Hide And Seek

What actually makes erotic fiction work? Is it the heat, the heart, or the way a story makes you feel seen? This week on Hide and Seek, Jon and Joenas are joined by Melbourne-based queer author Dion Marc for a wide-ranging, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about writing desire, storytelling, and what happens once your work leaves the page and meets its readers. We talk about how Dion found his way into queer erotica, why he writes unapologetically gay stories, and how personal experience, fantasy, kink, and imagination collide when crafting intimate scenes. From avoiding formulaic sex writing to embracing fantasy elements (yes, including vampires), Dion shares what keeps his work feeling genuine rather than repetitive. The conversation also digs into the afterlife of books — reader reactions, unexpected interpretations, and the emotional impact of feedback, both good and bad. We explore representation in queer fiction, why it matters, and how stories can shape the way readers see themselves

Performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs) are everywhere in queer spaces — from gyms and dance floors to dating apps and dressing rooms — but honest, non-judgemental conversations about them? Not so much. In this episode of Hide and Seek, the Sexperts change that. Jon, Craig and Joenas are joined by Henri from @sesh.ed to unpack what PIEDs actually are (and aren’t), why they’re disproportionately used in rainbow communities, and how harm reduction — not shame — needs to be at the centre of the conversation. From anabolic steroids and testosterone, to GLP-1s like Ozempic, peptides, fat burners and stimulants, this episode widens the lens on what counts as a “performance drug” and why all of them deserve the same safety thinking. Together, the panel explores the pressures driving use: body image, desirability, masculinity, safety, confidence, belonging, gender affirmation, and the relentless visual economy of apps, porn and event marketing. We talk bigorexia, fat-shaming, trans and gender-diverse experi

Side B is where the spotlight turns to the Mr VicBears 2026 competition — and the humans brave enough to step into it. In this half of Episode 222, Hide and Seek meets the Class of ’26: Teddy, Justin, Ray, Jake and Craig. It’s a line-up full of history, heart, camp, nerves, confidence, and wildly different journeys into the bear community. Each competitor shares how they found the bears, what keeps them coming back, and why they’ve decided to run for the sash. We talk community advocacy, representation, confidence-building, favourite ’90s films (yes, Clueless and Serial Mom both feature), and the very real mix of excitement and terror that comes with putting yourself out there. This isn’t just about abs, beards, or who owns the most outfits with paw prints. It’s about visibility, approachability, and what it means to represent a community built on belonging rather than perfection. From long-time committee members to returning competitors and first-time entrants, the Class of ’26 reflects the diversity and gen

During Midsumma each year, Victoria doesn’t just come out — it comes out hairy. In Side A of Episode 222, we grin and bear it as Hide and Seek dives into BearFest 2026, the week-long celebration of bears, admirers, community, and controlled chaos that takes over Melbourne every summer. Jon, Craig and Joenas are joined by Neil of the VicBears committee to unpack what the bear scene actually is (and isn’t), how it grew in Australia, and why it continues to matter far beyond the dance floor. We talk chosen family, intergenerational connection, accessibility, body diversity, and why bear spaces often feel like home for people who never quite fit elsewhere. Then we take a deep, slightly breathless tour through the week itself: BearWatch Beach Day at Williamstown, Midsumma Carnival, the Teddy Bear Banquet, Bearaoke (where dignity goes to die), Underbear nights, pool parties, dance floors, Pride March prep, and everything in between. Sunscreen, hydration, and sensible footwear are strongly encouraged. Along the way,

