TranscendingX - Raw Conversations and Practical Tips to Break Through Stuttering, Communication Fears, and Become Who You Truly Are

In this deeply moving episode, Uri Schneider reunites with former client Naomi Zauderer, now a clinical social worker in Tel Aviv. Naomi shares her journey from being a confident, outgoing child to experiencing the "rock bottom" of her stuttering in middle school, and ultimately transforming into a therapist who helps others process and heal.

Naomi reveals how drawing cartoons externalized her overwhelming experiences, making them tangible and even humorous. She recalls the pivotal moment of her bat mitzvah speech and how finding her father's supportive gaze gave her the courage to continue despite her stutter. Their conversation highlights the powerful "Daddy Naomi Radio" ritual that created a special bonding space between father and daughter.

The turning point came in ninth grade when Naomi discovered that by shifting focus away from stuttering and celebrating moments of fluency, she experienced dramatic improvement. This revelation about the power of perspective became the foundation for her professional path in therapy.

This episode offers profound insights for anyone facing challenges: look beyond the problem to see solutions, recognize that you are more than your struggles, and understand that adversity can unlock special knowledge that becomes your greatest asset. For parents and educators, Naomi emphasizes the importance of focusing on what children say rather than how they say it, and protecting the innate self-confidence children are born with

A must-listen for anyone interested in personal transformation, the psychology of communication, and the journey from getting help to giving help.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Introduction of Naomi Zauderer and her current role

00:01:54 - Naomi describes her "rock bottom" with stuttering in middle school

00:03:23 - Naomi's personality as a young child before stuttering became an issue

00:05:16 - Formative experiences in school and avoidance strategies

00:08:00 - The stuttering iceberg metaphor explained

00:10:00 - How drawing cartoons helped externalize overwhelming experiences

00:15:26 - Naomi's bat mitzvah speech experience and intense anxiety

00:20:00 - Finding Uri in the audience and gaining courage to continue

00:23:13 - The "Daddy Naomi Radio" show as a bonding experience

00:27:12 - The turning point in ninth grade with social and academic pressures

00:28:05 - Stuttering as a scapegoat for other challenges

00:30:08 - How focusing less on stuttering led to more fluency

00:40:11 - The pizza analogy: reducing the proportion of stuttering in identity

00:42:00 - Patch Adams story: looking beyond the problem to see solutions

00:47:48 - The "secret knowledge" gained through adversity

00:50:21 - Naomi's journey to becoming a therapist

00:51:53 - Addressing underlying shame and beliefs beyond fluency

00:54:34 - What Naomi would tell her younger self: "You're so much more than your stuttering"

00:55:57 - Advice for parents, teachers, and employers: focus on content, not delivery

00:57:10 - Closing reflections on protecting children's innate self-confidence

ABOUT THE HOST

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

SEE ALL SHOW NOTES

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

LEARN MORE Visit http://www.transcendingx.com or http://www.schneiderspeech.com

Dr. Per Alm is a researcher and lecturer in neuroscience and psychology, from Sweden, affiliated with Uppsala University, Sweden. He is also a person who stutters. His research has been focused on understanding stuttering, its causes and its mechanisms. A main strategy in this work has been to try to link information from different aspects of stuttering, from its basic causes to what happens in the throat and mouth.

EPISODE SUMMARY / TIME STAMPS

00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:13 Dr. Per Alm's personal experience with stuttering. 00:04:47 Dr. Per Alm's personal health history and how it relates to his work. 00:07:20 The polarization of views on stuttering treatment and acceptance. 00:10:35 From mechanical engineering to research in neuroscience and psychology. 00:14:04 The need for understanding and acceptance in stuttering treatment and research. 00:15:18 The importance of person-centered care in stuttering treatment. 00:18:45 The role of temperament in stuttering. 00:23:30 The importance of an integrated approach to stuttering treatment, with both acceptance and speech techniques. 00:26:50 The impact of stress and anxiety on stuttering. 00:29:00 The role of genetics in stuttering. 00:32:15 Discussion on the future of stuttering research and potential breakthroughs. 00:34:43 The role of psychological aspects in understanding stuttering, despite its root biological causes. 00:35:40 Admiration for researchers in the field who also stutter. 00:36:17 Dr. Per Alm cautions over-interpreting psychological aspects as the fundamental cause of stuttering. 00:38:40 Dr. Alm offers his insights on the variability of stuttering and the multifactorial nature of its causes. 00:40:35 The frustrating nature of stuttering as a condition that doesn't "cooperate" or behave predictably. 00:46:11 The role of dopamine and the brain's signaling in stuttering. 00:54:45 The episode concludes with Dr. Alm's message for the world: "Stuttering is about speech movements and not about personality."

