Herpes - no big deal. Helping you to heal ft. Bek Antonucci
Episode 87 can be streamed on Spotify here and Apple podcasts here.
STIs like herpes (Sexually Transmitted Infections) are still often viewed as taboo and a source of shame and embarrassment for those who contract them. At OPENHOUSE, we want to help you turn that narrative on its head. What if having an STI could actually be a catalyst for true healing, self-love, self-connection and positive change in one's life? Maybe you don’t believe us, but Bek Antonucci, has lived this journey and it has changed her life for the better.
In Episode 87 of the OPENHOUSE podcast, host Louise Rumball sat down with Bek to discuss how her experience with herpes was actually the most healing thing that ever happened to her. Antonucci helps listeners understand:
✨how it led her to heal her core wounds of shame, rejection & abandonment
✨ why STIs are no big deal to some, and a huge deal to others - and WHY that is
✨ how to go beneath the iceberg of shame and stigma to identify your core wounds
✨ the concept of warmth vs. coldness, connection vs. isolation
✨ how to use an STI as a huge step forward in your healing journey; and
✨ why, now, she thinks that this is the least vulnerable thing about her
One of the key concepts that Bek explores is the idea of warmth vs. coldness, connection vs. isolation. She believes that when we are faced with an STI diagnosis, we often feel cold and isolated - as if we are the only ones in the world going through this experience. However, by reaching out for warmth and connection, we can begin to heal and find community with others who are going through the same thing.
After the initial shock, shame and sadness, Antonucci's journey with herpes has led her to embrace vulnerability and authenticity in all aspects of her life and has truly been the vehicle for her to learn how to talk with herself, listen to her body and connect with herself. Today, she believes that her herpes diagnosis is the least vulnerable thing about her. This shift in perspective has allowed her to become a ‘fully expressed woman’ with nothing being hidden in the darkness.
Louise also shares her thoughts on the shock and shame around STIs and STI checks and how an overwhelming experience in her teenage years impacted her deeply that she now has a phobia of needles and blood.
The conversation between Bek and Louise is powerful, moving, and life-changing. It serves as a reminder that we all have our own struggles and challenges to overcome, and they all come in different forms and vehicles, but that by embracing vulnerability and seeking connection, we can find healing and positive change in our lives and know that we are truly not alone.
If you're interested in hearing more about Antonucci's journey and the power of vulnerability and connection, you can stream the full OPENHOUSE podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
