Podcast Summary: Something Positive for Positive People – Episode 387
Title: Herpes Support and Education Platform
Host: Courtney W. Brame
Date: September 30, 2025
Overview
In this solo episode, host Courtney W. Brame walks listeners (and viewers) through the recent updates to the Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP) website. Courtney details SPFPP’s evolving approach to support, stigma education, and community building for people navigating a herpes diagnosis. He emphasizes transparency about the organization’s direction, explains new and existing support offerings, unveils improved resources for both professionals and newly diagnosed individuals, and provides an open call for community involvement.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Website Revamp & Navigation
[00:55]
- Courtney reveals a major website update, moving from a cluttered, “newspaper”-style look to a cleaner, user-friendly layout.
- The navigation menu has been shortened to five main tabs, making it easier to find resources, podcast episodes, events, and support options—especially on mobile devices.
- The homepage features images of people with diverse skin tones, reflecting inclusivity.
- A prominent announcement bar brings attention to ongoing initiatives (e.g., surveys).
Quote:
"We now have the website looking more like a website instead of a newspaper... [it] looks a lot more clean for you to be able to navigate and find what it is that you're looking for."
— Courtney ([02:10])
2. Herpes Stigma Survey & Professional Resources
[04:15]
- SPFPP is collecting survey responses to inform new data on herpes stigma.
- Survey data and 2024 conference presentation slides are now accessible—useful for clinicians, therapists, sex educators, advocates, and researchers.
- Full descriptive analysis and downloads are available (with costs primarily for professionals/orgs).
Quote:
"If you are someone who works in the medical field, if you’re a clinician... this is for you... what I presented at the Herpes stigma conference in 2024 is what will be presented and it'll be available for download."
— Courtney ([05:16])
3. Support Calls: 1-on-1, Donation-Based
[08:30]
- SPFPP offers 30-minute, donation-based support calls: for disclosure guidance, venting, dating advice, or support for loved ones.
- Calls are filtered via a donation policy—aimed at maintaining intentional participation and reducing no-shows.
- Recommended donation is $82.50 but flexible; minimum expectation is set to avoid disrespectful undervaluation.
Quote:
"Donating just weeds out people who won’t show up for the call or are going to waste my time... people are a lot more intentional with the reason that they're there."
— Courtney ([10:53])
4. Yoga Therapy for Navigating Stigma
[13:45]
- Courtney shares his personal experience with herpes outbreaks and how yoga has been central to his self-care and personal growth.
- He provides yoga therapy sessions on the same donation-based model, helping with mental and emotional responses to stigma.
- Yoga therapy is not just about physical poses; it includes meditation, visualization, journaling, and open conversation.
Quote:
"I do believe that the best way of navigating herpes is to go to the nervous system directly... that's what yoga therapy is for me—using it towards herpes stigma."
— Courtney ([17:11])
5. Support Groups: New Gender-Based Approach
[21:00]
- After failed attempts at mixed-gender groups, SPFPP now offers gender-specific support groups: one for women and one for men, both donation-based and yoga-informed.
- Emphasis on vetting each participant with a 1-on-1 call prior to joining.
- Details:
- Women’s Group: 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30pm EST.
- Men’s Group: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7:30pm EST.
- Process: Schedule a support call → Get vetted → Donate to the appropriate group fund → Get meeting link.
- For those seeking women-led spaces, Courtney lists trusted alternative groups (e.g., Drew Rabineau, Love Profound, Safe Slut).
Quote:
"I'm breaking it down by gender. So there's a men's support group, there's a women's support group. It's facilitated from a yoga-informed approach."
— Courtney ([23:21])
6. Men’s Content & Emotional Wellness
[35:00]
- The men’s content page features recorded symposiums on emotional wellness, masculinity, sex education, and lived experience with herpes.
- Sessions include contributions from podcasters, educators, and comedians discussing vulnerability, leadership, and suicide ideation.
Quote:
"This is like a... I don’t want to call it the locker room, but I want it to have that feel. This is not therapy—just a space to decompress and express."
— Courtney ([39:15])
7. Stigma-Informed Training for Health Professionals
[45:10]
- SPFPP offers stigma-minimization training for clinics, therapists, and public health workers.
- Live role-play with people living with herpes offers clinicians unique feedback to improve care.
- Conference recordings and resource downloads (e.g., presentations by Evelyn Swift, Nikita Fernandez, Dakota Rampin) are available for staff training.
Quote:
"We train people from a very stigma-informed approach to navigating herpes conversations with patients, with clients... our goal is to minimize stigma."
