Swallow Your Pride Podcast

Latest Episodes:

309 – From Bedside to Bedsores: How Can Speech Therapy Help Prevent Wounds in the ICU? Jan 04, 2024

Show notes

Imagine walking into a room where a team of physicians, physical therapists, and dietitians are sitting at the table discussing wound care.

Would you pause and slowly back out the door, hoping no one noticed?

Or would you pull up a seat at the table and join the discussion?

Ashley Muñoz López not only pulls up a seat, but she builds a bigger table!

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, host Theresa Richard and guest Ashley Muñoz López, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP, BCSS, discuss the importance of integrating speech-language pathology into the broader healthcare ecosystem. They focus on wound care prevention in the ICU, with Ashley sharing her experience of being nominated for a team quality and safety award for her efforts in this area.

Tune into this episode to understand your roles as an SLP when it comes to preventing wounds in the ICU, interdisciplinary considerations, and HOW you can snag that seat at the wound care table.

[powerpress]

Get the show notes: https://sypodcast.com/309

The award for team quality and safety (00:02:17)
Speech therapy's role in preventing wounds in the ICU (00:03:39)
Realizing the impact of SLPs on wound care (00:07:22)
Collaborating with Other Professionals (00:11:03)
Speech-Language Pathologists on Wound Care Teams (00:12:49)
Using Innovative Approaches in Nutrition (00:14:18)
The importance of a multidisciplinary approach (00:21:03)
Addressing length of stay concerns (00:21:59)
Advocating for a role in wound care teams (00:23:04)
The award-winning wound care project (00:31:13)
The importance of sharing achievements (00:32:10)
Encouraging change in practice (00:32:38)

The post 309 – From Bedside to Bedsores: How Can Speech Therapy Help Prevent Wounds in the ICU? appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

307- The Curious Case of Functional Dysphagia: What to do when the swallow looks fine, but doesn’t feel fine. Dec 16, 2023

Show notes

You know when a patient complains about swallowing difficulty and you do an instrumental, but everything looks fine?

Excuse my lack of eloquence here, but…what the heck?

This is often referred to as functional dyspahgia, and in this week’s episode of The Swallow Your Pride Podcast, I had the absolute joy of talking about it with Jaimie Anderson MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS.

Together we discuss the challenges that come with significant swallowing complaints that don’t align with swallow studies, what functional dysphagia is, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Jaimie even throws in an analogy to help us better understand this mystery.

Tune in and let us know what you think!

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/307

Timestamps:

The challenges of diagnosing and treating patients with significant swallowing complaints (00:03:11)
Introduction to functional dysphagia and its criteria (00:07:44)
Excluding other potential causes of dysphagia before considering functional dysphagia (00:08:46)
The challenges of limited treatment options (00:09:50)
Diagnosing functional dysphagia (00:10:33)
Inclusionary criteria for functional disorders (00:11:41)
The challenges of diagnosing and treating patients with functional dysphagia (00:18:18)
The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in treating patients with functional dysphagia (00:19:45)
The role of education and counseling in treating functional dysphagia (00:26:01)
The software vs hardware analogy (00:26:49)
Functional paralysis and neurological manifestations (00:28:15)
Importance of education and counseling (00:31:49)
The history of functional dysphagia (00:35:51)
The challenges of diagnosing and treating dysphagia (00:37:09)
Treatment options for functional dysphagia (00:39:47)
The contact information and webinar announcement (00:44:58)

The post 307- The Curious Case of Functional Dysphagia: What to do when the swallow looks fine, but doesn’t feel fine. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

308 – Becoming a NICU SLP: Tips, Strategies, Suggestions, and More with Khaki Brown Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

So you want to work in the NICU.

First of all - cheers to that! You have a major goal to help some of the most fragile (but also resilient) tiny humans we can help, which is exciting and inspirational!

But how the heck do you do it? What does the journey of a non-NICU SLP look like while becoming a NICU SLP?

Khaki Brown, MS CCC-SLP, CNT is here to help!

Khaki is an SLP and NICU infant feeding specialist who dedicates part of her time supporting new SLPs in their journey towards helping medically fragile infants through her business, Khaki Feeds Babies. In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, you’ll learn about the challenges and rewards of working in the NICU, the importance of continuing education, and the significance of building relationships within the field.

