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In this episode we’re talking about Before We Begin, a naughty, interactive comedy that mashes up the playful spirit of Taskmaster with the educational heart of Sex Education. Created by theatremaker and performer Hamish Annan, the live show invites audiences to explore consent and queer intimacy through a series of escalating, real-time invitations. It’s a vulnerable, hilarious, and safe space to practice “sexy decision-making” with strangers, proving that doing intimacy better is a team effort. Jack and Joel ask Hamish about creating safe containers for vulnerability, the gaps in queer sex education, and how comedy can be a powerful tool for consent. Chapters 1:00 – What “Before We Begin” is and how much is scripted vs improv 6:25 – How to handle consent from audience participants 10:15 – Other creative inspirations 14:16 – Queer relationships and sex education 17:10 – A non-consensual experience 23:50 – The impact of the show on audiences 28:11 – How to handle someone saying no 35:20 – Balancing education and entertainment 38:10 – How the show has evolved and future plans All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin, Joel Parker

Luke Miller, Lead Organiser of Melbourne Queer Games Festival joins us to unpack how video games function as both therapeutic escape and powerful tools for identity exploration. Jack and Jake chat with him about the festival’s decade-long journey from a simple “gayest games” list to an internationally recognised showcase of over 1000 submissions from queer creators worldwide. We discuss the unique healing potential of meditative indie games and how digital spaces can serve vulnerable community members who lack physical access to queer venues. Chapters 02:13 – Introducing Luke Miller and Melbourne Queer Games Festival 03:35 – Festival origins from gay game lists to event 04:36 – Standout games that have featured in past festivals 09:01 – The judging and assessment process 11:45 – Current festival format online and in person details 14:51 – Defining what qualifies as a queer game 16:08 – Robert Yang and experimental queer game mechanics 19:44 – Balancing diverse identities and community needs 25:43 – Decline in mainstream discourse around queer games 30:12 – Personal games that shaped coming out experience 32:50 – Feedback from players about game representation impact 40:01 – Getting involved in the festival All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin, Jake Neville

Cal dives into the intersection of kink, fetish, and health promotion within Melbourne’s queer community through The Laird Hotel’s long-standing Northside Bizarre event. Laird Hotel owner Brett and community legend Tex discuss the evolution of safe sex messaging from early AIDS council campaigns to modern peer-based outreach methods. We also get into the nitty gritty about how venues like pubs and clubs have historically functioned as informal health education spaces beyond traditional medical settings. This year’s Northside Bizarre is set to be bigger and better than ever. Learn more and get involved here: https://www.thorneharbour.org/get-involved/events/northside-bizarre-oct-2026 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction to Northside Bizarre returning after six year hiatus 02:30 – Early HIV prevention posters in queer venues and saunas 05:30 – The Protection campaign using porn industry images for education 10:00 – Taking over The Laird Hotel 15:00 – Peer outreach volunteers distributing safe sex packs at venues 19:00 – Kink and fetish scene health education and venue partnerships 23:30 – Northside Bizarre auction house and memorable moments 28:00 – Leather and Treasure – second hand gear sale origin story 35:30 – Initiative celebrating female bartenders at The Laird 40:30 – Final year auctioneer announcement All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin

We’re joined by Rose, Marc, and Jesse, three Thorne Harbour Health volunteers to hear about the volunteer moments that have stuck with them, from welcoming people newly diagnosed at the Positive Living Centre to running red ribbon stalls and corporate workshops. We unpack why volunteering at an event can be more rewarding than simply attending one, and how a regular shift can become a fixture you can really miss. Jack also speaks with them about how the organisation’s history shapes its work today, from its founding as the Victorian AIDS Council to its evolution in a PrEP-era landscape. If you’re curious about becoming a vollie but unsure how to fit it around work, study, or life, we pull practical advice from their combined decades of experience. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 03:30 – Meet the volunteers and their origin stories 07:30 – Roles at the Positive Living Centre and Hoddle Street 12:00 – Event volunteering versus attending as a guest 17:30 – From the Victorian AIDS Council to today 22:30 – How motivations change over time 27:00 – An antidote to disempowerment 31:30 – Corporate volunteers and red ribbon workshops 35:00 – Memorable moments on the volunteer floor 39:00 – Advice for first-time volunteers All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin

In this episode of Well Well Well we’re talking about peptides. If you’ve heard the word whispered around the gym, the group chat, or your “For You” page lately, you’re not alone. We’re joined by Renae Fomiatti and Gemma Nourse from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University. To be clear, they are sociologists, not medical doctors. So this conversation should not be taken as medical advice, and we’re not here to sell you on them or scare you off them. This is a conversation about what peptides are, and why everyone’s suddenly talking about them. We get into: what a peptide actually is, the gap between what’s prescription and what’s not, who’s using them and how they’re getting them, and what the risks are when products come with no quality control. We’ll also dig into something bigger: why appearance has quietly folded into “health optimisation,” and what that means for our communities’ relationship with our bodies. And to be upfront, we’re not talking about the exact legal status of possession, anything on dosing, and clinical specifics, since we simply don’t have a medical expert in the room for that. If today’s conversation raises questions for you, raise them with your GP. That’s exactly what they’re for. For more on Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs), head to thejuice.org.au. Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and introducing our guests 04:00 – What actually is a peptide 06:30 – Prescription versus illicit access and retatrutide 10:30 – Body image and desirability in queer communities 14:30 – When appearance becomes health optimisation 18:00 – Wellness influencers and pop psychology crossover 22:30 – New digital health infrastructures beyond doctors 26:00 – Cheating accusations and shame around weight loss 30:00 – Unregulated products and online purchasing risks 34:00 – Harm reduction, GPs and trusted resources All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Joel Parker, Jake Neville, Jack Crnjanin, Trinity Trinh

Carolyn Gillespie, CEO of Women’s Health in the North and chair of the Victorian Women’s Health Services Network joins us to discuss women’s health during Women’s Health Week. We explore why Victoria’s 35-year-old women’s health infrastructure is among the best in Australia, and why gender equality is the most pressing driver of women’s health outcomes. Jake and Joel also discuss with Carolyn the Victorian parliamentary inquiry into women’s pain, the everyday realities of the gender health gap, and what genuinely inclusive care looks like for queer women and gender diverse people. Finally, we tackle mental health, social connection, and gender based violence as core public health issues, and share one small step listeners can take for their own wellbeing this Women’s Health Week. Chapters 02:20 – Introducing Carolyn and inclusive definitions 06:10 – Most pressing health issues facing women 09:50 – Explaining the gender health gap simply 13:50 – Victorian parliamentary inquiry into women’s pain 17:30 – Socioeconomic and intersectional barriers to care 21:00 – Inclusive care for queer women and gender diverse folk 25:20 – Safety, loneliness and mental health connections 32:00 – Gender based violence as a public health crisis 36:00 – Funding priorities, prevention and Women’s Health Week actions All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Joel Parker, Jake Neville

We dive into why LGBTQIA youth spaces like Wear It Purple Day remain crucial nearly fifteen years after launching, as queer young Australians continue to experience bullying and discrimination. Reb from Minus18 shares powerful stories from Queer Formal events where isolated young people meet their community for the first time and experience life-changing affirmation. We discuss how social media bans create additional barriers for regional youth while hate groups continue targeting safe spaces and attempting to sabotage events. Finally, we offer practical advice for parents, educators, and allies who want to support young people without burdening them with the responsibility of teaching adults. Chapters 00:43 – Introducing Wear It Purple Day and its history 02:25 – How bullying and isolation have changed since 2010 04:58 – How Minu18 supports and amplifies Purple Day 06:36 – Ripple effects of visible workplace and school support 10:43 – Powerful Queer Formal personal stories shared 15:44 – Why dedicated youth spaces still matter today 17:56 – Making queer friends without school pride groups 22:31 – Strategies after social media ban removes access 25:12 – Protecting mental health while supporting marginalised communities 31:00 – Advice for parents learning to accept and support All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin

Kylie and Gozde from Carer Gateway join us to discuss unpaid caring, and the resulting challenges that our diverse communities sometimes navigate with limited support. We hear about the free services available through Carer Gateway, including counselling, coaching, and peer support groups. Kylie also shares details about Rainbow Crew, an online group for LGBTIQA+ carers who need safe, inclusive, and affirming support. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 03:50 – What is Carer Gateway and who qualifies 07:40 – Difficulties carers face in daily life 11:30 – Practical self-care strategies for carers 15:15 – Peer support and its impact 19:05 – Hidden carers and barriers to identifying 22:55 – Pathways beyond basic peer support 26:45 – When you can no longer provide care 30:30 – Counselling support for carers explained 34:20 – Financial support and finding Carer Gateway All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin

Jack and Rhian are joined by Moe Ari Brown, Hinge’s Love and Connection Expert to dive into queer dating and Hinge’s 2026 LGBTQ+ DATE Report. Drawing on surveys with over 31,000 LGBTQ+ daters globally, we unpack everything from clarity-building chemistry to the unique pressures queer people face navigating modern dating without traditional relationship blueprints. Moe goes into detail on must-haves for queer relationships, the shift away from rigid timelines, safety concerns around PDA, and practical advice for ending connections with care rather than ghosting. Chapters 02:17 – Unlearning hookup app habits 04:17 – How clarity transforms the dating experience 11:54 – Queer relationships beyond rigid heterosexual timelines 15:03 – Why everyone worries if their date likes them 18:17 – Top non-negotiables for LGBTQ+ daters 20:11 – Why queer daters prioritise values over finances 22:43 – Freedom and exhaustion of lacking relationship blueprints 27:13 – Navigating non-monogamy without existing models or blueprints 31:06 – Why queer daters want actions over words 34:47 – Social media’s impact on queer PDA anxiety 38:05 – Low-stakes gestures to build warmth on dates 42:12 – Distinguishing genuine affection from love bombing behaviour 45:30 – Sentence starters for pace and communication check-ins 48:37 – Origins and evolution of Hinge’s LGBTQ+ reports 52:06 – Breaking the ghosting cycle with honest closure 52:56 – Better texting habits and ending connections gracefully 54:25 – Conversation starters for alignment and pace discussions 56:39 – The single most actionable dating takeaway revealed All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin & Rhian Graco-Ilves

We dive into prostate cancer screening, treatment, and lived experience through an LGBTIQA+ lens. Jack and Rachel speak with Michael Cromer, a urology nurse practitioner at the Australian Prostate Centre, who breaks down what the prostate does, when to start testing, and how treatment side effects can impact continence and sexual function. We also explore the unique barriers queer people face, from fear of outing to clinicians who don’t understand queer sex lives. Jaco Erasmus also joins us to share his personal diagnosis story at 48 and discusses founding Prostate Pride, a peer support group for queer men navigating prostate cancer. Chapters 00:52 – Why We’re Talking About Prostate Cancer 05:13 – What Is the Prostate and Its Function 06:38 – Average Age for Prostate Issues Arising 07:26 – When Should People Start Getting Tested 09:37 – Treatment Protocols Depending on Prostate State 16:06 – Side Effects on Continence and Sexual Function 21:31 – Barriers to Testing for Queer Communities 28:21 – Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Story 34:53 – Hyper Masculine Awareness Campaigns 40:05 – Starting Prostate Pride Support Group History All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin & Rachel Cook

Jack and Cal return to the world of leather, kink, and fetish title competitions through Cal’s journey as Mr. Australian Leather, including his visit to Auckland for the inaugural MX Gear New Zealand title. We hear from contestants including a 74-year-old trans man finding his second wind in community, a South Island pup advocating for trans rights, and a self-proclaimed “comedy queen” channelling Princess Margaret on their path to the title. The conversation unpacks how these titles serve as platforms for sexual health advocacy, community building, and solidarity at a time when queer infrastructure is under pressure globally. Chapters 00:00 – Intro and Cal’s sash queen revelation 02:02 – Cal’s history in Melbourne leather community 02:55 – Origins of leather title competitions 03:37 – Evolution toward inclusive mixed gear titles 05:08 – Cal wins Mr Australian Leather title 06:21 – Inside look at leather community gatherings 10:53 – Titleholders as advocates and community leaders 13:10 – What judges look for in competitions 20:53 – Luca 74 year old trans man competes 28:44 – Chief represents South Island at competition 34:16 – Robbie Abundance wins inaugural Mix Gear title 44:18 – Producer Sean on launching the event All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin & Caleb Hawk

Jenna Love has worked as an independent sex worker for over a decade, and now leads Sex Work Advocacy work as the president of Scarlet Alliance. In this episode she speaks with Jordan about her experience at the Women Deliver conference in Melbourne to the fight for decriminalisation across so-called Australia. We explore the long history of peer-to-peer organising in the sex worker community, the contagious spread of the Nordic model, and what genuine allyship looks like. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction 05:00 — Meeting incredible overachievers at Women Deliver 10:00 — Creating the sex worker networking zone 15:00 — Emerging Together: Sex Work at End of Empire 20:00 — Global solidarity among sex workers across borders 25:00 — Advice for allies supporting sex worker advocacy 30:00 — The Nordic Model and its harmful impact 35:00 — Queensland’s decriminalisation as best practice model 40:00 — Whore Walk: sex work history walking tours 45:00 — Sex work and digital rights All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jack Crnjanin & Jordan

We discuss sexually adventurous men's project, Down an' Dirty, with Craig from Thorne Harbour Health. This sexual health resource for sexually adventurous men covers kink, fetish, and harm reduction. Wayne from SNKR Bar joins to discuss sneaker fetish culture and his Melbourne-based community events for sportswear enthusiasts. We also talk about how safe, inclusive spaces support LGBTIQA+ communities explore various aspects of sexual expression while prioritising consent and community connection. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 01:42 - Down and Dirty sexually adventurous men health project overview 02:32 - Extensive range of kink fetish sexual practices content 05:09 - Harm reduction framework keeping community members safe during sexual activities 12:48 - Wayne from SNKR Bar joins to discuss sneaker fetish culture discussion 14:18 - Wayne shares personal journey 19:54 - Sportswear fetish offers accessible affordable alternative to expensive leather gear 24:54 - Sneaker Bar events create welcoming social space for newcomers to explore All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jake Neville, Jack Crnjanin, Craig Bascand

What's behind the explosion of mental health content flooding social media feeds today? We ask Lilly, a registered psychologist from Thorne Harbour Health's Under the Rainbow program, to help us find the answer. Jake and Jack speak with them about concerning trends including simplified diagnoses, debunked frameworks like love languages and MBTI, and why pathologising everyday behaviours can be problematic. We explore how to spot credible information versus clickbait, why self-diagnosis has both benefits and risks, and what you can expect if you decide to speak with a psychologist or therapist. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Social Media Concerns 01:53 - Meet Psychologist Lilly From Under The Rainbow 03:54 - Psychologist Versus Therapist Explained Simply 06:11 - Working As An LGBTIQA+ Psychologist 14:24 - Spotting Mental Health Misinformation Online 16:51 - Red Flags In Pop Psychology Content 27:14 - Debunking Love Languages And MBTI Myths 37:18 - What Your First Therapy Session Looks Like All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Jake Neville, Jack Crnjanin

Rachel is joined by Jacob Boehme, an award-winning filmmaker, choreographer, and cultural leader. Jacob shares his journey from a troubled teenager in Melbourne's western suburbs to his studies, where he discovered the deep connections between traditional cultural practice and theatre. We also explore his acclaimed solo work Blood on the Dance Floor, which centres First Nations experiences of living with HIV. He closes after speaking about his current role leading the Mob+ program at Thorne Harbour Health's Positive Living Centre in Prahran. Chapters 00:00 - Show introduction and guest overview 01:52 - Early theatre and dance beginnings 05:54 - Cultural discovery and identity at NAISDA 08:22 - Multidisciplinary ceremony as theatre practice 11:45 - Founding Yirramboi Festival with self-determination 15:50 - Blood on the Dance Floor 20:21 - Introducing the Mob Plus program 26:03 - Hopes for the future of Mob+ All chapter timecodes are approximate. Want more Well Well Well? Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing at joy.org.au/wellwellwell. If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at [email protected] Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria and South Australia at thorneharbour.org. Produced by: Rachel Cook, Jack Crnjanin