Raphael Stark is the founder and president of the nonprofit CHATS. Raphael wanted to meet other teens who stuttered in his community but realized there wasn't an organization to help him so he started his own. Find out how Raphael balances being a teen founder and school.

This is Part 1 of our conversation. Stay tuned for Part 2 in two weeks!

We’re grateful to Raphael for sharing his story with us.  

Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Dustin Wells, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY - FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL GET TICKETS TO OUR INVITE ONLY EVENT IN LA. BUY THEM HERE.

If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Randy Panzarino is a clinician, researcher, and person who stutters. He's also a surfer. Randy shares his journey through the challenges and anxieties associated with stuttering and how he found his passion for speech language pathology.

Randy has studied stuttering-related anxiety and life partners of people who stutter. He also talk about the therapeutic role of surfing in his life and underscores the importance of embracing one's stutter and the positive impact of authenticity.

We’re grateful to Randy for sharing his story with us.  

-----

Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Dustin Wells, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY - FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL GET TICKETS TO OUR INVITE ONLY EVENT IN LA. BUY THEM HERE.

If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Hilary Utaegbulam is a Nigerian-born physics student and teacher who stutters. He recently gave his first ever public presentation on his research, which went extremely well.

Hilary offers advice on preparing for public speaking and how to give a confident presentation as a person who stutters. He also talks about how he got through his first stuttering encounter at a conference and the mental and physical hurdles of stuttering, how it influenced his career choices, and the importance of seeking therapy and support.

In this episode

Hilary’s physics presentation

ROCK OF HOPE film crowdfunding campaign. Support Maya and her team of stuttering filmmakers by making a pledge to the campaign today.

If you'd like to support but just can't afford to support monetarily, you can:

• Click "Follow" on the campaign on Seed&Spark! This is almost as beneficial as pledging because once they hit 500 "followers," regardless of how many people pledge, they'll unlock creator discounts for this and future projects.
• Use this social media toolkit. It includes sample language for social media and an email template to share with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

Carol Labov is the author of “The Cave Boy Who Would Be President,” a children’s book inspired by her own experience with her grandson Cooper. Where did the idea of the book come from and why did she write it?

This book is built on the love of a grandmother to her grandson and is meant to be helpful for other parents going through similar experiences.

You can get a copy here.

In this episode

There still time to support the ROCK OF HOPE film crowdfunding campaign. Support Maya and her team of stuttering filmmakers by making a pledge to the campaign today. The filmmakers need to reach 80% of their goal or they get nothing. 

If you'd like to support but just can't afford to support monetarily, you can:

• Click "Follow" on the campaign on Seed&Spark! This is almost as beneficial as pledging because once we hit 250 "followers," regardless of how many people pledge, they'll start unlocking creator discounts for this and future projects.
• Use this toolkit until the end of the campaign. It includes sample language for social media and an email template to share with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

This episode celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month and Stuttering Awareness Week. Casey Combs is an attorney. She's also a new mother. How did motherhood change her relationship with her stutter? What was it like going to law school with a stutter and how did she land a job that accepted her speech? From dark thoughts to becoming more accepting, Casey explains why it's okay to have big feelings around stuttering.

In this episode

Today also marks the launch of the ROCK OF HOPE film crowdfunding campaign. Support Maya and her team of stuttering filmmakers by making a pledge to the campaign today. The filmmakers need to reach 80% of their goal or they get nothing. 

If you'd like to support but just can't afford to support monetarily, you can:

• Click "Follow" on the campaign on Seed&Spark! This is almost as beneficial as pledging because once we hit 250 "followers," regardless of how many people pledge, they'll start unlocking creator discounts for this and future projects.
• Use this toolkit on launch day. It includes sample language for social media and an email template to share with your friends, family, and colleagues. 

John Finn is Chief Scientific Officer at Tome Biosciences. John opens about his personal and professional journey as a person who stutters, including how it shaped his career in science, approach to public speaking, and interactions with his colleagues. He also talks about the science behind how genetics and stuttering connect.