Brown shares her journey from wanting to be a teacher to becoming an SLP and provides tips for those interested in working in the NICU. This episode leans hard into the importance of self-learning, mentorship, and understanding the developmental needs of infants in the NICU.

Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/308

Timestamps:

Khaki's Journey to the NICU (00:02:27)
Learning in the Externship (00:06:00)
Tips for Getting into the NICU Setting (00:08:00)
The importance of building connections with NICU professionals (00:09:18)
Limited coursework on pediatric feeding in graduate programs (00:10:25)
The multifaceted approach to feeding in the NICU (00:14:38)
The importance of involving the entire team (00:17:58)
Partnering with parents for feeding goals (00:19:12)
Building rapport with nurses in the NICU (00:20:35)
The importance of direct care in the NICU (00:27:32)
Tips for breaking into the NICU (00:28:01)
Closing remarks and call to action (00:28:17)

The post 308 – Becoming a NICU SLP: Tips, Strategies, Suggestions, and More with Khaki Brown appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

306 – Look Who’s Talking Part 2: Get to Know Some of Our Pediatric MedSLP Summit Speakers Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

Calling all pediatric MedSLPs who want to grow their therapy skills!

The FREE MedSLP Summit is just around the corner, and we’re dedicating an entire DAY to pediatric MedSLP therapy approaches on Sunday, December 3rd!

Curious about myofunctional therapy? Want to improve your pediatric AAC skills? Maybe you want to see what MedSLPs are doing today for feeding therapy from NICU to toddlerhood (and beyond).

Today’s Swallow Your Pride Podcast episode will introduce you to four of the speakers you’ll be learning from on Sunday! I’ve interviewed them in the past because I knew they were making massive impacts on our field, so today I’ll be replaying portions of those episodes.

Get to know them a bit! Find out what they specialize in, what their experience has been like, and what they’ve been up to.

Don’t forget to register for the FREE MedSLP Summit at www.medslpcollective.com/summit so you can absorb up to *seven* hours of pediatric medical SLP therapy brilliance!

Go to https://syppodcast.com/306 to get the links to the full episodes of all these speakers.

The post 306 – Look Who’s Talking Part 2: Get to Know Some of Our Pediatric MedSLP Summit Speakers appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

305 – Look Who’s Talking: A Blast From the Past with Some of Our Brilliant Summit Speakers Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

Pssst...did you know that the FREE MedSLP Summit is happening this weekend?

It's online...up to 14 hours of education...and 100% dedicated to today's therapy approaches (the what, the how, the why, the wow). And YES, a recording WILL be available to catch the replay!

But who the heck is speaking? What's their background? Are they like...cool and knowledgeable?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

In today's episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, I'm going to introduce you to 5 of the brilliant and kind MedSLPs who will be speaking for this weekend's MedSLP Summit. I'm bringing back clips from prior discussions I've had with them on the show so you can get a sneak peek into their background and their passion. Today's episode will focus on some of our adult-focused speakers who will be presenting on Saturday, December 2nd.

You'll quickly learn why the MedSLP community loves them! Don't forget: you can grow your therapy skills with them this weekend when you register for the MedSLP Summit at https://medslpcollective.com/summit

Visit https://syppodast.com/305 for full episode links to these podcasts.

The post 305 – Look Who’s Talking: A Blast From the Past with Some of Our Brilliant Summit Speakers appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

304 – Cultural Sensitivity in Dysphagia: Nourishing Patients Beyond Nutrition Nov 18, 2023

Show notes

So you have a patient with dysphagia…what do you immediately start considering?

Diagnosis…comorbidities…past medical history…past surgical history…current diet recs…

☝️Those are the typical go-to “textbook” checklist items, but there are other incredibly important considerations that will affect how you evaluate and treat your patient. These considerations impact your clinical recommendations and what matters most to your patients - and they deserve to be honored.

I’m talking about cultural and religious considerations in dysphagia - which is exactly what Michelle Weber Dehgan MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S & Kiana Gardner MA, CCC-SLP dive into this on this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast!

Together, we discuss the importance of cultural sensitivity in managing dysphagia. Michelle and Kiana highlight the significance of considering patients' cultural preferences, dietary restrictions, and access to food during evaluations and treatment recommendations. They share the results of a survey conducted among SLPs that highlight the challenges in accommodating nutritional preferences and religious and cultural beliefs.

