PODCAST · society
Proud Stutter
by Maya Chupkov
A podcast about changing how we understand and talk about stuttering, one conversation at a time.
Episodes
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Alan Spent Years Outsmarting His Stutter. Now He’s a Speech Therapist
In fifth grade, Alan Mendoza’s teacher quietly pulled him aside right before recess and told him there was a woman in the library who wanted to talk to him. He walked in, sat down, and she showed him pictures and a passage to read aloud. Alan figured out what was happening fast. He had spent…
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This Model and Stuttering Advocate Auditioned for Victoria's Secret
When Lisbeth Peguero was a little girl, her mom took her to speech therapy once. Inside the office, she did not stutter at all. The therapist told her mom she was fine and did not need help. Walking out, Lisbeth felt relieved. Not because she was actually fine, but because she did not want to be...
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Growing Up, Stuttering, and Finding Your Place
Isaiah was in third grade when his teacher called on someone else while he was still in the middle of answering a question. He had the answer. He just stuttered getting it out. That was the moment he started wondering if his stutter made him less capable than everyone else. In this episode…
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The Story Behind The Stuttering Journal
Bryan Matthews still remembers the moment everything changed — he was in ninth grade, giving an oral report in American history class, when classmates began mocking his stutter while his teacher just sat there and let it happen. From that day on, Bryan went "headlong into hiding," learning to…
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Breaking the Walls of a Stutter with Mutalaathem Founder Saad Al-Munajem
As a child growing up in Saudi Arabia, Saad Al-Munajem learned how to build a wall around himself. After being laughed at while trying to read aloud in class, he spent years hiding his stutter — avoiding speaking, overthinking every interaction, and quietly carrying the fear of being heard. But...
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Healing, Advocacy, and Reclaiming Your Stutter
In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with Elizabeth Escobar, a person who stutters, substitute teacher, and advocate, about trauma, healing, and learning to reconnect with herself after years of silence and self-protection. Elizabeth reflects on growing up with a stutter, being bullied...
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Stuttering, Comedy, and Embracing Uncomfortable Situations
In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with Joze Piranian, a comedian, speaker, and author, about growing up with a stutter and how early experiences shaped his relationship with speaking. Joze reflects on patterns of avoidance, the role of silence, and what it took to begin shifting how he...
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Episode Swap: Down To The Struts
This week, we’re doing something a little different on Proud Stutter. We’ve partnered with the podcast Down to the Struts for an episode swap, sharing each other’s work as a way to support disabled creators and build deeper, intersectional connections across our communities. In this episode, host...
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The Story She Needed as a Kid: Jennifer Dickinson on Writing a Young Girl Who Stutters
Maya talks with fiction writer and teacher Jennifer Dickinson about her new middle grade novel featuring a young girl who stutters. Jennifer shares how her own experiences growing up with a stutter shaped the story, including memories of bullying, lost friendships, and the loneliness she felt...
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Anjali Hid Her Covert Stutter for Years. Then Acceptance Became a Spiritual Practice.
Maya talks with Dr. Anjali Alimchandani about growing up as a covert stutterer and why stuttering was the hardest identity for her to accept. Anjali shares how she first became aware of her stutter through bullying, the loneliness of having no language or community around it, and how early...
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From Delhi to Data and Back to the Stutter That Shaped Him
In this episode of Proud Stutter, Maya talks with tech entrepreneur Kanav Hasija about growing up with a severe stutter in India, being bullied in school, and how changing cities gave him the chance to redefine himself. Kanav shares how facing fear head on through quizzes, speeches, and…
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From The Vault: The Psychology Behind Our Responses To Stuttering
Maya revisits a listener favorite featuring choir clinicians Benedict and Talia, a husband-and-wife team who share powerful lessons about communication and empathy. Talia offers three practical tips for being a better listener to someone who stutters, starting with her first insight: “Fear is...
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This Playwright Who Stutters Found His Voice on the Page, and the Stage
Maya sits down with Jerry Slaff, a playwright and and a writer who stutters, for a conversation about voice, craft, and the lifelong arc from fear to freedom. Jerry first reached out to Proud Stutter back in December 2021, writing, “once a stutterer, always a stutterer… if people don’t like my...
