Sex Talk Podcast

Women make up a third of people living with HIV in the UK, and a quarter of new diagnoses, yet women are often invisible in the conversation around the virus. In this episode, Adele & Hilary are joined by Sophie Strachan. Sophie is the co-chair for women's HIV charity, Sophia Forum, who recently worked with the Terrence Higgins Trust on a report looking into women living with HIV called 'Invisible No Longer'. Sophie talks about the findings of the report and shares her own story of being diagnosed with HIV in prison. They're also joined by HIV specialist, Dr Laura Byrne, who talks about the reality of HIV and Pregnancy, and Dr Shema Tariq talks about the PRIME study which looks into women living with HIV and the Menopause.

The National guidelines for sex & relationship education in the UK haven't changed since the year 2000, but the way young people interact with each other has changed massively. In this episode, Adele & Hilary hear from three teenage girls who talk about their experience of sex education & put their questions to sexual health specialist, Dr Stuart Flanagan, & sex & relationship education expert Lizzie Jordan. The team also chat about what the new guidelines should look like when they're refreshed in 2020.

According to research by HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, 80% of people aged between 50 and 90 are sexually active, and between 2012 and 2016 there was a 9% increase in STI’s in over 45’s. New HIV infections in people over 50 are also rising faster than other age groups. In this episode, Adele and Hilary chat to Sue and Simon, who were both diagnosed with HIV later in life, and HIV specialist Dr Shema Tariq talks about the PRIME study focusing on HIV and the Menopause.

In this episode, Adele & Hilary delve into the world of Kink and Fetishes. They're joined in the studio by Zak, who's been involved in the fetish scene for 30 years, and London Kink Therapist, Sarah Berry. They chat about different kinks & fetishes, safety, and how to navigate the scene. Zak and Sarah also try their hands at Word Porn!

In this episode of Sex Talk, Hilary & Adele talk about sex and consent. They’re joined by George WX Barker, Director of Sexpression:UK, who talks about navigating consent and what it actually means. We also hear from Anna Sale, host of the podcast Death, Sex & Money from WNYC Studios, as she reflects on an episode they recently produced where consent became a big part of the conversation. Leasuwanna and Alex who’ve appeared in previous episodes of Sex Talk also share their own stories.

Discussion around HIV often focuses on ‘at risk’ groups, such as men who have sex with men and people in the black African community. In this episode of Sex Talk Adele and Hilary are joined by two people who had never even considered HIV would affect their lives before their diagnosis, Raj and Lizzie. They also chat with Yasmin who works for HIV charity Positive East, about why every person who is sexually active should regularly test for HIV.

Sex Talk is back for a final series! In this episode the conversation focuses on trans and non-binary sexual health. Adele and Hilary are joined in the studio by Aedan, one of the directors of CliniQ, a sexual health and well-being centre specifically for trans and non-binary people in London. They also chat with Juno Roche, author of the book ‘Queer Sex’ about her personal experiences of HIV care as a trans woman.

So Sex Talk is currently on a series break! We'll be back in September with episode 17 focusing on Trans & Non-Binary Sexual Health, but in the meantime, we want your questions about the birds and the bees! Our sexual health expert, Dr Stuart Flanagan and sexpert Sarah Berry will be joining Adele and Hilary for a special Q&A.

Get any questions you have about sex, sexual health and relationships to us by September 21st. 

In the meantime, stay safe, and keep talking!

Did you know that somebody on effective treatment for HIV can’t pass the virus on? Did you know that there is a daily pill you can take to prevent yourself from contracting HIV?

In this HIV myth buster special of Sex Talk, Adele & Hilary are joined in the studio by Sexual Health and HIV Specialist Dr Stuart Flanagan, and Matthew Hodson, Executive Director of HIV charity, NAM. Stuart and Matthew separate fact from fiction when it comes to HIV, and Matthew gets involved with our favourite game, Word Porn!

In the latest episode of Sex Talk, Hilary and Adele look into the often hidden world of Chemsex (sex under the influence of psychoactive drugs, usually between men who have sex with men). Hilary and Adele are joined in the studio by Pank who talks openly about his experience of Chemsex, which includes sex parties, prison and HIV. Hilary also chats with Monty Moncrieff from London Friend who talks about the support the charity offers people engaging in Chemsex.

In this weeks Sex Talk we hear about the experiences of black gay & bisexual men.

HIV diagnoses among Asian & black African gay & bisexual men have been rising for the past 10 years.

Marc Thompson, co-founder of BlackOut UK, an online community for gay black men & Phil Samba from The Terrence Higgins Trust chat to Adele and Hilary about racism that they have experienced in the gay community.

They also discuss stereotypes, sexual health, homophobia and coming out in the black community in the UK.

Who said Sex was easy?! Sex isn’t always as easy or as carefree as some might think, with 1 in 3 people experiencing sexual difficulties.

In this episode of Sex Talk, Adele and Hilary are joined by Sex Therapist, Sarah Berry, who chats about sexual problems which affect women, such as vaginal pain and low libido. They also talk to Hannah about her experience of Vaginismus, and they hear from Peter Saddington, Sex Therapist and Relationship Counsellor for Relate, about sexual issues affecting men, such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

There are currently around 1000 children living with HIV in the UK.

