The Hook Up

Whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or gambling - addiction can be one of the hardest things to navigate in a relationship. In this episode we chat to clinical psychologist Donna Stambulich about her experience with amphetamine addiction, the impact it has on relationships and how to best support your partner or loved one. 
SHOW NOTES:
Lifeline - 13 11 14 
Donna Stambulich - https://nppsych.com.au/our-psychologists
Recode Me -  https://recode-me.com.au/
Episode with Luke Bateman on Gambling - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTl8Royc2rU&t=16s
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.au
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.

What’s the bet you or someone you know has been affected by gambling? Probably pretty high. Around 3 million Australians experience some sort of gambling harm each year. And 1.2 million Australians are affected by someone else's gambling. And it can have a real impact on your dating or love life. 
In today’s episode we speak with Luke Bateman, ex-NFL star turned author, about his past addiction and tips on reaching the other side. 
SHOW NOTES:
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Gambling Helpline - 1800 858 858
Gambling Help Online - https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/
Luke Bateman IG - https://www.instagram.com/lukebateman_/?hl=en
Luke Bateman Australian Story - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-27/turning-the-page-luke-bateman/106963436
Compulsive Gambling - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178
The Psychology of Gambling Addiction: https://equilibriapcs.com/the-psychology-of-gambling-addiction-why-the-brain-craves-the-bet/
Gambling Disorder Psychology: https://www.reachlink.com/advice/general/gambling-disorder-psychology/

Who has the right to tell queer stories and profit off them? That’s the main theme author Josh Silver explores in his latest book Fruit Fly. The book follows a writer who befriends a young gay addict so she can use his story to write a best seller. 
In this ep, Dee chats to Josh about his own story as an ex addict, the world of chem sex parties, and why it’s important to share perspectives of gay pain and trauma.
SHOW NOTES: 
Lifeline: 13 11 14
QLife: https://qlife.org.au/
Josh Silver IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshsilverauthor/?hl=en
Fruit Fly: https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/fruit-fly-9781836432395/
Melbourne event: https://www.wheelercentre.com/events-tickets/season-2026/josh-silver-fruit-fly
Brisbane event: https://bwf.org.au/2026/brisbane-writers-festival/josh-silver-fruit-fly
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.au
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.

Have you ever felt pressure to have a certain kind of sex? 
Sex positivity has been an incredible movement which has normalised and destigmatised adventurous, kinky and casual sex. But has that come at a cost? In this ep, we’re joined by guest co-host psychologist and sexologist Laura Lee to unpack whether sex positivity and hook up culture has created a new type of pressure and expectation to perform.
SHOW NOTES:
A women’s right to say ‘meh’ - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/oct/10/sex-positivity-sexuality-ambivalence-feminism
How sex positivity lost its way: https://katemanne.substack.com/p/how-sex-positivity-lost-its-way
How Sexual information (CONT) : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9825060/
5 ways to have better sex in a relationship - https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/experimentations/201710/5-ways-have-better-sex-in-relationship
Couples’ sexual communication and dimensions of sexual function: A meta-analysis
\https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6699928/
Fetish 101: Vanilla - https://www.hudapp.com/blog/fetish-101-vanilla
How the sexual revolution changed the world https://youtu.be/VdDERcyouWs?si=9icswXNioUtwZ3g0
The canadian journal of human sexuality https://utppublishing.com/doi/full/10.3138/cjhs.2017-0017

Surprise! We've got a Saturday Bonus ep for you! You probably heard all about Ben Ilobuchi's situationship troubles in this weeks episode. But did you hear the beef? Dee becomes The Grill's first guest to sear some rogue relationship-specific beefs like ghosting, the ick, and having to sleep in a bed with your partner. 
DM us your thoughts, questions, topics, or to just vent at @triplejthehookup on IG or email us: thehookup@abc.net.au
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.