Welcome to the SPFPP Herpes Podcast
Season 1: Herpes Stigma, Disclosure, and Emotional Support
Welcome to Season 1 of the Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP) podcast. This season began with one mission: to support people navigating life after a herpes diagnosis through real, stigma-free conversations.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, this archive exists to remind you—you’re not alone, and your story matters.
What You’ll Hear in Season 1:
Personal Stories: Guests share their experiences navigating herpes, dating, disclosure, and identity.
Herpes Disclosure Tips: Learn how to talk about your status with confidence and compassion.
Mental Health & Self-Worth: Explore how a diagnosis impacts your emotional health—and how to rebuild it.
Stigma-Free Language: Hear conversations that model compassionate, affirming ways to talk about STIs.
Expert Insights: Professionals in sexual health and mental health join the conversation to provide context and support.
Topics Covered:
First outbreak and diagnosis stories
Navigating relationships and dating with herpes
Finding identity beyond the stigma
Supporting others with STIs
Yoga therapy, emotional wellness, and herpes
Building community and breaking isolation
This season reflects years of lived experience, listener conversations, and lessons gathered from hundreds of interviews and peer support calls. The goal: to reduce the emotional weight of stigma, one conversation at a time.
Why This Archive Still Matters
While SPFPP is now expanding into broader conversations about emotional wellness and minimizing all forms of stigma, Season 1 will always be the foundation. These stories continue to support thousands of people every year seeking reassurance, healing, and connection.
If you’re here for herpes-specific support, you’re in the right place.
Want more tools and support?
Explore our Herpes Support Call and Yoga Therapy pages for more resources to help you navigate stigma and emotional wellness.
How to Use Our Search Bar
Looking for specific topics? Use our search bar to find episodes that cover the subjects most relevant to you. Simply type in keywords like "disclosure," "self-care," "mental health," or "relationship advice" to access episodes that offer the insights and support you need.
Join Our Community
Our podcast isn't just about listening—it's about connecting. Join our community of listeners who are navigating similar experiences. Share your stories, ask questions, and find the support you need. Join our newsletter below in order to stay up to date for virtual events and in person hangouts to meet others in the SPFPP community.
SPFPP 351: pleasure positivity - harm reduction at the intersection of safety and pleasure
In this episode of SPFPP, Mel Moseley opens up about her journey with HSV2 and how it led her to redefine sex positivity. We explore how the conversation around sex positivity often misses the mark by focusing too much on intercourse and not enough on communication and emotional safety. Mel shares how polyamory and intentional communication helped her heal from past trauma and find true connection.
SPFPP 349: Nonmonogamous conversations monogamous people need to have - Part 1
Join us as we explore the hard conversations monogamous people need to have—often taken for granted in non-monogamous relationships. From the fear of disclosure to the impact of stigma on our self-esteem, this episode is all about asking the tough questions and improving communication in our relationships.
SPFPP 341: Nurture your nature
In this heartwarming episode of SPFPP, Lindsey revisits her journey from disclosing her herpes status to finding lasting love and marriage. Explore valuable lessons on relationship dynamics, stepping into new family roles, and the joys of pregnancy despite the challenges of living with herpes. Join us for an enlightening conversation that promises to inspire and inform.
SPFPP 325: Discordant dating with herpes
In "Discordant Dating with Herpes," Episode 325 of Something Positive for Positive People, delve into the nuances of relationships where one partner is HSV positive. The episode highlights a 2021 survey finding that 62% of HSV-positive individuals have non-positive partners willing to engage sexually post-disclosure. Explore essential questions and considerations for navigating such relationships, aiming to foster openness and informed decision-making in the realm of dating with herpes. Join us as we break down stigma and enhance dialogue around discordant dating.
SPFPP 299: How Do I Disclose My Herpes Status
In this insightful episode of SPFPP, Dr. Evelin Dacker explores the S.T.A.R.S. framework, offering a strategic approach to herpes disclosure and dating. Learn how to navigate conversations about safety, desires, boundaries, and STI status with confidence. This episode is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their dating life while managing herpes, aiming to establish stigma-free, meaningful connections.
SPFPP 292: Rejection is the Risk for the Reward of Connection
In a compelling session of Something Positive for Positive People, our guest recounts a deeply personal tale of deception and growth following her herpes diagnosis. From receiving hush money to navigating the complexities of trust and intimacy, she shares how these experiences have shaped her views on relationships and personal development. The episode beautifully blends spiritual wisdom with practical life lessons, urging listeners to reflect on the quality of their connections and the profound impact of living authentically.
SPFPP 290: Playful Disclosures
Join Savannah and Courtney in Episode 290 of Something Positive for Positive People as they engage in a playful mock disclosure using the STARS Talk method. Discover how embracing aspects of identity post-diagnosis can enhance communication and confidence in discussing herpes with potential partners.
Spfpp 258: OHA Series - WORK WITH US
In Episode 258 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Elle (she/her), a 27-year-old sex-positive Oregonian, shares her journey with a recent HSV-1 genital diagnosis. Surprisingly open about her experience, Elle highlights how self-education and learning from others' discussions about HSV have been invaluable. The conversation emphasizes the gap between health organizations and grassroots educators, stressing the importance of collaboration to enhance sexual health education and reduce STI transmissions. Join us to explore why working together is key to better sexual health outcomes.
SPFPP 219: When it Gets Real
In Episode 219 of the SPFPP Podcast, Jennifer and I delve into the intersections of identities as BIPOC individuals dating outside our race. We discuss our experiences with fetishization and the questions Jennifer, of Asian descent, frequently encounters about her dating history with different races. We explore the intention behind these questions, whether rooted in safety or fetishization.
Jennifer shares her approach to handling ignorance, deciding who is worth the emotional labor to educate. We also revisit the topic of herpes disclosure, particularly the challenges of communicating about outbreaks after an initial disclosure. Jennifer's story highlights the importance of creating allies by dissolving stigma within ourselves and expressing our beliefs and feelings about living with herpes.
This episode sheds light on the nuanced dynamics of interracial dating, the ongoing conversations required for herpes disclosures, and the power of allyship in our community. Tune in to gain insights into these important topics and learn how to navigate them with empathy and understanding.
SPFPP 210: Delayed Rejection - It’s Fine Til it isn’t
In Episode 210 of the SPFPP Podcast, Kelsy shares her experience of navigating herpes stigma and delayed rejection. After being diagnosed at 19, she became vocal about her status on social media and in her personal life. We discuss the importance of setting boundaries, managing emotional labor, and the reality of people's changing comfort levels with herpes. Kelsy highlights how empowerment and self-worth play crucial roles in handling rejections and maintaining healthy relationships. Tune in to learn how effective communication and allyship can help end stigma on an individual level.
SPFPP Episode 157: The Number 1 Dating Site for People with HSV
Do dating sites exclusively designed for people living with herpes do more harm than good? How we use these resources determines their value. Sites that don't encourage transparency still perpetuate stigma. After a poll, Instagram emerged as the top dating site for people with HSV, showcasing how any platform can be transformed into a supportive space for dating.
Episode 107: Dating Advice from a Divorced Marriage Therapist
Exploring the concept of outsourcing your needs to multiple relationships, this episode features a conversation with a divorced marriage therapist. We discuss the importance of recognizing various types of connections and how fulfilling different needs through multiple relationships can lead to a more balanced and satisfying life.