When you publicly disclose, you give permission to those you know to tell people you don’t know.

Brittany Policastro joins the SPFPP podcast to share her 18-year journey with genital herpes, discussing the evolution of information and experiences over time. We delve into silent rejection in partnerships, disclosure in polyamory, and the narratives we tell ourselves. Brittany’s openness challenges us to explore and heal our own stories gently.

Mr. Sting and Mrs. Sting, hosts of the ‘Just Keep Swinging’ podcast, navigate the stigma of swinging and discuss their first STI diagnosis. They share their journey, seeking resources, and the importance of faith-driven core values in their relationship. Their story offers insights for those in the lifestyle and emphasizes that long-term navigation of an incurable STI is possible.

In this episode, I close out my introspective journey, sharing insights from my week off social media and an honest look at my dating life. I reveal a pivotal discovery made through self-reflection and the best advice I’ve ever received: knowing when to shut up. This episode emphasizes the importance of holding intention over expectation in the ongoing healing process.

In this episode, we honor Nadiya Johanna Wortham and explore the intersection of trauma, grief, and mental health stigma with Grief Counselor Christine Frampus. Discussing the profound impact of suicide on survivors, Christine provides insights into supporting each other through grief and healing. This episode underscores the importance of understanding trauma, suicide, and grief in mental health.

Following my newfound understanding of trauma from the previous episode, I realized I had personal healing to do. This episode serves as a guide to what it looks like to "do the work" of healing. It's an uncomfortable and frustrating process, but essential. By reconnecting with myself, I aim to better utilize my experiences to help others navigate their healing journeys.

In this episode, we feature the hosts of the Inner Hoe Uprising Podcast, who share their powerful sexual healthcare experiences. At the STD Engage conference, they discussed issues such as provider discomfort, bias, and lack of proper STI testing protocol. These stories highlight the urgent need for sex-positive, empathetic, and queer-friendly healthcare providers.

In this episode, we discuss tracing the emotional triggers linked to your herpes diagnosis. By identifying and exploring the first and most recent occurrences of these emotions, you can uncover consistent patterns and better understand your reactions. This self-awareness can help in managing your feelings more effectively.

In SPFPP Episode 115, Priscilla María, a mental health writer and speaker, joins us to discuss the nuances of mental wellness intersecting with race and sexuality. Known for her work on platforms like TheMighty and Blavity, Priscilla shares insights on recognizing mental health struggles and the importance of advocacy. Learn more at www.priscillamaria.com.

In SPFPP Episode 114, Lorrae Jo, Founder of Slutty Girl Problems, joins us to discuss reclaiming the term "slut" and empowering women. We cover topics such as the We Need a Button Campaign, the importance of shame-free care, dick pics, slut-shamers, sex party etiquette, and changing the narrative around sluttiness. Enjoy this episode with the vibrant Lorrae Jo.

In SPFPP Episode 113, David Wraith joins us to discuss the radical audacity to be oneself. As a cis-gendered heterosexual black man in the sex-positive space, David's presence and insights provide invaluable lessons on living authentically despite societal expectations. We explore themes of freedom, identity, and the challenges of embracing one's true self.

In SPFPP Episode 112, we explore the deep connection between stigma and shame. Recorded live at Shameless Grounds, a sex-positive, judgment-free space, participants share their experiences with herpes, dating, and disclosure. This episode highlights the importance of creating safe spaces where people can confront and overcome shame, fostering community and self-acceptance.

In SPFPP Episode 111 Part 2, Public Health Nurse Tessa shares her insights on using suggestive language to effectively serve challenging communities like sex workers and inmates. Through her experiences, Tessa reveals how carefully chosen language can help overcome resistances to testing and treatment, fostering better health outcomes for these vulnerable populations.

In SPFPP Episode 111, we hear from NCSD's Amanda Dennison on the perceptions of stigma in public health. Amanda shares her insights from STD Engage 2019, discussing how stigma affects health outcomes and the importance of strategic communication in overcoming these challenges.

In "Psychocybernetics", Dr. Maxwell Maltz tells of a traveler burdened by a boulder, unaware until a child points it out. Similarly, our guest Thomas began his healing journey after revealing his genital herpes diagnosis, which saved his life. Tune in to episode 110 of Something Positive for Positive People.

Carolyn Toney, creator of "Tales of Toney," shares her journey of openly living with herpes, being polyamorous, and bisexual. She discusses evolving her disclosure process, embracing radical self-acceptance, and the importance of healing and support systems. Her confidence, or "big C energy," is inspiring, showing the power of focusing on positivity and self-growth.

In this episode, Courtney Brame reflects on his journey with genital HSV-2, emphasizing the importance of moving past blame and choosing to heal. He shares his struggle of not having someone to blame, which forced him to confront his feelings and behaviors related to his diagnosis. This week's guest similarly chose to accept the lesson from their diagnosis without attaching blame, demonstrating the power of forgiveness and personal growth.