BANG!

BANG!

Real people. Real lives. Real sex. Melody Thomas leads a frank, often enlightening, always entertaining exploration of sex, sexuality and relationships.

Episodes

July 9, 2017 1 min

Featuring real stories from real people about sex, sexuality and relationships, Melody Thomas leads a frank and often-entertaining exploration over 7-parts, into topics too often shrouded in shame and secrecy.

BANG! explores sex, sexuality and relationships over a lifetime, from parents attempting "the talk" with their children, through the fraught teen years, modern dating, long-term relationships, contraception and conce...

Mark as Played

Melody Thomas leads a frank and often-entertaining exploration into sex, sexuality and relationships - starting at the very beginning with 'The Birds and The Bees'. Featuring everyday kiwis reflecting on their experiences of 'the talk', young parents now on their struggles when it comes to discussing sex and sexuality with their kids, and Sex Therapy NZ's Mary Hodson with some practical advice.

With the release of new podcast serie...

Mark as Played
August 6, 2017 36 mins

In episode two, we explore how teens deal with sex ed, relationships and the influence of pornography. Plus famous Kiwis travel back in time to deliver sex advice to their teen selves.

In episode two of RNZ's podcast about sex, we explore how teens deal with sex ed, relationships and the influence of pornography. Plus famous Kiwis travel back in time to deliver sex advice to their teen selves.

The calls for better and more comp...

Mark as Played
August 13, 2017 38 mins

In episode 3 a group of 20-somethings tell us what dating and hooking up looks like for them, plus Eleanor Butterworth on 'ethical sex', Hera Lindsay Bird reads a new poem, and Laura Borrowdale reviews a website dedicated to female pleasure.

In episode 3 of BANG! a group of 20-somethings share what dating and hooking up looks like for them, plus Eleanor Butterworth tells us about 'ethical sex', Hera Lindsay Bird reads a n...

Mark as Played
August 20, 2017 38 mins

In episode 4, we hear from couples about the ways sex and intimacy has changed over their years together, and Sex Therapy NZ's Helen Mounsey shares tips for couples wishing to stay connected.

In Episode 4 of sex and relationships podcast BANG! Melody Thomas speaks with couples about the ways intimacy has changed over their years together. To celebrate its release, Sex Therapy NZ's Helen Mounsey shares tips for staying connecte...

Mark as Played
August 27, 2017 36 mins

In episode 5, we hear from parents about how kids affected their relationships, clinical psychologist and sex therapist Nic Beets highlights some of the most common issues experienced by new parents and a couple share an unorthodox conception story.

In episode 5 of BANG! Melody Thomas explores the effects having a baby can have on sex and relationships. For its release, Gareth Hughes, Emily Writes, Laura Borrowdale, Nicola Willis a...

Mark as Played
September 3, 2017 33 mins

In episode 6, Melody faces up to another awkward phone call, we learn about how intimacy is affected by life-threatening illness, visit an "adult entertainment store" and sex therapist Edit Horvath identifies some of the common issues faced by those in their 50s.

In BANG! episode 6 sex therapist Edit Horvath identifies some of the common challenges faced by those in their 50s, and we learn about how intimacy is affected by life-thre...

Mark as Played
September 10, 2017 36 mins

In BANG! episode 7, Melody speaks to couples in their 60s and 70s about the different ways they choose to stay connected, Lesley Maskery discusses policy and practice regarding sexuality in rest homes, and we look to the future with Jenny Kleeman, on the ethics of sex robots.

In episode 7, Melody speaks to couples in their 60s and 70s about the different ways they choose to stay connected, Lesley Maskery discusses policy and practic...

Mark as Played
May 27, 2018 43 mins

Using real stories told by real people, Melody Thomas leads a frank (but often entertaining) exploration of sex, sexuality and relationships. In the first episode of season 2, people talk about their "sexual awakenings" and first times, and we explore the idea of virginity as a social construct.

In the first episode of the new season, Melody explores how people feel about their "sexual awakenings", what it was like "...

Mark as Played
May 31, 2018 42 mins

Melody Thomas is joined by Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michele A'Court from The Spinoff's On The Rag podcast for a boisterous chat about their "sexual awakenings".

This episode contains frank discussion, the sexualisation of cartoon characters and a couple of swears.

In this bonus episode, she's joined by Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden and Michele A'Court from The Spinoff podcast On The Rag.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for...

Mark as Played
June 3, 2018 43 mins

In this episode, three people in their 30s and 40s talk about dating.