99.9% of babies born in the UK to HIV positive mothers do not contract the virus, as effective treatment actually prevents transmission.

This episode of Sex Talk looks at what it’s like to grow up with the virus. Adele and Hilary talk to Horcelie, who was born in The Democratic Republic of Congo and found out she had HIV when she was 11 years old. We also hear from Abi who works for the children’s HIV charity CHIVA, about what support they offer to children living with HIV in the UK.

On Saturday July 7th 2018, the capital was full of love and unity (and there was plenty of glitter too!), for Pride in London. Adele and Hilary joined the celebrations in the glorious sunshine and caught up with some of the men marching with LGBT Hero (behind Out Life and the GMFA). They spoke to Peter Tatchell, who was voted number 1 in the Pride Power List (which also included our very own Adele Roberts!) for the work he has done for LGBT+ human rights since the first UK Pride in 1972. They also caught up with Polly Shute, one of the directors of Pride in London, who spoke about why Pride is still so important in 2018.

In this episode of Sex Talk the conversation focuses on Sex and Disability. Adele and Hilary talk to Brian (not his real name), a blind man in his twenties who talks about his experiences using sexual services. They also chat with Rachel, an escort who lists her services through The TLC Trust, a website which provides listings of safe sexual services for disabled people, and Sex Therapist Tuppy Owens, who originally set up the TLC Trust as well as the disabled social, peer support and dating group, the Outsiders Club, explains why she is passionate about her work.

In the final episode of Series 1, the focus is on living well with HIV. Adele and Hilary are joined by two guests, Garry and Leasuwanna. Garry was diagnosed with HIV 27 years ago and was told he had 5 years to live. Leasuwanna was diagnosed with HIV at the same time many women in the UK are diagnosed, during pregnancy, as this is the only time women are routinely screened for HIV. They both tell their inspirational stories, and talk about the incredible work they are doing helping others with Positively UK.

Adele and Hilary hear from two people involved in the Sex industry in Episode 7. Roney worked in the industry for over two decades and shares his experiences of addiction, violence and poverty. Roney also talks about the work he does with The Mens Room. Joining Adele and Hilary in the studio is Sophie, a 24 year old talented writer who has been involved in the industry since she was 16. Sophie talks about the reality of working as an escort, and reads a short story she has written.

In Episode 6 of Sex Talk, Adele and Hilary talk all about Sex and Alcohol. We hear from the Terrence Higgins Trust Outreach Team in Soho, headed up by Rebecca and Rich, as they tackle the busy bars in one of London's drinking hotspots, handing out free condoms and information about PrEP. Alex Causton-Ronaldson joins Adele and Hilary in the studio to talk about how a wild night out changed his life forever.

Episode 5 of Sex Talk focuses on Sexuality and Religion. Surveys show that around half of religious people in the UK think homosexuality is wrong, compared to a quarter of the population who are not religious. This can make it very difficult for people to come out to their communities and families. Hilary visits Reverend Jide Macauley who runs the ‘House of Rainbow’ which focuses on a person’s journey towards reconciliation of sexuality and spirituality. Adele and Hilary are also joined in the studio by Aiwan Obinyan who received support herself from Jide and the House of Rainbow when coming out to her family at the age of 30.

Episode 4 of Sex Talk looks into the relatively unknown world of Sex and Prisons. Adele and Hilary hear from a former prisoner, Julia, who talks openly about her own experience of sex and relationships in Prison. They're also joined in the studio by Lorraine Atkinson from The Howard League for Penal Reform, who talks about the review the organisation did on sex in prisons.

In episode 3 of Sex Talk, Adele and Hilary look into the world of Sex Addiction. Hilary takes a trip to Plymouth and talks to Alan Stokes, owner of Horizon Counselling Services, who specialise in Sex Addiction counselling. They also chat with Erica Garza, who speaks openly in her memoir 'Getting Off' about her own struggles with Sex Addiction.

This episode of Sex Talk is all about Sex and Dating. Adele and Hilary are joined in the studio by Sexpert, Brigette Bard, Founder and CEO of BioSure. They create home testing kits for HIV. Brigette talks all about dating and why people should talk more openly about sex. Hilary and Adele also chat with Jack Harrison-Quintana, Director of Grindr for Equality, who tells them all about the work the dating app is doing to promote safe sexual health.

In this first episode of Sex Talk, Adele and Hilary are joined in the studio by Dr Stuart Flanagan, a specialist in Sexual Health, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis. Hilary takes a HIV test in the studio, receiving his results at the end of the podcast. We also hear from Santiago, about his experiences of looking after his own sexual health.

Sex Talk is a podcast starting an honest conversation about sex.

Presented by Adele Roberts & Hilary Ineomo-Marcus, the series will cover a wide range of sex-related subjects, such as Sexual Health, HIV, Sex Addiction, Sexuality and Religion and Sex Work.

The podcast will feature various guests, from Sexual Health specialists, Sexperts, Volunteers, Charity Staff, and people with lived experiences sharing their own sex stories.

Sex Talk. Real Stories. Real Issues.