Podcast Summary: Something Positive for Positive People

Episode 389: "When the Bold Meets the Brave"

Host: Courtney W. Brame
Guests: Aaron & Drea
Date: October 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, host Courtney W. Brame welcomes guests Aaron and Drea to discuss the serendipitous journey that brought them together—navigating herpes stigma, seeking community, and organically finding a meaningful relationship. Through honest storytelling, the trio explores the intersections of vulnerability, faith, and self-acceptance, offering wisdom and comfort to those newly diagnosed or living with herpes. This episode showcases the unexpected ways honesty and bravery can lead to connection, growth, and even love.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Serendipitous Meeting through Advocacy

• Drea’s Diagnosis & Search for Community:
  • Drea shares her experience being newly diagnosed with HSV2 and her efforts to find relatable stories online, specifically seeking Black perspectives ([01:46]).
  • Discovering Aaron via Courtney’s podcast, she reaches out for friendship, which sparks a deeper connection.
• Aaron’s Reaction:
  • Initially skeptical (worried about being "catfished"), Aaron was surprised by Drea’s outreach since he didn’t expect any personal benefits from sharing his story ([03:41], [05:45]).

2. Representation Matters

• Drea on Seeing Black Men Speak Openly:

  • “I really admire that…because usually Black people in general are pretty quiet about it. Like, they don’t really talk about it, especially on camera.” – Drea ([06:50])

• The rarity of seeing Black individuals openly discussing herpes was empowering and fostered trust.

3. Organic Relationship Development

• From Friendship to Romance:
  • Their connection grew through daily conversations, mutual support, and virtual Bible study.
  • “It became very natural to where we would just call, like, every day…after we met in person, it was like, okay, like, I can see myself with you now.” – Aaron ([08:08])
• Physical Distance as a Catalyst:
  • The long-distance nature of their early friendship allowed for a foundation of emotional intimacy.
  • “We actually have to really get to know each other and take the time out of our day to talk to each other.” – Drea ([11:13])

4. Shared Faith & Healing

• Role of Spirituality:
  • Both leaned into Christianity during personal struggles and their diagnosis, using Bible study as a tool for connection and reflection ([12:28], [14:04]).
  • Courtney relates this to broader healing practices, emphasizing the grounding power of faith or spirituality during times when body trust is challenged ([14:39]).

5. Compatibility and Communication

• Open, Honest Dialogue:
  • Both describe their relationship as an “open book,” discussing everything from random daily details to cultural differences ([16:16]).
  • They value learning from each other, reflecting on life, and maintaining authenticity.
  • “We’re willing to talk about any and everything…I'm always asking her, like, you ever think about this?” – Aaron ([16:16])

6. Moving Beyond Stigma

• The Insignificance of Herpes in Daily Life:
  • Both admit herpes is rarely discussed between them now—“I forget about it…I just feel like…like, I feel normal. Like, and I just—it is normal.” – Aaron ([21:58])
  • Drea credits Aaron with showing her that life can be lived fully and normally after diagnosis ([23:01]).
• Approaching Relationships Without Pressure:
  • Drea’s initial outreach and their friendship-first approach are highlighted as key to their success, contrasted with the pressure faced in standard dating scenarios ([10:10], [23:23]).

7. Women Taking Initiative

• Courtney and the guests reflect on the growing trend of women making the first move—and how acting from genuine curiosity or desire (rather than stigma-driven desperation) leads to better connections ([26:19], [27:31]).

8. Bravery and Vulnerability as Attractive Qualities

• Drea is drawn to Aaron’s “bravery” in being public about his status—a core trait that inspired her first message ([27:56], [28:49]).
  • “It was the bravery that drew you in that you were attracted to initially.” – Courtney ([28:05]–[28:49])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Meeting Through the Podcast:

  • “I ended up texting her the following day, introducing myself, and then it was the wrong number. So somebody like, ‘Who is this? How’d you get my number?’” – Aaron ([03:39])

• On Representation:

  • “Seeing a Black man openly talking about it... I really admired that.” – Drea ([06:50])

• On Relationship Development:

  • “It became very natural...we would just call, like, every day...after we met in person, it was like, okay, like, I can see myself with you.” – Aaron ([08:08])

• On Living with Herpes:

  • “I feel normal...like, it’s something you just forget about...the same way I forgot about the podcast.” – Aaron ([21:58])
  • “For me, I forget about it too...being in contact with him, he just showed me I could live a regular, normal life.” – Drea ([23:01])

• On Deliberately Seeking Connection:

  • “You came in, you wouldn’t like, ‘man, I got to make this man my husband’...You went into it, like, looking for a friend, and I think that speaks to not being outcome driven, but more so just along for the journey.” – Courtney ([23:23])

• On Bravery:

  • “It was a bravery thing then. So you’ve got this intangible aspect of a person’s identity outside of the herpes diagnosis.” – Courtney ([28:05])

• Advice to Others:

  • “Don’t settle for less than. Because of herpes. It’s very insignificant...someone will definitely love you for you. If they’re for you, they will be for you.” – Drea ([32:00])
  • “Living in your truth...that’s the easiest way to go about it...Your person is going to love every aspect of you, including hsv, and they’re going to show you and make you feel like it’s insignificant, the same way I do for her.” – Aaron ([33:12])

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Quote | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 01:46–03:33 | Drea & Aaron describe how they met | | 05:45–06:50 | Reactions to being public about diagnosis | | 08:08–09:37 | Relationship blossoming through friendship & faith| | 12:28–14:39 | Shared value of Christianity and healing | | 16:16–18:33 | How their compatibility and communication unfolded| | 21:58–23:23 | Herpes as a non-issue in daily relationship life | | 27:56–28:49 | The power of bravery and norm-busting vulnerability| | 32:00–33:12 | Closing advice to others living with herpes |

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a warm testimonial of how vulnerability, shared experience, open dialogue, and a little bit of courage can transcend stigma and expectations, leading to healing and genuine connection. Aaron and Drea offer hope that a herpes diagnosis need not define or limit one’s romantic prospects, social life, or self-worth. Through “living in your truth” and focusing on authentic friendship, love can and does flourish—even in the spaces people least expect.

For more success stories, resources, or support, visit SPFPP.org