In the second episode of season two, Melody speaks with three people in their 30s and 40s about dating - including BANG! illustrator Pinky Fang, who faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to meeting someone new.

Pinky talks about blind dating, Ollie gives speed dating a go, Christie talk about dating while also trying to get pregnant, and Guardian columni...

Mark as Played
June 10, 2018 49 mins

In this episode, Melody speaks with a couple of people in heterosexual relationships whose attractions are nevertheless far from straightforward.

"Alex" is straight but sometimes sleeps with men, Linda Jane and Eddie look like a straight couple but one of them identifies as queer, plus sex therapist Nic Beets and his daughter Lena helps us make sense of it all.

If you're about my age - that's 33 - and you had p...

Mark as Played
June 17, 2018 37 mins

'Toxic masculinity' is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot these days but a lot of guys seem not to like it... Maybe it's the 'toxic' part? In this episode of BANG! Melody Thomas takes a trip to a Coromandel pub to hear about 'Man Cards', gets some great metaphors from comedian and teen mentor James Nokise and trades weather burns and communication tips with psychologist Zac Seidler.

Warning: This episode includes explicit langu...

Mark as Played
June 24, 2018 43 mins

How do lesbians have sex? What's it like to be asexual? Or polyamorous? And how can a disability affect your sex life? Melody Thomas seeks answers from the people who know best.

In this episode Melody Thomas seeks the answers to a few "Frequently Asked Questions" - some that have been emailed or text in by you, and others that get asked a little too much.

One thing listeners have been curious about is asexuality - which BA...

Mark as Played
July 1, 2018 45 mins

Scholars and activists Ngahuia Te Awekotuku and Elizabeth Kerekere speak with Melody Thomas about what sex, sexuality and gender looked like in Te Ao Maori prior to colonisation, plus Rosanna Raymond shares a Pacific perspective, and we meet non-binary Auckland teenager Kahi.

Despite spending more than a year learning about sex, sexuality and relationships in Aotearoa - until recently, I knew very little about pre-colonial Māori per...

Mark as Played
July 8, 2018 42 mins

We hear three stories from people who have worked through shame or embarrassment towards "really wonderful sunshine" on the other side.

Content warning: In this episode of BANG! we hear the story of a survivor of sexual abuse.

In this episode, three people open up about personal experiences that shame or embarrassment have prevented them from sharing. One of them is Henry*, who approached BANG! to talk about premature ejaculation.

...

Mark as Played
July 16, 2018 47 mins

In this very special episode of BANG! recorded in front of a live audience at The Basement Theatre, Melody Thomas and guests dispense advice, tell personal stories, recite erotic poems and have a few laughs along the way.

For this very special episode of BANG!, recorded in front of a live audience at The Basement Theatre, Melody Thomas and guests dispense advice, tell personal stories, recite erotic poems and have a few laughs alon...

Mark as Played

A previous episode of BANG! left a few loose ends so Melody Thomas pulls together a panel for a discussion of tricky topics.

This season's episode on masculinity left a few loose ends, so Melody Thomas pulls together a panel for a discussion of tricky topics including the MeToo movement, domestic violence and accountability.

Guests include Bryan Crump from RNZ's Nights programme, Jon Brewerton of the Essentially Men Trust...

Mark as Played
January 10, 2019 2 mins

Hurrah! BANG! returns for Season 3 on Monday March 4th.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mark as Played
February 17, 2019 38 mins

Live from the Bread and Circus Festival in Christchurch, Melody Thomas puts your sex and relationship questions to father-daughter sex advice duo Nic and Lena beets, plus Gemma Syme talks about coming out in her thirties, Tara from Peaches and Cream shares her better work stories and Audrey pops in with one of the best sex toy stories ever told.

Live from the Bread and Circus Festival in Christchurch, Melody Thomas puts your sex and...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    From Executive Producers Jennie Garth, Jana Kramer, Amy Robach, and T.J. Holmes. Did you think you met the love of your life and marry him, only to realize it was actually “thank you, next?" Did this jerk cheat on you and leave you feeling alone and hopeless? Don’t make the same mistake twice... Get it right THIS time! Is it time to find true love…again?! If you loved the Golden Bachelor, SILVER just might be your color. Older and wiser, 50 and Fabulous, and ready for a little sex in the city. Everyone has baggage, but you’re not bringing it on this trip. Second Times The Charm. I Do, Part Two. An iHeartRadio podcast...where finding love is the main objective.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    Today’s Latest News In 4 Minutes. Updated Hourly.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.