Podcast Summary: SPFPP 374: Storytelling for Stigma Minimization - Live from STI Engage 2025

Podcast Information:

• Title: Something Positive for Positive People
• Host/Author: Courtney Braym
• Description: A stigma-forward podcast exploring how shame fragments identity—and how presence heals it. Hosted by Courtney Braym, founder of SPFPP, this show delves into deeper conversations around diagnosis, disclosure, masculinity, emotional wellness, and the journey to wholeness. Each episode provides reflective dialogue, identity validation, and tools to reconnect with one's truth, serving as a guide for those who have felt stigmatized.

Episode Overview:

• Episode: SPFPP 374: Storytelling for Stigma Minimization - Live from STI Engage 2025
• Release Date: June 5, 2025

In this live episode from the 2025 STI Engage conference, Courtney Braym leads a comprehensive discussion on minimizing stigma through storytelling. The session intertwines personal narratives, community support, and empirical data to illustrate the profound impact of stigma on individuals diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly herpes.

Introduction and Background:

Courtney Braym opens the session by introducing herself and her multifaceted roles as the founder and executive director of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), a nonprofit organization established in 2017. Initially focused on supporting individuals navigating herpes stigma, SPFPP has since expanded its scope to encompass broader issues related to sexual health and emotional wellness.

• Courtney Braym [00:01]: "I started out interviewing people living with herpes about their experiences... Now we're able to get a lot more responses just off of the expressions of vulnerability."

Braym reflects on the evolution of public perception, noting the shift from referring to STIs as "diseases" to "infections," highlighting a nuanced understanding of the terminology's impact on stigma.

Objectives and Definitions:

Braym outlines the session's objectives, emphasizing the importance of witnessing what community support looks like and gaining a somatic understanding of stigma.

• Courtney Braym [05:30]: "I want y' all to have more of an expansive, somatic understanding of what stigma is and what it feels like."

She introduces Irving Goffman's definition of stigma from Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity, which frames stigma as an attribute that makes a person feel "less whole."

• Courtney Braym [06:45]: "With that definition, it is an attribute that makes a person feel less whole. Simple as that."

Interactive Exercise: Grounding and Identifying Personal Attributes:

To engage the audience and facilitate a deeper understanding of personal identities, Braym leads a grounding exercise. Participants are encouraged to visualize their various identities and how these may branch out from their core self.

• Courtney Braym [07:00]: "Everyone here, I believe, works in some capacity with stigma. So we have an identity as maybe an employee or an employer... Envision sort of an energetic line coming away from you into, like, a little baby version of yourself."

After the exercise, participants share the number and nature of their identified attributes, revealing the complexity of individual identities beyond their STI status.

• Participant [09:07]: "Well, the first one that I thought of was native."
• Courtney Braym [09:22]: "Community and what communities you're a part of. Right."

The Power of Community Support:

Braym emphasizes the role of community in mitigating stigma. She shares anecdotal evidence from her experiences, including a poignant story of a participant whose sister gained insight into her struggles through the support provided by SPFPP.

• Courtney Braym [16:20]: "This is what community support looks like in action... It's very apt to show up for people who are willing to be vulnerable and share their stories."

She underscores the importance of intentional spaces to foster identity validation, enabling individuals to view themselves beyond their diagnoses.

Survey Insights and Data Analysis:

Braym presents findings from two significant surveys conducted in 2019 and between 2023-2024, highlighting the psychological impact of a herpes diagnosis and the broader implications for sexual health.

• Courtney Braym [12:15]: "In 2019, when I could only get access to 100 people... Now we're able to get a lot more responses."

Key statistics include:

• Suicide Ideation: Nearly 49% of respondents reported suicidal thoughts post-diagnosis ([00:01]-[00:30]).

• Gender Distribution: 14% male respondents, indicating a higher prevalence among women and non-binary individuals.

• Communication Challenges: 30% of individuals never engage in conversations about sexual health with providers, while 34% find initiating such discussions challenging.

• Condom Use: 73% do not use condoms for oral sex, dispelling myths about unwillingness to protect partners.

• Courtney Braym [19:50]: "87% of people have disclosed their status to a romantic partner despite how difficult it is."

Storytelling as a Tool for Minimizing Stigma:

Central to the episode is the concept of storytelling as a mechanism to reduce stigma. Braym discusses how sharing personal narratives within a supportive community can validate individual identities and foster healing.

• Courtney Braym [17:40]: "The identity validation piece is just being a space that reminds people that you are whole."

She highlights the reactions from the community, showcasing diverse responses that normalize both the STI diagnosis and various relationship structures.

Addressing Challenges in Healthcare Settings:

During the Q&A segment, participants raise concerns about the lack of prioritization of herpes in clinical settings, despite its significant psychological impact.

• Participant [21:11]: "Sexual health is mental health and that is insanely true..."
• Courtney Braym [25:35]: "There's a lot of stuff happening that like is a lot of people wouldn't know about..."

Braym acknowledges the gap between clinical focus and mental health needs, advocating for better integration of emotional support in sexual health services.

Upcoming Resources and Workshops:

Braym announces forthcoming resources, including a workshop led by Dr. Eveline Molina Dacker on the "Stars Method," aimed at enhancing communication around safer sex practices.

• Courtney Braym [28:58]: "Episode 299, I interview her and we apply it to herpes. If you just google spfpp299 it should be the..."

She encourages listeners to engage with these resources to further their understanding and improve their communication strategies regarding STI disclosure.

Closing Remarks:

Braym concludes the session by reiterating the session's objectives and thanking participants for their engagement.

• Courtney Braym [27:58]: "All right, so you hit all the objectives? Everybody get the somatic experience... Minimizing stigma."

She emphasizes the ongoing mission of SPFPP to create intentional spaces that support storytelling and minimize stigma, reinforcing the podcast's commitment to mental and emotional well-being in the context of sexual health.

Notable Quotes:

• Courtney Braym [00:01]: "I started out interviewing people living with herpes about their experiences... I'm very honored to be back at STI Engage."
• Courtney Braym [06:45]: "With that definition, it is an attribute that makes a person feel less whole. Simple as that."
• Courtney Braym [16:20]: "This is what community support looks like in action... It's very apt to show up for people who are willing to be vulnerable and share their stories."
• Courtney Braym [12:15]: "In 2019, when I could only get access to 100 people... Now we're able to get a lot more responses."
• Courtney Braym [17:40]: "The identity validation piece is just being a space that reminds people that you are whole."
• Courtney Braym [28:58]: "Episode 299, I interview her and we apply it to herpes... You just google spfpp299 it should be the first thing that comes up."

Conclusion:

In this enlightening episode, Courtney Braym effectively bridges personal storytelling with empirical data to address the pervasive issue of stigma surrounding STIs. By fostering an environment of vulnerability and community support, SPFPP empowers individuals to reclaim their identities and navigate the challenges associated with their diagnoses. The episode serves as a crucial resource for anyone seeking to understand or mitigate the impacts of stigma in the realm of sexual health.

For more information and resources, listeners are encouraged to visit spfpp.org and follow Courtney Braym on Instagram at @CourtneyBrain. Additionally, upcoming workshops and episodes promise further exploration into effective communication and support mechanisms for those affected by STIs.