The Hook Up

Our friends and peer group have a much bigger influence on us than we might think… But have you ever thought about how much of an influence our friends have on our love lives? On the podcast, we’re looking at peer pressure to be more sexual than our friends, taking your own time to make decisions that are right for you, and whether friends with benefits works. Sex therapist Cat O’Dowd joins us soon to talk us through it.

Friendships seem to be one of the most underrated relationships out there. We’re often told that your family and your partner are your priority when it comes to time and effort, but sometimes we tend to forget about our friends.

Friends can bring the best out of us, sometimes the worst of us, and research even says they can even make us live longer. On the podcast we’re looking at how we make friends as young adults and how we can break up with a friend.

You’ll hear stories of people who are using apps to make friends, and from people who have had enough of some of their friends and wanna break it off – but have NO idea how to do it. Psychologist Ben Buchanan will be in to help with that.

**TRIGGER WARNING **ADULT CONTENT**

This podcast discusses sexual assault and may be triggering to victim survivors. If you need help or someone to talk to, you can call 1800 RESPECT or visit respect.gov.au.

The #metoo campaign has brought up a lot of questions recently, like: What would make someone want to cross an emotional or physical boundary with someone else? And why can it take victim survivors so long to report?

On the podcast we’re discussing the psychology behind sexual assault. We’ll look at power and why some people abuse that power, what part – if any – porn plays in sexual assault, and what we can do to stop people from sexually assaulting.

It’s a lot to cover, the topics are very complex, and we don’t get to all the answers. Having said that, we think it’s important to look at these topics to break down the stigma around sexual assault so it’s easier for people to report, so that perpetrators realise that sexual assault is always wrong, and so we remind ourselves that consent and communication is key.

Have you ever posted a hot pic of yourself just to get the likes or spite an ex? It’s called thirst trapping, and while men and women are snapping away, does this actually work to get the attention of the person you want? And what does it say about they way we communicate now? Soon you’ll hear from some listeners who’ve seen the positives and negatives of the thirst trap. We ask clinical psychologist, Mai Dao if this new way of people meeting has surprised her, and ask if this can be a tad narcissistic.

A recent survey found one in five women between the ages of 18 and 27 have had an unintended pregnancy and more than half of the women wanted to know more about what their contraception options are. So let’s prevent some accidents and find out just what contraception is out there. Joining the podcast is Dr Deborah Bateson, Medical Director, Family Planning NSW and Sexologist Dr Nikki Goldstein.

Do you wonder about why you act in certain ways in a relationship? Maybe you find it hard to get emotionally close, or rely too much on someone and drive them away? Well, it could be partly your parents fault, on the podcast we’re looking at the affect your relationship with your parents can have on your romantic life. Writer Benjamin Law and his Mum Jenny talk about the sex and relationships advice book they’ve written together, and CEO of Relationships Australia and counselling psychologist Elisabeth Shaw talks through how our parents have an effect on us.

After a big breakup, the idea of living life alone scares the shit out of a lot of us, so naturally we head straight for the rebound. Whether that's a one night stand or even jumping straight into a new relationship.

But isn't rebound just pain avoidance? Or can it actually help you move on? On the podcast you’ll hear some pretty wild stories about rebounds, when they go wrong, and what happens when the ex of the girl you’re rebounding with tracks you down at work

Joining us on the podcast is psychologist Danielle Maloney who might be able to help you figure out whether a rebound is actually a good idea.

It’s Movember season, when people start growing out their mos to raise awareness for men’s health, so we thought we’d look at the 2nd highest cancer affecting young men in Australia, testicular cancer.

It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer after skin cancer in men aged 18–39 yet a lot of us seem to know very little about it.

You’ll hear stories from survivors that are moving and funny, of what it’s like to figure out if you want to have a fake ball or not, and stories of people who weren't so lucky and didn’t make it. Dr Joseph Ischia will also tell you what to check for and what you can do about it urologist.

Imagine living in a town where you know EVERYONE, and everyone knows you, and to meet anyone new and go on a date you need to drive hundreds of kms.

On the podcast we’re finding out what’s it like dating out in the bush. Joining us on the podcast is counsellor and sexologist Amanda Lambros.

According to surveys, around 70 percent of men trim their pubic hair, while the majority of women (nearly 60 per cent) go completely bare. So is the bush doomed to extinction, or do you think it should be having a comeback? Sexologist Amanda Lambros sheds some light on the purpose of the bush and why people do what they do to it, and Dr Brad McKay tells us whether we're more likely to get STIs if we shave it all off.