Something Positive for Positive People

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.

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 to a path of advocacy. Her experience sheds light on the human aspect of HSV, challenging the stigma and reshaping how we perceive individuals affected by the virus.

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 partner and how this affects their presence and engagement in the relationship. Additionally, the episode touches on the discrimination within the herpes community, where individuals with one type of herpes often stigmatize those with another type. Concluding with a powerful message, the podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing one's emotions regarding herpes stigma to foster healthier, more fulfilling relationships, regardless of a partner's herpes status.

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 individuals who openly advocate for herpes stigma education. They also address the role of religion and spirituality in perpetuating shame and provide insights on how to empower and advocate for better sexual health education and STD prevention in the black community. Don't forget about the SPFPP Virtual Conference coming up May 23, 2024. Register at www.spfpp.org/conferences ASAP to get your tickets! Connect with Belize at Vanquishcare.com and use code spfpp at checkout when you purchase herpes treatment products to save!

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 stigma, we've been able to address stigma in health care settings, in the field of mental health, and of course in dating. This podcast is a brief verbal expression of the conference without me actually delivering the content of the conference. Visit www.spfpp.org/conferences for more information and to register. I look forward to seeing you there.

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 forget to register for the SPFPP virtual conference, take the HSV stigma survey, and join our monthly membership program for those perks (or if you just want to make monthly reoccurring donations). Ya’ll I am RIGHT THERE to being able to do this full-time. Facilitating therapy for people navigating herpes stigma, training sexual health service providers on stigma free care, and coaching folks on communicating about sexual health are all ways in which we serve our community. If you’re on the fence about donating or utilizing our services, please reach out and we’ll be able to choose what your donations go toward directly. Thank you all for another wonderful year of service. We’ve been able to raise $60k+ in 2023, nearly DOUBLING what came in for us in 2022.