QUOTES

"Stuttering is about speech. Not about personality." - Dr. Per Alm

"The brain automatically makes an estimation. What will be the outcome of this? If I say something, what will be the outcome and will it be catastrophic, or will people be happy?" - Dr. Per Alm

"The brain basically has two main systems... one is inward directed and one is outward directed." - Dr. Per Alm

"Stuttering is the central problem of moving the speech, articulators or larynx, in the right way." - Dr. Per Alm

ABOUT THE HOST

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Apple: http://bit.ly/transcending-stuttering

Google: https://bit.ly/transcending-stuttering-google

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3tuVTPi

Youtube: https://bit.ly/transcending-youtube

SEE ALL SHOW NOTES

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

LEARN MORE Visit http://www.transcendingx.com or http://www.schneiderspeech.com

John Hendrickson is a senior editor at The Atlantic and the author of Life on Delay. He previously wrote and edited for Rolling Stone, Esquire, and The Denver Post. His Atlantic feature "What Joe Biden Can't Bring Himself to Say" was named one of the best stories of 2019 by Longform. He lives in New York City with his wife.

EPISODE SUMMARY / TIME STAMPS 0:00 - 3:30 Intro 3:30 - 11:04 Interview on MSNBC 11:04 - 17:37 Finding comfortable spaces 'The Little Room' 17:37 - 23:05 Debunking the golden rule of measuring success in speech 23:05 - 29:50 Finding respite and liberation in music\ 29:50- 32-12 How you describe yourself matters 32:12 - 36:21 Allow yourself to dream 36:21 - 41:12 The power of Longevity and consistency 41:12 - 45:56 Words that describe John 45:56 - 50:09 Discovering new things/milestones in John's life 50:09 - 54:19 John's wife, Liz, and her impact on his stuttering journey 54:19 - 1:00:19 Main takeaway of 'Life on Delay' 1:00:19 - 1:04:55 What John would say to his 12 year old self 1:04:55 - 1:06:38 Avoiding uncomfortable conversations is not the better choice 1:06:38 - 1:10:35 A message for the world to hear 'Give up on perfection'. 1:10:35 - 1:12:03 Outro

ABOUT THE HOST

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Apple: http://bit.ly/transcending-stuttering

Google: https://bit.ly/transcending-stuttering-google

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3tuVTPi

Youtube: https://bit.ly/transcending-youtube

SEE ALL SHOW NOTES

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

LEARN MORE Visit http://www.transcendingx.com or http://www.schneiderspeech.com

Greg is a person who stutters, sales professional in financial services, and former college athlete. When he is not working he enjoys training for ultrarunning and triathlon, doing outdoor activities and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, finding a great book to read and coaching lacrosse. Greg has been a person who stutters since he was young and has experiences with speech therapy in his early years and even through his teenage and early adult life. He is grateful for everything stuttering has taught him and uses the lessons learned to deal with adversity, achieve his goals, and fostering a positive mental attitude. He loves staying involved in the stuttering community and works with a couple of non-profits and is active in mentoring.

