This is an overt vs covert stutterer issue. Overt stutters do the repetitive starts, while covert stutters do the silent blocks. I'm a covert stutterer. I'm very good at it too. I'll block, word replace, shift topics, anything it takes to hide that I was stuttering. This is what silent blocking is. You refuse to allow yourself to do the normal stuttering and choose to wait it out. It can be awkward in its own way. ​ So how to make it better? Covert stutterers actually have higher stress levels than overt. I've read story about a pilot that would silent block for 30 seconds or so, lose his breath, then suddenly get his whole spiel out there.. before takeoff. Ugh, how I hate phone conversations and voicemail. One thing that helps me is chewing gum. If eating, I can cover my mouth and speak more easily, like I'm being polite. Otherwise, I try to slowly breath out while I'm stating a problem word. The last thing you want to do it hold your breath and block. Then you explode into that word and block and explode on all words after. It's horrifying. The worst thing ever is when someone asks you to repeat yourself. It's all over then. If you know how to handle that, lemme know.