Search Results

< Back Sisters Who Stutter Spotlight: Reagan Jeninsky Dancer. Advocate. Confident Communicator. When Reagan Jeninsky first discovered the NSA two years ago, she was a nervous 8th grader who thought she was the only teen in the world who stuttered. Fast forward to today, and she’s not only found her voice — she’s using it to help others find theirs. As a proud member of the Sisters Who Stutter (SWS) committee, Reagan now supports other girls just like her: teens who are learning to accept their stutter, build confidence, and feel seen in a world that often misunderstands them. “Before I found the NSA, I used to be really insecure about my stutter. Finding this organization has skyrocketed my confidence. I’ve made lifelong friendships and I’m finally proud of who I am.” Dancing Through the Stutters For Reagan, dance has always been a safe space — a form of expression that requires no words but tells every part of her story. “Dance has been my lifesaver when it comes to stuttering. It helps me tell stories through movement. It’s where I go when I feel stressed or overwhelmed.” As a pre-professional dancer, Reagan finds strength in movement and confidence on stage. She’s even started teaching others about stuttering, using her voice and platform to raise awareness and promote acceptance. Reagan’s Advice to New Members? “You’re never alone. There will always be someone walking right beside you. The NSA is so supportive and welcoming — it can truly change your view on life.” A Few Fun Facts About Reagan: Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cotton Candy Favorite Shows: Star Wars Saga + Modern Family Karaoke Song: “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga Pet: A huge goldfish won at the fair two years ago Dream Vacation: Back to Singapore (where she lived for four years!) Hidden Talent: She's a pre-professional dancer — and it shows! Spreading Strength Through Sisterhood Reagan’s transformation from isolated to empowered is exactly what Sisters Who Stutter is all about: building community, lifting each other up, and reminding girls who stutter that they are strong, beautiful, and never alone. Whether she’s dancing across a stage or speaking on a Zoom call, Reagan shows that confidence doesn’t mean perfection — it means showing up, just as you are. Reagan, we are so proud of the leader, dancer, and advocate you’ve become. Thank you for inspiring others to find the power in their voices — stutters and all. Want to join the sisterhood? Connect with Sisters Who Stutter on Instagram @sisterswhostutter Previous Next

< Back Jacob Bossier Speaker Jacob Bossier is a twenty year old college student in his sophomore year at Southeastern Louisiana University. He’s in a fraternity that he’s actively involved in. Jacob enjoys hanging out with his friends, working out, and spending time with his family. He is most interested in digital media, but is majoring in Computer Science. This will be his third NSA conference. Previous Next

< Back WeStutter@Work Spotlight: Abishek Agarwal – Showing Up Authentically and Creating Change Abishek Agarwal remembers the moment he discovered the NSA. It was like finally finding home. As a person who stutters, he had spent years feeling isolated—longing to be part of something bigger, among people who truly understood what it meant to walk in his shoes. That moment of connection led him to attend his first NSA conference, which sealed the deal: he was all in. “The NSA has allowed me to connect with other people like me, giving me a sense of belonging and making me feel as part of something bigger than myself. NSA has re-enforced the idea that stuttering is truly okay and if you stutter, you have other people to lean on and ask for support.” Today, Abishek serves as both a co-leader of his local NSA chapter (for 2 years) and a passionate member of the WeStutter@Work Committee. He’s part of a team working to create a world where people who stutter have equal access to employment, leadership, and professional growth—all while educating employers and breaking stigma in the workplace. Outside of his advocacy work, Abishek is constantly challenging himself in new ways. From achieving fitness milestones, to learning his favorite songs on the violin, he’s committed to personal growth just as much as community growth. “The NSA has given me more confidence to show up as my authentic self and be more comfortable in my skin as a PWS.” This is his advice to new NSA members, “NSA is a very supportive and diverse community. Don't hesitate ever to reach out for support. People are very kind and will do their best to help. Also, there is so much to get involved in and help out in - so choose specific areas you are passionate about and start with them.” Get to know Abishek: Ice cream pick: Cookies n Cream Nature vibe: Mountains Favorite show: The Sopranos Karaoke jam: Succession Theme Song Plays the violin Dream pets: Otter and dogs Dream vacation: Scottish Highlands Abishek’s leadership is helping shift how stuttering is viewed in the workplace—and we are here for it. Thank you, Abishek! Previous Next

