Stutter Chats Podcast

In honor of Stuttering Awareness Week, UFC fighter Curtis Blaydes steps into the ring, not just to talk MMA, but to open up about his lifelong journey with stuttering. From discovering his speech impediment in school to finding identity, strength, and confidence through wrestling and MMA, Curtis shares how he’s learned to own his stutter both inside and outside the octagon. He reflects on the power of mindset, the support of family, and why embracing challenges can shape us into champions. Whether you're a person who stutters, a sports fan, or someone chasing confidence, this episode hits hard with heart, advice, and inspiration.

Chapters00:00 Introduction to Curtis Blades

03:00 Curtis's Journey with Stuttering

06:02 The Impact of Stuttering on Identity

08:57 Embracing Stuttering in Sports

12:04 Building Confidence Through Sports

14:57 Advice for Those Who Stutter

17:59 Conclusion and Future Endeavors

In this powerful episode of Inside the Mind of an SLP, we sit down with Jack Henderson — a speech-language pathologist who stutters — to talk about how his personal experience shapes his work, his unique Shakespeare & Stuttering program, and what it truly means to communicate with confidence.Jack opens up about growing up with a stutter, how the arts (especially improv and theater) helped him embrace his voice, and how he now empowers others through his private practice, Henderson Stuttering Therapy.Whether you're a person who stutters, an aspiring SLP, or someone curious about the intersection of communication and identity, this episode is for you.Chapters

🎭 Learn more about Jack: https://hendersonstutteringtherapy.com📣

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In this powerful episode of Inside the Mind of an SLP, we sit down with Ana Hernandez, a speech-language pathologist specializing in adult stuttering. Ana opens up about her personal journey into speech therapy, her experience recovering from a brain tumor, and how it shaped her approach to communication and support.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Stuttering and Its Impact04:23 Anna's Journey into Stuttering Therapy07:07 The Influence of Personal Experience on Therapy10:03 Creating Community: Green Social and Support Groups13:09 Common Misunderstandings About Stuttering16:07 The Gender Disparity in Stuttering19:10 Strategies for Effective Communication22:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts26:01 Redefining Success in Communication29:14 Quality of Life Over Fluency31:41 Shifting Research Focus in Stuttering34:44 Understanding Stuttering in Society38:25 Practical Techniques for Real-Life Situations43:46 Listening to the Voices of People Who Stutter🎧 Watch, listen, and let’s break the stigma—together.Follow Ana Hernandez: @AdultStuttering https://www.adultstuttering.com/https://www.adultstuttering.com/green-social

In this powerful and uplifting episode of Stutter Chats, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith shares her transformative journey from being a covert stutterer to becoming an outspoken leader, advocate, and educator. She opens up about navigating the classroom as a teacher who stutters, the importance of mental health, and how embracing her voice allowed her to step into her full potential.Dr. Russell-Smith speaks candidly about representation in education, the value of role models—especially for young people who stutter—and how community support changed her life. Her story shines a light on the intersection of stuttering, race, leadership, and empowerment, inspiring others to speak boldly and live authentically.If you've ever felt held back by your voice or identity, this episode is for you.🎧 Tune in for real talk, real courage, and a whole lot of inspiration.📘 Her book is available now on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXCKZSXVChapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Sandra Russell-Smith02:18 Journey from Covert to Overt Stuttering05:44 Teaching and Stuttering: A Personal Experience09:24 Writing a Book: Empowering Others11:51 The Role of Representation in Stuttering15:52 Family Influence and Stuttering20:11 Advice for Young People Who Stutter24:35 Mental Health and Stuttering27:51 The Importance of Community Support

In this heartfelt episode of Stutter Chats, Matthew Perez sits down with interior designer Michelle Ayoub to explore the intersection of stuttering and professional growth. Michelle opens up about her personal journey—how stuttering shaped her path in design, taught her empathy, and deepened her ability to connect with clients. From navigating language barriers to embracing self-acceptance, Michelle shares powerful insights on communication, confidence, and showing up fully in your craft. Whether you stutter or simply value honest conversations about personal development, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Michelle Ayoub01:40 The Impact of Stuttering on Professional Life05:47 Cultural Perspectives on Stuttering09:39 Navigating Client Interactions13:39 Language and Stuttering17:34 Advice for Overcoming Stuttering Challenges

