Stuttering Without Apology

Joanne Lockwood is joined by speech language pathologist James Burden, founder of Stuttering Blueprint, for a conversation that challenges the stigma attached to disfluent speech. Together they explore how stuttering becomes a barrier not because of the sounds themselves, but because of the shame, myths, and social reactions that teach people to hide, avoid, and self-censor.

James explains how expectations of “perfect” speech can limit professional aspirations—interviews, leadership moments, and everyday workplace communication—and why supportive listening matters. He shares practical guidance for colleagues and listeners: don’t interrupt or finish sentences, stay present, and treat stuttering as an acceptable way of speaking rather than a problem to be fixed.

The episode also covers evidence-informed approaches used in therapy and coaching, including prolonged speech methods (such as Camperdown) alongside acceptance and commitment therapy, focusing on reducing fear and self-judgement while building real-world speaking practice. Joanne reflects on her own experiences of public speaking anxiety and learning to trust herself, reinforcing the message that inclusion means making space for real voices, not only polished ones.