On The Couch

Sexual Violence Prevention & the Power of Sex Education with Katrina Marson

“Sexual well-being should be the baseline we are aiming for when we are talking about Comprehensive Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE), and sexual violence prevention is supplementary to that.”  
Join Maddy as she chats with author and researcher Katrina Marson to unpack the power of sex education. Katrina reflects on her work as a criminal lawyer specialising in sexual offenses and shares how her research on the implementation of relationships and sexuality education overseas on a 2019 Churchill Fellowship, has shaped her advocacy of RSE as a human right.  
This episode explores how the power of a whole-of-community approach, is crucial in preventing sexual violence and supporting sexual wellbeing, overall health and self-determination. 
This episode was recorded in October 2025  
 
CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual assault, sexual violence and child sexual abuse. 
1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732 
 
Read transcript here            Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    
  
Recommendations  
Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed 
Katrina Marson Website 
 
References  
Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  
Coordinates of Belonging Part 1   
Coordinates of Belonging Part 2 
Sexual Assault Support Service in Tasmania 
Churchill Fellowship 
Where Did I Come From Book 
World Association of Sexual Health Congress  
Ignorance is not Innocence Implementing Relationships and Sex Education to safeguard sexual wellbeing 
Why consent education isn't enough | Katrina Marson | TEDxBrisbane 
Chanel Contos 
Teach Us Consent 
Scribe  
The Child Abuse Royal Commission 
It Left No Marks  
Bloom Ed (a hub of resources including for advocacy) 
Talk Soon, Talk Often (guide for parents) 
SECCA (sexuality education and disability) 
Mooditj (sexual health program for young Aboriginal people) 
Sex and Ethics by Moira Carmody 
The Art of Receiving and Giving: The Wheel of Consent By Betty Martin 
UNESCO Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: an evidence informed approach 
Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee 
LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers 
Sex, Relationships & Consent with Tom & Adie from Sticky Q’s 
Communicative Approach to Consent with Dr Joy Townsend 
TransHealth, Medical Consent, Disability & Queer Healthcare with Axel-Nathaniel Rose  
 
Credits     
Host: Maddy Stratten 
Guest: Katrina Marson  
Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  
Editing: Winnie Adamson  
Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   
  
NSW Health social media community guidelines 
 

Is My Husband Gay or Sleeping with Other Men with Kyla Lawson

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

Muslim Women, Feminism & Tokenism in the Workplace with Soaliha Iqbal

What does it actually mean to create real cultural change? 
In this eye-opening and honest conversation, Winnie sits down with journalist and podcast creator Soaliha Iqbal to explore the intersections of politics, feminism, media trends, and anti-capitalism in a colonial world. 
Soaliha shares how her lived experience as a Muslim women in Australian has defined her voice within the Australian media landscape, using her platform to unpack the social, cultural, and political structures that shape our everyday lives. 
She reflects on the discomfort many people feel when talking about race, diversity, and inclusion. Instead of letting fear of “getting it wrong” hold us back, Soaliha shares why we should approach these conversations with honesty, courage, and a collaborative spirit.  
This episode was recorded in August 2025  
 
Read transcript here           Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    
  
Recommendations  
Soaliha Website 
Soaliha Instagram 
Soaliha Substack 
 
References  
Here's The Thing Tho 
Mitch Price 
Here's The Thing Tho: Unsafe Vs Uncomfortable 
World Association of Sexual Health Congress 
Kai Schweizer 
Brave spaces 
Australian Child Maltreatment Study, 2023 
Understanding the Transgender Lived Experience with Transhub 
George Floyd Protests: A Timeline 
Black Lives Matter 
Say Their Names: Michael Brown 
Ethical Consent & Empowering Young People with Laura Crozier 
Translations by Jumaana Abdu 
Jumaana Abdu 
Learned Behaviors by Zeynab Gamieldien 
Zeynab Gamieldien 
What We're Reading Caddyshack Project 
 
 
Credits     
Host: Winnie Adamson 
Guest: Soaliha Iqbal  
Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  
Editing: Winnie Adamson  
Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   
  
NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Drag is a Performance, Trans is an Identity with Cherry-Ripe, Roxee Horror & Lawrence of Australia

“It's super powerful to go into a space, a group of people who don't know anything about you, and you have that connection and that community.” Drag is more than just a performance of heightened gender expression; it’s a safe and affirming space for exploration.  
This honest and nuanced conversation explores the intersection of drag and the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s not drag 101, it’s a deep and vulnerable conversation about the role that drag plays in LGBTQIA+ advocacy. 
Maddy and Winnie yap with three incredible local Wollongong drag stars; Cherry-Ripe (she/her), Roxee Horror (she/her), and Lawrence of Australia (he/him) about the rise of drag in pop culture, performer and audience consent and drag as an ever-evolving industry. 
Get ready to have a laugh, be challenged and experience the personal stories that provide a unique insight into the heart of drag culture. 
This episode was recorded in March 2025  
 
