World AIDS Day, recognized annually on December 1st since 1988, honors the lives lost to the HIV epidemic and raises awareness about HIV/AIDS. Holding the memory of the lives lost brings light to their stories of resilience and resistance, offering hope for the future.
In this episode, Rob Lester and T.J. Griffin join hosts David Watson and Marc Esposo for a discussion on their personal and professional experiences in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They touch on:
The evolution of HIV/AIDS treatment
Key milestones that have shaped the course of the epidemic
Stories of resilience and strength from affected community members
Ongoing challenges of overcoming stigma and ensuring access to healthcare
The importance of personal advocacy and community engagement
To read a transcript of the episode, visit: menshealthfound.org/podcast-transcript-episode-8
To request an appointment for an HIV testing/treatment, visit menshealthfound.org/book or call 310-550-1010.
The information and opinions shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only. Diagnostic or treatment advice requires individual consultation with a doctor. Please talk with your primary care physician or a medically-licensed professional.
The World Health Organization recently declared a global health emergency over the growing mpox outbreak in several African countries. While the United States experienced its own outbreak 2 years ago, new questions have been raised about the potential severity of this resurgence. Is the outbreak caused by a different more contagious form of mpox? What extra precautions can be taken to protect against infection? Will the vaccine provided in the U.S. protect against this new outbreak overseas?
Jorell Blanco, a registered nurse at Men’s Health Foundation, joins the podcast to shed light on these questions and give listeners a refresher on how to stay safe and protected against mpox. In this episode you will hear insights on:
What makes this current outbreak different from the one that occurred in 2022
The importance of vaccination and preventative measures to minimize the spread of mpox
The disproportionate impact that mpox has on the LGBTQ+ community
Which behaviors may increase your risk of mpox infection, and which will keep you safe
To read a transcript of the episode, visit: menshealthfound.org/podcast-transcript-episode-7
To request an appointment for an mpox vaccine, visit menshealthfound.org/book or call 310-550-1010.
The information and opinions shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only. Diagnostic or treatment advice requires individual consultation with a doctor. Please talk with your primary care physician or a medically-licensed professional.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Is there such a thing as having too much sex or watching too much porn? What’s the difference between something that’s done for pleasure and an addiction? How do these things affect gay men in particular? These are questions that we discuss with behavioral health specialist, Brandon Simpson, AMFT, who specializes in treating patients who struggle with sex and porn addiction.
It's no secret that sex and porn play a big role in our culture. The impact that these components can have on mental health is often not talked about, though, for fear of being “sex-negative”. Brandon brings his expertise to help us untangle the complex impacts of sex and porn on individuals and communities. He also defines the difference between something that enhances intimacy and something that is used as an escape. Additionally, he shines a light on how people struggling with their relationship to sex and porn can reframe their neural pathways and develop healthier habits.
This episode takes an honest look at cultural norms in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. You will hear about:
• The defining characteristics of sex and porn addiction
• What sex and porn addiction looks and feels like in day-to-day life
• Why gay men are more likely to be addicted to sex and porn
• How sex and porn addiction can be treated
• How to support others who are struggling with the ways they relate to sex and porn
To read a transcript of the episode, visit: menshealthfound.org/podcast-transcript-episode-6
To request an appointment with Brandon, visit menshealthfound.org/book or call 310-550-1010.
The information and opinions shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only. Diagnostic or treatment advice requires individual consultation with a doctor. Please talk with your primary care physician or a medically-licensed professional.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Sexual Health Clinics in the LA Area
Center for Healthy Sex - https://centerforhealthysex.com/
Seeking Integrity - https://seekingintegrity.com/
Novus Mindful Life - https://novusmindfullife.com/
Cruise Control: Understanding Sex Addiction in Gay Men
https://allstora.com/products/cruise-control-understanding-sex-addiction-in-gay-men
There are many barriers that gay youth of color experience in South LA when it comes to affordable healthcare, housing, and sexual health education, but one community center is trying to change that.
This Pride Month, hosts David Watson and Marc Esposo welcome André-Jamison Molette, Director of SoCal Club. SoCal Club is a youth space in South LA for young gay men of color ages 12-29. In this conversation, we learn about how the club aims to empower gay youth to live healthier and happier lives.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
• Wellness programs that are popular with queer youth
• Successful methods of public health outreach in South LA
• How to create safe spaces for gay youth to express themselves
• Ways that the club has empowered members, both with practical skills and intangible community support.
To read a transcript of the episode, visit: menshealthfound.org/podcast-transcript-episode-5
The information and opinions shared in this podcast are for educational purposes only. For medical advice, please talk with your primary care physician or a medically-licensed professional.
Have you ever wondered about joining a clinical trial, but never really understood how it works? This episode is for you.
In celebration of Clinical Trials Day, join hosts David Watson and Marc Esposo for an insightful conversation with guests Michael Hirsch, RN, and Nelson Guzman from Mills Clinical Research. Their mission is to help create cutting-edge technologies in HIV medicine by offering clinical trial opportunities to the community.
In this episode you’ll hear their insights on:
• Why clinical research is so crucial for creating new HIV medications
• The difference you can make by joining a clinical trial
• Misconceptions about clinical trials and how to address them
• Clinical trial success stories that have made a big impact
• The future of HIV medicine and if a cure is possible
To read a transcript of this episode, go to menshealthfound.org/podcast-transcript-episode-4
On this episode, we talk with "sex detectives" Rick Turpin and Nestor Kamurigi, more formally known as Community-Embedded Disease Intervention Specialists. On the frontlines of stopping the spread of STIs, they take on the task of anonymously informing sexual partners of possible exposure. Unpacking the rising rates of syphilis in the U.S. and debunking STI myths runing rampant on TikTok, Rick and Nestor go beyond the surface in this candid and compassionate conversation.
It's that time of year! Many folks are feeling the effects of seasonal depression, or "seasonal affective disorder." Brandon Simpson, AMFT joins us to unpack some common misconceptions and to share insights as a behavioral health specialist focused on men's health and gay men's health.
In our first episode of the Men’s Health Foundation Podcast, we dive deep on DoxyPEP with two of our providers, Michael Tran, FNP-C and James Bon, MSN, FNP-BC. DoxyPEP is a post-exposure preventative medication to treat syphilis and chlamydia within 72 hours after potential exposure. Michael and James talk us through the basics of what you need to know, and share their insights as care providers specializing in sexual health.