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 Proud Stutter’s Annual Gala on October 9 in San Francisco

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Big thanks to Proud Stutter'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's impact campaign for its film project at proudstutter.org/impact

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 https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

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This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Louise Escher, a language teacher, violinist, and 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 Proud Stutter’s Annual Gala on October 9 in San Francisco

🎧 Listen to Louise’s podcast Did They Stutter?

🎬 Watch the trailer for Le Panache, the French film featuring a teen actor who stutters

🖋 Learn about Connor Foran’s Dysfluent Typeface and design work

🎥 Explore Stutterbug, an upcoming short film by comedian Aiden Greene

🐾 Revisit Arctic Blue, the documentary exploring stuttering through Arctic nature

📬 Want to be a guest on Did They Stutter? or talk media representation? Contact Louise at [email protected] 

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Big thanks to Proud Stutter'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's impact campaign for its film project at proudstutter.org/impact

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 https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Proud Stutter, Maya is joined by Ismaele Tortella, a filmmaker and cinematographer based in the Norwegian Arctic whose upcoming documentary Arctic Blue explores his personal relationship with stuttering through nature and silence. In this powerful 100th episode, Ismaele and Maya talk about using art to process shame, navigating everyday challenges as covert stutterers, and how speaking openly about stuttering can lighten the emotional weight it carries. They reflect on vulnerability, resilience, and why the act of storytelling itself can be transformational—for the teller and the community.

In this episode

Get early bird tickets for Proud Stutter's Annual Gala on October 9

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Big thanks to Proud Stutter'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's impact campaign for its film project at proudstutter.org/impact

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 https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maya, Caitlin, and Elliot recap the thrilling finale of Survivor Season 48, celebrating Mitch's incredible journey and the great representation of the stuttering community. They discuss the season's most memorable moments, strategic plays, and emotional highlights, including Kyle and Camilla's secret alliance, Mitch's social game, and Eva's perseverance. They also reflect on the portrayal of stuttering in the show and its impact on the stuttering community.

In this episode

Get early bird tickets for Proud Stutter's Annual Gala on October 9

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Big thanks to Proud Stutter'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's impact campaign for its film project at proudstutter.org/impact

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 https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Andrew Flint is a 16-year old and a person who stutters. Andrew's powerful essay in The Washington Post sparked conversation in his school, family, and beyond. In this episode, he shares what it was like to write and publish such a personal story—and how it’s helped others around him understand stuttering more deeply. We talk about misconceptions, daily challenges, and how good it feels to speak your truth.

You can read Andrew's personal essay here.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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This episode is Part 2 of our series “What We Can Learn from the Rare Disease Community.” Last week, we heard from Bobby Glen about navigating the healthcare system as a parent of a child with HNRNPH2. Today, his wife Nicole—who is also a pediatrician—joins us to share how raising a child with a rare disease has shaped the way she practices medicine, approaches patient advocacy, and supports families navigating speech and communication challenges.

Event Alerts:

Docs on Stuttering – May 8 (Use "PROUD25" at checkout for a free ticket)

Docs on Disability – May 15, featuring Marlee Matlin’s Sundance-premiered documentary

Philly Proud Stutter Gathering – May 19

Save The Date: Proud Stutter Annual Gala in San Francisco – October 9 (listeners get 50% off tickets!)

And yes, Survivor fans—our recap will be back to cover the season finale, which airs on May 21, 2025! Go Mitch!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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Bobby Glen shares his family's journey, from getting a diagnosis to participating in a clinical trial, and the importance of early screening and community support.

This is Part 1 of a two-part series about raising a child with HNRNPH2, a rare disease that affects speech and motor skills.

Part 2 will feature his wife, Nicole, who reflects on how this experience has shaped her work as a pediatrician and her views on patient advocacy and communication differences like stuttering.

If you'd like to reach out to Bobby, you can email him at [email protected].

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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Maya, Caitlin, and Elliot are back to discuss stuttering on Survivor Season 48, Episode 8, and the latest twists and turns in the episode. From alliances and drama to strategic plays and surprise advantages, they break down all the key moments you won't want to miss.

In this episode

Register for Proud Stutter's Stuttering Awareness Week event on May 8

Use promo code PROUD25 at checkout for a free ticket.

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Big thanks to Proud Stutter'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's impact campaign for its film project at proudstutter.org/impact

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 https://bit.ly/3xLezBk. 

Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.

Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maya is back with Caitlin Dietz and Eliot Goldstein to talk about Episodes 6 and 7 of Survivor Season 48. Highlights include discussions about Mitch, a contestant on the show who stutters, his social game and personal story, as well as strategic plays and alliances forming among the castaways.

In the episode

Save the date for Proud Stutter's Stuttering Awareness Week event happening in San Rafael, CA on May 8. Details will be released soon!

Check out the recap of Proud Stutter's latest event in Chicago in the Daily Northwestern.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Maya is joined again by friends Caitlin Dietz, her childhood friend, and Eliot Goldstein, friend and person who stutters to talk about stuttering on the current season of Survivor!

Check out our feed for a recap of Episode 3!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content

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