Episode breakdown

00:00 “Rock of Hope” Sneak Preview 

02:47 John Finn's Journey: From Stuttering to Scientific Breakthroughs

12:24 The Challenges and Triumphs of Public Speaking with a Stutter

24:36 Exploring the Genetics of Stuttering

28:58 Final Thoughts and Advice

In the episode

Learn more about ROCK OF HOPE

RSVP to the in-person documentary kickoff event in SF (May 16)

RSVP to the virtual documentary kickoff event on Zoom (May 17) 

Learn about Isaac Bailey, guest speaker for the May 17 virtual event

Learn about John Finn, today’s episode guest

John Stossel, renowned TV personality and reporter, shares the challenges he faced in his broadcast journalism career and what led him to seek help with his fluency.

03:09 John Stossel's Broadcast Journalism Career Journey & Facing His Stutter

06:07 His Time At Hollins Communication Reconstruction Center

09:47 Stuttering in Pop Culture

12:48 John's Reflections and Advice

Swathi grew up in India speaking multiple languages. She talks with Maya about how her stuttering influenced interactions, often prompting language shifts. Transitioning into her career as a software engineer, Swathi finds solace in a supportive workplace environment, sharing her experiences through writing to advocate for inclusivity.

In this episode

Swathy's blog post

Jayne Amelia Larson is an actor, voiceover artist, bestselling author and podcaster. Jayne shares with Maya her journey of covert stuttering and her struggle with being open about her stutter over the course of her career.

They also talk about Jayne's family dynamics, acting in Judging Amy, and her difficult experience with recording the audio version of her bestselling book, 'Driving the Saudis.'

Episode breakdown

00:50 Jayne's Journey with Stuttering and Covert Stuttering

02:12 The Challenges of Stuttering in Professional Voice Over Work

04:35 Family Dynamics and the Impact on Stuttering

20:26 The Complex Relationship Between Trauma and Stuttering

23:57 Exploring Acting as a Tool for Managing Stuttering

Updates

Get a copy of Proud Stutter's comic book while supplies last

Want to be in the credits of Proud Stutter's documentary? Make a donation here.

About the host

Find Maya on IG: @Mayachupkov

Twitter: @Proudstutter

YouTube: @Proudstutter

LinkedIn: Maya-Chupkov

Facebook: @Proudstutter

You can buy Proud Stutter merch on our website

This episode is Part 2 of Proud Stutter's official launch party and reading in Los Angeles to celebrate its comic book, MY STUTTER: LIFE OF VERBAL TURBULENCE.

06:05 The Power of Stuttering Communities

08:16 Discussion on the Creation of the Comic Book

08:51 Visual Representation in Stuttering

10:25 Making the Comic Book

13:26 Stuttering and Personal Growth

16:04 The Role of Speech Therapy in Stuttering

19:12 The Concept of Speech Diversity

27:47 The Evolution of Personal Attitudes Towards Stuttering

30:47 Proud Stutter's Documentary

Get a copy of Proud Stutter's comic book while supplies last

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering 

Connect with Maya and Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Subscribe | E-Newsletter | Shop

Proud Stutter celebrated the official launch of its comic book, MY STUTTER: LIFE OF VERBAL TURBULENCE, on February 12, 2024. Proud Stutter hit the road and went to Pasadena, California to bring the Los Angeles stuttering community together to talk about the comic book and stuttering stories. We were also joined by some special guest speakers from the Los Angeles stuttering community.

02:32 Event reflections with Julian

12:23 Part 1 of the event with guest speakers from the LA stuttering community

Get a copy of Proud Stutter's comic book while supplies last

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering 

Connect with Maya and Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Subscribe | E-Newsletter | Shop

Lorenzo Becerra is a college freshman who stutters. He is studying to be a speech pathologist. When he thinks about his future, he envisions a happy life. But, he didn’t always see his stutter as something to be proud of. 

“I put some of my self worth in speaking. And since I couldn't speak that well, my self worth was down.”

How do you find self-worth with a stutter? 

02:39 Lorenzo and Maya’s Stuttering Experiences

04:12 The Power Behind Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

07:19 The Importance of Having A Support System

10:16 The Power of Visualization

11:40 Shifting Views on Stuttering

22:05 The Struggle of Fitting In

26:44 Empowerment and Role Models

29:50 The Power of the Stuttering Community

Attend Proud Stutter's event this Monday, Feb. 12 in Pasadena, CA

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering 

Connect with Maya and Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Subscribe | E-Newsletter | Shop

Ryan Cowley is the author of All the Right Words: My Journey as a Sportswriter Who Stutters.

