The Minneapolis One-Day Event is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and learn more about stuttering, supporting their child, and to begin building community. Children’s programming is activity-based and focuses on exploring attitudes and emotions, increasing understanding of stuttering, and instilling a greater sense of confidence — while making FRIENDS! SLPs and students will learn more about stuttering, current therapies, and the support available for those who stutter.

Financial assistance is available. If you would like to attend this one-day event but find the cost prohibitive, please reach out to Nic Brow at: nic@friendswhostutter.org

Josh Anderson is a speech-language pathologist and stuttering/cluttering consultant for Saint Paul Public Schools, where he focuses on early childhood communication and caregiver coaching. He is a co-leader for the University of Minnesota Sioris Family Stutter Camp. In his free time Josh enjoys exploring the intersectionality of philosophy and stuttering.

Erin Bodner, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language therapist and clinical educator at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Erin received her B.A. from Colby College and M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota. She regularly presents around Minnesota on stutter-affirming and acceptance-based therapy approaches. She co-founded and is the Director of the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Camp for Kids Who Stutter.

Nic Brow M.A., CCC-SLP works as a speech language pathologist at the Sisskin Stuttering Center and as the Friends One-Day Events Director. He has worked as a speech therapist within multiple public schools with students from the preschool to high school level. Nic frequently presents on stuttering affirming therapy both nationally and internationally. He predominantly works with youth who stutter and their families, within the framework of Avoidance Reduction Therapy for Stuttering (ARTS®). In his free time, Nic enjoys surfing, pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

Sheila Cina, MA, CCC-SLP, CFLC is a speech therapist, certified coach, and owner of The Talking Place, a communication wellness center in Minneapolis. She also works with Minneapolis Public Schools as a Stuttering and Fluency Disorders Consultant. She is currently a specialist candidate for the American Board of Stuttering, Cluttering, and Fluency Disorders. She volunteers with Star Lake Out Loud, a wilderness camp for kids who stutter, The Minneapolis St Paul Stuttering Group, and facilitates TTP Connects, an online learning and support group for stuttering allies, and SLPs Connect, a support and networking group for SLPs in private practice leadership.

Doreen (Dori) Lenz Holte authored two books on the topic of childhood intervention including Voice Unearthed: Hope, Help, and a Wake-Up Call for the Parents of Children Who Stutter (2011) and VoiceS Unearthed: The Impact of Childhood Intervention on Those Who Continue to Stutter (2023). Dori advocates through university presentations, guest podcasts and blogs. She founded the Voice Unearthed Facebook group which has 4,200+ members. Most importantly, Dori is Mom to 29-year-old Elias who stutters.

Lydia Kalenze, M.A. CCC-SLP, is a school-based speech-language clinician who works with students from Pre-K to eighth grade in a local public school district. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, Music, and Scandinavian Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2021, and her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology with a graduate minor in Integrative Healing Practices from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in 2024. During graduate school, she was introduced to stutter-affirming therapy, which sparked her passion for supporting students who stutter — now her favorite part of being an SLP.

Joel Korte is a person who stutters and is the founder of Chase Bliss, a popular musical instruments and effects pedal company. Joel also holds a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota.

Tim McCarren, MA, CCC-SLP is a speech language pathologist for Hopkins Public Schools in Hopkins, MN. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts, Tim has a special interest in blending stuttering acceptance with elements of theatre. Tim is a Chapter Leader for the National Stuttering Association. He also co-leads two summer camps for kids who stutter, Star Lake Out Loud and the Sioris Family University of Minnesota Camp for Kids Who Stutter. Tim McCarren has no relevant financial disclosures at this time.

Bri Morbitzer is a speech language pathologist in St. Paul. She owns and operates Superior Speech Therapy where she works almost exclusively with stuttering. She is an advocate for the stuttering community and she founded/facilitates the Minneapolis St. Paul Stuttering Group. While Bri is not a person who stutters herself, she is a creator of space for those that do. She enjoys learning and connecting authentically with others.

Emily Zimmer is a speech-language therapist with a background in the performing arts. She studied improvisation at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade in New York City and attended clown school in Locarno Switzerland. Currently, she works in early intervention with a public school system and runs a small private speech-language therapy practice that specializes in neurodiversity affirming supports and gender affirming voice services. She lives in Minneapolis and tends a small urban jungle of a garden.