The Hook Up
The Hook Up is a podcast about love, sex and relationships. It answers listener questions, explores dating dilemmas, and provides sex education with expert guests. Hosted by Dee and Pip, the show airs twice weekly with episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Episodes
How To Heal After Heartbreak
Going through heartbreak can be one of the most painful experiences and sometimes those break up scars don’t leave - when you start dating again. So in this ep, we chat to Dr Marny Lishman about the walls we put up after being hurt, how to heal and trust in love again. SHOW NOTES:Break Up Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac0wdFkrIUADr Marny Lishman - https://www.marnylis
What’s The Best Way To Get Over An Ex?
We can all agree that break ups are a universally shit experience, whether it’s a long term relationship or situationship. In this episode we’re unpacking all the challenges and questions you have - should you go no contact? How long should you wait before hooking up with someone new? Are my friends sick of hearing about my heartbreak? And can a break up actually be a good thing
The Rise Of Spicy BookTok w/ Tierney Page
There are millions of posts on TikTok all about ‘spicy books’ and someone who’s become famous for reviewing them is author and content creator Tierney Page.In this ep, she chats about why she thinks there’s been a massive rise in people reading and posting about romantasy and smut, her fav tropes and genres and her journey to becoming an author. SHOW NOTES:watch our romantasy ep
Why Are We So Obsessed With Romantasy?
Whether you have or haven’t read books like Heated Rivalry, A Court of Thorns and Roses or Fourth Wing, you can’t deny the rise in smutty literature. In 2025 romantasy and sports romance experienced triple-digit growth.But there’s been some criticism around how DR and romantasy books often glamourise SA and are too accessible for young readers. In today’s episode Dee is joined by
How To Support A Loved One With Addiction
Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or gambling - addiction can be one of the hardest things to navigate in a relationship. In this episode we chat to clinical psychologist Donna Stambulich about her experience with amphetamine addiction, the impact it has on relationships and how to best support your partner or loved one. SHOW NOTES:Lifeline - 13 11 14 Donna Stambulich - https://nppsyc
When Your Love Life Is Affected By Gambling
What’s the bet you or someone you know has been affected by gambling? Probably pretty high. Around 3 million Australians experience some sort of gambling harm each year. And 1.2 million Australians are affected by someone else's gambling. And it can have a real impact on your dating or love life. In today’s episode we speak with Luke Bateman, ex-NRL star turned author, about his
Chem Sex Parties & Gay Pain w/ Fruit Fly Author Josh Silver
Who has the right to tell queer stories and profit off them? That’s the main theme author Josh Silver explores in his latest book Fruit Fly. The book follows a writer who befriends a young gay addict so she can use his story to write a best seller. In this ep, Dee chats to Josh about his own story as an ex addict, the world of chem sex parties, and why it’s important to share per
Are You Worried You’re Too Vanilla In Sex?
Have you ever felt pressure to have a certain kind of sex? Sex positivity has been an incredible movement which has normalised and destigmatised adventurous, kinky and casual sex. But has that come at a cost? In this ep, we’re joined by guest co-host psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee to unpack whether sex positivity and hook up culture has created a new type of pressure and e
BONUS: We've decided to stop sharing a bed (w/ Dee Salmin!)
Surprise! We've got a Saturday Bonus ep for you! You probably heard all about Ben Ilobuchi's situationship troubles in this weeks episode. But did you hear the beef? Dee becomes The Grill's first guest to sear some rogue relationship-specific beefs like ghosting, the ick, and having to sleep in a bed with your partner. DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @t
How To Have The ‘What Are We?’ Chat w/ Erika Ettin
If you’re dating, hooking up with, talking to, or seeing someone but you don’t know where things are going and you don’t know how to bring it up… Dating coach and author Erika Ettin has got you!In this ep, she has some tough love for anyone in a situationship, and will help you have the exclusive/relationship chat. SHOW NOTES:Situationship Ep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17Qr
What The Hell Is A Situationship? And Am I In One?
