The HIV Podcast

This week, Sarah and Jess honour the fearless Joan Baker, the first out HIV positive lesbian in San Francisco. Diagnosed at just 20, Joan shattered silence with truth, activism, and unapologetic visibility. She challenged a system that told her she didn’t exist, and in doing so, changed the narrative for women, lesbians, and anyone pushed to the margins. It's a story of resilience, rebellion, and...

In this episode, Sarah and Jess turn up the heat with the radical brilliance of the Lesbian Avengers. Born out of frustration, in the early '90s, this activist group wasn’t here to fit in. From street protests to visibility campaigns, the Avengers brought unapologetic queer power to the frontlines, including bold action around HIV stigma. It’s a story of protest, pride, and pyrotechnics! Sources L...

In this episode, Sarah and Jess dive into the incredible, and often forgotten, story of the San Diego Blood Sisters. A grassroots group of lesbian activists who quite literally rolled up their sleeves during the height of the HIV crisis. When blood was needed and stigma was rampant, these incredible women stepped up to donate again and again, breaking barriers and challenging the system with every...

Part 3: HIV & Pregnancy – Victoria’s Story You’ve heard the science, now hear the story. In this very special episode, Jess and Sarah are joined by the brilliant Victoria Roscow. Diagnosed with HIV at just 9 weeks pregnant, Victoria didn’t just navigate pregnancy with grace, she turned it into a platform to fight stigma and spread knowledge like wildfire. Victoria shares her personal journey,...

Can you have a baby if you're living with HIV? Spoiler alert: You already know the answer! In Part 2 of our HIV & Pregnancy double bill, Sarah and Jess take you inside the delivery room. What happens during birth when you’re living with HIV? Are there special precautions? Does the birth plan go out the window? They’re breaking it all down, no filter, just real talk (and maybe a little overshar...

Can you have a baby if you're living with HIV? Spoiler alert: Absolutely! In this first part of our HIV & Pregnancy double bill, Sarah and Jess dive headfirst into what actually happens when you're pregnant and living with HIV. Do you get more tests? Is everything super medical? They're myth-busting, truth-telling, and probably oversharing as usual!  Sources HIV and pregnancy | RCOG Scree...

How is the Trump administration’s policy legacy still shaping the global fight against HIV? This week, Sarah and Jess continue their deep dive into the lasting impact of these decisions on HIV response worldwide. Joining them is Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of the Global HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs Programmes at the World Health Organization (WHO). Tune in as we unpack the challenges, the progress, and...

This week, Sarah and Jess dive into the fallout from the fractured agreement between UNAIDS and the U.S. government. What happened, and what does this mean for the fight against HIV worldwide? We unpack the ripple effects that could reshape global health efforts.  Sources Trump administration ends funding for UN program fighting HIV/Aids | Trump administration | The Guardian New report flags...

The global HIV landscape has undergone seismic shifts since the Trump administration took office, changes that will shape HIV history and its future. To understand what’s happening and what lies ahead, we turn to those at the heart of global HIV support: UNAIDS. This week, Sarah and Jess sit down with Regan Hofmann, Senior Advisor at the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and a powerful advoc...

Ever wondered what an HIV support organisation actually does and why it’s so important? Sarah and Jess have spent decades working at TVPS, supporting people living with HIV—but what does that really look like day to day? In this episode, they pull back the curtain on their work, sharing insights, stories, and the impact of HIV support services. Tune in and find out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...

In our very first podcast series back in 2019—then called HIV, Hope & Charity —we spoke with Allan, one of our service users, about his journey with HIV. Six years later, we’re catching up with him to see how life has changed and what living with HIV looks like for him today. Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation. 🎙️❤️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With so much rapid change in the last 7 days, this week Sarah and Jess take a look at the impact that President Trump's administration continues to have on people living with HIV in America, as well as globally. Sources UNAIDS welcomes US decision to keep funding life-saving HIV treatment | UN News Trump White House Erases, Silences HIV, LGBTQ and Health Content - POZ Concern and confusion as Trum...

This week Sarah and Jess get topical and explore what is happening with the proposed halt of HIV funding, announced in the USA earlier this week, as well as looking at just how much good PEPFAR has previously done in the field of HIV. Sources How will Trump’s presidency impact HIV AIDS funding? | Context 4 key global health decisions expected from Trump : NPR Bleak prospects for HIV response under...

