Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

12 out of 12 months in a year and 12 episodes of Herp A Derp later we reached December 31st, 2018. Today is the last day of 2018, whether we are ready or not, 2019 is here. Having the perspective of being an advocate for herpes and sexual health awareness, l didn't expect my life to end up the way it did. From completing my master’s degree, committing to the keto diet, working out, transitioning between jobs and traveling, it has been a whirl wind of emotions and following my passions this past year.  

At the start of a new year, I always have a mantra to build the momentum. 2018 was “it’s me, 2018”! This year’s mantra – “meant to be 2019”. Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride full of new beginnings. I encourage you to find and explore a new beginning for yourself and start today.   

Que será, será  

Whatever will be, will be  

The future's not ours to see  

Que será, será   

What will be, will be, 2019   

Have a very Happy New Year!!  

Do you have a mantra for 2019? Feel free to comment on the podcast episode, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or email at [email protected]. Have a very Happy New Year!! Talk to you soon.

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

The holiday season busyness and winter weather can have us feeling burnout out, seriously dry and chapped lips. With Christmas week upon us, now is the time for self carry physically and mentally. This week's episode, I walk about natural remedies for cracked and dry lips plus relieving pain and inflammation through natural remedies I have discovered. Gloves of garlic, honey and essential oils to meditation, exercise and alone time. Taking care if yourself is a whole body experience. Take care of your temple!  

I’m always looking for natural remedies as well that help with inflammation.   

I would love to hear some of your winter care tips too. Feel free to comment on the podcast episode below, Instagram or email at [email protected]. Stay happy and healthy this holiday season!

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

On this 10th episode I want to share with you a personal story, a Herp A Derp moment. To remind you, a Herp A Derp moment is an expression when someone has come across hiccups in life we may not understand but learn to rise above. Herpes is the Herp A Derp moment in my life. Each day I am learning to love myself more by treating my body as a temple … of the mind, body and soul.   

I was reading through my personal blog a few days ago and I stumbled across one of them that really spoke to me. Negatives Become Positive Outcomes was written before I was diagnosed but still holds the same relevancy on going through the good, the bad, the brave and vulnerable parts of our personal journey’s.   

We all talk about our personal journey’s, but what keeps us going? It is the personal story about the relationship with me and yourself. To be here in your present moment. Whether that is right now or after this episode, I want you to ask and remind yourself of the moments, people and things that keep you going. I haven’t always been this kind, nor did I motivate myself to do this much before.  

As we move onto the next hour, day, month and year, it’s always good to reflect back, not look back. When we reflect, we are strong. When we look back, we make ourselves weak in seeing what could have been done differently. Herp A Derp moments about conquering that.

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

Wanted to once again say thank you. Thank you for listening, messaging and encouraging me to continue to be myself. November is a month of giving, receiving and gratitude. Herpes was an unexpected gift we did not ask for but I also welcome herpes in open arms because it has led me to connect with all of you and our shared experiences with herpes for a lifetime.   

In honor and spirit with the start of the holiday season, this week I am featuring an interview I had with my friend Maggie about sex toys. It’s the little pleasures in life thank make us thankful and stress free about our sex lives. Also, good vibes only!  

You can find toys and spa products on her Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/HeavenlyGoddess11503/

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

So pumped that Herp A Derp is now part of the herpes network HANDS! Herpes Activists Networking to Dismantle Stigma! It is amazing feeling to be involved with this community, its only the beginning!   

Recently I was interviewed by Courtney Brame, Host of the podcast Something Positive for Positive People and is a member of HANDS! I want you to get to know Courtney first hand on the awesome work and perspectives he offers to everyone. He is very inspiring and know you will understand why once you listen.   

Here are a few snippets of his interview with me, enjoy!

Follow his podcast here: https://somethingpositiveforpositivepeople.podbean.com/

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

October 13th was Herpes Awareness Day! Wanted to share moments of reflection and gratitude towards people who have been huge supporters of the Herp A Derp Podcast community. Being able to share our stories is hard but also a super important towards acceptance in ourselves and society.  

