I promise I'll start getting back to the interviews rather than talking about my trials and tribulations of my one off herpes experience haha. But seriously today I wanted to just share what my intention is with SPFPP and that's to Create community through this common unity. Herpes does not have a cure as of today, and I wish for people to not live their life in anticipation for one. I had every intention of exclusively talking about Letting Go this podcast episode and while some examples...

You asked about how you can help SPFPP expand well here it is! I believe we've found ourselves the best way to minimize stigma by directly going to the educators and STD/STI prevention workers. They're the ones with the credibility and just need to understand where we're coming from with our experiences with stigma. Perhaps equipping them with our resources will create the shift we need. Here my ask is just to tap into your networks and let me know how I can offer these organizations the...

I’m really feeling gratitude for all the support since dropping last week’s podcast episode. This episode, I share about Letting Go of fear from a personal experience. I value connection and recognize that I had some emotions that, while I’m teaching others how to Let Go, I myself hadn’t fully let go of myself. I’ve come to realize I do in fact have a fear of success. This came up over the weeks I didn’t record another podcast episode because I was actively pursuing funding for SPFPP. It is...

Apologies to all the listeners who were relying on this podcast on a weekly basis. I made a poor choice in attention shifting in an effort to generate more funds for the organization and those attempts really showed me just what's most important within this organization. This podcast is important not just to those who benefit from it but for me also as a spiritual practice, or truth seeking practice for those who don't like the spiritual talk. In this episode I just share what I was doing...

Welcome to a special edition of the Something Positive for Positive People Podcast. In this enlightening episode, we dive into the comprehensive range of support and educational programs offered by SPFPP, designed to empower and support individuals navigating the complexities of herpes and other STIs. Discover the depth and breadth of our services, starting with personalized Support Calls, where individuals can share, seek advice, and find solace in a confidential setting. Learn how our...

In this pivotal episode 329, "Welcome to Something Positive for Positive People," we delve deep into the heart of our organization, offering listeners and potential sponsors alike a comprehensive overview of the impactful programs and initiatives we've developed since our inception as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. From our origins addressing the critical issue of suicide within the herpes community, to our expansive efforts in interviews, research, therapy connections, support calls, yoga,...

In episode 328 of Something Positive for Positive People, titled "Nonmonogamy Made Me Monogamous," we explore Casey' transformative journey from non-monogamous relationships to finding deep connection and commitment in a monogamous partnership. Diagnosed with herpes just over a year ago, Casey shares their experience navigating the complexities of relationships and identity. This candid conversation delves into the nuanced differences between viewing someone as "a partner" versus "my partner"...

In episode 327, "Fulfillment in Faith," of the Something Positive for Positive People podcast, we are joined by Stefanie Woolsey, a nurse with 20 years of living with herpes and a beacon of hope and healing for women facing similar journeys. Stefanie shares her transformative experience of turning to God following her diagnosis, a journey that not only led her to align her actions with her faith but also to the love of her life. Beyond her personal story, Stefanie offers invaluable support...

In this heartfelt episode of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), we meet Karly, a 29-year-old advocate who turned her life around following a genital HSV-2 diagnosis in June 2023. Karly's story is one of resilience and hope; from grappling with the end of a relationship and facing suicidal thoughts to finding solace in the support of friends, co-workers, and advocacy work. Join us as Karly recounts her journey, offering a personal insight into living with herpes and how it led her...

In this insightful 30-minute podcast, we explore the dynamics of discordant dating, where one partner has herpes and the other does not. The discussion delves into the advantages and challenges of dating someone who also has herpes, highlighting the importance of focusing on overall compatibility rather than the virus itself. The podcast also addresses the common concern of herpes-positive individuals in discordant relationships, particularly the fear of transmitting the virus to their...

In episode 324 of the Something Positive for Positive People podcast, host Courtney Brame has a candid conversation with Belize Spivey, the founder of Vanquish Care and the STD Life Coach. As a black man and woman living with herpes, they discuss the cultural dynamics and norms within the black community that contribute to the stigma surrounding herpes. They delve into topics such as healthcare access and equity, the importance of community support, and the challenges faced by black...

There's an accountability in relationships that just doesn't come with dating that allows us to heal things that we never will if we let our fear of rejection for having herpes get in the way. It's not just the rejection that can happen . . . Listen to this one. We touched back into the essence of this podcast that I've gotten away from for a while now. I realized that this morning while recording this.

