On The Couch

Join Maddy and Winnie in conversation with Saul Isbister and Katia Schwartz from Touching Base as they explore intimacy, disability, sex work and the dignity to say yes.  Drawing on lived experience and decades of advocacy, Saul and Katia explore the intersection of disability and sex work, challenging common misconceptions while unpacking the stigma, discrimination and barriers experienced across both communities. Hear Katia reflect on her experiences as a deaf, disabled sex worker, and Saul share how Touching Base has spent more than 25 years building understanding between the disability and sex work sectors through education, training and advocacy.   Together, they explore why intimacy, pleasure, connection and bodily autonomy are fundamental to wellbeing, and how sex workers can support communication, consent, confidence and access for people with disability.  Saul and Katia leave listeners with a powerful reminder that genuine accessibility includes access and support to sexual expression, physical intimacy and the dignity to say yes.  This episode was recorded in September 2026    CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references ableism, whorephobia and sexual abuse.  1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732    Read transcript here           Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn     Recommendations   Touching Base  Scarlet Alliance National Sex Workers Association  Physical intimacy is a human right - not an ‘extra’ campaign  Scarlet Road Documentary  Dr Rachel Wotton  Julie Bates AO  ancestry.com  Auslan  Family Planning NSW  John Blades – The Too Hard Basket  On The Couch episodes & resources mentioned:  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Sex, Disability & Human Rights with Rachel Wotton & Mohammed Samrah  Co Culture Communications  More:  Subscribe to Caddyshack Project e-newsletter  Caddyshack Project on LinkedIn  Caddyshack Project on Instagram  Caddyshack Project on Goodreads  What We’re Reading: an online library of book recommendations  Play Safe: an online safe sex, STI testing and condom education resource for young people in NSW  Play Safe Pro: an online sexual health education resource for professionals who are working with young people in NSW  Sexual Health InfoLink: a sexual health nurse-led NSW Health Service including a free telephone line for health professionals and the general public      Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Guest: Saul Isbister & Katia Schwartz  Producers: Maddy Stratten, Winnie Adamson & Diana Karamacoska  Live Technical Producers: Maddy Reid  Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Join Maddy and Winnie in conversation with Karina Reeves and Leon Huxtable and hear how culturally responsive relationships and sexuality education (RSE) looks like in practice in school and community settings.  Drawing on their experiences in health promotion, HIV prevention and sexual health, Karina and Leon share how educators, clinicians, and community workers can engage with migrant and refugee communities by exploring curiosity, trust, and genuine partnership. Listen to how de-othering language and embracing cultural and religious perspectives strengthen RSE.  Karina and Leon leave listeners with practical insights for creating safer, more inclusive, and culturally responsive RSE, while inviting us to embrace diversity, center community expertise, and continue learning alongside the communities we work with.  This episode was recorded in August 2026    Read transcript here           Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn     References   Co Culture Communications  Sexual Health Victoria  Thread (WAAC)  Experiences of Delivering Comprehensive Relationships and Sexuality Education to Young People from Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds in Australia  Parental opposition to comprehensive sexuality education in Australia: associations with religiosity and school sector  Doing ‘IT’ Podcast  Episode #70: Supporting Multicultural Communities  Centre for Multicultural Youth  A Young and Multicultural Victoria: The 2026 Census  God Didn’t Make Us to Hate Us  Srikandi: Redefining HIV Prevention Through Culture and Connection  Dr Corey Gray   Dr Horas Wong   The 3rd Australian Survey of Teachers of Relationships and Sexuality Education 2026     On The Couch episodes mentioned:  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Loud, Black & Pleasure Focused with Lauren French  Digital Literacy, Sex Ed & Sexual Violence Prevention with Dr Giselle Woodley and Dr Sarah Vrankovich  Australian Secondary Schools Survey Release with Professor Jennifer Power  Sexual Violence Prevention & The Power of Sex Ed with Katrina Marson  Society, Social Scripts & The Study of Sex with Professor Jennifer Power    More:  Subscribe to Caddyshack Project e-newsletter  Caddyshack Project on LinkedIn  Caddyshack Project on Instagram  Caddyshack Project on Goodreads  What We’re Reading: an online library of book recommendations  Play Safe: an online safe sex, STI testing and condom education resource for young people in NSW  Play Safe Pro: an online sexual health education resource for professionals who are working with young people in NSW  Sexual Health InfoLink: a sexual health nurse-led NSW Health Service including a free telephone line for health professionals and the general public    Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Guest: Karina Reeves and Leon Huxtable  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