< Back DEI Committee Spotlight: Julie Marshall — Building a More Inclusive NSA, One Voice at a Time For Julie Marshall, advocacy has always been second nature. As a speech-language pathologist, she’s worked with people who stutter across all ages and stages of life—always focusing on what matters most: their individual goals. Julie has long relied on the National Stuttering Association's resources and community. Now, as a proud member of the DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Committee, she’s helping ensure that the NSA continues to grow into a space where all people who stutter feel welcome, represented, and empowered. “The NSA is a community where stuttering is celebrated. I joined the DEI Committee to help foster inclusion and promote equity.” The DEI Committee works to support underrepresented groups in the NSA—Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQAI+ individuals, and multilingual speakers—while promoting diverse representations of stuttering throughout the organization. Julie is especially proud of continuing a weekly adult support group in honor of the late Dr. Walt Manning, a beloved leader and mentor in the stuttering community. “It’s a privilege to carry forward a space that offers connection and growth. I know Walt would be proud.” Her advice to newcomers? “You are welcome and accepted — wherever you are on your journey.” Get to know Julie: Favorite ice cream: Salted Caramel Favorite show: Ted Lasso Karaoke go-to: Anything by The Mavericks Pet: Phoenix, her 14-year-old mixed rescue pup Fun fact: She sings jazz on weekends! Dream vacation: Australia Julie’s voice and vision are helping the NSA grow into a more inclusive, connected, and diverse community—and we are so grateful for all she brings to the table. Thank you, Julie! Previous Next

Learn how Desiree Tracie Cole,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Actress/Singer/Dancer Desiree Tracie Cole Brandon, FL Actress, Singer & Dancer Briefly describe your daily job duties. I audition for musicals, plays, television, films, commercials, and voice overs. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Feeling as though I am not getting an opportunities just because of the way I speak. What are your long-term career aspirations? I would like to become a motivational speaker for people who stutter, as well as a disability-rights advocate for people with disabilities and communication disorders. I want to motivate everyone and let them know that stuttering is a gift and you can be anything you want to be in this world! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes! I tell people I have a stutter. I like to advocate for myself. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I was cast as Jane Banks (my first lead role ever!) in New Tampa Players/The Penguin Project’s production of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins JR. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I have more compassion and empathy towards others, and I believe that my stutter helps me to relate better to others that may stutter or other differing ability. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Just keep going and never give up. Don’t listen to people who are bringing you down, but rather to those who are bringing you up!

Learn how Steve Ernst,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Conference Events Specialist Steve Ernst Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a Conference Events Specialist for FOCUS, a Catholic collegiate outreach organization. My primary role is working on the annual conference planning team. I plan and manage online registration, onsite check-in, volunteers, the info booth, and a few other projects during the conference each year in January which attracts 17,000 attendees. I also help out at a few other events throughout the year, such as managing hotel contracts, catering, and space use for a few FOCUS recruitment weekends. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Making phone calls is tough for me. If our donor relations team cannot answer a question about the conference, the phone call comes to me. Especially if the caller is upset, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly and confidently. I disclose that I am a person who stutters though, and the person usually understands; that also helps to soften the person’s demeanor if they’re upset! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers and or customers? Yes. I brought up the challenges that I’ve faced with my stutter and how I’ve worked to overcome them or can work with the difficulty. If I’m on a phone or video call with someone new, I’ll usually mention that I’m a person who stutters and that they may hear some pauses or repetitions. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. To be honest, I’m not sure that stuttering makes me more valued in the office. I’m very extroverted and I’m at a point where stuttering doesn’t affect my emotional state too much, so I don’t think stuttering makes me more or less valuable at work. What is your proudest moment at your current company? In 2018, one of my first projects was to design conference check-in process for our 2019 conference. FOCUS had been doing check-ins the same way for years, but I designed a completely new way of organizing the room and moving the thousands upon thousands of attendees through it. I ran my idea past many people, made back-up plans in case it didn’t work, and tried to make my managers confident. When day one of the conference started, my check-in plan worked AMAZING. My plan cut down our average check-in time from about 7 minutes to less than 30 seconds, and we never really had a line of people waiting, even though our attendance was 17,000 people. What are your long-term career aspirations? I majored in Engineering, but have found that I have a passion for event planning. I think the fields cross over a lot, especially with critical thinking and application of knowledge and theory. I currently work for a non-profit, and I eventually hope to work for a larger event planning company and also get my Certified Meeting Professional certification. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Be bold! Aim to grow! Seek a challenge! You may not know exactly what you’re doing, but as you dig in and work hard to get the task done, you’ll learn and be better after it’s over.

