Podcaster says stammer is his 'superpower'

A man from Surrey is running his own podcast with the aim to inspire others who have a stammer.

William Laven, from Walton-on-Thames, created Stammer Stories to encourage others to "step outside their comfort zone and embrace their uniqueness".

Mr Laven, who has had a stammer for his whole life, said the podcast had been streamed more than 200,000 times in more than 50 countries.

He said: “Now I absolutely love my stammer, but I used to see it as a massive setback.”

He told BBC Radio Surrey: "I've learned to realise that the way I speak is unique and people with a stammer have a unique way of teaching the world how to listen.

“To anyone with neurodiversity – embrace it, and make it your superpower.”

To mark International Stammering Awareness Day on Tuesday, Mr Laven has released a video of himself delivering a speech on stage to an empty auditorium at Woking's New Victoria Theatre.

"I know that public speaking is not meant for someone with a stammer. But the adrenaline rush you get from stepping out of your comfort zone is amazing,” he said.

"I want to inspire others to do the same thing."

Mr Laven, who works for an advertising agency in London, has been recording his podcast for three years.

He also previously appeared on the Channel 4 TV programme First Dates.

"I had never been on a date before because my stammer used to hold me back,” he said.

"It was a really big experience for me and a massive boost to my confidence."

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