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

Nina G is a comedian, professional speaker and author of Stutterer Interrupted:The Comedian Who Almost Didn't Happen and Once Upon An Accommodation: A Book About Learning Disabilities. She has been featured in/on everything from NPR's 51%, BBC's Ouch, Psychology Today, Tedx, multiple day time talk shows, Howard (Stern) 100 News and even the Stuttering John Podcast. Nina shares her wit and wisdom with corporations, colleges, libraries, conferences, and community events. Her no nonsense approach to disability awareness and acceptance helps to bring institutions, communities and individuals to deepen their understanding of the disability and bring practical approaches to making a more inclusive society. Nina is currently working on her third book on the history of stand up comedy in the San Francisco Bay Area.

[Time Stamps] 00:00-02:02 - Opening Remarks

02:02-04:05 - Introducing Nina G

04:04-12:34 - Dyslexia detour: personal experiences and practical tips

12:34-14:24 - Nina's journey

14:24-19:06 - Nina on facing adversity

19:06-22:22 - How Nina wishes people would (and would NOT) react when she stutters

22:22-29:42 - Nuance in comedy: who says what and what really matters

29:42-40:43 - Personal reflections on imposter syndrome

40:43-45:12 - The role of SLPs outside the clinic

45:12-55:37 - Nina's book "Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn't Happen"

55:37-57:50 - Nina's Words of Wisdom

57:50-59:54 - Closing Remarks

[Links and resources]

http://librivox.org/

getpocket.com

understood.org

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.

Seth Tichenor is a post-doctoral research associate at Michigan State University in the Developmental Speech Laboratory (PI: Dr. Bridget Walsh). His primary research interests include better understanding and predicting individual differences in the experience of stuttering (stammering), understanding how adverse impact related to the condition develops, and determining how moments of stuttering occur in speech. He practices clinically and is actively involved with various self-help/support and international stuttering organizations. He lives in Lansing, Michigan with his wife (Allison), daughter (Lucy), and puppy (Charlie).

Time Stamps:

1. 00:00-00:57 -Opening Remarks

2. 00:57-02:26 -Introducing Seth Tichenor

3. 02:26-04:45 -Getting to Know More About Seth's Story

4. 04:45-07:16 -The Perspective PWS Can Share to Others

5. 07:17-15:37 -Seth Shares the Experience as an SLP who Stutters

6. 15:37-21:22 -What Makes an Effective SLP for PWS

7. 21:22-23:27 -Seth Speaks on Goals for Stuttering Research

8. 23:27-25:56 -Seth Speaks on His OWN Research

9. 25:56-30:21 -Seth Dives into Variability of Stuttering

10. 30:21-34:26 -Variability within One Individual PWS

11. 34:26-35:41 -Seth Speaks on the Role of Anxiety in Stuttering

12. 35:41-38:57 -Uri Shares an Incredible Story of a PWS in Relation to Anxiety

13. 38:57-46:41 -The Trajectory of PWS

14. 46:41-48:43 -Correction versus Support in Speech Therapy

15. 48:43-50:06 -Closing Remarks

Links and Resources:

sethtichenor.com

Host Bio:

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.

A special episode with Michael Sugarman and international guests: Anita Blom 🇸🇪, Stephen Greene 🇮🇪, Farah Al Qaissieh 🇦🇪

Michael Sugarman has been an activist in the stuttering and disability communities since the 1970's. He was co-founder and former Executive Director of the National Stuttering Project and former chair of International Stuttering Association. Michael wrote for academic journals and promoted people first language and stuttering awareness in "It's Ok to Stutter" (Journal of Fluency Disorders) and the Perniciousness of Labels (Transactional Analysis Journal). As a medical social worker, he recently updated his children's book, The Adventures of Phil and Dotty. Michael currently co-facilitates a peer support group, and is co-writing an article on peer and professional facilitation of support groups, emphasizing mindfulness communication, self care skills and resilience.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00-4:53 -Opening Remarks

4:53-7:06 -Introducing Anita Blom

7:06-10:41 -Anita's Response to Uri's Question: How is mindfulness or mental health meaningful to you in your personal journey or in the context of, your country, community, or the stuttering community in your country?

10:41-11:19 -Introducing Stephen Green

11:19-14:11 -Stephen's Response to Uri's Question

14:11-15:42 -Introducing Farah Al Qaissieh

15:42-19:01 -Farah's Response to Uri's Question

19:01-20:41 -Introducing Michael

20:41-28:48 -Michael's Journey with Stuttering and his Career Path

28:48-36:34 -Michael Explains Transformation Model

36:34-38:29 -Group Discussion on Meaning of "Change"

38:29-42:37 -Michael's Thoughts on Mental Health and Meditation App "Shine"

42:37-43:33 -Laughing Yoga Demonstration

43:33-44:10 -Discussing Self Care

44:10-48:53 -Michael Leads a Meditation Exercise

48:53-55:49 -Group Reflection on Meditation Exercise Experiences

55:49-01:01:19 -Uri and Michael Share Thoughts on Meditation and Mind & Body Process

01:01:19-01:09:17 -Closing Remarks

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 more about this episode here http://www.schneiderspeech.com/ourblog Interested in more about how to Transcend Stuttering? Enjoy practical tips. Explore useful insights. http://www.schneiderspeech.com/tsa

As the COO of Partners in Torah (a nonprofit ed-tech platform), Moe is spearheading a digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and global expansion. Previously, he was the Founder & CEO at Winfluencers, the Head of BizDev for Hometalk, Strategy Consultant for Deloitte, and Regional Director for the Lauder Foundation. He holds an MBA and Rabbinical Ordination, and published his first book, The Gift of Stuttering (Mosaica Press, 2016). He also teaches Daf Yomi (daily Talmud class), produces inspirational videos, and gives lectures to audiences worldwide. Moe lives in Israel with his wife and children.

Timestamps:

0:00-6:00: Opening Remarks

6:00-10:00 Journey of Life

10:00- 20:00- Writing his book, from an actor to writer, namesake (Moses), stuttering class, faith and stuttering shift

20:00- 27:00- embracing diversity, becoming a better presenter and person who stutters, taking a leap of faith

27:00-42:00- Transcending Stuttering and what it means to Moe, trust in faith, challenges in life growing up with a stutter, advice for those who stutter, putting on a "show" and creating an open conversation

42:00-57:13- Closing Remarks Resources and Links:

RESOURCES & LINKS

The Gift of Stuttering

Podcast

HOST BIO

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

LEARN MORE: https://www.schneiderspeech.com/tsa

Phil Schneider, Ed.D. CCC-SLP is the founding partner of Schneider Speech Pathology. Recognized as a master clinician and teacher, he has been practicing and teaching for over 40 years. He holds the title of Professor Emeritus of Communication Disorders at Queens College, CUNY.

Phil has been honored with the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Distinguished Clinician Award, the New York City Speech-Language-Hearing Association Professional Achievement Award, and the Queens College Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2004 he was named the Speech Pathologist of the Year by the National Stuttering Association; in 2006 he was awarded the highest Honors of the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association and in 2013 he was give the Advocacy Award by the Stuttering Association of the Young (SAY). Phil is a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America and has appeared on NBC, ABC and WOR-TV; he has presented more than 200 inspirational and innovative seminars across the United States and around the world.

Timestamps:

0:00-1:50: Introduction

1:50-6:49: getting involved in vocal physiology, opening up new career paths

7:09- 14:00: getting involved with stuttering, therapy approaches, therapy is a two-way street

14:00-24:00: Changing therapy process to make the parent the therapist; shifting to telepractice due to COVID, telepractice is almost better

24:00-34:00: creating transcending stuttering, Dan's insights

34:00-38:00 Dan's insights, looking back on life

38:00-40:00: reflecting on the phrase courage muscle

40:00- 53:46: when to start therapy, what is it impacting, starting slow, involving parents in therapy

53:46-56:56 creating a positive environment, leading with love and heart, closing remarks

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

Cody Mathieson Packer is a proud person who stutters from New Zealand. He started making films in his parents backyard at the age of 13, which was the time he discovered the magic of filmmaking and storytelling. Since then he studied film directing at the New Zealand Broadcasting School and Columbia College Chicago. He now lives in Los Angeles, California where he works as a commercial and film director full time. Cody is a passionate advocate involved in the National Stuttering Association Stuttering Association for the Stuttering Association for the Young and global stuttering communities. His videos include "First Day" and most recently "Stuttering" Young Kiwis Share Their Stories."

