Learn One Thing - An Online Event on Stuttering
This year we got together again with some beautiful people who stutter to learn and discover with each of them one thing about stuttering, dealing with stuttering, or overcoming stuttering.
If you think you know everything about stuttering you might be mind-blown. :)
Even though all the participants have different backgrounds and some use the techniques and some don't, quite surprisingly all the participants talked about the internal part of stuttering. The one we oftentimes even don't quite see ourselves.
Are you ready to learn something new? Let's dive into it!
The VIDEO: Altogether - Learn One Thing
Learn One Thing - An Online Event on Stuttering
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVH4fR7Vq3ODCADCJAAY27TbG53YFqkF3
Ayo Adesanya
The topic Ayo picked for this conversation was "Going beyond the surface level of stuttering."
Stuttering is much bigger than just speech impediments. There are fears of stuttering, stuttering shame, negative feelings about it, hiding stuttering, stuttering anxiety, avoidance and holding back.
So, we want to address all those. There are techniques that Ayo talked about and that he uses to bring more structure and make speaking easier and there are personal development concepts that we can use.
Learn more about Ayo Adesanya: https://www.stopholdingback.org/
Lisa Greenleaf
The topic Lisa picked for this conversation was "Conquer the fear."
We usually start thinking about conquering the physical part of stuttering, which is quite natural, but the fear of revealing ourselves is probably the biggest part of stuttering. And it's mostly invisible to other people. So stuttering this way tends to put us in a box where we often feel trapped.
We talked with Lisa about how we don't have to feel trapped.
One of the things that helped Lisa was finding the nearest National Stuttering Association chapter, meeting other people who stutter, and developing a mindset that stuttering is nothing to be ashamed of.
Peter Louw
The topic Peter picked for this conversation was "Don't hold back!"
We talked about how repressing our emotions and other defense mechanisms (denial and rationalization) can play a role in developing a stutter.
We discovered that repressing emotions mostly happens subconsciously so we want to engage the mechanisms of releasing our emotions. We talked about how journaling and being expressive and assertive can help in this regard.
Learn more about Peter Louw: “Stuttering as a mindbody disorder” book
Stuttering as a mindbody disorder Facebook Group
"Coping with stuttering" free book
Christopher Jackson
The topic Christopher picked for this conversation was "Be comfortable with people seeing you block."
And that's a huge topic! Christopher put it very clear and straightforward. Without being comfortable with revealing yourself, your stutter, and your improvement efforts there's very limited space for improvement.
The more you can be OK with yourself, stuttering, and working on stuttering the more you can improve.
Learn more about Christopher:
https://www.stopholdingback.org/
Callum Schofield
The topic Callum picked for this conversation was "Why I'm not a stutterer."
We talked about how stuttering should not identify who you are as a person. Stuttering is a small part of you. This is a nice phrase, but how do we really feel this way?
Callum shared his life-changing experience with the Starfish Project. It's interesting that the same method and techniques "didn't work" for him when he took the course for the first time and "worked" for the second time.
It demonstrates that the method and techniques are important of course, but our internal determination and commitment are at least as important.
Learn more about Callum: theschofieldstories.com
The Schofield Stories Instagram
Rick Scoutto
The topic that Rick picked for this conversation was "Covert Stuttering."
Rick learned about the term "covert stuttering" recently when he attended the National Stuttering Association conference.
Trying to hide stuttering is one of the key elements of stuttering that we want to change because stuttering is not something to be ashamed of. As long as we hide stuttering it grows stronger and we disconnect from the speaking environment even more. So we talked about how stretching our comfort zone can improve your confidence in speaking.
Learn more about Rick:
Sean Azimi
The topic that Sean picked for this conversation was "We're not stutteres. Stuttering is what we sometimes do."
First of all, Sean goes live on Facebook with great personal development tips every day. Every single day! It's quite a challenge even for "regular" people. So, we talked about how he actually does that, what drives him and what helps him with his stuttering.
Even though Sean stutters he doesn't seem to struggle with stuttering at all. He doesn't seem to be affected by stuttering at all. He seems to be totally free from stuttering even though he obviously stutters.
Learn more about Sean:
Chase Gillis
The topic that Chase picked for this conversation was "How to grow from bad speech days."
Wow, what a topic! I often hear from people who stutter about having their "good" and "bad" days. And it's kind of implied that we want to have fewer "bad" days and more "good" days.
But what if it's the bad days where we can learn and grow? So Chase shared how we actually can do that!
Learn more about Chase:
Altogether - Learn One Thing
It's so great to have people who stutter with so different perspectives collaborating and cooperating in real-time! I'm sure you'll be inspired, motivated, encouraged, and learn one thing that you can implement in your life right away!
Individual interviews with the participants of the event:
Ayo Adesanya - https://youtu.be/XWDyyM5DPAU
Lisa Greenleaf - https://youtu.be/ieqGYkb8WdE
Peter Louw - https://youtu.be/3ppUvkDe1wc
Christopher Jackson - https://youtu.be/rLqTOujIuIM
Callum Schofield - https://youtu.be/gvzSZnhfabQ
Rick Scoutto - https://youtu.be/vifUxXI7VtA
Sean Azimi - https://youtu.be/uoNpglmzkgM
Chase Gillis - https://youtu.be/wY6i5QAh3IQ
If you are a person who stutters,
and you're not quite satisfied with how you feel at the moment of speaking interaction
I invite you to my free training where I share my view on getting free from stuttering.
And for more interaction,
join the Free From Stutter Facebook group.
Please, don't stay isolated! It's crucial to feel you’re part of the community!
If you have thoughts or observations, anything that comes to your mind - let me know in the comments!
Thank you so much! See you soon!