My Stuttering Life

Pedro Pena
  • 5.0 (52)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

This is my life with all its trials and tribulations as a person who stutters. I believe in the power of positivity and I use it in my daily struggles with stuttering. I truly believe that it is OK to stutter and that I can accomplish any goal in my life with a positive mindset. As a husband, a father, a USAF Gulf War Veteran, and as an entrepreneur, I use many tools in my tool belt to become successful in all my endeavors. My goal is to share my journey so that others can see it is possible to be confident, determined, and live a life of positivity. If you are a PWS, you are not alone!

  1. At 35, Still Finding My Feet with Stuttering—A Positive Journey

    12/22/2025

    At 35, Still Finding My Feet with Stuttering—A Positive Journey

    Today's featured guest is Andrea Navarra. Andrea Navarra is a 35-year-old Italian living in Malta. He holds a BSc in Nursing from Rome and an MSc in Green Economy from Bournemouth University, where he specialized in carbon management, renewable energy, and environmental law. He began his professional journey in healthcare as a nurse (2014–2021) before transitioning into environmental sustainability and occupational health and safety. He currently works as an EHS Manager. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys cycling, trekking, photography, scuba diving, and indulging in good music, movies, and great food. Andrea first remembers stuttering around age 7 or 8, when his mother took him for a speech assessment and he began speech therapy. Around age 9 or 10, he also tried autogenic training, a relaxation technique. At 18, he joined a therapy group led by someone who promoted his method on Italian TV, spending a couple of weeks in Rome practicing an approach based on acting speech models. While he isn't sure he fully adopted that method, the experience gave him confidence and strength. Even though he still stuttered, it didn't bother him much until he was 28. Around that time, stuttering became a significant challenge again. Andrea isn't sure of the exact reason, though many suggest adult responsibilities can cause stuttering to return or feel more troublesome. He tried adapting the Italian technique to other languages without success. Later, while in the Netherlands, he underwent another therapy that combined speech therapy with psychological training focused on stuttering, but he didn't find it helpful.  Since then, Andrea has continued learning by listening to podcasts, reading, and engaging with the stuttering community. He's discovered there are many different techniques and approaches, and while he may explore another path in the future, for now he is still finding his way in managing his stutter. I truly believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Andrea for sharing his story with me today. LINKS: Email: andreanav530@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-navarra/ Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music.  Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    1h 59m
  2. How I Learned To Speak Up – Even With A Stutter

    08/24/2025

    How I Learned To Speak Up – Even With A Stutter

    Today's featured guest is Travis Warrington. Travis states, "I've stuttered since I was 5 years old. I was in speech therapy on and off during grade school to college. I have struggled with my self-esteem due my stuttering, but I have recently found an outlet and a global support system from having a YouTube channel".  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Travis for sharing his story with me today. LINKS: Email: warrint@gmail.com Website: https://impetusimpact.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/traviswarrington/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLbiGmpjS1GDzdi1RM6IIVg NPR:  https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2025/05/30/youtube-anniversary-videos-internet   Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    2h 17m
  3. Embracing Your Worth: A Journey to Beautiful Moments

    06/21/2025

    Embracing Your Worth: A Journey to Beautiful Moments

    In this episode, I dive into embracing our worth and cherishing life's beautiful moments. I'll share how practicing self-compassion, celebrating small victories, and surrounding ourselves with positivity can help us recognize our true value—stutter and all. Together, let's journey toward self-acceptance and joy, because we are worthy of every beautiful thing life offers! LINKS: Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    18 min
  4. Free To Speak: My Journey From Stuttering To Public Speaking

    06/15/2025

    Free To Speak: My Journey From Stuttering To Public Speaking

    Today's featured guest is Larry Stein. Larry Stein struggled with stuttering for 50 years, compromising his career and suffering debilitating depressions.  In an effort to save the business of his dreams, he launched a drive to improve his speech that far exceeded his expectations.  Over the next two years, he relearned to speak, retrained his brain and worked through speaking situations that once paralyzed him.  Today, he runs his dream business, is a professional speaker, an author, and mentors' people who stutter on nearly every continent of the world at no charge. I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Larry Stein for sharing his story with me today.   LINKS: Website:  https://SteinOnStuttering.com Email:  FindLarryStein@gmail.com YouTube: steinonstuttering3008 Instagram: SteinOnStuttering LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrystein-steinonstuttering/ FB: SteinOnStuttering Book: Free To Speak -- #1 Amazon Bestseller in Self-Help Amazon Link: http://bit.ly/3tSH7qt Professional Speaker and Mentor for PWS "There Is Always a Way Forward." From Severe Stutterer to Professional Speaker https://linktr.ee/steinonstuttering Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    1h 6m
  5. Breaking The Silence: How I Turned My Stutter Into A Storytelling Superpower

