Our Stories: Ending HIV Stigma

Our Stories: Ending HIV Stigma

Our Stories: Ending HIV Stigma is a podcast about women, by women living with HIV in Australia to challenge the myths and stereotypes that feed HIV stigma. We share our stories of achieving our goals, navigating sex and relationships, and our journey through pregnancy and motherhood in this new era of Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). Our stories are real, unfiltered and always inspiring. Hosted by Heather Ellis, a journalist and author, who has lived with HIV since 1995. Contact us at: info@positivewomen.org.au Website: www.positivewomen.org.au/tell-the-story/podcast This podcast has been supported by an unrestricted grant from Gilead Sciences Pty Ltd and made possible by Positive Women Victoria. Listen for free from your mobile device on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you download your podcasts.

Episodes

August 15, 2024 18 mins

Chrissie has been living with HIV for 24 years. Originally from Zimbabwe, Chrissie lives in Australia’s Northern Territory with her family where she works as a social worker.

But Chrissie is also a leading HIV advocate and social media influencer, and was awarded a scholarship to attend AIDS2024, the world’s largest HIV conference held every two years globally. In July, AIDS2024 was held in Munich, Germany. 

Check out Chrissie's Fa...

Mark as Played
Mati, from Zimbabwe, a mother of three, a church leader, and with a career in finance, had a HIV test for a life insurance policy. She was 39 years old and it was 1994, before effective HIV medications were discovered and her diagnosis spelled the end. Or so she thought…. Today, Mati is a social worker, has a new career as a HIV peer treatments facilitator, and has found love again.
Mark as Played
Jane has been living with HIV for 31 years and is one of Australia’s HIV elders. Her story begins in the United States during the sexual revolution of the sixties. It was the Age of Aquarius. Long before HIV and the era of AIDS. A time of carefree sexual adventure, of making love not war.
Mark as Played
Georgina Whitchurch has been living with HIV for seven years. Her story begins in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), in southern Africa.After a career in hospital management in Australia, Georgina followed her passion for sewing and joined the Australian Volunteers Program. As a 64-year-old retiree, she took on the role of teaching sustainable sewing skills to women at an Eswatini village, but the charms of a local man, soon changed he...
Mark as Played
Sarah Feagan has been living with HIV for 12 years. Her story begins in Melbourne. As a troubled teen, Sarah left home and her youth became a rollercoaster of homelessness, and drugs, which evolved into a bohemian life of self-discovery. After falling in love with a partner who didn’t know their status, later Sarah was diagnosed with HIV at 21, but while effective treatments were available, this was not enough and stigma nearly ki...
Mark as Played
Batsirai’s story begins in southern Africa. As a teenager in the late 1990’s, she recalls a scary time when people were dying from AIDS. Safe messages were everywhere. Then the family moved to Australia, but there were no billboards, no TV adverts, no news of HIV and she assumed it was safe here. Batsirai’s revealing story highlights the importance of continuing to have public discussions of HIV among all our communities to encour...
Mark as Played
After a surgery mishap, Brittney contracted HIV when she was nine years old. Brittney, not her real name, has been living with HIV for 21 years. Growing up with HIV navigating friendships, relationships, university and now a new mum, HIV has never held her back. For more details on topics discussed in this episode, please visit:Positive Women Victoria: https://positivewomen.org.au Episode 2: Brittney’s StoryTranscript / Show Notes ...
Mark as Played
Charlotte’s story begins in Bali, Indonesia. Like most young Australians, she yearned to travel and volunteering at an orphanage in Bali when she was 18 years old was a natural step after working at a childcare centre in Melbourne. But orphanage tourism didn’t sit well with her and she moved to Bali’s Kuta Beach and its nightclub scene. Things soon spiralled out of control. But after falling pregnant, she overcame her drug addictio...
Mark as Played
September 20, 2020 1 min
A podcast about women, by women living with HIV in Australia to challenge the myths and stereotypes that feed HIV stigma.We share our stories of achieving our goals, navigating and relationships, and our journey through pregnancy and motherhood in this new era of Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U). Our stories are real, unfiltered and always inspiring.Hosted by Heather Ellis, a journalist and author, who has lived with HIV ...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Ruthie's Table 4

    For more than 30 years The River Cafe in London, has been the home-from-home of artists, architects, designers, actors, collectors, writers, activists, and politicians. Michael Caine, Glenn Close, JJ Abrams, Steve McQueen, Victoria and David Beckham, and Lily Allen, are just some of the people who love to call The River Cafe home. On River Cafe Table 4, Rogers sits down with her customers—who have become friends—to talk about food memories. Table 4 explores how food impacts every aspect of our lives. “Foods is politics, food is cultural, food is how you express love, food is about your heritage, it defines who you and who you want to be,” says Rogers. Each week, Rogers invites her guest to reminisce about family suppers and first dates, what they cook, how they eat when performing, the restaurants they choose, and what food they seek when they need comfort. And to punctuate each episode of Table 4, guests such as Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, and Alfonso Cuarón, read their favourite recipe from one of the best-selling River Cafe cookbooks. Table 4 itself, is situated near The River Cafe’s open kitchen, close to the bright pink wood-fired oven and next to the glossy yellow pass, where Ruthie oversees the restaurant. You are invited to take a seat at this intimate table and join the conversation. For more information, recipes, and ingredients, go to https://shoptherivercafe.co.uk/ Web: https://rivercafe.co.uk/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/therivercafelondon/ Facebook: https://en-gb.facebook.com/therivercafelondon/ For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit the iheartradio app, apple podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

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

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.