Episode Overview:  Melissa has been wanting to have this conversation for over a year. She first came across Cathy's work when two quite conservative couples independently told her a weekend tantra retreat had genuinely changed their relationship. Intrigued, Melissa enrolled (without mentioning what she did for a living) and attended with her husband. They both found it valuable. This episode is the result of that curiosity.  Cathy has been teaching tantra for decades, having first encountered the philosophy at age twenty through a GP who introduced her to the idea of loving and accepting her own body. She trained in India, continued her studies in Perth, and now runs Sanctuary of Ananda, a platinum-approved, internationally certified tantra school offering couples retreats, individual sessions, workshops, and online programs. She is also a published author.   The conversation covers tantra's broader philosophy (think tree, not just its roots), how it applies differently across life stages, what we can learn from it, and why emotional connection, what Cathy calls "emotional sex"  is the cake, while physical sex is just the icing. Cathy also addresses the misconceptions head-on: no, it is not a room full of naked people. It is fully clothed, accredited, and grounded in self-knowledge.    Golden Tip: Tantra is not what most people think it is. Tantra actually is a philosophy of self-knowledge, connection and embodied living and how its practices can help couples at any stage of life feel more connected, understood and alive.     In This Episode, We Cover  Tantra is a philosophy of self-knowledge: the sexual practices are just the bottom branches of a much larger tree  Mismatched desire is normal and cyclical, not a sign something is broken  Emotional intimacy is the foundation of physical connection, not the other way around  Men need love, nurturing and non-sexual physical affection just as much as women do  One person changing how they show up in a relationship can shift the whole dynamic  Tantra is suitable for singles as well as couples, in person and online    Key Message from Cathy   Cathy's work is grounded in the belief that every human being, regardless of age, gender, or relationship status, has the capacity for deep intimacy and pleasure. Tantra offers a practical pathway to get there, one breath and one honest conversation at a time.    Resources & Links  Click here for Cathy’s website: Sanctuary of Ananda.  Cathy’s Facebook: Sanctuary of Souls.  Book a telehealth appointment 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.au     Book a telehealth consultation with our sexual health nurse practitioners:  Restorative Health Clinic    For more information visit our websites:  www.rshealth.com.au  www.makehardeasy.com.au  www.melissahadleybarrett.com    Need Support?  At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men and their partners with:  Penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment  Erectile dysfunction  Vacuum pump and constriction ring education and prescription  Penile injection therapy  Intimacy and sexual recovery  Partner-inclusive support where appropriate  Practical, evidence-based strategies for rebuilding confidence and function    We offer telehealth consultations Australia-wide and internationally, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. If Steve’s story sounds familiar, we would love to hear from you.    Restorative Health Clinic also has a psychologist-sexologist joining the team. If you are struggling with the emotional or psychological side of erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer recovery, or intimacy, we can support you there too – as an individual or as a couple.    Listen & Subscribe  If you found this episode helpful, please sub

