The Hook Up

They say don’t judge a book by its cover - but does that mean you should always “give them a chance” if you’re not immediately attracted to someone? In this episode we’re debating whether attraction needs to be instant or can grow over time, are we stringing people along if we wait for it to develop, and have dating apps have killed slowburn romance.
SHOW NOTES:
Romantic attraction and evolution: New study pinpoints key traits in mate selection:
https://www.psypost.org/romantic-attraction-and-evolution-new-study-pinpoints-key-traits-in-mate-selection/
The Preferred Traits of Mates in a Cross-National Study of Heterosexual and Homosexual Men and Women:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6427708_The_Preferred_Traits_of_Mates_in_a_Cross-National_Study_of_Heterosexual_and_Homosexual_Men_and_Women_An_Examination_of_Biological_and_Cultural_Influences
OUR EP: Unpacking Adolescence, The Manosphere and The 80/20 Rule
https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/the-hook-up/unpacking-adolescence-the-manosphere-and-the-80-20-rule/105118516
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: [email protected]
The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

Miscarriages and pregnancy loss are so much more common than we might think. But no one really talks about them?! In this ep you’ll hear from Jess Kirkness, a writer who shares her miscarriage story, plus you’ll also hear from gynaecologist Dr Charlotte Elder on why they happen and what to expect. 
SHOW NOTES:
Jess Kirkness Article - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-21/miscarriage-loss-grief/106308830
Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line (1300 308 307): 24/7 support for anyone impacted by miscarriage, stillbirth, or baby death.
Pink Elephants Pregnancy Loss Helpline (1300 726 306): Support via PANDA, available Mon-Fri 9am-7:30pm, Sat 9am-4pm AEST.
13YARN (13 92 76): 24/7 culturally safe crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636): 24/7 support for anxiety and depression.
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: [email protected]
The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

Everyone knows about the “3 date rule”, but is it always worth the wait? We find out why you’re holding off sex or diving right in, if there’s a magic number of dates before getting intimate and whether having sex too soon can stop a relationship in it’s tracks.
SHOW NOTES:
YouGov Survey on how long you should wait before having sex:
https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/37341-relationships-dating-marriage-sex-milestones-poll?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Studies on first-date sex impacting relationships:
https://www.datingadvice.com/studies/fdshlt
https://www.mamamia.com.au/sex-on-first-date/
Differing relationship outcomes when sex happens before, on, or after first dates
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23121225/
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: [email protected]
The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

When we asked what kind of porn you're into, so many of you told us you love piss play. We chat to sexologist and psychologist Laura Lee on this seemingly common kink/fetish, why it's so hot for some and how to do it well.
SHOW NOTES:
Laura Lee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lauraleesexology/?hl=en
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: [email protected]
The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.

We’ve all been audiences to celebrity splits where dirty laundry gets aired out through podcast tell-all’s, tiktok sprays and album drops - but what about when it happens closer to home? We explore the aftermath of a break up and hear your stories of when you’ve gone public, from openly grieving to spilling secrets, to when you’ve been put on blast by an ex and had the truth twisted. 
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: [email protected]
The Hook Up is an ABC podcast, produced by triple j. It is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to elders past and present. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the land where we live, work, and learn.