A podcast about changing how we understand and talk about stuttering, one conversation at a time.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/10/9/14/f69cc35c-d0a0-468d-90d5-1e0fa64a3db0_alan_m_final_-_10_9_26__7.14_am.mp3

In fifth grade, Alan Mendoza’s teacher quietly pulled him aside right before recess and told him there was a woman in the library who wanted to talk to him. He walked in, sat down, and she showed him pictures and a passage to read aloud. Alan figured out what was happening fast. He had spent years coming up with his own tricks to get through moments like this, and he used every one of them. When he was done, the woman sent him back to recess and he never saw her again. It was not until years later, after he became a speech pathologist himself, that he realized she had probably been screening him for a fluency disorder all along.In this episode, Alan, a speech-language pathologist and person who stutters from Long Beach, California, shares what it was like growing up with a stutter that nobody around him really understood. He talks about the strategies he invented on his own as a kid, how a linguistics professor at UCLA pointed him toward speech pathology as a career, and how the pandemic became the moment he finally started accepting his stutter. He also shares what led him to start a stuttering advocacy club at Cal State Los Angeles, what it feels like to work with kids who stutter now that he is a school-based speech pathologist, and why he thinks the most important thing he can teach those kids is how to relax.In this episode<ul><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdHfzRfyDjG/" rel="nofollow">Boston University Center for Stuttering Therapy Adult Stuttering Support Group</a></li><li><a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">Support Proud Stutter</a></li></ul> ----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Alan Spent Years Outsmarting His Stutter. Now He’s a Speech Therapist

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/8/23/16/da292641-15ac-41de-868d-0e3c82ebdc93_lisbeth_-_8_23_26__9.33_am.mp3

When Lisbeth Peguero was a little girl, her mom took her to speech therapy once. Inside the office, she did not stutter at all. The therapist told her mom she was fine and did not need help. Walking out, Lisbeth felt relieved. Not because she was actually fine, but because she did not want to be the girl who went to speech therapy. She did not want to disappoint her mom. That moment shaped how she felt about her stutter for years.In this episode, Lisbeth, a model, paralegal, and stuttering advocate from Austin, Texas, talks about growing up with a stutter she tried to hide. She shares what it is like to walk into a casting room and have to say your name out loud when you stutter, and the night she got on stage at a mall in Houston, microphone in hand, to audition for Victoria&#39;s Secret in front of Ashley Graham. She also talks about starting a podcast, getting her Pilates certification, and the speech therapy that finally helped her stop trying to get rid of her stutter and start learning to accept it.In this episode<ul><li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lisbethmariem/video/7646121190523751694" rel="nofollow">Lisbeth&#39;s audition</a></li><li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ExyLqMEvi8HQ4R2FaPgIC" rel="nofollow">Lisbeth&#39;s podcast</a></li><li>Follow Lisbeth on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lisbethmariep/" rel="nofollow">IG</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lisbethmariem?_r=1&_t=zt-8spqatc5uig" rel="nofollow">TikTok</a></li><li><a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">Support Proud Stutter</a></li></ul> ----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

This Model and Stuttering Advocate Auditioned for Victoria's Secret

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/7/26/1/def363e8-1443-4a36-b5f2-57fe05d89cf8_isiah_final.mp3

Isaiah was in third grade when his teacher called on someone else while he was still in the middle of answering a question. He had the answer. He just stuttered getting it out. That was the moment he started wondering if his stutter made him less capable than everyone else.In this episode, Isaiah Solomon, a 21-year-old political science student at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, from Boston, Massachusetts, talks about what it has been like growing up with a stutter. He shares the eighth grade presentation that went terribly wrong, how acting in school plays was the one place he felt totally fluent, and what it was like starting college and meeting hundreds of new people on orientation day. He also talks about stuttering in French class, the internship he did with his state senator, and what he is thinking about as he heads into his senior year with a career in politics on his mind.----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Growing Up, Stuttering, and Finding Your Place

