Proud 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 throughout school, and how therapy helped her begin processing memories and emotions that had long been buried. She shares how returning to her former schools as a substitute teacher became an unexpected turning point, allowing her to support students while also healing parts of her younger self.The conversation explores the lasting emotional impact of stuttering, the importance of being seen beyond speech differences, and how community and advocacy can create space for transformation. Elizabeth also opens up about losing her mother, volunteering after a difficult period in her life, and eventually speaking before county council to advocate for adults who stutter. Links and resourcesApr 8, 2026 - Council Public Hearing----Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift here. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 showed up in the world. He shares how humor became part of that process, along with speech therapy and intentionally stepping into uncomfortable situations. The conversation explores the connection between stuttering and mental health, including anxiety and depression, and how internal and external pressures can influence both. Joze also talks about how his experiences have shaped his work and daily life, and what it has meant to build a career that brings him into constant interaction with others.Links & ResourcesJoze's websiteJoze's book - STOP HOLDING BACK-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift here. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Qudsiya Naqui sits down with Haben Girma, a human rights lawyer, author, and disability activist who is the first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School. They explore what it means to center access and how it can lead to “empowered interdependence,” a powerful framework for challenging ableist systems and reimagining how we support one another.Episode page: https://www.downtothestruts.com/episodes/season-6-haben-girmaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 during middle school.The conversation looks at how storytelling can transform difficult experiences into something meaningful. Jennifer reflects on how writing the book allowed her to revisit a painful time in her life and create a story where a young girl who stutters is supported by friends, teachers, and community. Maya and Jennifer also discuss the need for more representation of people who stutter in books, television, and film, and how visibility can help shift public understanding.Jennifer also talks about discovering writing at a young age, working in theater, and building a career as a fiction writer and book coach. She shares how long it took to bring the book to life and why she stayed committed to the story. At the center of the episode is Jennifer’s hope that young readers who stutter will see themselves in the book and feel encouraged to take risks, express themselves creatively, and pursue what they love.Links & ResourcesMarch 17 SXSW eventYou can add that MAGGIE'S BIG BREAK by Jennifer Dickinson will be released on April 30, 2026, and listeners can pre-order it now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. Amazon: amazon.com/Maggies-Big-Break-Jennifer-Dickinson/dp/1949983234/Bookshop.org: bookshop.org/p/books/maggie-s-big-break-jennifer-dickinson/6c6924a4a5fe7305-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift here. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 experiences with speech therapy reinforced shame rather than support.The conversation explores covert stuttering, passing, and the emotional and spiritual labor that often goes unseen. Maya and Anjali reflect on navigating stuttering alongside other identities, the pressure to accept oneself, and how healing often requires being witnessed in community. Together, they discuss belonging, enoughness, and the importance of creating spaces where people who stutter can show up as they are, without needing to perform fluency or prove their identity.LinksMaya's SubstackParticipate in this stuttering research survey and get a gift card!Anjali's website-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift here. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media.Want to lean more about what Proud Stutter has to offer? Sign up here to stay in the loop and take advantage of our upcoming events, actions, and educational materials.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/proud-stutter/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy