Join me as I explore this phenomenon with Dr. J Scott Yaruss, speech-language pathologist, researcher, and educator for more than 30 years. We also talk about the various research studies Scott has and is working on and how you may be able to participate!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stuttering Therapy Resources
• Spartan Stuttering Laboratory

The post The Stuttering Paradox appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

My grandfather and his sisters stuttered so I like to refer to my father’s hometown in Molise, Italy as “where my stutter comes from” or “my stutter’s origin story”.

In this episode, I travel to my parent’s hometowns (only 2km apart) in Italy and share with you:

• How this was the first time in 21 long years that I have returned but this time, I didn’t hide my stuttering… and benefitted from doing so as per usual.
• A ridiculous avoidance tactic I used during a visit in the 1990s.
• My observations of a cousin’s daughter who awesomely owned her wheelchair like a boss.
• A little but of info about my parents’ home towns and a few travel stories.
• Why I highly recommend the Molise region as a travel destination.
• A funny incident I had with a member of the Swiss Guard in Rome while looking for the gym where Pope Leo XVI worked out when he was a cardinal.
• My tip for avoiding the long, long lineup to see St. Peter’s Basilica.
• A few more of my travel tips in Rome.

I also mention a livestream I did on Instagram showing you my father’s home town; part one where I climb up a mountain and part two where I climb down and show you the town.

Please note: I originally recorded this episode while walking around the countryside in my father’s home town in Molise and later while walking in Rome. However, to my disappointment, upon my return home to Canada, I discovered a lot of wind noise showed up in my recording and drowned out my voice. I tried various ways to reduce it, even resorting to using over-promising and under-delivering AI tools, but nothing worked. So I re-recorded it only to still find wind noise making its way into this episode! At least it’s minimal.

This episode is brought to you the Franky Banky shop. Fun resources for people who stutter and speech therapists. Details at frankybanky.com.

All episodes of the Stuttering is Cool podcast are released under creative commons license Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives. See http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0 for more information.

I am not affiliated with any of the links shared except for FrankyBanky.com.

The post Where my stuttering comes from appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

I speak with, Irmo Stijnberg, the filmmaker behind Unspoken Truth, a powerful short film that shines a light on the lived experience of stuttering in a world obsessed with fluency and speed.

Unspoken Truth follows Timothy, a talented graphic designer who stutters and whose passion and skill are overshadowed by misunderstandings and a devastating false accusation. As Timothy struggles to defend himself in an HR meeting, we see the deeper reality of stuttering and the mental energy it takes to speak, the frustration of not being heard, and the heartbreak of being misjudged.

The film also gives us rare access into Timothy’s thoughts as he stutters. This film isn’t just about stuttering. It’s also about injustice and resilience.

And speaking of injustice, the film was also immediately disqualified from the European Film Festival Integration You and Me claiming stuttering isn’t a disability despite the fact that the festival is a European event that receives funding by the EU which recognizes stuttering as a disability and prohibits discrimination under its laws.

We also dive into Irmo’s own experiences with stuttering and talk about what inspired the film and our thoughts about the abrupt disqualification.

Read more about Unspoken Truth at censtudios.com.

The post Unspoken Truth appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Draw Your Stutter is a guide to creating a cartoon character based on your stutter, inspired by these workshops. You’ll also hear from a few participants who share their powerful, real-life transformations.

Since launching, I’ve already sold 20 copies within the first two days — five of them even before the official release!

Now, you can experience it for yourself. Order your copy of Draw Your Stutter today! And once you’ve drawn your stutter cartoon character, consider sharing it online with the hashtag #DrawYourStutter or #DrawYourStammer. I can’t wait to see your creation!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Draw Your Stutter book
• The Stuttering is Cool Shop
• Episode #275 recorded at STAMMAfest
• Sign up for the Franky Banky Newsletter

The post Draw Your Stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Stutterbug follows a man with a stutter, played by Aidan, who goes to extreme lengths to hide his speech, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures…at his expense. All Aidan wants is a cup of coffee, but his efforts to conceal his stutter cause him to accidentally curse out a charity worker, sabotage his chances with his college crush, Jess, by insulting her stuttering brother Sean, and—perhaps worst of all—end up with a mocha instead of an americano.

The film is currently crowdfunding, and you can help bring it to life!

Aidan and I also dive into his stuttering journey, how he got into comedy, and his experiences performing at major Irish comedy festivals. A regular headliner in clubs across Ireland, Aidan’s shows has played to sold-out crowds and he supported some of Ireland’s top comedians.

Aidan’s jokes are laugh-out-loud hilarious. Be sure to check out his comedy on his website and socials!

Please note that this episode has some curse words including the f-bomb.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Aidan Greene’s website
• Aidan Greene’s YouTube channel

The post Comedy, coffee, and hilarity with Aidan Greene appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 276: Stuttering is more complicated than just choosing fluency or acceptance.

The current way the acceptance movement is being presented is “it’s ok to stutter… as long as you’re only embracing it”, however, this is not saying it’s ok to stutter in general – which is what the acceptance movement was initially about. Because it is ok to stutter and not want to be prideful about it.

Meanwhile, the fluency camp continues to present fluency as either the only option or as a cure (misinformation much?) and not as a choice or a way to cope, but as a way out. Unfortunately, this preys on vulnerable people trying to seek freedom from their stutter (scam cures much?).

Presenting fluency or embracing your stuttering as the only way just isn’t helping anyone who asks you for help or advice. Whether you’re a speech-language pathologist, or fellow stutterer on social media.

Join me as I chat about this topic with Nicole Kulmaczewski, CCC-SLP, at the recent Canadian Stuttering Conference, a bilingual joint conference organized by the Canadian Stuttering Association and Association bégaiement communication in Montréal, Québec, Canada from November 8 to 10, 2024.

I also participated in the talent show which took place during the Saturday night banquet. I read and described one of my Franky Banky comics in both English and French!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Franky Banky SLP Resources on Teachers Pay Teachers
• The Stuttering is Cool Shop
• Association bégaiement communication
• Canadian Stuttering Association

Correction notice: Nicole meant to say “prominent stutter” instead of “profound stutter” at around the 16:30 mark.

Static sound effect from Pixabay.

The post There is room for fluency in acceptance and vice versa appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #275: My first time attending STAMAMFest and going to the UK! Join me as I chat with new and old friends at my very first STAMMFest which took place in Nottingham from August 15 to 18.

It was also the first time I gave a new version of my cartooning workshop where attendees draw cartoon characters of their stutter, I mean, stammer, as they say in the U.K. (hey that rhymed). To my surprise, the room was packed! And even better, everyone seemed to have enjoyed the activity.

On this episode, a few of those who attended share their experiences from drawing cartoon characters of their own stuttering. And for the most part, I’m blown away by what they all drew!

I then take you along with me for a bit of a soundseeing tour in London as I try to make my way from Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square — and lose my way a few times — as I reflect on STAMMAFest while stumbling upon various statues and landmarks.

1. (0:00) Introduction and I describe the latest Franky Banky comic strip, Love At First Flight.
2. (6:59) Marc tells me about the recent ERASMUS+ Youth Exchange in The Netherlands, co-founding Stamily, and his Stammafest highlights.
3. (13:35) Volunteer and co-organizer, Anne-Marie, talks about how running the kids sports session for Family Day and what makes her come back to Stammafest.
4. (16:20) Sophie shares the cartoon character she created based on her stammer.
5. (18:27) A multi-disciplinary artist shares how she combines science and art to teach people about language and communication. She also shares the cartoon character she drew of her stutter.
6. (22:25) Fellow first timer and previous Stuttering is Cool guest, Cynthia, being nervous while giving her session and Tam returns to STAMMAFest after a short sabbatical.
7. (28:06) Bill shares how he enjoys trying new activities to explore his speech such as art and poetry. He also shares how drawing his stutter as a cartoon character made him stop and think.
8. (31:53) Amanda shares her Dr. Seuss-esque cartoon and accompanying rhyming description that turned into a poem. She also talks about the benefits of creative activity at stuttering conferences.
9. (36:22) I’m in London. My opinion on why STAMMAFest did a great job at including both fluency and acceptance camps.
10. (45:36) My cartooning workshop and the surprising large amount of people who attended! Around 50 people attended. My largest turnout ever!
11. (48:56) I realize I haven’t introduced myself to new listeners.
12. (51:25) The diverse cartoon characters people who attended my session created based on their stuttering
13. (1:00:33) Outro

Links mentioned on today’s episode:

• STAMMAFest
• Stamma
• Stamily
• FrankyBanky.com
• Canadian Stuttering Association and l’Association bégaiement communication joint conference Connecting Voices/Connecter les voix from November 8 to 10, 2024.

P.S. You know those iconic red phone booths all over the U.K.? Well, there was one near the STAMMAFest event that was converted into a book exchange. So I left two copies of my books in it!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Franky Banky, a stuttering fox (@heyfrankybanky)

Transcription available upon request.

The post Drawing your stutter as a cartoon character appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

There is also a free Stuttering is Beautiful manual for people who work with youth who stutter, such as social workers, teachers, and parents (and adult educators, too!). This manual offers youth workers who want to learn more about working with and provide support to young people who stutter.

While there are already many handbooks on youth work, this may very well be the first time a handbook specifically covered the topic of stuttering.

On this episode, I cross time zones and continents (well, virtually) and chat with the creators of these manuals, a collaboration between stuttering associations across Europe.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Manual for Young People Who Stutter
• Manual for Youth Workers
• The above two manuals available in many languages
• Stamily
• Just Stutter
• Franky Banky
• Málbjörg (Icelandic Stuttering Association)
• Finlands Stammarförening (Association of the Finnish Stutterers)
• Eesti Kogelejate Ühing (The Estonian Association of People Who Stutter)
• Associazione Italiana Balbuzie e Comunicazione APS (Italian Stuttering Association)
• Demosthenes (Dutch Stuttering Association)

The post Stuttering is beautiful appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

On this episode, I chat with Gina Waggot, personal friend of Scatman John, also known as John Paul Larkin, who shot to fame in the mid-1990s with huge hits – and much welcomed earworms for me – such as Scatman, Everybody Jam!, and Scatman’s World.

Scatman also stuttered and talked about it in his debut single, Scatman. This touched fellow PWS, Gina Wag, who was in high school school at the time and dealing with her speech difference. One day, Gina gave contacting Scatman a try and to her surprise, the busy international superstar did! Gina is currently writing on Scatman’s official biography.

Listen as Gina shares a bit about Scatman’s life, the resurgence of interest in his music, and her friendship with this man who set out to create uplifting music for everyone.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Scatman John website
• Scatman John official Instagram account
• Scatman John YouTube channel
• Scatman John’s Facebook page
• Listen to Scatman John on Spotify
• Who’s The Scatman? German graphic novel by Jeff Chi

The post Scatman’s World appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

A friend recently shared with me that she believes acceptance must come first in order to get rid of the fear of stuttering. Only after that can you work on your speech, if you want to. Or work on your self-esteem caused by a lifetime of society’s stigma towards your speech. Or work on your social skills, public speaking, etc. I share my friend’s perspective. Working on eliminating your fear of stuttering first means you will no longer be afraid stuttering and evolve any way you want or just be who you are.

There is no one way. Just… my way that works for me.

In other words, fluency is a trap because it will make you avoid speaking so you can avoid stuttering. You’re going to switch words, avoid talking, and create one avoidance behaviour after another. Thus, one of the first steps you need to take is to be willing to stutter. That is the advice given on this episode by my guest, Larry Stein, author of the book, Free To Speak, which chronicles his stuttering memoirs.

All it takes is one small step out of your comfort zone every time. You cannot become a bodybuilder if you don’t lift a weight. And when you start lifting weights, you don’t start lifting 700 pounds from day one. You have to build it up slowly from a weight you can handle even if it’s 1 pound.

As I’ve said numerous times on my show, “no victory too small!” and “you can still be an effective communicator regardless of stuttering”. And don’t compare yourself to anybody else no matter how fluent they are.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stein on Stuttering
• The Fluency Trap (part 1) – Stuttering is Cool epsiode #271
• 2023 International Stuttering Awareness Day online conference. The theme this year was One Size Does NOT Fit All.

The post The Fluency Trap (part 2) appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

We start our conversation about narrative therapy and how Danra uses comics in her speech therapy practice then she interviews me about my stuttering journey and Franky Banky’s origin story. This inevitably leads us to the neverending fluency vs. acceptance debate that seems to have become really explosive lately along with the term “speech-language pathologist”.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Vermont Stuttering Therapy – the Normalize Stuttering Shop!
• Curiosity Filled The Cat – the Franky Banky comic book you help draw!
• Stuttering is Cool shop – Franky Banky books and stuttering awareness pins on Etsy
• Franky Banky books on Amazon
• Franky Branky SLP Guides on Teachers Pay Teachers
• ASHA Conference from a PWS perspective: the education gap – Stuttering is Cool podcast episode #270

The post The Fluency Trap appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

I helped out at the withVR booth run by owner and friend, Gareth Walkom, who also happens to be a previous guest on my podcast, attended an NSA Boston Chapter meet up, then the first Stamily meet up in North America, and I ate lots of lobster and clam chowder.

Though I had a lot of fun seeing the booths, the incredible technology in the field, and meeting new friends, I also share two stories of experiencing first-hand the education gap when it comes to stuttering treatment that I’ve always heard about.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• TranscendingX
• Details about Stuttering Therapy: A Conversation on What We Do and Why We Do It one-hour seminar presented by Christopher Constantino and Sara MacIntyre

The post ASHA Conference from a PWS perspective: the education gap appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Canadian Stuttering Association
• HeyFrankyBanky on Instagram
• Franky Banky and Stuttering is Cool Facebook page

The post Conversations at a stuttering conference appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Join us as we talk about Paul’s art, his Portraits of People Stammering series, his experiences being on TV and radio, and his questions about… my art!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Paul’s website
• paulastonpainter on Instagram
• Franky Banky Teachers Pay Teachers Shop

The post Portraits for stuttering awareness appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

As the creator of a podcast named “Stuttering is Cool”, you can accurately guess which side of the argument I sit on

Join me on a walk as I share my thoughts on this tactic along with the consequences of all our decisions, both positive and negative.

Transcript available upon request.

The post Should I wear a name tag? appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

The post Kids review Franky Banky’s graphic novel appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Details about the new book
• Buy the book on Amazon
• Buy the book on Etsy
• Epic book launch post on Instagram
• STAMMA contest
• Every Friday the 13th is Stuttering is Cool Day comic
• The Great Name Search comic
• Subscribe to the Stuttering is Cool monthly newsletter.

The post Franky Banky’s interactive graphic novel appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

We were also treated to a performance by fellow PWS, Francy Goudreault, of Hello Kelly during the Saturday night banquet. His song, “The Communication Breakdown” which is an excellent reflection on the stuttering experience.

The post Sea Green at Niagara Falls appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

What I like about these two books is they aren’t exclusively about stuttering, which is usually the case in across the entertainment world such as the movie, The King’s Speech. Being autobiographical, the protagonist in Jean-Sébastien’s books lives a life of ups and downs and with worries and drama like all of us – the protagonist just happens to speak with a stutter. A goal I have with my own Franky Banky comics.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• International Stuttering Association Online Conference
• Excerpt of my video chat with Jean-Sébastien
• Franky Banky comics
• Franky Banky comics in Spanish
• Stuttering is Cool shop
• Sign up for my newsletter!

The post Drawn and heard appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

This episode is brought to you by the Stuttering is Cool shop and FrankyBanky.com. Let’s connect on Instagram at @heyfrankybanky.

