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Stuttering Solutions Atlanta

Stuttering Solutions Atlanta

By Tim Mackesey

If you seek a deeper understanding of stuttering and if you desire solutions, begin to listen. These podcasts offer stuttering help and stuttering therapy ideas.

You are encouraged to begin listening at the bottom- with Purpose, Intention, and Stuttering. The content has continuity and everything begins with Purpose and Intention, doesn't it?
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Did I Download a Stuttering App?

Stuttering Solutions AtlantaMar 17, 2024

00:00
06:52
Did I Download a Stuttering App?

Did I Download a Stuttering App?

Tomorrow, next week, or 60 days from now how will I know to fear or avoid very specific words, sounds, or situations? Did I download an App to my brain that controls me? Experiences on my timeline create these fears and avoidance habits. Pschologists talk about "one trial learning" when a phobia is created. We who stutter can create a fear of stuttering and then this "App" runs in the background of our communication system. Listen and learn.

Mar 17, 202406:52
Speaking in Noisy Environments is Often Hard if you Stutter

Speaking in Noisy Environments is Often Hard if you Stutter

I hear from people who stutter on a regular basis that it is hard to talk in noisy environments. Speaking when there is ambient noise, with multiple listeners competing to be heard, or "chaotic" moments was hard for me. I get it. We have to examine what we are thinking and feeling in those moments. We can have what Joe Sheehan called the "approach/avoidance conflict." We also want to learn to project our voice from the diaphragm and not strain at the larynx.

Mar 17, 202407:01
An English and Spanish Transformation: Tyler Goodwyn

An English and Spanish Transformation: Tyler Goodwyn

Tyler is a college senior who is earning a degree in psychology and a minor in Spanish. Listen and you will hear his speech pattern two years ago. He stuttered and cluttered 24 months ago.


He has enjoyed his new speech pattern for 6 months now. Tyler will explain what he learned to make both English and Spanish so much more fluid. Tyler plans to get a master's degree and serve our community in both languages!

Mar 11, 202420:40
The Journey Begins Within and it Ends Within

The Journey Begins Within and it Ends Within

This powerful quote is attributed to Sufism and it's philospophy of spiritual awakening. Stuttering is not an external thing that we are a victim to. Listen to explore how a pws can "peel the layers back" and investigate their stuttering. How can we breakthrough the grind of avoiding and anxety? How can I grow and improve my verbal skills and my confidence?



Feb 08, 202413:00
Dylan Cooper - Excelling in Public Speaking and Webinars!

Dylan Cooper - Excelling in Public Speaking and Webinars!

"When the ojective is clear enough, there is no obstacle" ~Earl Nightingale

I met Dylan when he was a sophomore in college- at age 20. Listen to his story. Like myself, it was very hard stuttering as a child. Now, as a senior VP for a fantasy sports gaming company he has to speak in meetings and webinars every wek. His fear is gone and now he finds enjoyment in public speaking!

Dec 27, 202326:59
Golf and Stuttering

Golf and Stuttering

Like learning to play an instrument, golf has MANY similarities to stuttering. We need patience, self-forgiveness, to be free of a temper, and to not personalize bad shots or high scores. Golf has subtleties like wind, sand, deep rough, penalty strokes, hazards, and other twists and turns. Ambient noise, phone calls, checking in at a counter and saying our name, public speaking and other conditions can affect a person who stutters. Listen in an find helpful thoughts for your communication.

Dec 12, 202310:18
Reddit banned me for life!

Reddit banned me for life!

Listen to the insane and stupid story. As of today, 100% of my podcasts, my articles, and my YouTube videos are FREE. Yet, I must be banned. LMAO

Dec 07, 202304:28
When I don't think about talking I don't stutter

When I don't think about talking I don't stutter

I have heard "when I don't think about talking I don't stutter" a million times. If only it was that easy! Can I be hypnotized today and never think about talking or stuttering? Nope. When athletes think "don't miss it!!" they do miss it. Sometimes they are "in the zone" and making 3 point shots or clutch putts in golf.


