Welcome to the SPFPP Herpes Podcast

Something Positive for Positive People Podcast: Now Live Monthly!

The Something Positive for Positive People podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the stigma associated with STDs/STIs, including herpes, HIV, and HPV. We believe in the power of open conversations, real stories, and expert insights to build a supportive community for everyone affected by these conditions.

Starting in November, the podcast is going live! Join us on the last Tuesday of every month at 8pm Eastern Time for an interactive experience where you can engage with the stories, topics, and experts that matter most to you.

What You'll Find Here

  • Real Stories: Hear personal experiences from individuals who’ve navigated life with an STD. Their raw, authentic journeys offer valuable lessons and inspiration.

  • Expert Insights: Learn from healthcare professionals, therapists, and relationship experts who share actionable advice on managing your health, relationships, and mental well-being.

  • Supportive Community: Connect with others who understand your experiences. Whether listening live or catching the replay, you’ll feel seen, heard, and supported.

Key Topics Covered

  • Dating with Herpes: Practical tips for disclosing your status and building healthy, honest relationships.

  • Mental Health: Strategies to cope with the emotional challenges of an STD diagnosis.

  • Self-Care: Insights on nurturing your physical and emotional health.

  • Breaking the Stigma: Empowering conversations that challenge societal norms and encourage acceptance.us for the live show on the last Tuesday of every month at

Be part of the conversation that’s changing how we talk about STDs. Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow with the SPFPP community. Join our monthly newsletter and check the events page to learn how to attend live!


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.


If you would like to be a guest on the podcast to share your dating, relationship, and experience navigating stigma, please fill out the intake form below.

SPFPP Episode 146: Acknowledging the Lower Case Self
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 146: Acknowledging the Lower Case Self

The black indifference on my social media feed is disgusting, and I'm calling out status quo perpetuation from those hiding behind mutuality. I'm sharing publicly any hint of racism I encounter and calling people into this space because I'm tired of it. What is self-apathy, boundariness, and what does herpes have to do with these things besides highlighting them for us? Five people are enrolled in 12 therapy sessions with our partner therapist. I discuss my fear of success and how protecting my feelings from the world is sabotaging my attempts at connection. "Do you have feelings for me?" I was asked by my friend I do sex with, and I told her I don't. This question blew my mind and made me explore my emotional unavailability and the last time expressing feelings for someone hurt me. What do we want in a relationship and passion look like? If you want to be swept off your feet, what's the gift that person better come bearing with your name on it? Lastly, how does herpes highlight YOUR lower case self?

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SPFPP Episode 145: Low Risk Disclosure and Self Shaming
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 145: Low Risk Disclosure and Self Shaming

Internalized herpes stigma manifests as self-shaming and is often masked by behaviors like disclosing our HSV status to someone whose acceptance or approval holds little value. By "low risk," I mean that their response doesn't significantly impact our self-worth. We might seek to have our beliefs challenged or validated by their reaction. This episode will challenge those patterns in you. Check it out!

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SPFPP Episode 144: Something Negative for Positive People
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 144: Something Negative for Positive People

Taking lessons from negative experiences helps us uncover who we really are. At this event, I wanted to create a space where everyone could openly discuss herpes since, usually, there’s no reason to at events where we all are already positive. By reframing our worst HSV experiences and hearing others' perspectives, we can make talking about it outside the groups easier.

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SPFPP Episode 143: How Men Herpe
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 143: How Men Herpe

We answer listener questions about men and HSV, addressing masculinity and the unique challenges men face with a herpes diagnosis. Topics include how men deal with herpes differently, disclosure leading to 'me too' moments, outbreak frequency in penis vs. vulva owners, and the importance of communication in sexual relationships. Enjoy the episode and consider donating to SPFPP to support therapy services for people after their diagnosis.

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SPFPP Episode 142: Challenging Observations - Prejudice or Intuition
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 142: Challenging Observations - Prejudice or Intuition

Have you ever dismissed your intuition as prejudice? Our guest this week shares their story of ignoring red flags, leading to Urgent Care for chlamydia treatment twice in one week. This episode highlights stigma in healthcare, where providers avoided discussing sexual health. Learn the importance of trusting your intuition and asking questions when something feels off.

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SPFPP Episode 141: IG Live Herpes Mythunderstandings with @MakeGodGayAgain
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 141: IG Live Herpes Mythunderstandings with @MakeGodGayAgain

The human behind the Instagram page, @MakeGodGayAgain, interviews the founder of Something Positive for Positive People, a 501c3 nonprofit organization advocating for therapy/counseling services for people navigating STI stigma. There were playful, fun questions and some more serious ones for balance. AND the word "mythunderstandings" is going to be a thing as a result of this.

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SPFPP Episode 140: Being for Others What We Need for Ourselves
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 140: Being for Others What We Need for Ourselves

Don't have the strength to help yourself? Help someone else who may be in the same position you are and see how it changes you. It's far simpler to do for others than for ourselves oftentimes. Our guest this week shares how she overcame a suicide attempt after her herpes diagnosis and healed through support from supporting others. There's a gift for us in giving that's waiting on us.

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SPFPP Episode 139: A Nonconsensual Relationship with the Body
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 139: A Nonconsensual Relationship with the Body

Monica Laipple is the host of the podcast, "Invisible Not Broken," a chronic illness and disability podcast. Monica and I connected on a joint interview with Lauren Selfridge's podcast, "This is Not What I Ordered," and clicked right away. I asked Monica how she keeps pushing despite her body's constant rejection of her will and ideas because there is much to learn from her experience with rejection. Her body is rejecting her rather than how a person living with herpes may reject their body. The perspective here is amazing, and I hope you take away something that connects with you.

