The HIV Podcast

In the second of our three-parter, Sarah and Jess are heading behind the walls of Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison to explore what happened when the HIV epidemic reached Ireland’s prison system. From fear and stigma to the challenges of preventing HIV in prison, we uncover a difficult chapter of Ireland’s HIV history and ask what happens when a public health crisis meets a prison system struggling to respond.Submit your questions for our sexpert! The HIV Podcast - Ask Us Anything: Sex, Dating & HIVSourcesThe Second Sentence: AIDS in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison – Nursing ClioAIDS / HIV crisis in Mountjoy Prison in the 1980’s – Exploring the history of prisoner health Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another African Voices episode and this month Sarah and Jess are heading to Zimbabwe, where we’re shining a spotlight on the brilliant work of Zvandiri. Meaning “As I am”, Zvandiri is all about young people living with HIV supporting other young people living with HIV. We look at where it all began, how peer support is changing lives, and hear some of the voices and music behind their work.Zvandiri: Survive and Thrive- ZvandiriSources Zimbabwe - Wikipedia HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe - WikipediaAudio CreditsAudio extracts taken from “AIDS Free in Zimbabwe,” “This Is Me – Zvandiri,” “Survive and Thrive – Zvandiri” and “Together Super Power.”Audio and music featured in this episode are taken from videos and materials published by Zvandiri and the Zvandiri YouTube channel.AIDS Free in ZimbabweThis Is Me - ZvandiriSurvive and Thrive- Zvandiri Together Super PowerAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:[email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is HIV still so often linked to the gay community? In this episode Sarah and Jess explore sexual networks, the connections between people through sexual relationships and how they can help us understand patterns of HIV transmission.Ask our Sex Expert Anything! The HIV Podcast - Ask Us Anything: Sex, Dating & HIVDonate: The HIV Podcast: Together, We're Changing the ConversationSourcesSexual network - WikipediaTurkish authorities launch crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups | The Independent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of African Voices, Sarah and Jess head to Zambia! We explore the impact of US funding cuts on Zambia’s HIV response and the controversy around health aid being used as political leverage. But we also discover UkaniManje, an incredible Zambian organisation using music to educate, challenge HIV stigma and reach young people with accurate information. From global politics to grassroots creativity, this is a story about the challenges facing Zambia’s HIV response, and the brilliant people finding new ways to make sure the conversation continues.Reading Pride Charity Single: We Can Do Anything - song and lyrics by Lolly, Reading Pride, Wilma, Bodacia | SpotifyUkaniManje: Wake Up Now | HIV Awareness in Zambia — UkaniManjeAudio Credits“We Can Do Anything” – Lolly, Reading Pride, Wilma & BodaciaMusic featured in this episode.UkaniManjeAudio extracts taken from videos published on the UkaniManje YouTube channel.All audio clips are credited to their original creators and are featured for the purposes of discussion, education and commentary.Sources How We Work | HIV Education and Engagement — UkaniManjeNo H.I.V. Aid Without More Access to Minerals: U.S. Ponders ‘Sticks’ Against Zambia - The New York TimesUS accused of ‘shameless exploitation’ over proposed Zambian health aid deal | Global health | The GuardianZambia - Wikipedia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s baaaaaack! The wonderful Ita O’Brien returns to The HIV Podcast and this time we’re talking all things intimacy. Ita chats with Sarah and Jess about her brilliant book Intimacy, and what her years spent choreographing some of the most memorable intimate moments on screen have taught her about sex, desire, consent, connection and our relationships with our own bodies and we also get into what all of this means when HIV enters the chat. Expect sex, stigma, awkward bits, fascinating insights and probably far too much oversharing from us. You know the drill!Content note: This episode contains discussions of sex and intimacy; listener discretion is advised.You purchase a copy of intimacy here:UK: Intimacy: A field guide to finding connection and feeling your deep desires – with foreword from Gillian Anderson: Amazon.co.uk: O'Brien, Ita: 9781529954036: BooksUSA: Intimacy by Ita O'Brien: 9780593596623 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksAudio & Source CreditsThis episode includes short excerpts from the following sources:Intimacy: A Field Guide to Finding Connection and Sexual Empowerment — Ita O’Brien. Audiobook excerpt, read by Ita O’Brien.“Channing Tatum Is Struggling To Get In Shape For ‘Magic Mike 3’” — The Kelly Clarkson Show. Interview with Channing Tatum. Clip accessed via the official Kelly Clarkson Show YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmYFHuaxYdwI May Destroy You, Episode 3, “Don’t Forget the Sea” — created and written by Michaela Coel. Originally broadcast by BBC One. Audio excerpt from the programme. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We may not have been sipping caipirinhas on Copacabana Beach, but that didn't stop us from virtually heading to Rio de Janeiro for the International AIDS Conference 2026! In this episode, Sarah and Jess have picked out the biggest news, the most exciting research and the stories that really caught our attention. From potential new HIV prevention options and treatment updates to ageing with HIV and a few moments that made us stop and think.So, grab a cuppa, stick your headphones on, and join us as we unpack the biggest stories from one of the most important events in the HIV calendar, without the 12-hour flight.Big thanks to Dan Hall, Dan Glass and HIV: The Morning After for bringing us insights from Rio. Song: Rethink, Rebuild, Rise (Rio Calling) https://open.spotify.com/album/37bmKKm1NWUy6NdFAZ3DR2?si=GGhrbI-kS7CCgSuxobtrPwSourcesThe US government’s mislabelled map of Africa at a