The Male Fertility Podcast

We're back. Briefly. This is our season finale, and before we sign off we wanted to sit down and actually tell you where we've been, what we've been up to, and what's coming. We've not been quiet. We've been at the Fertility Show, running panels, staffing a stand, talking to hundreds of people over two days. We've been building something in the community. And we've made a decision that's been a lo...

You know you should be eating better, sleeping more, cutting back on alcohol, exercising differently, managing stress, and taking supplements. And knowing all of that is somehow making everything worse. In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun take on a brilliant listener question: how do you actually optimise your lifestyle without becoming obsessive about it? It is one of the most common traps men fall...

They told Danny his count was below a million. Then they told him to consider donor conception. He hadn't even seen a male fertility specialist. In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun are joined by Danny Baker, a member of the NeXYs community, who shares one of the most honest, detailed and ultimately hopeful journeys the podcast has featured. From a devastating NHS diagnosis delivered without compassi...

Nobody tells you about the room. The wipeable surfaces. The remote control in a freezer bag. The silence outside the door, and your brain convincing you that everyone out there is talking about you. In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun answer two listener questions about one of the most unspoken parts of the fertility journey: giving a semen sample. The first question came in via Instagram: how do yo...

This week, Ciaran and Shaun are joined by Jack Burke — journalist, writer, and testicular cancer survivor. Diagnosed at just 26 during the tail end of COVID, Jack's story is one of gut-wrenching fear, remarkable resilience, and a candid look at what happens to your fertility when cancer enters the picture. For the first time, Jack opens up in real detail about finding the lump, navigating the NHS...

“You’ve got my number. Phone me.” It’s a simple request, but one that speaks volumes about a frustration felt by countless men going through fertility treatment. This week, we’re tackling a topic that has come up again and again in our community: how do you advocate for yourself in a system that often makes you feel like a passenger? From being ignored in the waiting room to having clinics call yo...

This week, we are honoured to be joined by a true pillar of the NeXYs community, Luke McCarthy. From the in-person meetups to our online panels, Luke has been a massive supporter from the start, and now he’s bravely sharing his own story. Luke’s journey is one many of our listeners will recognise: the assumption that starting a family would be easy, followed by the slow, frustrating realisation th...

This week, we’re sharing a very special collaboration episode. Ciaran recently had the privilege of sitting down with Ollie Brown from the Marathons for Miracles podcast to share his own deeply personal story of loss, grief, and resilience. For the first time in such detail, Ciaran opens up about the three miscarriages he and his wife experienced on their path to parenthood. This is the full, raw...

This week, Ciaran takes the mic solo for a deeply personal and important Male Bag episode. He opens up about a topic that affects so many but is often faced in silence: miscarriage. Sharing his own story of experiencing three miscarriages on the path to fatherhood, Ciaran explores the lonely and complex grief that men carry, especially when male factor infertility is involved. This is an episode a...

This week, we are joined by NeXYs community member James Cowley , who shares his powerful story of navigating a male factor infertility diagnosis for over four years. James opens up about the all-too-common “ostrich moment” of burying his head in the sand, the clinical and often dehumanising experience of providing a sample, and the gut-wrenching pain of failed IVF cycles. From screaming into the...

We're coming to Manchester! On the 5th of March 2026, we're hosting an in-person NeXYs community meetup, and we'd love to see you there. These meetups are all about connection, support, and putting faces to names. Whether you're new to the community or have been with us for a while, it's a chance to meet other men navigating similar journeys and share experiences in a safe, supportive environment....

This week, we open up the Male Bag to answer a listener’s question that will resonate with anyone going through fertility treatment: “How can we stop fertility from creating distance between us?” We discuss the importance of communication, sharing our own experiences of how we learned to debrief after appointments and be vulnerable with our partners. We also discuss the power of date nights, the i...

This week, we are joined by Jack Silverside , an incredible member of the NeXYs community. Jack shares his and his wife Becca’s story, which began with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost Becca her life. He takes us through the fear and uncertainty of that time, the long road to recovery, and their decision to pursue IVF. From the initial hope and naive optimism to the crushing disappoin...

