Episodes

  • Season Finale | Where We've Been, What's Changed and What's Next

    Season Finale | Where We've Been, What's Changed and What's Next
    Jun 10 2026
    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 long time coming.We're moving on from the NeXYs name. The community is now the Male Fertility Hub. We sat in a meeting for an hour and a half going round the houses on what to call it, and landed back on the exact word we started with. Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one. It does what it says on the tin, and that's the point.We've also been listening. Men in the community kept asking where their partners could go for the same kind of support they were getting. We'd always assumed there was plenty out there for women, but what they meant was there was nothing specifically for the partners of men going through male factor infertility. So we built it. We now have a couples group, couples online meets, and a ladies-only group for female partners, run by Jenna and Jen. It's already making a difference.This is the last episode of the season, but there's a lot coming. We're looking forward to getting back to it.What to ExpectWhat made this year's Fertility Show the best one yet, and the message from a colleague that stuck with usThe name change: why we moved from NeXYs Fertility to the Male Fertility HubThe moment at a talk in March that finally settled the debateThe new couples group, couples meets, and ladies-only group for female partnersWhy we built it, who runs it, and how to joinWhat's coming in the next season and why we're more fired up than everFind us at themalefertilityhub.com. If you've been in the NeXYs community, you're still there. The old address will redirect you. And if you're a female partner looking for a space of your own, you're very welcome.Episode SponsorsThis season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.Connect and FollowJoin the community: themalefertilityhub.comSubscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility PodcastFollow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcastFollow Ciaran: @themalefertilityptFollow Shaun: @knackered_knackersContact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.comNavigating Male FertilityLooking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.DisclaimerThis podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.This has been a Worth A Listen Production
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Male Bag | Optimising Your Lifestyle Without Losing Your Mind

    Male Bag | Optimising Your Lifestyle Without Losing Your Mind
    Apr 22 2026
    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 into during a fertility journey, and both hosts have lived it themselves.Shaun spent eight months following a strict low-GI diet to try to bring his testosterone levels up naturally after his micro-TESE, with charts inside his kitchen cupboard and every food on the glycaemic index memorised. His levels went down. Ciaran was handed a list of changes in a consultation room and immediately buried his head in the sand because the whole thing felt so overwhelming he didn't know where to start.This conversation is honest, practical and genuinely reassuring. If the pressure of getting everything right is starting to feel like another thing to fail at, this one is for you.What to ExpectWhy trying to do everything at once often makes things worse, not betterShaun's eight months of obsessive low-GI living and why his testosterone still went downWhat Ciaran's urologist said about alcohol that actually stuckWhy fertility nutritionist Mel Brown told her clients to enjoy the burgerCiaran's practical framework: write down five changes, prioritise them, and introduce them one at a timeHow to think about consistency rather than perfection, and why one bad week doesn't matterReframing lifestyle changes as something that outlasts your treatment, not a programme you are onThe thermostat analogy that Shaun still uses years laterCiaran is available for direct support and guidance via Instagram @themalefertilitypt or by email at themalefertilitypt@gmail.com.Send your questions for a future Male Bag episode through any of the channels below. Ciaran and Shaun love hearing from you.Episode SponsorsThis season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.Connect and FollowJoin our community: nexysfertility.comSubscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility PodcastFollow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcastFollow Ciaran: @themalefertilityptFollow Shaun: @knackered_knackersContact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.comNavigating Male FertilityLooking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.DisclaimerThis podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.This has been a Worth A Listen Production
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Told to Use a Donor: DNA Fragmentation, Varicocele & a 6-Month Pregnancy with Danny Baker

    Told to Use a Donor: DNA Fragmentation, Varicocele & a 6-Month Pregnancy with Danny Baker
    Apr 15 2026
    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 compassion, through two failed ICSI rounds, a varicocele embolisation that made no difference to fragmentation, and a system that repeatedly ignored the man in the room — Danny takes you through every stage.And then he shares the result. Six months pregnant.What to ExpectThe moment Danny was told donor conception might be his only option — despite having nearly a million spermA year spent fighting for NHS funding, only for the results to be lost and the process to start againTwo failed rounds of ICSI and the aftercare that never really cameFinding Jonathan Ramsay, identifying a large varicocele and high DNA fragmentation, and the embolisation that didn't fix thingsThe COMET test, the XY device, and discovering the real root cause — being born ten weeks premature as a twinHow DNA fragmentation dropped from 16% to 3% using DesiganMart, and what happened nextThe guilt of male factor infertility and the years of work it took Danny to let it goWhat it means to ride out the anxiety of a hard-won pregnancy, milestone by milestoneDanny's advice: don't bury your head in the sand. Ask for help earlier than you think you need to.Please note: Danny refers to specific tests, devices and clinical findings throughout this episode. His experience is individual to him. Always consult your healthcare provider for advice specific to your situation.Episode SponsorsThis season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.Connect and FollowJoin our community: nexysfertility.comSubscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility PodcastFollow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcastFollow Ciaran: @themalefertilityptFollow Shaun: @knackered_knackersContact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.comNavigating Male FertilityLooking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.DisclaimerThis podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.This has been a Worth A Listen Production
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Male Bag | In That Room: Samples, Pressure and Abstinence