New year, new holes in your walls — consensually, of course. So let’s get to the hardware store and get some big tools! In this practical, cheeky episode, Hide and Seek, explores DIY sex and kink projects, from plumbed shower douches to slings, A-frames, and at-home gloryholes. Jon and Craig walk through what’s genuinely DIY-friendly versus when it’s smarter (and safer) to call a tradie. Installing a douche? Probably doable if you can manage a shower head and thread tape. Ceiling eye-bolts? Get professional help. We talk tools, materials, weight ratings, ergonomics, and the very real importance of testing setups before you put a person in them. The episode also digs into safety beyond construction: splinters, chafing, privacy, theft risk, and why comfort matters just as much as creativity. Not every fantasy needs to be built — but if you are building it, do it well. This is a fun, grounded reminder that kink at home can be inventive, accessible, and deeply satisfying — as long as safety, durability, and

Call the handyman! Fisting is one of those practices that carries a lot of myth, bravado, and whispered horror stories — and not nearly enough calm, practical conversation. In this episode of  Hide and Seek, Jon, Craig and Joenas are joined by Nik to demystify fisting, ground it in lived experience, and focus squarely on harm reduction, communication, and care. We start where it matters most: real stories. First fists, first surprises, what people wish they’d known earlier, and the myths that fall apart the moment you talk to people who actually do it well. From there, the conversation turns to training — not as a race or a performance, but as a slow, respectful process that prioritises relaxation, trust, and listening to your body. The episode breaks down positions, lube choices, gloves, nail care, and practical supports without going explicit, while still being genuinely useful. We talk about why “too much lube” is rarely the problem, how different positions affect comfort and control, and when it’s time to

I saw Daddy kissing Santa! Wait — Santa? Yes, Santa. In this festive and surprisingly thoughtful episode, Hide and Seek  unwraps the idea of “Santa fetish” and uses it as a gateway into understanding how kinks form, why some trigger moral panic, and why curiosity beats judgement every time. Jon, Craig and Joenas break down the difference between kink and fetish, explaining why Santa roleplay is usually seasonal, playful, and layered onto existing interests like daddy dynamics, uniforms, ritual, and power — not an exclusive or year-round fixation. We tackle the discomfort head-on: why some cultural symbols feel “off-limits,” and why adult consensual roleplay gets misinterpreted so quickly. From there, the episode dives into the psychology: authority, generosity, surveillance, warmth, transgression, and humour. Santa emerges not as a shock value joke, but as a symbolic container — a way people eroticise comfort, dominance, or reclaim holidays that may carry trauma. The closing message lands gently but firmly: y

Can we just beat it, but without a problematic popstar? Beats have long been part of queer sexual culture — often misunderstood, rarely discussed openly, and still deeply relevant. In this episode, Hide and Seek takes a practical, non-judgemental look at beat sex: what defines a beat, why people go, and how to navigate them safely. With lived experience front and centre, Melbourne bear personality Rob joins the panel and explores the appeal of beats — anonymity, spontaneity, connection — alongside the real risks, including legal issues, safety concerns, and recent violence linked to app-based targeting. We talk about how beats function socially, how people learn their rhythms, and how to read the difference between a quiet space and one that’s “on.” The episode offers grounded advice on cruising etiquette, consent signals, what to avoid, and when to leave. It also covers harm-reduction strategies, reporting options for homophobic behaviour, and how online spaces intersect with physical ones. Rather than roman

What happens when you move from a sexually conservative culture into one of the world’s most visible kink scenes — and realise you’re suddenly “allowed” to explore? In this deeply thoughtful episode, Hide and Seek welcomes Joenas to talk about kink discovery after migration, with a particular focus on CALD experiences. What is it like to explore, in colour? The conversation traces how shame-based sex education, silence, and religious taboo shape early understanding of sex — and how overwhelming it can feel to arrive in a place where kink is visible, named, and socially organised. We talk about the “kink big bang”: the flood of gear, language, expectations, and assumptions that can make newcomers feel behind, exposed, or pressured to perform. Importantly, the episode challenges stereotypes — from assumptions about submissiveness to fetishisation of cultural background — and offers clear guidance for non-CALD kinksters on how to be respectful allies. Slowing down, asking instead of assuming, and separating curi