He talks about his early experiences with stuttering, his journey through speech therapy, and how he found his passion for sports writing. Ryan shares his struggles and triumphs, including his initial apprehensions about verbal communication, particularly over the phone, his experience with speech therapists, and his successful career as a writer. He opens up about his motivation behind writing a book, guided by his brother's encouragement, and discusses his current project working on a presentation about commanding respect as a person who stutters.

We’re grateful to Ryan for sharing his story with us. 

Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Dustin Wells, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY - FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL GET TICKETS TO OUR INVITE ONLY EVENT IN LA. BUY THEM HERE.

If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Sammar Farooqi is a person who stutters based in Dubai. He’s an executive at SAP where he explains complex technology to people on a daily basis. Sammar shares his experiences with stuttering starting from his childhood, the mocking he faced, and how he used a traumatic event to motivate himself to become a successful communicator in the technology space. 

He offers some communication techniques that have helped him navigate the corporate world and how he adapted to a new communication environment during the pandemic.

Episode breakdown

02:21 Sammar's Childhood Memories and Stuttering

05:04 Turning Trauma into Motivation

07:04 Communication and Delivery

08:17 Navigating Stuttering in a Corporate World

11:11 Communication Techniques in the Workplace

20:15 Adapting Communication Techniques during COVID-19

21:59 Stuttering in the Workplace

About the guest

Connect with Sammar on LinkedIn

About the host

Find Maya on IG: @Mayachupkov

Twitter: @Proudstutter

YouTube: @Proudstutter

LinkedIn: Maya-Chupkov

Facebook: @Proudstutter

You can buy Proud Stutter merch on our website

Support Proud Stutter by making a tax deductible one-time donation or becoming a recurring donor

David Mayan, aka emcdouble, is a professional recording artist based in Queens, New York. He also stutters. 

David shares how he initially used music as a form of therapy to manage his stuttering and how this later formed the basis for his versatile musical style, melding elements of hip hop, Spanish music, and electronic fusions.

Episode breakdown

02:56 Stuttering and Music

03:46 Growing Up with Stuttering

08:01 Stuttering and Parenting

09:24 Stuttering and Language Learning

13:09 Music, Stuttering, and Identity

15:46 Stuttering and Public Perception

18:21 Final Thoughts

From the episode

Check out David’s new mixtape and more of his music on Spotify. 

Attend Proud Stutter's event in Pasadena, CA

Track at the beginning of the episode: JUJUMADEIT - Slain Cypher ft. Various Emcees

Host & Producer & Editor: Maya Chupkov

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering 

Connect with Maya and Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Subscribe | E-Newsletter | Shop

Host of Proud Stutter Maya recaps Proud Stutter’s annual gala with some clips from the evening, featuring special guests Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Dean Preston. She also looks back on some of Proud Stutter’s biggest moments from 2023 and more!

Part 1: Proud Stutter's Gala

01:33 Julian's Speech: The Silence of Stuttering

06:12 Sarah's Story: Overcoming Fear and Embracing Stuttering

10:40 Johnny's Journey: Finding Community and Advocacy

15:12 Zainab's Poetry: Expressing Pain and Resilience

17:58 Supervisor Dean Preston

22:49 Senator Scott Wiener

Part 2

24:35 Proud Stutter's Achievements and Highlights of 2023

27:27 Adriana's Story: A Story of Resilience

29:31 Looking Forward to 2024

In this episode

Proud Stutter’s comic book

Zainab’s book of poetry

2023 Proud Stutter Highlights

Make an end of year tax deductible gift to Proud Stutter

Keegan Murphy thought he outgrew his childhood stutter, until a traumatic event triggered its return.

Not only does Keegan share his experience with his stuttering popping back up unexpectedly, but he also talks about the challenges and frustrations of stuttering in corporate America and how seeking professional help transformed his view on his stutter and helped get him out of his deep depression.

Keegan is now doing stuttering advocacy within his workplace by creating an employee resource group for employees who identify as neurodiverse and trying to expand his insurance plan to include speech therapy.

Episode Resources

• Proud Stutter Gala Recap
• Support Proud Stutter's Documentary

Isaac Bailey is a stutterer, author, and professor. His book, 'My Brother Moochie', details his family's struggles after his eldest brother was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Isaac talks about growing up poor, black, and with a stutter in the South, his traumatic family history, and his realization that being a stutterer is a part of his identity rather than an impediment. He also opens up about how he turned to writing, as it granted him a different way of sharing his voice. 