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/6/27/22/6112f4f6-2815-4b15-b9e2-e1db3f58ceeb_bryan_matthews_-_6_27_26__3.24_pm.mp3

Bryan Matthews still remembers the moment everything changed — he was in ninth grade, giving an oral report in American history class, when classmates began mocking his stutter while his teacher just sat there and let it happen. From that day on, Bryan went &#34;headlong into hiding,&#34; learning to pass as fluent and burying the truth of his stutter from nearly everyone in his life, including his own family.In this episode, Bryan — director of training for the United Association of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters, Local Union 625 in Charleston, West Virginia — opens up about growing up with an undiagnosed stutter in rural Appalachia, the three-hour drive he used to make to find community at a National Stuttering Association chapter, and the unlikely path that led him to a job built entirely around public speaking. He also shares the story behind his self-published Stuttering Journal, a tool born from years of silence that he now hopes can help others put their own experience into words.Plus, a special clip from California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, who shares his own stuttering story at an event with Proud Stutter, at the CA State Capitol.In this episode<ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/STUTTERING-JOURNAL-EMPOWERING-PEOPLE-STUTTER/dp/B0FSF422YS" rel="nofollow">The Stuttering Journal (Amazon) </a></li><li><a href="https://www.marshall.edu/mu-speech-and-hearing-center/" rel="nofollow">Marshall University Speech &amp; Language Center</a></li><li><a href="https://speaker.asmdc.org/press-releases/20260626-speaker-robert-rivas-joins-proud-stutter-capitol-film-screening-and" rel="nofollow">CA Capitol Event with Speaker Rivas Press Release</a></li></ul> ----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Story Behind The Stuttering Journal

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/26/3/238a7811-d7be-4373-bbb2-2e6c3832cada_saad_final_-_5_25_26__8.39_pm.mp3

As a child growing up in Saudi Arabia, Saad Al-Munajem learned how to build a wall around himself. After being laughed at while trying to read aloud in class, he spent years hiding his stutter — avoiding speaking, overthinking every interaction, and quietly carrying the fear of being heard. But what happens when someone decides to stop hiding?In this episode of Proud Stutter, Saad shares the moments that slowly changed his relationship to his voice and led him to found Mutalaathem, a nonprofit creating community for Arabic-speaking people who stutter across the Middle East and North Africa. This is a conversation about fear, identity, disclosure, and the long process of tearing down the walls we build to protect ourselves.In this episode<a href="https://www.arabnews.com/node/2643025/saudi-arabia" rel="nofollow">Article in Arab News</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AQPsn5OjLI" rel="nofollow">Proud Stutter (Short Film on YouTube)</a>-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Breaking the Walls of a Stutter with Mutalaathem Founder Saad Al-Munajem

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/5/15/5/b47f0aee-a7bd-47eb-a60b-f3e60cc54c76_elizabeth_escobar_final.mp3

In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with Elizabeth Escobar, a person who stutters, substitute teacher, and advocate, about trauma, healing, and learning to reconnect with herself after years of silence and self-protection. Elizabeth reflects on growing up with a stutter, being bullied throughout school, and how therapy helped her begin processing memories and emotions that had long been buried. She shares how returning to her former schools as a substitute teacher became an unexpected turning point, allowing her to support students while also healing parts of her younger self.The conversation explores the lasting emotional impact of stuttering, the importance of being seen beyond speech differences, and how community and advocacy can create space for transformation. Elizabeth also opens up about losing her mother, volunteering after a difficult period in her life, and eventually speaking before county council to advocate for adults who stutter. Links and resources<a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B0oyBEmeeCU" rel="nofollow">Apr 8, 2026 - Council Public Hearing</a>----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Healing, Advocacy, and Reclaiming Your Stutter

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/4/20/19/36ae52a4-72db-48ef-a467-3b1b2f2de234_joze_final_-_4_20_26__12.26_pm.mp3

