About Where we stage our secret selves: Malta’s globalized sex industry
In this podcast we explore how a country as insular and conservative as Malta has become home to a varied and globalized sex industry and to do so, we’ll hear from people who know this industry firsthand. The recommendation is to start listening from Episode 1 "Where We Stage our Secret Selves" which joins together a range of interviews and gives context to the podcast.
This podcast is written and produced by Isotta Rossoni, in collaboration with the Synaps network.
Most participants are identified via pseudonyms. Original voices were replaced with dubbed voices upon participants' requests. Pandora Peaks answered her questions in writing and an actress read them out in the podcast. Many thanks to Juan, Renee, Giulia, Ilana and Violetta for their dubbing services.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
The views and opinions expressed by the host in Episode 1 of this podcast are solely those of the host. In all other episodes, the views and opinions expressed are those of the respective participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.
Episode 8 "Behind the Blacked-Out Windows: selling toys and pleasure on a small island” with Rainer
This episode is a bit different from the previous. Izzy chats with Rainer, owner of ToysFourPlay in Malta, about the challenges of setting up a sx toys shop on the island. Their conversation explores aspects of the expression of sxuality which were and still are taboo in Malta, contributing to the broader conversation around sx work and stigma.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
9 Jun 2026
Episode 7: "I teach men how to respect women" with Maria Isabel (IN SPANISH)
In this episode, Maria Isabel and Izzy chat about Maria Isabel's migration journey from Colombia to Europe, her experience in the sx industry and her work as mistress. Maria Isabel shares all the insights about her body and human sexuality, that she's garnered along the way.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
7 May 2026
Episode 6: "Content creation, nude modelling and more"
In this episode, Lou chats with Izzy about her migration journey from Argentina to Europe and her experiences with nude photography/modelling, content creation and more. Lou also digs deeper into some of the challenges faced with access to documents in Europe.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
30 Apr 2026
Episode 5: "I bet you've never heard of an erotic escape room"
In this episode, Trickster and Izzy chat about his experience working in an erotic escape room, as well as his experience interacting with strip clubs in Malta, and his engagement as "dungeon master".
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
23 Apr 2026
Episode 4: "Balancing the hustle : Variety & complexity in the sex work industry" (IN SPANISH)
In this episode Madison and Izzy chat about their various experiences in the sex work industry, in Malta and abroad, from escorting to sugar-babying and more. Madison shares a frank view of the sector and of their experiences within it, including in terms of financials and interactions with clients. They also speak openly of the dangers migrant sx workers face in contexts where the law does not protect them.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
9 Apr 2026
Episode 3. "Seduction as Power: Lessons from a Maltese Siren" with Undine
In this episode, Undine chats with Izzy about how she got into burlesque, eventually founding her own school (BAM - Burlesque Academy of Malta). Undine reflects on how Maltese society has changed in the past few years and shares some insights into her experience on Only Fans and organising fetish parties on the island.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
2 Apr 2026
Episode 2. "Between Cultures: Navigating Liminal Sexual Worlds" with Emily
In this episode Emily chats with Izzy about travel and relocation, digging deeper into how being foreign to a specific cultural context also opens up space for experimentation with one's sexuality. While highlighting the perks of relocation and experimentation, Emily also taps into the sexualisation of "foreignness" reflecting on her own experiences in Malta.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
2 Mar 2026
Start here : Episode 1. Where we stage our secret lives: Malta's globalised sex industry
In this episode you'll get to meet a range of people with diverse experiences of the sex work industry.
This podcast draws on interviews conducted by the author in 2025. Most participants were identified via pseudonym and their voices dubbed for anonymity purposes. Pandora Peaks answered her questions in writing and these were read out by an actress. Many thanks to Renee, Juan, Violetta, Giulia and Ilana for their dubbing services.
Please note that subsequent episodes published only represent a small portion of interviewees who were comfortable with their original interview being published.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces (https://uppbeat.io/t/albert-behar/puzzle-pieces)
License code: ROYPFY0OIGJEM0CC
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