Amanda Mammana’s America’s Got Talent audition put a national spotlight on stuttering. At first, I couldn’t understand why it made me feel so uncomfortable watching it. Shouldn’t I be happy for a fellow woman who stutters getting this opportunity? And then I read Courtney Margulis’ post. She put words into what I had been feeling while watching the video of the audition.

In Season 2’s first bonus episode, I speak with Courtney and TikTok star Marc Winski about the audition, how it perpetuates stigma around stuttering, and what we can do about it. 

Courtney’s post can be read here: An open letter to America’s Got Talent

You can follow Marc Winski @marcwinski

TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcwinski?_t=8UVRwcjQ83G&_r=1

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/marcwinski/?hl=en

Reach out and donate to Marc at https://linktr.ee/Marcwinski

Episode Overview

• [6:45 - 13:00] Inspiration Porn and Perpetuating Stigma
• [13:10 - 15:30] Educating via social media comments
• [15:30 - 16:48] Singing and stuttering
• [16:50 - 18:50] Pointing out the stigma
• [19:04 - 20:37] The varying responses to the audition
• [27:20 - 34:00] Calls to action to spread awareness to end the stigma

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