The Male Fertility Podcast

Day 18, and this one's all about something you can control (but is really hard at Christmas) what you eat. We're joined by nutritionist Mel Brown, who specialises in male fertility nutrition. Mel breaks down how diet directly affects sperm health, why organic matters, and the practical changes you can make without losing your mind or your wallet. If you're looking to take control through nutrition...

Day 17, and this one is heavy but it's important. We're joined by Olly Brown, who talks about his personal experience of miscarriage and his mission to break the silence around pregnancy loss, especially for men. He shares the hidden reality of miscarriage, the male perspective on grief, and the 12-week dilemma. If you've been through this, or know someone who has, please know you're not alone. Ou...

Day 16, and this is something we all have to go through. The Sperm Test. Shaun and I talk about the awkward reality of providing a sample, the shocking decline in sperm health over the last 50 years, and the lifestyle factors you can actually do something about. If you’ve ever felt weird or embarrassed about this part of the journey, you’re not alone. This episode is for you. 💬 What to Expect in...

Halfway through, and today we're tackling a big one: why the current system is failing men. GP and male health expert Dr Anand Patel joins us to discuss the shocking gaps in medical education around male fertility. He reveals how most GPs aren't confident interpreting semen analysis, why the standard guidance is inadequate, and how the shame of male infertility can be as devastating as a cancer di...

Two weeks in, and today we're talking about something that affects everything—testosterone. We're joined by Dr. Jonathan Andrews, who breaks down what testosterone actually does, why even young men can have low levels, and the symptoms you might be missing, brain fog, fatigue, mood changes. If you've been told it's "just getting older," this episode could be the wake-up call you need. Taking contr...

This one was a fascinating discussion with evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin. Dr. Machin explains why dads aren't just 'male mums' and how our unique way of parenting is vital for our kids. And I finally understand not only why I love to wrestle with my kids, but why they love it too. 💬 What to Expect in This Episode •The myth of maternal instinct vs. learned fatherhood •The science beh...

We're now on Day 12, and we're talking about what you can actually control—your lifestyle. Shaun and I discuss the practical stuff: diet, exercise, stress management, and how your mindset affects your fertility journey. We share what worked for us and what didn't, and how making small, sustainable changes can make a real difference. That's exactly why we're running the 24-day exercise challenge—to...

Day 11, and we're bringing you Dr. Tim Child, Associate Professor of Reproductive Medicine. This episode breaks down the science and realities of IVF—from understanding NICE guidelines to navigating the "add-ons" traffic light system. Tim also talks about how men and women experience the fertility journey differently and offers practical advice for supporting your partner through treatment. If you...

Day 10, and this one's special. We're joined by Jonathan Luwagga, who shares his journey from childhood surgery to becoming a powerful advocate for men facing fertility challenges. Jonathan talks about breaking cultural barriers, redefining what fatherhood means, and transforming shame into something that helps others. His message is simple but powerful: "Be honest with yourself and be gentle with...

Day 9, and while work might be winding down for the festive season, this episode is all about how it affects your fertility journey. We're joined by Natalie Silverman and Becky Kearns, the co-founders of Fertility Matters at Work. They're on a mission to change how employers support people going through fertility treatment, and this conversation is eye-opening. From the "line manager lottery" to w...

Day 8, and we're tackling something nobody really talks about....sex during fertility treatment. We're joined by Kate Moyle, a psychosexual therapist who gets it. This episode covers performance anxiety, the pressure of producing samples in clinical settings, and how sex can quickly shift from something intimate to something scheduled and functional. Kate reminds us that what you're feeling is com...

One week down, and today we're bringing you Professor Allan Pacey, a leading expert in male fertility and a great guy! This episode is all about how treatment has evolved over the years, what actually happens behind the scenes in those labs, and what the future holds. It's reassuring to know there are great minds working on this. We all should take hope from that. We know this time of year can be...