Tune in, take notes, and talk about what you learn with colleagues!

Get the show notes at https://syppodcast.com/304

The importance of considering cultural preferences (00:04:34)
Considering access to food and alternative options (00:06:50)
Considering allergies and dietary restrictions (00:07:52)
The Cultural Acceptance of a Simple Food (00:08:55)
Impact of Hospital Menus on Patient Preferences (00:10:25)
Survey Results on Speech Pathologists' Practices (00:12:20)
Fasting during Ramadan and cultural rituals (00:17:56)
Food preferences and cultural barriers (00:19:11)
Patient-centered approach and cultural humility (00:22:06)
Assumptions and Perspective (00:28:59)
The therapy scheduling challenge (00:36:56)
Catering to different cultural groups and partnering with food nutrition corporations. (00:46:41)
The psychological impact of not being able to honor cultural or religious practices in the hospital. (00:47:44)

The post 304 – Cultural Sensitivity in Dysphagia: Nourishing Patients Beyond Nutrition appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

303- What’s Considered “Normal” in Infant Feeding: A Discussion with Katlyn McGrattan. Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Is it ever “normal” for infants to cough during feeding?

Does it make a difference whether they’re breastfed or bottle-fed?

What should med SLPs actually understand and implement when it comes to infant feeding?

Infant feeding and our role as med SLPs is one of my FAVORITE topics to discuss, and my heart practically did a break dance when I got to sit down with Katlyn McGrattan, PhD, CCC-SLP, to discuss THIS very topic!

Katlyn is an SLP and a researcher at the University of Minnesota. She lives, eats, and breathes the world of pediatric feeding and swallowing (seriously, as a hobby, she and her husband are developing a medical device to better diagnose infant feeding goals).

Tune in to this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast where Katlyn discusses research on infant feeding and swallowing disorders, the importance of understanding the physics behind milk flow, and what med SLPs should understand when it comes to working in this corner of our field!

Get the shown notes at: https://syppodcast.com/303

Timestamps

The Normal Cough Study (00:02:05)
Feeding Metrics of Healthy Term Babies (00:08:08)
Comparison of Breastfed and Bottle-fed Infants (00:04:59)
Immature Feeding and Stress Cues in Infants (00:09:58)
Challenges in Identifying Normal Infant Feeding Behaviors (00:13:31)
Hydrostatic Pressure and Milk Flow (00:19:49)
Influence of Bottle Nipples on Milk Flow (00:22:44)
Global Accessibility of Bottle Nipples (00:25:32)
The Bottles and Nipples Dilemma (00:26:26)
Research on Infant Swallowing in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (00:29:09)
Non-Invasive Method to Evaluate Swallowing Integrity (00:34:32)
The need for speech pathologists in neuromuscular clinics (00:35:24)
The importance of training in working with pediatric populations (00:36:03)

The post 303- What’s Considered “Normal” in Infant Feeding: A Discussion with Katlyn McGrattan. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

302 – Guidelines, Gray Areas, and Gaping Holes: Navigating the Blurred Lines in Medical Speech-Language Pathology Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

“I have a pretty controversial topic. I'm usually known for pushing the boundary a little bit.”

☝️If there were ever a sequence of words that will make heads turn and ears perk, it’s THAT!

Join me in this week’s episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast where I had the absolute honor of digging into SLP challenges, gray areas, and pushing the envelope in our field with Monica Lupo, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD, CDP, LSVT-C, CLTS.

Monica is the owner of Speak Your Legacy Inc., a private practice and mobile FEES business serving adults and pediatrics in New York. During this discussion, Monica challenges SLPs to ask themselves questions like…“Why do I practice the way I do?” and “How can I change what I’m doing?”

Monica shares which hill she will die on, mobile FEES, and holes in our scope of practice (my head almost snapped with how hard I was nodding).

Tune in and join the discussion!