    Male Bag | In That Room: Samples, Pressure and Abstinence
    Apr 7 2026

    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 you deal with the pressure of producing a sample? Both hosts share their honest experiences, including the time Shaun couldn't do it and had to hand back an empty pot. They talk through what genuinely helps: communication, routine, timing, and being kind to yourself.

    The second topic came from inside the NeXYs community, where members realised they'd all been told completely different things about abstinence periods. So Shaun took it directly to Professor Alan Pacey MBE, one of the UK's leading male fertility experts, and shares his answer in full.

    💬 What to Expect

    • The honest reality of walking into that room for the first time
    • The time Shaun couldn't produce a sample and had to hand back an empty pot
    • How communication with your partner changes everything
    • Why routine and timing matter more than you'd think
    • When it's okay to walk out and reset
    • Professor Alan Pacey MBE answers the abstinence period question — what the WHO says, what changes for IVF and ICSI, and why clinics give different advice

    🏁 EPISODE SPONSORS

    This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

    At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

    We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

    Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

    What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

    To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk. And if you decide it's right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10. That's MFPOD10.

    📲 CONNECT & FOLLOW

    • Join our community: nexysfertility.com
    • Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast
    • Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
    • Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt
    • Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers
    • Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

    🔍 NAVIGATING MALE FERTILITY

    Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

    ⚠️ DISCLAIMER

    This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.

    This has been a Worth A Listen Production
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Testicular Cancer, Fertility & Balls Like Oranges with Jack Burke

    Testicular Cancer, Fertility & Balls Like Oranges with Jack Burke
    Apr 1 2026

    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 in a pandemic, enduring three brutal rounds of BEP chemotherapy, and the strange, often darkly funny reality of being a young man suddenly confronting his own mortality — and his fertility.

    This is raw, honest, and exactly the kind of conversation that doesn't happen enough.

    💬 What to Expect:
    • Jack's full story: from finding the lump in the shower to a stage 3/4 diagnosis and three rounds of BEP chemotherapy
    • The link between testicular cancer and infertility — and why it's not spoken about enough
    • The "wank bank" experience: the bizarre, funny, and deeply human reality of sperm banking at the NHS
    • Why the hardest part of cancer isn't the treatment — it's what comes after
    • The IVF funnel problem and how the male factor is so often overlooked in fertility pathways
    • What Jack wishes oncologists and andrologists had told him about preserving his fertility
    • The power of peer support: why talking to a man five years ahead of you beats any doctor's reassurance
    • Jack's open invitation to anyone going through testicular cancer to reach out to him directly

    🏁 Episode Sponsors

    This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

    At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

    We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

    Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

    What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

    To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk

    Our listeners get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

    📲 Connect & Follow
    • 🌐 Community: nexysfertility.com
    • ▶️ YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast
    • 📷 Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast
    • 👤 Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt
    • 👤 Shaun: @knackered_knackers
    • 👤 Jack Burke: @jsburke
    • 📧 Email: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Male Bag | Not Just a Chauffeur: The Fight to Be Seen

    Male Bag | Not Just a Chauffeur: The Fight to Be Seen
    Mar 25 2026

    “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 your partner about your own results, the feeling of being a forgotten part of the equation is a heavy burden. In this Male Bag episode, we share our own experiences of feeling like a “chauffeur” and discuss the practical steps you can take to reclaim your place in the room. We explore why it’s crucial to be present, how taking notes can be a game-changer, and the power of politely reminding clinical staff that you are 50% of the process. This isn’t about blame; it’s about empowerment.

    💬 What to Expect:

    • Why men so often feel like passengers in their own fertility journey.

    • The simple act of calling a man by his name and why it matters.

    • Practical tips for being more present and engaged in consultations.

    • How taking notes can transform your understanding and involvement.

    • The importance of debriefing with your partner after appointments.