[00:00:51] - Introduction

[00:01:21] - Greg's morning routine

[00:03:36] - Greg's background and accomplishments

[00:05:04] - Recovery food and drink after a 50k

[00:08:08] - Growing up with stuttering and early memories

[00:14:23] - First time engaging in speech therapy

[00:16:14] - Different types of speech therapy tried

[00:22:12] - Meeting Uri for the first time

[00:23:48] - Greg's experience attending his first Transcending Stuttering workshop

[00:25:49] - Learning to embrace his stutter and how it's helped him

[00:28:32] - Greg's advice to those struggling with stuttering

[00:31:14] - The importance of having mentors and community support

[00:33:59] - Greg's experience with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and how it's impacted his stuttering

[00:36:19] - The power of pushing through discomfort and fear

[00:38:47] - Greg's future goals and aspirations

[00:41:38] - Discussing Greg's love of cooking and finding balance in life

[00:44:42] - The role of mindset and positivity in Greg's life

[00:49:46] - The importance of setting goals and staying motivated

[00:52:33] - Greg's experience with ultra-endurance events and training

[00:56:31] - The impact of physical training on mental health

[00:59:47] - The power of community and connection in achieving goals

[01:03:05] - The importance of finding joy in the process, not just the outcome

[01:06:14] - Closing thoughts and gratitude

Best Quote

"You don't have to be fluent to be a great communicator." - Greg Pandise (00:55:35)

ABOUT THE HOST: Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes:

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

Josh is the Head of Global Operations at Levels Health, a software company that helps you see how food affects your health. Josh was previously the New York General Manager of Uber, where over five years, he helped grow Uber's largest and most profitable market from a few dozen rides a week to over 3 million, and incubated a number of product ideas including UberEATS, and UberRUSH. After his time at Uber, Josh spent a few years on the investor side as an active angel investor, managing director at Tusk Ventures, and co-founder of Shine Capital. Now, at Levels, Josh leads several strategic projects, such as membership and launch strategies.

Episode Highlights / Time Stamps

0:00 - 03:31 Intro

03:31 - 06:26 What comes to mind…

06:26 -11:19 Early school experiences

11:19 - 13:29 Childhood discoveries, math and technology

13:29 - 16:47 Dr. Phil and years later with Uri Schneider and Malka Burton @SchneiderSpeech

16:47 - 20:33 When stuttering makes it hard to say your name, or your company name

20:33 -24:18 Pioneering remote asynchronous work

24:18 - 30:41 Levels mission and being a corporate leader who stutters

30:41- 36:37 Dealing with stuttering as an adult

36:32- 44:22 Cutting off the physiological middleman

44:22 - 46:29 "Name it, don't shame it"

46:29 - 54:52 Advocating for others

54:52 -55:27 Feedback loops

55:27- 1:00:24 The Internet and human connection

Best Quote

"At the end of the day, I'm just trying to communicate ideas to other people. I want to be understood." - Josh Mohrer

Additional Quotes

"You don't have to pretend this isn't happening. This is happening. We're having this exchange. You're standing in front of me. I'm about to ask you a question. I'm going to try and you're gonna see me struggling. I'm going to get it out. And you're going to answer it. It's all good." - Josh Mohrer

"We all thrive on feedback. We need to create safe cultures and spaces. If we have enough positive feedback, we can create a safe space for hard feedback too. It can be very well received and very productive. The most unproductive is when no one can say what they really need to say, which is a sort of stuttering. Whether you stutter or not, it is the feeling that you can't say what needs to be said." - Uri Schneider

Resource List

levelshealth.com

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes: See more on our blog

http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog

and

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

Robert O'Brien started stuttering at 8 and struggled with his speech into his adult years, discovering speech therapy, Toastmasters, and eventually acting school in Vancouver BC. At the same time, he was dealing with being gay and hiding his sexuality until finally coming out at 32. His focus throughout was to "fix" himself. After a failed suicide attempt, he was inspired to write a memoir called Just One More Drive: The true story of a stuttering homosexual and his race car to help others deal with issues around mental health and acceptance. His book is on sale globally and he has given various workshops sharing his experiences. He currently resides in Vancouver, BC working as a teacher and co-instructor for "The Unblockables", an improv acting course for people who stutter with Tightrope Theatre. Other written works include The MINI: A Strategic Relaunch of a Dormant Brand (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2016).

Episode Highlights

0:00- 07:28 Intro

07:28 -10:40 "Fear, Exhaustion, Lost."

10:40 - 18:09 Writing O'Briens' memoir

18:09 - 21:34 Feedback on the memoir

21:34 - 27:44 O'Brien's coming out journey

27:44 - 29:01 Dealing with stuttering today

29:01- 37:27 Dealing with Mental health (men)

37:27 - 40:04 Mental Health self-care routine

40:04 - 47:54 'The unblockables' Improv course for people who stutter.