The post New book progress and 400 geese appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #260: Snow report. Join me on my walk as I give you an update on what I’ve been up to the past six months including the new Franky Banky book I’ve begun working on, new products in my shop, cartooning workshops I’ve given, being interviewed on CNN, the passing of Lynne Mackie a stuttering shining star, the tight Stamily community, and lots more.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Remembering Lynne Mackie
• Lynne was big on theatre and the arts. A scholarship fund supporting young people who stutter in arts and theatre was set up in Lynne’s honour. Please donate!
• Stamily
• My interview on CNN Prima

I was also among four people with a variety of differences featured in an art video project by University student and future medical illustrator, Simone Noelle.

Podcast cover artwork by Willemijn Bolks.

The post Second half of 2021 appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

You can understand why I’ve always had a hard time understanding the latter. After all, I produce a podcast named Stuttering is Cool!

Join me and a few of my friends from around the world where they teach me that acceptance can mean different things to each individual. This episode begins with an engaging chat with Angélica Bernabé, from Centro Especializado en Tartamudez in Peru, who recently gave a presentation about stuttering acceptance to speech-language pathologists.

The post The misunderstood definition of acceptance appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

The post A work in progress appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Sherrika is an unstoppable dynamo and a great example that you can live a very successful life even when you stutter!

I also give a quick update on the Joint World Congress on Stuttering and Cluttering taking place on May 27 to 30, 2022.

The post Bringing awareness and diversity for children appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Stephanie’s philosophy for speech therapy is “it’s their stutter, not mine”. In other words, the client’s needs and wants are the focus of their speech pathology journey to let them feel listened to.

If you’re an SLP or an SLP student, you won’t want to miss this!

Fun fact – this episode as recorded live during the 20-hour StutterFest 2021 virtual celebration of the global stuttering community organized by the World Stuttering Network.

The post It’s their stutter, not mine appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Ciarra’s Instagram account
• What if King George VI gave his radio speech today?
• Franky Banky’s Instagram account
• Franky Banky’s TikTok account

The post Your voice has value no matter what appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

While people who stutter know what they want to say but struggle to get their words out, people who clutter struggle with formulating what they want to say. While stuttering deals with speech mechanics, cluttering deals with the planning of language.

Rutger and I talk about the remarkable inverse differences between living with cluttering and stuttering.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Too Fast For Words
• Joint World Congress on Stuttering and Cluttering

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Filled with practical tips – and Franky Banky comics! – in reducing your fears of stuttering and achieving all your goals regardless of, if you pardon the expression, fluency.

Buy your copy now!

The post Too fast for words appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Recorded live during the Canadian Stuttering Association virtual conference, I ask Nina G about her book, Stutterer Interrupted: The Making of a Stuttering Stand Up Comedian, growing up with stuttering, dyslexia, earning her PhD, the rich history of the disability rights movement and our part in continuing its progress, and – as it had only been an hour prior to going live that the world got the news that fellow stutterer Joe Biden had been declared president of the United States – Nina’s thoughts on having a president who stutters.

Nina G is Northern California’s only female stuttering stand-up comedian and part of the Comedians with Disabilities Act. She is also a disability activist, storyteller, children’s book author and educator. She uses humour to help people understand and confront issues such as disability, advocacy, and helping audiences move toward a more accessible society.

The post Disability awareness with a punch(line) appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Our main consensus is we all can seize the opportunity for our different camps of stuttering thought – from negative outlooks, to acceptance, to fluency, to stuttering pride – to join together for the common cause of stuttering awareness.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stammering Pride and Prejudice book UK retailer, US retailer
• Australian Speak Easy Association Virtual Conference taking place October 24 to 25, 2020
• The Indian Stammering Association virtual conference October 1 to 5, 2020

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Filled with practical tips – and Franky Banky comics! – in reducing your fears of stuttering and achieving all your goals regardless of, if you pardon the expression, fluency. Buy your copy now!

The post Our common cause for stuttering awareness appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Cynthia had interviewed me for her video series earlier this summer so I thought it would be great to get to know the person behind the interviewer!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Esp. Cynthia Dacillo Facebook page

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Filled with practical tips – and Franky Banky comics! – in reducing your fears of stuttering and achieving all your goals regardless of, if you pardon the expression, fluency.

Buy your copy now!

The post Stuttering en español appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Join me as I chat about this with Jean-François Leblanc and Stephanie Lebsack who are part of the organizing team of the Joint World Congress on Stuttering and Cluttering, or JWCSC for short, which is scheduled to take place in Montreal, Canada from July 22 to 25, 2021 May 27 to 30, 2022 (full disclosure – I’m on the organizing team as well).

The JWCSC aims to be a game changer bringing together academics, researchers, speech language pathologists, people who clutter, and people who stutter to collaborate in creating a better world for people who clutter and stutter. A world that understands what we go through. A world where we are researched with and not researched at.

Earlier this year, we had announced a new name for the congress which became the JWCSC. A name that replaced the word “fluency” with the more people-first, “stuttering and cluttering”. The original name was not received very well. On one hand, “fluency” is a long-used clinical, industry term. On the other hand, it’s a harsh, deeply scarred memory of being forced to speak “properly” and dare not to be caught stuttering. It can also imply that stuttering and cluttering is wrong.

A case of PC language? Not quite.

“The word fluency in the SLP world is oftentimes used as a title”, Stephanie shares. Stephanie is an SLP with a big heart for people who stutter an clutter. “This is a term that’s used for when I look up ‘fluency’ I can find courses to take to further my specialization. People who stutter who do have a problem with the term were saying ‘however, we’re traumatized by this term’ and stuttering is a personal experience. We can’t dismiss that. And so we have to learn in this conversation to all respect our personal as we move forward.”

“People who were always encouraged to be fluent – and that word fluency strikes a ring to them and trauma response. Fluent, fluent, fluent, fluent [‘Why are you still stuttering, why aren’t you using your speech tools, stop talking like that.’].”

However, some people who stutter have no problem with fluency. “If someone strives for greater fluency because it’s hard for them to speak, and if speech therapy makes their life easier and they’re aiming for more fluency, I cannot blame them and I cannot judge them”, shares Jean-François, a person who stutters.

“And I totally agree with Stephanie that the role of the speech language pathologist is to adapt to each and every client and offer the different options and then let the client choose or decide what he or she wants to do to make her life better and easier.”

“If it’s greater fluency because for that person it’s really hard to go to the grocery store and ask where are the cereals or bread and so forth, will probably still stutter but will make her speech easier. So that’s why when I say that fluency word has become radioactive, I myself cannot judge someone who wants to be more fluent.”

Jean-François adds as a side note: “Personally, I have much more of a problem with the word ‘overcoming’ than ‘fluency’ because when mainstream media uses that term, the general public thinks ‘OK he has overcome his stuttering so that person does not stutter anymore.’ So it’s misused. And I don’t like when mainstream media uses that term because the public will understand something different than the actual situation and I think we should work with the media to say be careful with that term.”

We are planning to further explore the use of the term fluency, client choice, and the space in between the medical and social models of disabilities at the JWCSC congress.

Oh, Stephanie, Jean-François, and I also talk about the colours behind the JWCSC logo!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• JWCSC Facebook Group
• JWCSC on Instagram
• JWCSC on Twitter

What are your thoughts on the word fluency?

I hope to see you in Montreal, pandemic-willing.

P.S. Views expressed by myself and my fellow co-organizers on this episode do not necessarily reflect those of the International Cluttering Association, International Fluency Association, International Stuttering Association, Association bégaiement communication, and Canadian Stuttering Association partnering to put on the JWCSC.

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Filled with practical tips – and Franky Banky comics! – in reducing your fears of stuttering and achieving all your goals regardless of, if you pardon the expression, fluency. Buy your copy now!

The post Changing the status quo appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #249: Stammer but with love. That is the motto of The Indian Stammering Association, or TISA for short. TISA’s Bhupendra Singh Rathore and Dhruv Gupta had interviewed me in a video entitled, The Story Behind the Comic, to talk about my stuttering journey and Franky Banky comics. They kindly gave me permission to include the audio from our chat for this episode.

But first, it’s my turn to interview Bhupendra and Dhruv! Get to know the people behind the interview, their involvement in TISA, the story behind their motto, and the really creative activities TISA has been doing over the years (my favourite being The People Who Buffer show).

Links mentioned on today’s episode:

• The Indian Stammering Association
• The Indian Stammering Association – Massive Open Online Course
• The Hakla Hakla Song (video)
• What if the 99% of the world stammers/stutters? (video)
• The Story Behind the Comic

The post Getting to know TISA appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Despite a collective disappointment across organizers, veteran attendees, and first timers that the covid-19 pandemic kept us all from coming together to the legendary NSA conference in person (and near the beach in California!), the virtual conference received over 1500 registrations with 800 being first timers. Many had participated from all around the world. That was an increase of 50% from the usual numbers at their in-person conference. And best of all, the joyful vibe of the in-person conference was present throughout.

Annie and I chat about our favourite moments during the conference, the cartooning workshop I hosted for kids (and big kids), a bit of the behind the scenes, and how not even a pandemic can keep the global stuttering community from getting together.

The post NSA@Home Conference recap appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

That podcast, Oh and on that note…, is produced in association with the Scottish Stammering Network providing a platform for people who stutter (or as they say in Scotland and other parts of the world, stammer) to have their voices heard and an opportunity for people who have had little exposure to stuttering to begin to hear what is being said, not how it’s being said.

On this episode, I chat with regulars, Tom Costelloe, John McIntosh, and Christina Parker about the formation of their podcast and in true Oh and on that note fashion, a lot of nonsense!

The post We just happen to stammer appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Melissa, Mounah, and I chat about the contest, their respective stuttering experiences, and how stuttering shouldn’t hold you back.

Melissa’s film is also available with English subtitles as a sneak preview for listeners! Go to https://vimeo.com/408031979 and type in the password “luckystar” (without the quotes). This password expires on June 2, 2020.

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

The post The Eloquence of Stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

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Episode #244: Keep your distance. Wash Your Hands. Don’t touch your face. And keep in touch over the Internet. We’re in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic with many countries in lockdown and people staying inside in doing their part for preventing the spread of the virus that has circled the globe like wildfire and caused over 118,000 deaths. Anxiety and uncertainty is everywhere along with isolation from our friends and family as we stay indoors in order to flatten the curve and save lives.

I asked a few of my friends to join me on this episode to help ease the sense of isolation for ourselves and you! Hear how the pandemic has affected us, our speech, and some unexpected blessings that arose.

You will hear from John Gomez, creator of the multi-award winning When I Stutter documentary, Geneviève Lamoureux, translator of my book in French, Myriam Fauteux, co-vice-president of the Association Bégaiement Communication (ABC), David Alpuche, photographer and winner of the 2017 National Stuttering Association (NSA) chapter leader of the year, and Kevin Chambers, winner of the 2018 NSA chapter leader of the year and current Regional Chapter Coordinator for the Eastern United States.

The post We will get through this together appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

If you’re an SLP having difficulty engaging child and teenage clients, this one is for you!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• kimsanzoslp, inventor of the term “clownician”
• erikxraj.com
• SLP Trivia Fun
• Erik’s apps

This episode has been brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. I share my experiences with stuttering and
tips on how to live the life you want in spite of stuttering. It’s a book full of humour and my comics starring Franky Banky, a fox who stutters.

Sounds used on this episode:

• 80s riff by ModulationStation
• Winner Bell Game Show by Oldedgar
• Applause Two by Littleboot

The post Being a clownician appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #242: Difference not defect. All about the book that challenges the stereotype that stuttering is bad instead of a way of speaking that is different, valuable, and respected.

Stammering Pride and Prejudice: Difference not Defect features a variety of voices and opinions on stuttering from a social model perspective through 22 essays written for people who stutter, the general public, and professionals.

Following up from episode 241 where I chat with one of the book’s authors about the impact of shame on children who stutter, I chat with editors Patrick Campbell, Christopher Constantino, and Sam Simpson on the mission of the book, their respective articles, the paradox of speech therapy, stigma, the benefits of sharing your vulnerability while stuttering, and more.

You can purchase your copy of the book at J&R Press and Stuttering Therapy Resources.

The book also has a Facebook page!

The post Stammering Pride and Prejudice appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Dori’s son, Eli, was a chatty toddler who soon grew silent not because he stuttered, but because of the overwhelming shame he felt around his stutter. The shame came from the constant judgement towards his speech even when others were not intending to judge. Dori noticed that despite Eli successfully using speech tools during therapy sessions, this only increased expectations of fluency and her son’s anxiety around talking outside of therapy.

One of Dori’s key learnings is the importance of speech therapy focusing on educating the parent and not to drop everything and zero-in with eye contact every time their child speaks. Instead, Dori recommends to create opportunities for the child where they are in charge, can pursue their passions, and most importantly, speak without fear of judgement.

If you are a parent who has been struggling with knowing what to do about your child’s speech, this episode is for you!

Links mentioned on today’s episode:

• Dori’s book, Voice Unearthed — Hope, Help, and a Wake-Up-Call for the Parents of Children Who Stutter
• Dori’s website Voice Unearthed
• Voice Unearthed Facebook group for parents
• The book, Stammering Pride and Prejudice: Difference Not Defect

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

The post Impact of shame on children who stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Join me as I speak with a few active regulars in the Stamily community. A few? Hear from Willemjin Bolks, Jurjen de Jong, Vinnie De Craim, Marc van Krakinger, Satu Nygren, and Natalie Park across a number of time zones (isn’t technology awesome?) as we discuss their respective stuttering histories, the formation and mission of Stamily, and most importantly, how YOU can participate in this growing worldwide community of people who stutter just like you!

Learn more about this exciting community at stamily.org.

The post Stamily appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

I also cover what me and Franky Banky have been up to since October, I give a quick review of the Canadian Stuttering Association‘s one-day conference, and… drink a glass of water.

Links mentioned on this epsiode:

• Sign up for the Stuttering is Cool newsletter and get first dibs on Franky Banky merchandise sneak peeks
• Franky Banky comic I drew for the Your Voice section of the STAMMA website
• Four Ways to Kick Stuttering Butt video
• Hand-drawn comic strip limited edition of my book with free shipping!

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

The post We are in this together appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #238: I’m back in Montreal for the Association bégaiement communication (ABC) annual conference! It’s a very special conference for me as it was also the launch of the French version of my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World!

Join me in my conversations with:

1. Claire Norman, founder and director of of Stammerers Through University Consultancy (S.T.U.C.) who flew in from the U.K. to give her keynote about growing up stuttering and founding S.T.U.C.;
   
   
2. Caroline Bredeson, an SLP who is quite active with her work at the University of Ottawa including working with people who stutter and, at the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI), motivating people to speak their second language and her briliant “Linguistic Risk-Taking Passport” and its stuttering edition;
   
   
   
   
3. Audrey Bigras and her workshop about the myths and misinformation about stuttering over the media and Internet (“fake news”); and
   
   
4. Genviève Lamoureux and her experiences with covert stuttering in university, becoming a translator, translating my book, and meeting her boyfriend, Daniel Aubé, who joins us to share his experiences of being a lawyer who stutters.

And then I get lost trying to find the train station on my way back home to Toronto!

Information about ordering Bégayer, c’est cool : conseils pour survivre dans un monde pressé, the French version of my book, is available on the ABC website.

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

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Episode #237: The most effective stuttering awareness campaign I have ever seen! I chat with Jane Powell, CEO of the British Stammering Association, about the brilliantly clever STAMMA awareness campaign recently launched across the United Kingdom. Learn how the campaign aims to change misperceptions about stuttering (or stammering, as it’s known in the UK and other parts of the world), it’s attention-getting name and design, and more. If you’re a member of a stuttering association looking to form awareness campaigns in your country, you won’t want to miss this episode!

