Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo

Find Michael Pezzullo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelpezzullolmft

What does it really mean to be “sex positive”? And has the movement actually gone too far? 🌈

This week on Happy Healthy Homo, we sit down with therapist Michael Pezzullo (He/Him), a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist specializing in LGBTQ+ mental health, trauma, and chemsex. Together we dive into some of the toughest but most important conversations for gay men today: sexual trauma, the chemsex scene, ketamine-assisted therapy, and how we can reclaim masculinity in a healthy, authentic way.

Michael also shares how trauma shows up uniquely in gay men’s lives, why so many avoid reaching out for help, and what real healing can look like.

If you’ve ever wondered where sex positivity ends and self-destruction begins — or how we can build healthier relationships with sex, masculinity, and ourselves — this episode is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling overwhelmed? Us too. In this episode, Keegan & Joel break down the difference between stress, overwhelm, and burnout and why so many of us are stuck in the messy middle right now. From constant notifications to comparison culture, cost of living stress to queer emotional labour, it’s no wonder life feels like too much.

We share our own stories of hitting breaking point, what actually helps us cope (and what definitely doesn’t), and why “just do yoga” isn’t the whole answer. Think practical tips, honest laughs, and a reminder that if you’re overwhelmed, you’re not broken—you’re just human.

✨ Highlights include:

Stress vs. overwhelm vs. burnout (and how to spot the difference)

Why modern life feels impossible sometimes

Coping strategies that actually work (and the BS ones we’ve tried)

The queer side of overwhelm—extra layers nobody talks about

🎧 Tune in for real talk, practical tools, and a little less FOMO.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief, romance, and a father with a surprising secret — James Patrick Nelson’s award-winning TV pilot For Years to Come dives deep into the messy, beautiful complexity of queer life. In this episode of Happy Healthy Homo, we talk about rewriting queer narratives, balancing joy and trauma on screen, and why telling our own stories matters now more than ever. From the Off-Broadway stage to indie film festivals, James shares his creative journey, the challenges of making authentic queer art, and how embracing his identity changed everything.

🎬 Watch the Trailer for "For Years to Come" here: https://youtu.be/jMrHzo03fxE?si=EXxBSqcsdEu3VILF

Follow James here: https://www.instagram.com/jamespatricknelson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo

We talk Botox, burnout, and botched jobs—and yes, he tells us exactly what work he’d do to our faces 👀

From the emotional toll of working through COVID to building a booming aesthetics business, Jonny gets real about mental health, beauty standards, and what not to do with filler.

✨ Expect skincare tips, aesthetic red flags, and the ultimate question: are we tweakment material?

🎧 Listen now for:

– What he'd do to Keegan’s face (it's… specific)

– How to spot bad work

– Skincare that actually works

– The pressure of being a gay man in a beauty-obsessed industry

– And why looking “done” isn’t the flex people think it is

You can find Dr Jonny here:

https://jbaesthetics.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drjb.aesthetics/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by award-winning documentary filmmaker Roger Ungers, the creative force behind Shape — a bold, unflinching look at body image, masculinity, and identity in gay culture.

We dive into the real conversations behind the glossy Instagram feeds:

– Why so many gay men feel pressure to look a certain way

– How racism, ageism, and toxic masculinity show up in queer spaces

– What it’s like making indie queer films with limited support and big ambition

– And why Roger believes representation has to get more honest

Roger shares the behind-the-scenes process of making Shape, the personal stories that inspired it, and what he hopes it sparks in the queer community.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t "fit the mould," this one’s for you.

Roger's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogerthatpictures

Watch the trailer for Shape here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeYEwSetW-8

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo

This week we’re joined by husbands, homemakers, and content creators Toby & Mikey — better known as  ⁨@Tobyshome⁩  You’ve probably swooned over their stunning interiors and cosy online presence… but behind the perfect posts was a very different reality.

We talk about their big move from rural life to London, the mental health struggles that followed, Mikey’s recent health scare, and what it’s really like to build a brand (and a life) together online. From burnout and boundaries to balance and breakthroughs, this one gets real.

🎙️ Topics include:

– Moving to London and starting over

– Navigating mental health as a couple

– The pressure of perfection on social media

– Working together without losing yourself

– What it takes to show up authentically online

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You asked — we finally answered. In this tell-all Q&A, we’re diving into everything: Are we getting married? How do we really feel about open relationships and cheating? What habits drive us absolutely crazy? And what are the things we’ve never shared publicly… until now?

