Please join me in listening to this very emotional, educational and authentic podcast on what it's like to be a person who stutters in the dating world....  and what it's like to date a person who stutters.  Our very own Jack Nolan and his wonderful girlfriend, Arianna Einsig, share their experience in meeting each other, learning about each other and accepting each other for who they are.

Meet Andrew Snedeker, Kavin Rafferty and Conor Quinn, three young adults who stutter who boldly and bravely gave speeches at the recent Stuttering Springboard Fundraiser. Listen as our podcast guests share their approaches to preparing for the speech and getting up the courage to speak to a large audience about their journey.  The fundraiser event  on November 21st was very special in that many of the people who attended learned a lot about stuttering and how to give people who stutter the time and space to communicate. We're over halfway to our goal of raising 50,000 for the Clonakilty Stuttering Leadership Exchange.

This trip is a unique opportunity for young people who stutter (ages 18-35) from the United States to come together and travel to Ireland in August 2025. Our goal is to empower individuals who stutter by enhancing leadership skills, building an international network, and raising awareness to destigmatize stuttering.

Today, October 22, 2024, leaders from Ireland and the United States gathered to recognize the significance of international Stuttering Awareness Day, a day that reminds us of the profound impact stuttering can have on individuals, and families. Stuttering affects millions, transcending borders, cultures, and ages.
Awareness is the first step toward understanding. By observing this day, we foster an environment where conversations about stuttering can flourish, where bullying is not accepted and where verbal differences are tolerated and respected.

To recognize this day, we brought together leaders to discuss the importance of leadership in dismantling the stigma associated with stuttering, accepting people with disorders such as stuttering and giving them the space to share their voice. We were pleased to have Bertie Ahern, the former Irish Prime Minister from Ireland, lead this discussion. Joining Brian and Bertie for this conversation were, Jamie Googan, Michael Sheehan, Michael O’Shea, Derry Canti and musician Maive Walsh.

Enjoy the program!

Jason Heffler is a musician and author whose stories help young readers overcome speech disorders and fears around speaking. Drawing from his own childhood experiences growing up with a stutter, he writes uplifting tales that build confidence in kids who lack self-esteem.

As a child, Heffler was cruelly bullied for his stutter, knocking his self-acceptance, but he eventually decided to "own" it rather than be defined by it. This hard-won self-love became the driving inspiration behind his writing career. By day he is a DJ (Fluencee) and leads the operations of EDM.com, the world's leading electronic dance music site, as its Managing Editor.

Meet Greg Beasley, a chiropractor for 31 years and a person who stutters. Greg attended Central Michigan University for his undergraduate studies and Palmer College of Chiropractic for his postgraduate studies. He’s owned and run four successful chiropractic clinics in Michigan and Washington. Within his practice, he makes a point to encourage people of all ages to not let social constructs limit their desires. Greg shares his story of grit and determination and the importance of not letting society tell you who you are and what you can be. Take a listen as Greg and Brian’s energy and passion for shedding the shame and stigma associated with stuttering resonates throughout the podcast. 

Brandon, a lifelong person who stutters, is an American politician serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 25th district. Elected in November 2018, he assumed office on December 1, 2018, succeeding his father, Joseph Markosek.
Brandon has introduced House Bill 2268, which requires insurance companies to provide speech therapy services to children ages 2- 6, a critical time for a young person who stutters.  The bill has passed the House and is now being considered in the Senate.
Take a listen as Brandon shares his journey as a person who stutters, including getting the courage to run for office, and explains the impact of House Bill 2268.  Thanks for what you do Brandon!

Many of us who stutter feel like speech and language pathologists (SLPs) have been poorly equipped to treat people who stutter.  In fact, many of them shy away from it because of the lack of training they received on stuttering therapy, and because of the emotional and psychological components that need to be addressed to make a difference. In this podcast Kim Sabourin shares how she is helping to shape the SLPs of the future by designing classes that address all aspects of stuttering, including trauma informed care.  An SLP must understand where stuttering is in a kids’ life and the emotional toll it has taken on them. This is a very individualized approach.  Kim also explores educating and involving parents in stuttering therapy.  Kim is a Board-Certified Stuttering Specialist.

She is the Founding Program Director of the Master's in Speech Language Pathology program at Saint Elizabeth University in Morristown, New Jersey, including curriculum development, faculty recruitment and management, and student recruitment.  Prior to St Elizabeth's, Kim spent 17 years as a Speech Language Pathologist and Clinical Instructor at Temple University in Philadelphia. Enjoy the listen.

Brian's Key takeaways from the first 38 episodes

Meet Kevin Rafferty, a wealth advisor and special needs financial planner.

Kevin is dedicated to providing customized wealth management services and holistic financial planning to a diverse group of clients at GVA Wealth Management.  Kevin is also a person who stutters. In this insightful and in-depth podcast, Brian and Kevin dig deep into Kevin’s journey to become a rising young professional and the impact stuttering has had and still has on his life. They also peel back Kevin’s recent best man speech for his brother. A best man speech is daunting enough when you don’t stutter, now imagine doing it with a stutter!  Take a listen as Kevin shares his preparation and mindset for the event.  

Kevin’s message to his former self: speak up when you want to, it may feel safe in the moment not to, but in the long run, you’ll benefit from speaking your mind.

Prior to joining GVA, Kevin was a Financial Planner at a prominent financial advisory firm in Conshohocken, PA, where he specialized in wealth management, retirement income strategies, business succession, and special needs planning.

He received a B.S. in Finance from Temple University. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys golfing, coaching baseball and traveling. Kevin lives with his wife, Kelly, in Havertown, Pennsylvania.