Well Well Well

Jack and Cal are joined by new Thorne Harbour Health CEO Chad Hughes, and discuss the critical challenge of delivering equitable health services to our diverse communities in regional Victoria and South Australia.

Chad dives into the organisation’s strategy of embedding practitioners with lived experience into mainstream rural clinics to ensure privacy and reduce stigma for those not ready to come out locally.

We also explore the unique dynamics of regional pride events and the importance of empowering local experiences over a one size fits all approach.

Given the growing crisis of misinformation in the age of AI, Thorne Harbour’s forty-year legacy of trust is more vital than ever, especially as the organisation expands its national reach through innovative digital platforms.

00:00 – Intro

01:56 – Chad’s origin story involving genetics, a trip to Uganda in the late 90s, and the pivotal moment that drove him toward public health

06:14 – Setting up harm reduction programs over four years living in a remote Nepalese village, learning the language, and overcoming his needle phobia

11:39 – Leadership philosophy, focusing on mentoring others, the satisfaction of population-level impact versus individual care, and his framework for making tough decisions under pressure

14:45 – Living in Daylesford, the unique nature of regional queer communities compared to the city, and the specific challenges of delivering health services to isolated trans and gender-diverse youth

20:00 – The importance of supporting local autonomy in events like Bendigo Pride

24:46 – Thorne Harbour’s 40-year history of adapting to diverse community requirements

28:47 – Misinformation and AI-generated content, highlighting why Thorne Harbour’s reputation for trusted health information is more valuable than ever

33:32 –  The current political climate, funding challenges in Victoria, the importance of a unified sector, and the significance of having a community member as the new Minister for Health

38:13 – Chad’s hobby of birding, his spark bird, and how observing nature serves as a mindfulness practice

48:14 – Parallels between the patience required for birding and the calm, observant leadership style needed to manage staff dealing with vicarious trauma and complex community crises

49:42 – Ensuring services are truly community-led, responsive to emerging threats like Mpox, and accessible to everyone regardless of location or identity

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin

Queer content creator and influencer Odus Moore joins us to unpack the unique challenges and responsibilities of being a voice for sexual health and harm reduction in the digital age.

Odus traces his journey from streaming on Twitch during lockdown to highlighting the intersection of entertainment and serious health advocacy.

We tackle the “influencer” label, the difficulty of securing ethical brand partnerships, and the necessity of values-based content creation in an increasingly polarised political landscape.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Joel Parker, Jake Neville

Joel sits down with volunteers Phoebe and Leo to explore the power of giving back to the community in light of National Volunteer Week.

Phoebe shares her journey from a university student seeking purpose to a researcher supporting LGBTQ+ women’s health.

Leo discusses finding a safe haven in Melbourne after living in regions where queerness is criminalised.

We discuss how volunteering acts as a kind of “mental gym” that breaks down social isolation and fosters genuine human connection across diverse backgrounds.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by Joel Parker.

After the 2026 Women Deliver conference in Melbourne, we discuss what real inclusion looks like – does it mean simply inviting diverse voices to an existing table or dismantling the structure itself?

Rachel and Jordan in Melbourne are joined by Nikki Sullivan in Adelaide to explore the tension between tokenistic representation and the power of strategic coalition building across identity lines.

We also explore the presence of colonial and military frameworks within a feminist space, the unique visibility of intersex voices, and the urgent need to move beyond siloed identity politics toward issue-based alliances.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Rachel Cook,  Jack Crnjanin

We discuss how HIV self-test vending machines are breaking down barriers to testing for vulnerable populations across Australia with Zara Boulton, National Project Officer for Connect.

From navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems to fears of stigma and discrimination, we explore the complex obstacles that prevent overseas-born individuals from accessing traditional testing services.

Connect’s innovative approach of offering free, discreet, and convenient testing through strategically placed machines has proven remarkably successful, with pilot data showing strong community uptake and overwhelmingly positive user feedback.

The national rollout now spans multiple states and territories, with local project officers ensuring the program adapts to regional needs and community preferences.

Jack, Jordan, and Joel also reflect on Thorne Harbour Health’s internal knowledge sharing FRIDA conference.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Jack Crnjanin

Regional communities face unique challenges when it comes to Hepatitis, other blood borne viruses (BBV), and sexual health, including access to services, workforce capacity, stigma, and visibility.

In light of this, LiverWell and Thorne Harbour Country are running a forum focused on strengthening healthcare workforce practices in Bendigo and surrounding communities.

This forum aims to take a practical approach, recognising that factors like regionality, sexuality, gender, culture and migration status all shape health outcomes.

On Well Well Well, we speak often about stigmatising experiences for LGBTIQA+ communities and people living with HIV in healthcare settings.

In much the same vein, healthcare workers admit to treating patients negatively that have engaged in sex work, are living with Hepatitis, or have injected drugs, according to LiverWell.

We’re joined this episode by Jon Kok from LiverWell to break down the reality of stigma for these cohorts, how intersectional identities can present additional challenges, how LiverWell’s ‘StreetShot’ art project with Minus18 can help to visualise these issues, and why regional voices are essential to the solution.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Jack Crnjanin

Over 35 arrests have been made by Victoria Police regarding LGBTIQA+ Hate Crimes and coordinated online attacks against gay and bi+ guys.

These incidents, often facilitated by dating apps, have prompted a formal parliamentary inquiry into hate crimes across the state.

This episode features detailed insights from Victoria Police, Equality Australia, and La Trobe University’s ARCSHS on current reporting trends and safety protocols.

Learn exactly how the inquiry process works, why community evidence is vital for future policy, and how to make a submission before the May 1 deadline.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin

Emil Canita, an artist and advocate from Living Positive Victoria, joins Jack and Jake to discuss the intersection of creativity and health.

Many queer people living with HIV carry the weight of historical trauma, yet Australia’s epidemic has seen remarkably low mortality rates compared to global contexts.

The exhibition You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) at Collingwood Yards seeks to bridge the gap between art history and HIV advocacy, celebrating the resilience of the community while addressing the unique barriers faced by migrants and people of colour.

But how can we use art to reclaim the narrative around disclosure, challenge outdated criminalization laws, and honor the elders we lost during the AIDS crisis?

We speak about the “emotional scaffolding” needed for HIV disclosure, the shift in the epidemic toward overseas-born communities, and why being told someone’s HIV status is a gift.

You’ll also hear about the Let Them Know guide, the HIV Still Matters campaign, and Emil’s upcoming work exploring sex work and HIV.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Jake Neville, Jack Crnjanin

Equinox Clinic’s practice manager Ellis Nardella joins us in light of the clinic passes ten years of delivering Trans healthcare in Melbourne.

They speak with Jack and Joel about the informed consent model that improved accessibility of gender affirming therapy replacement, the barriers that exist in accessing gender affirming healthcare, and Thorne Harbour Health’s work in building capacity for other GPs.

We also deep dive into Queensland’s decision to pause public access to puberty blockers until 2031 and the real-world consequences for families seeking gender affirming care.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Joel Parker, Lewis (Yongmin) Liu, Jack Crnjanin

As part of this live panel discussion recorded Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV), we discuss how to tangibly support trans and gender diverse communities without falling into tokenism.

Our panel consists of:

Cal Hawk moderates the discussion which highlights the importance of listening to trans voices and sharing the burden of advocacy work.

We also explore the eight core pledges of TGV’s TDOV campaign designed to support trans and gender diverse communities across Victoria.

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 and samesh.org.au

Produced by: Caleb Hawk, Jack Crnjanin