The HIV Podcast

This week Sarah and Jess are exploring what it means to grow older with HIV. From the insights of Sarah’s surprise client survey to discovering who holds the title of the oldest person living with HIV! We would also like to dedicate this episode to Dr Steve Dawson, a remarkable HIV consultant and an even more remarkable person. His work and kindness touched countless lives and he will be missed.

HIV The Naked Truth - About

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgmzn8802d7o

HIV charity hosts nude photography exhibit for World AIDS Day - Attitude

The Lisbon patient: exceptional longevity with HIV suggests healthy aging as an ultimate goal for HIV care | BMC Infectious Diseases | Full Text

A 100-year-old man living with HIV shares his secret to a long life

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This week Sarah and Jess take a look at a news story that broke last week, the case of Jonathan Carl, sentenced to 17 years for rape and reckless HIV transmission. Police believe he may have had contact with hundreds of men and are urging potential victims to come forward.

Anyone who may have had contact with Jonathan Carl is urged to contact detectives directly on 0207175273, you can also email, [email protected].

To contact police, you can dial 101 or via our online reporting system and state reference CAD2972/19Sept25.

You can also seek confidential support through NHS sexual health services or charities by following these links: NHS, SHL, Galop, Positive East, NAT, The Havens or SARCs.

Sources

https://news.met.police.uk/news/appeal-for-victims-to-come-forward-following-the-sentencing-of-jonathan-carl-501222

https://www.itv.com/news/london/2025-09-19/hundreds-of-men-urged-to-get-tested-for-stds-after-sex-attacker-convicted

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In this episode of The HIV Podcast, Jess and Sarah are talking about the brilliant Ian Charleson, yes, the Chariots of Fire star with the unforgettable grin. Behind the Hollywood buzz, Ian quietly made history by being open about his HIV status at a time when hardly anyone dared. And if that wasn't enough, the segment nobody asked for is back! Condiment Corner makes a continental return...

Sources

Ian Charleson - Wikipedia

Chariots of Fire' star Charleson dies of AIDS - UPI Archives

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In this episode of The HIV Podcast, Jess and Sarah swap test tubes for tech talk as they explore the world of Artificial Intelligence. From chatbots that could answer your HIV questions to the ethical dilemmas of letting machines into healthcare, we’re asking: is AI the future of HIV support, or just another shiny distraction?

Sources

Can AI Spark New Progress Against HIV?

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In this episode of The HIV Podcast, Jess and Sarah are back from their summer break and diving straight into the future. Sarah shares her slightly wacky idea that virtual reality might just hold the key to helping us reach the 2030 HIV goal...yes, you heard that right! Could VR goggles really make a difference in the fight against HIV? We’ll let you be the judge. Strap in, this one’s a bit bonkers.

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Sources

How Virtual Reality is changing gaming and intimacy

VR Can Trick the Brain to Feel Sexual Touch | Psychology Today United Kingdom

Augmented Reality: The Future Of Interactive Sex ‹ Onya Magazine

Virtual Reality Erotica: Exploring General Presence, Sexual Presence, Sexual Arousal, and Sexual Desire in Women

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In this episode of The HIV Podcast, Jess and Sarah take a stroll down memory lane as they dust off two of TVPS’s vintage newsletters, because what better way to mark our 40th anniversary than with a peek into our own archives? From animal adoption to Sarah's editorial input, we’re uncovering what was making headlines (and raising eyebrows) back then. Expect a few giggles, a touch of history, and a whole lot of appreciation for how far we’ve come.

We’re also pressing pause for a summer break, but don’t worry, we’ll be back in September, refreshed and ready to bring you even more untold stories from the HIV community!

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 As part of our 40th anniversary series, Sarah and Jess are joined by James Kirkland, who’s shining a light on one of the many unsung heroes of the HIV response, a nurse named Josephine.

James shares the moving stories he uncovered while writing his dissertation, which centres on Josephine’s work on the frontlines of HIV care during the 1980s and 90s. Her memories bring to life the compassion, courage, and grit it took to care for people living with HIV during some of the darkest days, and the stigma she herself faced for doing so.

This episode is a powerful reminder of the nurses, carers, and quiet warriors whose stories rarely make the headlines, but who helped shape the heart of our community’s response.

The World AIDS Day RED RUN in London

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As we continue our month-long celebration of 40 years of TVPS, Sarah and Jess are joined by someone who’s made history and written it, Les K. Wright! A trailblazing queer historian, writer, photographer, and fierce AIDS activist, Les has spent decades capturing the stories, struggles, and spirit of our community.

Since hanging up his chalk as a professor of English and German, Les has devoted himself full-time to preserving queer history and amplifying voices that too often go unheard. Les talks to us about The Children of Lazarus: Voices Out of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, a powerful and moving anthology that gives voice to the lived experiences of those affected by HIV and AIDS, documenting survival, grief, resistance, and love.

TVPS Archive - 1985 - 2025 — TVPS

Children of Lazarus: The Forgotten Generation of Long-Term AIDS Survivors: Wright, Les K: 9798987318836: Amazon.com: Books

Beyond HIV: The Narratives of 'Children of Lazarus' Tickets, Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 18:00 | Eventbrite

Beyond Survival: The Narratives of 'Children of Lazarus' Tickets, Mon 4 Aug 2025 at 17:00 | Eventbrite

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In the first of a month of very special episodes, Sarah and Jess kick off the celebrations of 40 years of TVPS (the charity that produces The HIV Podcast that Sarah and Jess work for)! And who better to start with than Jim Hoggart, someone who was literally there at the very beginning.

Jim takes us back to the 80s (shoulder pads and stigma galore) to share how TVPS sprang into action during the height of the HIV crisis, what awareness-raising looked like back then, and why community mattered more than ever.

TVPS Archive - 1985 - 2025 — TVPS

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This week, Sarah and Jess dive into the sticky subject of HIV and shame, where it comes from and most importantly, how we can start to shake it off.

Sources

How to cope with shame | Psyche Guides

Almost half of people living with HIV in the UK feel ashamed | aidsmap

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