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Episode #236: I chat with director, Ryan Gielen, about his latest documentary, My Beautiful Stutter, which follows five young people from ages 8 to 18 who stutter and come from diverse backgrounds all around the United States as they participate in programs with The Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY). After attending a SAY gala and witnessing the empowerment of young people getting up on stage and declaring they will no longer hide their stuttering, Ryan decided to make a film to raise awareness of the struggles people who stutter face that are invisible to the rest of the world.

My Beautiful Stutter is scheduled for release later this year. Stay updated on news on Instagram and Facebook.

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Episode #235: Stand up comedian, Nina G, joins me to talk about… well, a lot of things! We have an animated chat about her new book, “Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen” and her excellent keynote given at the World Stuttering Congress in Iceland this year. Nina also has dyslexia and received undeserved bad grades in school due to the lack of accommodation which she needed. But that didn’t stop Nina who credits her parents for teaching her self-advocacy. Today, Nina is an advocate for disability rights and book author.

While this is an uncharacteristically long, long episode, you won’t want to miss hearing all about how Nina crafts her jokes from her frustrations with the reactions towards her stuttering from ignorant fluenters reactions to her stuttering and how she built up her self-esteem and self-advocacy. And lots more!

I also ask Nina to give an introduction to dyslexia, how we can accommodate people with dyslexia, and also how I can draw my Franky Banky comics to accommodate readers with dyslexia… and lots more!

Here is the breakdown of this super long episode:

0:00 My long intro.

5:30 Introducing Nina G.

9:10 Nina’s keynote, how the media can accurately represent people to stutter, how to make comics accessible to people with dyslexia, when fluenters give people who stutter “the pity moan” (you definitely don’t want to miss Nina’s impressions of this!) and “the face”, how you can experience a life uninterrupted by hanging out with others who stutter.

19:30 Being diagnosed with stuttering and dyslexia, lack of proper accommodation in the school system in 1980s, learning self-advocacy from Nina’s parents, Nina gets a failing grade due to improper accommodation, Nina’s revenge, her doctorate in psychology, and WWJD?.

30:43 What is dyslexia, what it’s like to have dyslexia, how dyslexia works, Nina’s processing time as a child vs as an adult, diagnosing dyslexia at age 8.

38:42 Context is key in making visual and textual content accessible to people with dyslexia, how to design accessible children’s books, Nina’s analogy of breaking down information Springfield style (yes, of The Simpsons!), different types of dyslexia, Nina demonstrates how she uses technology to help her read books, and how reading along with captions can help her when reading books or watching videos.

51:39 Removing barriers in classrooms, the benefits of educators and workplaces creating a cognitive and emotional environment that is more conducive for people with dyslexia (and all disabilities), focusing on people’s strengths, how descriptive text is more effective than fonts for people with dyslexia, creating accessible hashtags, how some people with dyslexia in English or Spanish are not dyslexic with character based languages such as Mandarin and Cantonese, errors in automatic captions (or “craptions”), using dictation technology, and where to buy Nina’s book

1:10:00 Listen to the question and answer period following Nina’s keynote in Iceland. Topics covered include: how Nina was diagnosed and came to accept both stuttering and dyslexia; coping with good and bad periods with stuttering; and creating an environment of inclusion and advocacy in schools for students with disabilities.

1:31:30 My super quick outro followed by a few minutes of me walking around a park.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen
• Once Upon An Accommodation
• Nina G’s website
• Who Am I To Stop It
• Listen to about 40 minutes of me walking around a park

This ultra long episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. a humorous survival guide to stuttering packed with methods, tips, stories, and comics. Order your copy now!

The post Stutterer Interrupted, Ask Me Anything About Dyslexia appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

These are the wise words from Anita Blom, my guest on this episode. Anita gave one of three keynotes at the International Stuttering Association World Congress held in Hveragerði, Iceland in June 2019 which you will be able to listen to its entirety on this episode.

Entitled Ac(cep)t, Anita asks why we people who stutter (PWS) tend to feel the need to please others. Why do people think we need to speak the way they want us to or what they think is the best way? Or is it that we think what they want? Through her story of life lessons, Anita shares how she got free from the burden of needing others to accept her once she accepted herself and made it her mission to stop hiding and become a face for people who stutter and making the stuttering community seeable and hearable.

Anita also introduces what she calls the “therapy smorgasbord” which every PWS can use, gives advice on how PWS and clinicians can work together to benefit the PWS, how to take away “the look”, and lots more. You won’t want to miss this!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stuttering is Cool stuttering awareness buttons
• stamily.org
• International Stuttering Awareness Day Online Conference
• The Stuttering Homepage
• Nina G
• When I Stutter documentary

The post Therapy smorgasbord appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Including and educating researchers, empowering children who stutter, and being a “clownician” were a few of what was presented and discussed at the 13th International Stuttering Congress held in Hveragerði, Iceland on June 22 to 27, 2019. There were about 165 attendees from over 20 countries including yours truly. I felt an enthusiastic vibe that lived up to the congress’ theme of “Embrace Your Stutter”.

On this episode, I report some of the takeaways and action items born from this global stuttering community:

• The congress was opened by Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson President of Iceland(!), who shared his story of how he can relate to our stuttering. While he does not stutter, he had speech therapy as a child for learning how to pronounce the rolling r sound which is an important and recurring sound in the Icelandic language.
  
  
• The congress had an official song! “Talk To You”, written by keynote speaker, Anita Blom, and with music by Hjörleifur Ingason, was sung by Hrafnhildur who was a finalist in the Icelandic version of The Voice. You can listen to Talk To You on Soundcloud but beware, its very catchy melody will repeat in your head over and over and over!
  
  
• I sat in on a workshop by Dr. Erik X. Raj, CCC-SLP, about using humorous apps to engage children in speech therapy sessions. Something he calls being a “clownician”.
  
  
• Empowering children who stutter, and teaching parents how to empower their children.
  
  
• Prominent and active member of the stuttering community, Anita Blom, gave the first of three keynotes, touching on, among many topics, the state of the online stuttering community, its arguments, and putting the individual’s needs first (example, stopping stuttering, not fearing it).
  
  
• Including and educating researchers in order to prevent harm to people who stutter.
  
  
• Stuttering comedian, Nina G, gave the third keynote where she shared her history of stuttering and (lack of) accommodation in school with her dyslexia. A great compliment to Anita’s keynote is Nina’s tip that shame and acceptance of stuttering go up and down, therefore, no need to be dogmatic about being positive all the time. Oh, and she also launched her book, Stutterer Interrupted!
  
  
• I gush over the brilliant STAMMA marketing campaign by the British Stammering Association.
  
  
• My cartooning workshop that I gave and how I was given a glimpse into an SLP’s world through the comics they drew.
  
  
• Learning about cluttering.
  
  
• Two pick up football/soccer games were played.
  
  
• Franky Banky also made an appearance.
  
  
• and more!

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These events made me ponder if we as a community, could be doing more to spread stuttering awareness and create behaviour change to fluenters worldwide?

I also talk about the redesign of stutteringiscool.com and my new section featuring Franky Banky comics which I plan on posting every two weeks!

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Israeli Stutterers’ Group Defends Gantz’s Embarrassing TV Performance
• Sold Out Montreal Screening of “When I Stutter” a Success

The post Making stuttering awareness more effective appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #231: Laughter is the best medicine. On this episode, I chat with Agathe Tupula Kabola, speech language pathologist and author who lives in Montréal, about her use of humour in therapy sessions. Agathe recently published her third book, Je bégaie… laissez-moi parler ! Bien vivre avec le bégaiement (which roughly translates to I stutter… let me speak. Living well with stuttering.), containing all the information readers need to know about stuttering, therapy, and, well, living well with stuttering!

Agathe and I talk about how humour provides an excellent way to engage clients – especially children – as laughter can empower people who stutter, ease tension, and bring people together. We also talk about how developing a sense of humour towards one’s own stuttering can also be a great method towards easing the frustrations of stuttering and spreading awareness.

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Episode #230: And a role model for stuttering awareness! Space Jam 2 will be coming out in theatres next summer and it’s time we see Porky Pig in a positive light (if Hollywood doesn’t screw up and use his stuttering for cheap laughs). On this episode, I chat with my friends and fellow stutterers, Lynne Mackie, Tom Scharstein, and Jeff Fett, about their thoughts on Porky Pig as a cartoon character that stutters. Some people who stutter do not like Porky Pig while others, including myself, do and feel he is a great role model.

Is it time for voice actors to stop giving Porky Pig a speech impediment? If they did, then it will imply that stuttering is bad. And on this podcast named “Stuttering is Cool”, stuttering isn’t bad. After all, Porky Pig is a cartoon character who always spoke his mind, got what he wanted, overcame his stuttering, and is not a character who is suffering because of his speech. Also, Porky Pig lives in the world we people who stutter want to live in – a world where the people we speak to react positively to our stuttering. That’s what happens in the Looney Tunes cartoons. Other characters very rarely mocked or reacted negatively to Porky Pig’s stuttering (I only know of one cartoon where a radio announcer mimics him and I’m an avid viewer of Looney Tunes!).

Lynne Mackie is a librarian for the National Health Service in the UK in London. Originally from Scotland, Lynne is currently the vice-chair of the Scottish Stammering Network.

Tom Scharstein is a cabinet maker and Adult Programs Chairman on the National Stuttering Association Board of Directors.

Jeff Fett who is a Marketing Manager at his day job, serves as vice president of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, and also serves as an National Stuttering Association Chapter Leader in the Lansing, Michigan area and current Regional Coordinator of the central north states.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Talkin’ Toons with Rob Paulsen
• Clip of Robin Hood Daffy from 1958
• A-Lad-In His Lamp from 1948
• The part in Bugs Bunny in King Arthur’s Court from 1978 where Porky Pig helped Bugs Bunny say “porcupine”
• The part in Looney Tunes: Back In Action where Porky Pig switches words and says “Go home, folks!” instead of his usual “That’s All Folks!”
• The cartoon, Fool Coverage from 1952, where Daffy Duck is trying to sell insurance to Porky Pig (not an automatic house like I said in this episode. That cartoon is Design For Leaving and stars Elmer Fudd, not Porky Pig. Looks like I got my cartoons mixed up!).
• Donald Duck in Cured Duck from 1945
• Bimbo’s Initiation from 1931
• “Heigh Ho” scene from Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs from 1937
• Clip from Pinocchio from 1940
• The Mechanical Monsters Superman cartoon from 1941
• Porky Pig 101 DVD
• The Illusionist from 2010 (Trailer)

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy!

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Episode #229: Stuttering conference junkies! Join me as I chat with two good friends of mine, Árni Birgisson and Doug Scott about our first time meeting each other at the 2016 Nordic Stuttering Seminar in Hämeenlinna, Finland, and reuniting at the 2018 National Stuttering Association Conference in Chicago, USA. As co-organizer, Árni will also tell us what’s in store for the 2019 International Stuttering Association World Congress in Hveragerdi, Iceland.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Iceland 2019
• National Stuttering Association
• Stutter Social
• Canadian Stuttering Association
• Stuttertini and Stutter Up recipes

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and my comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

The post Iceland2019, Nordic Stuttering Seminars, and more! appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #228: The perfect book for children who stutter! On this episode, I chat with co-authors, Saadiq Wicks and his mother, Kimberly Garvin, about their charming and very encouraging book for children who stutter, When Oliver Speaks. We also chat about Saadiq’s founding of Llet Me Finish and the SAY summer camps, which Saadiq has been attending for 9 years and got the idea of creating the book.

When Oliver Speaks is a story about a middle school kid who stutters and is worried about giving a presentation to his class. He is often ridiculed by the other kids which causes him to avoid speaking situations. His teacher notices this and after a phone call with his mother, Oliver ends up having no choice but to disclose the secret he’s been hiding and, fortunately, gets his mother’s loving advice about fully embracing cha

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy!

The post When Oliver Speaks appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #227: I chat with John Gomez, filmmaker of the multi-award winning documentary, When I Stutter. We discuss the making of his film, worldwide reception, translations, and – SPOILER ALERT! – the unexpected surprises that blew my mind.

When I Stutter presents the raw emotions people who stutter feel and develop from growing up and dealing with their speech impediment and the negative reactions they receive from it. Gomez’s documentary spans over the course of 4.5 years shining a spotlight on the shared stories of 19 people about how stuttering has impacted their lives. These stories run the gamut of human emotion – dark, funny, and triumphant! “Educational vignettes” are also interspersed throughout the documentary to help illuminate some of the mysteries surrounding stuttering.

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

WHEN I STUTTER (Official Trailer) from Keen EYE Productions on Vimeo.

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Episode #226: “This is a journey about knowing who I am, it’s not about stuttering. The only person who has to love me when I stutter is me.” Those very wise words came from Mary Wood’s encouraging and uplifting keynote given at this year’s Canadian Stuttering Association annual conference which took place in Toronto on October 20, 2018. Mary shares her words of wisdom gained from her life long journey of stuttering along with a plethora of suggested books to read and a fun mini-concert by The East York Barbershoppers who raise funds for Harmonize4Speech supporting various communication disorders such as stuttering. You won’t want to miss this!

On a side note, here’s a short video Mary and I made back in 2015:

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Episode 225: The stuttering experience depicted in sequential art. Just in time for International Stuttering Awareness Day! We hear from the creators of two new comic books, Gareth Cowlin and Joe Stone, who drew and wrote Floor is Lava and Stutter respectively. Both books were drawn directly from each of their experiences of growing up stuttering, and in the case of Gareth’s, dealing with the loss of a sibling. If you enjoy comics and how the medium is perfect for pulling readers into the character’s world, you won’t want to miss this! Apologies in advance for all the wind noise in my intro, number, and outro.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• The Floor is Lava by Gareth Cowlin
• Stutter by Joe Stone
• International Stuttering Awareness Day Online Conference 2018
• A Fox With A Vox Full of Blox Dr. Seuss paordy by me! Buy the poster!
• Canadian Stuttering Association 2018 conference in Toronto
• Association des bègues du Canada Journée-rencontre 2018 in Montreal

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy.

The post Comic books about stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #224: Building bridges with all communication disorders. I chat with movers and shakers in the worldwide stuttering community, Annie Bradberry and Mitch Trichon, CCC-SLP, about the keynote they gave at the recent One World Many Voices Joint World Congress in Hiroshima, Japan. We each have something we can do!

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy. Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Each and every one of us can do something! appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #223: Join me on a summer morning walk as I review the latest in stuttering current events.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• A Tribute to Dr. Alan Rabinowitz – The Boy and His Jaguars
• Stutter Social
  Free group video chats for people who stutter worldwide. Currently in it’s 7th year. Full disclosure: I’m a co-founder.
• International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD) Online Conference
  They have an open call for papers (and videos, too!) until August 31, 2018.
• Don’t Finish My Sentences voice chat group
  Chat with others who stutter in walks-talkie fashion! Download the Zello app, create an account and search for “Don’t Finish My Sentences”. It’s a private channel so a moderator will need to give you access. You may need to keep trying if a moderator isn’t available at the time you first log in.

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for fearless stuttering and joy. Details at stutteringiscool.com.

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Episode #222: We don’t overcome stuttering. We navigate it. Those are the wise words spoken by Annie Bradberry who gave a very motivating keynote speech at the National Stuttering Association 35th annual conference held in Chicago in July 2018. You will hear Annie’s keynote in its entirety on this episode which includes Annie’s life experiences and valuable learnings from being a covert stutterer to a confident leader in the stuttering community who faces fears head-on. And you can, too. You won’t want to miss this!

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy.

The post Navigating stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #221: Learn about cluttering along with me as I chat with Sister Carol Mary Nolan, Carmelite Sister for the Aged and Infirm and person who clutters, and Dr. Charley Adams, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Coordinator of the International Cluttering Association.