With modern treatment, PrEP, and U=U, it’s easy to assume HIV is “sorted.” This episode of Hide and Seek explains why that story is incomplete — and why World AIDS Day still matters in 2025. Jon and Craig step through the history of World AIDS Day, from the height of the epidemic through to today’s elimination targets, honouring the activists, clinicians, and communities who transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition, and the impact of access schemes for U=U and PrEP. Along the way, we unpack why remembrance isn’t just symbolic — it actively shapes policy, funding, and care. The discussion tackles ongoing stigma head-on: on dating apps, in clinics, in shared spaces, and in the language people still use (“clean,” “biohazard,” and worse). We explore why stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to testing, disclosure, and wellbeing — even when the science is crystal clear. From there, the episode looks forward: injectable PrEP, long-acting ART, broadly neutralising antibodies, mRNA resea

Bisexual, pansexual, fluid, questioning — or just tired of being told you’re “actually gay” or “basically straight”? In this week’s Hide and Seek, Jon and Craig are joined by CJ and Little Jase for a big, honest, frequently hilarious conversation about what it really means to live Bi+ in queer, kink, health, and dating spaces. Picking up from Big Bi+ Questions deep dive into Bi+ sexual health, the episode starts with a reality check: Bi+ people consistently have some of the worst sexual-health outcomes, not because of behaviour, but because we’re routinely erased from messaging. From “MSM” labels that don’t fit, to GPs who don’t know what to ask, the panel unpacks how stigma, data gaps, and awkward assumptions shape care — and why regular testing and shame-free conversations still matter. From there, things get messier (in a good way). We talk kink and pansexual spaces as unexpected sites of belonging, where gender matters less than consent, communication, and what you’re actually there to do. There are s

Play parties can be exhilarating, intimidating, sexy, awkward, joyful — and sometimes all of those at once. In this episode of Hide and Seek, the team break down what play parties rules actually are, why they exist, and how to show up in ways that keep everyone safer, respected, and having a good time. We start with the bigger picture: play parties as cultural spaces — not just places to hook up, but environments built around consent, chosen family, learning, ritual, and queer and kink community. From lounge-room rope nights to commercial dungeons, pup mosh pits to quiet, atmospheric events, we explore the different types of play parties and how expectations shift depending on the space you’re in. Then we get into the practical stuff — the universal do’s and don’ts. How to ask before touching anything (including gear). How to express interest without being creepy. When watching is okay, when it’s not, and why interrupting a scene is a fast track to getting escorted out. There are stories, cautionary tales

Sex doesn’t end when the harness comes off or the toys go back in the drawer — and in Part B of Before and After, Tim and Jon make the case that aftercare is just as important as prep, whether you’re into kink, heavy play, or just enthusiastic fucking. We kick off with the physical stuff: checking your body, knowing what soreness is normal, when bleeding or pain isn’t, and why hydration and electrolytes matter (especially if enemas or long sessions were involved). There’s practical advice on gentle cleaning, toy and gear hygiene, soothing irritated skin, and recognising when it’s time to rest — or see a clinician. From there, we move into the emotional terrain. Endorphin drop, sub/drop, post-sex vulnerability, and that weird flat feeling that can hit hours or days later all get airtime. We talk reassurance, cuddles, grounding, affirmations, and why a simple “you were great” can be powerful medicine. There’s also space for debriefing — what worked, what didn’t, and how aftercare feeds into better consent next

Let’s talk about prep — specifically, the kind that’s surrounded by whispers, myths, porn pressure, and more than a little anxiety. In Part A of Before and After, Tim and Jon get right up in it (figuratively… mostly) to unpack what douching actually is, when it’s useful, and when it’s really not. We start by clearing up one of the biggest points of confusion: anal rinsing versus vaginal douching, and why lumping them together causes more harm than good. From there, we dig into the why — comfort, confidence, partner expectations — and gently but firmly dismantle the idea that “everyone does it every time.” Spoiler: bodies aren’t porn sets, and they don’t need to be. This episode takes a practical, shame-free look at how the body works, how far is far enough (hint: you’re not meant to reach the colon), and why over-douching can actually make sex riskier through irritation, micro-tears, and microbiome disruption. We talk timing, frequency, water temperature, equipment choices, and why soap should never be invite