Timestamps:

0:00-5:40: Opening remarks, keeping life "light"

5:40-10:00: Reflecting on a recent podcast, shift from having to do "hard things" to "easy things" and being okay with that.

10:00-20:03: Making the first film in NZ, acting, advice to "make it", trying to be not perfect

20:03-27:36: Behind the Scenes of the film, being a kid during the film and allowing actors to be vulnerable

27:36-40:00: Beginning a "mindfulness journey", participating in breathwork

40:00-52:00: rewiring the program, living in the moment, living through moments where people don't think you have a stutter

52:00-54:19: Closing remarks

LINKS:

https://www.codymathiesonpacker.com/

https://www.stuttering.co.nz/educational-film

https://www.schneiderspeech.com/blog/best-stuttering-videos

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.

LEARN MORE: https://www.schneiderspeech.com/tsa

Dr. Kraft's current research focuses on the biological and behavioral genetics of stuttering, autism, SLI, SSD, and hearing loss. Other research interests include neuro-anatomical and functional features of people who stutter, auditory feedback mechanisms of speech control, autism treatment strategies, new genetic analysis techniques for modeling epigenetic complexity and exploring the relationship between cognition, temperament, and stuttering severity. Dr. Kraft is the director of the Behavior, Speech & Genetics Lab (Rackham 051), where the majority of her research is conducted. Her latest research showcases novel approaches to the identification of gene-to-gene interaction and regulation as new genetic methodologies offer the promise of identifying etiological bases for many developmental disorders including speech and language disorders.

Dr. Kraft's research team in collaboration with the Univeristy of Texas, Baylor Medical, and Vanderbuilt University, was recently awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify genes for stuttering. She will be collecting saliva samples from people all around the world who stutter. If you are a person who stutters, or has ever stuttered, and you are interested in participating in this study, please click here to register! Study Background: Stuttering is a developmental speech disorder that commonly runs in families. With an onset between the ages of 2-5 years old, 5-6% of children will stutter and 1% of adults will stutter. In some places of the world 11-14% of the population stutters! The genes contributing this disorder have not been conclusively identified in the population at large. This study will investigate thousands of people who currently stutter, or ever stuttered as children, for genetic markers of the disorder. Discoveries will lead to better treatment options, development of prevention strategies, and give answers to the people affected.

Education

• BA Audiology & Speech Sciences, Michigan State University
• MA Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University
• PhD Speech Language Pathology & Human Genetics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
• PostDoctoral Scholar Human Genetics, University of Chicago

Awards and grants

• Center for Mendelian Genomics Genes for Persistent Developmental Stuttering: Australian Cohort The goal of this study is to investigate the genetics underlying this speech and language disorder. The investigation will focus on the genetics, neurobiology, cognitive and severity phenotypes within families enriched for the disorder located in Perth, Australia. Role: Principal Investigator, Collaborator, Analyst

  WSU Genetics Research Grant Biomarkers for Speech Disorders: An Imaging Genetics Study The goal of this study is to investigate the pathophysiology of stuttering in 40 adults who persistently stutter and 40 matched controls. In collaboration with McMaster University, Canada, The investigation will explore gene expression, neurobiology, and allelic variation in respect to anatomical and functional differences within the experimental cohort. Role: Co-Principal Investigator

  National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) Genetic Study of Developmental Stuttering This study will examine genome-wide genetic risk in 800 unrelated non-consanguineous individuals who stutter and 3000 ancestry matched controls with replication of top signals in an additional independent 1000 cases and 1000 controls, comprising the largest proposed genetic study of stuttering to date and aimed at the identification of genes and transmission models responsible for the disorder. Role: Principal Investigator

• 2009 Outstanding Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (Fall 2009, SHS 410)

  2009 Outstanding Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (Fall 2009, SHS 577)

  2010 Excellent Teaching Award, List of Teachers Ranked As Excellent By Their Students, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (Spring 2010, SHS 593)

  2013 Manuel Garcia Award International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics http://www.candgnews.com/news/wsu-prof-earns-international-award-research-stuttering

