{"podcast":{"title":"The Penis Project Podcast: Breaking Taboos in Men’s Sexual Health","slug":"the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686","podcast_index_feed_id":3323686,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/thepenisproject/feed.xml","website_url":"https://thepenisproject.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/9606022/NOV_24_v1_fn3p3x.jpg","author":"Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett","episode_count":223,"summary":"With over 219,000 streams and nearly 200 episodes, The Penis Project Podcast—hosted by Australian Nurse Practitioner and Sexologist Melissa Hadley Barrett —offers groundbreaking conversations about men’s sexual health. Launched in 2020 by Melissa and physiotherapist Jo Milios, the podcast combines expert knowledge, scientific insights, and interviews with her patients and their partners to address sensitive topics men often struggle to discuss, including erectile dysfunction, prostate and bladder cancer recovery, Peyronie’s disease, premature ejaculation and intimacy in relationships. Melissa, who refers to herself as the ”Unexpected Sexologist,” brings decades of clinical experience and compassion to every episode, highlighting that sexual wellbeing involves both physical and emotional health. Join this global community in breaking down stigma, finding support, and accessing practical solutions to common yet overlooked men’s health issues. Available on all major podcast platforms, with new episodes every fortnight—start listening today.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-01T10:21:38.552010+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686"},"episode":{"title":"208: Ryan Girdler: The Conduit – Masculinity, Breathwork & Redefining the Modern Man","slug":"208-ryan-girdler-the-conduit-masculinity-breathwork-redefining-the-modern-man","published_at":"2025-11-25T22:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686/208-ryan-girdler-the-conduit-masculinity-breathwork-redefining-the-modern-man","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686","url":"https://thepenisproject.podbean.com/e/208-ryan-girdler-the-conduit-%e2%80%93-masculinity-breathwork-redefining-the-modern-man/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/n5vkscbd6qpusx8f/Ryan_DONE_v18ok3n.mp3","summary":"In this deeply human episode of The Penis Project podcast, Melissa sits down with former NRL legend and now men's mentor Ryan Girdler, whose life after professional football has taken an unexpected and transformative turn. Ryan talks candidly about growing up in a blue-collar household in the 70s, the pressures of masculinity, and how being driven hard as a child shaped his identity. He reflects on his footy career, the unspoken expectations to “be tough,” and how those patterns carried over into life after retirement—leading him to overwork, burnout, and eventually, a total personal reset. Through meditation, breathwork, and support from his wife, Ryan found a new path. Today, he mentors men through profound emotional, physical, and spiritual work, helping them reconnect with themselves, develop healthier expressions of masculinity, and live with more balance, softness, and purpose. This conversation goes far beyond sport. Ryan opens up about parenting, vulnerability, inner dialogue, relationships, and why so many men feel lost in today’s world. He also explores his work with Reconnected Men, breathwork retreats, and his partnership with the enigmatic healer, Imrah, known to many as “the alchemist.” This Episode, We Cover: Ryan’s early life & sporting beginnings Growing up under pressure in a hardworking family and feeling driven to please others How internal and external expectations pushed him into rugby league The emotional impact of a “boys don’t cry” upbringing Masculinity, identity & the struggles men face today Why modern masculinity feels confusing—and why “toxic masculinity” breaks Ryan’s heart The lack of healthy male role models Balancing discipline with vulnerability Why many men feel they must fix everything rather than be present Life after profe…","meta_description":"In this deeply human episode of The Penis Project podcast, Melissa sits down with former NRL legend and now men's mentor Ryan Girdler, whose life after pr…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3814,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686/episodes/208-ryan-girdler-the-conduit-masculinity-breathwork-redefining-the-modern-man/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-penis-project-podcast-breaking-taboos-in-men-s-sexual-health-3323686/208-ryan-girdler-the-conduit-masculinity-breathwork-redefining-the-modern-man.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}