In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with Joze Piranian, a comedian, speaker, and author, about growing up with a stutter and how early experiences shaped his relationship with speaking. Joze reflects on patterns of avoidance, the role of silence, and what it took to begin shifting how he showed up in the world. He shares how humor became part of that process, along with speech therapy and intentionally stepping into uncomfortable situations. The conversation explores the connection between stuttering and mental health, including anxiety and depression, and how internal and external pressures can influence both. Joze also talks about how his experiences have shaped his work and daily life, and what it has meant to build a career that brings him into constant interaction with others.Links &amp; Resources<a href="https://www.jozepiranian.com/" rel="nofollow">Joze&#39;s website</a><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/stop-holding-back-joze-piranian?variant=43822922825762" rel="nofollow">Joze&#39;s book - STOP HOLDING BACK</a>-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Stuttering, Comedy, and Embracing Uncomfortable Situations

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/23/13/604045de-cb8e-4e38-8f50-bd281baff399_untitled_-_march_23__2026.mp3

This week, we’re doing something a little different on Proud Stutter. We’ve partnered with the podcast Down to the Struts for an episode swap, sharing each other’s work as a way to support disabled creators and build deeper, intersectional connections across our communities.In this episode, host Qudsiya Naqui sits down with Haben Girma, a human rights lawyer, author, and disability activist who is the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. They explore what it means to center access and how it can lead to “empowered interdependence,” a powerful framework for challenging ableist systems and reimagining how we support one another.Episode page: https://www.downtothestruts.com/episodes/season-6-haben-girma Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Episode Swap: Down To The Struts

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/3/11/21/cdb98b64-9b86-4ac4-b141-d8214d854c51_jennifer_interview_final.mp3

Maya talks with fiction writer and teacher Jennifer Dickinson about her new middle grade novel featuring a young girl who stutters. Jennifer shares how her own experiences growing up with a stutter shaped the story, including memories of bullying, lost friendships, and the loneliness she felt during middle school.The conversation looks at how storytelling can transform difficult experiences into something meaningful. Jennifer reflects on how writing the book allowed her to revisit a painful time in her life and create a story where a young girl who stutters is supported by friends, teachers, and community. Maya and Jennifer also discuss the need for more representation of people who stutter in books, television, and film, and how visibility can help shift public understanding.Jennifer also talks about discovering writing at a young age, working in theater, and building a career as a fiction writer and book coach. She shares how long it took to bring the book to life and why she stayed committed to the story. At the center of the episode is Jennifer’s hope that young readers who stutter will see themselves in the book and feel encouraged to take risks, express themselves creatively, and pursue what they love.Links &amp; Resources<ul><li><a href="https://luma.com/ltbndst9" rel="nofollow">March 17 SXSW event</a></li></ul> You can add that MAGGIE&#39;S BIG BREAK by Jennifer Dickinson will be released on April 30, 2026, and listeners can pre-order it now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. <ul><li>Amazon: <a href="http://amazon.com/Maggies-Big-Break-Jennifer-Dickinson/dp/1949983234/" rel="nofollow">amazon.com/Maggies-Big-Break-Jennifer-Dickinson/dp/1949983234/</a></li><li>Bookshop.org: <a href="http://bookshop.org/p/books/maggie-s-big-break-jennifer-dickinson/6c6924a4a5fe7305" rel="nofollow">bookshop.org/p/books/maggie-s-big-break-jennifer-dickinson/6c6924a4a5fe7305</a></li></ul> -----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The Story She Needed as a Kid: Jennifer Dickinson on Writing a Young Girl Who Stutters

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2026/2/7/20/98ad75cb-eaff-4724-90c2-aa2fd8928f76_anjali_final.mp3

