We Are The Stigma

In Episode 14 of We Are The Stigma, your co-hosts share an inspiring chat with cerebral palsy advocate and writer, Tylia Flores. The trio share an eye-opening and honest conversation about what CP (cerebral palsy) is, the common misconceptions, and how able-bodied members of society can better support the disabled community. Tylia’s message and infectious positive attitude have inspired Melissa and Cody to stomp on their stigmas one day at a time, and we know she’ll do the same for you! As always, come join us as we learn, share, laugh and grow. 

Tylia Flores is a 24-year-old born with cerebral palsy. Although her condition has affected her mobility, it has never affected her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world. In doing so, she hopes to help others with disabilities realize that they, too, have the potential to make their dreams come true.

Follow Tylia on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Buy her book, James Ticking Time Bomb here.

For more information and to read her writings visit Tyliaflores.com

In this episode we discuss the organizations, Night To Shine and Challenge Air. 

October 6th is World CP Day! You can purchase these shirts to show your support! 

Also mentioned, Daniel Tiger ”Episode 133: Daniel’s New Friend/Same and Different”  which can be watched on the KPBS app for free!

To read the Unwritten articles, visit Tylia Flores and Melissa Kreutz. 

Wanna share your story? Visit the blog here. 

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Follow us at https://instagram.com/_wearethestigma https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma https://Facebook.com/wearethestigma 

In episode 13 the sober couple sit down with The Sober Bitch, Beth Holden. Beth got sober at 19 years old and now spends her days supporting other fellow young people on the sober journey. Beth shares the events that led her to rethink her alcohol and drug use, the pains of her first year sober, how she did it, and what her recovery looks like now. Beth explains how there wasn’t a place for her in AA, so she created a place of her own which she now shares with others. 

The trio talk about homosexuality, the difference between teenage drinking and teenage drug use, and how there’s no one way to recover. 

Beth is a 22-year-old  sober queer lady from Knoxville, TN who advocates for all things young and recovery related.  She has a website TheSoberBitch.com where you can find her writings about the experience of being queer and in recovery at a young age, and a link to join her private young and sober Facebook group open to anyone 25 or younger and sober/sober curious. She also talks about all of these things on her Instagram, @sober__bitch

Wanna share your story? Visit the blog here. 

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Follow us at https://instagram.com/_wearethestigma https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma https://Facebook.com/wearethestigma 

In episode 12 of We Are The Stigma, the married co-hosts share a candid conversation with Courtney Anderson about all things infertility. Courtney is a sober badass babe from Detroit, Michigan, who’s publicly open about the infertility journey her and her husband are on. When it comes to infertility, everything is talked about - financial, shame, guilt, the toll it can take on one's  relationships, the business of making a baby, sex becoming a chore, what to say and what not to say - all of it. As a couple who haven‘t struggled to get pregnant, Melissa’s first reaction is guilt, thanks to the interview, Melissa learns that guilt isn’t needed, it’s education and empathy. 

Courtney Anderson is open about so much more than infertility, she's a sober and health coach, a podcaster, a recovery advocate and co-founder of National Sober Day, which debuts September 14, 2019! 

You can listen to Courtney’s story here.

Her podcast, Real Aligned Women here. 

If your a woman in sobriety join her supportive Facebook community here. 

Follow her on Instagram and facebook, and learn all about her at https://www.courtneyrecovered.com

In this episode, we talk about the book - A Piece Of Cake By Cupcake Brown

f you or someone you love struggle with infertility, remember that you are NEVER alone - search the following tags on Instagram to find the supportive community #infertility #ivf #fertility #infertilityawareness #ttc #ivfjourney #infertilitysucks #pcos #ttccommunity #ttcjourney #endometriosis #fertilityjourney

Wanna share your story? Visit the blog here. 

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook via _wearethestigma 

In Episode 11, the co-hosts welcome Tyler Cowdry to the show, and together they explore tragedy and grief. In 2016, Tyler was involved in a tragic, fatal car accident which turned his world upside down. Tyler now had to choose how to move forward. From mourning the love of his life, to realizing that the tragedy does not define him, Tyler embarked on a profound journey. As Tyler explains, there’s no one way to grieve. His process involves travel, his community, ayahuasca ceremonies, nature, and a couple of goats. The trio ask themselves, is closure necessary? Do we even want closure?? Join us as we discover - like everything else in life - you can break through the norms, and find your own way.

Tyler is an emergency room nurse and restaurant/bar owner in Portland, Or where he has proudly called home for almost two decades. In that time he has established himself as an unconventional jack-of-all-trades and master of none dipping his ambitions into a wide variety of baffling hobbies and certifications. From nabbing a private pilot license to once being the DJ for a Juggalo concert, he has found in the past that free time is a commodity to be spent feverishly. Today, whether it’s age or a deeper appreciation for the moment between the highlights, he has narrowed his passions to rock climbing, photography and prose. He will be embarking on a year of travel nursing in his poorly-built van named “lil’ lolito”, a name in honor of his girlfriend Lauren “Lolo” and best friend John “Tito”.

