TranscendingX Episode #88 Summary

Title: The Power of Belief: How Two Kids Who Stuttered Learned to Speak Fearlessly
Guests: Modi Rosenfeld (stand-up comedian), Arthur Luxemburg (NYC trial attorney)
Host: Uri Schneider (Speech Therapist & Communication Coach)
Release Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode dives into how childhood stuttering, fear, and self-doubt can be transformed into strength, confidence, and powerful communication. Host Uri Schneider welcomes stand-up comedian Modi Rosenfeld and attorney Arthur Luxemburg—both of whom grew up stuttering. Through rich, candid, sometimes humorous storytelling, they explore practical tips, mindsets, and the role of community, therapy, and belief in transcending communication barriers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking the Stigma and Myth of Stuttering

[04:52–07:30]

• Great response from prior episodes on stuttering, especially from parents; stuttering is misunderstood.
• Modi & Uri discuss the irony of the word “stutter,” which itself stutters in multiple languages (e.g., “gimgum” in Hebrew).
• Uri clarifies: Instead of calling them 'tricks' to avoid stuttering, it's more helpful to use positive terms like 'tools,' 'strategies,' or 'techniques.'

2. Stuttering Is Not About Just “Fixing Speech”

[06:23–11:02]

• Focus should be on helping people to communicate, not just stopping the stutter.
• Quote [06:44], Uri:
  “What [my father] did is he realized, ‘stop focusing on the stuttering.’ It’s not about treating stuttering. It’s about treating people and helping people talk more.”
• Many people cope by avoiding situations; the deeper danger is silence and not being heard.

3. Personal Journeys: The Role of Family Support and Community

[13:15–24:12]

• Both Modi and Arthur credit mothers and grandmothers for instilling self-belief and support—driving them to therapy and advocating for them at school.
• Arthur describes his grandmother as the person who always told him he was extraordinary, even when he didn’t believe it.
• Quote [24:01], Arthur:
  “She built me up by making me feel like I’m special. I could do anything… I felt I was ordinary. She’s telling me how extraordinary I am—that I could do anything.”

4. The Importance of Speech Therapy That Integrates Emotional Support

[09:20–12:33], [48:45–53:15]

• Arthur shares his journey: Extensive speech therapy using techniques and real-life practice (ordering food, making phone calls, etc.), but the emotional support—feeling comfortable with stuttering—was just as critical.
• Uri’s father, Dr. Phil Schneider, pioneered an approach balancing practical techniques with psychological support.

5. Sacred Encounters and Leadership—The Rebbe Story

[12:37–19:52]

• Uri recounts how his father was asked to help the Lubavitcher Rebbe after his stroke, demonstrating how communication involves dignity, presence, and connection beyond words.
• Quote [18:46], Uri:
  "Every phone call that we get and every meeting that we have should be a sacred encounter."

6. Four-Part Framework for Transcending Stuttering

[19:59–21:29]

• Uri outlines his family’s “Transcending Stuttering Framework”:
  1. Self-Knowledge: Understanding what stuttering is (and isn’t), personal strengths and interests.
  2. Self-Adjustment: Techniques and strategies, like practicing speech just as one would in sports.
  3. Self-Acceptance: Embracing yourself as “perfectly imperfect”—self-love is foundational.
  4. Self-Advocacy: Communicating your needs to others; empowering yourself and others to respond supportively.

7. The Inner Experience vs. Outer Perception

[27:03–31:12]

• Even successful communicators can be suffering internally; not all stuttering is visible.
• Parents and friends often don’t realize the hidden mental effort required to communicate.
• Quote [30:12], Uri:
  “The experience in here doesn’t match what’s out here. Parents sometimes don’t recognize what the kid’s going through… People say ‘you don’t stutter’—but in your mind, you’re maneuvering, and it’s exhausting.”

