As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.
Dr. Mills breaks down the surprisingly complex process behind a seemingly simple bodily function, from the signals in your brain to the muscles of the bladder and prostate. He explains what urgency, nighttime bathroom trips, a weak stream and incomplete emptying may reveal about your health—and when they warrant a visit to the doctor. He also explores how caffeine, alcohol, medications, diabetes and heart problems can affect urinary habits, along with the risks of routinely holding it in. Plus, why does the urge suddenly strike when you reach your front door? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could the quality of your erections reveal more about your overall health than you realize? Dr. Mills speaks with emergency physician and FirmTech founder Dr. Elliot Justin about a wearable erection ring designed to measure nocturnal erections, sexual performance and potential early signs of cardiovascular disease. They explore why erectile difficulties are not always solved by taking a pill, how objective data could transform men’s sexual healthcare and whether FirmTech rings (and others) may help men maintain stronger, longer-lasting erections. Plus, Dr. Justin addresses privacy concerns surrounding intimate health data and previews the next generation of sexual-health wearables. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Writer and Peyronie’s disease advocate Don Cummings joins Dr. Mills to share the deeply personal—and often surprisingly funny—story behind his memoir, Bent But Not Broken . Don recounts the fear, guilt and depression he experienced after developing Peyronie’s at age 48, as well as the long treatment journey that ultimately restored his sexual function. He also explains how support from his husband, family, friends and fellow patients helped him cope with the condition’s emotional toll. Together, they offer an honest and hopeful reminder that Peyronie’s disease does not have to mean the end of intimacy, identity or a fulfilling sex life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills is joined by University of Washington urologist Dr. Marah Hehemann to explain how Xiaflex injections can treat the curvature caused by Peyronie’s disease. They discuss who makes a good candidate, what the six-month treatment process involves, and the realistic benefits, risks and side effects patients should expect. The conversation also explores penile traction, surgical options when injections are not enough, and the significant emotional toll Peyronie’s can take. Most importantly, they offer reassurance that effective treatments and support are available. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills dives deep into the surgical side of Peyronie's disease with Professor Matt Ziegelman from the Mayo Clinic, one of the most renowned Peyronie's surgeons in the country. Building on previous episodes covering the disease's natural history and treatments, this conversation explores the intricate surgical options — including the highly complex plaque excision and graft procedure, which requires essentially disassembling and reassembling the penis to correct the condition. Whether you're a patient weighing your options or just curious about some of the most delicate surgery in all of medicine, this is a must-listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the first installment of our multi-part series on Peyronie's disease, Dr. Mills explains what causes the condition, how it can change the shape, length and function of the penis, and why it may be far more common than most men realize. He also traces its unusual medical history, separates Peyronie's from congenital curvature and dispels the damaging idea that patients somehow caused it themselves. From medications and traction devices to injections and surgery, Dr. Mills previews the range of treatments that will be explored throughout the series. Most importantly, he addresses the condition’s profound psychological impact and offers reassurance that effective options are available—and that no one should suffer in silence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clinical psychologist and USC professor Dr. Darby Saxbe joins The Male Room to unpack the science behind fatherhood, from the ways caregiving reshapes the brain to how testosterone, sleep loss, stress and postpartum mood changes can affect new dads. Drawing from her new book Dad Brain , Saxbe explains why great fathers are made through practice, presence and repetition and not just biology. The conversation also explores dad bods, men’s mental health, changing gender roles, sitcom father stereotypes and why modern fatherhood is far more flexible, complicated and rewarding than old clichés suggest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What happens when a man finishes too quickly — or struggles to finish at all? Dr. Jesse Mills explains why issues like premature ejaculation and delayed orgasm are more common than many men realize, and walks through the treatments that may help. He and Jordan also discuss unrealistic expectations shaped by porn, the internet phenomenon known as “death grip syndrome,” and why honest communication with a partner is often the best place to start. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills and Jordan tackle one of the most common — and least openly discussed — insecurities among men: penis size. Inspired in part by a story from recent guest Jordan Ritter Conn's new book American Men , the pair explore the surprising history of cultural attitudes toward penis size, how pornography and unrealistic expectations shape men's self-image, and why most men dramatically overestimate what is actually considered average. The conversation separates myth from reality on everything from enlargement pills and traction devices to fillers and surgery, while also examining the emotional toll of penis shame and its connection to confidence, relationships, and erectile dysfunction. Most importantly, Dr. Mills offers a reassuring message for listeners: you're probably okay — and if you're not, there are legitimate medical and psychological resources available to help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills speaks with writer Brad Snyder about the lasting emotional impact of childhood medical trauma, body shame, and the complicated relationship many men have with vulnerability. Drawing from a deeply personal HuffPost essay about his experience with an undescended testicle and humiliating pediatric exams, Snyder opens up about fear, secrecy, masculinity, and the long road toward self-acceptance. The conversation explores how shame shapes men’s health decisions, why so many men avoid doctors altogether, and the healing power of finally speaking openly about experiences once kept hidden See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills sits down with journalist and author Jordan Ritter Conn to explore the emotional lives, hidden struggles, and evolving identities of modern American men. Drawing from his deeply reported new book American Men , Conn shares the stories of four vastly different men — from a closeted fighter and a haunted Army veteran to a trans man navigating life in the Rust Belt — and examines how masculinity, loneliness, vulnerability, and the pursuit of power shape their lives. The conversation dives into why men so often struggle to open up, the emotional scripts many inherit from childhood, and what happens when men begin to dispense with those scripts. Along the way, they reflect on friendship, fatherhood, therapy, emotional honesty, and whether today’s American men are truly “all right” — or simply trying their best to become so. