In Episode 21 of SPFPP, "No Limits," 61-year-old Theresa, a retired nurse, shares her journey after being diagnosed with HSV-1 and HSV-2 following her husband's infidelity. She chose to be open about her status, focusing on activities she enjoyed and dating both within and outside the herpes community. Theresa's story emphasizes the importance of not letting the stigma define you and maintaining a positive outlook to find happiness.

In Episode 20 of SPFPP, "Blessed by Herpes," 26-year-old Katie shares her experience contracting HSV-2 from a sexual assault three years ago. Despite this traumatic event, Katie maintains a 100% successful disclosure rate, including with her current boyfriend. This episode includes a detailed account of her assault and her journey of overcoming the stigma associated with her diagnosis.

In Bonus Episode 04 Part 1 of SPFPP, Angela Johnson of ProjectAccept shares her lifelong experience with non-sexually transmitted herpes (cold sores), which she has had since age 10. Now 51, Angela educates others about cold sores whenever she has an outbreak, combating the stigma, especially for those who contracted it non-sexually. Her story inspires listeners to shift their perspective on herpes and become educators and supporters.

Cassie, a 29-year-old St. Louis resident, shares her journey of living with HSV-2 since her diagnosis at 17. Comparing herpes stigma to the fear in "IT," Cassie emphasizes the power of community in overcoming stigma. She discusses her experiences with disclosure, the misconceptions about condoms, and how she decided not to let herpes stop her from having children. Her story highlights the importance of finding a safe space to talk about herpes and reducing the stigma through support and education.

Tim shares his journey of successful disclosure in this episode, highlighting the emotional process and positive outcome. Despite initial shyness, Tim opens up about meeting an amazing person and how their conversation about herpes went smoothly. His story is a testament to the power of vulnerability and honesty in building strong relationships. Tim's experience provides hope and practical insights for anyone facing the challenge of disclosing their STI status.

This episode highlights River, who is living with HSV and had a rough time getting the medical guidance she needed after her diagnosis. Being diagnosed with herpes is one thing, but not having an idea of the 'next steps' can make for a more horrific experience. Fortunately for River, she had a strong support system, her fiancé (I mean boyfriend) was there for her the entire way. (Inside joke about the fiancé part) lol. Gotta listen to get that joke.

In this episode, 28-year-old Luna, an herbalist, blogger, ethical slut, intersectional feminist, and spoonie, shares her journey of being open about herpes and setting "sexpectations." Luna’s bravery inspired me to share my story with those close to me and be open about my condition. We discuss having conversations about STDs with potential partners and how sex is portrayed in media, using Wonder Woman as an example. Tune in to hear her insights and experience.

In episode 15 of Something Positive for Positive People, Christine Seyk, also known as RunnerGirl, shares her story as an advocate for HSV and HPV. Her motto, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except herpes, that happens everywhere," emphasizes the importance of openness about sexual health. Christine's story is a testament to overcoming the emotional harm of shaming oneself into loneliness and highlights the impact of self-acceptance and advocacy.

In episode 14 of Something Positive for Positive People, Kimberly M. Knight shares her experience of a brief marriage with a man who had lived with HIV for over eight years, only to discover his diagnosis when he was on his deathbed. Kim's story highlights the dangers of relying on non-medical advice for serious health conditions and emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from qualified medical professionals. Kim's journey through silent shame and self-punishment offers crucial insights into the emotional struggles faced by those living with or affected by HIV.

In this episode, 49-year-old Soiesette, who is HSV-2 positive, discusses her unwavering commitment to her marriage despite her husband's HIV diagnosis. Learn how they faced the emotional and medical complexities together and the mindset that led to their eventual separation. This heartfelt conversation sheds light on the power of love, faith, and resilience in the face of life's toughest challenges.

In episode 12 of Something Positive for Positive People, 31-year-old Chrissy shares her journey of being diagnosed with cancerous HPV at age 16, following a series of sexual assaults. Growing up in foster care, Chrissy had to redefine her understanding of love. Her story emphasizes the importance of self-love and confidence, which she now promotes through her initiative, Love Out Loud. Viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of the content discussed.

In episode 11 of Something Positive for Positive People, 40-year-old Emma from the Bay Area shares her journey of being diagnosed with HSV1 & HPV just 9 months ago. Initially feeling like her diagnosis didn't fit her image, Emma embraced mindfulness and self-awareness to transform her self-perception from feeling like shit to knowing she is the shit. Her story emphasizes the importance of opening up to those close to you and realizing your self-worth in dating and life.

In episode 10 of Something Positive for Positive People, 41-year-old entrepreneur Marie shares her 20 years of experience living with HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus). Marie offers insights into how dating with herpes is similar to dating in general, emphasizing that it's often more challenging to find someone who is a true match rather than someone who accepts her condition. She encourages listeners to focus on self-acceptance and to view dating challenges as part of the broader human experience.

In episode 9 of Something Positive for Positive People, Matthew celebrates his 10-year milestone of living with HIV. Diagnosed at 17 while seeking treatment for Mono, Matthew shares his journey from the initial shock of his diagnosis to how he has navigated life since. He also introduces The Scarlet Ribbon Project, a storytelling initiative aimed at ending the stigma surrounding HIV by sharing personal stories and experiences.

In SPFPP Bonus Episode 02, dive into an impromptu conversation with Mark as he shares his experience being in a relationship with someone who has herpes. Discover the challenges and triumphs of navigating disclosure, providing a unique perspective for anyone facing similar situations. Tune in for an unfiltered, real-life dialogue on managing relationships and herpes stigma.

In episode 8 of Something Positive for Positive People, we discuss the importance of having goals. Human beings are naturally goal-striving organisms, and when we aren’t working towards something, we can fall into anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions. Think of your mind as a bicycle: as long as you keep pedaling, you’re moving forward. Stop pedaling, and you risk falling into depression. Just keep moving forward with purpose and intention.

In episode 7 of Something Positive for Positive People, we explore the difficult decision of staying in a relationship due to a herpes diagnosis. Our guest shares their experience of feeling obligated to stay with a partner after discovering they both had herpes, highlighting the importance of not settling in a relationship. Despite a diagnosis, you should never compromise your happiness and self-worth.

In episode 6 of Something Positive for Positive People, we explore the rare but serious condition of herpes meningitis. Our guest shares their personal story, emphasizing the critical importance of disclosing your herpes status to sexual partners. Herpes meningitis is a complication where the herpes simplex virus (HSV) infects the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, leading to inflammation. For more information on herpes meningitis, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

In episode 5 of Something Positive for Positive People, we hear from Melanie, who was initially misdiagnosed with herpes. She shares her journey through the complexities of not knowing her true status, highlighting the challenges and emotional toll of a potential misdiagnosis. This episode delves into the reasons why the CDC does not recommend routine herpes testing, with misdiagnosis being one significant concern.

In episode 4 of Something Positive for Positive People, I interview a couple who met through support group events. They share their individual experiences of being diagnosed with herpes and how it impacted their lives before meeting each other. They also discuss how they navigate their relationship and sex life, demonstrating that a positive diagnosis doesn't mean the end of a fulfilling romantic and sexual life.