Swallow Your Pride Podcast

In this episode of "Swallow Your Pride," host Theresa Richard brings together a panel of NIH-funded researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to unpack the complexity of diagnosing and treating motor speech disorders after left-hemisphere stroke. Theresa Richard guides a conversation that demystifies the overlap between apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and aphasia, highlights...

In this “Swallow Your Pride” episode, host Theresa Richard and Shayne Reid from Reflux Gourmet discuss innovative, all-natural solutions for managing acid reflux, including their alginate therapy and new functional chewing gum. They explore the science, safety, and practical use of these products for adults, children, and special populations, sharing personal stories and clinical tips. […] The pos...

In this episode of “Swallow Your Pride,” host Theresa Richard speaks with George Barnes MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Ross Dunbar from Progia Medical about innovative technologies for dysphagia care. They discuss the Swallow Therapy System (STS) and Insta device, which provide objective, quantifiable data for tongue strength assessment and therapy. The conversation highlights the importance […] The post...

In this episode of “Swallow Your Pride,” host Theresa Richard interviews Beth McHose, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and AAC specialist. They discuss the importance of early AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) introduction for adults in acute and inpatient care, addressing common misconceptions and resistance from families and staff. Beth shares practical strategies for implem...

In this episode of "Swallow Your Pride," host Theresa Richard interviews Alyssa Antcliff, SLP and CEO of IndiAide. Alyssa shares her journey from clinician to tech entrepreneur, introducing IndiAide’s evidence-based remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) platform for speech-language pathologists. Listen to the full episode here: https://syppodcast.com/381 IndiAide Website: https://www.indiaide.com/ho...

In this episode of the Swallow Your Pride podcast, Theresa sits down with the founder of Melospeech (yes, that Melospeech!) to talk about her journey from overwhelmed CF to innovative entrepreneur building tech that finally makes documentation easier. If you’re an SLP who’s done being bogged down by daily notes and wants to get back to focusing on actual clinical work, then this is for you. Bonus:...

In this episode of "Swallow Your Pride," Nicole Scafura, a speech-language pathologist and certified neonatal therapist in a New York City Level IV NICU shares her unique career journey from adult care to pediatric feeding and swallowing. She discusses the complexities of NICU decision-making, and highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and trauma-informed family support. She also...

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 drivi...

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 tr...

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. Delan...

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, thi...

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 m...

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 sta...

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...

“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 Swa...

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 one of the most exciting innovations in med SLP care...

 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 – W...

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...

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...

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:...

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: Revoluti...

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 –...

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 multidisciplin...

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 educat...

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...