My Stuttering Life

Pedro Pena

Navigating life with 80% fluency. This is my life with all its trials and tribulations as a person who stutters. I believe in the power of positivity and I use it in my daily struggles with stuttering. I fight every day with fluency but I win that fight EVERY SINGLE DAY. As a husband, a father, a USAF Gulf War Veteran, and as an entrepreneur, I use many tools in my tool belt to become successful in all my endeavors. My goal is to share my journey so that others can see it is possible to be confident, determined, and live a life of positivity. If you are a PWS, you are not alone!

  • 2 hours 17 minutes
    How I Learned To Speak Up – Even With A Stutter

    Today's featured guest is Travis Warrington. Travis states, "I've stuttered since I was 5 years old. I was in speech therapy on and off during grade school to college. I have struggled with my self-esteem due my stuttering, but I have recently found an outlet and a global support system from having a YouTube channel". I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Travis for sharing his story with me today.

    LINKS:

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://impetusimpact.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswarrington/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbiGmpjS1GDzdi1RM6IIVg

    NPR: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025/05/30/youtube-anniversary-videos-internet

    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

    24 August 2025, 8:55 pm
  • 18 minutes 21 seconds
    Embracing Your Worth: A Journey to Beautiful Moments

    In this episode, I dive into embracing our worth and cherishing life's beautiful moments. I'll share how practicing self-compassion, celebrating small victories, and surrounding ourselves with positivity can help us recognize our true value—stutter and all. Together, let's journey toward self-acceptance and joy, because we are worthy of every beautiful thing life offers!

    LINKS:

    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

    21 June 2025, 7:33 pm
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Free To Speak: My Journey From Stuttering To Public Speaking

    Today's featured guest is Larry Stein. Larry Stein struggled with stuttering for 50 years, compromising his career and suffering debilitating depressions. In an effort to save the business of his dreams, he launched a drive to improve his speech that far exceeded his expectations. Over the next two years, he relearned to speak, retrained his brain and worked through speaking situations that once paralyzed him. Today, he runs his dream business, is a professional speaker, an author, and mentors' people who stutter on nearly every continent of the world at no charge. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Larry Stein for sharing his story with me today.

    LINKS:

    Website: https://SteinOnStuttering.com

    Email: [email protected]

    YouTube: steinonstuttering3008

    Instagram: SteinOnStuttering

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrystein-steinonstuttering/

    FB: SteinOnStuttering

    Book: Free To Speak -- #1 Amazon Bestseller in Self-Help

    Amazon Link: http://bit.ly/3tSH7qt

    Professional Speaker and Mentor for PWS

    "There Is Always a Way Forward."

    From Severe Stutterer to Professional Speaker

    https://linktr.ee/steinonstuttering

    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

    15 June 2025, 6:10 pm
  • 1 hour 29 minutes
    Breaking The Silence: How I Turned My Stutter Into A Storytelling Superpower

    Today's featured guest is Doyle. Doyle, the warm voice behind Spirit Talk Show, invites grown-ups to unwind with bedtime stories that blend magic and mindfulness. An Irish-American adventurer and dad of two, Doyle's path from camp counselor to beloved teacher and tech whiz is one of passion and persistence. With a B.A. in Child Development, a Master's in Educational Technology, and three teaching credentials, he educates and inspires in classrooms and beyond. Outside of teaching and podcasting, you'll find Doyle singing his heart out with a gay chorus or mapping out his next adventure. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Doyle for sharing his story with me today.

    LINKS:

    Websites: Host Spirit Talk Show

    https://www.spirittalkshow.info/

    Our Show on Apple Podcasts

    Our Show on Spotify

    The Stuttering Foundation "I Stutter Card" – Download, Print, & Place ID card in your vehicle visor –

    https://www.stutteringhelp.org/IDCard

    My guest appearance on the Spirit Talk Show:

    1. Part 1 Embracing The Pause: A Conversation With Pedro Pena-https://open.spotify.com/episode/6c17DF1AqUNGLUI6qnvhdX?si=OxZBwpCNQpCL40IUeUh72w

    2. Part 2 Finding Power In Our Voices With Pedro Pena- https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Owsf9LbgmO2kctOUO11TC?si=vRuPsVQfTaKOgADh70wspw

    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

    (Note: this was recorded fall 2024)

    14 June 2025, 6:17 pm
  • 2 hours 19 minutes
    Speech Therapists Have Much To Learn, But We're Listening

    Today's featured guest is J. Scott Yaruss. J. Scott Yaruss, PhD, is a Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University and the President of Stuttering Therapy Resources, Inc., a specialty publishing company dedicated to helping speech-language pathologists help people who stutter. A practicing clinician for more than 30 years, Yaruss is a board-certified specialist in stuttering therapy and a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. His research, which is funded by both the NIH and the NSF, focuses on diminishing the adverse impact that many people who stutter face in their lives. He has published more than 135 peer-reviewed articles about stuttering and more than 250 other articles, books, and chapters about stuttering. He has also given more than 800 professional development workshops for organizations around the world.

    Social Media:

    IG/FB: StutteringTherapyResources

    YouTube: StutteringTherapyRes

    Websites:

    www.StutteringTherapyResources.com (publishing website)

    www.Yaruss.com (professional SLP website)

    Email: [email protected]

    I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Dr. J. Scott Yaruss for offering his insight as a speech therapist who works closely with the stuttering community.

    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

    27 May 2025, 1:28 am
  • 50 minutes 6 seconds
    Andrew's Journey Into The Corporate World After College As A Person Who Stutters

    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: [email protected]

    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

    13 April 2025, 5:24 pm
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Stuttering Tales From A U.S. Airman

    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: [email protected]

    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

    10 March 2025, 9:03 pm
  • 2 hours 19 minutes
    From Stumbling and Bumbling to Winning and Grinning

    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: [email protected]

    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

    9 March 2025, 5:06 am
  • 1 hour 53 minutes
    Don't Let Your Stutter Stop You!

    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

    3 December 2024, 10:04 pm
  • 46 minutes 17 seconds
    Remembering Ethan: Laughs, Love, and Memories

    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

    13 November 2024, 8:07 pm
  • 1 hour 9 minutes
    My Stammering Life

    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: [email protected]

    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

    20 October 2024, 8:14 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App