This episode was created in honour of the upcoming 2018 Inaugural Joint World Congress of the International Stuttering Association, International Fluency Association and International Cluttering Association taking place in Hiroshima, Japan from July 13 to 16, 2018, with local host organisation the Japanese Society of Stuttering and Other Fluency Disorders. There are a lot of links and commas in this summary!

This episode is brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy.

The post What is cluttering? appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #220: Get on stage and stutter! On this episode, I speak with Dale Williams and Jaik Campbell, co-authors of the textbook, Shining a Light on Stuttering: How One Man Used Comedy to Turn His Impairment Into Applause. Their textbook explains stuttering with academic, diagnostic, and therapeutic perspectives along with Jaik’s journey of becoming a stand up comedian after a lifetime of dealing with his stuttering.

This episode brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with my stuttering survival tips, stories, encouragement – and comics! – for stuttering resilience and joy.

The post Stuttering in the spotlight appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

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Episode #219: I chat with three of my friends who have experienced stuttering discrimination that put an abrupt, unwanted change in their life plans. All because of one or two people who don’t understand stuttering.

This episode brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy.

The post ​Stuttering discrimination needs to stop appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #218: Have you ever written a letter to your stuttering? Or to the phone? Or the letters you stutter on? My guest, James Hayden did! And he wrote a book collecting all the letters he wrote about his stuttering. The book is called Dear World, I Stutter: A Series of Open Letters From A Person Who Stutters and James joins me in discussing his experiences with stuttering, his work on The Mighty, and being a three-time Survivor applicant.

This episode brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy.

The post Letters to your stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #217: We’re not the only ones who get “the look”! On this episode, learn all about Deaf culture, their similar experiences as ours, and what it’s like to be a sign language interpreter.

Transcript
[Please note that in the spirit of awareness, some of the stuttering was kept in the transcript. Repeated syllables were not included for the interest in time (oh the irony!), only repeated words. Also, some of the dialogue was changed for legibility since the spoken word and written word differ.]

Daniele Rossi: Hello and welcome to episode 217 of a stuttering school podcast I’m your host Daniele Rossi also known as Danny recording on Saturday February the 3rd 2018 on a very, very cold evening in Toronto, Canada. We’re talking minus 13 degrees celsius with the windchill. I know it has been a while since my last episode so happy new year! I hope you had a great start to 2018.

Anywho on this episode, I’ll be moving a little bit away from the topic of stuttering and talking to two people who stutter who work with deaf people. In the second half hour, we will find out the differences and similarities in the crazy stuff that we get from hearing and fluent people. And right now in the first half hour, we will learn all about becoming an American sign language interpreter.

Chris Chiarelli: My name is Chris Chiarelli. Right now I’m currently in Vancouver. Well, I’m in the Vancouver area I’m glad to be here.

DR: “Right now”? so it sounds like you travel a lot.

CC: No I just mean like right now within – because I’ve always been in Ontario in the past so this is my first time not being home so in the grand scheme of things it’s new to be out here. But we moved to a new area of Vancouver about six months ago.

DR: This is going to be a treat for the listeners because I don’t know who you are so the listeners and me at the same time get to know Chris who had to send me an email and said “Hey, I would love to come onto your show and talk about”, I believe, it was what you said, stuttering and you’re a sign language interpreter.

CC: Yeah well I’m in school for it so I just started last fall and the fall of 2017. I started at a college out here and it’s a program where we are being trained to work in from English to sign language. To and from. So depending on who I will be set up to interpret for it’ll be either English or American sign language.

DR: Do you get to choose which?

CC: No that’s one of the challenges I think I’ll face when I actually start to go out there and start interpreting is that’s there’s a lot of unknowns and that can be a bit of a challenge in terms of being as fluent as you want to be. Maybe it’s a little bit if you’re unsure of what you need to say or unsure of what you’ll be what or who you’ll be in interpreting for. It definitely adds a new challenge to it so it’s one of the things that I’m interested in and excited to see what the challenge is.

DR: So when you say fluency do you mean fluency when signing or fluency with stuttering?

CC: No speaking more so I don’t actually. I sign perfectly fluently. I don’t have any problems signing. It’s one of the things that kind of drew me into it.

I took American sign language when I was in my second year of university as a course that was typically one of the more easier, fun courses to take and when I took it and sort of went through the semester I noticed that I could sign fluently and say everything that I could or everything that I wanted to without having to add on the extra thought of trying to speak as as fluently as I can. So it was one of the things that kind of drew me into it in a sort of accidental way I didn’t plan on it. And so I took that first course and then I took it for another three years after that. I was supposed minor in it but I completed my four-year degree in three and a half so I didn’t quite get my full minor in it. And then when I moved out to Vancouver, I wanted to continue my skills and try and learn more because it’s one of the things where if you don’t sign for quite some time you tend to forget it so I wanted to make sure that I found either a course or a club out here that I could take to kind of keep up my skills– there are clubs in quite a few schools that don’t have formal classes but I actually I found a 10-month course out here that is pretty intensive so I took that and then once I was done that it kind of moved me into the interpreting program that I’m in right now.

It’s kind of a it’s kind of a pre-course for it it’s not one that you have to take but it’s one that they like kind of heavily hang on for having people come into the interpreting program that that I’m in right now.

DR: Oh wow so it sounds like it’s a passion!

CC: Yeah for sure it is.

DR: Great things happen when people just follow their passions.

CC: Yeah well it’s it’s interesting to think cause as of probably a year and a half ago when I was sort of halfway through the program I was in before the one I’m in right now, I had no thought of working as in working in the field of interpreting. It wasn’t something that I was thinking about and as I went through the program I got lots of encouragement, you can say, to go into the interpreting program. As a male there’s not a lot of men working in the field so they need as many men as they can because it’s a highly – I don’t know what the actual amount is but like right now my class of, I think, we’re 13 or 14, I’m the only one in there… there’s not a ton of men in the interpreting field.

DR: Come to think of it I don’t think I’ve ever seen a male ASL interpreter. I’ve been to just a few, maybe three or four places or meetings, whether it’s a town hall at work or a conference where they had interpreters, and they’re always female.

CC: Yeah there’s a lot more females in the interpreting field for sure so that was why there was a big push for me to go into it. Plus, I feel like I have the skill to do it so I just hadn’t ever really thought about it. It was one of the things where I thought that if I was ever called upon to speak for somebody and I possibly couldn’t say what they were wanting to say and what they can’t actually say so I’m speaking for them. I felt like if I ever got to a point where I was stuck and possibly couldn’t say it the way that it it probably should be said I feel like that was unfair for the person that I’m going to be interpreting for so that was kind of an internal conflict that I had with myself.

Actually, I had the chance to talk to the program coordinator and kind of asked her if I would be okay working in that field or not and she said “To be honest with you, I have no clue. I have never worked with someone like you before” so it was it’s been a sort of a new process for everyone so far. So far it’s been going pretty well and I think there’s gonna be some pretty unique challenges coming up.

DR: Such as?

CC: Such as? So next weekend we have our first chance to do some actual interpreting. What that means is it’s actually like on the spot sort of thing. All the training we’ve had before now has we’ve had to translate stuff, which isn’t the same as interpreting, where you have time to sort of formulate what you want to say, you have time to change it, rerecord it if you want to, and it’s just not high stress kind of thing as it is when it’s actually on the spot. So we’ll see how it goes. This is sort of my big test coming up for me. So we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty confident that I’ll get through it. It might not be where I want it to be but then it gives me something to kind of try and improve on.

DR: So you said it’s more like translating so is interpreting, so you’re graduated, you’re in the professional field now, does that mean that when you’re doing your interpretation, if someone says “I went to the store” you’re not actually translating into a new language, which is sign language, “I went to the store” you’re probably giving the overall–

CC: Yeah yeah so it’s always fun to kind of talk with someone about the interpreting process because it’s fairly unknown to most people. So it’s kind of interesting to sort of tell someone who’s not sure about what it’s supposed to be. What it is. So basically, when you’re interpreting, you’re taking one source and you’re putting it into something else. And when you look at sign language interpreting, it’s one of the few out there that is simultaneous almost. So it’s it’s hearing or seeing what someone is saying or signing and taking it in and then changing it to fit the output. So you’re you’re doing that meanwhile you’re still trying to hear or see what’s still coming in. Whereas if you were to like compare it to someone who was going English to Chinese or something like that, if you’re doing that kind of stuff it’s typically you hear what’s being said in Cantonese or whatever and then you’re hearing it and then you have time to just sort of change it and then speak it in the output which is let’s just say in English.

So typically you’re not speaking over the person who’s talking because it’s because then you couldn’t hear what they’re saying but it’s pretty unique when you can you can hear and then you can also do the output at the same time or see and then speak the the output at the same time because you’re not going to interrupt the speaker or the signer.

So it’s it’s a it’s one of the heavier cognitive challenges that you’ll have to do in any sort of any sort of any sort of if any sort of any sort of field I think it’s one of them it’s a it’s a unique cognitive cognitive challenge I think.

DR: Is that why I always see two ASL interpreters at a conference? You seem to take breaks like it’s probably so much so much brain power…

CC: Here typically the process looks like you work probably about in about 20-25 minutes shifts. So you’re switching off quite a bit but at the same time, you have someone there to interpret with to kind of support you if you miss anything. So there’s also someone that you can kind of lean to to ask for help if you need it.

DR: Man, it sounds a lot like stuttering when you’re really trying to control everything, you know, as you’re speaking, and you know, pay attention to eye contact, and your secondaries.

CC: Yeah and and that’s that’s one of the things that is challenging for me. And one of the things that I’m interested to see how it how it actually plays out because we do that every time we speak but I’m basically trying to do that twice. So it’s it’s it’s a heavy, heavy task to ask my brain to do so the problem for me right now as I haven’t had much of a chance to really try it out. So I I think it’ll I think it’ll be okay but we’ll see.

DR: Would you like to share what it was like for you growing up stuttering?

CC: Me growing up stuttering looked… it was it’s it’s interesting because when I look at my childhood and and my, like, teenage times, it wasn’t something that I don’t think I was very aware of it. I knew that I had it. I had a few challenges in terms of just socially and that kind of normal typical stories that you hear. I had a really, really great supportive friends and family so I didn’t ever feel like I was held to, like, hanging out on my own or I couldn’t go out and be with my friends or anything like that. I always felt that I could be who I wanted to be.

The big the biggest change for me sort of came around my university days and that was sort of my becoming. I had a feeling that I was starting to be my own my own my own obstacle and I felt that I was in my own kind of thing. So that that came about in my first year in my second year so and then it was interesting because it’s one of the few times that I can kind of point to an actual time frame where I changed the way I was thinking and focused more on making sure I was saying what I wanted to say and not so much on how I’m saying it and I saw a change in the way that I approached, like, school, people, teachers, everybody and understood that most of the time people are hearing what you are saying and not so much how you’re saying it.

And that was a big big change for me. That was a big it was a big change for me and sort of from that point on my thinking about how I speak changed because I started to not care. I still cared but it wasn’t my main thought of how I’m saying it but it was more about what I was saying.

And then towards the end of my degree in my fourth year, I got the chance to kind of speak to a few classes. And it was for a communication communication class that I took in my third year and it was taught by a speech-language pathologist. And so I had gotten pretty close with her and then she basically asked me if I could speak to the class. She taught one or two classes on speech language speech language speech language pathology and all the things that kind of come into play if you want to go into that field.

So I did that and then once I moved out to Vancouver here, I have spoken twice now to the UBC‘s speech language pathology class for the past two years. It’s one of the things… that I’m a lot more comfortable speaking to it now than I have it in the past so that’s a big, big change for me for sure that happened in the grand scheme of things over like a year and a half but it was a pretty big change so it’s it’s something that I can pick out in the time timeframe of my 26th year.

DR: Do you know what caused that shift in thinking?

CC: I don’t know if I can speak to one specific thing. There was a time when I felt that I had a ton to say and I and I started to see and, like, it sounds kind of braggy but I started to think that I had smart things to say and by me not saying it, I felt like people didn’t know that I had these things to say. So I felt like it’s not fair to me but it’s also not fair to everyone else – if I have something to say for them to not hear what I have to say.

DR: Because you could be comforting a friend, those words of wisdom you want to say, for example.

CC: In my second year, third year, I started to feel like I could I could have a ton of positive input to what was being taught or what was being taught in class and I felt that I wanted to be a part of this for me and for the class as well. I don’t think it was, like, a one time, there was just like, boom and then I felt okay. But it was a pretty quick change in the grand scheme of things. It was me starting to know more about who I am and at the same time having a good having a good understanding of school and feeling that I wanted to do more in school and have more of more of an input in school in school.

DR: Are you involved in the stuttering community that’s out west in British Columbia?

CC: I am not. It’s one of the things that I actually haven’t ever been in. Even when I was in Ontario I wasn’t in any real communities. I didn’t really have any friends who were in the community. I didn’t really know anyone that had a stutter. I think why that is is because I’ve never felt alone in being, like, without friends or without family. I’ve always had the support that I felt that I needed. I’m not, like, we shouldn’t be in them or anything like that, I think it’s important for sure.

I’ve done a few of the few of the Stutter Socials that have come up on, I think it’s, like, Sundays are the ones that I have time for. But yeah, I’ve never really been a part of any of the groups or anything like that. I also didn’t do much therapy as a kid either. I know I did when I was younger but once I started into my preteens and I stopped. There was there was there was two things that kind of made me choose to stop. One, I didn’t feel like it was helping much. When I look at it now, I think it did and I think I used some of the things that that I was taught but at the time being 13, 14, you don’t want to do anything that you don’t think is gonna be helpful at that time. But at the same time I didn’t want to spend time without my friends or without my family. Because typically when I was in any sort of therapy I was pulled out of class or I had to go on breaks. So I just didn’t want to do it.

And the positive thing for me is, like I said, my friends, I hung out with them all the time, they were incredibly supportive so I didn’t ever feel like I wanted to spend time without them. It was the kind of thing where I was okay, I was comfortable, I was to a point where I could talk with them and I didn’t feel like I couldn’t talk to them. So I just stopped that and and haven’t gone back since. I haven’t done any more therapy, haven’t been a part of any of the groups or communities anywhere. And it’s not that I don’t want to be it’s more of the fact that I just I’m okay right now I’m whether or not anything whether or not I’m gonna wait till it’s too late kind of thing is on me but for the most part right now, I feel like I have anything that I need in terms of support from friends family my my my my partner as well so it’s all been it’s all been good for me in terms of social feeling ok.

DR: So what brings you, and this isn’t a challenge, what brings you to Stutter Social?

CC: Stutter Social for me – I’ve only been in three or four of them so far – it was a way for me to… it was kind of a two-tiered thing. Again, it was one, it was a way to just meet people who can have a shared thought thought thought thought process on how I kind of handle everything and it was also a chance for me to practice speaking with people, and speaking with people who are comfortable hearing me get stuck. It’s one of the things where it’s a supportive area where you can go and speak freely and not have to be too concerned about about thinking what the other person is is seeing and hearing from you.

DR: Do you ever get that when you’re doing the ASL interpreting – if the other person is thinking or I guess what I’m trying to say if they’re judging your interpretation of what they’re saying or anything like that. Does that even exist?

CC: It does probably every time you try and interpret anything. It’s an interesting thing because you have both the sources. So you have English and you have sign and you can kind of… in your head, everything you’re saying is the perfect way to say it but maybe to someone else who can’t hear it or can’t see it or can’t can’t comprehend what’s being signed… what you’re saying might not make sense. So in that… so you’re definitely having someone see what you’re saying or hear what you’re saying critically. So that happens every time you interpret and I think that’s again I’ve chosen to go into something where that’s something that I know and something that I have to handle every time I speak. So I’m kind of just trying to do something that I know about and that’s a good challenge to kind of handle and then trying to add something else on to that which is basically the same thing so it’s two times the the challenge I guess.

DR: Do you have any pieces of advice for any members of the listening audience if they want to get into ASL interpreting?

CC: If they want to go into ASL interpreting, I would suggest that you first look into your passion for language. I think that’s one of the things that got me into it. American Sign Language is not an easy thing to learn. It’s a very challenging language. It is an entirely new language. It would be the same as if you are trying to learn French or or Chinese or anything like that. It is a very challenging thing to do. If you’re passionate and you want to put in the time, definitely do it.

The deaf community is one of the most supportive groups of people out there. They face so many challenges, they are incredibly o o o o o oppressed and they have to handle that everyday. I am excited to be working with them because I feel like I’m not, I don’t feel like I am in any way oppressed but I I know that I’m an extremely privileged person, I have had everything that I needed I can have, but at the same time we understand what it is to not always fit in the way that everyone else fits in because of because of because of a thing that’s not in our control. So in that, like, I feel I feel a sense of connection with them in that, I’m in no way trying to say that I face anything that they have, that’s a whole thing that I will never fully know, but on this on the very very light light surface I sort of understand what it’s like to have something that you can’t always control. That’s one of the things that if you have the right mindset for that, and you sort of understand that, and you want to be a supportive person for them and for for everybody, it would be a good fit.

The biggest problem is there’s not much training here in Canada. There’s only, I think, five schools that have an interpreting program. So it’s a very unique program here. So in that way, I feel like maybe I shouldn’t be in this program when I think how small the programs are. It’s it’s a way to kind of help me feel like I actually should be here and I can do it.

That’s all that I can say. It’s one of the things where if you put in the time and put in the work I think anyone can succeed in it if you have the right kind of mine mindset for it.

DR: Yeah I’ve always thought to myself how come they don’t teach ASL in schools, in elementary schools. Things like that because you never know – you could be walking on a street one day and someone collapses and you know you go to help them…

CC: Yeah it’s one of the things that definitely can… we’re a bit behind the times on. In other places, I would say the U.S. is farther ahead but that’s just based on pure pop pop pure population. They have more people than us. But there are places around the world where they teach it to children and it’s a part of the culture. Children pick it up sooner than they pick up spoken so it’s yeah I would encourage people if they want to they should and anytime you can talk or you can talk to someone who uses American Sign Language or LSQ, which is the Quebec one, it’s just so helpful. Because it’s hard for them to communicate with anyone throughout their day. So any any chance you you can, I would take a course. Even if it’s just an intro course, it’s it’s definitely helpful.

[Music plays]

DR: That was Chris Chiarelli, student ASL interpreter from Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. And with me now on the United States west coast in California is my friend Heather Najman. Did I say that correctly?

Heather Najman: You did Danny hello it’s psychotherapy to deaf and hearing children, parents, couples, etc.

DR: Heather is also a Stutter Social host. Just a side note if you’re not familiar with Stutter Social, it’s a four-time weekly online group video chat for people who stutter all around the world. Details at stuttersocial.com. Full disclosure – I’m one of the co-founders. Stutter Social is also free to use so you have every reason to give it it a try. Anywho, back to the show. Welcome to Stuttering is Cool, Heather!

HN: Thank you, Danny. It is fun to be on. We’ve been we’ve been talking about this for a while so I really glad to be here, thanks.

DR: First question… a reason that I brought you on was, well, I mean it’s pretty obvious because you have a lot of experience with signing and, well, tell us about your job.

HN: Well, I’ve worked in the field of deafness, I don’t know for, gosh, over over twenty years. Originally, I had started working in mental health in Chicago and worked both in a day program and in a community based program which means we would go out and see people in their homes, or we’d meet people at McDonald’s, or in their workplace, and then I also did some freelance interpreting for a few years. And then worked with people who were late deafened and hard of hearing which is not only a different group of people but different needs, different challenges, and different experiences. As people who lose their hearing later in life don’t usually grow up knowing sign language and so for those who choose to learn it’s a different process. So I’ve worked with people who were what we call “Big D” deaf, culturally deaf, “Little D” deaf, those who become deaf later, late deafened and hard of hearing.

Then I moved from Chicago out to California and worked with people with various disabilities – with physical, emotional, mental – when I was working for vocational rehabilitation. But then I left that a few years ago and went back to school again and now I’m working on my licensure as a MFT – Marriage and Family Therapist – and as a what they call LPC, licensed professional counselor, so providing therapy to both hearing individuals, couples, and families at one center but this this job which I just took last summer is on a deaf team and half of us are hearing, half of us is deaf, and we go out into people’s homes here in Los Angeles and provide psychotherapy to families and individuals where there is a deaf person. Sometimes it’s a child, sometimes it’s a deaf parent who has hearing kids, sometimes it’s a deaf brother or sister, a sibling, and sometimes it’s just just one-on-one. So it’s couples, individuals, families and it’s been a great experience kind of bringing my old life into my new therapy career.

DR: Wow! During my chat with Chris – and this is kind of part of the reason why I wanted to bring you on to the show – you’ve listened to our interview. He mentioned experiencing cognitive overload when he signs – I don’t know why I chuckle at that, I guess because I’m laughing with him going “yeah, I can imagine how you’re thinking and signing and all that stuff like five different languages going on in your brain” – do you experience this, the same thing, because you’re working with hearing people and sometimes it’s in groups, hearing and deaf…

HN: Yeah I do, although it’s changed through the years. When I first started to learn sign, I was very, very fluent. It’s like I was trying to find a sign and I found that my stuttering was much much less and that, you know, it’s funny people think that I went into deafness because of my of my my stuttering and that was not not the case at all. But as I started to learn sign better and as I started to sign more, I’m just like in any foreign language, you start to think in that in that second language. For me then, some of my stuttering , I wouldn’t say came back, but I could be signing and if I was voicing then I could stutter at the same same time. Now if I’m signing in ASL, American Sign Language, I’m usually turning off my voice because ASL has a different word order and so it’s if I’m voicing then it becomes more more in English.

Chris had mentioned in his his talk that’s sort of like being conscious of being the deaf person’s voice and I found that was something that I thought a lot about when I was freelancing. I would be very careful about the types of jobs that I would take where the voicing is still important because I I was that that that person’s voice. But I was careful in terms of I tended to work better in small smaller settings. I was freelancing at an agency or doctor’s office or things like that as opposed to a stage or a big board meeting. I felt that how my my stuttering was at that point in time in years back that I was concerned that I wouldn’t give the good voicing that I wanted to. So I so I I chose carefully what I felt that I could do and do well.

The other piece is that I will tend to just like I I advertise with hearing people, I also advertise with deaf people because what I say is is “look I have a voice that is is different” and I and I spell stutter – I’m I’m waiting to see from Greg Greg Snyder what his sign is for “stutter”.

DR: I was about to ask. Is there a sign for stutter?

HN: Well, Greg says yes they have. I haven’t seen it. I have I have asked various various deaf friends. How I sign it now is I sort of like make my mouth kind of go crooked and speaking kind of off and then and then I then I spell it and if the person’s got got a good grasp of English they’ll go “oh okay”. If they don’t know, they’ll go “what what’s that?” then I’ll say “well my my voice stops and starts and sometimes you might see my lips move sideways or my my eyes will close so I don’t talk like other other hearing people”. And they go “okay” and then we move on.

I always kind of joked that lip-reading me can be really hard so I I wanted to let them know because otherwise they would be looking at me with kind of that what I call the “Scooby Doo Look” which is like “ROWROO? What’s going on?”

DR: [Laughing] We’re all familiar with that kind of look.

HN: Yes, exactly! We know that look of “huh, what’s going on?”. Deaf people get the look, too. When I when I talked with with with with deaf friends about the experience of stuttering and I mentioned the look which there there is a sign for, they’re like, “oh you get that get that and get that too!” so that is something but both of our worlds share because they get that look from people, from from hearing people all the time.

DR: Well, speaking of the similarities between the stuttering and the deaf communities, I’m assuming are there other ones, too?

HN: I think there are. I was I was reminded of a t-shirt I have. I have a drawer of various stuttering shirts, as as I think many of us do, and I think it was the International Stuttering Association, ISA, shirt said – what is last year or two years ago that had the stuttering ribbon on it and it said “stuttering pride” and I was reminded of deaf deaf pride which is something that has been talked about a lot in the the deaf world.

And I realize, Danny, as I’m as I’m talking about this that that I forgot to save say something and and that is I am not speaking for deaf people because I’m hearing and I have grown up hearing and I’m speaking as somebody who’s had experience and worked in the community not just working but also deaf friends and studies and learning over the last twenty some years so I consider myself an ally to the deaf community by which I mean that I I support them. And so it’s it’s because I think that we do share some of the same same experiences such as dealing with hearing people’s “the look” when something’s not moving smoothly. So so as I talk about this, I’m not speaking for people, I’m speaking based on my knowledge and experiences and things like that.

So some of the things that I think are similar… is one of them is that how do we identify? And in the stuttering worlds, and I’ll say worlds, that you know some people called themselves stutterers, some people call themselves people who stutter. And I I’ve done both. When I started, it was a real important part of my acceptance journey to take that stutter role on. And they did that for years because for years there was so much shame and I didn’t want to admit it but but then one day in a meeting, and I think it was at the National Council on Stuttering years ago, someone said “I’m any ers. I’m a daughter, I’m a worker, I’m a lover, or I’m a, you know, and and I went “That’s it! I’m many ers! Stuttering as a part of me, it’s not the whole of me”.

I think in in the deaf world, it’s the same thing. There’s a there’s a very well-known quote by by one of the past presidents from Gallaudet, which is the world’s first deaf deaf university out in Washington, DC, and was was by a late and deafened and faculty member who became the head of it named I King Jordan. And back in, I think it was 1988, they had the deaf president now protest wanting a deaf person to head up the school and he had a quote that I really like. He said “deaf people can do anything hearing people do except hear”. And I think that within the stuttering worlds, we are seeing that same type of energy. That same realization that we have just as much to give whether it’s in our workplace, our families, Toastmasters, anything that sometimes we may need a little bit more time, we need some patience, we need to be able to find our voice and we need time to be able to speak it. And I think deaf people have gone through that same type of type of experience.

Plus plus also just as we have struggled to, I think, with what to call our ourselves, there are, you know, language that has that has changed. Way back when, there was things like “deaf and mute”. We don’t use that term anymore. “Hearing impaired”. We don’t use that that term. So people ask what do I say. Deaf person? And some people do call them themselves “late deafened”. Some people call themselves “hard of hearing”. But just as stuttering isn’t based on the number of stuttered syllables, I mean we have people who are more on the overt side and stutter outwardly, we have people who are more covert where you wouldn’t necessarily know. Hearing loss is you don’t judge if someone’s deaf based on what they’re audiogram looks like. They may they may have some hearing enough that they can use the some hearing that they have coupled with lip-reading, which is a very inexact science only about thirty percent can be lip read – it’s like Wheel of Fortune, you you get a letter here and a letter there and you fill in the fill in the rest. But it’s it’s based on how does that person identify? Did they learn sign? Did they go to a deaf school? So just as ours isn’t based on what our speech sounds like, you can’t say “oh that person’s deaf or hard-of-hearing” because they may feel deaf and identify with the deaf culture but have some hearing or more hearing. So it’s really based on self self and choice I guess I would say.

There are other things that that I was thinking about that, you know, what do you do when you meet a person and, of course, I think we always get that in terms of what do? We need to listen, we need to be patient. Something I find hearing people do sometimes is they will start mouthing really big and talking really loud and thinking that they can get that and that doesn’t help because if you’re talking really big and exaggerating your mouth, that doesn’t give lip-reading cues and, like I said, only 30% can be lip read.

So things that actually help that is not to talk with your hands in front of your mouth, not to eat while you’re talking, not to have a pencil in your mouth or a pen that you’re chewing on, make sure you have the person’s eyes – eye contact. Which is which is really tough for us! I’ve had to really really really work on it because part of my stuttering secondaries I drop my chin and I shut my eyes so I have to really work to keep eye contact and not to turn way. Teachers a lot do this – they will turn and write on the board. Well, if they do that, then they’ve lost lost the face or if you’re in a work meeting and if somebody turns to point then you’ve lost the face.

DR: Or your cell phone rings and you look down to get it!

HN: Speaking of that, when I when I I started in the field, there were not cell phones. And and a lot of the signs that I learned in Chicago are different here. So just as there are regional differences and dialects, signs are different. So I had seen a person sign the word for phone but I didn’t know it and I’m like “what’s that word?” and they’re like “oh phone!” or “tablet” which I kind of got from the miming of the screen swiping. But there was all kinds of cell phone tech tech words that didn’t exist back when I was signing eighteen years ago.

DR: The reason I’m laughing is because I’ve always had my personal sign for, like, you know, I’ve never had a Blackberry, when Blackberrys were all the rage, I would see the two thumbs gestures –

HN: And thumbs thumbs point. Well, that that’s the that’s the sign for texting. Some sign some signs are very very gesture based and hearing people can kind it figure it out. But it’s not all sign isn’t isn’t gestural like that. Also there is not one English word for one sign. Sometimes it might take three or four signs to explain one one one one English word. Or vice versa, you can have one sign but it might take you three or four or five words English words to convey the meaning because so much is conveyed through, just like we have a tone of voice or a volume or expression, there’ll be facial expressions or the size of your gesture. So a lot of times people will start to like wave their hands or get big.

Oh speaking of which, if you’re talking with a person that signs, don’t go up and just start waving your hands randomly in their face.

DR: People do that?!

HN: Yes, ignorant people. But people do that which would be kind of like going up to and going [speaking gibberish]. It doesn’t make sense but people are trying to be funny or they think that they’ve seen something and so they just start waving their hands and it’s rude it’s kind of rude.

DR: So when you’re walking up to a deaf person, do you tap on their shoulder or do you try to walk in front and make that eye contact?

HN: So get the eyes first. If you’re walking up behind or the side, yes, and touch is very calm and to touch the shoulder or the arm. But to get their eyes first and and when in doubt, ask them because they may they they may want to write back and forth or they may want to text on their on their phone back and forth.

I was that at a work retreat recently and we had our our our team mingling with a a different team in our our branch and they were all hearing. Well, about half of our team whipped out their phones and pulled up an app and Cardzilla, I think it was, which makes the text big, so they would they would type in their answers and stuff and because it was large print, it was simple to see. It worked great.

Siri can’t help in terms of you know speaking things in and going going back and forth.

DR: [Laughing] Even when you stutter?

HN: Well you know, for some of us Siri works pretty well. Sometimes Siri gets a little funky.

DR: We have issues with the whole autocorrect thing when we’re texting.

HN: And one of the other things, too, is that it was Nina G that had had a video a few years back that I will just translate as “Stuff” Fluent People Say and I had shared that with a deaf deaf deaf deaf friend of mine. She just cracked up. She thought that was so funny and she had she had texted back saying “my friends have a similar saying. They call SHP or CHP”. And I’m like, “SHP? CHP?” and she said “Stupid Hearing People or Clueless Hearing People”.

DR: [Laughing]

HN: …and I’m like “oh yeah” so people usually mean well but they, you know, open mouth insert foot. So they get it when we we we roll our eyes when, of course, well what do we get probably the most – “oh did you forget your name?”. You know all those kinds of things. They get that get that that that, too. So there’s there’s a lot more understanding than I think we realize.

