TranscendingX Podcast Episode #72: “Stuttering Pucks with Ryan Cowley”

Podcast: TranscendingX - Raw Conversations and Practical Tips to Break Through Stuttering
Host: Uri Schneider
Guest: Ryan Cowley (award-winning sports writer, author)
Date: May 2, 2022
Episode Length: ~58 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode features a vulnerable and inspiring conversation with Ryan Cowley, a Toronto-based sports writer and author. Ryan shares his lived experience with stuttering, cerebral palsy, and depression, and how he has transformed these challenges into strengths—culminating in a successful writing career covering hockey and the NHL. The episode journeys through Ryan’s childhood, his struggles and turning points, and his practical insights on self-acceptance, mental health, and the value of community. Throughout, host Uri brings warmth, empathy, and relatable humor, making this conversation a meaningful listen for anyone facing communication adversity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Community and Vulnerable Storytelling

[00:30–06:24]

• Uri opens by acknowledging pandemic challenges and the universal need for connection, noting how adversity can uncover inner strengths.
• Uri introduces Ryan and sets the intention for authentic, international conversations within the stuttering community.

2. Ryan’s Early Life – Adversity and Identity Formation

[07:12–13:51]

• Ryan discusses growing up shy, the early onset of stuttering, and being bullied as a child.

• He admits to a long-held negative perspective on stuttering, wrestling with “Why me?” but notes his outlook shifted over the years:

  “Only in the last five, ten years… the thought of it being a curse was so archaic to me. I wouldn't say blessing necessarily, but it can definitely be advantageous. You can definitely use it in your favor.” (Ryan, 12:40)

• Ryan stresses: No need to force positivity; each journey takes time—“Better late than never.”

3. Individual Journeys and the Importance of Representation

[13:51–22:51]

• Uri and Ryan reflect on how everyone's experience with stuttering is unique, and caution against assumptions.
• Ryan recounts a pivotal moment attending the Canadian Stuttering Association conference (2018), hearing author David Stones speak:

  “Something about David’s speech really resonated with me... here I am, someone who grew up thinking, ‘Oh man, I have to grow out of it at some point.’ And then when I heard David speak, even though he was still a person who stutters, it was clear he had a much better grasp on it… It doesn’t matter how old you are.” (Ryan, 21:33)

4. On Writing, Headlines, and Being Memorable

[23:00–29:03]

• Uri playfully discusses Ryan’s Twitter handle—@RyanWritesGood—using it as a metaphor for leaning into what makes you unique rather than hiding it.
• The two discuss authenticity in language and whether to ‘clean up’ quoted speech in sports writing.

5. Intersecting Challenges: Stuttering, Cerebral Palsy, and Depression

[29:03–36:24]

• Ryan shares openly about managing cerebral palsy, which affected his motor abilities as a child, and how he adapted—typing 80 words per minute with one hand:

  “I just type so much over the years… I'm able to type like 80 words a minute using just my left hand. People look at me and I'm like—it’s nothing to me.” (Ryan, 33:30)

• Asked which challenge is most taxing, Ryan says stuttering is often less taxing for him in supportive environments.

6. The Relief of Acceptance Among Peers

[36:24–38:09]

• Ryan finds ease in speaking to those who understand stuttering:

  “Especially in situations like this, my stuttering is not taxing at all. I just get through it… We both know what’s up.” (Ryan, 38:09)

7. Purpose and Impact of Writing

[38:25–43:53]

• Uri reads the moving description of Ryan’s book, “All the Right Words.”
• Ryan reflects: he didn’t write his story to inspire but increasingly recognized its value to others.

  “I thought, well, they say it could be inspiring to someone… but I never saw my story as anything like that… then the more I thought about it, [I said], 'Okay, maybe we’ll try this.'” (Ryan, 41:00)

8. The Role of Support Systems

[43:53–48:27]

• Ryan credits his brother Adam as his biggest inspiration—sharing a pivotal moment in 2016 when Adam’s suggestion helped Ryan embrace alternative interviewing methods as a writer, including using recorded questions:

  “[Adam] was always giving me suggestions and very encouraging… at no point did he or my family ever say, ‘I honestly don’t know what else you can do.’ – always encouraging ideas: ‘Try this, try this, try this.’” (Ryan, 47:10)

9. Wisdom to the Younger Self

[49:34–54:18]

• Uri asks what Ryan would tell his 12-year-old self.

• Ryan is candid about mental health challenges—including contemplation of suicide—but emphasizes hope:

  “Don’t ever give up because it gets better… be patient, be resilient. It may have taken me a bit longer to get where I am, but the last five, six years have been beyond rewarding.” (Ryan, 51:07–54:18)

• Uri closes by affirming the power of Ryan’s encouragement for others facing similar struggles.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You can change that [negative outlook], but also don’t be pressured to change it right away… Everyone’s different. My experience has not been an overnight process.” (Ryan, 13:00)
• On the impact of finding someone who models self-acceptance:
  “There’s something about David’s speech that really, really resonated… here I was, thinking I have to outgrow it at some point. Hearing him, I saw it’s not about the age—it’s about your outlook.” (Ryan, 21:00–22:10)
• On why “RyanWritesGood” is memorable:
  “If it was ‘Ryan writes well,’ it would be a really lame Twitter handle… But ‘Ryan writes good’ is memorable. The thing you despised becomes a signature.” (Uri, 26:00)
• On adaptation and resilience:
  “I can do 80 words a minute with one hand—I’m just so used to it. It’s nothing to me… It’s just what you work with.” (Ryan, 33:30)
• The 4 pieces of advice to his younger self:
  “Don’t give up. It gets better. Be patient. Be resilient.” (Ryan, 54:11)
• Uri’s reflection:
  “Those are incredibly valuable words. But they’re even more valuable coming from you, listening to you say them.” (Uri, 54:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 – Episode theme and introduction of Ryan Cowley
• 07:12 – Ryan’s early experiences and perspective on stuttering
• 15:51 – Discovery of community & conference turning point
• 23:00 – The meaning behind “RyanWritesGood” and embracing uniqueness
• 29:29 – Discussing stuttering, cerebral palsy, and depression
• 34:12 – Adaptation: Typing with one hand; is stuttering “taxing”?
• 38:25 – Uri reads Ryan’s book blurb and asks about his intent as a writer
• 43:53 – The role of Adam, Ryan’s brother, as a source of support
• 49:34 – What Ryan would tell his younger self
• 54:18 – Closing reflections and gratitude

Takeaways

• Each person’s journey with stuttering (or any adversity) is unique—comparison isn’t helpful, empathy is.
• Meaningful change and acceptance is a gradual process; being “late” is okay.
• The support of even one close ally can create lasting transformation.
• Vulnerability, resilience, and community allow people to redefine limitations as sources of strength.
• The pain caused by past adversity can be leveraged to help and connect with others.

Further Resources

• Ryan Cowley’s book: All the Right Words: My Journey as a Sportswriter Who Stutters
• Contact and community: transcendingx.com

Powerful, raw, and motivating, this episode is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who refuse to be defined by their limitations—finding purpose not by “fixing,” but by showing up authentically, for themselves and others.