This week, we open up the Male Bag to tackle a deeply personal and important question: How do you rebuild your sense of self-worth after a male fertility diagnosis? A listener diagnosed with azoospermia shares his struggle with identity and feeling like he is failing his partner, a sentiment that both Shaun and Ciaran know all too well. From the initial shock and loss of confidence to the long roa...

This week, we are joined by Scott Nolan, a proud member of the NeXYs community from Ireland. Scott shares his raw and honest story of being diagnosed with Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome, a condition where the testes fail to produce sperm. He opens up about the "white noise" that takes over during difficult consultations, the immense financial burden of fertility treatment in Ireland, and the emotional...

We're back with our first Male Bag episode of the season! This week, we're tackling a question we get all the time: "I've been told I need to change my lifestyle to improve my sperm count, but I don't enjoy exercise and can't stick to it. Where do I start?" In this episode, Ciaran and Shaun break down a practical, sustainable 6-month plan for anyone new to fitness. They cover the importance of fin...

This week on The Male Fertility Podcast, we're joined by actor and writer David Fynn, who shares his powerful and raw story of navigating the world of IVF. From a PCOS diagnosis and male factor morphology to the heartbreak of three miscarriages and the frustration of a missed diagnosis, David's journey is one of resilience and the relentless search for better care. He opens up about the stark diff...

We're back! This week on The Male Fertility Podcast, we're sharing something we're incredibly passionate about. It's a story that started with a simple question: "What did we need when we were going through our fertility journeys?" From a small WhatsApp group to a global community, we're so excited to introduce you to NeXYs Fertility, a central place of support, connection, and hope for men naviga...

And that’s a wrap. For our final day of the Christmas Countdown, we wanted to do something a little different. This is a heartfelt thank you to every single person who has listened, shared, and been a part of our community this year. We know the festive season can be incredibly tough, and we hope these 25 days have offered some comfort and company. We hope you have a peaceful Christmas, and we’ll...

Day 24 the final episode before Christmas Day, and we're ending where it all began: with Shaun's story. From his azoospermia diagnosis in 2017 to navigating varicocele treatment in 2019, and then facing fertility challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaun's journey is one of resilience, pain, and hope. This is the story that sparked the podcast, and it's a reminder that you're never alone in t...

Day 23, and this one is mine. It’s strange listening back to this, but it’s the reason we started this podcast—to share our stories so no one else has to feel as isolated as we did. I talk about my diagnosis, the emotional aftermath, the setbacks, and how I found hope. If you’re going through it right now, please reach out. We read every single email, every single message. You are not alone. 💬 Wh...

Day 22, and this is a story about what happens when you refuse to give up. Biomedical engineer Alasdair Walker joins us to share his extraordinary transformation from seven failed IVF cycles to natural conception success. He talks about spending days reading scientific abstracts when clinics offered no answers, why his concerns were repeatedly dismissed, and the investigation that finally changed...

Day 21, and this one is a heavy but vital listen. We're joined by Kevin Button, one of the original voices in male fertility advocacy, who shares his story of addiction, homelessness, and recovery after a devastating diagnosis. Kevin's journey is a stark reminder of the mental health crisis in the male fertility community and why support is literally a matter of life and death. If you are struggli...

Day 20, and this one changed everything for Shaun. We're joined by Ben Tansley, whose story of acceptance and resilience after a life-changing accident inspired Shaun to finally speak openly about his own fertility journey. Ben's perspective on redefining strength, finding meaning, and the ripple effect of sharing your story is something every man needs to hear. This episode is proof that inspirat...

Day 19 and we are returning to Strength and Hope with Marc Bear Marc shares his personal fertility journey marked by resilience and hope. Marc offers candid reflections on the emotional and practical challenges of male infertility while inspiring listeners with his story of strength and determination. 💬 What to Expect: Marc Bear’s personal experience navigating male infertility Discussion of emot...