Are you dating or hooking up with someone right now and you’re not really sure what’s going on? It feels like a relationship but you’ve never had the ‘exclusive chat’. You might be in a situationship… In this episode Dee is joined by guest co-host Ben Ilobuchi to unravel the relationship limbo. Show notes:Deding and Describing Situationships: https://www.researchgate.net/publicat
How To Stop Self-Sabotaging w/ Dr Rebecca Ray
Have you noticed a pattern in your love life of ending things when a relationship starts to get serious? Or maybe you pick a fight, or ghost people or never commit to a second date. In this ep we chat to psychologist Dr Rebecca Ray about why we can sometimes self-sabotage and how to break that cycle.SHOW NOTES:Dr Rebecca Ray - https://rebeccaray.com.au/DM us your thoughts, questi
Is Having A Type Problematic?
Whether it’s someone’s personality, physical attributes, career or aesthetic - sometimes we lean into a “type” of person who we’re attracted to and want to date. But can it ever be discriminatory, fetishisation or limiting to potential relationships? We hear your hot takes and discuss with special guest host Lauren French.
Life As An Asexual Icon w/ Allie Daisy King
As much as we talk about sex on The Hook Up, for some people they have absolutely no interest in it. That’s what it’s like for writer, fashion girly, podcast host of Booksmart AND asexual baddie Allie Daisy King. In this ep Dee chat’s to Allie about her sexuality journey realising she was ace, what it’s like to live in a world that’s so obsessed with hooking up and dating and why
What Are Your Relationship ‘Hacks’?
Doing the crossword together every week, writing letters to each other, mandatory date nights, surprise gifts, a commitment to a yearly getaway, and sleeping in separate beds. Whether you’re only a few months in, or years deep - we all have ways to keep the relationship vibes high and healthy. In this ep, we hear your hacks, tricks, rules and methods, to keep your relationship th
Harrison James on Love And Healing After Child Sexual Abuse
Studies show that nearly 30% of Australians have experienced child sexual abuse - a horrific stat that award-winning activist and co-founder of the #YourReferenceAintRelevant campaign - Harrison James has been trying to change. In this ep, Dee chats to Harri about his activism, his survival of child sexual abuse and what’s helped with healing. As well as what he’s learnt from bei
Is It Ok To Date Your Friend’s Ex?
Hooking up with your mate’s ex might be one of the biggest violations in a friendship. But is it totally black and white, or are there some grey areas? We hear your hot takes and stories - from you giving your blessing to friends hiding the relationship, and when pursuing the ex has damaged friendships beyond repair and earnt you the nickname sloppy seconds.DM us your thoughts, q
What Is PrEP? And Should I be Taking It?
When you hear about HIV you might think of the AIDs epidemic during the 80s. But so much has changed since then, including the invention of a prevention drug called PrEP. So how does it work? And is it just for gay men? In this chat with Professor Andrew Grulich who’s the head of a HIV Epidemiology and Prevention program, we find out everything you need to know about Pre-Exposure
What’s It Like To Date A Sex Worker?
They say it’s one of the oldest professions in the world, and with sites like OnlyFans booming in popularity, getting into the industry is easier than ever before - but what is it like to date someone who does sex work? We hear your experiences of dating and relationships from the POV of SWers and as partners - from escorts, full service and erotic dancers, to online adult conten
Sex, Intimacy And Disability w/ Madeleine Stewart
Over 20% of Australians live with a disability yet there’s still so much stigma and misconceptions when it comes to their sex lives. That’s something comedian and host Madeleine Stewart is trying to change in a new doco. We chat about what she’s learnt about desire and pleasure - through her own experience as well as those she interviewed for the show. SHOW NOTES:Compass episode
Freud, Pavlov's Dog & The DSM: The Evolution Of Psychology
Did you know psychology has only existed for 147 years? For such a young science, it’s had a huge impact on humanity and how we understand relationships, from Freudian theories to the pop psych infographics we see on social media every day. So we wanted to investigate it - where psychology came from, how it’s evolved throughout time, some of the biggest myths and misconceptions,
Why Some Men Are Threatened By Successful Women In Dating
Research shows women are out performing men in education, and are buying more houses - but at what cost to their love lives? We speak to author Stefanie O’Connell about her book The Ambition Penalty and her viral Guardian article about how more single women are buying more houses and how men aren’t responding well.SHOW NOTES:Is Your Partner Intimidated By Your Success Podcast: ht
Is Your Partner Intimidated By Your Success?