I think, and I see this on some of the some of the Facebook groups because so many of us grew up not meeting other people that that stuttered, we felt so isolated and lonely and and thinking that it’s just us and I’m here to say it’s not it’s not just us. Other people that have a communication – I’m going to say “difference” – experience the same feelings, the same frustrations, the same quandary, the same being being misunderstood by the hearing world as we do. So we’re not the only ones. As the NSA tagline says, you are not not alone.

So I had to had to throw that in because the NSA has been a really big part of my life for many years and I’m one of the one of the chapter leaders now but when I when I began when I was a youngin. It really made a difference for me because I knew there were other people out there, but I never met anyone else until I was like 18. And then I went “oh there’s other people that get this” and that that that for me was the start of my my journey.

DR: NSA – the National Stuttering Association. [Laughing] Not the other NSA that listens to–

HN: [Laughing] Right, right we don’t we don’t speak about those things.

DR: What’s their tagline? I forgot. Something about they gather, no they listen but they don’t speak. Or is that the CIA? It’s neither here nor there. You were saying? I didn’t mean to cut you off.

HN: Oh it’s okay. I think I was just saying that there’s just as many of us who have found that connection and community. Whether it’s through Stutter Social, whether it’s through self-help support groups, whether it’s through coming to the national conference which I have to plug is in Chicago in my hometown. There is so much to do and see in Chicago whether it’s blues, music, the lake, the museums, the restaurants, there’s so much you can do.

DR: I was just planning if I should go for the full week or just an extra day time. I’m, like, “hmmmmmm”.

HN: Lots to do. Lots to do. Yeah. So whether it’s whether it’s local group, whether it’s national conferences, whether it’s International Stuttering Association in Japan.

DR: The week after.

HN: Yes, the week after. Iceland next year. Canada, the CSA.

DR: Montreal –

HN: I was going to say ABC because I don’t speak French. I only know un petit. There there are so many ways to reach out and in the deaf world there are lots of lots of groups whether it’s Association of Late Deafened Adults, whether it’s Hearing Loss Association of America, National Association of the Deaf, so there are there are lots of lots of resources, lots of support so that people don’t have to struggle by them them them them them selves. [Laughing] That was a long word! They don’t have to struggle by themselves.

DR: I was also told by Greg – you mentioned Greg Snyder who was on the show before – he was a professor at, what’s it called Galladet [pronouncing it as Gala Day]?

HN: [Laughing] Gallaudet

DR: Sorry, yeah, living in Canada, everything is French. Or in my nationality Italian. What was I going to say? Oh yeah, he said that the deaf community, long before, long, long before Google Hangouts, YouTube, whatever, they were doing group video chats even on their cell phones. I believe he was saying that that they really, I believe he meant just something like they really helped develop the technology because they were the ones using it back in the 1990s, too.

HN: I think it was Vince Cerf who was one of the early guys with the the internet guys and one of the the early scientists that helped to work with that was deaf himself. So yes and and the first pagers, I mean I am dating myself here, paige back and forth and then text and, you know, gone are the days of the old TTY. Teletypwriters. Now there is FaceTime and it’s so fabulous because I can I can pick up the phone, phone a friend, and we can sign back and forth and it’s… you don’t have to pull out a bulky thing. It’s quick, there are lots of apps, there is Glide, there’s Marco Polo, there are lots of lots of visual based apps you can you can leave a voicemail with kind of thing… There’s just tons out there. It’s really a great time.

DR: Well, we could go on for hours talking about this! Thank you for coming on my show and talking about this fascinating – are what we call them our brothers and sisters?

HN: Yeah! Companions perhaps. So thank you, thank you very much. It has been good fun.

DR: That’s it for today’s show. I want to hear from you. Coolstutter at gmail dot com. We all have smartphones now with voice memo apps. You just record, say, what, three minutes? Heather, do you think it’s wrong for me to put in a time limit for people that stutter?

HN: Oh that’s a toughy time pressure!

DR: Three, five minutes.

HN: Five minutes.

DR: But content is ing. So if you have really good stuff to say, seven minutes is fine.

[Whispering] Just don’t ramble.

[Laughing and joking] Or if you want to ramble, I can always have a guest host.

So this episode has been brought to you by the Stuttering is Cool book, yes, I actually wrote a book.

HN: Great book.

DR: Thank you. Tips and tricks and of how to go from covert to overt confident stutterer living your life the way that you want to and it has comics because… you know, life’s too short not to have a sense of humor. It’s okay to laugh at your own stuttering. So that’s all I’m saying.

HN: Hear! Hear!

DR: So details on that and some awareness pins that I recently started to create – stutteringiscool.com. Thank you!

And Heather is now giving what I recognize as the deaf sign for clapping.

HN: Yes applause. Hands up in the air and shaking and waving them back and forth. Wooooo!

DR: [Laughing] Well, until next time, may your staring always be with confidence and yeah don’t walk up to a deaf person and start waving your hands because, you know, you wouldn’t want someone finishing your sentences for you.

HN: Exactly.

DR: Bye!

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Episode #216: Happy Anniversary! Ten years ago today, I launched my podcast hoping to meet and encourage fellow stutterers to enjoy the benefits of stuttering openly and without fear. I never imagined my little show would last beyond four episodes let alone 10 years! A lot has happened since 2007. Particularly the lightning quick technological advances that had a tremendous impact on culture and changed and our daily lives. It also changed how we deal with our stuttering.

To help me celebrate 10 years of Stuttering is Cool, I asked a few of my friends to share their stories of how advances in technology from the past 10 years changed the stuttering experience in our social lives, happiness, speech pathology, stuttering research, and more.

This episode brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy!

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​Episode #215: Hello from the Canadian Stuttering Association 2017 conference! On this episode, I talk to conference speakers and organizers to find out how improv can help people who stutter, how to tell a joke despite your stuttering, and what it is like to organize a stuttering conference. Then I talk a bit about my experiences with Inktober and my future plans for Stuttering is Cool.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Canadian Stuttering Association

• CSA Instagram

• CSA Facebook page

• CSA Facebook group

• @heyfrankybanky on Instagram

• Inktober

• Franky Banky in A World That Understands Stuttering comic

• Kim’ Block’s Stuttering Adventures website

Watch more Stuttering is Cool videos shot at stuttering conferences

This episode brought to you by my book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. Packed with tips, stories, encouragement and comics for stuttering resilience and joy.

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Episode #214: Hello from La Belle Province! On this episode, I take you along with me to the ABC stuttering conference in Montreal. I chat with clinical professor, Vivian Sisskin, about avoidance therapy, inviting shame, and a little bit about the famous Joseph Sheehan who she studied under. I also chat with PhD student, Robert van de Vorst, of the Speech Motor Control Lab at McGill University, about his research into why people who stutter tend to be fluent when we sing.

Before that, you will hear the sounds of beautiful Quebec City as I give a brief summary of the ISAD Online Conference 2017 papers (check out my comic!) and how awesome it is that SLPs students are taking part. After the ABC, I ponder the big question of what do to when a teacher feels your stuttering will hinder your career or chance of graduation.

The post Teachers who don’t understand stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 213: Audio from Norway! On this episode, we hear from the recent Nordic Stuttering Seminar which took place in Norway earlier this month. I also chat a little bit about facing speaking fears and using humour when spreading stuttering awareness.

The post News from Norway appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #212: Join me on another walk to the park as I respond to listener questions about secondaries and their affect on fluency, my own fluency strategies, and the stress in trying to speak fluently.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Journée-rencontre à Montreal par l’Association des bègues du Canada
• Canadian Stuttering Association one day confernece

The Stuttering is Cool podcast is brought to you by the book, Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. A fun, short guide to living with stuttering confidently and happily.

The post Secondaries, fluency strategies, and stress appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #211: On this episode, me and my friends chat about upcoming stuttering conferences in Norway and India. I also talk a bit about upcoming stuttering conferences in Canada and what I missed at this year’s National Stuttering Association conference in the U.S.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Nordic Stuttering Seminar in Lillehammer, Norway from September 1 to 3, 2017
• The Indian Stammering Association Conference in Chandigarh, India from September 30 to October 2, 2017
• National Stuttering Association Fall Retreat 2017 in Spokane, Washington, USA from September 30 to October 2, 2017
• Association des bègues du Canada conference in Montreal, Canada on October 15, 2017
• Canadian Stuttering Association conference in Toronto, Canada on October 28, 2017

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Episode #210: Taking stuttering into your hands. On this episode I chat with Andrew Castaneda who recently started a YouTube channel all about his stuttering. Andrew shares his stuttering journey, how at the age of 15 he decided no more speech therapy, and how changing his perception towards his stuttering helped him.

The post Changing your stuttering perception appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #209: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for people who stutter! On this episode, I chat with Nottingham Trent University Masters student, Gareth Walkom, who is currently developing software using virtual reality to help people who stutter reduce speaking anxiety and improve eye contact. Joining our conversation is Gareth’s advisor and previous Stuttering is Cool guest, Grant Meredith, Associate Dean (Student Retention and Success) for the Faculty of Science and Technology at Federation University Australia and designer of Scenari-Aid, a website with over 100 streaming video scenarios for people to practice their needs.

The post Stuttering and virtual reality appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 208: Becoming a mighty strong person who stutters! Join me on a hike in Presqu’Ile Provincial Park as I explain how I applied ascetic and stoic philosophy to stuttering. Overcoming adversity such as the type stuttering gives us transforms us into better and more awesome people!

The post Stuttering, asceticism, and stoicism appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

This episode was recorded during a test live broadcast on the Stuttering is Cool Facebook page on March 27, 2017. I interact with viewers on this topic of nervousness and stuttering. Another test live broadcast took place on March 4, 2017 where I ask the audience Has stuttering got you down?.

The post How to stop stuttering when you’re nervous appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #206: It isn’t easy living with a stutter! On top of the funny looks, ignorant comments, discrimination, and having your sentences finished by well-meaning people, like all differences from “the norm”, stuttering certainly gives us some extra challenges to overcome. On this episode, I chat with Kim Block, author of the “Adventures of a Stuttering Superhero” children’s book series about her book and how much the world needs more stuttering awareness.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Adventures of a Stuttering Superhero; Adventure #1 Interrupt-Itis
• Pick Up Notes by Jane LeBak
• How I, Like, Conquered Saying ‘Like’
• How to Stop Saying the Word “Like”

The post Overcoming hurdles because we stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #205: Happy New Year! Join me and my friends as we ring out 2016 in Montreal, Canada, over Facebook Live while chatting about speech goals and stuttering tips. Then we take you along for our walk towards the waterfront to watch the fireworks as we ring in 2017.

The post Stuttering in the New Year appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #204: Could stuttering be more than a speech issue? What about the rest of your body? Dr. Greg Snyder returns to chat about some pretty cool research his lab at Ole Miss is currently conducting. We talk about stuttering in sign language, handwriting, and even touch typing! Then we talk about a remarkable app that shows promise in reducing stuttering through your smartphone’s vibrate mode. And also something about Amazon Alexa’s compatibility with stuttering.

Contact Greg before February 2017 if you’d like to participate in Greg’s research.

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Episode #203: 1) Get yourself a community. 2) Realize that people don’t care that you stutter. They like the real you! This is a tribute episode for one of my very good friends, Bob Goyetche, who suddenly passed away last week. Bob was a pioneer in podcasting and always helped others get up and running with their own podcasting. Back in 2006, Bob co-founded an awesome, close-knit community of really cool, friendly people from across Canada and the United States (including Argentina!) who shared my interest in podcasting and digital media. I am so grateful to have been and still be a part of it.

I started going to PAB, the podcasting conference that Bob had co-founded, during a particularly lonely, very shy, and very cover stuttering time in my life. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming that soon I had made many new friends. And most importantly, it was in this community where I learned the life-changing fact that people truly don’t care that I stuttered. Mind bend, I know! So in this episode, I talk about how Bob was the one who introduced me to this awesome community, his hilarious character, the community itself, and what all this has to do with getting out of your stuttering comfort zone.

…And also realizing that even people who don’t stutter can fear social and speaking situations. In fact, that’s how I learned to take further steps out of my comfort zones – seeing my new friends get up and give presentations year after year at PAB. Of course I had to give it a try, too!

Also, being a community of digital creatives, musicians, and designers, many collaborations were made over the years and a lot of it rubbed off on me. Many more steps out of my comfort zone with a little help from my friends, as the song goes. I see many parallels of this in the stuttering community, meet ups, and such so get out there and find your community!

Join me as I pay tribute to Bob and my fellow PABsters.

Links mentioned:

• One Night In Kingston by VisionFire
• Tribute to podcasting pioneer Bob Goyetche by CBC Spark

Episode cover art credit goes to Shane Potvin, PABster and super awesome designer.

The post Finding out that people don’t care that you stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #202: Don’t strive for complete fluency. Do the best you can do everyday. Whatever that is for you. Be it to stutter openly and freely or keep speech tools in practice. Be comfortable in your own skin. Part of our stuttering journey usually involves the act of practice at one point or another. On this episode, I chat with David Stones, poet, spoken word artist, CEO, and co-organizer of the CSA one-day stuttering conference which took place on October 22, 2016 (yup, International Stuttering Awareness Day!).

David led a workshop where he asked everyone to share their methods in whatever their speech goals happen to be. David then compiled everything together into three free PDFs downloads available on the CSA website under Towards Improved Speech Fluency.

David and I chat about his favourite bits from the materials along with our favourite moments of the CSA conference, the brilliant keynote given by Geoff Regan (speaker of the House of Commons), and we lament the end of British Columbia Association for People Who Stutter (BCAPS).

The post Best practices in fluency appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #201: I had an awesome time at the Nordic Stuttering Seminar which took place in Hämeelinna, Finland with an additional trip to Tallinn, Estonia. On this episode, I share my experiences at my first Nordic seminar as I illustrate the benefits of hanging out with others who stutter. It’s true what the National Stuttering Association’s motto says — if you stutter, you’re not alone! I also talk about a third trip I made right after the conclusion of the Nordic Stuttering Seminar. My trip to Iceland!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Nordic Stuttering Seminar 2016
• Finnish Stuttering Association
• Estonian Stuttering Association
• European League of Stuttering Associations (ELSA)
• Norwegian Stuttering Association
• Stutter Social

The post My trip to the Nordic Stuttering Seminar 2016 appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #200! What a great way to celebrate this milestone: with stutterers from all over the world! Join me at the World Congress for People Who Stutter/National Stuttering Association joint conference which took place in Atlanta, U.S.A. There are a lot of stories from people who stutter in this episode! I speak with old and new friends including Kylie Simmons who was recently detained at the Atlanta airport due to ignorance towards her stuttering; learn about the famous names in the dawn of stuttering research and therapy by Frederick Pemberton Murray, author of A Stutterer’s Story; hear from first timers, “internationals”; someone who told a potential employer that she would do a better job than the other candidates because she stutters – and got the job!; porky pig tattoos; cultural attitudes towards stuttering; and more!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Nordic Stuttering Seminar
• TISA Conference 2016
• ABC Journée-rencontre octobre 2016
• CSA Conference 2016
• heyfrankybanky on Instagram

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Episode #199: Join me on my noisy walk to the train station on my way to work as I encourage the idea of focussing on our strengths instead of comparing ourselves to others in a self-defeating way. It can be tough to resist comparing ourselves to others. I have that trouble, too. We live in a society that demands impossible perfection. Focussing on the qualities that we don’t have will only make us feel worse. Instead, we should focus on our strengths. After all, everyone is made to be different. Everyone has both strengths and weaknesses. And everyone has a particular purpose in life. So why focus on anything else?

Of course, we are only human. So if there’s anything that you envy in someone else, keep in mind that you have strengths they may not have. And if you wish you had a particular strength they have, why see them as a role model and learn how to achieve the same thing?