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SPFPP Episode 138: Giving Out the Lessons of Our Losses
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 138: Giving Out the Lessons of Our Losses

If you didn't have herpes, would you still be with the person you're with right now? How many of us were in this position or are currently in this position where we'd rather have toxic companionship over a healthy relationship with ourselves? We stay in these relationships because we are concerned about what others will think, but what if the roles were reversed with a loved one? We'd tell them to get out of the relationship and we'd support them. We discuss public disclosure and that it's okay to NOT want to do it. In relationships, when you see those red flags, don't ever ignore them because there's something there. Side note: we mentioned our guest's YouTube Channel on herpes; from the date of our recording back in March, she has chosen to remove it.

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SPFPP Episode 137: Back to the Drawing Board
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 137: Back to the Drawing Board

Technology has a life cycle and the ol' iPhone 7+ Google Chromebook combo I've used for the last three years are no more. We took in listener questions including how I contracted herpes, managing herpes outbreaks, pushing away love, and feeling sexy after a herpes diagnosis. Until I get this new process down, I'll do solo episodes with questions. This solo show, I talk about my dad and therapy.

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SPFPP Episode 136: Empowered or Intimidating?
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 136: Empowered or Intimidating?

Friends! How many of us have them?Brenda Emily (@BrendaEmily on Instagram) is an HIV survivor who did not contract it sexually as one may assume. We discuss some of her experiences with hookups and rejection as someone navigating the dating world with HIV and cerebral palsy. We touch on HIV criminalization laws, despite the U equals U campaign, being more strict than the criminalization of rape. There's some overlap in herpes and HIV stigma that we address. Overall, we can let others mistake our being empowered for intimidating. Those drawn to us will affirm our being empowered whereas those who find us intimidating well, are just intimidated.

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SPFPP Episode 135: This is Not the End
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 135: This is Not the End

I get excited when I connect with people I see myself in. Prince joins us to talk about his experience battling suicide ideation after his herpes diagnosis. As a member of the polyamorous community, we get his backstory about opening that conversation up with his partner who when he did, she expressed that she didn't think she was monogamous. We talk about some of the stigma prevalence of HSV in the polyamorous community and how a partner may manipulate us by using our status to control us. One major takeaway is that no relationship style is better or worse than another, there's only honest relationships and dishonest ones. Hearing from a man in the polyamorous community living with herpes shows us that our diagnosis just isn't the end for us. Join us for this insightful conversation.

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SPFPP Episode 134: Do Better AND Do Different - Inconvenience Yourself
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 134: Do Better AND Do Different - Inconvenience Yourself

White people are currently asking the question, "What can I do?" In reference to people with conditions, we use people-first language, so applying that here, you are a person with whiteness. Don't question your humanity, your natural instinct to see the human in another human. Question your perpetual use of your whiteness. YOU have to look at HOW and WHERE it is being put to use. When you ask, "What can I do?", that shouldn't even be a question a human has to ask about injustices done to other humans. There shouldn't be questioning at all, only reflection on the use of your inherited whiteness in a time where those without whiteness are suffering because of it.

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SPFPP Episode 133: Empowering Providers to Talk About Herpes
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 133: Empowering Providers to Talk About Herpes

In this episode of Something Positive for Positive People, we explore the critical role of healthcare providers in shaping patients' emotional responses to their herpes diagnoses. We discuss the importance of equipping providers with consistent, honest resources to empower them in delivering empathetic diagnoses and fostering patient confidence for future disclosures. Featuring tools from the American Sexual Health Association, this episode provides invaluable insights for both patients and providers.

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SPFPP Episode 131: Obsession with Truth - Featuring Laureen HD
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 131: Obsession with Truth - Featuring Laureen HD

In this episode, we finally welcome Laureen HD, whose YouTube channel was a pivotal resource for many after a herpes diagnosis. Laureen and Courtney delve into societal discomfort with silence, sharing dating stories, the challenges of rejection, and the power of preferences. They also explore why Laureen started her channel, the importance of informed public disclosure, and maintaining consistency through an obsession with truth.

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SPFPP Episode 130: The Odds Are in Your Favor
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 130: The Odds Are in Your Favor

If you're unsure about publicly disclosing your herpes status online, this episode is for you. Our guest shares her experiences and challenges the assumption that public disclosure always leads to rejection. Discover the three possible responses: "me too," "no thanks," or "tell me how we can be safe moving forward," and learn why liberation isn't always tied to public disclosure.

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SPFPP Episode 129: Herpes is as Heavy as You Make it
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 129: Herpes is as Heavy as You Make it

Our guest shares the empowering decision to publicly disclose her herpes diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of a great support system or self-reflection through journaling. A herpes diagnosis carries an energetic weight, often influenced by how the first person receives our disclosure. Learn how to handle this weight and find strength in yourself, just like our guest.

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SPFPP Episode 128: COVID-19 with HSV
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 128: COVID-19 with HSV

In this episode, a New York-based healthcare worker with HSV shares her experience testing positive for COVID-19. We delve into the stigma similarities between the two viruses and how the pandemic re-triggered her feelings. We explore the future of virus disclosure and health histories as we navigate this new landscape. Listen to part 1 of this discussion and send in your questions for our guest's return.

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SPFPP Episode 127: Passion in Action - You Me and HSV
Courtney Brame Courtney Brame

SPFPP Episode 127: Passion in Action - You Me and HSV

In this episode, we explore the dynamic energy of the younger generation diagnosed with HSV, who are actively engaging in advocacy and using their experiences to uplift others. Our guest, who runs the Instagram page @YouMeAndHSV, shares their journey of compassion-driven advocacy. They focus on providing factual information about the virus and supporting others in finding resources and support.

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