global Aids conference shows again a failure to understand the continent | Kenneth Ngure | The Guardian Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sarah and Jess travel to Malawi for the latest episode of African Voices, exploring the country's response to HIV and the vital work of the National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi (NAPHAM). As always with African Voices, this episode looks beyond the headlines to celebrate resilience and the people creating real change in their communities.SourcesHome - naphamHIV/AIDS in Malawi - Wikipedia Malawi - WikipediaHIV and TB Overview: Malawi | Global HIV and TB | CDCAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:[email protected] for submissions by country 2026August 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & Eswatini Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sarah and Jess continue their three-part journey through Russia's HIV story. In episode two, they examine the scale of the epidemic, explore HIV prevalence across the country and the challenges faced by those living with HIV in Russia.Support The HIV PodcastSourcesHIV/AIDS in Russia - WikipediaGerm warfare. The spread of chronic diseases in the Russian army is rapidly becoming an epidemic threatening society as a whole — Novaya Gazeta Europe“A Hero Without Limits”Russia spiralling into an HIV crisisNew soldiers are now being recruited directly from AIDS centres in northern RussiaLord Guy Black announced as new Chair of Terrence Higgins Trust for ‘final push’ to end new HIV cases in the UK by 2030Holly Johnson Becomes Patron of The Sussex Beacon - The Sussex Beacon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sarah and Jess head to Mozambique for the latest episode of African Voices, exploring the country's response to HIV stigma and the inspiring work of local LGBTQ+ activists using creativity and visibility to encourage HIV testing and challenge discrimination.As always with African Voices, this episode looks beyond the headlines to celebrate resilience and the people creating real change in their communities.Sources LAMBDA AssociationLambda (Mozambican organization) - WikipediaAIDSfree: Mozambique’s drag queen battling stigma to encourage HIV testing | The Independent | The IndependentAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:[email protected] for submissions by country 2026July 24th - MalawiAugust 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & Eswatini Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did Edinburgh end up being dubbed the "HIV capital of Europe"? In this episode, Sarah and Jess head back to the 1980s to uncover the story behind one of the most surprising chapters in HIV history. We explore how one city found itself at the centre of the epidemic, and helped change the response to HIV forever.Sources 'Patients used to come here to die, now they come to live' - BBC NewsHow Edinburgh became the Aids capital of Europe - BBC NewsHistorical Context | HIV/AIDS"Take Care With Sex" [pink and black], 1990s | ArchivesSpace Public InterfaceScottish AIDS Monitor - WikipediaSouth Africa commits $72 million in bid to shed its status as the country with the world's largest HIV epidemic | Business Insider Africa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sarah and Jess head to Uganda for the latest episode of African Voices! We hear about the realities of HIV in Uganda, the progress being made, and the challenges that still remain, while spotlighting the incredible work of the Uganda Village Project, a grassroots organisation helping improve access to healthcare, HIV education, testing and support within rural communities.As always with African Voices, this episode looks beyond the headlines to focus on people, resilience, and the organisations creating real change on the ground.Sources Uganda Village Project - Uganda Village Project Facilitating Public Health in UgandaUganda - Wikipediahttps://globalfund.finance.go.ug/hiv/https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4215/aids-related-deaths-drop-64-percent-uachttps://www.unicef.org/uganda/what-we-do/hiv-aidsAfrican Voices is a year-long series from The HIV Podcast, sharing perspectives from across the African continent.How to get involved:We’re inviting people living with or affected by HIV to share short voice notes about what’s happening in their country, what the world needs to understand, and what education they want to share. These voice notes may be played on the podcast as part of the series.Episodes will be released monthly, on the last Friday of each monthVoice notes may be played on the podcastSend a voice note (max 5 minutes, no minimum) to: 07727 666791Each country has a submission deadline, see image for detailsIf you’re from one of the 12 countries featured, we’d love to hear from you.How to take partPlease send us a voice note (maximum 5 minutes, no minimum) to:07727 666791In your recording, please include:• Your name (or a preferred name if you would like to remain anonymous)• Your connection to HIV (for example: person living with HIV, peer educator, counsellor, activist, doctor, community worker, volunteer)• The country you are inThen tell us:What do you want the world to know about HIV in your country?This could include access to care, stigma, funding cuts, community realities, or anything you feel the world should understand.What education would you like to share?A myth to bust, a message for others, or knowledge that could help support your community.For more information, please contact:[email protected] for submissions by country 2026April 17th - KenyaMay 22nd - UgandaJune 19th - MozambiqueJuly 24th - MalawiAugust 21st - ZambiaSeptember 18th - ZimbabweOctober 23rd - BotswanaNovember 20th - Lesotho & Eswatini Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Sarah Jess talk about a new scientific discovery in the HIV work and what discoveries like this could mean for the future of HIV treatment, cure research, and why every new breakthrough helps us understand the virus just a little bit better. Science is science-ing… and honestly, it’s pretty exciting! Sources- Queen Mary University of LondonU=U Quilt – Positive EastMark - PLHIV Documentary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.