This week Sarah and Jess chat with Nicola May about her brand new book 'How Do I Tell You?', described as 'An uplifting, heartwarming story'. Nicola is a bestselling author with eighteen books to her name and her new book tackles the subject of HIV! Book link amazon.co.uk/How-Tell-You-heartwarming-bestselling/dp/1805089501 News links   Brighton: Sussex Beacon inpatient unit to close in restru...

This is Nneka's second appearance on The HIV Podcast! We talk about HIV and condom use, why white women living with HIV are so marginalised and why we can say "always" and "never" when it comes to the science behind U=U! Grab a cuppa and get listening Nneka Nwokolo is Head of Global Patient Affairs at ViiV Healthcare and an honorary consultant HIV physician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in L...

Sarah and Jess are back! Kicking off 2025 in style with a whole episode about Lenacapvir, the long-acting HIV prevention medication that could be a huge game-changer for helping reach the target of no new HIV transmissions by 2030. Lenacapavir is listed as a "breakthrough technology" for 2025, so get listening and finding out what it's all about! Sources Twice-yearly HIV injection can effectively...

Our quest to spread the U=U word continues with this special World AIDS Day episode, featuring the incredibly knowledgeable Dr Nneka Nwokolo, a passionate advocate of spreading the message of U=U, Head of Patient Engagement at ViiV Healthcare as well as an Honorary Consultant HIV Physician at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Get the U=U digital download here - TVPS Hosted on Acast. See ac...

We've hit our 150th episode and before we go on a little break, we're indulging Sarah and dedicating an episode to one of her favourite topics......Holly Johnson! Sources Holly Johnson - Wikipedia Holly Johnson 'cancelled' after HIV positive status revealed - BBC News Print advertising—Frankie Goes To Hollywood | Advertising | Zang Tuum Tumb and all that (zttaat.com) Quarter page advert for ‘Relax...

This week Sarah and Jess had the pleasure of speaking with CP Robinson. CP is the Co-Chair of Portsmouth Pride and founder of the Intersectional Queer Activism Campaign "Queer. All. Year". We caught up with him to discuss the innovative art initiative 'HIV Positive', a huge mural in Portsmouth that aims to tackle HIV stigma. Useful Info Queer All Year - Helping make Pride #MoreThanOneDay Hosted on...

This week Sarah and Jess take a look at a horror icon and the man that played Norman Bates! Anthony Perkins was HIV positive and had this to say about living with the virus..."I have learned more about love, selflessness and human understanding from the people I have met in this great adventure in the world of AIDS than I ever did in the cut-throat, competitive world in which I spent my life." Sou...

This week is a special episode where Jess takes us through what attending the British Podcast Awards, as an award nominee, was like! She spill the inside info and celeb gloss from the night! The HIV was nominated for a British Podcast Award 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we were lucky enough to speak to International Porn Star and HIV activist, Hans Berlin, live from his bed…well it was 8am! ! Hans speaks with Sarah and Jess about working in porn and being open about his HIV status, as well as his semi-autobiographical musical and all the other amazing projects he is working on! Useful links Queer Musical Love Story SHOOTING STAR transfers from Off-...

The denial mini-series has reached it's finale! In the seventh and final episode we take a look at Matthias Rath and that's all we'll say... Sources Matthias Rath - Wikipedia Matthias Rath: Denouncer of modern medicines | Matthias Rath | The Guardian South African court bans AIDS vitamin trials | Reuters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the leader of a country, with a high prevalence of HIV, is an AIDS denier? Well we're about to find out. Part 6 of HIV & Denial is all about South Africa. Sources The politics of AIDS in South Africa: beyond the controversies - PMC (nih.gov) Thabo Mbeki - Wikipedia HIV/AIDS in South Africa - Wikipedia Shadowed Dreamer booking links https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1000259030687?a...

Denial part 5 is here! This week Sarah and Jess take a look at the scientist who shaped Christine Maggiore's views on HIV and AIDS, which then shaped the Foo Fighters views too! Sources Peter Duesberg - Wikipedia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.