Swallow Your Pride Podcast

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Samantha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP, founder and CEO of the Parkinson Voice Project—and the powerhouse behind the SPEAK OUT!® therapy program. From her early days as an SLP navigating hospital systems to launching a nonprofit that’s helped thousands access care regardless of insurance status, Samantha shares her deeply personal “why” and the bold vision driving her mission. Show notes page: https://syppodcast.com/378 Special links: https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/ https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/speak-out/   https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/program/parkinsons-speech-exercises/ The post 378 – More Than a Voice: How One SLP Built a Movement of Access & Advocacy appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Dysphagia—difficulty swallowing—affects millions worldwide, especially older adults and those in care settings. For these individuals, mealtime can become a source of anxiety, frustration, and even malnutrition. But what if texture-modified diets could be transformed from a clinical necessity into a source of dignity, comfort, and joy?  In a this week’s episode, Andy Cullum—renowned chef, IDDSI trainer, and advocate for person-centered dysphagia care—shared his journey, philosophy, and actionable strategies for revolutionizing the dining experience for people with swallowing difficulties. This in-depth podcast distills Andy’s expert advice, offering practical guidance for chefs, caregivers, clinicians, and anyone passionate about improving mealtimes for those on modified textured diets. Episode Show Notes: https://syppodcast.com/377 The IDDSI Guy Website - https://www.theiddsiguy.com/ The post 377 – From Blended to Beautiful: Elevating Texture-Modified Meals with Andy Cullum appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of Swallow Your Pride, Dr. Amy Delaney—assistant professor at Marquette University and director of the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab—shares groundbreaking insights into pediatric feeding development. She discusses her recent scoping review on oral feeding skills, highlighting the critical gaps in normative data and the need for standardized clinical tools. Dr. Delaney also introduces the Developmental Texture Framework, a novel approach to understanding feeding skill progression using national dietary data from typically developing children. Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/376 Follow Theresa Richard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresarichardslp Folllow the LinkedIn Newsletter here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6925225047716499457/ The post 376 – Tackling the Challenges of Pediatric Feeding: What Every Clinician Should Know appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Ever leave a CEU course thinking… “Okay, but how do I actually do this with a patient tomorrow?” In this episode, Theresa Richard sits down with Dr. Kristen West to talk all things active learning—including how we’ve evolved from death-by-PowerPoint to interactive clinical simulations (yep, even flaming barrels made an appearance ). Whether you're a new grad, mid-career, or switching settings, this convo will hit home. Learn more about the MedSLP Collective: https://medslpcollective.com Find more episodes here: https://swallowyourpridepodcast.com The post 375 – Beyond the Lecture: The Future of Med SLP Learning appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

What happens when a passionate SLP flies to Hawaii to train a hospital team in FEES—and ends up learning just as much as she teaches? In this episode, Theresa shares the powerful, behind-the-scenes story of a multi-day FEES training in a hospital system. From the logistics (yes, including rolled up manila folders) to the deeply human moments (like helping a burn patient eat for the first time in months), you’ll hear exactly what it takes to build confident, compassionate FEES providers—without throwing anyone to the wolves. This isn’t just about technique. It’s about mindset. Mentorship. The language we use. The space we create. And the incredible ripple effect it all has on patient care. Whether you're a seasoned FEES mentor or considering your very first pass, this story-driven episode will leave you inspired, empowered, and maybe even a little teary-eyed (in the best way). Listen to the full episode at: https://syppodcast.com/374 Follow Theresa: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresarichardslp Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheresaRichardMedicalSLP Subscribe to LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6925225047716499457/ The post 374 – Building Confidence in FEES: The Key to Successful Swallowing Assessments appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

After an unexpected summer hiatus, we’re back with a solo episode that’s part update, part confession, and 100% from the heart. In this deeply personal kickoff to the new season, Theresa opens up about a professional ego check she didn’t see coming—one that hit close to home.As a board-certified swallowing specialist, choosing a feeding tube for my own son was never part of the plan. But what started as a tough decision turned into something surprisingly beautiful: freedom, nourishment, and a whole lot of learning.In this episode, Theresa Richard shares the behind-the-scenes updates on her dissertation, the MSLP-C™ Certification accreditation, exciting changes in the MedSLP Collective—and the very real parenting moments that led her to a new understanding of what feeding success can look like.Whether you're a med SLP, a parent, or someone navigating what it means to truly support patients and families, this episode is for you. Join the MedSLP Collective: https://medslpcollective.com/ Find out. more about the MSLP-C™ Certification Program: https://medslped.com/certification The post 373 – From Board-Certified in Swallowing… to Getting a Feeding Tube for My Son appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