From playful banter (yes, we tackle the "Is Keegan a giant or is Joel just tiny?" debate) to the most personal corners of our relationship, this episode is full of honesty, laughs, and a few surprises we didn’t plan on sharing.

Whether you’ve been with us from the start or you’re just tuning in, this one’s raw, real, and 100% us. 💕

🎧 Grab your favorite drink and come hang — it’s a good one.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo

Welcome to Season 5 of Happy Healthy Homo hosted by Keegan Hirst and Joel Wood. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it'd really help us out: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/welcome-to-happy-healthy-homo/id1677092370?i=1000604110054

This week we're getting fired up about Pride and the companies that have done a runner when things got too real. We're talking about the companies who were all rainbow logos last year but mysteriously went silent this Pride month.

We chat about the statistic that 39% of Fortune 500 companies pulled back their Pride support this year, why Trump's election has made everyone scared of being "too woke," and how Pride feels more like the protest it started as rather than the party it became.

Joel opens up about going back to therapy because of Keegan's heart condition, while Keegan gets passionate about why some gay people are distancing themselves from trans issues when we should be standing together.

We also give massive props to the brands that actually showed up, from Boots smashing it to train companies wrapping entire trains in rainbow colours, and an exciting announcement about Leeds Pride!

Plus we get into what real allyship looks like when it's not trendy, why supporting queer owned businesses matters more than ever, and what it really means to be part of our community in 2025.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going to therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Our paid partner BetterHelp makes therapy simple, with 10% off your first month to help you get started: https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo

Welcome to Season 5 of Happy Healthy Homo hosted by Keegan Hirst and Joel Wood. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it'd really help us out: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/welcome-to-happy-healthy-homo/id1677092370?i=1000604110054

This week we're joined by the brilliant Layton Williams for a proper catch-up about his incredible career journey. From playing Billy Elliot at 12 years old to winning an Olivier Award for playing an iceberg in Titanique (yes, really), Layton's story is wild.

We chat about his time on Strictly Come Dancing and how he pushed boundaries by performing in drag on Saturday night TV, his emotional experience filming Who Do You Think You Are and discovering his family's history, and why being the voice of I Kissed a Boy means so much to him.

Layton also opens up about how being in a loving relationship has changed his perspective on life, his Slay Clubs business that's building confidence in young people across the UK, and his passionate plea for everyone to support their local gay bars before they disappear.

Plus he explains why he thought every footballer position was a "lead role," and shares why turning 30 has made him feel like a genuinely happy, healthy homo.

It's a conversation full of laughs, honesty, and genuine insight into what it means to stay authentic while building a career in entertainment.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this juicy (and deeply educational) episode, Joel and Keegan welcome the one and only Dr. Evan Goldstein — America’s leading anal health expert, founder of Future Method, and author of the new book Butt Seriously: The Definitive Guide to Anal Health, Pleasure, and Everything In Between.

We get into all the things nobody taught us about butt stuff — from how Dr. Goldstein became an anal surgeon (yes, that’s a real job!) to the myths he’s constantly debunking in his practice at Bespoke Surgical. We talk lube (yes, there is a wrong kind), douching safely, how to prep and recover properly, and why anal care is essential, not optional—especially for queer folks.

Plus, we chat about Future Method’s game-changing products, the stigma around anal wellness, and how Dr. G is leading a full-on butt revolution with science, empathy, and zero shame.

Whether you're a bottom, top, verse, or just butt-curious, this episode is for YOU.

🧴 Shop: FutureMethod.com

📘 Read: Butt Seriously (out now!)

📲 Follow: @drevangoldstein | @thefuturemethodWelcome

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we sat down with Daniel Harding – journalist ("She's a journalist!"), author, and the brilliant mind behind "Letters to My Younger Queer Self" and "Gay Man Talking."

We dive deep into Daniel's journey from closeted teenager to award-winning LGBTQ+ voice, exploring the conversations we wish we'd had growing up. From navigating coming out anxiety to building a career telling queer stories, Daniel shares the raw truths about finding your authentic self in a world that doesn't always make space for us.

Plus, we get into the messy realities of dating, the power of writing your own narrative, and why sometimes the best advice comes from looking back at who you used to be.

You can find Daniel Harding here: https://www.instagram.com/danieljharding/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From first flings to forever love - what really happens in queer relationships? In this episode, we’re joined by a sex and relationships therapist, Tom Bruett LMFT, who specialises in working with the LGBTQ+ community to unpack the 7 key stages many queer couples go through.