Isaac offers advice about being comfortable with your stutter and the importance of knowing that your voice matters, no matter how you talk.

01:26 Growing up with a stutter 

09:49 On the road to acceptance

14:02 Stuttering and journalism 

17:38 Isaac's book, My Brother Moochie

22:02 Dating with a stutter and finding support from his wife

27:38 Isaac's final thoughts and advice 

Steven Anthopoulos is the director and writer of “Voice Activated,” a short film that has won 11 awards, a Tribeca selected film, and is eligible for an Academy Award.

Steven talks about how he got the idea for his film, which revolves around a florist with a stutter interacting with a voice-activated car, and how filmmaking has helped him accept his stutter and face it head on.

Watch Voice Activated, Steven's award-winning film

Buy Tickets for Proud Stutter's Community Comedy Night ft. Nina G

Where: Peacock Lounge/San Francisco

When: Thursday, December 7, doors open at 6:30pm

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

Julian Benabides is Proud Stutter’s special guest, and he just happens to be Maya’s neighbor.

Julian talks about his experience stuttering in foreign countries and what it’s been like collaborating on Proud Stutter’s comic book called "My Stutter: Life of Verbal Turbulence."

Maya and Julian also talk about their experience door knocking in their neighborhood to spread the word about Proud Stutter’s annual gala.

Buy Tickets for Proud Stutter's Community Comedy Night ft. Nina G

Where: Peacock Lounge/San Francisco

When: Thursday, December 7, doors open at 6:30pm

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

Steven Tallas might stutter in the human world, but in the dog world, he is completely fluent.

Maya speaks with Steven about his journey to becoming a professional dog trainer and how he never let his stutter get in the way of his dreams.

Jay Feinstein, the co-host for this episode, is a Senior Podcast Producer for WBUR, Boston's public radio station.

Learn more about Steven and his dog training practice

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

Kai Caragenis is a father of a young girl. In this bonus episode of Proud Stutter, he shares his feelings around being adequate enough to be a father, how the King’s Speech changed his relationship with his stutter, and how breathing techniques helped his speech.

Host & Producer: Maya Chupkov

Save the date (12/7/2023) for Proud Stutter’s 1st Annual Gala + Community Comedy Event in San Francisco

Support Proud Stutter’s Mini Series Crowdfunding Campaign 

Maya is back to answer your questions ranging from TV shows, public speaking tips, navigating her stutter, and more. 

Host & Producer: Maya Chupkov

Editor: Quinn Greenhaus

Save the date (12/6/2023) for Proud Stutter’s 1st Annual Gala + Community Comedy Event in San Francisco

Support Proud Stutter by becoming a recurring donor via Flipcause

Vote for Proud Stutter to win a Signal Award for ‘Most Inspirational Podcast’

Listen to Maya talk about Star Wars on Trash Compactor

Maya and Tessa share their experiences from 10 days of filming in New Jersey for their documentary. They discuss the challenges and rewards of the project, the impact of stuttering on their interactions, and the support they received from the local community. The episode provides insights into their creative process and the emotional journey of capturing the lives of a family navigating stuttering and parenthood.

Jay Jordan and Jesse Vasquez are back on the pod this week. Jay talks about how his identity as a person who stutters intersects with his criminal record identity. Jesse and Jay both share a passion for de-stigmatizing the narrative surrounding people who are incarcerated and those that have come out of prison.

You can listen to Part 1 of this episode here.

Host: Maya Chupkov

Guest Co-Host: Jesse Vasquez

Guest: Jay Jordan

Sound Designer: Leo Maymind

Support Proud Stutter by making a tax-deductible donation here.

Jay Jordan, a person who stutters, has devoted his life after incarceration to challenging the stigma surrounding criminal records. For the first time ever, Jay opens up publicly about what it was like serving seven-years in prison with a stutter. He talks about a life changing experience that led him to coming to terms with his stutter and his purpose. 

Post-incarceration, Jay faced rejection when it came to jobs and getting an apartment. But Jay developed a high level of resilience with having a debilitating stuttering as a child. Since then, he has learned to lean into his stutter, now leading one of the largest advocacy organizations in the country where he speaks publicly on a daily basis. 