In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa is joined by Dr Eve Tiong, a radiation oncologist with Icon Cancer Centre in Western Australia, for a deep dive into how prostate radiotherapy has changed and why many of the horror stories people associate with radiation no longer reflect modern practice.  Dr Tiong walks through the shift from older, broad-field radiation techniques to today's highly targeted approach, explaining how image guidance and modulated delivery now concentrate dose on the prostate while sharply reducing exposure to the bladder and bowel. She and Melissa unpack what this means in practical terms for urinary, bowel and sexual side effects, and discuss how rectal spacer gel is helping to protect bowel function during treatment.  The conversation also covers how patients and their clinicians weigh up surgery versus radiation, the role of hormone therapy for higher-risk cancers, the difference between external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, and the emergence of focal therapy as a less invasive option for carefully selected men. Throughout, Dr Tiong returns to a consistent theme: informed decision-making, honest counselling about trade-offs, and the importance of taking sexual health and quality of life seriously at every stage of the prostate cancer journey.  In This Episode, We Cover  Men on active surveillance who want to understand what triggers a move to treatment  Modern radiotherapy is far more targeted than the broad “four-field box” approach used decades ago, sharply reducing dose to the bladder and bowel  Severe long-term side effects from contemporary radiotherapy now sit below 5%  Rectal spacer gel can further protect the bowel during treatment and dissolves naturally within four to six months  Cure rates for surgery and radiation are equivalent for low-grade and favourable intermediate-risk prostate cancer  Focal therapy, treating only the affected area of the prostate, is now emerging as an option in WA  Sexual health and continence should be part of every prostate cancer conversation, regardless of treatment type  higher-risk cancers  PSA monitoring after treatment, the significance of the 0.2 threshold, and emerging PSMA PET tracers  Reframing relapsed or advanced prostate cancer as a manageable, often chronic condition rather than an immediate death sentence  Key Message from Eve  A cancer diagnosis, including relapse, is not automatically a worst-case outcome. With the range of treatments now available, many men go on to live full, active lives for many years, and ongoing advances continue to expand what is possible.  Resources & Links  https://iconcancercentre.com.au/doctors/eve-tiong/  Steve’s YouTube channel – personal stories and practical experience from a prostate cancer survivor: Everyday Prostate Cancer Warrior on YouTube  Book a telehealth appointment 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.au   Steve Fisher YouTube link to his Everyday Prostate Cancer Warrior. https://youtu.be/APLm1W8uPBA?si=SfaA9A74GqMNcvUq  Click here to shop the Sompatherapy Pumps: The Touch II Automatic Pump, and the Response II Manual Pump  Click here to watch Melissa’s YouTube video: Most Men Use the SOMA VED Wrong | Here’s the Correct Way    Book a telehealth consultation with our sexual health nurse practitioners:  Restorative Health Clinic    For more information visit our websites:  www.rshealth.com.au  www.makehardeasy.com.au  www.melissahadleybarrett.com    Need Support?  At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men and their partners with:  Penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment  Erectile dysfunction  Vacuum pump and constriction ring education and prescription  Penile injection therapy  Intimacy and sexual recovery  Partner-inclusive support where appro

Watch the Webinar  This episode was recorded live at one of Melissa’s free monthly webinars, held exclusively for our subscriber community. To watch the full video, including the implant demonstrations, head to: https://vimeo.com/1192108833?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci   If you’d like to be notified about upcoming webinars and other events from Restorative Health Clinic and Melissa, subscribe here: https://rshealth.com.au/#subscribe     In this special webinar episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa is joined by Shane, a highly experienced urological surgeon and founding partner of Perth Urology Clinic. Shane trained at the University of Western Australia, achieved his FRACS in urology in 1999 and completed an advanced surgical oncology fellowship at the Vancouver General Hospital/UBC Prostate Centre in Canada. His clinical expertise covers some of the most complex areas of urology, including bladder cancer management, Peyronie’s disease and penile implant surgery.  The webinar begins with Shane discussing the basics: how a normal erection works, and how a three-piece inflatable implant simply replicates that process with two cylinders, a reservoir of saline and a pump tucked away in the scrotum. As he puts it, it is a bit like putting a new inner tube inside a flat tyre. Using actual demonstration models, Melissa and Shane show the difference between malleable (bendable rod) implants and inflatable hydraulic implants and explain who suits each type. (Don’t forget to watch the episode online at link above to see the demo).  They then work through the practical questions that were sent prior to the webinar from Melissa’s subscriber community: Covering everything you ever wanted to know about penile implants but were too polite (or too nervous) to ask. Such as when to move on from tablets, injections and pumps; what surgery and recovery involve; what the implant feels like for the man and his partner; and what it all costs in Australia, both self-funded and with private health insurance.     The conversation does not shy away from the trickier topics either, including sensation and orgasm after an implant, why the head of the penis may stay softer than the shaft, considerations for gay men, combining an implant with an artificial urinary sphincter after prostate cancer treatment, and the furure app-controlled implant (yes, really, and yes, the jokes write themselves).  The overall message is a hopeful one: there is always a workaround for erectile dysfunction, satisfaction rates after implant surgery are very high in the research.      Golden Tip: Shane says the thing he hears most often from his patients is that they wish they had not waited so long to take this step.  Resources & Links  Perth Urology Clinic: https://perthurologyclinic.com.au/   Book a telehealth appointment 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.au   Click here to watch Melissa’s YouTube video: Most Men Use the SOMA VED Wrong | Here’s the Correct Way    Book a telehealth consultation with our sexual health nurse practitioners:  Restorative Health Clinic    For more information visit our websites:  www.rshealth.com.au  www.makehardeasy.com.au  www.melissahadleybarrett.com    Need Support?  At Restorative Health Clinic, we support men and their partners with:  Penile rehabilitation after prostate cancer treatment  Erectile dysfunction  Vacuum pump and constriction ring education and prescription  Penile injection therapy  Intimacy and sexual recovery  Partner-inclusive support where appropriate  Practical, evidence-based strategies for rebuilding confidence and function    We offer telehealth consultations Australia-wide and internationally, making it easier for men to access experienced, compassionate support no matter where they live. If Steve’s story s