— Courtney ([46:22])
8. Podcast Archive & Blog
[52:35]
- Listeners can easily search for podcast episodes on specific topics (e.g., disclosure, discordant dating).
- Courtney highlights the importance of written stories—inviting listeners to contribute anonymously to the SPFPP blog.
- Notable blog topics: "Herpes is a disclosure, not a confession," "Herpes and spiritual healing," gendered transmission rates.
Quote:
"I invite you, if you have a story... if you want to write something and just send it to me and I can put it up on the blog, do that."
— Courtney ([1:06:42])
9. Community Engagement & Open Call for Help
[1:11:00]
- Courtney reaffirms his long-term commitment to SPFPP and asks for help: podcast guests, writers, co-facilitators, endorsements, or any expertise.
- He expresses his wish for SPFPP to grow beyond him, become community-run, and reach a status similar to HIV advocacy organizations.
Quote:
"When I’m gone, this stops. Like, I realize how much of the life I am, the lifeline for this. I want this to be a community thing."
— Courtney ([1:18:23])
10. Reflections on Advocacy, Inclusion & Personal Growth
[1:20:00]
- Courtney talks about challenges in offering spaces for LGBTQ+ and nonbinary people, noting the lack of visible herpes advocates from these communities, but openness to endorsing others.
- He shares personal struggles with visibility, vulnerability, and ongoing therapy—using his journey as a source of connection.
Quote:
"This is something I'm reconciling. I'm talking to my therapist. We're working on it… I appreciate everybody who's checked on me... who show up for karaoke."
— Courtney ([1:24:18])
11. Upcoming Events
[1:27:00]
- SPFPP 400th Episode Gathering: December 12 (Brooklyn, NY). Social event, talent show, karaoke—details and tickets through the website.
- Midwest Love Fest (Indianapolis): November 7–9
- National Sex Ed Conference (Baltimore): February
- Ending the Epidemic Conference (Albany, NY): Winter
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On community value:
"Pay what you can, but make sure it’s enough to where you’re a little bit uncomfortable. It’s that value that you assign to whatever it is that you’re giving to that reflects what you get back out of it."
— Courtney ([32:28]) -
On social media algorithms and shifting to direct email:
"Social media is honestly no longer worth it for me… it doesn’t get any visibility; it’s just not worth it. So I put a lot of time into the website."
— Courtney ([07:41]) -
On the need for more diverse leadership:
"There are no LGBT or trans or nonbinary herpes advocates or activists that exist that I’m aware of... If someone emerges from nowhere and they want to facilitate that, awesome. I’ll observe, watch, look for consistency, and then maybe offer an endorsement…"
— Courtney ([1:16:37]) -
On accountability for continuity:
“I want for this to be an organization, for it to be something that people are proud to talk about… and for it to not be a thing. Just like how HIV is a community. The organizations are community run, community led… That’s a big deal, right?”
— Courtney ([1:18:54]) -
On personal reinvestment in advocacy:
“My bad. I won’t do it again. It won’t happen again. That’s one thing. I do not make the same mistake twice… The advocacy is, I’m ten toes down, locked in.”
— Courtney ([1:20:42])
Important Timestamps
- [02:10] – Website redesign details
- [05:16] – Survey and downloadable resources
- [10:53] – Rationale for donation-based support calls
- [13:45] – Role of yoga therapy in healing
- [23:21] – Launch of gendered support groups
- [39:15] – Overview of men’s content and emotional wellness materials
- [46:22] – Stigma-informed professional training
- [1:06:42] – Invitation to contribute to the blog
- [1:18:23] – Call for community volunteers and future leadership
- [1:27:00] – Upcoming events and how to get involved
Conclusion & Action Points
Courtney’s episode is both a walkthrough of new resources and a vulnerable, honest invitation to become part of a growing, stigma-busting community. Listeners (especially those newly diagnosed or seeking support) are encouraged to:
- Explore and provide feedback on the revamped SPFPP website
- Participate in the herpes stigma survey
- Book 1-on-1 support calls or consider yoga therapy for emotional well-being
- Join gendered support groups, or connect with alternate spaces if desired
- Share their story on the SPFPP blog or volunteer their skills for the organization
- Get on the newsletter for ongoing updates, as social media reach has dwindled
- Mark their calendar for upcoming events or recommend collaborators or facilitators
Courtney closes with gratitude, a reaffirmation of his commitment to SPFPP, and an open invitation for listeners to help sustain and broaden the SPFPP community.