The post Jealousy vs. Motivation appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #198: It’s not how you say something, it’s what you say that’s important! Join me and my friend Sam on this episode as we chat about this fact. And trek through beautiful Algonquin Park, Canada’s largest and oldest provincial park.

The post Effective communication vs fluency appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #197: There’s a whole lot more to us than our stutter! This is the message, Anita Blom, former Stutter Social host, gives in this episode. Continuing my Stutter Social interview series, Anita shares her stuttering survival and resilience tips which includes, talking about your stutter, meeting other stutterers, not comparing yourself to others, and everything is a life lesson.

The poem mentioned on this episode:

Other people are always doing better
by Peter Curman

Other people live strong and proficient lives
Other people succeed in their marriage
Other people are always successful
Other people have strong contact with reality
Other people can always solve their problems
Other people are always doing better

Nobody has such problems as I have
Nobody is as useless as I am
Nobody messes up it’s life as I do
Nobody fails as often as I do
Nobody is as hopeless as I am

To me you’re one of the others
To you I’m one of the others
Let’s see into each others eyes

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Don’t worry about never dating or getting married
• International Stuttering Association
• Joint Conference of the NSA/ISA World Congress 2016
• Iceberg Analogy of Stuttering

The Stutter Social Host Interview Series

• Part 1 – The phone, dating, jobs, small talk
• Part 2 – Show your stutter who’s boss
• Part 3 – Give yourself permission not to be perfect every day
• Part 4 – Focusing on the positive stuttering experiences
• Part 5 – Don’t beat yourself up if you have a stuttery day
• Part 6 – Life Isn’t Perfect. Be the best person you can be.

More stuttering survival tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com/book.

The post You are so much more than your stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #196: Canned material which you can use! If you’re having trouble knowing what to say to various reactions to your stuttering, then this episode will surely help! I sometimes still get caught off guard not knowing how to react. But it’s another opportunity to assess, learn, and become more prepared for next time.

This episode is brought to you by the Stuttering is Cool book! Full of comics and survival tips to get you through dating, job interviews, and dumb questions like ‘Did you forget your name?’.

I remember back in the early years about 10 years ago now, with each speaking situation I was learning how to become comfortable with my stuttering and learning how to stutter openly, how to mention and educate about my stuttering, as I encountered one speaking situation after another. For the most part, I’d be thrown off guard by whatever unforeseen thing that would end up happening during a speaking situation.

You can go order coffee 10 times and each one of those times would have a different setting. Be it the barista laughing at you, or the barista smiles and patiently waits for your order, perhaps you’re the only one in line, or there’s a long line of other customers behind you, or you’re having a bad day, or it’s the barista’s first day, anything. And each setting would require its own unique response.

As I began my journey in learning how not to let my stuttering out in these speaking situations, for the most part, I found myself being caught off guard and not knowing what to say. And for the most part, I’d end up either avoiding or switching words or having an embarrassing moment only to beat myself up over it later. But with more exposure and experience, through trial and error, assessing what kind of replies worked or didn’t work, I grew more confident in all speaking situations as I was simply more used to it.

I was more prepared with what kind of replies worked for me. If it wasn’t for the rocky beginning, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Stuttering doesn’t bother me in job interviews.
I use my stuttering to my benefit on dates. I’m perfectly fine with stuttering in front of s large group of people. Don’t get me wrong, stuttering still kicks my butt. It still creates embarrassing moments for me. It’s my attitude towards this that makes all the difference. I can choose to avoid speaking situations or switch words, but then I’m not being my true self. I like meeting new people. I like being social. So letting my stuttering out is really the best thing for me.

Just like picking up a sport, or becoming an expert in something, you gotta practice. You gotta do things over and over, and assess, try again and again until you’ve got the hang of it. Every speaking situation is truly different. I still get caught off guard sometimes and not knowing how to react. But it’s another opportunity to assess and be even more prepared for next time.

And remember, you’re not alone. Thanks to the Internet, there are stuttering forums all over the place With others that stutter and understand exactly what you’re going through. You can share each other’s experiences, tips and even suggest what to say in a variety of speaking situations.

On this episode, my friends and I share our own canned material to give you an idea of what you could say. Don’t memorize and recite them word for word. Be yourself and let your true personality shine. Edit and reword as you see fit. And don’t beat yourself over any rocky encounters. You’re only human and you need these rocky encounters in order to learn.We learn through suffering. We learn through first hand experience. Then let us know how things went.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. There are millions of stutterers on the Internet waiting to get to know you!

Think of all this as a workout. Just as you would build your muscles in the gym, you will build your stuttering resilience, mental toughness, and mindfulness. You will become a confident badass that everyone will see in a positive light. And opportunities will open up for you. But you have to stick with it, and embrace the suck, and learn from the suck,
and grow. We can’t grow without the suck. We can’t learn without failing. And failing isn’t bad. It’s important. And don’t forget to share with other stutterers. You need your support system.

The post ​Responding to reactions to your stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #195: Whether you’re keeping your speech tools in practice or letting yourself stutter openly, living with stuttering requires building up and keeping mental toughness. In this episode, I share my take on a superb article I stumbled upon about how mental toughness training is beneficial in all areas of our lives. Including dealing with the embarrassing moments a communication disorder can create.

After all, not everyone understands or knows what stuttering is when they see it. We still need to raise awareness:

More Superhero themed Franky Banky comics!

The article I talk about is The Psychology of Strength: Incorporating Mental Toughness Training by Jackson Yee.

More articles about mental toughness:

• Keep Your Head: 4 Exercises for Building Your Mental Toughness Inspired by War by John Corcoran
• 7 Habits of People With Remarkable Mental Toughness by Jeff Haden
• 5 Things Most People Get Wrong About Mental Strength by amy Morin

The post Stuttering and Mental Toughness appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

This is part 6 in a series where I ask each of the Stutter Social hosts to share their stuttering survival and resilience tips:

Part 1 – The phone, dating, jobs, small talk

Part 2 – Show your stutter who’s boss

Part 3 – Give yourself permission not to be perfect every day

Part 4 – Focusing on the positive stuttering experiences

Part 5 – Don’t beat yourself up if you have a stuttery day

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Stuttering is Cool is the perfect antidote to the emotional downturns that can leave so many people who stutter feeling disheartened.”
– Lisa Wilder, Canadian Stuttering Association

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Life Isn’t Perfect. Be the best person you can be. appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #193: You’re going to stutter. It’s part of the package. So don’t beat yourself up if you have a stuttery day. That’s the advice from Pamela Mertz, Stutter Social host, and producer of the Women Who Stutter podcast and blog. Pamela hid her stuttering for 30 years until one day she had enough. Once she start stuttering openly, telling people about it, and hanging out with others who stutter, Pamela found resilience she never knew she had. “You’ll lessen the load and anxiety but just being yourself and stuttering openly. And it makes you a more interesting person, more unique”. On this episode, I ask Pamela to share her tips on how to survive and grow resilient to stuttering.

This is part 5 in a series where I ask each of the Stutter Social hosts to share their stuttering survival and resilience tips:

• Part 1 – The phone, dating, jobs, small talk
• Part 2 – Show your stutter who’s boss
• Part 3 – Give yourself permission not to be perfect every day
• Part 4 – Focusing on the positive stuttering experiences

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Daniele Rossi your book is epic. A class all its own! We all love it and already inspiring a 15yo to find himself and find his voice through your colorful cartoons, expressive page numbers and fabulous content! BRAVO. Well worth the wait. Wonderful fruit of your long labor!”
– Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC-SLP

Available in print and digital. Order your copy now!

The post Don’t beat yourself up if you have a stuttery day appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #192: Everything will be alright. Really! I chat with Stutter Social host, Chad Mannisi, who shares his tips on living a full, rich life in spite of stuttering. Chad purposely chose to present about stuttering in school to raise awareness and answer questions students might have been afraid to ask; he keeps in mind that no one is truly judging him; he also noticed that when fluenters don’t seem to dwell too much when they stumble on their words so why should he.

This is part 4 in a series where I ask the same question to all of the Stutter Social hosts:

Part 1 – The phone, dating, jobs, small talk

Part 2 – Show your stutter who’s boss

Part 3 – Give yourself permission not to be perfect every day

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Stuttering is Cool is the perfect antidote to the emotional downturns that can leave so many people who stutter feeling disheartened.”
– Lisa Wilder, Canadian Stuttering Association

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Focusing on the positive stuttering experiences appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

I chat with Stutter Social host, Annie Bradberry, about the methods she uses to prevent her speech from getting in the way of her life, work, and play. You won’t want to miss this episode as Annie’s stuttering survival tips can turn anyone from a shy, covert stutterer to a confident speaker regardless of fluency.

This is the third part in a series of episodes where I interview Stutter Social hosts who offer their stuttering survival and resilience tips. In Part 2 I interviewed Hanan Hurwitz who shows his stutter who’s boss and I interviewed Christine Dits who gave tips for dating and talking on the phone in part 2.

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Stuttering is Cool is the perfect antidote to the emotional downturns that can leave so many people who stutter feeling disheartened.”
– Lisa Wilder, Canadian Stuttering Association

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Give yourself permission not to be perfect every day appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #190:  Stuttering survival tips, part 2. There’s no special secret to beating stuttering. Achieving this nirvana is unconditional self-acceptance, non-avoidance, non-judgement, and living in the moment. I interview Stutter Social host, Hanan Hurwitz, in this second part of my series all about stuttering survival tips.

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Stutter Social
• NSA/ISA stuttering conference 2016
• Stuttering Survival Tips Part 1 – stuttering your name, group discussions, telephones, and more

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Stuttering is Cool is the perfect antidote to the emotional downturns that can leave so many people who stutter feeling disheartened.”
– Lisa Wilder, Canadian Stuttering Association

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Show your stutter who’s boss appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #189: You’re making a phone call and growing more anxious about stuttering with each ring. What do you do? Learn telephone survival tips and master other speaking situations in dating, job interviews, small talk, body language, and stuttering your name as Christine Dits, community manager of the Stutter Social app, shares her methods for dealing with stuttering and building resilience.

We also talk a bit about introvert and extroverts who stutter and where they get their energy in social situations.

Christine stuttered since she was 6 years old and most recently became a licensed SLP (CCC-SLP to be exact). She is a returning Stuttering is Cool guest and frequent co-host of the Stuttering is Cool videos.

This is the first in a series where I’ll be asking Stutter Social hosts to share the methods they use to survive stuttering and build resilience. I believe resilience is the key to living the life you want to live in spite of your speech. After all, life is too short to worry about perfection! Plus, nobody is perfect.

This episode is brought to you by Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World. It’s full of comics and tips about stuttering survival and overcoming everyday speaking situations in work, play, romance, and more. Order your copy now!

More stuttering coping tips in the Stuttering is Cool book!

“Stuttering is Cool is the perfect antidote to the emotional downturns that can leave so many people who stutter feeling disheartened.”
– Lisa Wilder, Canadian Stuttering Association

Available in print and digital.
Details at stutteringiscool.com.

The post Stuttering tips, part 1 – the phone, dating, jobs, small talk appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #188: Happy New Year! Let’s start the new year off with the right mindset – dealing with stuttering head-on, avoid avoiding, and building up resilience to our speaking fears! On this episode, my fellow Stutter Social hosts join me in sharing stuttering survival tips to get your mental toughness started.

Download PDF

This episode is brought to you Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World by Daniele Rossi. Containing original comics, life experiences, and survival tips, this is your guide to living the life you want in spite of stuttering! Want more comics? Download the free Franky Banky comic book and follow the misadventures of a fox who stutters.

Links mentioned:

• Instead of Making Resolutions, Make a List of Your Successes and Fears by LifeHacker
• How to stay calm and stutter on infographic and PDF download

Music used in this episode:

• Yukari: 1 by We’re Creative Commons
• Wavvy: 6 by We’re Creative Commons

The post Keep calm and stutter on! appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #187: There I was on stage in front of an audience of about 70 people introducing and explaining the next scene my fellow improvisers were about to perform. Stuttering was on my mind but I was determined to try two pieces of advice instructors, Ashley Comeau and PK, had given me about using stuttering to my advantage when on stage and not doubting myself.

I’ve been taking improv classes at The Second City Training Centre in Toronto throughout 2015. It was a lot of fun, I learned new skills in thinking on my feet, and every class was a trip out of my comfort zone. On this episode, I share what I learned about fear, confidence, and not doubting yourself. You will also hear from Ashely and fellow stuttering improviser, Brian Jason Woo.

Music used on today’s episode was Stefsax by Awel.

The post Stuttering and improv appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #186. You’re 10 years old, you stutter, and the first day of school is approaching. You’re thinking about the negative reactions the other kids in your new class will have towards your stuttering. You’re afraid of being teased, bullied, and not making any friends. So what do you do? You create a poster about stuttering and present it to your class! This is what 10 year old Natalie from the U.S.A. did recently. On this episode, I speak with her and her mother, Regina, about the stuttering awareness poster that Natalie made and the results from talking to her class about her stuttering.

I also talk about several events in honour of International Stuttering Awareness Day: the special awareness comic I made starring Franky Banky, giving a speech in French in Montreal and hanging out with francophone stutterers at the Association des Bègues du Canada, and interviewing attendees of the Canadian Stuttering Association one day event. October was a very busy month!

Speaking of French speeches, I play audio submitted by Audrey Bigras, author of The bilingual Advertising Stories blog. She talks about 10 stuttering myths in French to help me practice my French in preparation for my speech in Montreal. The stuttering myths are as follows:

1. Le bégaiement est causé par la timidité (Shyness causes stuttering)

2. Le bégaiement est causé par un évènement traumatisant qui a eu lieu durant l’enfance (Stuttering is caused by a fearful event that happened in the childhood)

3. Lorsqu’on chante, on ne bégaie pas (We don’t stutter while we sing)

4. Tout le monde bégaie! Par exemple, quand je suis fatigué ou stressé, je bafouille et je cherche mes mots – dit par une personne fluide (Everybody stutters! When I am tired or nervous, I stutter! – said by a fluent person)

5. Les personnes qui bégaient ont de la difficulté à dire leur prénom (People who stutter stuggles when they have to say their own name)

6. Le bégaiement est de la faute des parents ou de la famille (Stuttering is parents or family’s fault)

7. On peut éliminer le bégaiement avec un régime alimentaire précis (We could eradicate stuttering with a special diet)

8. On peut arrêter de bégayer en changeant de latéralité (We could stop stuttering by changing our laterality)

9. Il existe des chirurgies de la langue pour vaincre le bégaiement (A surgery of the tongue could eradicate stuttering)

10. Le bégaiement garantit une vie misérable (Stuttering causes a life of misery)

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stuttering is Cool LinkedIn page
• Advertising Stories Blog and Twitter account
• Live tweets during the Canadian Stuttering Association one-day event
• Franky Banky comic book
• Canadian Stuttering Association
• L’Association des bègues du Canada
• Diary of a Stutterer
• International Stuttering Awareness Day Online Conference 2015
• My Franky Banky comic for ISAD2015

The post Awareness posters and conferences appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #185: Looks like stuttering is a lot more complex than we think! And that makes researching the cause, treatment, and cure an astronomical challenge. On this episode, I chat with my friend, Dr. Greg Snyder, who is a professor and stuttering researcher at Ole Miss, about the complexity of stuttering and stuttering research. What if scientists looked at stuttering as an umbrella pathology instead of a singular one? Could this approach be the key to finally unraveling the mysteries of our speech?

There’s documented evidence that stuttering is a genetic pathology (at least for around 5% of folks with persistent developmental stuttering). Greg ponders that there could be many different genetic mutations that ultimately result in different stuttering behaviours; and the genetic heterogeneity of stuttering makes it difficult to research and treat. Science may be better off looking for many different needles in a haystack instead of just one.