8. Dangers of Mislabeling, the Impact of Silence, and Celebrating Famous Stutterers

[31:30–36:01]

• Arthur shares a powerful, emotional story from a documentary: A stutterer who pretended to be mentally disabled in public rather than stutter—highlighting how crucial public understanding is.
• Periel: “Imagine what the world would miss if stutterers didn’t speak.”
• Famous stutterers: Marilyn Monroe, Jack Welch, John Stossel, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Sheeran—even Moses.

9. Language and Messaging Matter

[35:16–35:41]

• Use descriptive, not evaluative, language—talking about “strong” or “mild” stutters, not “good” or “bad” speech days.
• How parents talk about stuttering affects children's willingness to speak up.

10. Practical Advice: How to Help Children

[38:27–39:03], [44:14–45:44]

• Don’t tell kids: “Relax,” “Take a deep breath,” or “Think about what you want to say”—these may worsen the issue.
• Arthur commits to funding therapy scholarships for families without means; urges collective action.

11. Techniques and Tools: Use, but Don’t Enforce Performance

[45:44–48:45]

• Modi discusses using voice lessons and breath support as tools for performance—but these are not always appropriate (or necessary) in daily life.
• Children should be allowed to “dress up” their skills for big moments, but shouldn’t have to be “on” all the time.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Modi, [00:00]:
  “Everyone has a reason why they think they can’t. In this episode, you'll see. Yes, you can.”
• Arthur, [11:50]:
  “We have thrived in life because of it and despite it. We owe a great deal to our afflictions that we’ve managed to not overcome, but live with and become the top of our professions.”
• Uri, [18:46]:
  “Every phone call that we get and every meeting that we have should be a sacred encounter.”
• Arthur, [24:01]:
  “She built me up by making me feel like I’m special. I could do anything.”
• Periel, [33:32]:
  “Imagine what the world would miss if stutterers don’t speak.”
• Arthur, [39:06]:
  “…I’m committing a certain amount of money … to champion those children… for your organization and us to do something.”
• Uri, [44:14]:
  “If parents are asking what they can do … it’s putting belief that they could be somebody, that they could do something that they doubt they could do.”
• Modi, [47:12]:
  “If I can catch that breath before I go and then move it to the front… that was a big difference in my speech.”
• Arthur, [48:45]:
  “The takeaway from the documentaries were that kids felt that by always being on in that way, they lost their voice. It wasn’t them.”

Timestamps & Segment Guide

• 00:00–01:45 – Introduction and episode set-up by Modi and Uri
• 04:52–07:30 – Language around stuttering, public reaction
• 07:32–11:02 – What people who stutter really want; focus on communication, not perfection
• 13:15–24:12 – Personal stories: family, therapy, community
• 12:37–19:52 – The Lubavitcher Rebbe and lessons about dignity and communication
• 19:59–21:29 – Uri’s “Four-Part Framework” explained
• 27:03–31:12 – The hidden experience of stuttering; inside vs. outside perceptions
• 31:30–36:01 – Dangers of mislabeling; the need for public understanding; famous stutterers
• 35:16–35:41 – Descriptive language & messaging for kids
• 38:27–39:03; 44:14–45:44 – Practical parenting advice; instilling belief
• 45:44–48:45 – Techniques and performance vs. daily life
• 48:45–53:15 – Therapy: tools versus comfort, facing situations
• 54:15–56:32 – How to connect/get help: schneiderspeech.com and transcendingx.com
• 56:32–end – Final reflections: “Keep talking.”

Resources & Support

• Speech therapy/services: schneiderspeech.com
• Podcast/Community: transcendingx.com
• Scholarships to be funded for families in need (announced by Arthur Luxemburg).

Conclusion

This episode serves as both inspiration and practical guide, showing how belief—in oneself or from a loved one—is often the foundation to break through fears and communicate authentically. By integrating emotional support, practical skills, and a commitment to advocacy, people who stutter (or face any communication barrier) can find their true voices and contribute profoundly to the world. And as the hosts continually stress: The most important thing is to keep talking—and for the world to keep listening.

Memorable Sign-offs:

• Uri [56:27]: “The most important thing for people who stutter is, number one, to keep talking.”
• Uri [57:11]: “Let’s keep talking.”