Jesse Vasquez is guest co-host. He leads Friends of San Quentin News and provides a platform for incarcerated individuals to share their stories and be heard. By elevating these voices, Jesse hopes to draw attention to the issues within the criminal justice system and work towards meaningful reform.

Both Jay and Jesse's personal experiences with incarceration have shaped their dedication to transforming the criminal justice system. They understand the impact that the system can have on individuals and their families, and they use their platforms to advocate for change and support those affected. Their work very much reflects what Proud Stutter is trying to do with the stuttering community: addressing the stigma and striving for a more equitable and just world.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Jay on the Problem with Jon Stewart
• Alliance for Safety & Justice
• Friends of San Quentin News

Host: Maya Chupkov

Guest Co-Host: Jesse Vasquez

Guest: Jay Jordan

Sound Designer: Leo Maymind

Support Proud Stutter by making a tax-deductible donation here.

For this special bonus episode of Proud Stutter, Maya is rebroadcasting an episode from the Beyond Awareness podcast.

Host Diana Pastora Carson interviews Maya and they talk about the intersections between inclusive education and supporting people who stutter in and outside the classroom.

In this episode:

• Diana's TedTalk, "Walking with Joaquin," chronicles her family's journey to bring home her brother after living in an institution for 15 years.
• Proud Stutter's Virtual Art Gallery
• Beyond Awareness Podcast

Blaise Ventura, a 20-year-old person who stutters, joins Maya to talk about blocking, his journey towards self-improvement, dating, and how FOMO can play into anxiety.

Blocking is a form of stuttering that is extremely misunderstood and Blaise offers a unique perspective around his acceptance of his stutter that many people, especially young people, may find relatable.

He also discusses his participation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change his thought patterns and reduce anxiety related to his stutter.

Using fashion as a form of self expression is one of the main topics in part 2 of Maya’s interview with Mia and Lila.

Mia talks about how stuttering intersects with her multiple identities, such as being Chinese, an adoptee, and a college student. She emphasizes the importance of community support, including her family and friends, in helping her embrace her stutter and advocate for others.

Other topics include advocating for disabilities, the power of sharing personal stories, and the power of fashion being a vehicle for social change. Mia highlights the need for inclusivity and accessibility in the fashion industry and how fashion designers can contribute to solving these challenges.

Mentioned in the Show

Mumble Melody Stuttering Research Study

Find Maya on IG: @Mayachupkov

Twitter: @Proudstutter

YouTube: @Proudstutter

LinkedIn: Proud-stutter

Facebook: @Proudstutter

You can buy Proud Stutter merch on our website

Mia Hitterman spent most of her childhood and teenage years hiding her stutter. It wasn’t until college that she discovered pageantry and finally found her community. 

In this episode of Proud Stutter, Mia talks about how joining Miss Chinese Chicago helped strengthen her confidence, embrace every part of herself, and come out as a person who stutters.

Our guest co-host is Lila Carrillo, a dear friend of Maya’s who told her about Mia after seeing her at a pageant contest in Chinatown in San Francisco. 

Mentioned In The Episode

• Mia’s Intro Video - Miss Chinese Chicago
• Donate to Proud Stutter’s Audio Documentary Project

Follow Mia on Instagram

Follow Lila on Instagram

Visit proudstutter.com to stay in the loop on all things Proud Stutter!

A few months ago, the MLB released a video of 10 Year-Old Mateo Sanchez and professional baseball player George Springer. The special bond between these two was palpable. Also featured was father Jesse Sanchez.

The MLB video was inspiration for this interview with both Mateo and father Jesse.

Mateo, the show's youngest podcast guest, has been stuttering his entire life. In this special episode of Proud Stutter, Maya interviews Mateo and his father about both of their stuttering journeys - Mateo as a young boy who stutters, and Jesse, a parent of a stutterer.

Jesse talks about how he learned to embrace stuttering as part of Mateo's identity, rather than trying to find a quick fix. Jesse also talks about the power of the connection between Mateo and Springer, and how it inspired Matteo to start raising awareness of stuttering in his school.

For more information about Proud Stutter, visit proudstutter.com.

Get in touch with host Maya by emailing info@proudstutter.com.

This episode is part 2 of Maya’s interview with Calvin and Roy. Calvin talks more in-depth about his relationship with his stutter, including how he deals with triggers. He also talks about goal setting helps him accept his stutter and tricks he uses when public speaking.

