Something Positive for Positive People Episode 369: Season 1 Finale - Letting Go of the Herpes and Other Things Release Date: April 20, 2025
Host: Courtney Brame

Introduction: Closing Season 1 and Shifting Focus

In the season one finale of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), Courtney Brame announces the conclusion of the podcast's exclusive focus on herpes. Reflecting on nearly eight years and approximately 400 episodes, Courtney shares her experiences running the podcast and the emotional journey it entailed.

"My intention with this recording is to celebrate the conclusion of this podcast exclusively being about herpes." (00:00)

Courtney expresses a mix of sadness and optimism about deleting some episodes to protect the anonymity of her guests, highlighting the persistent stigma surrounding herpes.

Evolving Beyond Herpes: Expanding the Mission

Facing a challenging political climate that threatens funding for sexual and mental health initiatives, Courtney outlines her plan to broaden SPFPP's focus beyond herpes to encompass overall stigma reduction related to sexual health and mental health.

"The nature of sex education and sexual health in general is going to have to evolve." (05:20)

She emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma comprehensively, noting the high rates of suicide ideation among people with herpes—a poignant statistic from their latest survey:

"Roughly 70% of people who say that they've had suicide ideation because of their herpes diagnosis." (03:15)

Stigma and Mental Health: A Deeper Dive

Courtney discusses the intersection of sexual health and mental health, underscoring how stigma can lead to severe mental health challenges. She shares her commitment to using the platform to support individuals struggling with these issues.

"My intention has always been to support people who have been navigating the extreme of a suicide ideation related to their diagnosis." (04:50)

Upcoming Conferences and Events

Looking ahead, Courtney announces her participation in several upcoming conferences where she will present her findings on herpes and mental health stigma:

• STI Engage in Phoenix, Arizona (June 2-5)
• STI World Congress in Montreal, Canada (July 27-30), featuring a panel with Dr. Ina Park

Additionally, she invites listeners to join a virtual Herpes Dating and Disclosure Webinar on May 23rd, celebrating SPFPP's six-year anniversary.

"At 7pm Central time we'll be having a virtual Herpes Dating and disclosure webinar." (18:30)

Personal Reflections: Relationship and Identity

Courtney opens up about her recent breakup and personal growth journey, revealing her embrace of a polyamorous identity. She shares the emotional struggles and realizations that led to this transition.

"I value freedom in order to feel safe." (15:45)

Courtney reflects on the challenges of navigating her identity within relationships and the broader societal stigma she faces, drawing parallels between her experiences with herpes stigma and her personal life.

Rebranding and Future Directions

Acknowledging the need for a rebrand, Courtney hints at a new direction for SPFPP, moving away from a sole focus on herpes to a more inclusive approach addressing various forms of stigma.

"This is really going to require a full rebrand." (28:00)

She expresses excitement about harnessing her creative energy to foster positivity and support across different communities, aiming to maintain the essence of SPFPP while expanding its reach.

Embracing Positivity: Philosophical Insights

Drawing inspiration from Napoleon Hill's Outwitting the Devil, Courtney delves into the philosophy of positivity versus negativity. She shares her commitment to fostering positive energy and encouraging others to choose positivity in their lives.

"The atom is made up of the proton and the electron, I'm gonna say, and the electron is the negative force and the proton is the positive force." (35:10)

Courtney discusses the balance between positive and negative forces, asserting that choosing positivity is a conscious decision that can transform lives.

Call to Action: Community Engagement and Support

As the season concludes, Courtney urges listeners to participate in ongoing initiatives:

• Take the Herpes Survey: Aimed at collecting data on suicide ideation among individuals with herpes, targeting 1,000 responses to enhance the organization's research credibility.

  "If you haven't already, please take the survey as well as share it." (06:00)

• Join the Webinar: Encouraging attendance and participation in the upcoming virtual event to foster community support and education.

  "Please join us for the Herpes Dating and Disclosure webinar." (25:30)

• Donate and Engage: Highlighting the importance of donations to sustain support services and expand programming.

  "You are welcome to donate. There are options for if you do want to donate." (22:45)

Courtney also mentions expanding her services, including hiring sex educators and organizing safe sex expos, to better serve and support the community.

Final Thoughts: Moving Forward with Positivity

In her closing remarks, Courtney reaffirms her dedication to positivity and community support. She reflects on her personal growth, the challenges faced, and the hopeful path ahead for SPFPP.

"I've not been present. I allowed for my presence to really consume or be consumed by my relationship, which, you know, at one point was my ideal relationship structure." (32:50)

Courtney thanks her listeners for their support throughout season one and invites them to stay engaged as SPFPP enters a new chapter focused on broader stigma reduction and mental health advocacy.

"Thank you for being here. I appreciate all of your love and support for season one of the Something Positive for Positive People podcast." (50:00)

Key Takeaways:

• End of Herpes-Focused Content: Season 1 concludes with a shift towards broader stigma reduction in sexual and mental health.
• High Rates of Suicide Ideation: Significant findings highlight the urgent need for mental health support among individuals with herpes.
• Personal Growth and Identity: Courtney's exploration of polyamory and personal relationships informs the podcast's new direction.
• Future Initiatives: Upcoming webinars, conferences, and potential rebranding aim to expand SPFPP's impact.
• Community Engagement: Active participation through surveys, donations, and event attendance is encouraged to sustain and grow support services.

For more information and to participate in upcoming events, visit SPFPP.org.