My Stuttering Life

Today’s featured returning guest is Andrew Simpson.  It’s always a great honor to have a returning guest and I’m thrilled to welcome back Andrew, whose journey continues to inspire. At just 25, Andrew is thriving on the accounting team at Colliers International in Columbus, Ohio. A proud graduate of Capital University and former student-athlete on the Men’s Golf team, Andrew shares how discipline, resilience, and passion have shaped his personal and professional growth. I truly believe there is healing in sharing our journeys, and I want to thank Andrew for opening up and sharing his with me today. LINKS: Email: Email: Drewsimpson72@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsimpson22 Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Anthony Figueroa. Anthony is a United States Air Force Nondestructive Technician.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Anthony for sharing his story with me today.  LINK: Contact Email: sf031604@gmail.com Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Will Hocker. Along with being a life-long person who stutters, Will is a speech therapist practicing in the school setting. Before that, Will worked as a camera operator, writer, line-cook, and sous chef but always knew that he would eventually become a speech therapist. Will has a history of covert stuttering and is on a life-long mission to be more open and willing to stutter and wants to help others find the strength to own and embrace their stuttering as well. He lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife and daughter where in his spare time he likes to cook, bake, and play the drums. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Will for sharing his story with me today. LINK: Contact Email: haws.hocker@gmail.com Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Ryan Chrisenberry. Ryan is a creative with a passion for comedy, writing, performing, and design. He states, “I’ve stuttered since I was 5 or 6, but it first started with me saying ‘mmmmm…’ a lot, and then eventually evolved into the stutter that I have today.  Everyone told me up throughout high school, and even some in college, that I would grow out of it, and at 33, almost 34, it hasn’t happened yet!”.  Currently living in Houston, Texas, he explores various creative outlets as a form of expression and in hopes of connecting with his community through a shared love for art and comedy.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Ryan for sharing his story with me today. LINKS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanis.online/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanis.online?lang=en Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s episode is very close to my heart. In honor of our son, Ethan, I’ve put together a tribute filled with laughter, love, and memories that capture the amazing person he was. Ethan was just 20 years old when he was taken from us far too soon by a drunk driver. He was a bright light in our life—a passionate gamer, talented basketball player, swimmer, vintage truck enthusiast, and a person whose laugh could fill a room. To everyone who recorded a message for this special episode, thank you. Your voices, your memories, and your love have helped create a beautiful celebration of Ethan's life, and I am deeply grateful. This episode is filled with the joy and warmth he brought into all our lives. Join me in remembering Ethan and in celebrating his incredible spirit. May his laughter echo forever in our hearts.  Contributors: Connar Debra Sheri Zach Carolyn Zita Christian Aracely Andre Kevon Diana Margie Roni Marcus #RememberingEthan #CelebrationOfLife #PodcastTribute #ForeverInOurHearts There will also a YouTube version both audio only and video with photos of Ethan published tomorrow, 11/14/2024. Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Luke Critchley. Luke is from the UK and stated that stuttering had been a part of his life for over 30 years.  “That was up until COVID and I started to work with John Harrison over Skype.  Over 3 years and countless public speaking groups, I have improved to the point it’s no longer a big issue in my life”. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Luke for sharing his story with me today. LINKS: Email: lukecritchley1@gmail.com Free Book: Redefining Stuttering by John Harrison - https://web.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/Infostuttering/Harrison/redefining.html Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Mark Jones. Mark Jones was a talented and ferocious dual-code rugby player who was tormented by a debilitating stammer.  During a professional career that spanned 22 years he was capped 15 times for Wales, 11 times for Wales RL and once by Great Britain RL.  One of the acknowledged ‘bad-boys’ of the sport, he was sent off six times and banned for over 33 weeks for violent conduct. His on-field brutality was a direct consequence of the off-field frustration and self-loathing caused by his stammer.  Mark now acknowledges that he was internalizing an explosive hate that only playing rugby could release. Mark received counselling and constructive help rather than condemnation for his unacceptable behavior and along with a program of speech therapy provided by his friends and mentors, all this has helped him turn his life around.  “I have learnt to control my stammer and have stopped my stammer controlling me. Anyone who has suffered from a stammer will know of the humiliation and low self-esteem it creates.  Thankfully, I have now found a way to live my life free from its grip and I hope that my honesty and insight will help others experiencing the same torment.”  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Mark for sharing his story with me today. LINKS Email: Mark Jones c/o -  belfaststammer@gmail.com Book:  https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-Speak-Rugby-Rage-Redemption/dp/1904609015 Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Ignacio Dela Cruz.  Ignacio is a Native of Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands, and is a current Speech-Language Pathologist.  Prior to his role as an SLP, Ignacio taught special education and preschool and represented his home at different conferences.  Ignacio has degrees from the University of Guam and San Jose State University.  Ignacio is pursuing a doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Ignacio for sharing his story with me today.  LINKS: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kinodlc670/ Email ignaciodlcsaipan@gmail.com Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Kenny M’Pindou.  Kenny shares his personal journey of overcoming obstacles and pursuing his dreams despite facing challenges. Originally from DR Congo but born in Montreal, Quebec, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, he developed a speech impediment at a young age. He can't remember when he first noticed a difference in his speech or when it started to affect him, but to this day, he still stutters. As he always told himself, he is a work in progress. While his speech may never be fluent, he hopes to one day be able to control it. As a bobsled athlete with aspirations of competing at the 2026 Olympic Games, he found inspiration and guidance from his coach, Neville Wright, a three-time Olympian. At the same time, he hopes to be an inspiration to those with speech impediments, encouraging them to continue to defy the odds and show that we, too, are capable of many great things despite what waves life may throw at us.    I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Kenny for sharing his story with me today.   CLICK ON LINKS: LinkedIn Squarespace Instagram Email:  kenny.mpindou@gmail.com Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Sam Bagshaw.  Sam Bagshaw is a 27-year-old residing in the UK who has grappled with a stammer since childhood. Over the past few years, Sam has found a newfound confidence in speaking and has taken to TikTok to raise awareness about the challenges of living with a stammer. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Sam for sharing his story with me today.  CLICK ON LINKS: TikTok Instagram Facebook Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Jia Bin. Jia Bin, M.A., is a doctoral student at Michigan State University. Jia earned her undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at Chongqing Normal University in China, master’s degree in Secondary Education at Oakland University, and master’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University. Jia has been a language teacher (English & Mandarin Chinese) who has taught in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Jia's own journey of being a person who stutters, and an inter-cultural communicator motivates her to pursue a doctorate in CSD to help the people who stutter and bring people from various cultural backgrounds together. Jia is currently a research assistant at Spartan Stuttering Lab. Jia is also a content creator and leader for the Chinese-speaking stuttering community and is active in the global stuttering community. I truly believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Jia for sharing her story with me today.  CLICK ON LINKS: Email:  binjia@msu.edu Article:  Building Voice AI That Works for Everyone  Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Sean Bw Parker.  Sean Bw Parker (MA) is a British artist, musician and writer specializing in art, cultural theory and justice reform. He has published several books and albums, won several awards – including Koestler Arts platinum for play The Wolfstadt-Wire (2020) and Compelling Speech - The Stammering Enigma (2023) - and gave a TED talk in 2013. He holds Masters and BA degrees in Fine Art from the University for the Creative Arts in Surrey and worked for ten years in Istanbul as a musician and teacher, until 2014.  He has given talks at Istanbul University, Kadir-Has University, University of Bristol, Bristol BIMM and Brighton Science Festival amongst other venues, and has been published in Time Out Istanbul, Louder Than War, The Monument Fellowship, The Epoch Times, TS Eliot Foundation, CIEO, New Thinking, STAMMA, Cosmopolitan and in two Westminster Commission reports. He has appeared on Talk Radio Live, NTV Turkey, Rise TV, BBC Radio Wales, in documentaries by Richard Vobes, Dogs On The Run films, Sky Arts, and on a number of podcasts. He has interviewed Ed Harcourt, Kristin Hersh, Julie Burchill, Danny Macnamara, Garry Bushell and Ian Broudie among other musicians and writers, was a music columnist for Turkish magazine the Multicultural Guide and ran the Seafish music and arts venue on the Sussex coast in 2016. He was born in Exeter in 1975.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Sean for sharing his story with me today. CLICK ON LINKS: YouTube: Website: Email:  LinkedIn: Twitter (X): Spotify Music: Audible Book: Amazon Book: Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

In today's episode, we're delighted to welcome back a returning guest, Tom Lovett. Tom is the author of the insightful book, "Words Unspoken: The Science, Experience, and Treatment of Stuttering." In this fascinating discussion, Tom opens up about his journey in writing this book, offering a blend of scientific exploration and personal experiences related to stuttering. Join us as we delve into the complexities of stuttering, the emotional impact it can have, and the various treatment approaches available. Tom's unique perspective sheds light on a topic often shrouded in misunderstanding, offering valuable insights for both those affected by stuttering and those seeking to understand it better. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of stuttering and the power of words left unspoken.  LINKS Twitter:  https://twitter.com/tomlovettpod Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Words-Unspoken-Experience-Treatment-Stuttering-ebook/dp/B0C2FCRN1Q Reddit:   https://www.reddit.com/user/AlsoTomLovett Email:  hi@tomlovett.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomlovettpodcast/ Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com I use SquadCast for all my remote interviews.  If you are interested in SquadCast, check out my affiliate link:  https://squadcast.fm/?ref=pedropena If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast    Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com  This interview originally was recorded 10/2023

Today’s featured guest is Gabriela Hammoud.  Gabriela Hammoud is 16 years old, and she lives in New Zealand. She has had a stutter since she was 4 years old. As she has a stutter, she wanted to help make a difference for those who stutter. She started a business at her high school through an organization called the Young Enterprise Scheme. Her business is called Stutterfly, selling products that promote stuttering awareness in support of those who stutter. To give them a voice.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Gabriela for sharing her story with me today. LINKS Email:  stutterfly.nz@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stutterfly.nz/ Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com I use SquadCast for all my remote interviews.  If you are interested in SquadCast, check out my affiliate link:  https://squadcast.fm/?ref=pedropena   If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

Today’s featured guest is Kelly Garcia-Ramos (pronouns They/Them).  Kelly is a rising fourth year student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Neuroscience and Chinese. Kelly has stuttered ever since they could remember, and going through having a stutter has been one of their most difficult challenges up until recently. They started a support group at UPenn called Speech Fluency @ Penn (though this will be changed to Stuttering Advocacy @ Penn) to raise awareness about this special kind of neurodiversity for students. They have recently been featured on Penn Today, a school-wide publication, for their advocacy and have plans to expand their advocacy into their research and daily life. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Kelly for sharing their story with me today. LINKS Email:  kellygar@sas.upenn.edu LinkedIn:  LinkedIn Profile Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com I use SquadCast for all my remote interviews.  If you are interested in SquadCast, check out my affiliate link:  https://squadcast.fm/?ref=pedropena   If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com   For Correspondence/Bookings: Pedro Peña, PO Box 1585, La Porte, Texas USA 77572