In this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa sits down with Don and Clare, a couple who have lived through the messy, emotional and often under discussed reality of prostate cancer recovery.  Don was diagnosed just before his 65th birthday after his PSA rose from around 4 to over 9. A biopsy showed aggressive Gleason 9 prostate cancer, and within six weeks his prostate was removed. His PSA is now undetectable, which is the result everyone hopes for. But, as Don and Clare explain, being “cancer-free” did not mean life went back to normal.   After surgery, Don experienced severe ongoing urinary incontinence. Despite doing all the pelvic floor exercises and following instructions, he was still incontinent 18 months later. Eventually, after further review, he was referred for an artificial urinary sphincter, which has made a huge difference to his quality of life.   This episode is about more than leakage, pads, clips and surgery. It is about what happens when a man feels lost in the medical system. It is about the emotional toll of prostate cancer on both partners. It is about the importance of honesty, asking questions, changing teams if needed, and remembering that there is a person attached to the prostate.  In This Episode, We Cover:  The emotional impact of severe urinary leakage   Why pelvic floor exercises do not fix every case of incontinence   What can be done when continence doesn’t recover  Clare’s perspective as a partner watching Don struggle   How hormone therapy affected Don’s mood, personality and relationship   The importance of being told the full picture, not just the “curative” plan   Why some men need an artificial urinary sphincter   The importance of second opinions and finding a team that sees the whole person   Why prostate cancer recovery is a couple’s issue, not just a man’s issue    Key Takeaway: An undetectable PSA is wonderful, but it is not the whole story; quality of life matters.    Key message from Don and Clare:   People need honest information.  Don and Clare do not regret the cancer treatment. Don says the surgery likely saved his life. But they both wish they had been told earlier that his continence recovery was unlikely to happen without further intervention. Clare explains that people may not want bad news, but they do want the truth.  That truth gives people options. It helps them plan. It helps them understand that they are not failing. And it can prevent months, or even years, of unnecessary suffering.    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.au   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   http://prost.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 speaks with Sophie Smith, a prostate cancer specialist nurse based in the UK, about what prostate cancer nursing looks like on the other side of the world.  Sophie has been nursing for 23 years, with her entire career connected to urology and prostate cancer care. She now works with Prostate Cancer UK, providing information, support and guidance to men, partners and families navigating prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment decisions, side effects and life after treatment.  Melissa and Sophie compare the UK and Australian systems, including the role of prostate cancer nurses, access to sexual rehabilitation, erectile dysfunction care, psychosexual support, pelvic floor education, penile implants, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and the sometimes-controversial topic of lymph node removal.  This episode is a thoughtful and practical conversation about the parts of prostate cancer treatment that are not always discussed enough: erections, identity, relationships, grief, masculinity, intimacy and the importance of having someone safe to talk to.  And yes, as always, we talk about penises. Because ignoring them has never helped anyone.  Sophie’s biggest message to men going through prostate cancer treatment is to reach out and get support. Prostate cancer can feel lonely, especially when the changes affect sex, relationships and mental wellbeing. But you do not need to sit with those worries by yourself.  Sometimes the hardest part is starting the conversation. Once one brave person says, “Actually, this has been difficult for me,” the floodgates often open.    Resources & Links:  Prostate Cancer UK has a range of services that can help see links below:  https://prostatecanceruk.org/  support services page with all the support we offer: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support    Sexual Support: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/get-support/sexual-support  Partners Support Group: https://tackleprostate.org/support-groups/national-prostate-cancer-partners-support-group/  Book an appointment 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  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 in clinic consultations in Australia and 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:  h