  2015 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Wayne State University

  2017 Outstanding Professor of the Year, Department of Communiation Sciences and Disorders, Wayne State University

Timestamps

0:00-5:00 Opening remarks 5:00-14:13 Inspiration to become SLP and scientist in the field, Down Syndrome, Graduate school in London, England 14:13-30:47 Latest stuttering research, especially using genetic material, digital health, and exploring the genetic phenotypes of people who stutter and differences between different people who stutter differently 30:47-32:00 Being a mom and an SLP 32:00-40:08 Linking family history, DNA and genetics 40:08-50:44 Getting data from health records and 23andMe learning from reported family history of stuttering, mapping the genetic code and looking to see how much more we can discover 50:44- Closing remarks

Michael (Mike) was born and raised in San Jose CA. Prior to receiving his Master's Degree in Speech Pathology, he served in the US Navy for 24 years. Although he has been retired for 10 years now, he still remembers that part of his life just like it was yesterday. Mike has two grown children and has been married to his wife Teresa for 28 years. They currently live in the greater area of Sacramento CA.

Like a lot of people who stutter, he spent numerous years receiving speech therapy as a child. He remembers his mother taking him to Dr. Greenleaf's private practice, where he would introduce puzzles to him. Back then he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do, other than solving various types of puzzles. Now thinking back, he says that the puzzles were meant to be a motivator to get him to talk… but he just solved the puzzles like he was asked. Mike says, his mother quit taking him there just before he started Kindergarten. Mike recalls being in the third grade and the class having to split up into reading and math circles. This was when he noticed he did not communicate in the same manner as his other classmates, as he was the only one who stuttered. Mike started speech therapy once again and continued to receive speech therapy from the public schools until the 7th grade. He said, he finally spoke to his mother and said he wanted to stop. He said was tired of having to go to the special education classroom (which was smaller than a broom closet) and he was fed up with reading catchy phrases over and over, "I guess my SLP felt good about her treatment procedures, knowing I was speaking fluently during her activities." Another reason was all about the stigma, the stigma of being lessor than his peers, even though he knew he was not!

Mike first heard about the NSP (before it was called the NSA) back in 1986; however, it took him over a decade to get to a chapter meeting. He recalls transferring from sea duty to shore duty in Washington state and had read about the Seattle Conference. He said, he signed-up, even showed up, but did not have the courage to walk in. He said, he just sat in the lobby for about 2 hours and watched person after person walk by. Fear, shame, and quilt are powerful! He eventually walked back to his car are drove home. Later that Fall he did attend his first NSA meeting in Seattle, which he later became Chapter Leader of. Being a Navy man, he was transferred a lot. Once he retired and settled in Sacramento, he joined their chapter and has now been Sacramento's Chapter Leader for 10 years. He is also the Southwest Regional Coordinator for Adults and Family programs and has been a Stutter Social Host for over four years.

Mike was asked what he would tell the younger him. He said, not much gets in his way as an adult… While serving in the Navy, he was a shipboard Damage Control and Engineering Team trainer, a Fire Marshal, a facilitator, led 100+ people… meaning he had to talk a lot. He has given numerous interviews to local newspapers, been interviewed on TV, and was asked to be the commencement speaker when he graduated with his master's degree in Speech Pathology. Just prior to giving his commencement speech, he was interviewed by the local NPR station in Sacramento. He said, he was asked why he would agree to give a commencement speech in front of about 10,000 people, knowing he would stutter. He simply said, "they are giving me 2 minutes (which extended to nearly 3 minutes) to bring awareness to stuttering, it was an opportunity that I could not pass up."

As far as telling the younger me something: Don't worry about teasing, don't worry about bullies, don't worry about making phone calls, don't worry about going through the drive-thru, don't worry about what other people might think or what you might perceive them to think about you! Just be yourself, and at the end of the day, let being yourself be enough. Sure, there will be shame and fear, but you will eventually forge them into purpose, and purpose is why we are here!

