You are thinking about this exactly the right way; your awareness and sensitivity already make a huge difference for him. When stuttering increases, yes, it is often connected to anxiety or pressure, but it is not always about fear; sometimes, it’s just how his brain and speech system react to excitement, fatigue, or being on the spot. The best way to ease his anxiety is by staying grounded yourself. If you remain relaxed, smiling, and engaged, it signals safety. The goal isn’t to make the stutter stop in that moment; it is to show him that it’s completely okay if it happens. A calm tone, a patient nod, or even light humor shared naturally can do more than any technique. You are already giving him something incredibly valuable: a friend who doesn’t rush, doesn’t pity, and doesn’t make speech the center of every interaction. That is what helps someone who stutters feel free to be themselves. Keep being that calm, steady energy; it’s doing more for him than you probably realize.