Stuttering Podcast with Pamela Mertz (LIVE #20)
Meet Pamela Mertz.
Watch conversation, scroll down for notes, scroll further to see bio
Conversation with Pamela Mertz (Live #20)Pamela Mertz is a real rockstar in the stuttering community, and beyond. Not as much for her musical performances, rather very much for her openness and sharing spirit. She has generously offered her story as a means to start conversations and inspire others to find their way from concealment to openness, from shame to pride... and ultimately to accepting one's self and finding acceptance in work/life. We will talk about: - Being a woman who stutters - Experiences of bias and discrimination - Pivotal people, monumental moments, and stand-out experiences - Projects and progress to move ahead - Hopes and dreams for the future Bio: Pamela Mertz is a person who stutters and is actively involved in the global stuttering community. She holds numerous positions of leadership including: Current: Board of Directors, NATIONAL STUTTERING ASSOCIATION Country leader, 50 Million Voices (international employment advocacy group) Blogger, www.stutterrockstar.com Podcaster, “Women Who Stutter: Our Stories.” Past: Board, International Stuttering Association Host, "Stutter Social" (for close to six years) Pam hid her stuttering for close to 30 years. People closest to her did not know she stuttered because she hid it so well. "Avoidance" was her preferred way of hiding. For years, Pam intentionally chose to not speak up, get involved and let her “Real Pam” out. Then, in 2006 she was fired from a 20+ year job due to stuttering. That was her "rock bottom" moment, and she decided to reclaim herself, her voice, and her true identity as a person who stutters. She finally embraced her stuttering self and no longer engages in the exhausting practice of trying to hide. Pam’s open authenticity has had a reciprocal result: when she openly stutters, she invites others to be open about their “thing” and deeper conversations happen and strong relationships are built. Pam has facilitated many workshops on covert stuttering and women who stutter, locally and around the world.
Posted by Schneider Speech on Thursday, September 17, 2020
“Stuttering did not have to define or limit me.”
Bio
Pamela Mertz hid her stuttering for close to 30 years. People closest to her did not know she stuttered because she hid it so well. "Avoidance" was her preferred way of hiding. For years, Pam intentionally chose to not speak up, get involved and let her “Real Pam” out. Then, in 2006 she was fired from a 20+ year job due to stuttering. That was her "rock bottom" moment, and she decided to reclaim herself, her voice, and her true identity as a person who stutters. She finally embraced her stuttering self and no longer engages in the exhausting practice of trying to hide. Pam’s open authenticity has had a reciprocal result: when she openly stutters, she invites others to be open about their “thing” and deeper conversations happen and strong relationships are built. Pam has facilitated many workshops on covert stuttering and women who stutter, locally and around the world.
Pamela Mertz is a person who stutters and is actively involved in the global stuttering community.
She holds numerous positions of leadership including:
Board of Directors, National Stuttering Association
Country leader, 50 Million Voices (international employment advocacy group)
Blogger, https://stutterrockstar.com
Podcaster, “Women Who Stutter: Our Stories.”
Past: Board, International Stuttering Association
Host, "Stutter Social" (for close to six years)