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Ina Found Her Voice Across Three Languages. And Learned to Lean Into the Good Pain of Stuttering
Maya sits down with Ina Lalich, a San Francisco–raised, multilingual woman who stutters, for a conversation about language, identity, and learning to take up space. Ina describes growing up between Serbian/Croatian and English (with a later detour through French), and how her fluency shifted…
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Giving Stuttering the Mic in New Orleans: 20 Years After Katrina
Filmmaker and stuttering ally Andy Phillips joins Maya to mark the 10-year anniversary of his short film WORDS, a story born from two loves: New Orleans and spoken-word poetry. Andy shares how a friend who stutters, late-night script pages in a dreaded Shakespeare class, and a chance connection…
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Inside the Largest Genetic Study of Stuttering
Dr. Dillon Pruett has lived both sides of stuttering: the anxious kid rehearsing every word and the scientist searching DNA for answers. His groundbreaking research, recently published in Nature Genetics, uncovered 57 genetic hotspots tied to stuttering -- proof that our voices carry a biological...
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Sam Once Feared Her Stutter. Now She’s a Talk Therapist Helping Others Unmask.
Maya sits down with Sam Gennuso, a Bay Area-based licensed psychotherapist and person who stutters, for a conversation about vulnerability, self-acceptance, and what it means to unmask. Sam shares her journey of growing up covert, discovering her stutter, and the early therapy experiences that...
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For Years, Justin Thought His Voice Was a Liability. Now It’s the Heart of His Mental Health Mission.
This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Justin McCullough, a longtime stutterer, technologist, and founder of the upcoming mental health platform, Eight Minute Chat. Justin opens up about growing up with a stutter after a major shift in his family dynamic, how it impacted his high school and...
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Shamez Spent Years Trying to Slay His Stutter. Instead, He Befriended the Dragon.
This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Shamez Kasam, a lifelong stutterer based in Alberta, Canada, who shares his powerful journey from shame to self-acceptance—and what he calls “recovery.” Shamez talks about growing up with severe stuttering, the impact it had on his life, and how...
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Louise Hid Her Covert Stutter for Years. Now Her Podcast Is Taking On Stuttering Representation in the Media.
This week on Proud Stutter, we’re joined by Louise Escher, a language teacher and person who stutters. In addition to loving to play the violin, she is the host of Did They Stutter?—a podcast exploring stuttering representation in film, TV, and literature. Louise shares her journey from covert...
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Ismaele Hid His Stutter for Years. Now He’s Exploring It Through Arctic Wildlife
This week on Proud Stutter, Maya is joined by Ismaele Tortella, a filmmaker and cinematographer based in the Norwegian Arctic whose upcoming documentary Arctic Blue explores his personal relationship with stuttering through nature and silence. In this powerful 100th episode, Ismaele and Maya talk...
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Stuttering & Survivor Season 48 FINALE Ft. Caitlin Dietz & Eliot Goldstein
Maya, Caitlin, and Elliot recap the thrilling finale of Survivor Season 48, celebrating Mitch's incredible journey and the great representation of the stuttering community. They discuss the season's most memorable moments, strategic plays, and emotional highlights, including Kyle and Camilla's...
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Andrew Sent His Personal Essay on Stuttering to The Washington Post. What Happened Next Surprised Him.
Andrew Flint is a 16-year old and a person who stutters. Andrew's powerful essay in The Washington Post sparked conversation in his school, family, and beyond. In this episode, he shares what it was like to write and publish such a personal story—and how it’s helped others around him understand...
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What The Stuttering Community Can Learn From Rare Disease Advocacy [Part 2]
This episode is Part 2 of our series “What We Can Learn from the Rare Disease Community.” Last week, we heard from Bobby Glen about navigating the healthcare system as a parent of a child with HNRNPH2. Today, his wife Nicole—who is also a pediatrician—joins us to share how raising a child with a...
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What The Stuttering Community Can Learn From Rare Disease Advocacy [Part 1]
Bobby Glen shares his family's journey, from getting a diagnosis to participating in a clinical trial, and the importance of early screening and community support. This is Part 1 of a two-part series about raising a child with HNRNPH2, a rare disease that affects speech and motor skills. Part 2...
