Josh Tripp
I believe that the capacity for unfiltered honesty can be a gift. It’s a gift that is often misunderstood and lambasted as a result. I encountered a lot of raw honesty when I first showed trusted friends the first renditions of the film. I also encountered a lot of raw honesty when I started talking to my buddy Josh Tripp about stuttering…
At the time, Josh was the manager at my local gym and he was super friendly with everybody within his orbit. We would engage in a lot of conversations both casual and, at times, in-depth. Josh knew that I was making a documentary on stuttering and he had told me about an encounter he recently had with someone who stuttered that was looking to join the gym. He described the encounter as “awkward” and “uncomfortable” and he wanted to know more.
Obviously, these are not endearing terms to describe communication with a person who stutters. However, I had heard similar comments from other people behind closed doors, when they weren’t concerned about being politically correct. I knew that this perspective would be important since there were likely to be members of the audience who were unfamiliar with stuttering that may have similar views.
I asked Josh if he wouldn’t mind being interviewed for the documentary to share his perspective. I think it was a brave choice for him to make and I’ll be forever grateful that Josh agreed to it. I have heard tons of positive feedback on his part of the film because I think people felt like it was an honest exchange. And, it’s hard to change perspectives if you don’t first start with the truth about where someone really is on a given topic.
You should know that Josh is a VERY talented singer. As his friend, I have been proud to see him perform at legendary venues such as The Whiskey A-Go-Go. He is very funny in person and, as with so many people in the film, you don’t really get to know much about him. My hope is to one day have an open discussion between Josh and Dale Williams to discuss so many things about the film- including changing perspectives on stuttering.
“…understand…most of us have more empathy than annoyance, more compassion… and never, ever stray away from communicating… just because you happen to stutter.”
What has been the response from others about you in the film?
Most of the people I know are not in the speech therapy or stuttering world, so when I tell people about it they are surprised and ask if I stutter. And, it has been a wonderful opportunity for me to tell the story of what I learned by being a part of the film.
What was your favorite or most memorable part of the process of making the film?
I was not part of the film for the most part. I had my little “outsiders look” piece to the film, but John was very much close to the vest with the rest. I had the opportunity to see John every day and asked about it constantly. I think the most memorable part of it was seeing it for the 1st time. The power of the film, and the way he used my “ignorance” eloquently as a teachable moment.
What has surprised you about the film since it was first presented?
I am surprised every day at each milestone that the world, at large, has had such an amazing response to this film.
What’s changed in your life since we saw you in the film?
As with everyone, I have had a host of changes and challenges in the last few years, but…I continue doing what I love playing music, and coincidentally my band MOTORBONE and I are releasing our own documentary “MOTORBONE: Live From The Sunset Strip”. It’s about the crazy antics of an honest rock n roll band in Hollywood. You can watch it HERE.
What’s your relationship with stuttering now?
I honestly had ZERO idea about the life of a person who stutterers and their world, the struggles and victories, the fact that there is no cause nor “cure” really. It opened my eyes to a host of perspectives…not on just stuttering, but other disabilities as well.
These days, I rarely encounter a person who stutters. But…I have. And…I am empathetic and patient. And know now, that all I need to do is listen.
What’s some advice for people who are on their journey with stuttering?
The advice I have, as a non-stutterer, is…go ahead and tell me you stutter. To give you some patience as we speak. To disarm the person with whom you are speaking and add some levity. I know from the film, that it is not an easy journey, to begin with. And, it’s easy to be embarrassed and just not want to speak. But, understand…most of us have more empathy than an annoyance, more compassion…and never, ever stray away from communicating…just because you happen to stutter.
Purchase WHEN I STUTTER to watch
Josh and 18 other compelling individuals
talk about their journey with stuttering
