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.

Courtney Brame 4/20/25 Courtney Brame 4/20/25

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.

Courtney Brame 2/26/25 Courtney Brame 2/26/25

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

Courtney Brame 3/15/24 Courtney Brame 3/15/24

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.

Courtney Brame 7/30/19 Courtney Brame 7/30/19

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.