Big Sexy Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

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Big Sexy Talk

Informing Choices NI

Health & Fitness

Society & Culture

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/96d. Total Eps: 14

Highly commended in the Irish Podcast Awards 2023 – Best Sex & Relationships podcast

Do you remember all the family gatherings spent discussing the joys of sex around the dinner table? Or the classes in school where your RE teacher showed you how to put a condom on a demonstrator? No? REALLY! If, like us, you didn’t have those cosy conversations about sex growing up, then this is the podcast for you! Big Sexy Talk is brought to you by Informing Choices NI. It is produced in mini-series format, with each collection of episodes focusing on a different area of sexual and reproductive health. We conduct in-depth interviews with key influencers, and provide information on sexual and reproductive health services. Join us on a journey as we create a culture of openness about sexual and reproductive health and empower people with the information they need to make informed choices. After all this is a sexual health podcast, so it is.

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🇩🇪 Germany - sexuality
28/07/2026
#100

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https://informingchoicesni.org/pregnancy-choices-counselling
12 shares
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/abortion-services
12 shares
https://informingchoicesni.org/
11 shares

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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 73%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

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3.01: (Joe Walsh) - Pride, Protest and Progress

Season 3 · Episode 1

Tuesday, July 7, 2026 • Duration 29:21

To mark 35 years since the first Pride parade in Belfast, this episode of Big Sexy Talk was recorded live following a special screening of the film Pride as part of Informing Choices NI's Open Conversations: Film, Rights & Cultural Change series.

Host Ruairi Rowan is joined by Joe Walsh, former Heritage Project Officer with HERe NI, to reflect on the history of Pride in Northern Ireland, how LGBTQIA+ communities have changed over the past three decades, and why preserving LGBTQIA+ heritage matters.

Together they explore Pride as both a celebration and a protest, the role of community and solidarity in advancing equality, the importance of sharing LGBTQIA+ stories, and the progress that has been made alongside the challenges that remain.

Whether you're interested in Northern Ireland's social history, LGBTQIA+ rights, or the conversations that continue to shape our communities, this episode offers a thoughtful reflection on the past, present and future of Pride.

Useful links

BBC Sounds

Blood on the Dance Floor

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2.06 (Nick Mathison MLA) - Open conversations: taking the politics out of RSE

Season 2 · Episode 6

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 • Duration 51:37

This episode features an in-depth interview with Nick Mathison MLA. Nick is an Alliance Party MLA representing the Strangford constituency, and the Chair of the Education Committee in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

During the interview Nick reflects on the messages he received around relationships and sexuality growing up; his views on positive and negative depictions of masculinity; his experiences of working in England; his journey into politics; conversations on sexual health in the workplace; his role on a Board of Governors at a local Primary School; discussions with constituents regarding Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); the Education Committee’s inquiry into RSE; the role of parents in the teaching of this subject; meaningful engagement with young people; and forming relationships with MLAs from different political parties.

Useful links
Informing Choices NI
Education Committee - RSE Inquiry
NI Assembly - RSE Motion

Legislation
The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Research
NIACT Review 2024
A thematic evaluation of the preventative curriculum in schools and EOTAS centres
Relationships and Sexuality Education in Post Primary Schools in Northern Ireland: A Compelling Case for Reform

1.03: (Dawn Purvis) - From the backstreets, to Great Victoria Street

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 • Duration 01:02:00

This episode contains an in-depth interview with Dawn Purvis. Dawn is a former MLA, representing the East Belfast constituency from 2007 to 2011. Following a period in politics she was appointed Programme Director for Marie Stopes International and led the first integrated sexual and reproductive health clinic offering early medical abortion care in Belfast. She now works in the social housing sector and is chair of Positive Life NI.

Dawn talks about her memories of abortion being discussed during childhood; her decision to join the Progressive Unionist Party; the negotiations that led to the Good Friday Agreement; her thoughts on the current political situation; her experience as an MLA; opening the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast; shifting political attitudes towards abortion; her interactions with anti-choice protestors; and her aspirations for sexual and reproductive health going forward. After the interview the host and co-host discuss some of the key issues raised.

