First Bite: A Speech Therapy Podcast

Guests: Memorie Gosa, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S & Jeanne Marshall, Ph.D, B Sp. Path- In this episode, Michelle is joined by two powerhouses in the world of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD): Dr. Memorie Gosa and Dr. Jeanne Marshall. This conversation, which was many moons in the making, addresses a crucial topic in the world of PFD; we are talking all things PROM. (Rhinestones and tulle are not required) 😊 PROM, or patient-reported outcome measures, are truly a clinician’s greatest ally, as they help demonstrate the value of intervention in improving the child and their caregiver’s quality of life surrounding mealtime. So, if you have been looking for a way to chart growth and improvement with your patients with a pediatric feeding disorder but are unsure which evidence-based tool to use, folks, these two ladies have you covered!

Guest: Nathaniel B. Ellis, M.S., CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Nate, a school-based phonetics and phonology specialist! In addition to being an active member of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV), serving on its Conference Planning Committee and CE Administration Team, he regularly lectures on clinical phonetics, clinical phonology, and developmental speech-sound disorders… bringing unbridled passion and new insight into the topic to both current and future colleagues. Today, “Nate” takes listeners on a journey that unites the formally separated theoretical and clinical practice realms of phonetics and phonology. If you are a fellow speech-sound nerd, join this fabulous conversation to learn how to improve your accuracy in analyzing typical and atypical speech-sound errors… and how this carries over to improved intervention and outcomes for the children we serve!

Guest: Madilyn "Madi" Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Madi, the delightful host of “Making Sense of Selective Eating,” a podcast miniseries with Speech Therapy PD. Over this hour, Madi speaks from her heart, sharing insight on the journey that she took to be able to competently serve the pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) patients in her hometown. So, if you, too, have looked around your community and recognized that PFD services are in need but are unsure where to begin, this is the conversation for you! Madi shares how she overcame imposter syndrome by bravely taking numerous courses, volunteering with her state association, and entering the field of early intervention and private practice to cast a wide net, all to meet caregivers and patients right where they are (both figuratively and literally!). Let her illuminate the path forward through functional recommendations for growing your PFD evidence-based practice!

Guest: Gillian Boudreau, PhD - Join Erin and Dr. Boudreau to discuss the intricacies of the psychosocial component of pediatric feeding disorders and how a caregiver’s relationship with food can impact the overall dynamics of mealtime. Dr. Boudreau and Erin dive into the neurobiology of safety to help guide our understanding of what a child and caregiver truly need. We hope this episode helps you take a step back and better understand the importance of relationships and how the intimacy of eating can play a large role in how those relationships play out at mealtime.

Guest: Taylor Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP - Erin is joined again by her wonderful colleague, Taylor Anderson, to discuss a topic near and dear to their hearts: autonomy, trauma-informed care, and DIR/Floortime. Erin and Taylor have worked with many medically complex kids and found the value of utilizing these strategies to promote their self-advocacy and feel like they have a say in the world around them. This is critical for building communication as well as opening their world to promote imagination and new ideas. Erin and Taylor will dive into what trauma-informed care is and its collaboration with DIR/Floortime strategies to best serve our patients and their families.

Guest: Casey Rovinksi, SLP - In this episode, Erin is joined by the lovely Casey Rovinksi, SLP and owner of Speak Outside the Box practice in Tampa, Florida. Casey and Erin discuss the value of relationship-based therapy with our clients and within ourselves.They dive into the value of building community with our families and coworkers. Casey talks about finding like-minded clinicians when growing a private practice and how to learn to step outside the box in our sessions. This episode truly comes from the heart, and we hope that you allow yourself to open up by listening.

Guest: Martin B. Brodsky, Ph.D., Sc.M., CCC-SLP, F-ASHA - In this episode, Michelle is joined by none other than THE Martin B. Brodsky, Ph.D., Sc.M., CCC-SLP, F-ASHA, Section Head for Speech-Language Pathology in the Integrated Surgical Institute at Cleveland Clinic and Adjunct Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Martin opens this hour, sharing his journey into critical care for adults and the role of mentors. Then Martin and Michelle deep dive into ICU delirium, discussing potential etiologies that could trigger it and how it could impact a patient’s cognition and deglutition. The hour wraps with a discussion on the speech-language pathologist’s role and responsibility to support patients across the life continuum with respect to the ethical timing of intervention. If you are an SLP who treats across the life continuum or are interested in working with adults, this is the episode for you!