Thursday May 23, 20224 is the first ever Something Positive for Positive People virtual conference on herpes stigma. The theme is "Sexual Health is Mental Health", and we will analyze the HSV Stigma survey data we've collected from October 2023 at this conference. We invite anyone in the field of sexual health to attend and learn about our STI Minimization program where we train organizations on stigma-free communication with patients. Using the experiences of people navigating herpes...

Here’s a brief update from the newsletter followed by more of what to expect for 2024. As always, I prioritize being consistent over getting it right, however, I can confidently say, I think we got things right as we head into 2024. We know what we’re doing, we’re doing it, and people are trusting us enough to pay us for it. If you have not already, please subscribe to our email list as this will replace the posting updates on social media, and consistently go out on a monthly basis. Don’t...

Cassie Black is Safe Slut by the way. Nikita is one of our SPFPP Conference Presenters who will speak to the mental health aspect of stigma. We came together here to dance around Meta's rules around talking about sex stuff on social media. So we're strategically letting people know we're having a stigma free play party on February 15th, Thursday, in NYC. The details will be on the events tab on SPFPP website. Listen here for insights to the HSV Stigma Free Play Party Avengers. We'll put...

I was supposed to be in Sydney right now while a pre-recorded podcast episode automatically uploaded, but due to some necessary circumstances, I couldn't make that trip because my body told me some very important information that needed action taken immediately. This episode is my last bit of personal sharing on the podcasts, and I hope the story I share inspires you to get to the other side of your healing. I had what felt like a herpes scare again, only with a suspicious nodule on my...

I am joined by my friend and "No Shame in this Game" documentary producer, Jolene Jo-Jo Hernandez for a very long overdue podcast episode recording. Jolene put a sign on that says "I have herpes, ask me anything" and wore it at . . . Washington Park, in New York City as part of a documentary she put together just with the intention of healing that thing that needed to be dealt with. In this episode, while you'll hear two people comfortable with their herpes statuses, understand that you are...

Do you wonder where your donations to SPFPP go? Here's where you can find out! Herpes stigma survey www.spfpp.org/survey and join our newsletter for updates by sending me your email address.

Here's a solo episode where I openly explore learning out loud about what it means to be intentional and my own insecurities. Have you ever met someone like you but on the next level of that? I mean, you're ready for that, but aware enough to use words and identify what insecurities may be bubbling up to the surface around reciprocating. I talk about an experience here where... I met myself through someone and got to see those insecurities come up as pressure. Pressure is something that...

November 10th is my 35th birthday and since I was 13 years old, I had been holding on to what I’ve learned to be the root of my self worth issues.. This episode is one of healing. This is the longest SPFPP podcast episode to date that I have and I feel an immense sense of “things will be different for me” now that' I’ve released the grief I’ve held on to all this time. I dedicate this podcast to the first woman to fight for me and unconditionally love me, Patricia Anne Johnson. This is the...

For as long as it takes me to get to the point here, it's story time. I've had a wild week of what I thought was "People" harassing me, but ultimately I learned that it was one person. This episode is partially venting, partially a warning, partially a transparency moment. The episode will do the talking, but know that everything is okay. I don't anticipate having to take further action (thank God). While that may be the case, I don't want these disgruntled interactions I've had with these...

So this woman I matched with on a dating app that is not herpes focused matched with me, we lost contact, and then when we matched again she really wanted to tell me thanks for my work. She and I discussed making this into a podcast episode, and I AM SO GLAD WE DID! This was phenomenal perspective. My experience with navigating dating multiple partners is quite unique for a variety of reasons, primarily that I'm open about my status. I touch on that in the episode. Our guest who chose to...

I interview a 26 year old Man from Ireland who's currently traveling abroad. We connected March 2023 and he reached out mid October to share his experience on the SPFPP podcast. "Herpes isn't that big of a deal" is something that gets loosely thrown around without context and we acknowledge that had this guests' partner had a different response than what the guest received, that we'd be having a way different conversation. He shares that this is his first time telling this story, so bear with...

I put Marla's bio below this description but let me tell ya'll, I came in with three talking points: 1. What is the Sex Down South Conference? 2. Speaking to the intersection of pleasure and safety when it comes to sex 3. Talking about kink as a treatment for trauma I NEVER make outlines for episodes because typically the content deviates from the topic and I find myself trying too hard to stay on topic but we managed to get an hour of conversation going between us. Marla offers some...