Today's featured guest is Bryan Matthews. Bryan states, "I started stuttering when I was around 10 years old. I'm currently the Director of Training for the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, welders and Service Technicians Local union 625 in Charleston West Virginia. I'm the co-leader of the Huntington/Marshall University Adult Chapter for the National Stuttering Association. I have completed multiple Spartan Obstacle course races and have completed three Spartan Trifectas. I just recently published the "Stuttering Journal", a semi-guided journal for people who stutter". I truly believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Bryan for sharing his story and his new book with me today.

LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryan.matthews.98434997

Email: [email protected]

Link To The Stuttering Journal: https://a.co/d/5AudHU9

Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music.

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 Andrea Navarra. Andrea Navarra is a 35-year-old Italian living in Malta. He holds a BSc in Nursing from Rome and an MSc in Green Economy from Bournemouth University, where he specialized in carbon management, renewable energy, and environmental law. He began his professional journey in healthcare as a nurse (2014–2021) before transitioning into environmental sustainability and occupational health and safety. He currently works as an EHS Manager. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys cycling, trekking, photography, scuba diving, and indulging in good music, movies, and great food.

Andrea first remembers stuttering around age 7 or 8, when his mother took him for a speech assessment and he began speech therapy. Around age 9 or 10, he also tried autogenic training, a relaxation technique. At 18, he joined a therapy group led by someone who promoted his method on Italian TV, spending a couple of weeks in Rome practicing an approach based on acting speech models. While he isn't sure he fully adopted that method, the experience gave him confidence and strength. Even though he still stuttered, it didn't bother him much until he was 28.

Around that time, stuttering became a significant challenge again. Andrea isn't sure of the exact reason, though many suggest adult responsibilities can cause stuttering to return or feel more troublesome. He tried adapting the Italian technique to other languages without success. Later, while in the Netherlands, he underwent another therapy that combined speech therapy with psychological training focused on stuttering, but he didn't find it helpful. Since then, Andrea has continued learning by listening to podcasts, reading, and engaging with the stuttering community. He's discovered there are many different techniques and approaches, and while he may explore another path in the future, for now he is still finding his way in managing his stutter.

I truly believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Andrea for sharing his story with me today.

LINKS:

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-navarra/

Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music.

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 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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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