News and Events

Fall 2023 CARE Expert Speaker Series

My Journey as a Person Who Stutters

Ryan Cowley

When: Monday September 25, 2023 5-6 p.m. EST - Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free!!

Since early childhood, Ryan Cowley was a person who stutters (PWS). He also loved hockey and writing. Growing up as a PWS came with its share of challenges. Ryan was bullied, mocked, doubted, and even dismissed because he had considerable difficulty speaking. These were catalysts to long-term depression, leading Ryan to doubt himself as a successful person.

As an escape, Ryan would write. While he loved writing stories and screenplays, nothing gave him more pleasure than writing about my favorite teams and players, commenting on their victories and even defeats. It wasn't until he was an adult, though, that Ryan wanted to be a regular sportswriter. Unfortunately, due to being a PWS, he couldn't conduct phone or in-person interviews. Or so he thought...

With new, creative methods, Ryan gave interviewing a try. Lo and behold, it worked. Since then, he has interviewed hundreds in the sports industry while having the privilege of covering some major events and writing for some major platforms.

Ryan will take you on his journey as a sportswriter who stutters. This includes some important people in his life who helped him achieve what he'd always wanted to -- on a journey filled with its share of sadness and frustration but also perseverance and vindication.

Ryan Cowley wearing glasses and a coat leaning against a multicolored/graffitied brick wall.

About Ryan

Ryan Cowley has been a sportswriter and is an author of three books -- including his first, All the Right Words: My Journey as a Sportswriter Who Stutters -- and is now a podcaster, having just launched his first podcast, All the Right Words on Spotify. Ryan is also a public speaker, having spoken to over 70 schools across Canada and the United States. He has also been named by the World Stuttering Network as one of 2023's Top 100 Influencers in the stuttering community.