    • Why it’s okay to feel like a “deer in headlights” at the start.

    • How to politely and constructively advocate for yourself to create change.

    🏁 Episode Sponsors

    This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

    At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

    We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

    Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

    What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

    To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

    And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

    That’s MFPOD10

    📲 Connect & Follow

    • Join our community: nexysfertility.com

    • Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

    • Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

    • Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

    • Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

    • Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

    🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

    Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • “I Was Just an Accessory”: Male Factor and Taking Control with Luke McCarthy

    “I Was Just an Accessory”: Male Factor and Taking Control with Luke McCarthy
    Mar 18 2026

    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 that it wasn’t. For 18 months, the focus was entirely on his wife, with Luke feeling like a forgotten accessory to the process. He opens up about the anger and frustration of discovering a varicocele had been identified in a scan but never followed up on, the crushing low of learning all their embryos were non-viable, and the turning point of seeking expert help from Jonathan Ramsay. This is a powerful story about feeling let down by the system, the mental toll of sacrificing the things you love, and the empowerment that comes from finally taking control.

    💬 What to Expect:

    • The frustration of being ignored for 18 months as the male partner.

    • Discovering a varicocele was found on a scan but never followed up on.

    • The emotional impact of being treated as a “bit part” in your own fertility journey.

    • The crushing blow of a failed IVF round and non-viable embryos after PGTA testing.

    • The decision to seek specialist help and getting a diagnosis of DNA fragmentation.

    • The mental health challenges of giving up lifestyle passions like cycling.

    • The power of opening up to your partner, friends, and workplace.

    🏁 Episode Sponsors

    This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

    At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

    We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

    Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

    What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

    To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

    And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

    That’s MFPOD10

    📲 Connect & Follow

    • Join our community: nexysfertility.com

    • Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

    • Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

    • Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

    • Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

    • Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

    🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

    Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
  • My Three Miscarriages: A Story of Loss, Guilt & Running for a Miracle with Olly Brown

    My Three Miscarriages: A Story of Loss, Guilt & Running for a Miracle with Olly Brown
    Mar 10 2026

    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 conversation from the Marathons for Miracles podcast. Ciaran delves into the intense loneliness and self-blame he felt, the gut-wrenching moment they discovered a “vanishing twin,” and how he ultimately processed the grief that led him to the brink. It’s a story about how our hardest moments can forge a new path, leading Ciaran to become The Male Fertility PT and inspiring him to run a marathon for the baby loss charity, Tommy’s.

    💬 What to Expect:

    • Ciaran’s full story of navigating three miscarriages, including a “vanishing twin.”

    • The intense guilt men can feel when miscarriage is linked to male-factor infertility.

    • The psychological impact of loss and a journey to the brink and back.

    • The power of taking control of your lifestyle to improve both mental and physical health.

    • How to support a partner when you feel powerless to “fix” the situation.

    • The story behind the Marathons for Miracles challenge and the incredible work of Tommy’s.

    • Why it’s so important for men to have a space to share and process their grief.

    • For more information go to https://marathonsformiracles.com/

    🏁 Episode Sponsors

    This season is all about reminding you that when it comes to fertility, you are not alone.

    At The Male Fertility Podcast, we know how powerful the right support can be, which is why we've partnered with Fertility Family to share Impryl.

    We all know nutrition matters for fertility, but let's be honest, maintaining a perfectly balanced diet for conception is incredibly hard. Choosing a supplement can be just as confusing, especially when many multivitamins contain strong antioxidants that can actually harm sperm quality.

    Impryl is different. It's made using activated micronutrients that support every cell in the body, from the largest, the egg, to the smallest, the sperm. These nutrients have been clinically shown to significantly improve live birth rates in men and women who had previously been struggling to conceive.

    What we really like is that behind the science are real stories from real people.

    To find out more, visit fertilityfamily.co.uk.

    And if you decide it’s right for you, our listeners can get 10% off using the code MFPOD10.

    That’s MFPOD10

    📲 Connect & Follow

    • Join our community: nexysfertility.com

    • Subscribe on YouTube: The Male Fertility Podcast

    • Follow us on Instagram: @themalefertilitypodcast

    • Follow Ciaran: @themalefertilitypt

    • Follow Shaun: @knackered_knackers

    • Contact us: themalefertilitypodcast@gmail.com

    🔍 Navigating Male Fertility

    Looking for support and insight on male infertility? This podcast offers you stories, expert advice, and our NeXYs community ready to listen. Subscribe and follow to join the journey and never miss an episode.

    ⚠️ Disclaimer

    This podcast provides information and support but should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised care.
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins