On The Couch

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          

References  

On The Couch episodes mentioned: 

More: 

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 

References:

Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  

On The Couch episodes mentioned: 

More: 

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        

Recommendations and References:  

On The Couch episodes mentioned: 

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

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  

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: 

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: 

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    

Recommendations  

Dr Sarah Vrankovich 

Dr Giselle Woodley  

Bloom-Ed  

References  

Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  

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

References  

Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  

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              

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             

Recommendations  

ACON 

World AIDS Day 

References  

Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  

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            

Recommendations  

Legitimate Sexpectations: the power of sex-ed 

Katrina Marson Website 

References  

Co-Culture Communications, Leah Maneama  

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 

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            

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:  

Stigma and Shame reading:  

Multicultural experiences of identifying as MSM within Australia  

PreP for women: 

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