Steven Anthopoulos is the director and writer of “Voice Activated,” a short film that has won 11 awards, a Tribeca selected film, and is eligible for an Academy Award.

Steven talks about how he got the idea for his film, which revolves around a florist with a stutter interacting with a voice-activated car, and how filmmaking has helped him accept his stutter and face it head on.

Watch Voice Activated, Steven's award-winning film

Buy Tickets for Proud Stutter's Community Comedy Night ft. Nina G

Where: Peacock Lounge/San Francisco

When: Thursday, December 7, doors open at 6:30pm

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

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Julian Benabides is Proud Stutter’s special guest, and he just happens to be Maya’s neighbor.

Julian talks about his experience stuttering in foreign countries and what it’s been like collaborating on Proud Stutter’s comic book called "My Stutter: Life of Verbal Turbulence."

Maya and Julian also talk about their experience door knocking in their neighborhood to spread the word about Proud Stutter’s annual gala.

Buy Tickets for Proud Stutter's Community Comedy Night ft. Nina G

Where: Peacock Lounge/San Francisco

When: Thursday, December 7, doors open at 6:30pm

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

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

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

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

Steven Tallas might stutter in the human world, but in the dog world, he is completely fluent.

Maya speaks with Steven about his journey to becoming a professional dog trainer and how he never let his stutter get in the way of his dreams.

Jay Feinstein, the co-host for this episode, is a Senior Podcast Producer for WBUR, Boston's public radio station.

Learn more about Steven and his dog training practice

Donate to Fund The Future of Stuttering Campaign to help de-stigmatize stuttering

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

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Kai Caragenis is a father of a young girl. In this bonus episode of Proud Stutter, he shares his feelings around being adequate enough to be a father, how the King’s Speech changed his relationship with his stutter, and how breathing techniques helped his speech.

Host & Producer: Maya Chupkov

Save the date (12/7/2023) for Proud Stutter’s 1st Annual Gala + Community Comedy Event in San Francisco

Support Proud Stutter’s Mini Series Crowdfunding Campaign 

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Maya is back to answer your questions ranging from TV shows, public speaking tips, navigating her stutter, and more. 

Host & Producer: Maya Chupkov

Editor: Quinn Greenhaus

 

Save the date (12/6/2023) for Proud Stutter’s 1st Annual Gala + Community Comedy Event in San Francisco

Support Proud Stutter by becoming a recurring donor via Flipcause

Vote for Proud Stutter to win a Signal Award for ‘Most Inspirational Podcast’

Listen to Maya talk about Star Wars on Trash Compactor

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Jay Jordan and Jesse Vasquez are back on the pod this week. Jay talks about how his identity as a person who stutters intersects with his criminal record identity. Jesse and Jay both share a passion for de-stigmatizing the narrative surrounding people who are incarcerated and those that have come out of prison.

You can listen to Part 1 of this episode here.

Host: Maya Chupkov

Guest Co-Host: Jesse Vasquez

Guest: Jay Jordan

Sound Designer: Leo Maymind

Support Proud Stutter by making a tax-deductible donation here.

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Jay Jordan, a person who stutters, has devoted his life after incarceration to challenging the stigma surrounding criminal records. For the first time ever, Jay opens up publicly about what it was like serving seven-years in prison with a stutter. He talks about a life changing experience that led him to coming to terms with his stutter and his purpose. 

Post-incarceration, Jay faced rejection when it came to jobs and getting an apartment. But Jay developed a high level of resilience with having a debilitating stuttering as a child. Since then, he has learned to lean into his stutter, now leading one of the largest advocacy organizations in the country where he speaks publicly on a daily basis. 

Jesse Vasquez is guest co-host. He leads Friends of San Quentin News and provides a platform for incarcerated individuals to share their stories and be heard. By elevating these voices, Jesse hopes to draw attention to the issues within the criminal justice system and work towards meaningful reform.

Both Jay and Jesse's personal experiences with incarceration have shaped their dedication to transforming the criminal justice system. They understand the impact that the system can have on individuals and their families, and they use their platforms to advocate for change and support those affected. Their work very much reflects what Proud Stutter is trying to do with the stuttering community: addressing the stigma and striving for a more equitable and just world.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Jay on the Problem with Jon Stewart
• Alliance for Safety & Justice
• Friends of San Quentin News

Host: Maya Chupkov

Guest Co-Host: Jesse Vasquez

Guest: Jay Jordan

Sound Designer: Leo Maymind

Support Proud Stutter by making a tax-deductible donation here.

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For this special bonus episode of Proud Stutter, Maya is rebroadcasting an episode from the Beyond Awareness podcast.

Host Diana Pastora Carson interviews Maya and they talk about the intersections between inclusive education and supporting people who stutter in and outside the classroom.

In this episode:

• Diana's TedTalk, "Walking with Joaquin," chronicles her family's journey to bring home her brother after living in an institution for 15 years.
• Proud Stutter's Virtual Art Gallery
• Beyond Awareness Podcast

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Blaise Ventura, a 20-year-old person who stutters, joins Maya to talk about blocking, his journey towards self-improvement, dating, and how FOMO can play into anxiety.

Blocking is a form of stuttering that is extremely misunderstood and Blaise offers a unique perspective around his acceptance of his stutter that many people, especially young people, may find relatable.

He also discusses his participation in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to change his thought patterns and reduce anxiety related to his stutter.

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Using fashion as a form of self expression is one of the main topics in part 2 of Maya’s interview with Mia and Lila.

Mia talks about how stuttering intersects with her multiple identities, such as being Chinese, an adoptee, and a college student. She emphasizes the importance of community support, including her family and friends, in helping her embrace her stutter and advocate for others.

Other topics include advocating for disabilities, the power of sharing personal stories, and the power of fashion being a vehicle for social change. Mia highlights the need for inclusivity and accessibility in the fashion industry and how fashion designers can contribute to solving these challenges.

Mentioned in the Show

Mumble Melody Stuttering Research Study

Find Maya on IG: @Mayachupkov

Twitter: @Proudstutter

YouTube: @Proudstutter

LinkedIn: Proud-stutter

Facebook: @Proudstutter

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