“Community is the integral piece to healing that we have lost in Western spaces.”   Join Winnie as she yarns with Lauren French about shame-free and pleasure-focused approaches to relationships and sexuality education and how Indigenous knowledge offers a pathway to healing communities impacted by sexual violence.  As a proud Karajarri woman and sexologist, Lauren draws on her work across prevention, education and clinical practice, to explore the importance of moving beyond deficit-based narratives. By reframing sexual health as more than the absence of harm, Lauren invites us to challenge our biases and embrace curiosity, connection and pleasure as foundations for wellbeing.  Listen as Lauren shares insights from her Churchill Fellowship on Indigenous Elder-Guided Relationship and Community Repair After Youth Sexual Violence, highlighting the critical role of community, accountability and cultural strengths in healing.   This episode was recorded in July 2026    Read transcript here  Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn     References: Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama   Coordinates of Belonging Part 1    Coordinates of Belonging Part 2  SHIPS Psychology  Lauren French Churchill Fellowship  Chung Wah Society   Body Safety Australia  The 27th World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) Congress  On The Couch episodes mentioned:  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Digital Literacy, Sex Ed & Sexual Violence Prevention with Dr Giselle Woodley and Dr Sarah Vrankovich  Australian Secondary Schools Survey Release with Professor Jennifer Power  Sex, Relationships & Consent with Tom & Adie from the Sticky Q’s Podcast  Sexual Violence Prevention & The Power of Sex Ed with Katrina Marson  Society, Social Scripts & The Study of Sex with Professor Jennifer Power  Young People’s Digital Cultures & Sexual Health with Professor Kath Albury  Talking about Sex, Bodies & Consent with Dr Melissa Kang & Yumi Stynes  More:  Subscribe to Caddyshack Project e-newsletter  Caddyshack Project on LinkedIn  Caddyshack Project on Instagram  Caddyshack Project on Goodreads  What We’re Reading: an online library of book recommendations  Play Safe: an online safe sex, STI testing and condom education resource for young people in NSW  Play Safe Pro: an online sexual health education resource for professionals who are working with young people in NSW  Sexual Health InfoLink: a sexual health nurse-led NSW Health Service including a free telephone line for health professionals and the general public    Credits      Host: Winnie Adamson  Guest: Lauren French  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Sit down with Maddy and Winnie as they chat with Dr Melissa Kang and Yumi Stynes all about how we can have conversations about sex, bodies and consent with confidence and care while centering the power of young people's voices.  As co-authors of the award-winning ‘Welcome-To’ book series, Melissa and Yumi draw on their work across media, medicine and education to share why accessible, inclusive relationships and comprehensive sexuality education matters. Together, they give insight into the conception of the ‘Welcome-To’ series and how this evidence-based resource filled a gap and created a safe and trustworthy space for learning.  Listen as Melissa and Yumi reflect on their own experiences, and highlight how honest, curiosity-driven conversations can build trust, reduce shame, and support young people to feel informed, empowered, and connected.  This episode was recorded in May 2026    Read transcript here         Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn     Recommendations and References:   Yumi Stynes  Dr Melissa Kang  Welcome to Your Period  Welcome to Consent  Welcome to Your Boobs  Welcome to Sex  Welcome to Friendship  Ladies, We Need To Talk  Co Culture Communications  8th Australian survey of secondary students and sexual health, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University  Caddyshack Project Dolly Doctor Webinar Series   The SSASH Survey  Comprehensive Relationships and Sexuality Education and Reproductive Health for Children and Young People at School  Talk Soon, Talk Often  Teach Us Consent  Intersex Peer Support Australia  ACON’s TransHub  Play Safe NSW  International Student Health Hub  Take Blaktion  Sticky Q’s Podcast    On The Couch episodes mentioned:  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Compassion in Transness, Culture & Relationships with Mai Nguyen  Digital Literacy, Sex Ed & Sexual Violence Prevention with Dr Giselle Woodley and Dr Sarah Vrankovich  Australian Secondary Schools Survey Release with Professor Jennifer Power  Sex, Relationships & Consent with Tom & Adie from the Sticky Q’s Podcast  Society, Social Scripts & The Study of Sex with Professor Jennifer Power    Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Guest: Dr Melissa Kang & Yumi Stynes  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines   

