WEBVTT 00:00:16.059 --> 00:00:18.940 Hey everyone, my name is Austin and welcome back 00:00:18.940 --> 00:00:21.839 to another episode of the Unfiltered Faith Podcast. 00:00:22.379 --> 00:00:24.079 If you're just tuning in for the first time, 00:00:24.339 --> 00:00:26.219 I'm so glad you're here and I would encourage 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:29.800 you to check out my previous episodes. If you've 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:32.119 been here, I'm so glad you're tuning in as well. 00:00:34.019 --> 00:00:36.780 Today's episode was supposed to be about the 00:00:36.780 --> 00:00:39.340 nuanced distinction between loneliness and solitude, 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:42.539 but today I wanted to shift gears for a moment 00:00:42.539 --> 00:00:44.859 and talk about something really personal to me, 00:00:45.259 --> 00:00:49.000 my stutter. If you've listened to my podcast 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:51.579 before, you probably noticed some stuttering 00:00:51.579 --> 00:00:54.420 occasionally, but to tell you the truth, sometimes 00:00:54.420 --> 00:00:58.719 it's a lot worse than what you're hearing. A 00:00:58.719 --> 00:01:02.179 lot of my listeners already knew that, so... 00:01:03.260 --> 00:01:06.540 This is for those that don't. Kind of like an 00:01:06.540 --> 00:01:09.819 introduction podcast. Like you're just meeting 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:12.739 me for the first time. I spend a lot of time 00:01:12.739 --> 00:01:16.420 editing my videos to give you guys the best quality 00:01:16.420 --> 00:01:19.260 content I can give. Even if that means editing 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:22.120 out the awkward pauses, words, or phrases that 00:01:22.120 --> 00:01:26.099 I say multiple times. Or even weird sounds that 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:27.939 come out of my mouth that aren't quite words. 00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:31.969 One take all the way through. This is my real 00:01:31.969 --> 00:01:37.010 and unfiltered self. For the past two episodes, 00:01:37.209 --> 00:01:40.409 I've been stepping on a soap box and I've been 00:01:40.409 --> 00:01:43.230 talking about the importance of being real, authentic, 00:01:43.390 --> 00:01:45.890 and unfiltered selves. But I haven't exactly 00:01:45.890 --> 00:01:48.769 been practicing what I preach. It is time I started. 00:01:49.409 --> 00:01:52.430 So for this episode, and maybe more episodes 00:01:52.430 --> 00:01:55.189 in the future, I'm not going to edit this episode. 00:01:55.650 --> 00:01:59.069 But you guys let me know if I should or not. 00:01:59.450 --> 00:02:03.049 I'm obviously going to make sure my podcast has 00:02:03.049 --> 00:02:05.849 the best quality audio for you guys, but I won't 00:02:05.849 --> 00:02:08.889 mess with the audio by trimming or deleting any 00:02:08.889 --> 00:02:11.750 clips. Every awkward long pause, every repeated 00:02:11.750 --> 00:02:14.530 word or phrase, you guys are going to have front 00:02:14.530 --> 00:02:17.830 row VIP seats, the truest, most authentic form 00:02:17.830 --> 00:02:20.930 of myself as it gets. So what is stuttering? 00:02:21.569 --> 00:02:24.590 Stuttering for me, it's not just about the words 00:02:24.590 --> 00:02:26.949 that come out of my mouth. It's a complex mix 00:02:26.949 --> 00:02:30.419 of physical, psychological, and emotional factors. 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:34.219 On a physical level, it involves disruption and 00:02:34.219 --> 00:02:37.060 a flow of speech. It can feel like my brain is 00:02:37.060 --> 00:02:40.099 overhazing head while my mouth is just isn't 00:02:40.099 --> 00:02:43.539 cooperating. Frustrating, right? I mean, can 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:45.719 you imagine being a kid and feeling like you 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:47.699 can't talk because you're in a constant battle 00:02:47.699 --> 00:02:51.199 with your speech? It made social interactions 00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:53.969 almost impossible. But hit me pink. You guys, 00:02:54.069 --> 00:02:56.110 a picture of how my experience with stuttering 00:02:56.110 --> 00:02:58.569 has influenced me and shaped my relationships. 00:02:58.930 --> 00:03:02.669 I was severely bullied for stuttering. I remember 00:03:02.669 --> 00:03:05.750 when I was a kid, other kids would often try 00:03:05.750 --> 00:03:08.330 to guess what I was going to say. Like it was 00:03:08.330 --> 00:03:10.550 some kind of game show, like ham and food and 00:03:10.550 --> 00:03:13.610 the price is right. Most of the time, they wouldn't 00:03:13.610 --> 00:03:16.610 even guess what I was saying correctly. People 00:03:16.610 --> 00:03:19.389 still do that to this day, and I'm 25 years old. 00:03:19.629 --> 00:03:21.990 For all of my listeners out there, Does anyone 00:03:21.990 --> 00:03:25.409 re -remember Windows 98? What health are the 00:03:25.409 --> 00:03:27.430 - the hoes who don't and are too young? What 00:03:27.430 --> 00:03:31.189 Windows 98 was a really - was a really slow computer 00:03:31.189 --> 00:03:33.610 system. Does anyone who re -remember this spinning 00:03:33.610 --> 00:03:35.729 wheel of death? Classmates of mine would often 00:03:35.729 --> 00:03:38.969 come up to me and do that same circular motion 00:03:38.969 --> 00:03:42.030 with their finger in front of my face and chant 00:03:42.030 --> 00:03:45.030 buffering, buffering, buffering over and over. 00:03:45.090 --> 00:03:49.840 I w - I wasn't popular at all in school. Sure, 00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:52.240 I knew a lot of people's names and people knew 00:03:52.240 --> 00:03:54.419 me but just because you know a lot of people 00:03:54.419 --> 00:03:56.400 and doesn't mean you're popular It just means 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:59.159 you're extroverted I mean one time as a joke 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:02.099 my so -called best friend dragging me over to 00:04:02.099 --> 00:04:05.639 one of the most popular girls in the grade and 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:08.979 Asked her who she had to go on a date with she 00:04:08.979 --> 00:04:12.740 picked me because at least there What would it 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:15.159 be my hudge of a conversation after all I'd be 00:04:15.159 --> 00:04:17.459 stuttering the whole time or at least that's 00:04:17.459 --> 00:04:21.279 what she said I'd often avoid hazing my handy 00:04:21.279 --> 00:04:24.040 class, sticking to the sidelines during recess, 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.720 and just wishing I could blend in the background. 00:04:29.540 --> 00:04:31.899 I felt different, and honestly, it felt pretty 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:34.279 isolating. Each day presents a new challenge, 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:36.639 with moments of confidence and fluent speech, 00:04:37.240 --> 00:04:39.379 contrasted by times of struggle and emotional 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:42.160 turmoil. Studying has been a constant presence 00:04:42.160 --> 00:04:46.300 in my life since childhood, stemming from a brain 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:50.259 disorder known as epilepsy. I vividly recall 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:53.199 the anxiety and dread I felt in elementary school 00:04:53.199 --> 00:04:56.740 when called upon to speak, as my words often 00:04:56.740 --> 00:04:59.800 refused to flow as I intended. This experience 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:03.459 goes beyond mere speech difficulties, delving 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:06.779 into deeper emotional and psychological complexities. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:09.480 My journey with stuttering has significantly 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:11.819 impacted my life, and I believe it's essential 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:15.839 to share it, offering support. to others facing 00:05:15.839 --> 00:05:19.000 similar challenges. It's crucial to recognize 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:21.699 that stuttering is just one of the facets of 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:26.040 my identity. It does not define who I am. Embracing 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:29.100 my stutter has taught me valuable lessons in 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:32.699 resilience, patience, and empathy, shaping me 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:35.680 into the person I am today. Understanding the 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:41.029 interplay of genetic and cognitive factors has 00:05:41.029 --> 00:05:44.750 been a significant part of my journey in accepting 00:05:44.750 --> 00:05:47.750 my stutter as a part of my identity. Stuttering 00:05:47.750 --> 00:05:50.209 not only affects my speech, but also influences 00:05:50.209 --> 00:05:53.430 my social interactions, creating an invisible 00:05:53.430 --> 00:05:56.910 barrier at times. The struggle to articulate 00:05:56.910 --> 00:06:00.550 thoughts and express myself coherently can be 00:06:00.550 --> 00:06:03.990 draining and emotionally taxing. At times, it 00:06:03.990 --> 00:06:07.069 feels like my mind races ahead while my speech 00:06:07.069 --> 00:06:11.230 lags, leading to moments of frustration and mental 00:06:11.230 --> 00:06:13.850 fatigue. As I got older, I realized that my stutter 00:06:13.850 --> 00:06:16.370 was shaping my identity in ways I didn't fully 00:06:16.370 --> 00:06:19.509 understand at the time. I became this mix of 00:06:19.509 --> 00:06:23.209 wanting to connect with others and being terrified 00:06:23.209 --> 00:06:25.990 of judgment. I learned that sometimes people 00:06:25.990 --> 00:06:30.350 would look at me with pity or even impatience, 00:06:30.410 --> 00:06:34.149 and that stung. It reinforced his idea that I 00:06:34.149 --> 00:06:36.750 was somehow less of a person because of my speech. 00:06:37.029 --> 00:06:39.810 Now don't get me wrong, it's still a challenge. 00:06:40.689 --> 00:06:43.730 There are days when I feel frustrated. There 00:06:43.730 --> 00:06:46.790 are days when I want to throw in the towel and 00:06:46.790 --> 00:06:49.470 just avoid speaking altogether. For example, 00:06:49.850 --> 00:06:53.209 when I was recording episode 2, the art in finding 00:06:53.209 --> 00:06:56.529 happiness in the unlikely part 2. I must have 00:06:56.529 --> 00:06:59.170 recorded that episode 10 different times, or 00:06:59.170 --> 00:07:02.430 somewhere in that realm, and I was still unsatisfied 00:07:02.430 --> 00:07:05.569 with what I published. That's just how it is 00:07:05.569 --> 00:07:08.310 sometimes. I've learned to take it in stride. 00:07:08.610 --> 00:07:11.910 I remember I remind myself that it's okay to 00:07:11.910 --> 00:07:14.930 stutter, that it doesn't make me any less capable 00:07:14.930 --> 00:07:18.250 of connecting with others or sharing my thoughts. 00:07:18.709 --> 00:07:23.990 If anything, it makes me It makes more people 00:07:23.990 --> 00:07:26.670 want to listen and pay attention to what I'm 00:07:26.670 --> 00:07:30.470 saying. So if you're listening and you're someone 00:07:30.470 --> 00:07:33.769 who stutters, know that you're not alone. Your 00:07:33.769 --> 00:07:36.350 voice matters even if it doesn't come out the 00:07:36.350 --> 00:07:39.029 way you want it to at all. And if you're someone 00:07:39.029 --> 00:07:41.589 who doesn't stutter, I encourage you to be patient 00:07:41.589 --> 00:07:45.589 and understanding. We're all just trying to communicate 00:07:45.589 --> 00:07:48.370 in a world that sometimes feels a bit rushed. 00:07:49.149 --> 00:07:51.990 Ultimately, stuttering has taught me that vulnerability 00:07:51.990 --> 00:07:55.069 can lead to connection. It's opened doors to 00:07:55.069 --> 00:07:58.089 deeper conversations and authentic relationships. 00:07:58.810 --> 00:08:02.350 But here's the thing, I've found a way to channel 00:08:02.350 --> 00:08:05.250 those feelings into something constructive. Art, 00:08:05.689 --> 00:08:09.149 art in its many forms has become not just an 00:08:09.149 --> 00:08:12.230 outlet for me, but a lifeline. Whether it's music, 00:08:12.430 --> 00:08:15.709 writing, or painting, creativity allows me to 00:08:15.709 --> 00:08:17.949 express my feelings that sometimes tangled up 00:08:17.949 --> 00:08:20.509 in my throat. For example, with Hannah Wright, 00:08:20.730 --> 00:08:24.509 I can take my time. I can edit, revise, and craft 00:08:24.509 --> 00:08:28.370 my words until they feel just right. It's as 00:08:28.370 --> 00:08:31.509 if I'm giving my stutter a voice through the 00:08:31.509 --> 00:08:34.370 writing. Music is such a powerful force for me. 00:08:34.710 --> 00:08:37.429 When I listen to songs that resonate with my 00:08:37.429 --> 00:08:40.129 experiences, it feels like my struggles are being 00:08:40.129 --> 00:08:44.649 validated. The rhythm and melody become my allies. 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:48.460 upping me behind my voice in a way that feels 00:08:48.460 --> 00:08:52.960 safe and free. Now, let's chat about the therapeutic 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:57.159 benefits of creativity for mental health. Engaging 00:08:57.159 --> 00:09:00.899 in artistic pursuits can serve as a release. 00:09:01.360 --> 00:09:05.559 It's like a pressure valve heading out all those 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:08.620 pent -up feelings of frustration, anxiety, and 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:12.860 even joy. I found that when I immerse myself 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:16.029 in creative activities. I'm not just expressing 00:09:16.029 --> 00:09:18.950 what I feel about my stutter. I'm also nurturing 00:09:18.950 --> 00:09:21.169 my mental well -being. There's something incredibly 00:09:21.169 --> 00:09:24.429 healing about putting pen to paper, brush to 00:09:24.429 --> 00:09:28.789 canvas, or fingers to piano keys. It's a way 00:09:28.789 --> 00:09:31.970 to explore my emotions without the fear of judgment. 00:09:32.809 --> 00:09:35.610 It's a space where I can feel completely unfiltered. 00:09:35.840 --> 00:09:38.799 just like this podcast. Stuttering affects me 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:41.759 more than just communication. It weaves its way 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:44.940 into my daily life, my interactions, and even 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:47.460 my self -esteem. There's this constant battle 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:51.179 in my head, a tug of war between wanting to express 00:09:51.179 --> 00:09:55.620 myself and fear of how my speech will be perceived. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:58.899 And let me tell you, that fear can be crippling. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:02.259 My high stutter affects me daily. How I communicate, 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:05.059 how I connect with others, and sometimes even 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:08.320 how i see myself you know it can feel like a 00:10:08.320 --> 00:10:11.019 roller coaster ride and not always the fun kind 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:16.440 but beyond that the stuttering has this emotional 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:20.340 weight it can bring on anxiety especially in 00:10:20.340 --> 00:10:24.139 social situations and i'll be real with you there 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.840 are moments when i feel like i'm hiding a battle 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:30.480 just to say my name i've come across people who 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:32.960 say things to me like did you forget your name 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:36.370 and asked what my name was then just either to 00:10:36.370 --> 00:10:38.730 quote unquote get stuck as I'd like to call it. 00:10:39.289 --> 00:10:42.750 That's not easy, folks. Anxiety is a big player 00:10:42.750 --> 00:10:45.809 here. Imagine standing in front of a group of 00:10:45.809 --> 00:10:49.490 people, your heart racing, palms sweating, and 00:10:49.490 --> 00:10:52.750 you just wanting to get your words out, but your 00:10:52.750 --> 00:10:56.649 brain and your mouth just don't sync up. It's 00:10:56.649 --> 00:10:59.190 frustrating. And that anxiety doesn't just stop 00:10:59.190 --> 00:11:02.379 when the speech is over. It lingers. creating 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:05.059 this cloud of self -doubt that makes you question 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:07.919 your worth and your ability to communicate effectively. 00:11:08.179 --> 00:11:11.179 Now let's talk about the workplace. The workplace 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:14.240 where communication is key and the pressure is 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:17.679 on. I face challenges that sometimes it feels 00:11:17.679 --> 00:11:21.279 like my stutter makes me feel less credible or 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:24.100 capable in the eyes of my colleagues. I've had 00:11:24.100 --> 00:11:26.480 my homemates where I've hesitated to speak up 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:29.379 in meetings feeling judgment or misunderstanding. 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:34.759 But I've also found allies, people who have supported 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:37.820 me, who've encouraged me to share my thoughts, 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.620 and who've helped create an inclusive environment. 00:11:42.419 --> 00:11:44.679 And then there's self -esteem. I know I'm not 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:47.740 alone in this, but my stutter can take a hit 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:52.720 on how I see myself. It can make me feel less, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:55.240 like you're not good enough to share your thoughts. 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:58.779 When I was younger, I often avoided situations 00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:02.440 where I might have to speak up. I still do if 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:05.039 I'm being completely honest. Group projects in 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:08.480 school? No thanks. Public speaking? I would rather 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:11.100 watch the history of Super Bowl. Speaking of 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:16.080 public speaking, let's talk about it. For many 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:19.519 people, it's a terrifying experience. But somehow, 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:22.679 for someone who stutters, it can feel like standing 00:12:22.679 --> 00:12:26.799 in front of a firing squad. You've got this intense 00:12:26.799 --> 00:12:30.899 pressure to perform, to articulate, and to not 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:33.600 let your stutter define you. And when you're 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:36.080 up there, the fear of judgment from others can 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:39.440 feel overwhelming. That being said, I can remember 00:12:39.440 --> 00:12:43.539 a time when public speaking wasn't so bad. I 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:45.620 was a senior in high school, and I had to take 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:48.539 a speech class to graduate. At my old school, 00:12:48.659 --> 00:12:52.019 speech was a senior level class, hence why I 00:12:52.019 --> 00:12:55.039 hadn't taken it yet. I was in a classroom full 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:58.179 of freshmen and sophomores. So not only did I 00:12:58.179 --> 00:13:00.980 feel nervous because of my stutter, but I also 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:05.200 felt nervous because I was the oldest one in 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:09.519 the classroom amongst my peers because I felt 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:13.139 like I had to perform better than the rest of 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:16.639 them. I remember after class I stayed behind 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:20.159 to ask my teacher if I could give my presentation. 00:13:20.649 --> 00:13:25.230 to him after class or something. Still wailing 00:13:25.230 --> 00:13:27.990 to do the work, but eliminating the stress of 00:13:27.990 --> 00:13:31.750 having sick xt plus eyes staring at me. After 00:13:31.750 --> 00:13:35.649 hearing my proposal, he made me a deal. He said, 00:13:35.690 --> 00:13:39.230 I have no problem with you doing your presentations 00:13:39.230 --> 00:13:41.809 after class with just me because of your stutter 00:13:41.809 --> 00:13:46.049 or whatever, but I want you at least try your 00:13:46.049 --> 00:13:49.710 first presentation in front of the class. And 00:13:49.710 --> 00:13:53.000 if you hate it, We don't have to do it anymore. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:56.299 I was hesitant, but I agreed to his counter offer. 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.360 I gave my first speech sometime later. I felt 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:02.919 like the silence in the room was so deafening 00:14:02.919 --> 00:14:06.700 after my speech. I could hear a pen drop. I look 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:09.779 back at my teacher and he had a big grin on his 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:12.279 face. He said, at the beginning of the semester, 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:15.360 Austin came to me after class, expressing a concern 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.840 that he had about speaking in front of you guys. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:20.340 He said he didn't want to present in front of 00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:22.879 you guys because of his stutter. He then asked 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:26.480 the class who thought Austin did a great job 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:30.559 on his speech. That question was followed by 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:32.960 every single student in that classroom clapping. 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:36.460 Needless to say, I presented every one of my 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:39.179 speeches in front of the entire class that semester. 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.799 But here's the thing. I've learned that my speech 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:45.320 doesn't define who I am. It's a part of me. Yes, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:48.360 it doesn't dictate my worth. If you had told 00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:52.960 under me I was doing a podcast, I would have 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:55.700 laughed in your face. But at the beginning of 00:14:55.700 --> 00:14:58.320 this year, I wanted to challenge myself by stepping 00:14:58.320 --> 00:15:01.519 out of my comfort zone and doing something I 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:03.419 never thought I was capable of doing. That was 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:07.980 my first mistake. Never let anyone tell you that 00:15:07.980 --> 00:15:10.379 you're not capable of doing something because 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:14.019 if you are determined enough and you'll make 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:16.600 it happen. I've been surprised myself. I've worked 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:20.000 hard to find ways to manage the anxiety and boost 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:23.299 my self -esteem. I've had to remind myself that 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:26.679 everyone has their own struggles and stuttering 00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:29.720 is just one of mine. I want you all to remember 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:33.120 that our imperfections make us unique. Whether 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:35.679 it's a stutter, a cork, or something else entirely, 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:39.039 it's okay to embrace it. Some days it's easier 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:42.639 to embrace it than others, but it doesn't define 00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:45.580 me. I've come to understand that my stutter is 00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:49.600 just one part of who I am. Not only does it take 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:52.620 an insane amount of patience on the receiving 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:56.320 end, but you also have to remember that I also 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:58.519 need to have an incredible amount of patience 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:02.720 with myself. There are occasions that I'll try 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:06.379 to talk and it doesn't go as planned. I get really 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:08.860 angry with myself, which only makes it worse. 00:16:09.129 --> 00:16:12.970 But the fact of the matter is, I'm my own biggest 00:16:12.970 --> 00:16:16.049 enemy. We all are. What would happen if instead 00:16:16.049 --> 00:16:19.789 of being our own worst enemies, we were our own 00:16:19.789 --> 00:16:23.649 biggest chilliers? Now let's talk about how society 00:16:23.649 --> 00:16:27.009 perceives people we stutter. Now stuttering is 00:16:27.009 --> 00:16:29.230 something that affects many people, but it's 00:16:29.230 --> 00:16:32.470 often shrouded in misunderstanding. There's a 00:16:32.470 --> 00:16:35.049 lot of stigma out there. Many people think that 00:16:35.049 --> 00:16:37.710 stuttering is a sign of nervousness or lack of 00:16:37.710 --> 00:16:40.700 intelligence. And that's just not true. I've 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:44.460 met some incredibly intelligent and articulate 00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:48.240 people who happen to stutter. It's frustrating 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.200 to say the least. One common misconception is 00:16:51.200 --> 00:16:54.399 that we're not good communicators. But let me 00:16:54.399 --> 00:16:57.340 tell you, I've had some amazing conversations 00:16:57.340 --> 00:17:00.440 with people, stutter and all. It's about the 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:03.759 message, not just the delivery. And I think that 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:07.279 sometimes we all need to remember that. Another 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:10.000 stereotype is that people who stutter are shy 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:12.920 or introverted. That couldn't be far from the 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:16.059 truth. I'm actually quite extroverted and I love 00:17:16.059 --> 00:17:17.700 connecting with people. It's just something, 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:21.039 just sometimes my stutter gets in the way. So 00:17:21.039 --> 00:17:23.319 if you're listening and you know someone who 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:26.660 stutters, don't assume they're shy. Just engage 00:17:26.660 --> 00:17:30.420 with them like you would with anyone else. You 00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:34.220 know, I've also encountered people who feel uncomfortable 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:37.230 when I stutter. They might look away, or even 00:17:37.230 --> 00:17:40.029 try to fifth -handish my senses and senses for 00:17:40.029 --> 00:17:43.589 me. I get it. It can be awkward. But I wish people 00:17:43.589 --> 00:17:47.170 would just relax and let me take my time. We're 00:17:47.170 --> 00:17:49.769 all humans, right? We all have our quirks and 00:17:49.769 --> 00:17:53.230 challenges. So what can we do about this? Well, 00:17:53.410 --> 00:17:56.349 it starts with awareness and education. Talk 00:17:56.349 --> 00:17:59.549 to people. Ask questions. Don't shy away from 00:17:59.549 --> 00:18:02.519 the topic because it feels uncomfortable. I think 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:04.900 we avoid awkward and uncomfortable conversations 00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:09.299 because, well, it makes us feel awkward and uncomfortable. 00:18:10.299 --> 00:18:13.279 The more we discuss stuttering openly, the less 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:15.539 stigma there will be. If you're someone who stutters, 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:18.079 know you're not alone. If you know someone who 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:21.099 stutters, be patient and supportive. We'll listen 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:23.579 to them. Let them express themselves in their 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:26.119 own way. At the end of the day, I want to encourage 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:28.319 everyone to embrace their unique challenges. 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:31.680 whatever they may be. Uttering is just part of 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:35.299 my story and it has shaped who I am in profound 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:38.460 ways. I've learned to advocate for myself and 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:41.000 to stand up for what I believe in and to never 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.859 let my stutter hold me back from pursuing my 00:18:43.859 --> 00:18:47.420 dreams. But here's the thing, despite these challenges, 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:50.420 I've learned to cope. It's taking time and a 00:18:50.420 --> 00:18:54.119 lot of practice. I celebrate my victories big 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:57.799 and small. like when I can speak fluently in 00:18:57.799 --> 00:19:00.539 a meeting, or when I manage to share my thoughts 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:04.960 without feeling overwhelmed. Those moments remind 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:07.839 me that I'm not defined by my stutter. Instead, 00:19:07.859 --> 00:19:10.059 it's just a part of my journey. And let's not 00:19:10.059 --> 00:19:14.839 forget, finding supportive spaces is vital. Surrounding 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:18.099 myself with understanding people has made a huge 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:20.619 impact, whether it's friends, family, or even 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:23.920 support groups. Having a community that gets 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:28.240 it that gets it makes the journey so much easier. 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:32.640 So if you're out there and you're dealing with 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:35.779 a stutter or any form of communication challenge, 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:39.900 I urge you to find your creative outlet. It doesn't 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:43.660 even have to be a form of a communication challenge. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:46.619 It can be anything you're doing with your life. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:51.000 The bottom line is that feeling that finding 00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:54.329 a creative outlet to deal with the illustrations 00:19:54.329 --> 00:19:56.990 of everyday challenges has been a lifesaver for 00:19:56.990 --> 00:20:00.250 me. Don't be afraid to explore music, writing, 00:20:00.549 --> 00:20:03.450 painting, or whatever speaks to you. It's not 00:20:03.450 --> 00:20:06.049 just about making art, it's about making sense 00:20:06.049 --> 00:20:08.190 of your world, your feelings, and your experiences. 00:20:08.349 --> 00:20:10.769 So here's my takeaways for anyone listening. 00:20:11.509 --> 00:20:14.349 Whether you stutter or not, we all have our unique 00:20:14.349 --> 00:20:18.000 challenges. It's okay to seek help and explore 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.980 different avenues. What works for one person 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:23.519 may not work for another. That's completely fine. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:27.980 It's about finding your own rhythm and being 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:30.579 comfortable with who you are. I want to encourage 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:33.059 everyone to be kind to themselves, to embrace 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:35.640 their journeys, and to never be afraid of sharing 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:38.460 their stories. Stuttering may affect me, but 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:41.420 it doesn't define my words. Remember, communication 00:20:41.420 --> 00:20:44.390 is just about the words we say. It's about connection, 00:20:44.650 --> 00:20:48.089 expression, and understanding. So thanks for 00:20:48.089 --> 00:20:50.430 tuning in today and for letting me share my thoughts 00:20:50.430 --> 00:20:53.990 on this topic. I hope it sparks something in 00:20:53.990 --> 00:20:57.769 you and maybe even encouraged someone else out 00:20:57.769 --> 00:21:00.390 there. If you know someone who stutters, reach 00:21:00.390 --> 00:21:03.089 out to them. If you stutter yourself, remember 00:21:03.089 --> 00:21:07.019 you're not alone and your voice matters. As we 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:09.640 wrap up today's episode, remember that stuttering 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:12.619 or whatever type of challenge you face doesn't 00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:15.960 define you as a person. It's a part of your journey 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:19.680 but it's not your whole story. What does define 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:22.079 you is how you choose to deal with these challenges. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:25.420 People are always going to look at you and treat 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:29.099 you like you're different and unfortunately that's 00:21:29.099 --> 00:21:32.259 just human nature. People are always going to 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:34.519 look at you like you're some kind of animal at 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:37.839 the zoo. Point is, people are always watching, 00:21:38.460 --> 00:21:41.319 no matter who you are. So are you going to give 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:44.359 them something to look at, mock, and make fun 00:21:44.359 --> 00:21:47.220 of? Or are you going to be the difference in 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:50.279 their lives, speak up, and show them that you're 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:53.079 no different from them? I choose to use my voice 00:21:53.079 --> 00:21:56.519 to express who I am and to inspire others along 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.440 the way. Thanks for tuning in today. I hope you 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:02.779 found something relatable or inspiring in today's 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:06.470 conversation. I hope by sharing. my experiences, 00:22:06.470 --> 00:22:09.769 I can help someone out there feel a little less 00:22:09.769 --> 00:22:13.329 alone. So to anyone out there who's struggling 00:22:13.329 --> 00:22:16.470 with stuttering or any form of communication 00:22:16.470 --> 00:22:19.670 challenges or any other challenges for that matter, 00:22:19.829 --> 00:22:23.029 remember you're not alone. Celebrate your victories, 00:22:23.309 --> 00:22:26.650 embrace your journey, and keep finding ways to 00:22:26.650 --> 00:22:29.549 communicate effectively. If you enjoyed this 00:22:29.549 --> 00:22:32.250 episode, please share it with someone who might 00:22:32.250 --> 00:22:35.259 benefit from it. Until next time, stay creative 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:37.680 and keep expressing yourself in whatever way 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.440 feels right for you.