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/302

TIMESTAMPS:

Challenging the current practices in speech-language pathology (00:02:10)
The need for more research and mentorship in dysphagia (00:04:26)
The Competency of Getting FEES Passes (00:09:14)
The Blurred Scope of Practice and Lack of Guidance (00:10:59)
The Need for FEES in the Home and Insurance Coverage (00:15:25)
Advocacy for patient care (00:19:56)
Considering comfort and preferences in choosing a scope (00:32:08)
The debate on topical anesthetic and lubricants (00:39:08)
Challenges and adaptability in FEES procedures (00:42:37)
Collaboration and teamwork (00:46:22)
Building networks and partnerships (00:49:54)
The need for more mentors in the field (00:53:46)
Challenges of accessing mentorship in remote areas (00:54:55)

The post 302 – Guidelines, Gray Areas, and Gaping Holes: Navigating the Blurred Lines in Medical Speech-Language Pathology appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

301 – Navigating the Challenges of a Mobile FEES With Your Business (and Life) Partner: Athanasia and Leon’s Journey. Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

While the early 2000s hailed power couples like Brangelina and Bennifer, I’m WAY more excited to shine the spotlight on the dynamic duo on today’s podcast episode 🤩

Leon Daley M.A., CCC-SLP and Athanasia Svenning M.A., CCC-SLP are SLPs who specialize in dysphagia and operate a mobile FEES business together called Daley Dysphagia Diagnostics (while currently planning their wedding on top of it all!)

Together we discuss their journey in starting their mobile fees business and the challenges they face in introducing fees as an alternative to video studies in hospitals. We get granular and discuss the challenges of navigating the business and insurance side of their practice, marketing as SLPs, and the need for continuous learning and collaboration in our field.

Tune in to get inspired!

Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/301

Starting the business and the challenges [00:03:09]
Experience with fees and becoming advocates [00:06:19]
Educating providers about fees [00:09:18]
Challenges in getting contracts with doctors [00:11:19]
Exclusive contracts as a roadblock [00:17:07]
Navigating additional speech pathology services [00:20:44]
The need for expanding services and reaching more patients [00:21:21]
Collaboration and referral in private practice [00:23:29]
The importance of food and community in dysphagia treatment [00:33:17]
Presenting on burnout at ASHA conference [00:35:40]

The post 301 – Navigating the Challenges of a Mobile FEES With Your Business (and Life) Partner: Athanasia and Leon’s Journey. appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

300 – Bridging the Gap Between Dysphagia Education, Research, and Practice: The Ultimate Soapbox Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

Today we’re excited to bring to you the 300th episode of the Swallow Your Pride Podcast 🎉

This week, Theresa Richard is bringing it back to the very reason this podcast came into existence 299 episodes ago: addressing the gap in dysphagia education and clinical practice.

Timothy Stockdale is this week’s special guest to discuss these gaps, what’s being done about it, and what other med SLPs should consider when growing their knowledge and skills. Timothy is a medical SLP and the Director of Education and Business Enablement for Aspire Respiratory Products, and he provides us with excellent insights and words of wisdom for SLPs wanting to do what’s best for those with swallowing disorders.

Tune in to dig deeper into dysphagia literature, patient autonomy, collaboration, holistic approaches to dysphagia therapy, respiratory muscle strength training, advocacy, and being vulnerable in our pursuit of knowing and doing better.

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/300

Timestamps:
The importance of understanding normal, functional, and disordered swallowing [00:06:03]
Challenges in diagnosing dysphagia accurately [00:02:23]
Taking a holistic approach to dysphagia management [00:05:40]
The importance of patient-centered care [00:10:07]
Challenges with traditional feeding therapy approaches [00:11:35]
The need for collaborative conversations with patients [00:14:38]
The importance of patient autonomy [00:19:06]
The role of education in empowering patients [00:19:58]
The need for a whole-body approach in dysphagia management [00:21:19]
The importance of continual improvement [00:29:01]
Vulnerability and authenticity in clinical practice [00:30:24]
Advocating for instrumentals and understanding healthcare reimbursement [00:33:40]
The importance of understanding cost and readmission rates [00:39:23]
Advocating for better productivity in healthcare settings [00:42:33]
Redefining productivity in speech-language pathology [00:45:14]
The importance of terminology [00:47:54]
Final thoughts on leadership and authenticity [00:49:00]
Appreciation for spreading information [00:50:03]

The post 300 – Bridging the Gap Between Dysphagia Education, Research, and Practice: The Ultimate Soapbox appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Swallow Your Pride Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected