“So much of masculinity is about what you do. But queerness has taught me how to just be—and to be seen. I’ve found more of myself in queer spaces than I ever did performing manhood in the ones I was told I belonged to.”

Six years after first presenting the idea of podcasting as psychosocial support for people with herpes, SPFPP returns to STI Engage—this time with a community behind the mic. Recorded live in Phoenix, this episode features a guided meditation on stigma, a real-time support cycle, and reflections on how storytelling became a tool for identity validation and connection.

"The tornado stripped everything away—my home, my sense of stability—and it gave me space. Space to see where I wasn’t in alignment. Space to remember that I’m not here to play it safe. I’m here to orbit my purpose, to hold presence, and to empower people navigating stigma with choice. That’s why I’m moving to New York. Not because it’s easy—but because it’s where my highest self told me to go."

"I’m realizing how much stigma we carry without even knowing it. Like, you say 'homeless,' and people have this picture in their head—but here I am, in this car, no home, no room, just moving from place to place. It’s humbling, and it’s also a reminder of how fast life can shift. Amber’s story too—how she navigates being an educated Black woman in spaces that don’t always feel safe or welcoming... It’s like we’re both just holding presence for each other while we name these stigmas out loud."

In Episode 368 of Something Positive for Positive People, Courtney shares a vulnerable reflection on grief, relationships, and the ego. Through the lens of his recent breakup, he explores the tension between safety and freedom, emotional expression, and reclaiming playfulness. This is not about herpes—this is about healing, identity, and becoming whole.

Twelve years into my herpes diagnosis, I’m finding new clarity in an emotion I’ve spent most of my life avoiding—anger. This episode is a raw reflection on my recent breakup, what it means to grieve while showing up for myself and others, and how masking anger with niceness has kept me disconnected from my own needs. I talk about learning to identify and express anger in a way that feels honest and boundaried, and how integrating the parts of myself that seek both freedom and safety is the path forward.

In this episode of Something Positive for Positive People, I get real about grief, burnout, and why I’m taking a step back. After years of pouring into SPFPP, my personal life, and my work, I hit a wall. This episode is my attempt to process and share what I’ve been learning—about boundaries, healing, and finding balance. If you’ve ever struggled with knowing when to pause and take care of yourself, you’ll probably relate to this one.

In this episode of Something Positive for Positive People, I sit down with Holly Estrada, a sex worker and fierce advocate for destigmatization, to explore the evolution of her relationships—from polyamory to emotional monogamy—and what she's learned about autonomy, vulnerability, and intimacy along the way. We also dig into her experiences navigating stigma in the sex work industry and how those lessons can apply to broader conversations around relationships and emotional growth.