Today is Day 6 of our festive rewind, and this episode gets to the heart of why so many men suffer in silence. Shaun and I talk about the stages of grief we went through after diagnosis, the isolation that creeps in, and why it's so hard to ask for help when you're supposed to "just get on with it." If you're struggling to open up, or you know someone who is, this episode might just give you the p...

This episode means the absolute world to me and Shaun. It's all about what happens after the fertility journey… the part no one prepares you for. The anxiety, the joy, the identity shift, the sleepless nights, and those moments where it hits you: "Oh wow… I'm someone's dad now." We talk honestly about pregnancy fears, the two-week wait, the thoughts men never say out loud, and how becoming dads ch...

This one gets real. Shaun and I open up about the emotional rollercoaster, the communication breakdowns, the moments where you feel like you're on completely different pages. Because fertility struggles don't just test your body,  they test your relationship too. If you're finding it hard to stay connected with your partner right now, or you're struggling to talk about what you're going throu...

Today we're rewinding to an episode that genuinely changed how so many men understand the male-fertility pathway. Our chat with the brilliant urologist, Oliver Wiseman. If you're at the very start of this journey and feeling like a rabbit in the headlights, this episode is a proper roadmap. Oliver explains what a urologist actually does, when you should see one, why the pathway can feel so confusi...

To help you get through a Christmas season that we know can be incredibly tough, we're sharing 25 of our most helpful and most-loved episodes over 25 days, giving you daily support, clarity, and a bit of company when you need it the most. Today, we're revisiting an episode that so many people have told us finally made everything make sense. Pathways to Parenthood. This one is all about the differe...

To help you get through this Christmas season, which we know can be so tough for so many people. We're sharing 25 of our most helpful and popular episodes over 25 days, giving you daily support, clarity, and a bit of company when you need it the most. We're kicking off with an absolute cracker of an episode, Male fertility, and low sperm with our good friend Frank Fallon. If you're staring at conf...

In this Male Bag episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, Shaun answers listener questions about navigating the emotional and practical challenges of the fertility journey. In this episode, Shaun addresses: Telling Friends and Family: A question from a NeXYs fertility community member about wanting to tell friends and family about their diagnosis. Shaun shares his own experience of telling people du...

In this episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, biomedical engineer Alasdair Walker joins hosts Ciaran and Shaun to share his extraordinary transformation from seven failed IVF cycles to natural conception success. Based in Scotland with a doctorate in biomedical engineering, Alasdair's journey began when his wife Julia's ear infection unexpectedly triggered their fertility investigation. Alasdair...

In this powerful episode of The Male Bag, Ciaran shares four lessons he wishes he had known at the start of his fertility journey. He reflects on the emotional, relational, and practical challenges men face, and how finding support, taking control, and protecting relationships can transform the experience. In this episode, Ciaran reveals: • The Road Ahead is Rough: Fertility treatment is one of li...

In this powerful episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, hosts Shaun and Ciaran are joined by Kevin Button, one of the original voices in male fertility advocacy, known in the community as "The Man Cave." Kevin's story begins 12-15 years ago with a devastating diagnosis of Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome - a condition where sperm production is impossible. What followed was a descent into addiction, rela...

In this Male Bag episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, host Shaun answers listener questions about navigating the emotional and practical challenges of the fertility journey. In this episode, Shaun addresses: Counselling Services in Fertility Care : Shaun confirms that UK fertility clinics are required by the HFEA to offer counselling services before, during, and after treatment, including donor...

In this powerful episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, hosts Shaun and Ciaran are joined by Ben Tansley, whose story of acceptance and resilience transformed Shaun's own fertility journey and inspired him to speak openly about male infertility. In this episode, Ben reveals: The Moment Everything Changed: In 2017, Ben went from being a confident young father and successful businessman to being tol...

In this Male Bag episode of The Male Fertility Podcast, host Ciaran answers listener questions about navigating the emotional and practical challenges of the fertility journey. In this episode, Ciaran addresses: Time Pressures: Ciaran discusses how male fertility does decline with age (particularly after 40), but at a much slower rate than female fertility. He emphasises the importance of acknowle...