If you would like support around a sexual health issue you can call the Sexual Health Helpline on 028 9031 6100.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/pregnancy-choices-counselling
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/abortion-services

News articles
News article from 2012 regarding the opening of the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast

News article from 2015 regarding the volunteer escorts working at the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast

News article from 2015 regarding a harassment case taken by Dawn Purvis against an anti-choice protestor

News article from 2015 regarding the conviction of an anti-choice campaigner for assaulting an FPA employee Resources

1.02: (Audrey Simpson) - What about the women?

Season 1 · Episode 2

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 • Duration 49:09

This episode contains an in-depth interview with Audrey Simpson. Audrey joined the Family Planning Association (FPA) in Northern Ireland as their Director in 1988 and maintained this role until her retirement in 2015. She led the first ever legal challenge into the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland and was awarded an OBE for promoting women’s healthcare.

Audrey discusses her experiences of sex education in post primary schools; the firebombing and subsequent closure of the Ulster Pregnancy Advisory Association; the establishment of FPA’s pregnancy counselling service; FPA’s judicial review to seek guidelines for healthcare professionals on the provision of abortion services; the failed attempt at Westminster to extend the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland in 2008; the first all-Ireland conference on Abortion and Clinical Care in 2010; engagement with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; and her aspirations for sexual health going forward. After the interview the host and co-host discuss some of the key issues raised.

If you would like support around a sexual health issue you can call the Sexual Health Helpline on 028 9031 6100.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/pregnancy-choices-counselling
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/abortion-services

Resources
News article from 1999 regarding the closure of the Ulster Pregnancy Advisory Association
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/413184.stm

News article from 2008 regarding the failed attempt to at Westminster to extend the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland https://www.theguardian.com/society/2008/oct/21/health-health1

News article from 2010 regarding the all-island conference on Abortion and Clinical Care
News articles from 2001 to 2016 regarding the judicial review taken by FPA to provide guidance for healthcare professionals on the provision of abortion services in Northern Ireland

1.01: (Georgie McCormick) - Abortion in the Yellow Pages

Season 1 · Episode 1

Tuesday, February 14, 2023 • Duration 45:40

This episode contains an in-depth interview with Georgie McCormick. Georgie joined the Family Planning Association (FPA) in Northern Ireland in 1986 and is an experienced trainer and facilitator in all areas of sexuality.

Georgie discusses delivering sexual health workshops in community settings in the 1980s and 90s; the impact of the conflict in Northern Ireland on reaching out to groups; working with men on sexual health issues; the advancements in pregnancy testing; the formation of FPA's pregnancy counselling service; the barriers facing women accessing abortion services; the importance of non-directive information and support when discussing pregnancy options; interactions with healthcare professionals; and her aspirations for sexual health going forward. After the interview the host and co-host discuss some of the key issues raised.

If you would like support around a sexual health issue you can call the Sexual Health Helpline on 028 9031 6100.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/pregnancy-choices-counselling
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/abortion-services

Resources
Directions from Northern Ireland to an abortion clinic in the Netherlands - FPA NI information sheet which was provided to women travelling from Northern Ireland to the Netherlands to access abortion care.

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Trailer

Thursday, February 2, 2023 • Duration 01:17

Introducing Big Sexy Talk.

2.05: (Joe Harris) - It's more than a condom demonstration

Season 2 · Episode 5

Tuesday, September 26, 2023 • Duration 50:24

This episode features an in-depth interview with Joe Harris. Joe has worked in the field of sexual health for almost 30 years, during which time he has been employed in both the community and statutory sectors. He worked for the Family Planning Association in Northern Ireland as a Project Officer before joining the Belfast Trust Sexual Health Training Team. Joe is the sexual health lead for the Health Improvement Team within the Belfast Trust, and organises the Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference in Northern Ireland. He is also a Trustee of Common Youth.