We talk about navigating hookups, emotional intimacy, communication struggles, sex ruts, healing past trauma, and building lasting connection — all through a queer-affirming lens. Whether you're single, dating, or deeply partnered, this one’s for you.

Expect honest chat, expert advice, and plenty of “ah-ha” moments.

Tom's website: https://tombruetttherapy.com/

Tom's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerrelationshipinstitute/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Baggs (star of Gogglebox and social media!) and his boyfriend Kaine Ruddach (theatre star and now keen gardener on social media!) join us this week! From meeting at a birthday party (with some very heavy breathing involved) to moving in together after just 6 months, these two spill ALL the tea about modern gay dating.

We put them through our Red Flag, Green Flag, Beige Flag game where they accidentally call out each other's worst habits - from Joe's need to win every argument to Kaine's plant obsession that's literally taking over their house. Plus, Joel reveals why he ghosted his therapist mid-session and Kaine explains how he converted his anti-plant boyfriend into a secret plant lover.

Joe Baggs: https://www.instagram.com/joebxggs/?hl=en

Kaine Ruddach: https://www.instagram.com/kaineruddach/?hl=en

In this episode:

🚩 Dating red flags that hit way too close to home

🌱 The great indoor plant vs outdoor garden debate

🎭 Why Joe refuses to sit through a 3-hour musical (sorry, Les Mis fans)

💑 Moving from Gogglebox fame to couple content creation

🏠 Their quest for the perfect 13-foot statue (yes, really)

✈️ That time Joe disappeared for 50 minutes in West Hollywood and came back in full glitter

From therapy ghosting to BAFTA red carpets, Joe and Kaine prove that being a "happy healthy homo" means embracing your authentic self - plant obsessions, argument-winning tendencies, and all.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a long (and much-needed) hiatus, we’re finally back—and we’ve missed you! In this special Season 5 premiere, we catch you up on everything:

➡️ Where we’ve been

➡️ Why we took such a long break

➡️ What’s been going on behind the scenes

This season is shaping up to be our most exciting yet—with a lineup of diverse and dynamic guests spanning everything from pop culture and mental health to activism, identity, and beyond. Expect honest conversations, unexpected laughs, and moments that’ll make you think.

We also dive into the current status of our long-awaited LGBTQ+ docuseries—what’s working, what’s evolving, and how YOU can be part of its journey.

Thanks for sticking with us. Let’s make Season 5 unforgettable 💫

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a brief break, your favorite queer podcast is back with more laughs, love, and a sprinkle of holiday cheer! This week, we dive into:

✨ Keegan’s Fabulous New Style – What’s the inspiration behind their bold look?

🎉 Planning for 2025 – Goals, dreams, and maybe a little too much ambition.

🎄 Social Events at Christmas – Surviving (and thriving) in the season of endless parties and family gatherings.

Join us for a fun, festive, and heartfelt chat as we celebrate being back together just in time for the holidays. Grab your cocoa (or wine) and let’s get into it!

💬 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with our weekly episodes. Share your holiday survival tips in the comments below!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let our paid partner BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/

Get ready for a hilariously petty episode where we spill the tea about our most ridiculous relationship moments - from changing Netflix passwords to expensive fans being rendered useless! Plus, our listeners share their own delightfully petty and pretty stories that'll either make you feel better about yourself or give you some ideas (we're not judging! 👀).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let our paid partner BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home. Visit https://betterhelp.com/happyhealthyhomo and enjoy a special discount on your first month.

If you have any questions about the brand relating to how the therapists are credentialed, their privacy policy, or therapist compensation model, check out this FAQ: https://www.betterhelp.com/your-questions-answered/

Join us for a special podcast episode where we read and answer messages from our listeners! This week we help three different people from our community with their questions and problems that they have emailed to us. Some shocking stories here from relationships to cheating - and yes, we're totally qualified to give advice (we googled "how to give advice" and everything!).

Want us to answer your question or give advice about your dilemma? Send us an email (hello@happyhealthyhomo.com) and you could be featured in our next episode!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk to Sion from The Globetrotter Guys who is an expert on all things LGBTQ+ travel! He talks to us about where he's visited, things to bear in mind when travelling as someone from the LGBTQ+ community, and his stance on travelling to homophobic countries and much, much more! Check out his Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/theglobetrotterguys/

The Globetrotter Guys website: https://www.theglobetrotterguys.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.