The Stuttering Doctor: A Journey of Resilience | Stutter Chats PodcastIn this episode of Stutter Chats, host Matthew Perez sits down with Dr. Shane McCool, a general practitioner and passionate stuttering advocate from Ireland. Shane shares his inspiring journey of becoming a doctor while navigating the challenges of stuttering.From overcoming self-doubt in medical school to working as a team doctor for a Gaelic football team, Shane opens up about the importance of physical health, confidence-building, and community support in managing stuttering. He also discusses his role in Stutter Connect, an online community empowering people who stutter worldwide.Key Takeaways✅ Stuttering doesn’t define your potential✅ Physical health plays a role in speech management✅ Community support helps build confidence✅ Public speaking and self-acceptance go hand in hand✅ "You may as well go for it!"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Stuttering Advocacy03:05 Shane's Journey to Becoming a Doctor06:53 Overcoming Stuttering in Medical School10:59 The Role of Physical Health in Stuttering14:54 Impact of Stutter Connect Community19:24 Experiences as a Team Doctor23:22 The Importance of Vulnerability28:24 Advice for StutterersFollow Dr. Shane McCool on social Media: Instagram: @StutterConnectWebsite: https://stutter-connect.com/

In this episode of Stutter Chats, Matthew Perez and Brandon Davis sit down with Jorge Bermudez, a senior process analyst at UKG, to discuss stuttering, communication, and personal growth in the corporate world.Jorge shares his journey of navigating workplace challenges, presenting in meetings, and overcoming speech anxiety. He provides insights into how mindset, preparation, and self-acceptance transformed his approach to communication, both remotely and in person.As a parent, Jorge also reflects on how fatherhood has changed his perspective on speech and the importance of recognizing potential speech challenges in children. This episode is packed with valuable advice for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and embrace their unique voice.Topics Covered:Managing stuttering in corporate meetingsThe role of identity in communicationHow mindset impacts fluency and confidenceParenting and speech awarenessStrategies for improving public speaking skillsChapters:00:00 Introduction to Jorge Bermudez01:19 Understanding Jorge's Role in Corporate America03:54 Navigating Meetings and Communication Strategies09:07 Overcoming Stuttering Challenges12:27 Identity and Stuttering: A Personal Journey16:52 The Impact of Work Environment on Communication20:52 Overcoming Stuttering in Presentations25:11 Parenting and Communication Challenges29:59 Family Influence on Stuttering33:48 Advice for Those Who Stutter💬 Favorite Quotes:🗣️ "This is not life-ending."🗣️ "I learned to take my time."🗣️ "Learn to coexist with it."👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on stuttering, communication, and personal growth!📌 Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/StutterChats

In this episode of Stutter Chats, Matthew Perez and Brandon Davis sit down with Kaleb Brown, a passionate advocate for stuttering awareness and leadership. Kaleb shares his personal journey with stuttering, founding the first National Stuttering Association (NSA) chapter in Oklahoma, and how he built a supportive community for others who stutter.

🔹 How can physical activity like running help with stuttering?

🔹 What challenges do people who stutter face in professional environments?

🔹 How can we build more inclusive spaces for self-advocacy and empowerment?

🔥 Key Takeaways:

✅ Kaleb founded Oklahoma’s first NSA chapter

✅ Running provides peace and helps manage stuttering

✅ Self-acceptance and leadership go hand in hand

✅ Building a supportive network boosts confidence

✅ Professional spaces need more stuttering awareness💬

Memorable Quotes:

🗣️ "Running gives me peace and control."

🗣️ "Embrace your voice, even when it's hard."

🗣️ "Don’t compare yourself; just be consistent."

📌 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Stuttering Advocacy

04:52 Personal Journey and Community Impact

09:38 Navigating Professional Environments

14:26 The Role of Physical Activity

19:12 Embracing Identity and Advocacy

24:12 Advice for Aspiring Leaders

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