Maya talks with Dr. Anjali Alimchandani about growing up as a covert stutterer and why stuttering was the hardest identity for her to accept. Anjali shares how she first became aware of her stutter through bullying, the loneliness of having no language or community around it, and how early experiences with speech therapy reinforced shame rather than support.The conversation explores covert stuttering, passing, and the emotional and spiritual labor that often goes unseen. Maya and Anjali reflect on navigating stuttering alongside other identities, the pressure to accept oneself, and how healing often requires being witnessed in community. Together, they discuss belonging, enoughness, and the importance of creating spaces where people who stutter can show up as they are, without needing to perform fluency or prove their identity.Links<ul><li><a href="https://substack.com/@mayachupkov1?utm_source=explore_sidebar" rel="nofollow">Maya&#39;s Substack</a></li><li><a href="https://utexas.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eJySKjQibOpO8B0" rel="nofollow">Participate in this stuttering research survey and get a gift card!</a></li><li><a href="https://www.anjalialimchandaniphd.com/" rel="nofollow">Anjali&#39;s website</a></li></ul> -----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Anjali Hid Her Covert Stutter for Years. Then Acceptance Became a Spiritual Practice.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/12/26/20/bb219b56-6374-4607-bd71-a4b6afb35253_kanav_final.mp3

In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with tech entrepreneur Kanav Hasija about growing up with a severe stutter in India, being bullied in school, and how changing cities gave him the chance to redefine himself. Kanav shares how facing fear head on through quizzes, speeches, and leadership roles helped shift his relationship with speaking, and how stuttering later shaped the way he communicates as a founder. He walks through his journey from early engineering experiments to building healthcare and construction tech companies, and reflects on how stuttering pushed him to be more precise, patient, and resilient. The conversation also digs into how bullying can make you guarded while also fueling ambition, and how people who stutter often move between structure and creativity. Kanav closes by sharing his current project, a free, game based app designed to help kids who stutter through early intervention, better diagnostics, and accessible technology.In this episode<a href="https://speech-quest.com/" rel="nofollow">Speech Quest</a>-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

From Delhi to Data and Back to the Stutter That Shaped Him

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/7/18/957af668-a2cd-46b3-b482-ffe786f2cec8_vault_episode_final_-_11_7_25__9.57_am.mp3

Maya revisits a listener favorite featuring choir clinicians Benedict and Talia, a husband-and-wife team who share powerful lessons about communication and empathy. Talia offers three practical tips for being a better listener to someone who stutters, starting with her first insight: “Fear is first.” She explains that fear is our natural initial response to new situations, and recognizing that helps us create calmer, more compassionate conversations.Listen to the full interview to hear Talia’s other two insights, and how she and Benedict model true partnership, humor, and presence in every interaction. In this episode<ul><li><a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">Make a one-time or recurring donation here</a> to help keep Proud Stutter going</li><li><a href="https://simplyk-bucket-production.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/deliveries/0158a671-386b-4604-ba82-9ec274a8d657/emails/28f1e52f-b52d-472b-acf6-88bb1145cbe2.html" rel="nofollow">Explore the recap of the film &amp; art fundraiser sponsored by Proud Stutter</a></li></ul>-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

From The Vault: The Psychology Behind Our Responses To Stuttering

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/20/19/353ae070-c57a-44a4-b8ec-8d0204163826_jerry_slaff.mp3

Maya sits down with Jerry Slaff, a playwright and and a writer who stutters, for a conversation about voice, craft, and the lifelong arc from fear to freedom. Jerry first reached out to Proud Stutter back in December 2021, writing, “once a stutterer, always a stutterer… if people don’t like my speech, that’s their problem.” We revisit that email and trace how age, practice, and community reshaped his relationship to speaking, onstage, at work, and in everyday life.Jerry reflects on building a career that demanded communication, from press briefings, talkbacks, to cold reads, and how stuttering shows up differently across contexts (ease during prepared talkbacks vs. blocks in table reads). We explore his love of radio storytelling, the writers who formed his ear for dialogue, and his new creative chapters: a two-hander play set in 1950s America and a novel that includes a 12-year-old character who stutters. Along the way, we talk representation (what lands, what harms), allyship across disability communities, and the simple rule that guides him now: “Not caring is a great freedom.”Mentioned<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaIbKprLfbw" rel="nofollow">A recent documentary about Marlee Matlin</a> that sparked a cross-disability allyship convo</li><li><a href="https://centerstagetheater.org/show-details/lies" rel="nofollow">Lies (Jerry&#39;s play)</a></li><li>Film IG: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/saintstephenfilm/" rel="nofollow">@saintstephenfilm</a> - following helps us show funders there’s a community behind the story.</li><li><a href="https://simplyk-bucket-production.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/deliveries/3fafb105-f165-4f2c-84f5-1171e9f1e5a9/emails/d4661611-7115-4bc8-8767-4f495ad6fdc6.html" rel="nofollow">Event recap &amp; donation links</a></li></ul> -----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/newsletter-form/sign-up-for-our-newsletter-1555" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

