Something Positive for Positive People

People are able to use the most shameful part of themselves as a source of their power. Shoshanna challenges us to look beyond our herpes diagnosis at what obstacles are in front of us to free ourselves from the shackles of shame.

Shoshanna Raven is an empowerment coach on a mission to break down shame and fear culture so that we can end the loneliness epidemic and clear the clutter preventing us from taking courageous leaps of faith. Her podcast, 'Living Brave', retreats and signature programs were created to help to end stigma and reclaim the power it takes from us. Shoshanna speaks openly about her herpes status and encourages others to use their vulnerability as a superpower.

Connect with Shoshanna:

Instagram - @shoshanna_raven

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/livingbravecommunity/

www.facebook.com/hello.shoshanna.raven

Two years in the making, we finally get blessed with the presence of Laureen HD! Her YouTube channel was one of the first resources I found after my herpes diagnosis. After reaching out, she was mid-move out of the country so there was a slight delay.

I just hit record because I knew if I didn't, I'd have regretted missing out on all that awesomeness we had in here about silence and our discomfort with it as a society.

Laureen and I exchange dating stories around the idea that it's easy to assume that because we do this work, that potential partners already know we have herpes and they've done their research on us prior to leading us on.

We discuss rejection and the alternatives to a person turning us down when we think it's for our herpes diagnosis. Turns out, it could be a number of reasons and we discuss some examples and get into the fact that people just have preferences..

We talk about why Laureen decided to begin her channel and decide to be open about her diagnosis and her initial non-disclosure that encouraged her to do so.

We also get into how Laureen stays consistent having run her channel for 4 years now and then we talk about some feedback she's gotten being open.

Some major takeaways are that when it comes to publicly disclosing, we may seek a sense of liberation, but that comes from feeling empowered to inform ourselves in the first place. Prior to making the decision, it's important to assess your surroundings and decide if that's something for you. Consent and disclosure going hand in hand, all sex educators aren't freaks and last but not least, obsession with truth as a motivator for consistency.

You can connect with Laureen by visiting her YouTube Channel: Laureen HD - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vsS87934_IfCbRThqL7sA

Instagram: @LaureenHD

Save 20% off your first at home STI test kit from LetsGetChecked when you visit www.TryLgc.com/spfpp and please don't forget that spfpp there.

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If you're on the fence about publicly disclosing your herpes status online take a listen to this one. Our guest shares her own experiences with not needing to for that sense of liberation people assume comes with it. It's often assumed there will be a sense of rejection by default. When we disclose, there's three potential responses; me too, no thanks, or tell me how we can be safe moving forward.

There's power in having a great support system. If that isn't available to you then self-reflection via journaling. Our guest shares her decision to open up about her own diagnosis publicly. A herpes diagnosis carries an energetic weight that often gets heavier the longer we're unaware of it. How we choose to address it often is contingent on how the first person receives our disclosure. It takes a strong person to move that weight. If you're breathing, you can handle it, just like our guest.

Quick reminder that this podcast serves as primarily an experience based hub of resources supporting those navigating stigma. Our guest is a New York based health care worker who is positive for HSV and yesterday tested positive for COVID-19. We discuss precautions taken in the healthcare field, the responses to her COVID diagnosis and similarities to her herpes diagnosis. We will revisit our guest once she's back at work with your questions for her. Please email questions for her to answer or have answered by a credible source in relation to HSV and COVID-19 by emailing me at [email protected] and we will have answers for you on part 2.

With so much passion coming from the up and coming generations to remove shame. Coming out of an abusive relationship and ducking a stalker all in one, our guest shares what drove them to wanting to be a resource to help those with HSV.

What celebrities have herpes? What happens when someone tries to publicly out you on social media? Why do we forget to ask potential partners about their STI status after offering ours? How can someone 'out' your status by mistake?

This and more with our guest here.

Connecting with a piece of my purpose

Give the space to feel how you feel

Sex with saran wrap

Herpes as an invitation to go deeper

Wherever we are is where we are

Polyamory was like the new herpes for me

Always come back to yourself

Expecting rejection

Disclosing via texts

The beauty of the talk in nonmonogamous communities

These are just a few of the major breakthrough conversation topics and quotes that came up for our discussion. I am excited about discussing herpes with someone who is polyamorous and gives us insight to exploring an abundance of relationships despite the limitations often placed on us after our diagnosis. We also have to give our partners what they need in order to feel safe.

We have the hosts of the "Just Keep Swinging" Podcast on to share with us their experience navigating the stigma of being swingers. Married for more than 30 years, they talk about opening up their marriage. Check out their podcast, episode 7 where they talk about having contracted an STI early on in their swinging experience. Link in the show notes. You can have your faith and the kind of relationships you choose.

Closing out the inside look of my process of doing "the work" on myself, I give you what I learned over my week off my HOnMyChest social media, an inside look at what my dating life has been and then the conclusion to it all, followed up by a discovery I made as a result of talking through everything you hear here. To top it all off, I share the best piece of advice I ever received which is to just know when to shut the f*** up. If nothing else is taken from this episode, I say keep in mind to hold intention over expectation at heart. My healing process is ongoing, as yours should be. Replace any of my experiences with what you are facing and maybe it'll be a template for you to fill in blanks.