Podcast Summary: Something Positive for Positive People – Ep. 395 “Southern Charm”
Host: Courtney W. Brame
Guest: Jade Renz, Founder of "Essentially Prepped"
Date: November 21, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Something Positive for Positive People features host Courtney Brame in conversation with guest Jade Renz, founder of "Essentially Prepped." The main theme centers around personal experiences with herpes, breaking the stigma through visibility and storytelling, and creating supportive communities—especially in the context of Southern culture. Jade’s transition from Alabama to Florida, her new role as a coach for people newly diagnosed with herpes, and her outlook on disclosure, sexuality, and vulnerability form the heart of this open and honest episode.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introducing Jade Renz & the Motivation for Speaking Out
- Jade Renz’s Journey: From Alabama to Orlando, and from meal prepping and essential oils to herpes support coaching.
- “It started out as essential oils and then it was meal prepping and then it was being essentially prepped for life and adventures. And then I came into getting herpes and now I've grown very passionate about coaching and helping others...” (03:58)
- Why Go Public?
- Jade expresses the importance of showing her face to normalize herpes and challenge the isolation that stigma causes.
- “I want to get my face out there, and I want to chat with people about this and have people know that they're not alone and they're supported and we're all going through this.” (05:36)
The Value—and Vulnerability—of Visibility
- Courtney reflects: People fear the risks of going public, but there are unspoken benefits such as building community and even unexpected relationships.
- “I hear more people who are concerned about the negatives or the potentially bad things that can happen from them putting their faces out there...” (07:26)
- Jade’s Stance: No concern about repercussions.
- “If people are going to not hire me because of something that's happening to my body, then obviously you don't value what I can bring to the table anyways.” (08:04)
Listening to the “Calling” & Coaching for Herpes Support
- Inner Calling: Jade talks about feeling compelled to speak out, especially after years of holding back.
- “As soon as I started talking about it, everything just kind of felt right. Like, I felt like I was in alignment with my life again...” (10:52)
- Coaching Approach:
- Focuses on natural solutions, self-love, mindset, and helping clients navigate emotional aspects and disclosure.
- “It's about your mindset and your self love... it's just like a huge added layer when you get a herpes diagnosis.” (13:22)
Community, Support Groups, and What People Need
- Courtney on Support: Many seek groups but aren’t sure why—sometimes just being around others with herpes is healing.
- “Do you need this or do you think you need it because you feel like you're supposed to?” (14:13)
- Jade’s Insight: Safe, anonymous space is crucial; just being able to say the words can be powerful.
- “Just being able to even say it and talk to someone who understands is like... 'thank you so much for listening and just, like, holding a safe space.'” (16:30)
Stigma in the South: Jade’s Diagnosis Story
- Diagnosis Timeline: Diagnosed during a life transition from Alabama to Florida. The process was complicated by moving, stress, and the need to interpret confusing medical results alone.
- “So technically I was in Florida when I found out... It doesn't really explicitly tell you.” (19:03)
Relationship & Disclosure Stories
- How Jade Believes She Contracted Herpes:
- Consummated a casual, intoxicated encounter without the usual precautionary conversation.
- Her partner (a “kind soul”) was likely unaware of his own HSV status.
- Immediate Emotional Response:
- “My first thought... I was like, I'm never gonna get ate out again. And I was so sad. I was like, damn it.” (24:15)
- This was later disproved in practice.
- Disclosure Experiences:
- Jade describes being met with understanding, not rejection, when telling a new partner about her diagnosis.
- “I was scared out of my mind... I just blurted it out... and he was just like, oh... so nonchalant... I was stressing out for no reason.” (26:06-27:22)
- Advice for Disclosure:
- “Just because they ask you or you tell them, like when you're disclosing... you should ask them that back. Like, definitely. Like, have they been tested?” (29:50)
Navigating Sexuality, Identity, and Southern Norms
- Courtney asks about sexual identity:
- Jade does not identify as bisexual, despite some sexual experiences with women—reflecting both personal perspective and Southern cultural contexts.
- Jade: “I think only because I've only had like sexual experiences. So I guess for me I'm just like, that doesn't necessarily make me like bi...” (30:23-30:40)
- Hidden Diversity in the South: Many people are more sexually open and experimental than public culture allows, but conversations remain taboo.
Self-Image, Connection, & Letting Go of Outcome
- Courtney’s Reflection:
- Recognizes how outcome-dependence (hoping disclosure leads to sex/relationship) creates pressure. Now focuses more on simply connecting.
- “Just let the goal be to just see what's there, and you free yourself from the expectations and the pressure of that, and you allow yourself to be a lot more present...” (33:08-35:12)
- Jade’s Philosophy:
- Reminds listeners that not every encounter is about sex or finding romance—it’s about human connection.
- “It's just meeting people and hearing their stories and like having that connection... even if it is only a five minute conversation that brightens your day.” (35:47)
- Growth Post-Diagnosis:
- Jade is less rushed in disclosing—lets people get to know her first, rather than making herpes the first detail they learn.
- “I don't need to say it immediately because it's not who I am.” (37:49-39:05)
Reclaiming Power Through Choice
- Closing Thoughts:
- Courtney emphasizes that reclaiming the power of choice—both in how/when to disclose and who to pursue—is a key path to self-acceptance.
- “The power of choice comes from us... We got to challenge that.” (39:05)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
“I want to get my face out there... have people know that they're not alone and they're supported and we're all going through this.” — Jade Renz (05:36)
“If people are going to not hire me because of something that's happening to my body, then obviously you don't value what I can bring to the table anyways.” — Jade Renz (08:04)
“As soon as I started talking about it, everything just kind of felt right. Like, I felt like I was in alignment with my life again...” — Jade Renz (10:52)
“My first thought, because I'm such a, like, sexual being, I was like, I'm never gonna get ate out again. And I was so sad.” — Jade Renz (24:15)
“Just because they ask you or you tell them, like when you're disclosing... you should ask them that back. Like, definitely. Like, have they been tested?”
— Jade Renz (29:50)
“It's just meeting people and hearing their stories... even if it is only a five minute conversation that brightens your day.”
— Jade Renz (35:47)
“The power of choice comes from us... We got to challenge that.”
— Courtney Brame (39:05)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Jade’s Introduction & Motivation | 03:58 – 05:36
- Visibility, Stigma, and Risks | 06:14 – 08:43
- Listening to Calling, Early Hesitation | 08:43 – 11:35
- Coaching Approach Explained | 12:22 – 13:22
- Support Groups & Safe Spaces | 14:13 – 16:30
- Diagnosis Story: Transition to FL | 17:55 – 19:19
- Transmission & Processing | 19:29 – 24:15
- Disclosure Experience & Advice | 25:54 – 29:50
- Sexuality, Southern Experience | 30:08 – 33:08
- Letting Go of Outcome, Focusing on Connection | 33:08 – 35:47
- Disclosure Timing & Self-Image | 37:06 – 39:05
- Reclaiming Power & Final Thoughts | 39:05 – 40:43
Connect with Jade
- Instagram: @essentiallyprepped
- Email: essentiallyprepped@gmail.com
Episode Tone
Candid, supportive, empowering, and lightly humorous. The conversation is marked by warmth, relatability, and honesty, creating a reassuring space for listeners navigating stigma and self-acceptance.
For support, resources, or group calls, visit spfpp.org.
End of Episode Summary