What do you get when you mix a surgeon, a scientist, and a self-proclaimed “tinkerer” who also happens to struggle with reflux? You get Dr. James Daniero—and you get this conversation about RefluxRaft. In this episode, Theresa Richard chats with Dr. Daniero, an ENT who’s not just treating voice, airway, and swallowing disorders—he’s innovating them. From basement experiments to biomaterials backed by NIH grants, Dr. Daniero walks us through how his personal journey with reflux turned into RefluxRaft, a barrier-based solution designed to help patients (and clinicians) think beyond PPIs. We dive into the science behind alginates, the "physics problem" behind reflux, and the collaborative power between ENTs, SLPs, and GIs. This one’s for the med SLPs who want to understand the why behind the symptoms—and the potential tools to help. https://RefluxRaft.com Download show notes and references here: https://syppodcast.com/372 The post 372 – What If Reflux Isn’t Just an Acid Problem? A New Way to Think About It with RefluxRaft appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

“They just told me I had a stroke—but no one ever explained what that means.” In this eye-opening episode, Theresa chats with with bilingual SLP and educator Jackie Rodriguez to unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of poor outcomes: health literacy. Episode Page: https://syppodcast.com/371 The post 371 – When Care Misses the Mark: How Health Literacy Impacts Our Patients appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Wait… are we as SLPs really allowed to be in the esophagus?” — this episode is for you. Theresa brings on two MedSLP Collective favorites, Christoph Schmitz, CEO of PatCom Medical, Inc, and Laura McWilliams, med SLP + board-certified swallowing specialist + all-around powerhouse. Together, they unpack what might just be […] The post 370 – Improving NG Tube Placement: What Every Med SLP Should Know About the PatCom Introducer appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

 Feeling all the feels around pediatric feeding disorders? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of Swallow Your Pride, Theresa Richard sits down with Dr. Jeanne Marshall—a clinician-researcher and passionate advocate for early intervention in pediatric feeding—to talk about the real stories behind the research. They dive into:  A scoping review on dysphagia prevalence in […] The post 369 – When the Research Meets Real Life: Pediatric Feeding, Family, and Feeding Tubes appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Raise your hand if you've ever felt like airway and breathwork live in some mysterious corner of our field that only a handful of people truly understand ‍♀️ Well… this episode might just be your flashlight. ✨ Theresa chats with with the incredibly knowledgeable—and wonderfully down-to-earth—Kaitlyn Shrum, MS, CCC-SLP, QOM, IBT, who wears many hats: […] The post 368 – Exploring the Vital Role of Breathwork and Airway Health in Speech and Swallowing Challenges. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

