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

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 subscribe, rate, and review The Penis Project Podcast. Your feedback helps more men and their partners find these conversations. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. 

 

We also have a free email list for updates, episodes, and resources. You can sign up via our website.  

 

Connect With Us 

We love hearing from real people navigating their health. If you would like to share your story or ask a question, get in touch. 

 

Email: admin@rshealth.com.au 

 

Websites: 

rshealth.com.au  

makehardeasy.com.au 

melissahadleybarrett.com 

 

Instagram: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

@restorativehealth.clinic 

 

YouTube: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TikTok: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

 

Facebook: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

Restorative Health Clinic 

 

LinkedIn: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TEDx Talk: 

Watch on YouTube

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 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 subscribe, rate, and review The Penis Project Podcast. Your feedback helps more men and their partners find these conversations. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. 

 

We also have a free email list for updates, episodes, and resources. You can sign up via our website.  

 

Connect With Us 

We love hearing from real people navigating their health. If you would like to share your story or ask a question, get in touch. 

 

Email: admin@rshealth.com.au 

 

Websites: 

rshealth.com.au  

makehardeasy.com.au 

melissahadleybarrett.com 

 

Instagram: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

@restorativehealth.clinic 

 

YouTube: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TikTok: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

 

Facebook: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

Restorative Health Clinic 

 

LinkedIn: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TEDx Talk: 

Watch on YouTube

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 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 subscribe, rate, and review The Penis Project Podcast. Your feedback helps more men and their partners find these conversations. Search for The Penis Project Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite podcast app. 

 

We also have a free email list for updates, episodes, and resources. You can sign up via our website.  

 

Connect With Us 

We love hearing from real people navigating their health. If you would like to share your story or ask a question, get in touch. 

 

Email: admin@rshealth.com.au 

 

Websites: 

rshealth.com.au  

makehardeasy.com.au 

melissahadleybarrett.com 

 

Instagram: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

@restorativehealth.clinic 

 

YouTube: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TikTok: 

@melissahadleybarrett 

 

Facebook: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

Restorative Health Clinic 

 

LinkedIn: 

Melissa Hadley Barrett 

 

TEDx Talk: 

Watch on YouTube

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: admin@melissahadleybarrett.com 
 

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: admin@rshealth.com.au 
 

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