Success looks different for everyone. Maybe you own property, or have built a great career. Maybe you’re highly educated, well travelled, creative, ambitious or wealthy. But sometimes thriving in life can impact dating and relationships. We hear your stories, particularly as women, about when your success has become a problem when dating.SHOW NOTES:Single women are buying more ho
What You Need To Know Before You Say I Love You
Saying I love you to someone can be such a huge thing - so how do you know when you actually feel it? And when is the right time to say it? Plus how do you deal when the person you love doesn’t say it back. We answer all your questions about declaring your love with couples therapist Megan Kozak.
When Should You Say I Love You?
These are the most feared words for any budding relationship. I Love You. Everyone's advice is always “just say it when you genuinely feel it!” which is great in theory, but hard in practice for so many reasons. In this episode we chat about the ILY timeframe, why you may or may not say it and how it should be said. DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @trip
How To Deal With A Mismatch In Physical Affection
73% of you have dated someone where there’s been a mismatch of PDA in your relationship. So what can you do if one of you loves physical touch and the other doesn’t?We chat to couples therapist and sexologist Isiah McKimmie on how to navigate that mismatch, how to deal with feelings of rejection, and whether it’s something you can work on or change. DM us your thoughts, questions
Is PDA A Sign Of Intimacy Or Is It Performative?
How do you feel about holding hands, hugging, kissing and canoodling in public? Is it cringe or cute? We hear your stories about PDA - witnessing it in the wild, when there’s been a mismatch in physical touch, and whether PDA has been lost.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hook Up is an ABC podc
Will AI Save Dating Apps?
People are emotionally, mentally and spiritually exhausted by dating apps, so much so that hundreds of thousands of swipers are deleting them. Now to try and “shake things up” Bumble is replacing the swipe function with AI matchmaking. We chat to Dr Raffaele Ciriello from the Uni of Sydney about some of the major issues of using AI to help you date, as well as the benefits.SHOW N
Is Second Puberty Real?
We’ve all been through puberty. It was sometimes traumatic, mostly awkward, it even had its endearing moments - and going through it shaped the way we think about ourselves and how we show up in the world. In this ep, you share your puberty war stories, and we investigate the mysterious phenomenon called ‘second puberty’. Because, jump scare, it might not be over. SHOW NOTES:What
Advice If You’re LGBTQI+ And Live In The Country
If you’re LGBTQI+ and live rurally, it can be so hard to explore your sexuality or discover your identity, especially if you don’t have any queer community nearby. In this ep, Dee chats to psychologist Dr Chris Cheers about how to find yourself and your people - if you live in a place that makes it hard to do that. SHOW NOTES:Lifeline: 13 11 14QLife: 1800 184 527Headspace: www.he
What’s It Like To Date In The Country?
Dating and relationships out bush is a pretty unique and sometimes challenging experience - everyone knows everyone’s business, you bump into casual hook ups and exes at the local pub, there’s pressure to fit the town culture and pressure to settle down with a partner even if you're incompatible. In this episode, we hear your stories of what it's like dating regional and rural.DM
Reconnecting To Pleasure After Burnout, Stress or Grief
How you’re feeling emotionally has such an impact on your sex life. It can be hard to feel turned on or connect with people when you’re feeling down, stressed or just numbness from the cooked state of the world. In this ep, Dee chats to sexologist Claire Diaz about how to reconnect to pleasure during hard times. SHOW NOTES:Claire Diaz: https://www.clairediazsexology.com/Lifeline:
How We All Become Obsessed With Romantic Love
Throughout most of history, marriage wasn’t seen as something you did ‘for love’. We paired up for resources, family alliances and survival - so when did it change? In this episode, we explore the history of romantic love and how it’s changed from ancient love poems and medieval knights, to Shakespeare and modern romcoms. DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at
What It’s Like To Have PMDD w/ Emma Hardy
PMDD (aka premenstrual dysphoric disorder) isn’t ‘just PMS’ - it can be completely debilitating and life changing. In this ep, Dee chats to debut author Emma Hardy about her new book Periodic Bitch and her experience living with it. Just a heads up we talk about suicidal ideation and depression (if this chat brings up anything please refer to the helplines below.SHOW NOTES:Lifel
Dumping Over Text, Romantasy Smut & Mummy's Boys w/ Comedian Daniel Foxx
Daniel Foxx thinks you should break up with them over text. And that’s not the only hot take from this week's guest. Fresh off his Australian stand up tour, the UK comedian and podcaster chats the state of dating apps, his furry-fantasies and gives some of his best advice for your dating dilemmas. instagram: @dnlfoxxwebsite: https://www.danielfoxx.co.uk/DM us your thoughts, quest
Lust, Limerence and Why We Love w/ Dr Anna Machin
What's the difference between lust, limerence and love? Can love be addictive? Is romantic love technically even real? And if love is so natural to humans then why do we struggle with it? These are just a few of the questions we get answered by world renowned evolutionary anthropologist Dr Anna Machin, an expert whose research focuses on why we love.SHOW NOTES:Your love stories p
Love Isn’t Dead!!!