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The Male Room , Dr. Mills sits down with Admiral Dr. Brian Christine — Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — for a sweeping conversation about the state of men’s health in America. From testosterone therapy and erectile dysfunction to depression, chronic disease, diet, and the alarming ways men avoid the healthcare system, the trio unpack why men are dying younger, seeking help less often, and what can finally be done about it. Admiral Christine opens up not only about national health policy and the push for an Office of Men’s Health, but also his own experiences with aging, testosterone, vulnerability, and the importance of men supporting other men. It’s a candid, surprisingly emotional conversation about masculinity, medicine, and what it truly means to make America healthy again. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Dr. Mills details the Five Ps of the Pen-ocalypse — a mix of real medical emergencies and under-discussed conditions that can derail even the healthiest sex life. From the urgent dangers of priapism and penile fracture to the lesser-known but equally important issues like phimosis, paraphimosis, and Peyronie’s disease, he breaks down what each one is, how it happens, and when it’s time to seek help. Along the way, Jordan plays the queasy but curious stand-in for every listener, asking the questions most people are too afraid to voice. It’s candid, surprisingly funny, and ultimately a judgment-free guide to what can go wrong — and why you shouldn’t ignore it if it does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills sits down with internationally acclaimed DJ, licensed therapist, and host of the iHeart podcast Music Is Therapy , DJ Hesta Prynn, to explore the surprising science behind music, mindset, and emotional health. From learning vinyl from Questlove to developing her “music connection therapy,” she breaks down how the right song can literally rewire your brain—and change how you show up in the world. The conversation moves from rage-fueled pump-up anthems to deeply personal playlists, touching on everything from chronic pain to creative fulfillment. It’s a wide-ranging, high-energy look at how music can be more than entertainment—it can be medicine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills sits down with cognitive neuroscientist, musician, and bestselling author Daniel Levitin for a wide-ranging conversation on the brain, music, and what it really means to age well. From the science of dopamine and why music can literally rewire the brain to the difference between lifespan and “healthspan,” Dr. Levitin breaks down complex ideas with the same clarity that made 'This Is Your Brain on Music' a modern classic. He also shares insights from his latest book, 'I Heard There Was a Secret Chord,' including powerful stories about music’s role in healing and recovery. It’s a deep, funny, and unexpectedly moving look at how curiosity, creativity, and a great song might just be the keys to a longer, better life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Every guy wants to keep his hair—but not at the expense of everything else. Dr. Mills unpacks finasteride, its benefits, and the rare but real side effects that have fueled online panic around post-finasteride syndrome. Along the way: hormone deep-dives, myth-busting, and why “one-size-fits-all” medicine doesn’t work. It’s the truth about hair loss drugs—without the fear-mongering See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills sits down with longtime collaborator Dr. Stanley Frencher Jr. for a wide-ranging conversation on healthcare disparities, entrepreneurship, and building systems that actually reach underserved communities. From his upbringing in a family of physicians to leading innovative care models in South Los Angeles, Frencher shares how his work with HubMD is bridging gaps through technology, partnerships, and patient-centered design. The discussion explores how fragmented systems fail vulnerable populations—and what it takes to rebuild them with access, equity, and sustainability in mind. At its core, it’s a powerful look at how one doctor is scaling compassion from individual patients to entire communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Part 2 of our vasectomy series, Dr. Jesse Mills and Dr. Jay Sandlow dive into what happens when “permanent” birth control isn’t so permanent—breaking down the science, success factors, and surprising complexities of vasectomy reversals. From the difference between surgical techniques to the real-world variables that impact fertility—including partner age, prior history, and timing—they walk through what couples need to know when considering their options. Along the way, the conversation veers into jaw-dropping patient stories, common myths, and the emotional, ethical, and human realities behind these deeply personal decisions. It’s an honest, fascinating look at modern fertility medicine—and the second chances it can offer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
March is vasectomy season (really) and to honor the occasion, Dr. Mills is joined by leading urologist Dr. Jay Sandlow—one of the architects behind modern vasectomy guidelines—for a candid, myth-busting conversation about one of the most common (and misunderstood) procedures in men’s health. Together, they break down who should consider a vasectomy, what actually happens during the procedure, and why it remains far safer and more effective than many alternatives—while still being surprisingly underutilized. Along the way, they tackle the biggest fears and misconceptions, from sex drive and testosterone to rare complications and recovery, giving listeners a clear, honest roadmap for making an informed decision. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Mills walks listeners through what life after prostate cancer surgery can really look like, with a candid focus on sexual recovery, continence, and quality of life. He explains how “prehab” — including medication, pelvic floor exercises, nutrition, and follow-up care — can help men improve their odds of regaining function after treatment. Along the way, Dr. Mills and Jordan discuss the emotional vulnerability that comes with prostate cancer recovery, breaking down the fears, myths, and real-world concerns men and their partners often face. It’s an honest, practical, and compassionate conversation about surviving cancer without giving up on intimacy, confidence, or hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
