Something Positive for Positive People Courtney Brame

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 very likely that my own inner negative emotions of pride and fear really are in the way of me getting funding for SPFPP, and I believe PERHAPS that there’s a parallel there that folks can relate to in their own diagnosis.

I’ll be speaking more about this process of Letting Go from the lens of a herpes diagnosis and doing my best to relate my own experiences throughout this process to you as well. This isn’t necessarily a series, but it’s very useful and I want to be sure that you get from the process at minimum what I’m getting out of this process surrendering my own negative emotions in order to let in the positive. That said, it was in this podcast that I acknowledged my own fear of success in detail being a fear of losing my connection with this community. I know that if I get funding and I’m able to exclusively support myself from that funding, it’s likely to have come from a place that is either out of alignment with my values, or I’ll have to step away from doing the very things I like to do through SPFPP, like we saw with the podcast going on an unannounced hiatus.

I CAN sustain this organization off of donations alone and when the time comes, more aligned funding will present itself. I just had to acknowledge these emotional barriers to let go of my desire to be able to offer more to ya’ll with funding because you are now speaking loud and clear that THIS is the “more” ya’ll need, the podcast. And not only is that something I am capable of giving to you, but it also brings me peace because I feel connected through doing this as well. My intention here is to share the power of Letting Go in my life and selling you on applying it to your own.

Please join our monthly newsletter and learn about the happenings of SPFPP as what’s aligning for me is more podcasting, less social media if I’m being honest. You can just visit the site and you’ll see a pop up asking you to subscribe. Joining the SPFPP membership is going to be your best bet and value to contribute monthly to the organization, access the recordings of the Yoga classes, live and virtual events coming up, support calls and groups, and the upcoming conference, so visit www.spfpp.org/membership and sign up today in order to access everything.

I’m glad to be back and I feel a new found drive to offer a greater QUALITY of presence vs trying to increase the QUANTITY of it at the expense of the most impactful things. I’m also interviewing people again after May 23, so if you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, visit www.spfpp.org/podcast and fill in the guest intake form.

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 during that time and how intentional I am now moving forward starting after I make my move to the East Coast in May. Take a listen!

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 unique Yoga Sessions, rooted in Restorative Yin, offer a sanctuary for healing and mindfulness, addressing the emotional impacts of stigma.

We'll also cover the enriching experiences provided by our Conferences and Workshops, which serve as platforms for education, connection, and empowerment. These events are tailored to shed light on sexual health and wellness, encouraging open and stigma-free conversations.

Dive into the world of our Podcast, where we share stories, insights, and interviews that resonate with our community's experiences and challenges. The episode will highlight the value of staying informed and engaged through our Newsletter, which brings the latest updates, stories, and opportunities right to your inbox.

Additionally, we touch upon our involvement in Research, aiming to contribute valuable data and insights to the broader conversation around sexual health and stigma.

This episode is an invitation to explore the full spectrum of resources and support offered by Something Positive for Positive People. Whether you're seeking personal guidance, looking to expand your knowledge, or eager to connect with a community that understands, SPFPP is here to support your journey toward healing and empowerment.

Join us as we outline how each program can serve as a step toward a more informed, supported, and positive life. If you're looking to dive deeper into any of these areas or want to support our cause, visit www.spfpp.org for more information on how to get involved or utilize our services.

Thank you for tuning in and becoming part of our continuing journey to destigmatize herpes and enhance sexual health education and support worldwide.

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, and stigma minimization training for healthcare providers, this episode lays bare the essence of our mission and the tangible outcomes of our work.

We spotlight our journey, beginning with personal stories from individuals living with herpes, to the development of a suite of services designed to support mental health, promote sexual wellness, and engage the community in meaningful ways. Our workshops, specialized podcast series, and community engagement programs not only serve those directly affected by herpes but also play a pivotal role in broader sexual health discussions, encouraging conversations about STI testing and safer sex practices.

With an audience size reaching 46,000 in 2023, Something Positive for Positive People has cultivated a unique community, one that is actively leading the charge in sexual health advocacy. This engaged and informed audience is particularly attractive to partners in the yoga, mental health, and sexual wellness sectors, including condom brands and sex toy companies. Our listeners are not just passive consumers; they are active participants in their health and wellness, making them ideal collaborators for organizations looking to make a positive impact on public health, particularly in managing chronic illness and enhancing mental health through practices like yoga.

This episode is more than just an update; it's an invitation. We're reaching out to potential sponsors and partners to join us in this journey, offering a unique opportunity to connect with a deeply engaged audience that is not only receptive to but also in need of products and services that support their wellness journey. Whether it's through the healing practice of yoga or the promotion of sexual health and safety, there's a wealth of opportunities for collaboration and impact.

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" and the implications of possessiveness in these terms. We also journey with Casey from the East Coast to Portland, seeking a lifestyle more in tune with environmental values. Interestingly, Casey's herpes diagnosis didn't anchor them to their relationship; instead, they discovered a fulfilling partnership with the very person from whom they contracted herpes. Join us as we discuss how navigating non-monogamy led Casey to unexpected discoveries about love, partnership, and self.

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 through zoom calls for women grappling with herpes, touching on deeply personal topics such as coping with the initial despair and finding strength in faith. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the possibility of finding fulfillment and love, regardless of one's religious beliefs, by holding faith in a positive outcome and taking steps that resonate with that belief.
Connect with Stefanie Woolsey at www.stefaniewoolsey.com for zoom support calls.