In this episode of Untidy, Matilda and Hannah chat with the unshockable Cath Hakanson, a globally renowned sex educator and founder of Sex Ed Rescue, Sex Ed Shop, and the podcast Sex Ed for Tween Parents.

Cath has helped over a million parents around the world talk to their kids about sex, bodies, gender, and relationships. Her mission is to make these conversations less cringey, more confident, and just a normal part of growing up.

Cath unpacks how to move from the early “naming body parts” phase into the next chapter: helping tweens and teens navigate puberty, privacy, porn, pleasure, consent, and that glorious age where everything is “weird and embarrassing.”

Cath’s advice is simple but golden: focus on tiny, everyday chats, drop the shame, and let your kids know you’re a safe person to ask anything. Because if they can talk to you about sex, they can talk to you about anything.

Whether you’re at the start of the puberty rollercoaster or halfway up the climb, this conversation will leave you feeling better equipped, less squeamish, and seeing sausages in a whole new light.

References mentioned in the show:
Sex Ed Rescue — Cath’s website with parent guides, book lists, and resources
Sex Ed for Tween Parents Podcast
Amaze — short, age-appropriate sex ed videos for kids and parents
The New Zealand “Keep It Real Online” campaign — including the viral adPorn Stars at the Door
Cath’s recommended reading list/book resources
Tricky Chats Parenting Course
Parent site: https://thelightproject.co.nz/
Teen site: https://www.intheknow.co.nz/
How to talk to young people about pornography – NZ Classification Office


If you’re enjoying Untidy, the best way to show your support is by tapping the ‘+ follow’ button in your podcast app and subscribing on YouTube! That way, fresh episodes will always be ready and waiting for you. Help us to keep building this supportive community — share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review — it helps more people find our Untidy, unfiltered, and relatable chats. Thank you for listening, contributing and supporting this independent production! We’re grateful to have you here! — Hannah & Matty xx

Don’t forget! Untidy is made for YOU — the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram @untidypodcast or email hello@untidypodcast.com. Your stories and ideas to help shape the show! Find us online at Untidy podcast. Find Matilda at @matootles and get your copy of The Feel Good Guide. Find Hannah at @hannahedavison and her My Big Moments children’s books at @mybigmoments. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.

In this episode of Untidy, Matilda and Hannah chat with the unshockable Cath Hakanson, a globally renowned sex educator and founder of Sex Ed Rescue, Sex Ed Shop, and the podcast Sex Ed for Tween Parents.
Cath has helped over a million parents around the world talk to their kids about sex, bodies, gender, and relationships. Her mission is to make these conversations less cringey, more confident, and just a normal part of growing up.
Cath unpacks how to move from the early &ldquo;naming body parts&rdquo; phase into the next chapter: helping tweens and teens navigate puberty, privacy, porn, pleasure, consent, and that glorious age where everything is &ldquo;weird and embarrassing.&rdquo;
Cath&rsquo;s advice is simple but golden: focus on tiny, everyday chats, drop the shame, and let your kids know you&rsquo;re a safe person to ask anything. Because if they can talk to you about sex, they can talk to you about anything.
Whether you&rsquo;re at the start of the puberty rollercoaster or halfway up the climb, this conversation will leave you feeling better equipped, less squeamish, and seeing sausages in a whole new light.
References mentioned in the show:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://sexedrescue.com/about/">Sex Ed Rescue</a> &mdash; Cath&rsquo;s website with parent guides, book lists, and resources</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0Ebzsq5IxhZ6MDpyL2SGe3?si=f03a4672167f44ab">Sex Ed for Tween Parents Podcast</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://amaze.org/us/">Amaze</a> &mdash; short, age-appropriate sex ed videos for kids and parents</li>
<li aria-level="1">The <a href="https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/parents">New Zealand &ldquo;Keep It Real Online&rdquo; campaign</a> &mdash; including the <a href="https://campaignbrief.co.nz/2020/06/10/nz-government-teaches-parents-and-caregivers-how-to-manage-online-harm-in-new-keep-it-real-online-safety-campaign-via-motion-sickness/">viral ad</a> Porn Stars at the Door</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://sexedrescue.com/sex-education-books-for-children/">Cath&rsquo;s recommended reading list/book resources</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.trickychatsparenting.com/">Tricky Chats Parenting Course</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Parent site: <a href="https://thelightproject.co.nz/">https://thelightproject.co.nz/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Teen site:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.intheknow.co.nz/">https://www.intheknow.co.nz/</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.classificationoffice.govt.nz/resources/items/how-to-talk-with-young-people-about-pornography/">How to talk to young people about pornography</a> &ndash; NZ Classification Office
<ul></ul>
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re enjoying Untidy, the best way to show your support is by tapping the &lsquo;+ follow&rsquo; button in your podcast app and subscribing on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Untidypodcast">YouTube</a>! That way, fresh episodes will always be ready and waiting for you. Help us to keep building this supportive community &mdash; share an episode with a mate, and chuck us a 5-star review &mdash; it helps more people find our Untidy, unfiltered, and relatable chats. Thank you for listening, contributing and supporting this independent production! We&rsquo;re grateful to have you here! &mdash; Hannah &amp; Matty xx
Don&rsquo;t forget! Untidy is made for YOU &mdash; the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Follow the show and DM us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/untidypodcast/">@untidypodcast</a> or email <a href="mailto:hello@untidypodcast.com">hello@untidypodcast.com</a>. Your stories and ideas to help shape the show! Find us online at <a href="https://www.untidypodcast.com/">Untidy podcast</a>. Find Matilda at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matootles/">@matootles</a> and get your copy of <a href="https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/the-feel-good-guide-6481627">The Feel Good Guide</a>. Find Hannah at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahedavison/">@hannahedavison</a> and her <a href="https://mybigmoments.com/">My Big Moments</a> children&rsquo;s books at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mybigmoments/">@mybigmoments</a>. Enter code UNTIDY at checkout for 10% off your order.

Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts, Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, and more with a range of guests. Connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. 

Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast. Follow Matilda at @matootles and Hannah’s work at My Big Moments and @mybigmoments.

Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts, Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, and more with a range of guests. Connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast. Follow Matilda at @matootles and Hannah’s work at My Big Moments and @mybigmoments.

Untidy

Made for you, the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, parenting, and much more with a range of incredible guests. Come along to connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward. 

Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram @untidypodcast, watch us on YouTube, and TikTok. Follow Matilda at @matootles, Hannah at @hannahedavison, and My Big Moments kids' books at @mybigmoments. Check out the website at Untidy podcast. Get in touch!

Made for you, the people right at the heart of this steaming hot mess! Untidy podcast honours the person within the parent. Hosts Matilda Green and Hannah Davison dive into the undergrowth of sex and relationships, mental health, healing, body issues, identity questions, parenting, and much more with a range of incredible guests. Come along to connect, laugh, learn, and keep moving forward.&nbsp; Follow the show and get in touch on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/untidypodcast/">@untidypodcast</a>, watch us on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Untidypodcast">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@untidypodcast">TikTok</a>. Follow Matilda at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/matootles">@matootles</a>, Hannah at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hannahedavison">@hannahedavison</a>, and My Big Moments kids' books at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mybigmoments">@mybigmoments</a>. Check out the website at <a href="https://www.untidypodcast.com/">Untidy podcast</a>. Get in touch!

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