What the person who stutters wants to do first is to use CBT or mindfulness to find out what they do when they stutter and/or have anxiety. For example, when their phone rings and they walk away from listeners who might here them talk. When the pws points to a menu for the server to say the food item, what does the pws believe about stuttering? They are likely projecting on listeners. Once we pws remove the malware thoughts from our hard drives we can really liberate ourselves. Refer to several of my previous podcasts that refer to purpose and intention, changing why to how?, and the cinema of the mind.


If you prefer language such as "accept and embrace stuttering," read this article with an open mind. Jack talks about freeing our mind of personalizing stuttering.

https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/post/and-the-stuttering-just-dies

Nov 30, 202307:32
Internal Rules- Examine them and Break Free

Internal Rules- Examine them and Break Free

People who stutter often have "internal rules." An example that pertains to voicemail on a phone would be: "I can't leave a stutter on someone's voicemail!" Or, "my personal greeting cannot have a stutter!" Another, "during an interview I cannot have blocks!...if I do, I won't be hired...little stutters are OK but not blocks!" A rule book for stuttering doesn't exist, does it. We can feel so sure about these irrational beliefs. Personalizing and/or projecting are the real culprits behind internal rules.

Nov 15, 202308:44
You won't help me say my name?!?

You won't help me say my name?!?

An adolescent who was unable to say his name without dramatic blocking and who was being teased on a regular basis attended a stuttering day camp. When he asked for help with his name- the #1 reason he attended the camp- he was told "we don't do that here." When a SLP will not help child with his name because of paradigm paralysis the child suffers. Listen to this common sense message.

Nov 09, 202309:04
Patience is Bitter but its Fruit is Sweet: A conversation with Lee Reeves

Patience is Bitter but its Fruit is Sweet: A conversation with Lee Reeves

Managing a stuttter, being willing to disclose that you stutter, and coming out of your shell all take patience! Many of us tried to hide it for years. Lee Reeves, DVM is a retired veterinarian and he has been active in the stuttering community for decades. Lee and Tim examine the power of the Jean-Jacques Rousseau's famous quote "Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet."


I also mention the passing of Walt Manning, PhD. You want to read his 1999 classic Creating Your Own Map for Change:

https://ahn.mnsu.edu/services-and-centers/center-for-communication-sciences-and-disorders/services/stuttering/professional-education/convention-materials/archive-of-online-conferences/isad1999/creating-your-own-map-for-change/

Sep 28, 202334:31
F.E.A.R = False Evidence Appearing Real

F.E.A.R = False Evidence Appearing Real

How many times have you feared the very worst about stuttering and the worst never happened? So many pws stuttered during interivews, they felt sure an offer would not come because of the stuttering and POOF the offer came! A pws can worry in the past tense and in the future tense. This is why stuttering has been compared to PTSD.

BUT we must realize that we typically blow our stuttering out of proportion and that we have a community of people who don't judge our stuttering the way that we assume.


https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/post/stuttering-as-a-variant-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder

Sep 20, 202308:30
Self-Sabotaging Beliefs: What are Those?

Self-Sabotaging Beliefs: What are Those?

I will not disclose my stutter! I will not use self-deprocating humore about my stutter! I will not use my new "stutter more easily" technique such as a pull-out with people who have seen me stutter for years! I will not tell anyone that I have joined a stuttering support group or that I attend speech therapy! The self-sabotaging beliefs, that originate in projecting on our listeners, keep us from emancipation from stuttering.

Sep 20, 202305:19
Rigid Beliefs- Identify Them and Destroy Them!

Rigid Beliefs- Identify Them and Destroy Them!

We have all experienced painful moments of stuttering during which we formed rigid beliefs. Rigid beliefs are the ones that we think are gospel, no one can talk us out of being under the spell of the belief we have, and we rationalize these toxic thoughts.


What is a belief? L Michael Hall, of Neurosemantics, taught me that a belief = words + affirmation. An example would be "As a speech pathologist I cannot stutter..a potential client will judge me as unqualifed to help." We affirm our words in our brain. Yes, someone did hurt our feelings BUT we simply MUST delete the memory and break through!


Thanks Michael and Bob: https://www.neurosemantics.com/

Sep 15, 202310:22
Tyler Lane: A Transformation Interview

Tyler Lane: A Transformation Interview

Tyler Lane is a 24 tax auditor. I met him when he was in 4th grade. Listen to his story of transforming his speech and unleashing his courage. He walks the walk.

Sep 14, 202324:16
Go Through Stuttering! Be Brave and Take Chances

Go Through Stuttering! Be Brave and Take Chances

"The Best way out is always through!" Robert Frost

How does that apply to stuttering?


"You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore!" William Faulkner

How does that apply stuttering?


"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for" John A Shedd

You are built to speak, and socialize, and thrive.


Aug 30, 202303:56
You FEEL a Stutter Coming: How is That and What to do About it

You FEEL a Stutter Coming: How is That and What to do About it

PWS feel a stutter coming in their soma (throat, chest, or stomach). This is related to anxiety about stuttering. This fact explains how pws develop very specific word fears and they are often overwhelmed in the moment. Most speech therapy techniques are focused on once the stutter is up in the lips, tongue, or the voice. We can do better! What if you can "block the block?" CBT reduces anxiety and makes all of this easier.

Aug 23, 202308:08
Break Stuttering Barriers by Using the Cartesian Questions!

Break Stuttering Barriers by Using the Cartesian Questions!

If you stutter, these questions will help you get the leverage needed to summon up courage and purpose! If you help teens or adults who stutter, these questions will help them immensly. Mathematician Rene Descartes created this type of questioning in the early 1600's. Identify a fear you have about stuttering and run it through these questions. Also, think of something that you DID DO in the past that required courage and purpose (i.e. trained for an athletic event, earned a degree, learned a musical instrument). When we neglect to remember our victories we are "discounting the positive." Map over successes as resources to score more wins!

The Four Cartesian Questions

·         What would happen if you did X?

·         What would happen if you didn't do X?

·         What won't happen if you did X?

·         What won't happen if you didn't do X

Aug 02, 202309:08
Controlling a Stutter?: Examining and Defining Control

Controlling a Stutter?: Examining and Defining Control

The notion of "controlling a stutter" has become somewhat controversial. It requires a deep dive now. We have to define the concept in order to eliminate the 'black and white' thinking that exists for some in the stuttering community.

Who gets to tell a person who stutters or a troubled parent what is to be "controlled" or "not controlled?" Have you ever stuttered?

Stuttering has two major parts: stuttered speech and anxiety/avoidance. Let's change control from a noun (i.e., command or dominate) to a verb (i.e., guide or manage).

In my case, I was hung up on the phone for a decade- due to silent blocking. Did I want to manage my speech and my anxiety? Heck yes! I can now. If you stutter, you can evolve. You can dramatically reduce your anxiety and you can loosen your speech patterns over time.

The map is not the territtory- NLP presupposition. Be careful forcing your map on a person who stutters.

Aug 01, 202308:16
Acceptance!- How do I do it? What's in for me?

Acceptance!- How do I do it? What's in for me?

Many people who stutter spend the week trying to hide and conceal their stutter. The refusal to accept, disclose, and evolve creates anxiety and avoidance habits.


Acceptance is defined as "the quality or state of being accepted." We who stutter often project on our listeners and we imagine a lack of acceptance because we stutter. As Sufi once said, "The journey begins within and it ends within." Ultimately, we have to accept ourselves as imperfect, don't we. Listen and learn tangible steps to acceptance and freedom.

Jul 13, 202310:05
Joseph Dewey- college student success story

Joseph Dewey- college student success story

Joseph is a rising junior at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. He is studying economics. That was my undergraduate degree; ironically :) Joseph is rapidly reducing the severity of his stuttering. More importantly, he is taking on MANY sepaking challenges that are remarkable. He is VP of the table tennis club on campus. He parlayed all of his new courage to interview for and be selected as an RA in a dorm! He will be speaking and mediating on a daily basis.


GO JOE GO !

Jul 10, 202313:01
Grace Rieger interview: MLB analyst shares her courage to face stuttering

Grace Rieger interview: MLB analyst shares her courage to face stuttering

Tim and Grace talk about her fast paced job and the constant speaking demands in her role with the KC Royals. We learn Grace's back story and what she faced to get there. I have known Grace since she was 15 years old and stuttering will never stop her from a vision she has. She reminds me of Susan Jeffers book "Feel the Fear and do it Anyways."


"Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it" Nelson Mandela

Jun 12, 202332:49
My techniques and targets don't work!

My techniques and targets don't work!

Many people who stutter are often baffled by and frustrated when the strategies, techniques, or "targets" don't seem to work when they want them the most! What are your strategies? Which ones are helpful and which ones are actually part of the problem? How does anxiety affect you and make it seem impossible to use your strategies? Why are "techniques" only part of your solution? What can you add to your self help?

Refer to other podcasts in the series.


Here is the breathing video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lxYvaTGVGM

May 31, 202310:53
Reverse Engineer Stuttering: Can I Really do that?

Reverse Engineer Stuttering: Can I Really do that?

As we begin to stutter we typically develop a myriad of avoidance tricks and unique physical symptoms of struggle. If you attend a stuttering conference, you will see a wide array of stuttering behaviors. Word changing, looking away while stuttering, taking phone calls in privacy, and inserting chronic fillers during stuttering (i.e., like, um, so) are some of the many aspects of stuttering that are choices. We have a "structure" to our stuttering as though the physical and cognitive aspects are an engineered product. This was my story, too.


Go back and listen to podcast #1- Purpose Intention and Stuttering. Once we have identified the choices we make, we can do the opposite and re-engineer stuttering.


It takes time and a ton of courage. Like Nelson Mandela once said: "Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the triumph over it."

Apr 20, 202311:09
Noel Kierans: Software Testing Expert 20 Years After Speech Therapy

Noel Kierans: Software Testing Expert 20 Years After Speech Therapy

Noel and Tim reunite 20 years after speech therapy. Noel explains where he was when we met, the therapy we did together, and his success today! Using metaphors and analogies from computing we break it all down. People who stutter have malware (negative thoughts) that populate instantly and trigger anxiety. What if you had an anti-virus program to remove toxic memories, to reduce anxiety, and thrive when talking? After listening to this podcast you will want to reference back to previous podcasts such at Purpose Intention and Stuttering (#1), The Cinema of the Mind, The Top 10 Forms of Twisting Thinking, Teriyaki Chicken, and Beliefs. Remember that his change began at age 30. With the right CBT skills anyone can dramatically reduce their anxiety related to stuttering.


"When the objective is clear enough, there is no obstacle"- Napoleon Hill


If you need software testing done, reach out to Noel and his team: https://celticqa.com/

Apr 18, 202338:45
Time-Line Therapy: Why We Need It

Time-Line Therapy: Why We Need It

People who stutter (PWS) develop fear and avoidance habits.  Unless we know how to help a pws with reducing fear and anxiety, we are not providing holistic therapy.  An embarrassing moment of stuttering or avoiding talking is "stored to the hard drive"-  it is consolidated, and it can be reconsolidated later.   You can actually feel an old memory in your soma! As Starkweather and Givens write, stuttering is a variant of PTSD (see below).   Anxiety and fear is the biggest obstacle for pws and graduate programs don't train students in CBT.  Time-Line therapy is special sauce in providing CBT for pws.  Disclosure and acceptance are essential but they take a long time.  What if you could run an antivirus scan in your brain and quarantine files of toxic memories, beliefs, and malware thoughts?  Caveat: as the wikipedia article states, you must be skilled in the delivery of this therapy. 

 

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_memories#:~:text=Traumatic%20memories%20are%20formed%20after,hours%20after%20the%20initial%20experience.

https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/post/stuttering-as-a-variant-of-post-traumatic-stress-disorder


Books:

Time Line Therapy and The Basis of Personality.  James and Woodsmall

Adventures with Time Lines.  Bodenhamer & Hall

Mar 12, 202312:27
Serving Bilingual Children Who Stutter - Interview

Serving Bilingual Children Who Stutter - Interview

For a long time, bilingual families were told to discard their native language and to only use English.  Many practitioners and clinicians force English on their clients and patients during appointments.  Ana Paula G. Souza Mumy and John Gomez join Tim for an interview.  Ana Paula's research was recently published and a link to the article will be seen at the bottom of this paragraph.  The title of the article is Culturally Responsive Guidelines for Serving Families of Bilingual Children Who Stutter.  A few key take aways are: bilingualism does not increase the risk of stuttering, children can endure "code switching" as two languages are used simultaneously, clinicians want to allow the language of the parent to be used in the clinic or the office, and that language choice is about relationship and connection.  John Gomez is the director of When I Stutter (keeneyeproductions.com).  Ana Paula translated the movie into Portugese, her native language.  John is an SLP working in Los Angeles, California and he serves a very diverse community with a heavily bilingual population.  As America become more and more bilingual, this is eye opening and ground breaking work by Ana Paula.  

Link here: 

https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2022_PERSP-21-00235

Mar 01, 202337:57
Jeff Ingram Interview- retired sales executive 15 years after speech therapy

Jeff Ingram Interview- retired sales executive 15 years after speech therapy

Listen as Jeff tells you about his milestones that led to a highly successful career in sales.  In retirement, Jeff is a non-stop volunteer and a minister to those in need.  Jeff describes his several attempts at speech therapy before we met and he found what was missing: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).  Strategies from NLP and time-line therapy were essential in reducing his anxiety and unleashing his inner voice. 

Jan 27, 202330:43
Watershed Moments Part 2: how victories transform us

Watershed Moments Part 2: how victories transform us

Yesterday I explained the consequences of negative watershed moments that lead to anxiety and fear.  A watershed moment is a turning point, the exact moment that changes the direction of an activity or situation.  A pws can have victories that are positive watershed moments.  Examples are:  rewarding moments of public speaking, beginning to disclose that you stutter, learning to advocate and have a "come back" to bullies, or joining the stuttering community.  Positive watershed moments ultimately change the meaning of stuttering


  "Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say."   Barbara Kingsolver

Jan 18, 202309:13
Watershed Moments in Stuttering- how is the stuttering getting worse?

Watershed Moments in Stuttering- how is the stuttering getting worse?

A watershed moment is a turning point, the exact moment that changes the direction of an activity or situation. A watershed moment in stuttering is a dividing point where the stuttering and the impact it has on the pws takes a turn for the worse.  Notice the title is "how?" and not "why?"   The question "how?" is more productive and solution oriented, isn't it.  When a pws attaches personalization and projecting thoughts to stuttering he will develop anxiety related to stuttering.  I take calls every week that start with something similar to this: "I don't understand why my child is stuttering more/worse and she is now changing words, looking away, and grimacing."  That child is at the inflection point/turning point/watershed and she needs help now. Watersheds remind us why holistic treatment is ESSENTIAL to offer lasting solutions for pws.  Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) explains my own emancipation from speech anxiety and it is a skillset needed in speech therapy for stuttering. 

Jan 17, 202309:55
The Cinema of the Mind- how mental movies about stuttering create anxiety

The Cinema of the Mind- how mental movies about stuttering create anxiety

The mind can operate like a cinema or a movie and create wild images that portray the fear of stuttering. People who stutter (pws) can create very vivid and specific "movies" about their stuttering.  Pws also remember past moments of stuttering with negative thoughts linked to them. This podcast explains the Cinema of the Mind, how it manifests anxiety, and it offers ideas that can help a pws or a clinician dedicated to helping them.  