You can begin to find Tyler’s writings, poetry, and photography on www.ahardbite.com as well as on instagram @ boomer_dynamite.

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star  review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Follow us at https://instagram.com/_wearethestigma https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma https://Facebook.com/wearethestigma 

It’s Episode 10 and co-host Melissa is sharing her story. The hosts sit down together and delve deep into Melissa’s past; what her active addiction looked like, self-harm, self-hate, and grief. Join the couple as they walk through darkness and into hope. As always, they cry, they laugh, they learn and connect. Please be aware, this episode discusses self-harm in a way that may be triggering, if at any time you feel the need for support, please contact your local crisis center, for further resources please visit https://wearethestigma.com/resources/

The best way to support We Are The Stigma is by leaving us a five-star  review! As always share with others, and reach out if you’d like to share your story https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

You can find Melissa on https://instagram.com/thepetitcactus https://twitter.com/mommy_sans_wine

Https://Facebook.com/thepetitcactus

Visit her blog mommywithoutwine.com 

Follow us at https://instagram.com/_wearethestigma https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma https://Facebook.com/wearethestigma 

It’s episode 9, and we’re diving into addiction! Your co-hosts sit down together and delve into Cody’s story. Cody was an alcoholic, but when alcohol no longer served its purpose, he traded in his bottle of vodka for a bottle of pain pills. Cody shares about his opioid addiction and the very dark places those pills took him in only a years time. Cody also suffers from OCD, depression, self-hate, and is a suicide survivor. In episode 9, the married couple laugh and cry together as Cody shares his experience, strength and hope. Please be warned, this episode talks openly about suicide. Remember, you are never alone, and there is a way out. If at any time you feel the need for support, please contact your local crisis center, for more information visit wearethestigma.com/resources.

You can find Cody here on Instagram.
Follow We Are The Stigma on Instagram www.instagram.com/_wearethestigma at https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma and on Facebook facebook.com/wearethestigma

Wanna share your story? Send us a message! https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Cody’s back from Iceland and the couple take a deep dive into vulnerability and toxic masculinity. 

Chatting with long-time friend, Poe, the trio take a self-discovery journey while discussing culture and the pressure men feel to swallow their emotions. After promising to live an honest life, Poe has spent the last 2 years discovering his authentic-self by embracing his truths and sharing them openly. Poe candidly discusses vulnerability and toxic masculinity in a way that anyone can relate to. His humor and insight are captivating!  So, sit back, relax, and take it all in. 

Poe is a man in his early 40's that is learning to embrace his vulnerability, but still has a lot to work on. He loves being a dad, writing, eating, snowboarding, and has been known to dress like a 17 year old that just found $500. He's a huge blazers fan, who don’t use many exclamation points, and firmly believes that hot sauce can go on anything. 

It’s time to start a conversation and change the dialogue, come join us! 

You can find Poe via Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/pdxpoe/ 

Follow We Are The Stigma on Instagram www.instagram.com/_wearethestigma at https://twitter.com/_wearethestigma and on Facebook facebook.com/wearethestigma

Wanna share your story? Send us a message! https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/

Thanks for listening!!! xox

In episode 7 of We Are The Stigma, Cody and Melissa chat with Esther Nagle to discuss a topic that hits close to home, Love Addiction. Thanks to Esther’s honesty and vulnerability, the couple are able to unbury some truths of their own. The trio discuss, self-esteem, insecurity, trauma, bullying and what it’s like to heal oneself. Esther also shares about her alcoholism, ADHA, and how she finally learned to breathe. Esther is a yogi, a sober mom, an author, speaker, truth teller, and a breathing coach from the UK. Join the couple as they unpack their past with a little help from their friend.  

Find Esther Nagle at https://www.instagram.com/spacetobreatheacademy/ Join her Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/spacetobreatheacademy Read her beautiful words at https://sobermommies.com/author/esther-nagle/ To learn more about finding your breath, visit https://spacetobreatheacademy.com/

check out her book, Bent Back into Shape: Beating Addiction Through Yoga https://www.amazon.com/Bent-Back-into-Shape-Addiction/dp/1539372847/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=esther+nagle&qid=1560756882&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Follow We Are The Stigma on Instagram www.instagram.com/_wearethestigma at Twitter.com/_wearethestigma and on Facebook facebook.com/wearethestigma

Wanna share your story? Send us a message! https://wearethestigma.com/be-a-guest-on-our-show/