The world is kind of cooked right now, so in the words of our lord and saviour Rihanna, we wanted to find love in a hopeless place. In this ep, you tell us your meet cutes and epic love stories from platonic to romantic and everything in between.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hook Up is an AB
An Expert’s Advice On Dating Your Co-Worker
Over 60% of you said you’ve hooked up with or dated someone you work with! But a lot of the time it can get really messy and end badly. So in this ep, Dee chats to couples therapist Jill Dzadey about how to do it well so you can avoid all the workplace drama. SHOW NOTES:Hooking Up With Co-Worker Vodcast Ep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYcu6rnGSmMJill Dzadey Website: https://f
Is Hooking Up With A Coworker A Bad Idea?
According to some surveys, over 60% of people have had a workplace romance - which has worked out really well for some, but for others it’s gotten super messy. We hear your stories to find out how you’ve hooked up or dated colleagues, and if it’s worth shitting where you eat.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@
The Truth About The ‘Biological Clock’
For years women and people with eggs have been told they have a ‘biological clock’ when it comes to their fertility, but how true is that really? And does sperm have the same ‘clock’? In this ep, Dee chats to associate professor Dr Theresa Larkin on the latest research on infertility and why it’s been so gendered. SHOW NOTES:Yes, men have a biological clock too. But it’s not just
The Hook Up Live: IYKYK
triple j's award winning and most complained about show is back for another round of The Hook Up Live at Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Dee and Pip hit the stage with comedians Lou Wall, Fergus Neal, Lara Ricote, Sophie Duker, and Dave Woodhead to hear their most cooked sex and dating stories, play games and give you some personalised advice on your dating dilemmas from
When Is The Right Time To Move In With A Partner?
Moving in with a partner is usually considered the ‘next step’. But how do you know when you’re both ready? Because in our last ep we heard it can make or break a relationship. So in this episode we get all the advice you need from couples therapist and sexologist Isiah McKimmie on everything you need to know if you’re thinking about living together. SHOW NOTES:MOVING IN VODCAST:
Does Moving In With A Partner Make Or Break The Relationship?
Shacking up with your lover can be so exciting and a real milestone for a relationship, dialling up the intimacy and creating a solid foundation for the future. But sometimes it can reveal parts of a person that you never knew existed - creating tension or sapping the romance out of the relationship, and fast-tracking a break up. We find out how it’s gone for you! SHOW NOTES:Co-h
Being Single, Hook Up Culture & The Male Gaze w/ Elouise Eftos
She’s ‘Australia’s First Ever Attractive Comedian’ but she’s never been in love before. In this ep, Elouise Eftos chats about the male gaze, female sexuality, heterofatalism, hook up culture and how she feels about never having a serious relationship before. DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hoo
Friends With Exes: Green Flag Or Red Flag?
For some of us, being friends with an ex is a sign of emotional maturity. But for others, it’s a warning sign that there might still be feelings, or that it’s an unnecessary (or even disrespectful) relationship to keep. We hear you think and get your advice on how to do it right. DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: theho
We Need To Talk About Arousal Non-Concordance
Ever been mentally turned on but your body isn't responding? Or maybe your body is turned on but your mind isn’t? That's arousal non-concordance, and it's way more common than you think. In this ep, Dee speaks to psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee about why it happens, how it can impact consent and how to handle it.SHOW NOTES:Laura Lee Website - https://www.lauralee.com.au/DM
Are Humans Naturally Monogamous?
