Welcome to
Something positive for positive people
the best herpes Podcast
The SPFPP Podcast: Real Stories. Real Support.
Since 2017, the Something Positive for Positive People podcast has been a free resource for anyone navigating the emotional, relational, and social impacts of a herpes diagnosis.
Through honest conversations, guests share what life really looks like after testing positive—how they date, disclose, manage shame, and build meaningful relationships. You’ll hear experiences that reflect your own or reveal new possibilities for moving forward.
What You’ll Hear:
Dating with Herpes
From casual sex to long-term commitment, guests share how they communicate their status and build relationships that work for them.Stigma & Identity
How people reclaim their sense of self after diagnosis and rebuild confidence on their own terms.Sexual Health Conversations
Tools for navigating safer sex, honest communication, and deeper relational alignment.Alternative Relationship Styles
Insights on non-monogamy, queerness, and connecting beyond traditional relationship norms.Emotional Healing
Stories of grief, growth, and self-acceptance. Often, herpes is the distraction—not the root. These episodes explore the deeper patterns that diagnosis brings to light.
If you’re ready to share your experience (anonymously if you’d like), please fill out the podcast guest intake form below and we’ll reach out to interview you!
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Type a question or keywords you’re curious about below.
SPFPP 369 Season 1 Finale: Letting Go of the Herpes and Other Things
This episode closes out Season 1 of the SPFPP podcast, ending our exclusive focus on herpes stigma and stepping into something broader: positivity. I reflect on what I’ve learned from nearly 400 episodes, how grief and growth are intertwined, and what comes next as SPFPP shifts into embracing emotional wellness and stigma reduction more fully.
SPFPP 364: Minimizing Stigma in Medical Settings
We just wrapped up our first-ever in-person herpes stigma training for clinicians, and the impact was undeniable. This is just the beginning of something big. I want to create a movement where healthcare professionals are better equipped to support people with herpes—without the stigma. If you work in public health, medical care, or sex education, let’s connect and make this training accessible to more people. Tune in to this episode of Something Positive for Positive People to hear how it all came together and what’s next! #HerpesStigma #SPFPP #SexualHealth
SPFPP 330: Support Calls, Yoga, Conferences, Workshops, Podcasts, Newsletter, Research, & More OH MY
In this special edition of the SPFPP podcast, we explore the extensive range of services provided by Something Positive for Positive People. Delve into our tailored support calls, therapeutic yoga sessions, educational conferences, engaging workshops, and insightful podcasts. This episode invites you to understand the depth of resources available for individuals affected by herpes and STIs, highlighting how SPFPP fosters healing, education, and community empowerment. Join us to learn how each aspect of SPFPP supports a journey toward greater understanding and stigma reduction in sexual health.
Episode 33: Ask a Doctor About Herpes - The difference between hsv1 and hsv2
In this episode, Dr. Matthew Bruckel helps us better understand herpes by explaining that HSV-1 and HSV-2 are more alike than different. The stigma of herpes is less about the type and more about the location—let's change the conversation around sexual health.
Episode 31: Who Will Love Me?
In Episode 31 of SPFPP, Emily Depasse, a 25-year-old MSW/MEd Human Sexuality graduate student living with genital HSV-2, shares her journey from diagnosis to self-acceptance. Emily discusses her initial struggles, including turning to alcohol and unhealthy friendships, and emphasizes the importance of support and challenging the stigma surrounding herpes. Her story is a powerful testament to resilience and finding love and purpose despite a herpes diagnosis.