Read transcript here          Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    
  
Recommendations  
Roxee Horror 
Cherry Ripe 
Lawrence of Australia 
 
References  
Understanding Drag Blog 
Courtney Act 
Ru Paul's Drag Race 
Drag Expo Au 
Real butch: The performance/performativity of male impersonation, drag kings, passing as male, and stone butch realness
The Early Artistry of Male Impersonation
Rocky Horror Picture Show 
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar 
Mrs Doubtfire 
Dating The Enemy 
White Chicks 
Hannah Gadsby's Nanette 
Communicative Approach to Consent with Dr Joy Townsend 
TransHealth, Medical Consent, Disability & Queer Healthcare with Axel-Nathaniel Rose 
Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee 
LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers 
Language, Feminism & the Queer Space with Kirli Saunders 
 
Credits     
Host: Winnie Adamson & Maddy Stratten 
Guest: Roxee Horror, Cherry-Ripe & Lawrence of Australia  
Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  
Editing: Winnie Adamson  
Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   
  
NSW Health social media community guidelines  

Sex, Relationships & Consent with Tom & Adie from Sticky Q’s

Join us as we host Tom (he/him) and Adie (she/her) to discuss sex, relationships and consent and their work in answering young people’s sticky questions.   
Tom and Adie talk about their experiences working at Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) and the inspirations that drove the production of the Sticky Q’s podcast as an educational tool. Sticky Q’s is a podcast where they answer anonymous questions, written on sticky notes from real life consent education classes. 
Listen as Tom and Adie share the frameworks they use to answer these sticky questions from young people. 
This episode was recorded in May 2025  
 
Read transcript here         Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    
  
Recommendations  
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society 
Australian National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH survey) Report 
 
References  
Sticky Q’s Podcast 
Sticky Q’s Instagram 
Sexual Assault Support Service Tasmania 
TED Talk: Adie Delaney An Aerialist on Listening to your Body's Signals 
Safe Schools 
Australian Secondary Schools Survey 
Pop Culture Parenting 
Connor Beaton – Man Talks 
Public Health Student Placement & Podcasting with Jade Scott 
Society, Social Scripts & the Study of Sex with Jennifer Power 
Young People’s Digital Cultures & Sexual Health with Kath Albury 
Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee 
LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers 
What We’re Reading 
Caddyshack Project on Goodreads 
Play Safe 
Play Safe Pro 
Sexual Health InfoLink 
 
Credits     
Host: Winnie Adamson & Maddy Stratten 
Guest: Tom Duff & Adie Delaney  
Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  
Editing: Winnie Adamson  
Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   
  
NSW Health social media community guidelines  

Society, Social Scripts & the Study of Sex with Jennifer Power

Join Naomi as she chats with Jennifer Power, a Principal Fellow at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University.  
Jennifer explores her research focused on sexuality, sexual health and HIV with Naomi, discussing her work on the Secondary Students and Sexual Health Survey and other studies relating to LGBTQIA+ wellbeing, young people and sexual health, and digital sexual health literacy.   
This episode was recorded in March 2025  
 
Read transcript here        Check out our webpage for more information    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook    
  
Recommendations  
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society 
Australian National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH survey) Report 
 
References  
Tech, Sex and Health 
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society 
NHMRC 
Dr Christopher Fox 
Professor Ruth McNair 
Professor Marian Pitts 
HIV Futures Publications 
Australian National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH survey) Report 
HIV Antiretroviral Treatment 
Student Edge 
Fifth National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2024–2030 
Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference 
Caddyshack Sexual Health Sticker Set 
Sexting and Sending Nudes - eSafety Commissioner 
ASHM Conference 
ACON 
Acceptance and use of condoms amongst school aged young people in Australia 
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) 
Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) 
Movement, knowledge, emotion, Gay activism- and HIV/AIDS in Australia 
On The Couch: Young People’s Digital Cultures & Sexual Health with Kath Albury 
Lech Blaine 
Play Safe Pro 
Play Safe Pro - Condom Games 
Ending HIV 
Emen8 
Word On The Sheets   
 
Credits     
Host: Naomi Viret  
Guest: Jennifer Power 
Producers: Winnie Adamson & Maddy Stratten 
Editing: Winnie Adamson  
Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)   
  
NSW Health social media community guidelines
 

Young People’s Digital Cultures & Sexual Health with Professor Kath Albury

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

Education & Advocacy of Women Living with HIV from Positive Speakers Bureau & Clinical Sexual Health Nurse Naomi Hoffman

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

Sex, Disability & Human Rights with Rachel Wotton & Mohammed Samrah

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

Public Health Student Placement & Podcasting with Jade Scott

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