Do you think humans are biologically wired for one partner? Or have we been socially conditioned into monogamy? We deep dive into the science and history of human relationships to figure out whether pairing with one person for life is our natural state of being, or if we’re actually biologically predisposed to be non-monogamous.SHOW NOTES:Our biology wants us untethered. So why d
Unpacking The Manosphere w/ Tarang Chawla
Louis Theroux’s new Netflix doco Inside the Manosphere has everyone talking. So in this episode, Dee chats with men’s violence prevention advocate and educator Tarang Chawla about his reaction to the film, why so many young men and boys are drawn to manosphere influencers, and the real-world impacts this content is having.SHOW NOTES:Inside The Manosphere - https://www.netflix.com
Are Friendship Icks The Same As Relationship Icks?
Sometimes our mates do or say things that are a turn off - but unlike a relationship, sometimes we let them slide. In this episode we find out your friendship icks, and debate whether we should hold friends to the same standard that we hold our relationships to.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe
BONUS: Is It Still Embarrassing To Have A Boyfriend? w/ Chanté Joseph
Is Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now? When writer Chanté Joseph asked that question in Vogue last year, she broke the internet. It pissed a lot of people off, but it also made a lot of single women finally feel validated. So why did it strike such a nerve? Dee Salmin asks Chanté what she really meant, what she thinks about heterosexuality in 2026, and whether engagements and ma
An Expert’s Advice On Dealbreakers Like Having Kids
If you really want (or don’t want) kids, what do you do if you’re dating or in a relationship with someone who doesn’t feel the same way? It can be one of the hardest things to navigate, so in this episode – you’ll hear from relationship coach Megan Luscombe on how to figure out if it’s a dealbreaker or if it’s something you can work through. DM us your thoughts, questions, topic
Should You Ever Change Your Dealbreakers For A Partner?
Whether you’re on a first date, or deep into a relationship, a dealbreaker can come out of nowhere and really change the way you feel about someone. We find out what yours are, when you’ve ended relationships over them and if you (or a partner) have compromised or changed for a dealbreaker.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email
How To Heal After A Pregnancy Loss
Like we heard in last week’s ep, miscarriages are so common, yet so many people feel alone in their experience. So in this ep, you’ll hear from author Jess Kirkness again - sharing the emotional impact her pregnancy loss had on her, as well as from Miscarriage Australia’s Dr Jade Bilardi and clinical psychologist Clare Bellhouse on how to heal and best support your loved ones.SHO
Can You Date Someone You’re Not Really Attracted To?
They say don’t judge a book by its cover - but does that mean you should always “give them a chance” if you’re not immediately attracted to someone? In this episode we’re debating whether attraction needs to be instant or can grow over time, are we stringing people along if we wait for it to develop, and have dating apps have killed slowburn romance.SHOW NOTES:Romantic attraction
What Is A Miscarriage And What To Expect
Miscarriages and pregnancy loss are so much more common than we might think. But no one really talks about them?! In this ep you’ll hear from Jess Kirkness, a writer who shares her miscarriage story, plus you’ll also hear from gynaecologist Dr Charlotte Elder on why they happen and what to expect. SHOW NOTES:Jess Kirkness Article - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-21/miscarria
Should You Have Sex On The First Date?
Everyone knows about the “3 date rule”, but is it always worth the wait? We find out why you’re holding off sex or diving right in, if there’s a magic number of dates before getting intimate and whether having sex too soon can stop a relationship in it’s tracks.SHOW NOTES:YouGov Survey on how long you should wait before having sex:https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/37341-r
What Is Piss Play? And How To Get Into It
When we asked what kind of porn you're into, so many of you told us you love piss play. We chat to sexologist and psychologist Laura Lee on this seemingly common kink/fetish, why it's so hot for some and how to do it well.SHOW NOTES:Laura Lee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauraleesexology/?hl=enDM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup o
When Your Break Up Goes Public
We’ve all been audiences to celebrity splits where dirty laundry gets aired out through podcast tell-all’s, tiktok sprays and album drops - but what about when it happens closer to home? We explore the aftermath of a break up and hear your stories of when you’ve gone public, from openly grieving to spilling secrets, to when you’ve been put on blast by an ex and had the truth twis
What Your Porn Taste Says About You
What does the kinda porn you’re into mean? Is it just a fantasy or is it deeper than that?And how do you deal with feelings of shame and guilt if what you like to get off to, doesn’t align with who you are in your everyday life. In this ep, Dee chats to sexologist Lauren French about what your porn taste says about you. SHOW NOTES:Lifeline: 13 11 141800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Mens
What Kind Of Porn Are You Into?