Greg and I also chat about unfortunate biases in research, how darn difficult it is to conduct control groups in stuttering research, and why the heck we call coffee shop employees “baristas”.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Klara G Roman

Music used in this episode:

• Perpetual Motion (instrumental) by destinazione_altrove

Photo credit (except for the image of Franky Banky):

• BrokenCities

The post Is stuttering an umbrella pathology? appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 184: Let’s meet the Broca Brothers! Hailing from the Netherlands, Hille and Stuart have been producing fantastically useful tips on how to keep in control of your stuttering as well as dealing with all the emotional stuff that comes with living with stuttering. We chat about how the Broca Brothers went from severe, quiet stutterers to confident YouTubers.

We are living in a smaller world where thanks to affordable digital media, software, and social media,
anyone can be a publisher! Because of this, anyone can touch the lives of people who share the same struggles
and challenges no matter where in the world they may be. I even wrote an ebook about this back in 2009. Thus, you can feel less alone in your stuttering – and learn coping techniques – right from your digital device. Speaking of which, have you heard about Stutter Social? Chat with others who stutter in Google Hangouts! We currently host 4 Hangouts a week (full disclosure, I’m a co-founder). Check the Stutter Social website for details and our Hangout schedule.

Anyhoo, back to the Broca Brothers. Below are a few of their videos. See them all at youtube.com/brocabrothers.

https://youtu.be/pqYReNz7fjI

https://youtu.be/UIwQDQpHlnQ

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Broca Brothers on YouTube
• Broca Brothers on Facebook
• Broca Brothers soon-to-be-launched Twitter account
• Broca Brothers soon-to-be-launched website
• Upcoming conferences by the following stuttering associations:
  • Canadian Stuttering Association
  • L’Association des bèges du Canada
  • The Indian Stammering Association
  • The National Stuttering Association (USA)
  • International Stuttering Association Online Conference
  • Walk/Run for Stuttering Awareness

This episode is brought to you by the Stuttering is Cool comic book. Subtitled, “A guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World”, it’s a quick read with comics and tips on dealing with stuttering’s challenges. Available in digital format in the Apple iBooks Store and Google Play and in a more engaging print format mailed directly from my hot little hands on Etsy.

The post Getting to know the Broca Brothers appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #183: A friend of mine gave a TEDx Talk! David Resnick gets interviewed on my show once again but this time it’s about his really interesting TED talk he gave at TEDxCulverCity. David is a David Resnick is an entrepreneur who creates playful experiences that build communities such as Stutter Social which we co-founded with a friend back in 2011.

In his talk, Using Technology to Build Empathic Resonance, David explains how technology can be used to build empathic resonance, which is a shared emotional state formed from sharing a similar experience. “It makes people feel a little less alone, you feel connected to others. It also opens you up to other opportunities. It gets you out of your closed head and into an expanded state. It creates the opportunity to feel and express more love.” Just like attending a stuttering support group or conference.

On this episode, David and I have a lively chat about how empathic resonance helps us feel less alone. I also ask him to share his tips on giving a TED Talk or public speaking in general.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• That time when David was on my show talking about post-conference depression. Little did we know then how it would lead to the successful Stutter Social!
• That time when David made me rap on my show.
• NSA sketch comedy videos from 2011. I’m in one of those videos!
• Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World comic book and survival guide

Music played on this episode:

• Test Drive by Zapac
• Awel by Stefsax

The post Why stuttering support groups work (and are awesome) appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #182: Speed bumps can be our friends! On this episode, I speak with my new friend, Jesse Schwartzman, who is a paralegal who uses the phone quite often for his career. Jesse shares his stuttering story including a cool speed bump analogy showing a positive side to blocking! Jesse also shares a piece of advice that his speech pathologist, Carl Herder from the American Institute for Stuttering, gave him which can apply to all of us who stutter –“the more you resist, the more it persists”. This is a concept that all the SLPs at the AIS applies.

The post The more you resist, the more it persists appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 181: Dealing with the rough days and some tips for children who stutter.

Recorded upon my return from my 6th NSA conference (not that NSA, the other one; the National Stuttering Association. We’re not as covert as the other one. tee hee), I share a few quick video interviews (see below) I conducted with fellow attendees during the four-day conference.

Before recording, I had asked on the Stuttering is Cool Facebook page for questions to ask. Two popular ones were how to deal with rough days and tips for children who stutter.

Highlights of the responses include:

• The only thing consistent about stuttering is it’s inconsistency. Learn how to get through the days when you can’t get the words out.
• It’s temporary, it’s a moment in time and it will pass. Think abut the successful times. If you did it once, you can do it again.
• Stuttering will happen regardless. It’s best to let it happen. Learn to be comfortable with the discomfort.
• Stuttering will be hard, keep your head up, it makes you unique and it will make you stronger in the long run.
• It’s ok to stutter. Nobody is perfect in this world.
• It’s completely possible to be successful and a person who stutters.

Linked mentioned on this episode:

• My comic book! Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World.
• Stuttering is Cool Facebook page

The post Dealing with stuttering’s rough days appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #180: Stuttering is my super power. Yeah, I know, what a strange thing to say but hear me out.

On this episode, I share how growing up stuttering, dealing with it, facing my speaking fears head-on built up an inner strength in myself as well as other qualities that make me think about the stuff that the typical comic book superheroes are made of. Particularly, Bat Man.

How cool is that? We’re like Bat Man!

In other words, suffering and dealing with adversity builds character. Without it, I don’t think we would be very interesting people. Share your thoughts in the comments below. What good qualities has stuttering brought you?

I also talk about the graphic novel I’m currently working on and the live streamed sneak preview I broadcasted on Periscope. Feel free to share your feedback in the comments on the video, comments below, or by email. The video is available on YouTube which you can see below.

The post Stuttering is my super power appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign page
• Breaking Our Silence website
• Breaking Our Silence Facebook fan page
• Stanley Cola Productions Facebook fan page
• Stanley Cola Twitter account

The post Breaking Our Silence appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #178: “Resilience is the virtue that enables people to move through hardship and become better”, writes Eric Greitens in his new book, Resilience. A Navy SEAL, Rhodes Scholar, boxing champ, and humanitarian, Eric shares letters he wrote to his friend who was going through a tremendous amount of hardship. Eric’s hope is that we can learn from his letters as well.  In a nutshell, we all benefit from suffering and life’s challenges and can learn a tremendous amount from the ancients who wrote on the topic after living through hardships.

On this episode, I talk about how I am enjoying Eric’s book very much (I’m only on chapter two as I type this and I can already see myself re-reading it over and over) and share some of my experiences with dealing with hardships and becoming a better, stronger, and wiser person. I also talk about my latest new passion in reading up on the benefits of failure. It is my belief that dealing with stuttering isn’t just about speech therapy, it’s about dealing with the various challenges brought on by a speech impairment head on and overcoming them.

Another great quote from the book is “…human beings can turn hardship into wisdom because we are born with the capacity for resilience, and we can make ourselves more resilient through practice”. Keep regular practice out of those comfort zones!

Links mentioned on today’s episode:

1. Eric Greitens interviewed on the Art of Manliness podcast
2. Blinkist.com

Books mentioned on this episode:

1. Resilience
2. Pour Your Heat Into It by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones
3. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
4. The Up Side of Down by Megan McArdle
5. Fail Fast, Fail Often by Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz

Photo credit: deeplifequotes

The post Resilience appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 177: I chat with my friend, singer and actor, Marc Winski, about his cool new gig on the Disney cruise line and how warm and welcoming people who stutter are wherever his travels take him. We also chat about an unnerving yet delightful experience I’ve recently had during one of my improv classes as well as stuttering a burger order without my usual disclosure.

The post Stuttering makes great friends appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #176: “I had to live my life in English but I only had one word to say one thing so I couldn’t change my words”. I speak with Geneviève Lamoureux who had no choice but to stutter openly when she went to a school where the language of learning was not in her mother tongue. I found out how she coped and thrived.

The post Stumbling upon stuttering openly appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Used with permission by Simon Walsh. Click on the collage to see in full on diaryofastutterer.com.

Episode 175: #ChallengeYourself is a motivational project created by Dublin-based Simon Walsh of the award winning diaryofastutterer.com. The premise is simple, write down a speaking challenge for yourself, take a photo, share it on social media, and hashtag it #challengeyourself. Simon then takes a bunch of the photos and creates a collage which he posts on his blog and shares on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.

“I wanted to create a board of inspirational messages that could be used to show others how people are challenging their stutter every day in many different ways.”, share Simon on a blog post about the stuttering challenge. “What has happened since has shown me that the stuttering community around the world are far more inspiring than I had ever imagined.”

On this episode, I speak with Simon about the challenge, his favourite submissions, and podcasting!

Celtic Dawn by State of Flux is the music used in this episode along with my usual theme song. Celtic Dawn is released under creative commons 3.0.

The post Challenge Yourself appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode 174: Would you record and post a video of yourself stuttering? It may sound scary at first but what if you saw many others who stutter doing it? That’s exactly what happened in Stuttering Community, a group on Facebook where for the past little while, members have been posting videos introducing themselves and stuttering openly. Some for the very first time in their lives.

It all started when Evan Livermore, a new member of the group, decided to post a video introducing himself instead of writing text. He added a little challenge at the end of his video for everyone in the group to do the same as way to get out of their comfort zones. Little did Evan know that his challenge would end up becoming a full blown viral meme within the group! Facebook also took notice and asked to feature one of the videos on their Facebook Stories site!

I chat with Evan on this episode about this phenomenon and what he plans to do next. I also play the audio of 9 of my friends who posted videos and gave me permission to do so.

Links mentioned on this episode:

• Stuttering Community Facebook page
• Stutter Social
• Facebook Stories‘ feature of one of the videos
• my book (well, it wasn’t really mentioned but I’m mentioning it here)

The post Record and post a video of yourself stuttering appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #169: I’m back from my 5th consecutive time attending the National Stuttering Association conference which was also a big epiphany in the role mentorship plays in our lives. I share my reflections on this and my book being sold out at the event! You will also hear from fellow attendees who answer the question, “Is stuttering cool?“.

I was also invited to give a cartooning workshop for the kids where we drew comics about stuttering. While I’m seasoned in mentoring adult stutterers, this was my first time witnessing some mentoring of kids. And I ended up learning from them! Who’s mentoring who?

The kids, the keynotes and the monuments around Washington, DC where the conference was held this year, gave me a lot to think about so I wrote a thoughtful blog post about my reflections on the role of mentorship. It’s important for both the persons being and doing the mentoring. I deduce that it is also one of the components to effectively living with stuttering. On both this episode and the blog post, I talk a bit about how I became a better man over the past five years from having learned from the amazing friends I’ve made at the National Stuttering Association’s conferences.

Read my post, The mutual benefits of mentoring, and please do chime in with your thoughts. Remember, you are always encouraged to send in audio feedback at coolstutter@gmail.com or by leaving a voicemail by clicking on the right hand side of this website.

Links mentioned on this episode:

Video episode

Parker Mantell Indiana University commencement speech

Rohan Murphy
Jody Fuller

The post Stuttering and mentorship appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #147: The job search episode! Finding employment is one of life’s big challenges and adding a stutter into the mix doesn’t make things any easier. Many people who stutter are concerned about not finding fulfilling work because of their speech impediment. In fact, some don’t bother to pursue their dreams believing they will never, ever be hired. In reality, employers don’t care about stuttering and even fluent people have a hard time finding work. On this episode, I share my job search tips for the 21st century stutterer.

It may not be easy to accept your stuttering and you may be tempted to hide your stuttering but that’s your business and I can’t tell you what to do. But if you do give acceptance a try, then read (and listen) on.

Among the plethora of tips that I share, I think the the most important one is to accept your stuttering and the social punishment that comes along with it. Nothing in life comes easy. Especially a job. So work on showing confidence and focus on the fact that any employer who won’t hire you based upon your speech can’t be a good employer to work with. Imagine how bad that employer must be if he or she can’t see past your speech. That is one employer who doesn’t see the value in his or her employees’ skills, experience and strengths.

Music used on today’s episode:
Playing Around by Hamadi

The post Finding a job when you stutter appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #128: The new year is the perfect time to start overcoming your fears! I speak with Julien Smith, author of the free ebook about overcoming fear, The Flinch. Then I speak with Vivek Singh and Elaine Wigdor Robin about their experiences attending India’s first stuttering conference.

Despite what The King’s Speech may have inadvertently implied, stuttering is not caused by weak character or bad parenting. It’s biological and genetic in origin. Despite that, stuttering is still the butt of jokes and stutterers still receive negative feedback from others. In some countries like India, stuttering is taboo. Women stutters have trouble finding husbands. Organizing a national conference about stuttering is certainly an act of courage. Well done, ISA!

As Vivek described it on this episode perfectly well, attending a stuttering conference made him feel like Stutter Bond with a license to stutter. If you stutter, you’re not alone.

Music used on this episode:
Oslodum 2004 – DJ Dolores
Pepito by KarmaHackeR

Vivek’s presentation at the conference

If you stutter, you’re not alone

Some fun at the ISA conference

So how was the conference?

The future of ISA – part 1

The future of ISA – part 2

The post Reaping the rewards of overcoming fear appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Episode #124: The Indian Stammering Association will be hosting it’s first stuttering conference from December 28th to January 1st. What a great way to start of the new year! In this episode, I speak with co-organizer, Satyendra “Sachin” Srivastava, about the conference and the taboo of stuttering in India.

Links mentioned on this episode:
Indian Stammering Association website and blog

And now a message from Hiten Vyas!

The post Stuttering conference in India appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

You’re making a telephone call, the person on the other lines picks up and says ‘hello’ and you’re stuck in a block. What can you do before the person hangs up thinking nobody is on the line? On this episode, I  speak with preschool teacher and fellow stutterer, Sarah Bryant, about her techniques when making these type of telephone calls.

The post Conquering the telephone appeared first on Stuttering is Cool.

Today’s episode is a long one! It’s an audio collage presenting highlights of my experiences at the NSA Conference in July 2010. My very first time attending! Join me and two of my fellow stuttering friends, Rebecca (also her first) and Carolina (her 4th, not her 3rd as mentioned in the episode) and as we bus it to Cleveland, Ohio to attend this awesome event. Find out about stuttering at customs, hear from some of our new friends, SLP students voluntarily stuttering, what I shared at the open mike, stuttering etiquette, the creation of the Stuttertini and much more!

• • My photos of the NSA Conference
  • I Heart My Stutterer t-shirt
  • Pam‘s Ti-Ger tattoo (who is Ti-Ger?)
  • Four Friends website
  • Dr-Nina-G.com
  • National Stuttering Association Facebook fan page

• Stuttering Experts Gather In Cleveland (from WCPN)

Video by @jeanfinstad We’re Not Afraid’ practice for closing ceremony

2010 NSA Closing Ceremony Video

P.S. I am forever grateful to the NSA Conference organizers, volunteers, stuttering community and the super amazing staff at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel (who gave us the time we needed to stutter out our words without rushing us or finishing our sentences) for putting on such an AWESOME time!

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Today’s episode is the first of a series of mini-documentaries I plan on producing to show what it feels like to stutter. This first installment talks about the embarrassment of stuttering on our names. We hear from @bibiubrasil, @ridwan326, @stirpicus, @webby49 and @dima7b (thanks guys!). Music by Podington Bear (Hook Line & Sinker, The Squeaky Song, Robin’s Egg Blue, Drama Queen, Metal Finch, Invisible Is Not Invincible – please check his website for copyright  information).

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