When it comes to true community reentry after brain injury or stroke, real magic happens through teamwork—and Alexandra Arvidson, M.S., CCC-SLP, is here to show us how. In this episode, Alexandra shares her journey from feeling stuck on “SLP Island” to thriving as part of an interdisciplinary dream team that gets patients back into the […] The post 367 – Beyond the Workbook: Engaging Patients with Meaningful, Tailored Therapy appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride podcast, Theresa Richard sits down with Ali Mehreganfar—a stroke survivor, motivational speaker, and author who is redefining what recovery can look like. Ali shares his incredible journey from coma to comeback, offering a heartfelt look into his hospital experiences, the hurdles of rehab, and the mindset shifts […] The post 366 – From Stroke to Strength: How One Survivor is Rewriting the Recovery Story appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the “Swallow Your Pride” podcast, host Theresa Richard speaks with Roxann Diez Gross, PhD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, an expert in dysphagia with over 38 years of experience. Dr. Gross discusses her innovative Diez technique, which focuses on the interplay between breathing and swallowing to treat dysphagia. She shares insights from her […] The post 365 – The Diez Technique: Revolutionizing Dysphagia Care Through Breathing Coordination appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the “Swallow Your Pride” podcast, host Theresa Richard speaks with Dr. Lauren Tabor Gray, a clinician scientist and assistant professor at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Gray, who directs the Gray Research Lab, discusses her work on respiratory exercise interventions for ALS patients. The conversation covers the complexities of managing swallowing disorders […] The post 364 – Navigating the Complexities of ALS: A Deep Dive into Dysphagia and Airway Management with Dr. Lauren Tabor Gray appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the "Swallow Your Pride" podcast, host Theresa Richard engages with Dr. Stephanie Watts and Jessica Gregor, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S  to discuss advancements in dysphagia care. They introduce the Esophageal CoLab and the Robust Esophageal Screening Test (REST), aiming to improve swallowing disorder diagnostics and treatment. The conversation highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, flexible clinical protocols, and ongoing education. Dr. Watts and Jessica share their experiences and research, emphasizing the need for tailored patient care and effective communication strategies. The episode concludes with a call to action for clinicians to adopt innovative practices and enhance patient outcomes. Find out more about their course here: https://esophagealcolab.com/offerings Resources that include articles discussed on this podcast: https://esophagealcolab.com/resources Timestamps:   Discussion on Esophageal Co-lab (00:03:35) Meeting Origin Story (00:04:41) Need for Education (00:06:10) Importance of Protocols (00:07:01) Explanation of REST (00:09:16) Training Evolution (00:11:30) Understanding Esophageal Function (00:12:49) Addressing Knowledge Gaps (00:14:43) Role of the SLP Team (00:17:30) Research and Development (00:19:34) Standardization Process (00:21:52) Future of the Co-lab (00:22:37) Research on Bolus Trials (00:23:27) Protocol Adaptability (00:24:07) Collaboration and Town Hall (00:26:04) Change Management in SLPs (00:28:22) Support from Radiologists (00:29:00) Course Structure and Topics (00:31:38) Importance of Critical Thinking (00:34:45) Future Course Offerings (00:40:05) Feedback and Impact (00:40:58) Registration Information (00:42:11) The post 363 – From Research to Reality: How REST is Changing the Game for Swallowing Specialists appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the "Swallow Your Pride" podcast, host Theresa Richard interviews Bennett Blakeman, co-founder of K Pharmaceuticals, about Aquoral, a product designed to alleviate dry mouth (xerostomia). Bennett explains how Aquoral differs from typical water-based products by creating a protective layer in the mouth, offering longer-lasting relief. They discuss the importance of patient education, access, and the cost of Aquoral, emphasizing its benefits for individuals undergoing cancer treatments or dealing with Sjögren's syndrome. The episode underscores the need for innovative, patient-centered solutions in the field of swallowing disorders. The post 362 – From Parched to Perfect: The Game-Changer for Dry Mouth Relief with Aquoral appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

What do rats have to do with swallowing disorders? More than you think! In this episode, we talk with Michelle Ciucci, PhD, CCC-SLP, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore the important role of animal research in understanding swallowing disorders in neurogenic diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Michelle explains how her lab uses […] The post 361 – Beyond the Clinic: How animal models are changing dysphagia research with Dr. Michelle Ciucci appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

"I go to swallow, and nothing triggers. Alarm bells are ringing in my head because, as a speech therapist, it's the scariest feeling." What started as a routine cosmetic procedure turned into a medical nightmare for SLP Megan McCue. After just 12 units of Botox, she experienced severe swallowing difficulties, systemic complications, and a battle to be believed by medical professionals. Her story exposes the darker side of a treatment millions undergo without question. In this eye-opening episode, learn about: The hidden risks of botulinum toxin treatments How Botox can affect swallowing function Critical warning signs every medical professional should know The importance of including Botox history in patient screenings Latest research on systemic spread and nervous system impact As both a patient and healthcare provider, Megan offers unique insights into this under-discussed issue, challenging common assumptions about a widely-used treatment. Whether you're a medical professional or considering Botox treatment, this episode provides crucial information about potential risks and the importance of informed consent. Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/360 The post 360 – When Beauty Treatments Go Wrong: An SLP’s Warning About Cosmetic Botox Injections appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Is picky eating just a phase, or could it be something more serious? How can we tell the difference? What do we do next?  These questions are so common for clinicians and caregivers alike.  Feeding challenges can contribute to high levels of stress and even PTSD for the families we serve.  Thankfully, in this week’s episode, renowned feeding specialist Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, brings her 25 years of experience and expertise to the table (pun intended)! She shares how her experiences with feeding challenges inspired her career and offers advice on navigating the complex world of feeding therapy. Get the notes: https://syppodcast.com/359 The post 359 – The truth about picky eaters: What every parent and SLP should know appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.