The Hide & Seek crew head down to Melbourne's fetish community event The Northside Bizarre at The Laird Hotel, capturing all the fun and frivolity with community interviews from groups and punters alike. Tim and Craig talk about the history and importance of Northside Bizarre, before they're joined by Jon to talk about the joy of master baking. Who has the best crumb shot? How did community groups get involved? And who was lucky to get a hidden treasure from the secondhand or the auction? Find out in this podcast! Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/ Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/ Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/ This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au

Jon and Tim speak with Graham Clark, the author of Coming Out as a Gay Man, Finding Your Tribe as a Leatherman, about his project documenting the coming out stories of leathermen across the globe. In this sextras episode Graham shares his story about his experiences coming out as HIV positive during the AIDS crisis, his first kink experiences and some of the interesting stories leathermen across the globe have shared with him. Graham's project can be found on Kickstarter here   Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/ Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/ Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/ This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au

The Australian Pups and Handlers Competition returned to Melbourne last weekend, and two new title holders were crowned! Pup Lycan was chuffed to win the Puppy title, and Kitty Katastrophy became the first cis-femme winner in the contest's history! We hear their speeches, the win, and then Jon caught them the day after to hear what's coming next! Australian Handler 2025 Kitty Katastrophy from VicPAH Australian Puppy 2025  Lycan from Victoria   For more on Pup Play, visit PupPlay.info Follow your PAHs! Australian Pup and Handler Competition is @auspahc and on the web at aphc.net.au QPAH WA-PAH  SA-PAH  Syd-PAH  Vic-PAH  We previously covered APHC in 2022 when it was held in Meanjin/Brisbane, in episodes 105 - Power of Dog and 109 - Shaggy Dog Stories. We also covered the comp in 2023 in Boorloo/Perth, in episode 145 - Up to Scratch and its Sextra Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/ Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/ Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/ This episode was reco

The Australian Pups and Handlers Competition returned to Melbourne last weekend, and Jon got along to see the dogs raise the ruff. We heard from the founder, Pup Tycho, and Handler James about how APHC has changed over the years, and the visitors told us what they thought of the different events. We got to know all of the competitors on the night! Stick around to the end to hear the winners being crowned! Handler Competitors Handler Huw from SA-PAH Kitty Katastrophy from VicPAH Pup Competitors Cobalt from VicPAH Lycan from Victoria Blitzie from VicPAH Axel from VicPAH Leo from SydPAH and Q-PAH Chase from SA-PAH For more on Pup Play, visit PupPlay.info Follow your PAHs! Australian Pup and Handler Competition is @auspahc and on the web at aphc.net.au QPAH WA-PAH  SA-PAH  Syd-PAH  Vic-PAH  We previously covered APHC in 2022 when it was held in Meanjin/Brisbane, in episodes 105 - Power of Dog and 109 - Shaggy Dog Stories. We also covered the comp in 2023 in Boorloo/Perth, in episode 145 - Up to Scra

Following on from the main episode, Tim and Jon go into planning seductions, and going to sex parties as a couple. Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/ Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/ Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/ This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au

Tim and Jon talk the ins and outs of the dating game, and what to look for in a prospective paramour. Should we be facebook official? How serious or funny should we be on apps? Do we f*ck before we date? Find out here!   Follow Tim instagram.com/beatzradio/ Follow Jon instagram.com/barbarylion/ Follow Craig instagram.com/white.dragon.339/ This episode was recorded on the lands of the Yalukut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. Find other JOY podcasts at joy.org.au