Search Results

Join the Nashville - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Nashville ADULT IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Tennessee State Welcome to the NSA Nashville Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? In-Person Meeting What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Nashville Public Library – Richland Park Branch at (4711 Charlotte Avenue Nashville, TN 37209) When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jake Durm & Jack Henderson Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NashvilleNSAChapter@gmail.com (931) 265-0243 - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Rachel McCullough Speaker Dr. Rachel McCullough was a covert stutterer for many years until learning and accepting it at a NSA Conference. Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Rider University, and a Master's and Ph.D. in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. McCullough works as a grants manager by day and rocks out as singer-songwriter for the indie-rock band, Black Cat Habitat by night. Previous Next

< Back YAC Speaker The Young Adults Committee spearheads our Young Adult programming, both during the Annual Conference and throughout the year, to work to bridge the gap between us and focuses on issues that young adults who stutter may face including job interviews, dating, career, and more. Previous Next

< Back Saundra Russell-Smith Speaker Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith is a dedicated educational leader committed to inclusivity, academic excellence, and family engagement. She holds a BA in Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, two MA degrees in Educational Leadership and Elementary Education, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Francis, along with a superintendent’s endorsement. With experience as a district administrator and principal, she has also served on multiple boards, mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and contributed to the Illinois Principals Association. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., she champions equitable learning environments. In Limitless Leaders: Leading Beyond Your Disability, Dr. Russell-Smith shares her journey as a leader who stutters, offering a framework to turn perceived weaknesses into strengths and inspire transformative leadership. Previous Next

< Back Mitch Guerra Keynote Speaker Mitch Guerra, a Waco native, graduate of Texas A&M University, and recipient of a master’s degree from Dallas Baptist University, stands as a passionate advocate for students navigating diverse challenges. As a person who stutters, Mitch shares an authentic and engaging message of perseverance, inclusivity, and hope. Currently serving as an elementary P.E. teacher and tennis coach, Mitch encourages young people to embrace active lifestyles while discovering the value in their own stories. He believes that every challenge—whether personal, physical, or emotional—can be a stepping stone toward growth. Mitch’s story reached a national audience as a contestant on Survivor 48, where he proudly represented the stuttering community and demonstrated that authenticity and competitiveness can go hand in hand. Through his journey, both on and off the island, Mitch continues to inspire others to embrace their obstacles, own their experiences, and reshape how they see themselves and the world around them. Previous Next

< Back Chyncia Smith Speaker Chyncia Smith has stuttered since she was five years old. Up until 2021, she spent most of her life letting stuttering tell her what to do. Since then, she’s been learning how to appreciate the unique quality of stuttering she possesses. She’s grateful for the rich community stuttering has ushered her into and continues to learn from and build connections with the many people within that community. Her varied background includes time spent in accounting, the outdoor adventure industry, athletics, writing and mentorship. Ever since attending her first NSA event, she’s been blessed and encouraged by the amazing and world-wide community of people who stutter. Previous Next

Join the New Haven - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. New Haven ADULT HYBRID MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Connecticut State Welcome to the NSA New Haven Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? Hybrid Meeting What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Southern Connecticut State University – HHS Building (493 Fitch Street New Haven, CT 06514) and also online via Zoom. Parking is available in the Fitch Street garage in the ‘clinic’ spaces on the street level. Meetings are in Room 239 on the 2nd floor of the HHS building. When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month* from 6:30-8:00PM. *Email to confirm meeting date, as some months meeting may change based on the university schedule. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Alida Engel & Danette Fitzgerald Chapter Leaders Get in touch! alidaengel@sbcglobal.net , opticschic4@gmail.com - https://www.facebook.com/NSANewHaven Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Sam Jacobson Speaker Sam Jacobson has been involved in the NSA since 2010. Now based in Pittsburgh, he previously lived in Chicago, Cleveland, and Columbus — where he valued the sense of community fostered by each city’s local NSA chapter. Professionally, Sam works as a software engineer in banking. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, music, writing, running, reading, and hiking Previous Next

< Back Stacey Nierman Speaker Stacey is a mom to three children, ages six, nine, and twelve. Her nine-year-old son is a person who stutters. She is a teacher and feels passionate about helping all people embrace who they are. Stacey had been looking for a local stuttering community for several years. Last summer, she attended the NSA’s National Conference in St. Louis and was blown away by the support for families. She found herself embraced by parents who experienced the same wide range of emotions she did, and she felt hope for her son’s future. Her son could stutter freely, surrounded by people of all ages who stuttered. Stacey lives in the Kansas City metro area and helped co-found the KC Area Family Chapter last fall. She aims to connect, support, and educate in a judgment-free zone. Previous Next

Join the Wayne - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Wayne ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - New Jersey State Welcome to the NSA Wayne Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? In-Person Meetings What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Wayne Public Library - 461 Valley Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470 Preakness Room (In back by Reference Desk) When? Meetings are held on 1st Thursday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30PM EST. **Our January 2026 meeting will be held on the 2nd Thursday, January 8th! See you then!** Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Matthew Reis Chapter Leader Get in touch! mreis221@gmail.com 862-226-3867 - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Ashleigh Givens Speaker Ashleigh Givens is a fashion photographer and multimedia artist residing in Detroit, Michigan and a graduate of the College for Creative Studies. She has been an active member of the NSA and coming to conferences since 2019. As a past TAC member and currently on the DEl committee, Ashleigh is passionate about serving the stuttering community. Having had a stutter since the age of four, she wasn't always as confident as she is now but she has known what it feels like when the world wants to silence you and now is an advocate for other PWS in all aspects of life. In her free time she enjoys traveling to experience other cultures, reading books on art and design, going to concerts, and taking care of her extensive houseplant collection! Previous Next

Learn how John Moore,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Marketing Consultant & Keynote Speaker John Moore Briefly describe your daily job duties. Following spending a decade as a marketing manager with Starbucks and later as the director of national marketing for Whole Foods Market, I’m now a self-employed marketing consultant. I work with a variety of clients developing ideas for how the business/organization can better design products and programs to make an impact. Interestingly, I routinely give keynote presentations at marketing conferences. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone continues to be difficult for me. Anytime I have to call someone out of the blue, I feel all the pressure and anxiety that comes with being a person who stutters. How do you currently disclose your stuttering to co-workers, clients and or customers? As a conference keynote speaker, I always disclose my stuttering at the start of each presentation. I find that letting people know early on that I stutter helps to endear myself to the audience. I also find people pay more attention to my presentation because I must have something important to say otherwise why would I choose to be so vulnerable on stage. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering has forced me to be a better written communicator. Added to that is a “perfectionist” streak within me that makes me be very detail-oriented. This helps me when writing emails, proposals, presentations and business books. What’s your best advice for people in a career striving to achieve greater success? For people in a career, strive to be the most knowledgeable person in your company about something important. In other words, become a subject matter expert in something. You could be the go-to person for how to use pivot tables in Excel or the person with the most knowledge about a product line your company sells. Co-workers will come to you asking for help and that makes you an indispensable employee who is better positioned for future promotions.