This Playwright Who Stutters Found His Voice on the Page, and the Stage

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/26/20/5597cac8-7d7b-4c8a-82eb-afba6e22b587_ina_lilac_final.mp3

Maya sits down with Ina Lalich, a San Francisco–raised, multilingual woman who stutters, for a conversation about language, identity, and learning to take up space. Ina describes growing up between Serbian/Croatian and English (with a later detour through French), and how her fluency shifted across languages over time -- sometimes finding relief in Belgrade, later feeling the opposite. She talks about the “different mind” each language gives her, and how writing her college essay on stuttering helped her claim it as strength: creativity, precision, and deep empathy.Now a user researcher at Quizlet who records herself for work, Ina shares what it’s like to interview strangers daily, rewind the tapes, and still choose presence over perfection. We hear candid stories --from a CEO mistaking a block for a bad internet connection to educating someone who mimicked her speech -- and the simple rule that guides her: if she stays calm, others learn to, too. The episode explores womanhood and stuttering, resisting infantilization, the “good pain vs. injury pain” metaphor she borrows from gymnastics, and a curiosity about ASL as another doorway into voice and belonging.-----🎟 Get tickets for <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/still-here-images-of-resilience-and-memory-community-art-and-film-fundraiser" rel="nofollow">a community art and film event sponsored by Proud Stutter</a> on October 9 in San FranciscoRead about <a href="https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&id=bba01e2a68&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">our latest film update here</a>.-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Ina Found Her Voice Across Three Languages. And Learned to Lean Into the Good Pain of Stuttering

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/12/22/15517054-6694-4a88-b767-c19e94deb7a2_andy_phillips_final.mp3

Filmmaker and stuttering ally Andy Phillips joins Maya to mark the 10-year anniversary of his short film WORDS, a story born from two loves: New Orleans and spoken-word poetry. Andy shares how a friend who stutters, late-night script pages in a dreaded Shakespeare class, and a chance connection to a Lower Ninth Ward community center shaped the film’s heartbeat. A tour with neighborhood elder “Mr. Robert,” the Katrina watermark still visible on walls, inspired the opening poem and grounded the story in place and resilience. Andy also talks about researching stuttering to avoid tired stereotypes and building an indie crew through tiny miracles that kept showing up, sometimes literally with a Steadicam. A decade later, WORDS still ripples through his life, even guiding his path into podcast producing.You can watch WORDS <a href="https://filmfreeway.com/463543" rel="nofollow">here</a>.-----🎟 Get tickets for <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/still-here-images-of-resilience-and-memory-community-art-and-film-fundraiser" rel="nofollow">a community art and film event sponsored by Proud Stutter</a> on October 9 in San Francisco-----U.S.-based writer with a finished script/pilot/play featuring disabled characters? <a href="http://google.com/search?gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIJCAQQIRgKGKABMgkIBRAhGAoYqwIyBwgGECEYjwIyBwgHECEYjwLSAQg1NjMxajBqN6gCALACAA&ie=UTF-8&oq=1in4+coaliton+script&q=1in4+coaliton+script&sourceid=chrome" rel="nofollow">Apply to 1IN4 Writers</a> by Oct 20, 2025 for mentorship, industry relationships, and a $20K unrestricted grant.-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi/proud-stutter" rel="nofollow">here</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Giving Stuttering the Mic in New Orleans: 20 Years After Katrina

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/1/16/b9ffe3f1-aed6-4838-aa79-b0a08d9005c3_dillon_interview_final.mp3

Dr. Dillon Pruett has lived both sides of stuttering: the anxious kid rehearsing every word and the scientist searching DNA for answers. His groundbreaking research, recently published in Nature Genetics, uncovered 57 genetic hotspots tied to stuttering -- proof that our voices carry a biological story as complex as any human trait. In our conversation, Dillon shares how his personal journey shaped his path into research, what the findings reveal about stuttering’s overlap with traits like musicality and sleep, and why the goal isn’t to “fix” stuttering but to demystify it. At its heart, this episode is about turning stigma into science and science back into compassion.You can read the study <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02267-2" rel="nofollow">here</a>. -----🎟 Get tickets for <a href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/still-here-images-of-resilience-and-memory-community-art-and-film-fundraiser" rel="nofollow">a community art and film event sponsored by Proud Stutter</a> on October 9 in San FranciscoRead about <a href="https://us5.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&id=bba01e2a68&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">our latest film update here</a>. -----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://donate.mazloweb.com/donate/5itSG7HQ2F28sdqE4HmKgi" rel="nofollow">here</a>.Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Inside the Largest Genetic Study of Stuttering

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/15/15/cb1f4bea-8d0f-4731-b0a3-1799cea2f1f3_sam_therapy.mp3

Maya sits down with Sam Gennuso, a Bay Area-based licensed psychotherapist and person who stutters, for a conversation about vulnerability, self-acceptance, and what it means to unmask. Sam shares her journey of growing up covert, discovering her stutter, and the early therapy experiences that shaped her understanding of fluency, shame, and identity.Now a talk therapist, Sam talks about how stuttering has become one of her greatest teachers - helping her show up more authentically in her work and relationships. The episode explores themes of nervous system regulation, daily grounding practices, boundary-setting, and the metaphor of stuttering as diving into cold water: scary at first, but easier with each leap.You can find Sam on Instagram at @wellgoneweird and check out her website: <a href="http://www.samgtherapy.com" rel="nofollow">www.samgtherapy.com</a>-----🎟 Get tickets for <a href="https://www.flipcause.com/secure/donate/MjMxMzE0" rel="nofollow">a community art and film event sponsored by Proud Stutter</a> on October 9 in San Francisco-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://bit.ly/3xLezBk" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/3xLezBk</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Sam Once Feared Her Stutter. Now She’s a Talk Therapist Helping Others Unmask.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/7/30/16/76db7350-4347-4ff6-832e-d188a7b990a1_justin_final.mp3

This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Justin McCullough, a longtime stutterer, technologist, and founder of the upcoming mental health platform, Eight Minute Chat.Justin opens up about growing up with a stutter after a major shift in his family dynamic, how it impacted his high school and college experiences, and the quiet persistence that shaped his career in tech. From building his first software system at a community college to launching his own company, Justin reflects on how stuttering has influenced his drive to prove himself, and how it’s intertwined with his sense of self-worth, timing, and voice.We also talk about his latest project: Eight Minute Chat, a new initiative designed to offer people a space to offload mental stress in the moment--whether by phone, text, or in person. Rooted in empathy and lived experience, the idea came from a college student’s story and has since grown into something that could help bridge the gap between therapy and friendship.This episode dives into first impressions, filler words, what it means to be seen beyond your stutter, and the emotional complexity of navigating speech in a fast-paced world.Subscribe to updates on Eight Minute Chat at <a href="http://eightmin.org" rel="nofollow">eightmin.org</a>.-----🎟 Get early bird tickets for <a href="https://www.flipcause.com/secure/donate/MjMxMzE0" rel="nofollow">Proud Stutter’s Annual Gala</a> on October 9 in San Francisco-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://bit.ly/3xLezBk" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/3xLezBk</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