Sometimes what turns you on can throw you for a loop. Maybe you’re straight but love gay porn? Or maybe you consider yourself a staunch feminist, but you get off watching gangbangs or reading CNC smut books? In this episode we find out all the different types of porn you’re loving, and whether your taste in porn aligns with your sexuality, gender and politics.*Content warning* -
Why You Should Watch Heated Rivalry w/ Mitch Churi
Heated Rivalry is one of the hottest, most popular shows right now. So what is it about Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov that's got so many gay men AND women obsessed? We unpack the Canadian 8 episode HBO series with comedian, and host of The Mitch Churi Show, Mitch Churi - and hear why this series has become a cultural turning point for queer love stories.SHOW NOTES:The Mitch Ch
Can A ‘Friends With Benefits’ Relationship Actually Work?
It sounds great on paper - a friend who you have no-strings-attached, drama free sex with. But is it really possible, and is it worth trying? We hear your experiences with FWB relationships - from when they’ve worked to when they’ve crashed and burned - and your rules to make a successful friends with benefits.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthe
How To Deal If Your Partner Is Addicted To Their Phone
Is your partner a massive scroller? Always on their phone for work? Obsessed with watching videos? Being on your phone too much in a relationship can massively impact your connection and intimacy. It’s something professor Dr Michelle Drouin has been studying for years. In this ep, she chats to Dee about her research and how you can chill out on the phone use in your relos. SHOW N
Are Our Phones Ruining Dating And Relationships?
Nearly 70% of you reckon that phones are causing problems in your relationships. From etiquette and icks in early dating, to feeling distant and causing tension with your long term partners - we explore how they’re impacting our love lives, whether they can create intimacy and your rules to curb your “smartphone addiction” (if that’s even a real thing).SHOW NOTES:Phone Addiction:
Our Heated Rivalry Summers
We're back!!! Dee and Pip yap about their summers. Guess who was sick and who partied non stop. They also debrief Heated Rivalry and let you know what's coming up this year with The Hook Up.DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the l
ICYMI: Should We Be Worried About The Rise Of AI Relationships?
ICYMI: Whether it’s for friendship, therapy or sexual and romantic relationships, AI companions are becoming way more normalised. So what does this mean for the way we relate and date people irl? We investigate the rise of AI relationships and hear how you’re using it in your own love lives.CW: discussion of mental health and suicideSHOW NOTES:Mental health and AI companionshttps
ICYMI: I Think I Want To Go To Therapy, What Next?
ICYMI: If you’re not feeling great mentally, or you want to work through some things, or you’ve just gone through a big life event - you might be thinking about getting some professional help. Starting therapy can feel super overwhelming if you’ve never done it before, so in this ep we chat to clinical psychologist Dr Jarrod White about everything you need to know about going to
ICYMI: How To Actually Have A Good Threesome
Keen to have a threesome for the first time but duno how to go about it?Dee chats to sexologist Laura Lee about all the different ways you can have a threeway. SHOW NOTES:How Are You Having Threesomes? VOD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7El-yUPxPMw&t=3sDM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.auThe Hoo
ICYMI: Is Getting Back With Your Ex Worth It?