Guests: Kelly Farquharson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BSC-CL, F-ASHA, & Jennifer M. Simpson, AuD, CCC-A - The ASHA Convention may only happen once a year, but the planning and dedication that leads up to those few days starts two years before the go-live date. In this candid episode, Kelly and Jennifer share behind-the-scenes data on everything from convention registration numbers, variety in convention topic committees, and ways our colleagues volunteer their time to propel our fields forward. So, if you have ever wondered about the process involved in a “call for papers” or how you can become more involved in convention, this is the episode for you.

Guest: Sarah Breshears, MA, CCC-SLP & Savanah Reaser - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Sarah Breshears, MA, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist, founder of Short and Sweet Speech, CEO of Social Moguls, author of “Short and Sweet Stories,” and her niece Savanah Reaser, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, and illustrator of “Short and Sweet Stories.” With spring break upon us and summer knocking at the door, a fair few of us are contemplating the inevitable question, “Should we return to this job?” “Am I truly using all of my talents here?” or “Am I destined for more?”. These honest and raw questions get to our hearts; they stir at our souls, because we want and deserve more than our Monday through Friday, the bare bones of our 9-5 grind. But can we actually do it? Can we take that leap of faith and become an “SLP Entrepreneur”? The answer is YES! Join Michelle, Sarah, and Savanah as they discuss options for expanding upon your baseline skills to enter into SLP businesses and the benefits of using social media.

Guest: Emily Starling, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by Emily Starling, the host of the Neurotwist podcast, who shares her experience being an SLP who was later identified as autistic. Emily, Michelle, and Erin have an honest, authentic discussion of neurodiversity-affirming practices and what that means in the context of EI. Erin, Michelle, and Emily share their experiences navigating the world of clinical practice and how they have implemented neurodiversity-affirming practices, reiterating the importance of listening to autistic voices.

Guest: Stephanie Michelle Sweigart, MS CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by none other than the “Golden State SLP,” aka Stephanie Michelle Sweigart, MS CCC-SLP, to cover all things of Therapeutic Presence. If you’ve met Stephanie, then you know that a conversation with her feels like a warm hug. Why? Because she has spent years cultivating her emotional intelligence, regulation, and therapeutic presence to be fully engaged and present in those moments. Stephanie provides her new take on the three “C’s”: “Center,” “Connection,” and “Communication." The outcome is improved therapeutic presence with those that we serve.

Guest: Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, & Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L - Michelle, Jennifer, and Beth encourage you to don your detective cap, procure your magnifying glass, and let the sensory detective training begin. Jennifer and Beth offer foundational guidance on why an SLP needs to understand the unique sensory needs of the little ones we are called to serve. They offer strategies on how to create a dynamic transdisciplinary team, then go in-depth on the roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist.

Guest: Jenn Rubenstein, MS CCC-SLP - Have you ever stood in AWE watching an eye-gaze user navigate their communication device to express joy but were left scratching your head and wondering, “But how does it work?” In this episode, the ladies of “First Bite” are joined by Jenn Rubenstein, MS CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and Clinical Account Executive for Eyegaze, to unlock the mysteries behind the machine. Jenn starts with explanations of the anatomy and physiology, transitions into how the device works to “read” the eye, and then offers an explanation of some diagnoses that could prohibit access for a potential user. Jenn concludes the first of her two-part episode by guiding colleagues through a screening tool to determine if they could potentially benefit from an eye gaze communication device.

Guest: Lindsay Stevens, MA CCC-SLP - Join Michelle and guest Lindsay Stevens, MA CCC-SLP, who brings her years of experience as a clinician and caregiver to help grow your evidenced-based practice regarding infant dysphagia. Are you unsure of what potential positional strategies you can employ to see little ones have joyful and successful feeds? If you have observed behaviors, signs, and symptoms that made you think the infant may need a thickening agent to assist, then this episode is for you. Lindsay is here to guide your clinical decision-making process by providing you with dynamic facts and resources to treat the littlest ones on your caseload!

Guest: Taylor Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Erin is joined by friend and colleague Taylor Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss mentor and mentee relationships when it comes to pediatric feeding disorders. In this niche of the speech pathology world, young and seasoned clinicians are constantly looking for support and mentorship to grow their skills for treating this specific population. Erin and Taylor discuss how they build their relationship as mentor and mentee early on, but how that can become very fluid and shift to learn from each other. This episode will dive into what they both knew from working with different mentors, what they found most valuable in their growth with PFD, and how they continue to grow their leadership and mentor skills.