47:54- 49:36 TS Toolbox (resources on stuttering)

49:36- 51:06 Robert's message for the world

51:06 -52:10 Outro

Best Quote

"Get out of the mindset that because I have a stutter, there are certain things that I cannot do well. It's a way of thinking in the moment, it's a way of keeping it real." - Robert O'Brien

RESOURCES

Website: https://justonemoredrive.com

Book: "One More Drive" by Robert O' Brien https://www.amazon.com/Just-Drive-Robert-James-OBrien/dp/1775165949

Book Reviews:

Brett Grubisic (The British Columbia Review)

https://thebcreview.ca/2021/11/16/1287-grubisic-obrien-memoir/?fbclid=IwAR2F8AV1RacxkW46ei-2zlH3iBDyOsVinKe9jxHhI-bW5tTAyQpnkmu7E8I

Paul Blezard ( Lovereading.co.uk) https://www.lovereading.co.uk/book/9781990160028/isbn/Just-One-More-Drive-by-Robert-James-O-Brien.html?fbclid=IwAR268Fn0l8FR5FsWMFTo-la_XDr2BSdbMwNQADnPqxO0y77QnE0B7JPNJxA

Tightrope Theatre - The Unblockables (Improv for people who stutter) https://tightropetheatre.com/improv-for-stuttering

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes: See more on our blog

http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog

and

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

Vince Vawter spent 40 years in the newspaper business until his retirement in 2006 as publisher and president of the Evansville Courier & Press in Evansville, Indiana. Vawter's first novel, Paperboy, published by Random House in 2013, was awarded the coveted Newbery Honor. The book, which deals with a boy who stutters and who must throw his friend's newspaper route, has been published in 16 languages. It has sold more than a quarter-million copies. His second book, Copyboy, was published in 2018 by Capstone Editions. Since his retirement, Vawter has spoken at schools, education conferences and gatherings of PWS in more than 25 states. His books continue to appear on reading lists in schools across the country. He lives in Louisville, Tenn., with his wife of 49 years.

0:00-5:15 Intro

5:15 -13:26 Finding Vince's voice

13:26 -19:21 Navigating public speaking

19:21-24:43 Attempting to not stutter

24:43-26:58 Preparing the 'My Stuttering' Manifesto

26:58-32:08Turning point/changing the narrative

32:08-33:35 Treat people, not problems

33:35-38:52 Stuttering is Overcome, not cured

38:52-44:57 Defining Vince's stutter

44:57-49:26 Defining young Vince's stutter

49:26-52:11 TS Toolbox Resources for Stuttering.

52:11-55:28 "I am glad I stutter" - Vince Vawter

55:28-56:15 Outro

RESOURCE LIST

• Book 'Paper Boy' by Vince Vawter

• Vince Vawter website

• Twitter - @vvawter

• Facebook - Vince Vawter

MORE QUOTES

"I am glad I'm a person who stutters. It makes me who I am. If I were given the choice at five years old I don't want to stutter. At 75 years old, I'm glad I stutter. It made me a stronger person. I'm fine with it." - Vince Vawter

"Stuttering is what we do when we try not to stutter…It's a stutterer's attempt to gain fluency. And in that attempt, they are causing a stutter." - Vince Vawter

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes: See more on our blog

http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog

and

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

Maya is a writer and storyteller whose work is rooted in social justice and narrative shift. As a woman who stutters, she is a stuttering advocate working to shift societal norms around stuttering and the disability community. Maya lives in San Francisco with her sister, fiancé, and doggie.

0:00-05:39 Intro

05:39-10:28 National Stuttering Awareness week and advocacy

17:37- 22:27 Self-acceptance

22:27-25:16 Bullying

25:16- 27:56 Covering speech differences in the classroom

27:56 - 32:51 Mentors in the stuttering community

32:51-37:39 Proud Stutter Podcast's mission.

37:39 - 45:16 Starting 'Proud Stutter'

45:16 - 48:56 Advocating with city resolutions.

48:56 - 52:01 Uri Schneider and the stuttering community.