So you wanna get back with your ex. It’s a pretty universal experience and you told us heaps of reasons why you tried to rekindle the relationship - whether it’s emotional dependency, needing closure or the whole “it’ll be different this time!”. We hear your stories from when it’s worked, when it hasn’t, and if there’s a formula to getting it right. SHOW NOTES:Should You Get Back
ICYMI: When Family Messes With Your Love Life
Have you ever dated someone who's family was too involved, or a bit too close? Whether it’s your own or your partners - we hear how families with no boundaries, cultural/religious differences, and mummy’s boys/daddy’s girls have messed with your love life.SHOW NOTES:An Expert’s Advice For Dealing With Toxic Families: https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/the-hook-up/families-no
The Biggest Moments In Dating, Sex And Relationships This Year
We’re coming to the end of a massive year covering all things love, sex, dating and relationships here on The Hook Up. From the male loneliness epidemic and the rise of AI relationships, to the rise of ENM, performative males, fake doms and boyfriends being embarrassing - we recap all the trends in news and pop culture that got you talking, plus hear your fav eps from 2025!SHOW N
How To Tell Your Friend You Don’t Like Their Partner
If your friend is dating someone that sucks, or is downright toxic - what’s the best way to let them know? In this ep, you’ll hear from psychologist Liz Neal about how to tell someone you love that you don’t like their partner and what to do if your friend pushes you away. SHOW NOTES:1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 Liz Neal Website: https://www.elizabethneal.com.au/DM us your thought
Should You Tell Your Friend Their Partner Is Shit?
We’ve all had a friend who’s dated someone you don’t like - but is it ever your place to say something? We find out whether you should tell them (early? When you’re asked? Or not at all??), find the difference between not liking their partner vs they’re bad for your friend and why you reckon it’s important to stick around even if your friend's got rose coloured glasses on.SHOW NO
Why We Should Normalise Sex Toys With Partners
Sex toys are an amazing way to explore pleasure and discover your sexuality - but there’s still a lot of stigma, especially when bringing them into partnered sex or if you struggle to climax without one. We chat to sex educator Georgia Grace about how to work through any internalised toy shame, and how to introduce them if you (or your partner) feel awkward.Note: we experienced s
Should We All Be Using Sex Toys?
Sex toys have become more accessible and normalised than ever before, but are they making your love life better? From vibrators, dildos and fleshlights to floggers, whips and gags, we hear how you’re using them with partners, we unpack vibrator shame, and discuss how the sexual wellness trend is packaging products and pleasure.SHOW NOTES:Men are buying more sex toys:https://www.b
The Convos All Couples Should Have Before Getting Married
Some people say one of the most important decisions you’ll make is the person you choose to marry. So how can you make sure you’re ready to tie the knot, and that they’re the partner for you?We chat to couples therapist Isiah McKimmie to find out the ‘must ask’ questions - you should be asking yourself and each other. SHOW NOTES:Isiah McKimmie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
Do We Even Need To Get Married Anymore?
It’s been a year of engagements and tying the knot for some of the biggest pop stars in the world, like Charli XCX, Lana Del Ray, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift. And despite it being one of the oldest and most traditional ways to commit to a partner - research shows young people are more keen on getting wed than the generation before us. We hear how you feel about marriage, and whethe
Ancient Greek Myths Were Queer, Trans And Horny w/ Zoe Terakes
Actor Zoe Terakes (Talk To Me, Nine Perfect Strangers, Marvel’s Ironheart) is reclaiming Ancient Greek mythology in their debut novel Eros: Queer Myths For Lovers.In this episode, Zoe chats with Dee about why so many of the iconic Greek myths - from Zeus and Aphrodite to Icarus and Hermaphroditus - are really stories of queer and trans life, lust, sex, and revenge. And why it’s s
Is Your Relationship In A “Roommate Phase”?
Have you ever been in a relationship where your partner starts to feel less romantic, more platonic, or even like your flatmate? You might have experienced roommate syndrome. In this episode with special cohost Jordan Barr, we work out the telltale the signs of a roomie phase, unpack the reasons why it happens and debate whether we should be reframing our expectations of long ter
Healing From Complex Trauma w/ Stephanie Foo
We chat to award winning radio journalist and author Stephanie Foo about her memoir What My Bones Know, exploring her diagnosis with C-PTSD – unpacking how and why it manifested for her, understanding intergenerational trauma, and how she’s learning to heal.SHOW NOTES:Lifeline: 13 11 14Beyond Blue: 1300 22 463613 Yarn: 13 92 76Headspace: https://headspace.org.au/Cherry Blossom In