In this impactful conversation, Professor Jennifer Power sits down with Winnie to share the latest findings from the 8th iteration of the Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health (SSASH) Study, Australia’s most comprehensive national snapshot of young people’s sexual health, relationships and wellbeing.  As the Lead Investigator of SSASH and Associate Professor at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), Jennifer unpacks what the data reveals about current gaps and emerging trends, highlighting why evidence-based, inclusive and responsive approaches are critical to supporting young people.   For more than three decades, SSASH has shaped how we understand and respond to young people’s sexual health, influencing policy, education, and sexual health promotion.  To hear more about Professor Jennifer Power’s work, listen to her previous episode of On The Couch Society, Social Scripts & the Study of Sex  This episode was recorded in April 2025    Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn     Recommendations   Jennifer Power | About | La Trobe University    8th Australian survey of secondary students and sexual health, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Our work, Sexual health and wellbeing, La Trobe University    References   Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama   Coordinates of Belonging Part 1    Coordinates of Belonging Part 2  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  The SSASH Survey - The SSASH Survey   ARCSHS at Latrobe University   Student Edge Panel   Youth Affairs Council Victoria   University of Melbourne Study     Goanna Study    The Australian Child Maltreatment Study, a nationally representative survey of child abuse and neglect in Australia, found that among participants aged 16–24 who had ever been in a relationship:  44% had experienced psychological violence  25% had experienced physical violence  18% had experienced sexual violence (Mathews et al., 2025).  Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a nationally representative study that has followed approximately 10,000 children and their families since 2004, reported that, in 2018, 29% of 18–19-year-olds had experienced at least one form of intimate partner violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Specifically:  25% had experienced emotional abuse  12% had experienced physical violence  8% had experienced sexual abuse.  Hobbs, C. (2022). Young, in love and in danger: Teen domestic violence and abuse in Tasmania : research report.   Mathews, B., Hegarty, K. L., MacMillan, H. L., Madzoska, M., Erskine, H. E., Pacella, R., ... & Cubitt, T. (2025). The prevalence of intimate partner violence in Australia: a national survey. Medical Journal of Australia, 222(9), 440-448.  O’Donnell, K., Rioseco, P., Vittiglia, A., Rowland, B., & Mundy, L. (2023). Intimate partner violence among Australian 18–19 year olds. Canberra; Australian Institute of Family Studies.    Credits      Host: Winnie Adamson  Guest: Jennifer Power  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Dr Giselle Woodley and Dr Sarah Vrankovich join Maddy and Winnie for a thoughtful and nuanced conversation exploring how young people learn about sex, relationships and consent in an increasingly digital world.  Dr Giselle and Dr Sarah are researchers working at the intersection of sexuality education, digital cultures and sexual violence prevention. As dedicated advocates at Bloom-Ed, they bring their passion and academic depth to the delivery of accessible and inclusive comprehensive relationships and sexuality education across schools, communities and online spaces.  Together, they advocate for strength‑based and evidence‑informed approaches that centre connection, curiosity, and pleasure.  This episode was recorded in March 2026    CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references sexual violence.  1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732    Read transcript here     Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn    Recommendations   Dr Sarah Vrankovich  Dr Giselle Woodley   Bloom-Ed     References   Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama   Coordinates of Belonging Part 1    Coordinates of Belonging Part 2  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Australian Teen Voices on Age Verification and Age Assurance Measures Article  SSASH Survey    The Conversation article on the Social Media Ban in Australia  The Conversation article on New Industry Codes  Age Assurance Technology Trial Report   Teach Us Consent   Bruce Perry   Healthways   Building Protective Factors in Sexual Violence Prevention: Implications for Research, Practice and Policy  The Conversation article on Pornography and Age Verification Access  Sexuality education in an age of resistance: Reflections at the nexus of education, health and rights   Sexual Violence Prevention & the Power of Sex Education with Katrina Marson   Dr Jackie Hendricks  Lydia Jupp - Star Observer    End Rape On Campus Australia     Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson  Guest: Dr Giselle Woodley & Dr Sarah Vrankovich     Producers: Maddy Stratten, Winnie Adamson & Diana Karamacoska  Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Sit down with Mai Nugyen (she/her), as she opens up with Maddy to share her personal experience and the importance of understanding compassion and empathy when approaching conversations about transness and cultural identity.   