You can follow Calvin Williams, Jr on Instagram and Savage Truth Podcast here.

• Interest form to join the career network for college students who stutter

Having friends who can help see your true potential is a gift. Part 1 of my conversation with Calvin Williams, Jr. and Roy Dockery talks about friendship and the importance of having people around you that lift you up. 

Calvin Williams, Jr is a person who stutter and an entrepreneur and founder of Freeman Capitol. How has Calvin navigated his stutter while running a successful fintech company? We talk about his daily rituals and how he balances his busy schedule and self-care. He also talks about how he stays motivated to keep going even when times get tough.

Our co-host, Roy Dockery, has known Calvin since freshman year of college. He is a pastor and host of the Savage Truth Podcast. Roy talks about his daily habits that keeps him going through life’s challenges and his chronic illnesses.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Stuttering Awareness Week Recap
• Wedding website

Today’s episode is Part 2 of my conversation with Benedict Sheehan, a person who stutters, and Talia Sheehan, his wife. We talk about the different forms of speech therapy Benedict has tried over the years, from fluency shaping to acceptance. Benedict changed the way he looked at his stutter after his speech therapist gave him the option to work towards hiding their stutter or becoming a better stutterer, and he chose the latter. We also talk about his recent ADHD diagnosis, and how it has helped Benedict understand his speech.

[4:36 - 9:08] Experiences with speech therapy over the years 

[9:09 - 18:46] Shifting from a fixing approach to acceptance in speech therapy 

[18:46 - 21:15] Insecurities with listening to your recorded voice

[21:15 - 30:17] ADHD and stuttering 

To learn more about Proud Stutter, visit www.proudstutter.com.

To support Proud Stutter, make a tax-deductible donation here.

A new study published in Brain has identified a specific brain network hub that plays a key role in stuttering.

The author Professor Catherine Theys explains the research and what it means for the stuttering community and others with similar brain activity.

We’re grateful to Catherine for sharing her story and research with us. 

Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Dustin Wells, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY - FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL GET TICKETS TO OUR INVITE ONLY EVENT IN LA. BUY THEM HERE.

If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Benedict Sheehan is a Grammy-nominated conductor and composer who stutters. His wife, Talia Sheehan, is a professional vocalist and musical educator. In this episode, we talk about the psychology behind people’s responses to stuttering and how people who don’t stutter can be stronger allies for people who stutter. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation with the Sheehans.

Additionally, host Maya talks about California's resolution to recognize Stuttering Awareness Week and plans for a community rally/press conference at the state capitol in Sacramento.

[00:02:24] Being an ally to stutterers.

[00:06:18] Fear is First.

[00:09:18] Stuttering and facial expressions.

[00:13:53] Body language for public speaking.

[00:19:04] Stuttering and acceptance.

To learn more about Proud Stutter, visit www.proudstutter.com.

To support Proud Stutter, make a tax-deductible donation at here.

For this special bonus episode of Proud Stutter, Maya is rebroadcasting an episode from the TheeClutterQueen podcast.

Host Simone Robinson interviews Maya and they talk about the intersections between cluttering and stuttering, their very different experiences with speech therapy, public speaking during class, problematic headlines in the media, thinking you can’t do certain things because of speech dysfluency, and more!

What small thing can you do this week to support Proud Stutter?

• Add a review on your favorite listening app (Scroll down to the bottom of the show page where it says Ratings & Reviews)

Connect with Maya & Proud Stutter:

Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok

Connect with Simone & TheeClutterQueen:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Did you know there is a vibrant stuttering community on Reddit?

Cynthia Chin, Season 1 co-host, is back on the pod doing a second round of going through stuttering subreddit posts. Our first Stuttering Subreddit episode is our most listened-to episode, so let's dive in.

What kinds of posts do we talk about on the Stuttering Subreddit?

We dig into college presentations, being labeled the quiet-type, clinging onto relationships, and funny stuttering moments.

What small thing can you do this week to support Proud Stutter? 

• Buy a brand new Proud Stutter T-Shirt, "Embrace Verbal Diversity"

Connect with Maya & Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | TikTok

Steff Lebsack, a speech language pathologist, grew up with a brother who stutters. When she developed a neurogenic stutter later in life, she accepted it right away. In this new episode, we talk about Steff and her journey in juggling multiple disabilities, including lung disease, the power of language in gaining self-acceptance, and the importance of owning your story.

