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

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