Mike is a tattoo enthusiast (total number, unknown), likes relaxing outdoors, likes hikes, and enjoys riding his mountain bike when the weather is nice.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00-04:22: Intro, why Mike is a "superhero" SLP and lessons from the school of life 04:23-12:43: The path of life, growing up with a stutter, the anxiety, speech therapy, reading books and feeling, "I'm not stupid!" 12:44-18:39: Middle school, rolling in poison oak and other ways to hide and avoid the fear of speech; using fists to fix people who make fun 18:40-20:34: 7th grade, the courage to tell my mom, "No more of this speech therapy" and how she responded. 20:35-25:09: Dealing with my speech on my own. On the outside and on the inside, hiding, switching, voiding, feeling less than... The "fear, and "trying to stay safe" 25:10-27:28: getting to National Stuttering Project (NSP) National Stuttering Association (NSA) Mel Hoffman, holding the ticket in my wallet, readiness for change takes time - 10 years! More on this later in the episode 27:29-31:41: Enlisting in the US Navy, a career in search and rescue, the upside and downside of a military career 31:42-32:51: Transition to post-military life, going back to school... 32:52-42:42: Becoming a father and how that changed everything, the concern of a parent for their child to be spared unnecessary hardship, "I was listening, but I wasn't worried." 42:43-44:39: Mike and Uri reflect on the power of learning how to "listen more and worry less" and what our kids need most 44:40-46:14: The pivot to paying it forward, finding my own groove and opening doors for others to find theirs, StutterSocial, David Resnick, Daniele Rossi and Mitch Trichon and the foresight of using video conferencing for support groups around the worlds (long before Zoom) 46:15-51:37: Graduate school, becoming a speech language pathologist, meeting vets in need of communication help and ultimately finding my place in the schools, helping young people who stutter 51:38-01:00:28: How I do speech therapy today to make it better for someone else, recognizing speech techniques are difficult, it takes work, and young people may not have the capacity to do that right now, Uri mentions the "stuttering tax" (Dr. Chris Constantino) and Mike talks about how exhausting it can be... and more wisdom-bombs from Mike. 01:00:29-01:12:24: How I do speech therapy today to make it better for someone else, recognizing speech techniques are difficult, it takes work, and young people may not have the capacity to do that right now, Uri mentions the "stuttering tax" (Dr. Chris Constantino) and Mike talks about how exhausting it can be... And lots of wisdom and tips for SLPs and parents educators and PWS, first and foremost, "do no harm"

RESOURCES AND LINKS

• National Stuttering Association Bio

HOST BIO

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

Michael Turner is the creator of The Way We Talk, an award-winning autobiographical documentary that has screened around the world and contributed toward a paradigm shift in how stuttering is perceived. His second feature, Monument, about memory, memorialization, and meaning, is currently in production. He lives with his wife and daughter in rural Oregon.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00-9:00- Opening, stuttering is like a river

9:00-18:00- Reading "Stuttering is like River" and reflections around it; naming the ghost/monster

18:00- 24:00- Stuttering openly and knowing what that feels like

24:00-57:14- Taking the risk; successes and failures in life; staying connected; reflections on family with movie

57:14-1:07:32- Closing remarks

RESOURCES & LINKS

• The Way We Talk

• Monument

HOST BIO

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

Michael P. Boyle, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Montclair State University. He researches psychosocial aspects of stuttering, including the impact of societal stigma on the communicative participation and well-being of people who stutter. Dr. Boyle's research also focuses on developing assessment methods and interventions to reduce the stigma of stuttering. Dr. Boyle developed the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S) which is used internationally by clinicians and researchers and has been translated to 10 languages so far. Dr. Boyle has also consulted with a variety of therapists, researchers, and advocacy groups nationally and internationally to help them with using evidence-based strategies for stigma reduction. He has authored over 35 scientific papers and book chapters, mostly on topics related to stuttering.

NOTES

0:00-28:32 Opening, how Dr. Boyle got involved in the field of SLP, and specifically stuttering research, his renowned Self Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S) for international use in assessment; and a window into his current research (yet unpublished but very promising!)

28:32-42:26 The other side of stuttering; blending the science with the art of stuttering therapy

42:25-53:07 Allowing the client to have options & closing remarks

RESOURCES AND LINKS

Boyle, M. P., & Gabel, R. M. (2020). "Openness and progress with communication and confidence have all gone hand in hand": Reflections on the experience of transitioning between concealment and openness among adults who stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 65, 105781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfludis.2020.105781

Boyle, M. P., & Gabel, R. (2020). Toward a better understanding of the process of disclosure events among people who stutter. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 63, 105746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfludis.2020.105746

Boyle, M. P., Beita-Ell, C., & Milewski, K. M. (2019). Finding the good in the challenge: Benefit finding among adults who stutter. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 4, 1316-1326. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_PERS-SIG4-2019-0024

HOST BIO

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