Host: Melissa Hadley Barrett  Guests: Rob and Linda  Category: Penile Implants| Prostate Cancer | Buried Penis | Penile Rehabilitation | Erectile Dysfunction| Men’s Health | Peyronie’s Disease  Episode Summary:   On this episode of The Penis Project Podcast, Melissa Hadley Barrett speaks with Rob about his experience of prostate cancer, recovery after treatment, and the very real ups and downs of getting back to life after diagnosis.  This is a practical, honest, and hopeful conversation that walks through what recovery can look like for a man after prostate cancer treatment. Rob shares his story with openness and humour, talking about everything from preparing for surgery and losing weight beforehand, through to dealing with a catheter, continence recovery, penile rehabilitation, Peyronie’s disease, and eventually having a penile implant.   Melissa reflects on working with Rob across different stages of his recovery, including using tadalafil, a vacuum pump, injections, and later navigating a period of Peyronie’s disease. What comes through strongly in this episode is that recovery is rarely a straight line. Sometimes things improve steadily, sometimes there are unexpected detours, and sometimes the plan changes along the way. That does not mean things have failed it just means the journey is real and sometimes there is a bend in the road(pun intended).   Rob also talks about the emotional side of surgery and treatment. He was not necessarily thinking the worst would happen, but there was still worry about consequences, loss, and what life might look like on the other side. Melissa also brings in Linda, Rob’s partner, which adds another important layer to the conversation, the support of a positive, involved partner can make a real difference during recovery.   One of the really valuable parts of this episode is the reminder that there is no single “right” recovery story. Rob had early continence challenges, but improved quite quickly with pelvic floor exercises, walking, and staying engaged in his rehab. He later developed Peyronie’s disease, which Melissa discusses in the context of connective tissue tendencies and risk factors, and eventually went on to have a penile implant, which he describes as something he noticed was there but did not find especially troubling and has improved his quality of life.   Rob shares that his PSA is now undetectable, and despite the wobbly recovery path, he and his partner are active, travelling, getting on with life, and doing well. That matters, because many men fear that prostate cancer treatment means life is permanently diminished. This episode is a good reminder that life can still be full, active, intimate, and meaningful after treatment.   Thankfully, recovery is often less about one magical fix and more about stickability(Melissa’s favourite made up word), persistence, support, and finding the right next step.  Who should listen:  This episode is for:  men preparing for or recovering from prostate cancer treatment  men dealing with erection changes or continence issues after surgery  men curious about penile rehabilitation or penile implants  partners supporting someone through prostate cancer recovery  health professionals wanting a real patient perspective on rehab and recovery   Need support?  At Restorative Health Clinic, 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.  Resources & Links:  Book a telehealth consult with our sexual health nurse practitioners at Restorative Health Clinic  For more information check out our websites www.rs

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://melis

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

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  practica

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 y