Our guest co-host is Tiffany Yu, CEO & Founder of Diversability, and host of Tiffany & Yu Podcast.

Read this toolkit, attend this advocacy 101 workshop, and/or email info@proudstutter.com.

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Johnnie Pina does not let his stutter get in the way of being a successful lobbyist where public speaking is a main part of his job. Joining us is Alexandra Leal, host of Democracy Is, a podcast from California Common Cause. We discuss the importance of community in building confidence and overcoming public speaking fears. We also talk about the local resolution process and how it can be used to generate public awareness. 

Stuttering visibility and acceptance in local communities can have a huge impact. For example, passing a local resolution can have a ripple effect and can even help people realize and accept their own identity.

The guide for this episode, with resources, transcript, show notes, and more, can be found here: www.proudstutter.com/proud-stutter-season-2-episode-13

Read this toolkit and monitor this space for details on our upcoming webinar on this topic. Save the date for Monday, March 27 at 6pm PT!

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Navigating the ups and downs of being a teenager is hard enough. Adding living with a stutter to the already existing anxieties and insecurities we go through can make things even more difficult. 

Priya is a 17-year old living in Sydney, Australia. She is filling a much needed gap in the stuttering community: creating and sharing content around stuttering for her fellow teenagers who stutter from all over the world. We talk about her new podcast, Stutter Conversations, and how she got to being so open about her stutter at an early age. 

Kyle Smeallie, Maya's fiancée, is our co-host. He’s a legislative aide for a local elected official in San Francisco, working on policies related to affordable housing, tenants rights, and supporting small businesses.

The guide for this episode, with resources, transcript, show notes, and more, can be found here: www.proudstutter.com/proud-stutter-season-2-episode-12

Mentioned in this episode

• Priya on My Stuttering Life Podcast
• Scene in Billy Madison movie

Want to support this work? 

• Tell us what Proud Stutter has meant to you by leaving a voicemail (415-964-0140) or writing (info@proudstutter.com).
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As a young child, Stevie Soul used his stutter to his strength when he started arranging repetitive sounds into beats and patterns. We talk to Stevie about his journey to becoming an Award-winning beatboxer and an independent, multimedia producer.

I am joined by Andrew Menegat, a former teacher who is now working in EdTech.

The guide for this episode, with resources, transcript, show notes, and more, can be found here:

www.proudstutter.com/proud-stutter-season-2-episode-11

• Stevie’s website and Instagram
• History of Woodward Streets in Detroit and San Francisco

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Journalist John Hendrickson spent most of his life ignoring the elephant in the room, his stutter. We talk about what it was like going back in time, dating, and ask questions from Proud Stutter listeners. His upcoming memoir is Life On Delay: Making Peace With A Stutter.

The guide for this episode, with resources, transcript, show notes, and more, can be found here: 

www.proudstutter.com/proud-stutter-bonus-8-9

Enjoy this sneak preview of my interview with John Hendrickson, author of Life on Delay: Making Peace With a Stutter, coming January 2023 from Knopf.

We can’t create sustainable change for the stuttering community without disrupting cultural norms around speech. The first step towards breaking down ableist systems is to identify them. 

In this episode, we talk about disrupting ableism by discussing the many systems for which it appears. We also dissect a new term in the ever expanding stuttering vernacular: the non-standard voice. 

Host: Maya Chupkov, www.proudstutter.com

Guest: Kaitlyn Borysiewicz (she/hers), www.themelanincollective.org 

Co-Host: Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez (they/them/elle), https://linktr.ee/b_lts_ 

Ruth Wilson Gilmore

Using Disability Justice to Reimagine Family Regulation

Lived Experience and Disability Justice in the Family Regulation System

Your Favorite Podcast App

YouTube

The Proud Stutter Newsletter 

Producer, Host, Editor: Maya Chupkov: https://www.proudstutter.com/about 

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LeRon L. Barton is a TEDx speaker and author who stutters. What events in his life led him to becoming a confidence public speaker? They also talk about the importance of representation and share personal anecdotes about dating and disclosing their stutters in professional settings.

We’re grateful to LeRon for sharing his story with us.  

Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Dustin Wells, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.

PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY - FIRST 20 PEOPLE TO REGISTER WILL GET TICKETS TO OUR INVITE ONLY EVENT IN LA. BUY THEM HERE.

If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift at https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Having a stutter can be extremely frustrating and stressful, especially while at work. Stuttering as a Marine though might take the cake for the most stressful work environment. What was it like being a person who stutters in the military? 

Brady Wilson, a Marine Veteran, is our guest and opens up about his experiences and how he coped with his stutter in stressful situations. Our guest co-host is Gustavo Serafini, host and producer of Enabled Disabled Podcast.

Listen:

• Stuttering on Enabled Disabled Podcast

Read:

• Steven explains what its like to be a Marine who stutters (AIS Blog)
• Noncommissioned Officer Won't Let Words Stop Him (US Army Blog)

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Replacing words is common experience among people who stutter. What we find out in this episode is people in recovery may have similar experiences.

Lupita Dorado just recently opened up about her stutter with her sister. We talk about what that experience has been like for their relationship. Other topics include filler words, stuttering as a woman in the professional setting, and interactions with her daughter who also stutters.

Joining me as this week’s co-host is Jay Shifman, host of Choose Your Struggle.

[2:26 - 4:36] Discovering The Stuttering Community

[4:49 - 5:29] Opening Up About Stuttering

[5:53 - 9:49] Similarities Between Stuttering & Being In Recovery After Substance Misuse

[9:49 - 10:39] Lupita & Her Daughter

[10:39 - 14:16] Struggling To Say What You Want to Say

[14:16 - 16:59] The Importance of Community & Talking About Stigma

[16:59 - 19:35] Working As A Woman In The Professional Setting

[19:35 - 20:32] End Of Year Proud Stutter Campaign

[20:32 - 24:22] Struggling To Say What You Want To Say Continued

[24:22 - 25:20] Baby Steps When Opening Up

[25:20 - 27:03] Stuttering In Another Language

[27:03 - 29:54] Choosing Your Struggle

[29:54 - 34:05] What We’re Hopeful For

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Josh Compton is a Professor of Speech at Dartmouth College. Joining me as this week’s co-host is Josel Gaston, host of Find Your Daily Calm Podcast. How did Josh end up teaching speech for a living? This is one of the many topics we get into about the intersections between stuttering and public speaking.

[3:55- 6:52] Early Memories of Stuttering

[6:52- 10:45] Covert stuttering

[10:45 - 13:33] Connection Between Mindfulness & Stuttering

[13:33- 24:00] Becoming A Speech Professor

[24:00-30:48] Inoculation Theory Research

Josh’s faculty page

Josh’s personal research page

Josh’s Dysfluent Essay

Re-Thinking Anxiety: Using Inoculation Messages to Reduce and Reinterpret Public Speaking Fears

Find Your Calm Daily Podcast

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DJ Portugal is a creative Chicano soul from South Central Los Angeles. His current job is a community organizer in Phoenix, AZ where he works towards environmental justice within the Latinx community. Joining me as this week’s co-host is Brenda Hernández Jaimes, founder of Ellas Media. 

How does the Latino community approach stuttering? This is one of the central themes of our conversation. We also talk about imposter syndrome, how stuttering can impact learning a new language, and parenting with a stutter. 

Episode Overview

[2:15 - 7:05] First Time Being Seen As a Stutterer 

[7:05 - 9:40] Opening Doors For Latinas 

[9:40 - 10:45] Power In Finding Yourself

[10:45 - 12:45] Overcompensating  

[12:48 - 15:55] Balancing Your Passion & Self Care

[16:45 - 28:10] Addressing Disability In The Latinx Community & Learning Spanish with a Stutter

[28:10 - 19:16] Tattoos & Stuttering

[19:16 - 33:35] Raising Kids To Speak Spanish & How Stuttering Impacts Parents

[35:00 - 36:00] Lifting Up Speech Therapy 

Also mentioned in the episode: Proud Stutter’s Stuttering Awareness Month campaign with Facetronomy. Click here for more details.

Want to support this work? 

• Tell us what Proud Stutter has meant to you by leaving a voicemail (415-964-0140) or writing (info@proudstutter.com).
• Make a monthly or one-time donation on FlipCause.
• Leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, or Spotify.
• Sign up for our newsletter.

Connect with Maya and Proud Stutter: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn | Support | Subscribe | E-Newsletter | Shop