As a Vietnamese trans woman working in the trans healthcare space, Mai draws on her deep understanding of the communities she serves and the belief that inclusive healthcare relies on building bridges between people.   Mai’s honesty, heart and passion bleeds through personal stories of navigating her transness and cultural identities in her relationship with self, community, family and romantic partner.  This episode was recorded in February 2026    CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references transphobia, sexual and domestic violence.  1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732    Read transcript here Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn    References   Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama   Coordinates of Belonging Part 1    Coordinates of Belonging Part 2  Drag is a Performance, Trans is an Identity with Cherry-Ripe, Roxee Horror & Lawrence of Australia  TransHealth, Medical Consent, Disability & Queer Healthcare with Axel-Nathaniel Rose  TransHealth is a Human Right with Clinical Nurse Consultant Maggie Smith  Understanding Transgender Lived Experience with TransHub  Collective Holding, Community Care & Mutual Aid with Danyelle Mei Kaplan & Egan Magee  LGBTQIA+ Community Care, Mental Health & Emotions with Chris Cheers  Boddhisatva of Compassion (Quan Am)   Dr Irshad Manji  Club Chrome   Sky Sirens  Accessibility is Sexy: The Intersection of Sex Work and Disability with Saul Isbister & Katia Schwartz from Touching Base  Gender Euphoria and Sex - Zoe Belle Gender Collective  Zoe Belle Gender Collective  Transfemme  Say It Out Loud  QLife  Transhub  Twenty10  Albion Centre T150 Clinic  Ending HIV - Blossoms of Prosperity: Lunar New Queer by Mai Nguyen  Rainbow Cultures   Gender Centre    AusPath    Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten  Guest: Mai Nguyen  Producers: Maddy Stratten, Winnie Adamson & Diana Karamacoska  Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

Listen as co-hosts Winnie and Maddy unpack the On The Couch podcast and vodcast series and reflect on season 4’s themes and guests.  This episode was recorded in November 2025       Read transcript here               Check out our webpage for more information      Follow us on Instagram and Facebook         References    On The Couch full episode list Young People’s Digital Cultures & Sexual Health with Professor Kath Albury  Society, Social Scripts & the Study of Sex with Jennifer Power  Sex, Relationships & Consent with Tom & Adie from Sticky Q’s  Drag is a Performance, Trans is an Identity with Cherry-Ripe, Roxee Horror & Lawrence of Australia  Muslim Women, Feminism & Tokenism in the Workplace with Soaliha Iqbal  Is My Husband Gay or Sleeping with Other Men with Kyla Lawson  Sexual Violence Prevention & the Power of Sex Education with Katrina Marson  Continuing the HIV Conversation with Josef Garrington from ACON    Credits       Hosts: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson    Editing: Winnie Adamson    Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines 

With World AIDS Day around the corner, Maddy and Josef sit down to chat about what it really looks like to support a loved one diagnosed with HIV. You’ll hear powerful stories from family members, partners, and allies about connection, compassion, and reducing stigma and discrimination through everyday actions.  This episode reminds us that listening to people’s stories and educating ourselves is one of the most powerful ways to reduce fear, challenge biases, and better understand the diverse human experience.  This episode was recorded in November 2025     CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode references suicide. Lifeline - 13 11 14   Read transcript here              Check out our webpage for more information     Follow us on Instagram and Facebook        Recommendations   ACON  World AIDS Day    References   Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama   Coordinates of Belonging Part 1    Coordinates of Belonging Part 2  Education & Advocacy of Women Living with HIV from Positive Speakers Bureau & Clinical Sexual Health Nurse Naomi Hoffman  Ending HIV  It’s Time to End HIV Stigma: Think Positive ACON Campaign   NSW HIV Strategy 2021-2025  Thorne Harbour Health  Emen8  Illawarra Shoalhaven Gender Alliance  Wollongong and Regions AIDS Memorial Addition Event Registration Form  Candlelight Memorial   Professor David Cooper  Let’s Talk about HIV webinar with ACON  HIV 101 webinar with ACON  PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis)  PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis)    Credits      Host: Maddy Stratten  Guest: Josef Garrington, featuring the Think Positive ACON Campaign & Kaitlyn Middleton  Producers: Maddy Stratten & Winnie Adamson   Editing: Winnie Adamson   Music: Little Pastries Instrumental (descript)       NSW Health social media community guidelines   

“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