Learn how Heather McLeod,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Pilates Instructor Heather McLeod Austin, TX Pilates Instructor Sharp Pilates Briefly describe your daily job duties. I teach private Pilates lessons to clients, as well as small group classes (2-3 people). The type of Pilates I teach uses a particular system of exercises to build a strong core, which supports a more flexible spine, better posture, balance, and alignment. It’s great for rehabbing injuries, strengthening a weak part of the body, or just building more strength, awareness, and flexibility in general. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Verbally instructing people and talking non-stop is challenging with a stutter. The good thing about the job is that I’m so “in the moment” with the client that I can’t overthink the words I’m saying as much as I might normally. Lately I’ve been struggling with “S” words, which is difficult because I often need to cue people to “squeeze” their sitting bones, etc. What are your long-term career aspirations? I’m a new Pilates teacher, so my aspirations at the moment are just to get better as a teacher, and to soak in the joy of helping my clients get stronger and healthier. There’s truly nothing better than that. I love the studio where I work, and my boss has been incredibly supportive. We may expand at some point, or I may someday open a home studio, but right now I’m very happy where I am. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I didn’t go through a typical job-hiring process, but I have self-disclosed quite a few times since. I do it on a case-by-case basis with clients and colleagues. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Honestly, every moment! I never dreamed I’d be able to do this, and I still don’t quite understand how I’m able to make it work (though I have some theories). I’m just so thankful to have found this path, and for the confidence it’s given me. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think stuttering, in general, has made me a more empathetic, intuitive person, which in turn has made me a better Pilates teacher (I hope!). It’s important for me to know how far to push a client and to gauge where they are mentally on any given day. It’s also important to me that every client feels safe and supported when they’re with me, and I think I value this more being a person who stutters. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? I would advise self-disclosure and self-compassion above all else! And just remember that nothing stays the same. You will grow and change as a person over time, your fluency will go up and down, and you can absolutely do more than you think you can do. Also, when you find good people to work with, hang on to them. I had been searching for a new career path, but I hadn’t considered teaching Pilates until my instructor suggested it. I already knew her and trusted her, and loved the practice itself…the rest is history (and a ton of work and growth). It had never occurred to me that I could teach, but it turns out I can and I am.

< Back Edmund Metzold Speaker Edmund Metzold (he/him) has been an active member of the NSA since 2015, attending chapter meetings and national conferences ever since. He is a co-leader of the Boston Adult Chapter and is very involved with Passing Twice, an organization for LGBTQ+ people who stutter. Edmund works as a Sr. Production Support Analyst for a healthcare data analytics company. In his free time, he loves traveling, playing trivia, and singing with his barbershop chorus and quartet. Previous Next

< Back Seven Cats, One Bold Voice: Caitney File’s NSA Story If you’ve ever wondered what bravery looks like, try picturing a left-handed teen with seven cats, a killer karaoke ballad, and a brand-new outlook on stuttering. That’s Caitney File. Caitney joined the NSA in July 2024 and she’s hit the ground running. After attending the NSA Conference that summer (just an hour and a half from home), she walked away with more than some awesome NSA merch. She left with a new understanding of herself. “I learned that I had been a covert stutterer,” she says. “Since learning that, I have tried to stutter freely. I do my best to say what I want, even if it will make me stutter. Although, becoming an overt stutterer is a continuous process, and I still struggle with it at times.” That commitment to growth, to authenticity, and to showing up even when it’s hard is something Caitney’s proud of. And she should be. She recently took a college speech class, even though public speaking has always been the thing she avoided most. “Throughout middle and high school, I stayed in the lines of my 504 plan. However, I wanted to challenge myself since I will attend college in the fall. So far, I have presented three speeches varying from two to seven minutes!” Caitney’s already giving back in big ways. She’s a member of the Teen Advisory Council (TAC) and serves as the Member Outreach Coordinator for Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she connects with other girls across the country and keeping the spirit of community going all year long! Her advice to newcomers? Get involved. “Get involved - whether in person or virtually! Go to the NSA's website to see what chapter meetings are in your area and what Zoom groups the NSA offers.” When she’s not doing all that, you’ll find her soaking up beach vibes, rewatching New Girl, jamming to John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room,” or chilling with one of her seven cats. And someday? You just might find her eating gelato in Italy. Caitney’s story is still unfolding, but it’s already clear that she’s not just finding her voice. She’s owning it. Previous Next

Learn how Kylie Pell,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Associate Teacher Kylie Pell Morgantown, WV Associate Teacher Bright Horizons Briefly describe your daily job duties. At my job with Bright Horizons, I work with a variety of different ages from infant to preschool age. My daily tasks include keeping a safe classroom, building relationships with families, transition tracking, conflict resolution with little ones, changing diapers, preparing meals, and more. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is probably how my stutter affects my ability to communicate quickly at such a fast-paced job. The children and staff are incredibly understanding regarding my disfluencies though, and I’ve begun to learn that children are some of the most understanding and tolerant people in reference to differences. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am currently a junior at West Virginia University for Speech and Language pathology. I intend to pursue a masters in speech pathology so that I can be a clinician for children like me who have language difficulties. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I chose to disclose my stutter because it has become something over the years that I own. Disclosure of my stutter allows a weight to be taken off my shoulders; it allows me to stutter freely without being embarrassed. I find that people also really appreciate the transparency in the professional world. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moments at my job have been all of the times when I make valuable connections with children and their families. It is so beautiful to feel like such a big part of a child’s early learning. It warms my heart when I get big hugs when the children’s parents arrive to pick them up. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I believe my stutter makes me way more sensitive to differences among my coworkers and families I work with. As someone who felt different for a long time, I make the point to treat everyone the same while recognizing and appreciating unique aspects. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Stuttering does not make you incapable of having a professional career. It actually makes you more well equipped because we have had to develop perseverance due to our speech impediment. My biggest piece of advice would be to own your stutter and use it to your advantage. You are a more valuable worker due to your unique qualities.