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Stuttering & Survivor Season 48 Episode 8 Ft. Caitlin Dietz & Eliot Goldstein
Maya, Caitlin, and Elliot are back to discuss stuttering on Survivor Season 48, Episode 8, and the latest twists and turns in the episode. From alliances and drama to strategic plays and surprise advantages, they break down all the key moments you won't want to miss. In this episode Register for...
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Stuttering & Survivor Season 48 Episode 6 & 7 Ft. Caitlin Dietz & Eliot Goldstein
Maya is back with Caitlin Dietz and Eliot Goldstein to talk about Episodes 6 and 7 of Survivor Season 48. Highlights include discussions about Mitch, a contestant on the show who stutters, his social game and personal story, as well as strategic plays and alliances forming among the castaways. In...
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Stuttering & Survivor Season 48 Episode 4 & 5 Ft. Caitlin Dietz & Eliot Goldstein
Maya is joined again by friends Caitlin Dietz, her childhood friend, and Eliot Goldstein, friend and person who stutters to talk about stuttering on the current season of Survivor! Check out our feed for a recap of Episode 3! Support this podcast at —...
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Philip Solomon and Stuttering on Deal or No Deal Island
Maya interviews Philip, a contestant from Deal or No Deal Island, who shares his experience with stuttering on the reality TV show and how stuttering has impacted his life and career. Philip talks about the audition process, navigating gameplay, and forming relationships with other contestants,...
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Stuttering & Survivor Season 48 Episode 3 Ft. Caitlin Dietz & Eliot Goldstein
Maya is joined by friends Caitlin Dietz, her childhood friend, and Eliot Goldstein, friend and person who stutters to talk about stuttering on the current season of Survivor! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries:...
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Performing the News: Stuttering and Challenging Norms in Broadcast Media
Elia Powers is a professor, podcast reporter and the author of 'Performing the News, Identity, Authority, and the Myth of Neutrality' exploring how journalists from historically marginalized groups navigate unspoken norms in the industry. Elia shares his personal journey as a journalist who...
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Leading with a Stutter: An 18-Year-Old Changemaker’s Story
Gavin Szilvasi is the founder and chairman of the Tia Maria Foundation. He's also a freshman in college at Villanova University. Gavin talks about his early challenges with speech, the impact of bullying, and the mental resilience he developed. The Tia Maria Foundation supports students in...
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Media Making with a Stutter & Being A Child of a Speech Therapist
Ben Miller is a videographer and person who stutters. Ben spent most of his childhood in speech therapy. His mother is a speech-language pathologist. Maya met Ben at Sundance at the Proud Stutter event during the Festival. They both saw Ricky, which ended up winning the Jury Grant Prize for Best...
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Stuttering & How Communication Skills Are Perceived At Work
Cody Dew is a professor, researcher, and person who stutters. Cody's research focuses on how perceived communication skills influence stereotyping of people who stutter in the workplace. How can disclosing your stutter help? What are some strategies to make work environments more inclusive for...
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Filmmaking Perspectives on Stuttering
Proud Stutter is going to Sundance! Join our creative team behind our upcoming documentary for a special event on January 25 at 5pm in Park City featuring award-winning filmmaker Reid Davenport (I DIDN'T SEE YOU THERE and LIFE AFTER). Get your free tickets today before they sell out! In this...
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Stuttering Through Law School and Advocating for Public Policy
Kurt Kessler is a class action attorney who stutters from San Francisco. Kurt is not the only member of his family who stutters. How did that impact him growing up? What's it like going through law school with a stutter? Kurt is currently doing advocacy work with Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's…
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Breaking Barriers With Breaking The Blocks Improv Workshop
Elisha Boxer Magnifico and David Catlin are both professors at Northwestern University. Together, the developed "Break The Blocks," an improv program developed at the university to help build confidence in young people who stutter. They delve into the program’s conception, its structure, and the...
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Stuttering Advocacy In Action
Puneet Singh is a disability inclusion advocate with personal experiences of stuttering, dyslexia, and dyspraxia. Puneet shares his challenges and triumphs, including the creation of his nonprofit and his latest initiative, Green Disability, focusing on the intersection of disability and climate...