During the interview Joe reflects on the messages he received around relationships and sexuality growing up; his early career and journey into the field of sexual health; working with young men and the issues they faced; providing RSE training to teachers; changing attitudes towards the teaching of RSE; the recent changes announced to the education curriculum by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; involving parents in the teaching of RSE; the upcoming Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference; and his aspirations for sexual and reproductive health going forward.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/

Legislation
The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Consultation
Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Consultation

Research
Any use? report

A thematic evaluation of the preventative curriculum in schools and EOTAS centres

Relationships and Sexuality Education in Post Primary Schools in Northern Ireland: A Compelling Case for Reform

2.04: (Yas Rodriguez) - A deafening roar of information

Season 2 · Episode 4

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 • Duration 45:57

This episode features an in-depth interview with Yas Rodriguez. Yas was born and raised in Cuba, before moving to Northern Ireland in her 20's, and has now lived in Belfast for the past 25 years. She is a parent, and a teacher, and is involved in several local community campaigns.

During the interview Yas reflects upon her childhood in Cuba; the messages she received around sexual health and relationships; the process involved in establishing a new Code for Families; accessing sexual health services in Cuba; her experience of living in Northern Ireland, and the difference in attitudes around sex and relationships; her views on how RSE is taught in Northern Ireland; what issues the teaching of RSE raises for her as a parent; her views on how best to support parents to engage with their children around RSE; and her aspirations for sexual health, rights and education going forward.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/

News
Cuba Family Code: Country votes to legalise same-sex marriage

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2.03: (Ellen Taylor) - How do you get rid of a stigma?

Season 2 · Episode 3

Tuesday, June 13, 2023 • Duration 50:59

This episode contains an in-depth interview with Ellen Taylor. Ellen is the Vice President and Community Relations Officer of the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland and chair of the Newry, Mourne and Down Youth Council. She is starring in season 2 of the CBBC sci-fi adventure series Silverpoint, and is currently studying her A-Levels.

During the interview Ellen reflects on school life during Covid-19; her involvement with the Secondary Students' Union of Northern Ireland; establishing a Feminist Society; producing a report into sexism and sexual harassment in schools; counselling services in schools; her experience of RSE and preferences on how it should be taught; the provision of information on sexual health services; social media and the influence of Andrew Tate; and her aspirations for sexual health, rights and education going forward.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/
https://ssuni.org/

Resources
SSUNI Sexual Harassment and Sexism Survey

News
DUP's Jim Wells criticised for response to teenager who used 'The North' in email

Period poverty: No free tampons in school 'adds stress to families'

Students tell of anger at cuts to NI education services

The Good Friday Agreement changed everything for Northern Ireland's young people - so teach them about it

2.02: (Professor Dirk Schubotz) - Conducting sexual health research with young people

Season 2 · Episode 2

Tuesday, June 6, 2023 • Duration 46:41

This episode contains an in-depth interview with Professor Dirk Schubotz. Dirk is a professor in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast and has conducted vast amounts of research in the areas of sexuality, sexual health, and gender. He is a member of ARK, Northern Ireland's Social Policy Hub, and has directed the annual Young Life and Times survey of 16-year-olds since 2003. He is also a Trustee of Common Youth.

Dirk reflects on growing up in East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall; his background in youth work; attending the first Pride parade to take place in Belfast; producing the first large scale study into the sexual attitudes and experiences of young people in Northern Ireland; interacting with schools on conducting a survey regarding young people's views on homosexuality and abortion; young people's experiences of relationships and sexuality education (RSE); findings from the Young Life and Times Survey; working with the Belfast Youth Forum to produce their 'Any Use?' report on RSE; and his aspirations around sexual health in Northern Ireland going forward.

If you would like support around a sexual health issue you can call the Sexual Health Helpline on 028 9031 6100.

Useful links
https://informingchoicesni.org/
https://www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/ylt

Resources
Any Use? report: Young people’s opinions on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in Belfast

Sticks and Stones? Violence experiences of 16-year olds in Northern Ireland

Sexual risks and capacities: Developing a peer-led educational resource to address sexual risks among young people

Big Sexy Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

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Apple Podcasts

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Big Sexy Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other64

The Guardian5

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other64

The Guardian5

Vimeo1