52:01-53:03 Outro

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes: See more on our blog

http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog

and

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC-SLP the co-director at Schneider Speech (private practice schneiderspeech.com); creator, leader and podcast host at Transcending Stuttering (transcendingx.com); and faculty at the University of California at Riverside School of Medicine. Uri is recognized for passion and impact as a clinician, educator, researcher and innovator. He is proud husband and father (of four), borderline dyslexic, bonafide ADD-creative and a nature-loving runner.

0:00-01:54 intro

01:54 - 05:52 The Future of the Stuttering Community

05:52 - 14:40 Uri Schneider's work

14:40 - 18:11 Lack of Knowledge of Opportunities

18:11 - 20:19 Being Ready at Different Stages of Life

20:19 - 24:57 Uri Schneider's Inspiration

24:57- 33:49 Treat People, Not Problems

33:49 -35:29 2016 Letter on Behalf of the Profession

35:29 - 43:55 Therapy Does Not Work, People Work.

43:55 - 49:16 Therapy Suggestions.

49:16-54:18 Accessibility and Affordability of Therapy

54:18 - 57:38 Transcending Stuttering Podcast

57:38 - 1:04:04 Resources on TS Toolbox

1:04:04- 01:10:11 Podcast Takeaways

01:10:11-01:16:43 Insights on stuttering

01:16:43 - 01:20:09 To Push or To Wait

01:20:09 - 01:21:44 Self-Advocacy

01:21:44 - 01:26:20 Fluency and Giving Back

01:26:20 - 01:31:05 Voice Therapy

01:31:05 - 01:38:15 Reluctancy to Look for Support

01:38:15 - 01:39:38 Artificial Intelligence in Therapy Quotes "I believe the problem is that too often we treat problems. What we need to do is treat people, not problems." -Uri Schneider "Everything that I tell people who stutter, I feel for myself. I try to put myself in the same edge of my comfort zone and a little bit out of my comfort zone, the same way I'm encouraging other people to do so." -Uri Schneider "What are the other aspects of who you are and what are the other attributes, characteristics, accomplishments, and identities that you possess as an individual? You are more than just a stuttered." -Uri Schneider "You deserve to learn skills of self-care, to be able to love yourself, to be able to like yourself, and to feel good in your own skin." -Uri Schneider

Want to learn more?

We help SLPs and people who stutter transcend stuttering.

Learn more http://www.transcendingx.com

#TranscendingStuttering #podcast #slp #stammer #stutter #westutter #stuttering

#stutteringtherapy #stutteringtherapist #istutter #istammer #stutteringawareness #stutteringresources #speechtherapy #speechtherapist #speechies #slp2b #slpbloggers

Ryan has been a sportswriter for over 10 years, predominantly covering hockey and the NHL's Los Angeles Kings for, most recently, HockeyRoyalty.com where he is a co-editor. Ryan has covered such events as the Stanley Cup Final, the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, and has written for publications such as CBC Sports and The Globe & Mail, both based in his home city of Toronto.

0:00-5:12 Announcements

5:13-15:14 Something not included in Ryan's bio

15:14-22:54 Turning point

22:55-26:41 Writing headlines

26:42-28:59 Transcribing stuttering

29:00-38:06 Cerebral palsy, depression and stuttering

38:07-42:46 Ryan's book "All the right words" and writing goals

42:47-48:58 Biggest influence

48:59-56:39 What I would tell my younger self

56:40-57:17 Closing remarks

Ryan's Speeches:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3uoMsZMbjQ&t=1247s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krz-LSEcTGQ&t=261s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvrI7WDMMKI&t=1181s

Ryan's Writing:

https://hockeyroyalty.com/?s=ryan+cowley

https://rinkroyalty.com/author/rcowley/

http://www.calisportsnews.com/author/csnryancowley2016/

Ryan's book:

https://www.amazon.com/All-Right-Words-Sportswriter-Stutters/dp/B09CRLX3TB

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC -SLP is co-founder and leader at Schneider Speech; creator and host of Transcending Stuttering; and faculty at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Episode Notes: See more on our blog

http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog

and

http://www.transcendingx.com/podcast