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Hawaiian Teen Who Stutters Using the Power of Media & Film
In part 2 of our conversation with Raphael, we talk about our shared passion of filmmaking. Raphael shares his journey in photography, his involvement with PBS Hawaii, and more creative projects. We’re grateful to Raphael for sharing his story with us. ----- Big thanks to Proud Stutter's…
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Hawaiian Teen Who Stutters Starts A Nonprofit To Take Care Of His Community
Raphael Stark is the founder and president of the nonprofit CHATS. Raphael wanted to meet other teens who stuttered in his community but realized there wasn't an organization to help him so he started his own. Find out how Raphael balances being a teen founder and school. This is Part 1 of our...
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A Surfer Who Stutters, A Journey To Becoming A Speech Therapist
Randy Panzarino is a clinician, researcher, and person who stutters. He's also a surfer. Randy shares his journey through the challenges and anxieties associated with stuttering and how he found his passion for speech language pathology. Randy has studied stuttering-related anxiety and life...
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Stuttering Through Speech Therapy & Becoming A Sports Writer
Ryan Cowley is the author of All the Right Words: My Journey as a Sportswriter Who Stutters. He talks about his early experiences with stuttering, his journey through speech therapy, and how he found his passion for sports writing. Ryan shares his struggles and triumphs, including his initial...
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Filming A Documentary With A Stutter - A Recap!
Maya and Tessa share their experiences from 10 days of filming in New Jersey for their documentary. They discuss the challenges and rewards of the project, the impact of stuttering on their interactions, and the support they received from the local community. The episode provides insights into...
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New Research Identifies Brain Link to Stuttering
A new study published in Brain has identified a specific brain network hub that plays a key role in stuttering. The author Professor Catherine Theys explains the research and what it means for the stuttering community and others with similar brain activity. We’re grateful to Catherine for sharing...
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Tips for People Who Stutter: Public Speaking, Dating and Building Confidence
LeRon L. Barton is a TEDx speaker and author who stutters. What events in his life led him to becoming a confidence public speaker? They also talk about the importance of representation and share personal anecdotes about dating and disclosing their stutters in professional settings. We’re…
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Stuttering & Facing Your Biggest Fears
Joe Saul-Sehy is the creator and co-host of The Stacking Benjamins Show. Joe has a successful career in finance and podcasting while living with a covert stutter. In this episode 02:32 Who is Joe Saul-Sehy? 03:03 Joe's Stuttering Journey 09:46 Overcoming Challenges in Public Speaking 16:49...
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Stuttering & Poetry
Adrian Ernesto Cepeda is a bilingual poet who stutters. His latest book is 'La Lengua Inside Me.' Adrian turned to writing at a young age as a form of expression. His bilingual poetry is inspired by his Colombian heritage, experience as a person who stutters, and Sylvia Plath's work. In this...
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Public Speaking, Basketball, and Becoming A Life Coach With A Stutter
Ty Ellis, a person who stutters, wears many hats. He is an optimal performance coach, a public speaker, and a former professional basketball coach. Ty talks about the mental challenges he faced growing up and the pivotal role of his grandmother played in building his confidence as a stutterer.…
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Cerebral Palsy and Stuttering with New Disabled South
What's it like to balance the identities of stuttering and cerebral palsy? In this episode, Dom and Sean Kelly of New Disabled South discuss how they view their stuttering experience is different than their experience with CP. They also touch on the importance of cross-disability solidarity and…
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Preparing For A Presentation As A Person Who Stutters
Hilary Utaegbulam is a Nigerian-born physics student and teacher who stutters. He recently gave his first ever public presentation on his research, which went extremely well. Hilary offers advice on preparing for public speaking and how to give a confident presentation as a person who stutters.…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Proud Stutter have?
Proud Stutter currently has 119 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Proud Stutter about?
A podcast about changing how we understand and talk about stuttering, one conversation at a time.
How often does Proud Stutter release new episodes?
Proud Stutter publishes regularly with 119 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Proud Stutter?
You can listen to Proud Stutter on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Proud Stutter?
Proud Stutter is created and hosted by Maya Chupkov.
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