This episode holds the special announcement for being apart of the Herpes Activists Networking to Dismantle Stigma (HANDS) community and being a guest on Something Positive for Positive People with Courtney Brame.   

As always, when you are ready you are more than welcome to email [email protected] or comment on the podcast episode on your thoughts on the show. Having reviews will help tremendously. Especially before the new 2019 digital remastering. Everyone may not be the same ole story, but we are all in this together. Can't wait to see what you have shared.

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

Welcome my first Herp A Derp moments guest, Kate! She currently lives in North Carolina. She works in a locate community group and enjoy video editing. Kate is one of my really good friends who helped inspire me to create Herp A Derp. Listen in to hear her Herp A Derp moment.   

Definition: A Herp A Derp moment is an expression when someone has come across hiccups in life we may not understand but learn to rise above. (ex. Herpes is the Herp A Derp moment in my life!)  

Enjoy!

Herp A Derp. A podcast about breaking the stigma on herpes and empowering the community. I'm your host, Erin Devost  

*As always, you can review my episodes on YouTube or find link to the channel on the podcast Instagram page @herpaderppodcast Thanks!  

Hey Herp A Derpers!    

Welcome my first guest on Herp A Derp, Jess Janus! She is a graduate student studying psychology. Jess recently took a course on sex and sexuality. We will be diving into the understanding of how herpes affects us, if herpes is a common topic in therapy and our opinions on having a sex talk.   

Enjoy!

Hey Herp A Derpers! 

September also brings the end of summer feels. Today’s episode will be a great reflection of it! I attended pride parade on my work’s float. What a BLAST! I got to chat with a few peeps from the LGBTQ community to ask about their experiences. Can’t wait to share with you clips on my day, experiences, support and love all around. End of summer also marks discovering my diagnosis those years ago. Which also makes myself always ask the same question, why is there no cure?   

I understand its not fair to ask ourselves this question because we all have an understanding of why there isn’t a cure. We find ourselves concluding to the scientific conclusion/evaluation or the mental breakdown revolving a healing the emotional impact it took on us. The tool of knowing there is no cure for the racing side effects of emotion. It’s a herpes simplex virus - complex, uncomfortable and inflammatory.   

It’s very personal asking ourselves with herpes to ask this question of why there is no cure. I’ll share my scientific research and mental break down.   

The herpes hypothesis when I was first diagnosed was that viruses always stay inside you but remain dormant with having the chance it could still happen again. Though I as partially right, its not just that. We know herpes is skin on skin contact, it can go undetected in the body’s immune system.   

We know the HSV’s like the birds and the bees.    

HSV-1, also known as oral herpes. It causes cold sores and fever blisters around the mouth and face.  HSV-2, also known as genital herpes. This can cause sores in the genital area or pain during urination.  HSV-1 is contracted through contact such as kissing, eating from the same utensils, and sharing lip balm.  HSV-2 is spread through sexual contact.  Once the virus is in a person’s system, it stays there for life. 

One day there will be a cure. But what’s important to do right now is to take care of ourselves, our bodies and not change who we are because of this. We are thriving with herpes for a lifetime. Two thirds of us around the world have it. Something will be said.  

Feel free to share your thoughts with my and you interpretations of why there is no cure at [email protected]. Everyone may not be the same ole story, but we are all in this together . Can't wait to see what you have shared.

Diving into this week’s episode, it’s all about willpower. Willpower ties into having the strength from within each and every one of us. Willpower wants us to control or restrain from impulses. We rely on willpower to create change in our lives...but what if we're thinking about it all wrong.  This past week, I listened to Willpower Doesn't Work by Benjamin Hardy (link in the bio) He explains that willpower is nothing more than a dangerous fad-one that is bound to lead to failure. That if we really want to change, we have to change our environment and alter our surroundings to support your goals.   

The world around us is fast-paced, confusing, and full of distractions. It's easy to lose focus on what you want to achieve, and your willpower won't last long if your environment is in conflict with your goals-eventually, the environment will win out.  

Now, you are probably thinking, how the hell does willpower connect with herpes? Simple!   

Like Rafiki in the Lion King, “The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.”  Lessons will always be a consistent in life. The power relies within you!