Learn how Jeff Brown,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Postdoctoral Research Associate Jeff Brown Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a postdoctoral researcher in a neuroscience lab, I lead several experimental and computational projects aimed at better understanding how brain networks organize and tune themselves at the level of individual brain cells during the course of behavior. This sees me spending a good amount of time optically recording from live brains (those of sea slugs in my case!), while taking time to analyze data and write scientific code on my computer. The most rewarding part of my job involves mentoring graduate students, medical students, and undergraduates, however. Before starting my current position, I was honored to have taught and directed a clinical neuroscience course at a large medical school in Illinois for several years. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Since being a scientist depends on presenting your work and sharing your knowledge others, I do a fair amount of public speaking in my position; that was the case at a whole other level when I was lecturing to an auditorium full of medical students in my previous position! Sometimes–and particularly if I’m having a dysfluent day–maintaining fluency while speaking can be exhausting, and that fatigue sometimes amplifies the existing dysfluency. No matter what, however, I commit to making sure that I’m always able to say what I need to. What are your long-term career aspirations? Although I’m currently in a research-intensive position, I hope to land a faculty position at a liberal arts college in the next several years, in which I expect to have a small research laboratory of my own but otherwise hope to be able to pour myself into teaching and mentoring, which, as you may have figured out by now, are my foremost passions. If I have the opportunity to author a few books in the process, all the better! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? After many years of being terrified about self-disclosing, I have become accustomed to speaking openly about my stutter, including with my current employer and colleagues, though I’d be lying if I said I’m ever entirely comfortable doing it. Nonetheless, I find that the less dramatically you self-disclose (e.g., “Oh, by the way, I should mention that I have a stutter, and you might sometimes hear me pause on or prolong certain words.”), the less importance the people to whom you disclose assign to it. Sometimes, people will tell me that they had no idea I stuttered, while others had apparently already realized; some people will follow up with a series of questions or show support, while others barely acknowledge that I’ve mentioned it. Regardless of the response it elicits, self-disclosure is first and foremost for your benefit: that’s a lesson I continue to learn! What is your proudest moment at your current company? Several years ago, I had a medical student in my clinical neuroscience course who consistently performed towards the bottom of my class. Although very bright and industrious, he had a difficult time wrapping his head around the course material, much to his frustration and disappointment. At one point during the semester, I held a learning session on infections of the central nervous system; since this student had a Master’s degree in infectious diseases, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for him to shine and hopefully bolster his confidence. After consulting with the student before our learning session, I asked him to share his expertise on a specific topic of relevance during the course of a whole-class discussion: it was so incredibly rewarding to watch him light up as he spoke passionately and authoritatively about this topic. When he was finished, the entire class of 140 students gave him a round of applause. Those are truly the moments you live for as a teacher. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I’d like to think that I’m a better listener and more compassionate person in general as a PWS; it literally gives me pause in my life! At the same time, my stutter and the journey I’ve taken in becoming more comfortable coexisting with it have impressed upon me how liberating it is to be able to speak your mind without hesitation, no matter what your level of fluency in the moment happens to be. While these influences inform my approach to interacting with people in my research, I think my experiences as a PWS has more profoundly shaped my philosophy as a teacher: I strive to go the extra mile in listening to my students and taking the time to understand their learning and personal needs on a one-by-one basis. I try to serve not only as a content expert, but also a source of mentorship, empathy, and general support. I’d also like to think that the degree to which I’m transparent about my stuttering humanizes me, inviting my students to confide in me in return. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Never doubt for a moment that you’re fully qualified to be where you are and doing what you’re doing! You have succeeded in spite of your stutter, and you’re a lot more–and have a lot more to say–than whatever words you may repeat, prolong, or block on. Never be ashamed that you stutter, or about anything else over which you lack control. Don’t hesitate to show some vulnerability by self-disclosing: not only can it be personally empowering, but it also stands to strengthen the relationships between you and those with whom you interact in your workplace. Above all, seek our help and mentorship when you need it: as a PWS, you are never alone!

Learn how Anna Boyd,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. English Language Arts Teacher Anna Boyd Briefly describe your daily job duties. I teach 7th Grade English Language Arts. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. As a teacher who has to read aloud to her class, I find that to be the most challenging. I also find gaining respect in the workplace to be challenging. I often feel that adult coworkers are more likely to see my stutter has a hindrance to my teaching ability than my students. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers, clients and or customers? Yes, I did. I said I had a stutter, but it didn’t have me. I was often told that I was never going to be a teacher due to my stutter. Today, with each day one of school, I tell my students that I stutter. (But we all know each of us has something. It’s just my something is more noticeable.) Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I listen more. I take time to hear people out. Co-workers come to me when they have a student who stutters, and that makes me feel that I am contributing in ways that others cannot. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I have a student who stutters this year. And, he told me that I was the only teacher he had who has believed in him and told him that he could be and do anything in life he wanted. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan to teach middle school for the rest of my career! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Do not let stuttering control you. You have a stutter, but it doesn’t have you. You are going to write the narrative for your workplace experience so be positive, but open with people. Realize that your stutter makes you who you are, and that you have just as much, and more to offer than someone who does not stutter.