools. Pumps, rings, and injections all have a role in penile rehabilitation.  Partner support changes everything. Involving both people in the journey helps reduce shame and increases success.  Hope is powerful. With the right approach, couples can enjoy a “new normal” that’s deeply satisfying and connected.  Sex is more than orgasm. Connection, laughter, and closeness are what really matter.  Expert Insight from Melissa Hadley Barrett  “Just like you wouldn’t skip physio after a hip replacement, penile rehabilitation after prostate surgery takes consistent effort.  Devices like vacuum pumps, injections, and rings aren’t gimmicks — they’re proven ways to restore blood flow, preserve function, and build confidence. Mike and Shirley’s story shows what’s possible when couples stay curious, keep communicating, and don’t give up.”    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   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