For Years, Justin Thought His Voice Was a Liability. Now It’s the Heart of His Mental Health Mission.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/7/12/23/d111967b-dac8-4e1b-8577-f8912c077e87_shamez.mp3

This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Shamez Kasam, a lifelong stutterer based in Alberta, Canada, who shares his powerful journey from shame to self-acceptance—and what he calls “recovery.” Shamez talks about growing up with severe stuttering, the impact it had on his life, and how purposeful desensitization helped shift his mindset. We explore what it means to be a “recovered stutterer,” the emotional toll of speech-based trauma, and how empathy and persistence can grow from stuttering. This episode is a testament to resilience, self-reflection, and the lifelong process of befriending your voice. In this episode🎟 Get early bird tickets for <a href="https://www.flipcause.com/secure/donate/MjMxMzE0" rel="nofollow">Proud Stutter’s Annual Gala</a> on October 9 in San Francisco-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://bit.ly/3xLezBk" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/3xLezBk</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Shamez Spent Years Trying to Slay His Stutter. Instead, He Befriended the Dragon.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/6/20/3/0e2d0810-7a36-44ae-bd13-76fc59bca769_louise_final.mp3

This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Louise Escher, a language teacher and person who stutters. In addition to loving to play the violin, she is the host of Did They Stutter?—a podcast exploring stuttering representation in film, TV, and literature. Louise shares her journey from covert stuttering to finding her voice, and how starting a podcast helped her challenge stigma and build community. We talk about the importance of authentic media portrayals, what covert stuttering looks like on screen (or doesn’t), and why her own podcast was born out of both inspiration and frustration. Plus, Maya shares updates on new stuttering-centered films in the works and why representation matters now more than ever.In this episode🎟 Get early bird tickets for <a href="https://www.flipcause.com/secure/donate/MjMxMzE0" rel="nofollow">Proud Stutter’s Annual Gala</a> on October 9 in San Francisco🎧 Listen to Louise’s podcast <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3SJNOf7YNrmyZxWLPWXEcV?dlsi=c9ba11f924ba4f7c&go=1&nd=1&sp_cid=bd03e6cedc03620546f30dafaa7e3fdb&utm_medium=desktop&utm_source=embed_player_p" rel="nofollow">Did They Stutter?</a>🎬 Watch the trailer for <a href="https://youtu.be/HrIObug7mYI?feature=shared" rel="nofollow">Le Panache, the French film</a> featuring a teen actor who stutters🖋 Learn about Connor Foran’s <a href="https://www.printmag.com/publication-design/dysfluent-conor-foran/" rel="nofollow">Dysfluent Typeface</a> and design work🎥 Explore <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/make-stutterbug" rel="nofollow">Stutterbug</a>, an upcoming short film by comedian Aiden Greene🐾 <a href="https://redcircle.com/shows/proud-stutter/ep/8400ad9c-abb7-44fb-95cb-6c37d3b021cf" rel="nofollow">Revisit Arctic Blue</a>, the documentary exploring stuttering through Arctic nature📬 Want to be a guest on Did They Stutter? or talk media representation? Contact Louise at didtheystutter@outlook.com -----Big thanks to Proud Stutter&#39;s recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Matt Didisheim, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.Learn more about Proud Stutter&#39;s impact campaign for its film project at <a href="http://proudstutter.org/impact" rel="nofollow">proudstutter.org/impact</a>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 <a href="https://bit.ly/3xLezBk" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/3xLezBk</a>. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts &amp; Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? <a href="https://proudstutter.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5311f4522e&u=8c4d15cffee4bd3785d738db4" rel="nofollow">Sign up here</a> to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials. Support this podcast at — <a rel='payment' href='https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content'>https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Louise Hid Her Covert Stutter for Years. Now Her Podcast Is Taking On Stuttering Representation in the Media.

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A podcast about changing how we understand and talk about stuttering, one conversation at a time.