Jan 13, 202311:33
Preschool Stuttering- helping parents diagnose stuttering and how to make informed decisions

Preschool Stuttering- helping parents diagnose stuttering and how to make informed decisions

Is my child really stuttering?  Preschool presents a special time window that offers the greatest opportunity to resolve stuttering. Many parents hear conflicting advice from physicians, clinicians, and teachers regarding stuttering.  Generalizations (i.e., "all kids do that") can be innacurate and can deter parents from seeking a consultation from a certifed stuttering specialist.   Listen to this podcast for vital information specific to preschool children at risk for stuttering.  It is estimated that 5 million Americans and 70 million world wide stutter.   Parents do have choices.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. 

Dec 15, 202215:21
Emotional Trauma and Stuttering

Emotional Trauma and Stuttering

Many recent news interviews and articles have made a matter of fact declaration that "stuttering is not caused by trauma."  It's true that young preschool children do not begin to stutter because of trauma.  Stuttering is best classified as a neurological disorder.  Now let's look at the role that traumatic experiences play in the complex communication disorder called stuttering- or stammering in the UK.   Teasing, bullying, mimicking, stupid and harmful comments are traumatic for the person who stutters (pws).  The pws develops anxiety, avoidance, and shame as a result of the traumatic experiences of said hurtful moments of stuttering.  The pws who stutters can also feel ashamed and remember avoiding talking (i.e., declining a reading at a wedding).  The CDC researched and discovered that 61% of adults remember Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).  To honor,understand, and to effectively help pws the life experience of stuttering must become clear.  The personal experience of trauma within the pws is responsible for "the iceberg of stuttering" and the "giant in chains complex."  Listen to this and other podcasts of mine that examine fear and the psychological parts of stuttering.    

Nov 20, 202222:55
How to be a CHAMPION in stuttering

How to be a CHAMPION in stuttering

Yes, I said that you can be a CHAMPION in stuttering.  Listen for my 10 point plan to help unleash your speech and your confidence.

Sep 13, 202211:58
Look & Let it Out: be brave and speak your mind

Look & Let it Out: be brave and speak your mind

What is L2?  Look and let it out!  People who stutter tend to look away and to compensate for stuttering from a place of fear or embarrassment.  A snap shot of a moment of stuttering may be a pws introducing himself and following these steps: 1) look away, 2) inhale, 3) begin to stutter, 4) back up and insert several "uhs and ums," 5) retry the word and stutter through it.  To stutter more easily and freely listen to this podcast and implement ideas that you agree with.  My first podcast was called Purpose Intention and Stuttering.  L2 is congruent with that key concept. 

  "Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say."   Barbara Kingsolver

Jul 17, 202207:00
Jason D'Arcy: product sales manager

Jason D'Arcy: product sales manager

Jason and Tim catch up 20 years and one month after our last session.  At age 25 he was an engineer doing desk work.   His old anxiety was holding him back.  Now he has 20 years of constant talking, phone calling, internet chats, seminar talks, managing, and team building under his belt. He travels internationally and get to speak to people of all cultures.  That could be quite intimidating.   Listen to how he has been so successful.  Fitness is one of his key ingredients.  I am a big fan of cardio work for mental acuity and stress management. Jason also tells us to speak up and that we are more than stuttering!  As you listen to several of my other podcasts you are reminded that adults who stutter can still transform and liberate themselves in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. 

Jun 21, 202233:47
John Harrison interview: the author of Redefining Stuttering

John Harrison interview: the author of Redefining Stuttering

Many of you know John's name from his book Redefining Stuttering: What the Struggle to Speak is Really About.  He also authored the famous Stuttering Hexagon diagram and article. John explains why he prefers the concept of "Holding Back" over stuttering.  He was one of the original 15 people who participated in the National Stuttering Project- now known as the National Stuttering Association.  John participated in Toastmasters for several years before leading public speaking workshops in the Bay Area of California. I have learned a lot from John since first meeting him in 1997.  I think he helps SLPs think outside the box of mainstream treatment methods for stuttering.(Search his book title on on the internet and the 600+ page book is available for free on PDF). 

Apr 28, 202201:09:52
 Ian Trimble's incredible story: 20 years after speech therapy

Ian Trimble's incredible story: 20 years after speech therapy

Ian Trimble is a cyber security expert.  He speaks all day long.  He is a trainer and a consultant.  Ian's childhood included teasing, bullying, and avoidance.  He had a life time of speech therapy before we met when he was in his early 20's.  Ian explains how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) via NLP and Neurosemantics provided him the life-changing breakthrough he sought after.  Listen to his story of resolve and courage.  

Mar 30, 202252:52
An action plan for teasing & bullying

An action plan for teasing & bullying

Children who stutter are often teased and bullied.  This leads to a social anxiety, avoiding, and the fear of talking.  Social anxiety starting in childhood can persist into adulthood. This podcast explains the psychological impact of teasing and how parents and teachers can support the child who stutters.  This is really important! 

Mar 06, 202220:20
Stuttering hates humor: free yourself

Stuttering hates humor: free yourself

A healthy sense of humor is like medicine for stuttering- it can help take the pain and anxiety away.    People who stutter (pws) can spend a life time attempting to conceal their stuttering. Why? Teasing and bullying is real problem for ps.  Pws believe they will be judged for stuttering. Rob Bloom, of Orlando Florida, joins Tim in this podcast. We reflect back and we wish we would have disclosed our stuttering and used humor to de-personalize it.   If a pws can make light of his stuttering and "set the frames" for it, what happens to fear and social anxiety?  The Iceberg of Stuttering begins to melt.  Begin to set the narrative for your stuttering.  Never apologize and be bold.  You are more than stuttering. 

Read this later: https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/post/the-stuttering-iceberg-russ-hicks. 

Feb 11, 202258:35
The Miracle Question Pattern. 2022 goal setting.

The Miracle Question Pattern. 2022 goal setting.

The Miracle Question Pattern (MQP) helps a person who stutters (PWS) make goals that are within reach.  After a clinician interviews the pws, the clinician may lead the MQP process.  Many pws can independently do this pattern after listening to this podcast.  The MQP was created in the 1970's by Steve De Shazar and Insoo Kim Berg.  Solution Focused Brief Therapy evolved out of the work of De Shazar and Berg.  PWS have anxiety and fear related to stuttering.  The MQP can help identify and change the elements that lead to anxiety and avoidance. I used it to help myself.  I have been using it for 30 years.  Have a great 2022 and beyond!

Jan 19, 202212:11
Teriyaki Chicken: when and how we fear stuttering

Teriyaki Chicken: when and how we fear stuttering

People who stutter (pws) often have very specific feared words and sounds.  Pws can go to great lengths to avoid and/or develop tricks and crutches intended to conceal stuttering.  Ordering Teriyaki chicken was one of my phobias.  

Sep 14, 202109:52
Clear Masks are essential if you stutter
Sep 14, 202106:41
Stuttering at school: education and advocacy

Stuttering at school: education and advocacy

Tricia Troester is a pws and has three children who stutter.  Tim and Tricia discuss 12 essential points to consider when educating teachers and setting up your child to succeed.  Tim and Tricia each had immense difficulties with stuttering as children in the school setting. Children deserve a safe learning environment with no bullying.  Specific strategies and ideas to support children can also be found here: https://www.stuttering-specialist.com/classroom-advocacy

Sep 01, 202101:06:50
Andrew Gradone tells us how he has integrated CBT and SLP skills in neuropsychology

Andrew Gradone tells us how he has integrated CBT and SLP skills in neuropsychology

Neuropsychology is a branch of psychology that is concerned with how a person's cognition and behavior are related to the brain and the rest of the nervous system. Professionals in this branch of psychology often focus on how injuries or illnesses of the brain affect cognitive and behavioral functions.   In five months, Andrew has largely eliminated anxiety and avoidance related to his stuttering.  Andrew has to administer standardized tests that require nearly perfect speech to be standardized.  He meets with other allied professionals, caretakers, and patients.  Andrew's future will include depositions by attorneys and courtroom expert witness duties.  He will be ready.

May 24, 202159:29
An interview with a cloud solutions architect. Josh DeMuth shares his recipe for success leading webinars.

An interview with a cloud solutions architect. Josh DeMuth shares his recipe for success leading webinars.

Josh DeMuth has 14 years in IT.  He is a cloud solutions architect for a major web service provider. The covid pandemic resulted in a sudden shift to virtual seminars.  If you stutter, you know that was hard. Josh is a "tier 2 qualified speaker" for webinars.  Listen as he tells you how he prepares and executes his webinars. Josh is also a Toastmasters veteran and recently chartered a virtual club.

May 04, 202101:01:07
Mallery and Mike: a brand new stuttering relationship

Mallery and Mike: a brand new stuttering relationship

Mallery is an SLP.  Michael is a construction supervisor and a real estate investor.  Once they started dating Mallery learned the extent of Michael's stuttering. Stuttering was very difficult for him every day. He was avoiding and asking to be enabled. How can Mallery be a partner and an SLP at one time? She is not his therapist but wanted to help anyway she could. It was uncharted territory for her.  He was resistant to help for many years. How fast has Michael changed in a few weeks?  How has their relationship grown and changed?  How courageous is Michael already?  You may agree that this story of love and encouragement has applications to parents and teachers supporting a person who stutters.

Apr 02, 202149:07
The power of beliefs and their impact on stuttering. Listen to understand.

The power of beliefs and their impact on stuttering. Listen to understand.

What are beliefs?  How do irrational beliefs lead to anxiety, avoidance, eye contact aversion, and other challenges for pws?  How can we change beliefs?

Mar 26, 202117:35
Actress Bethany Anne Lind discusses the portrayal of stuttering in motion pictures and live theater. We are all changing the narrative about stuttering.

Actress Bethany Anne Lind discusses the portrayal of stuttering in motion pictures and live theater. We are all changing the narrative about stuttering.

Bethany Anne Lind is an acclaimed actress who makes her home here in Georgia.  I had the pleasure of teaching her to stutter for the award-winning play Carapace- at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta.  In addition to an extensive live theater portfolio, she has had roles in Ozark, The Walking Dead, The Stranger Things.  Streaming now is her movie Blood on Her Name.  We discuss how stuttering is portrayed in theater and movies.  After decades of tolerance for belittling people who stutter and making stuttering a punchline, we are now seeing a shift in the narrative about stuttering.  It is my opinion that the acting and film industry has a responsibility to respect people who stutter.  The ADA protects people who stutter against discrimination. The King's Speech and Carapace are two triumphs for people who stutter.  Documentaries When I Stutter and My Beautiful Stutter are newer additions to a catalog of better portrayal of stuttering and the impact it has on people.  After listening to Bethany Anne Lind, begin enjoying her talent on your television and watch for her in local theater.

Mar 23, 202146:34
Finance pro, Michael Coats, tells us how he has dramatically improved his speech and how Toastmasters played a part in his victory

Finance pro, Michael Coats, tells us how he has dramatically improved his speech and how Toastmasters played a part in his victory

Michael Coats is a 48 year old financial consultant.  He began to dive into his life long stutter in late 2016.  We worked together using CBT and best practices in speech pathology.  Michael joined Toastmaster in 2017.  He has entered and won a speech contest!  Whether meeting with clients and team members in person or virtually, he has a game plan for talking. Listening to Michael's dedication and courage is contagious.

Mar 04, 202141:58