    06/14/2025

    Breaking The Silence: How I Turned My Stutter Into A Storytelling Superpower

    Today's featured guest is Doyle.  Doyle, the warm voice behind Spirit Talk Show, invites grown-ups to unwind with bedtime stories that blend magic and mindfulness.  An Irish-American adventurer and dad of two, Doyle's path from camp counselor to beloved teacher and tech whiz is one of passion and persistence.  With a B.A. in Child Development, a Master's in Educational Technology, and three teaching credentials, he educates and inspires in classrooms and beyond.  Outside of teaching and podcasting, you'll find Doyle singing his heart out with a gay chorus or mapping out his next adventure.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Doyle for sharing his story with me today.  LINKS: Websites: Host Spirit Talk Show https://www.spirittalkshow.info/ Our Show on Apple Podcasts Our Show on Spotify  The Stuttering Foundation "I Stutter Card" – Download, Print, & Place ID card in your vehicle visor –  https://www.stutteringhelp.org/IDCard My guest appearance on the Spirit Talk Show: 1.      Part 1 Embracing The Pause: A Conversation With Pedro Pena-https://open.spotify.com/episode/6c17DF1AqUNGLUI6qnvhdX?si=OxZBwpCNQpCL40IUeUh72w 2.      Part 2 Finding Power In Our Voices With Pedro Pena- https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Owsf9LbgmO2kctOUO11TC?si=vRuPsVQfTaKOgADh70wspw Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast    Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com (Note:  this was recorded fall 2024)

    1h 29m
  6. Speech Therapists Have Much To Learn, But We're Listening

    05/27/2025

    Speech Therapists Have Much To Learn, But We're Listening

    Today's featured guest is J. Scott Yaruss.  J. Scott Yaruss, PhD, is a Professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University and the President of Stuttering Therapy Resources, Inc., a specialty publishing company dedicated to helping speech-language pathologists help people who stutter. A practicing clinician for more than 30 years, Yaruss is a board-certified specialist in stuttering therapy and a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. His research, which is funded by both the NIH and the NSF, focuses on diminishing the adverse impact that many people who stutter face in their lives. He has published more than 135 peer-reviewed articles about stuttering and more than 250 other articles, books, and chapters about stuttering. He has also given more than 800 professional development workshops for organizations around the world. Social Media:   IG/FB: StutteringTherapyResources YouTube: StutteringTherapyRes  Websites: www.StutteringTherapyResources.com (publishing website) www.Yaruss.com (professional SLP website) Email: speech@yaruss.com I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Dr. J. Scott Yaruss for offering his insight as a speech therapist who works closely with the stuttering community.   Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    2h 19m
  7. Andrew's Journey Into The Corporate World After College As A Person Who Stutters

    04/13/2025

    Andrew's Journey Into The Corporate World After College As A Person Who Stutters

    Today's featured returning guest is Andrew Simpson.  It's always a great honor to have a returning guest and I'm thrilled to welcome back Andrew, whose journey continues to inspire. At just 25, Andrew is thriving on the accounting team at Colliers International in Columbus, Ohio. A proud graduate of Capital University and former student-athlete on the Men's Golf team, Andrew shares how discipline, resilience, and passion have shaped his personal and professional growth. I truly believe there is healing in sharing our journeys, and I want to thank Andrew for opening up and sharing his with me today. LINKS: Email: Email: Drewsimpson72@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsimpson22 Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    50 min

  8. 03/10/2025

    Stuttering Tales From A U.S. Airman

    Today's featured guest is Anthony Figueroa. Anthony is a United States Air Force Nondestructive Technician.  I believe that there is healing in sharing, and I want to thank Anthony for sharing his story with me today.  LINK: Contact Email: sf031604@gmail.com Thank you to Noah Swiderski (owner and producer of Briton Beats) for your outro music. For more information on Briton Beats, click this link:  https://www.britonmedia.com/editing Thank you to Epidemic Sound for the intro music.  https://www.epidemicsound.com/ Thank you to Mike Russell for that voice over outro.  https://musicradiocreative.com If you would like to support this podcast, then I would love a cup of coffee: buymeacoff.ee/mslpodcast      Website:  https://mystutteringlife.com

    1h 5m
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About

This is my life with all its trials and tribulations as a person who stutters. I believe in the power of positivity and I use it in my daily struggles with stuttering. I truly believe that it is OK to stutter and that I can accomplish any goal in my life with a positive mindset. As a husband, a father, a USAF Gulf War Veteran, and as an entrepreneur, I use many tools in my tool belt to become successful in all my endeavors. My goal is to share my journey so that others can see it is possible to be confident, determined, and live a life of positivity. If you are a PWS, you are not alone!

Information

  • Creator
    Pedro Pena
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pedro Pena
  • Show Website
    My Stuttering Life