Speech Scope: A Medbridge Podcast

Dr. Amber Heape, ClinScD, CCC-SLP, CDP , joins host Sarah Baar to unpack some of the most common and controversial myths surrounding dysphagia management in residential care. Drawing from over two decades of clinical leadership and teaching experience, Amber and Sarah challenge long-held assumptions about compliance, patient choice, and what truly supports quality of life. Together, they explore h...

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses. Have you ever walked into a session only to realize your client doesn’t want to be there? Host Sarah Baar, MA, CCC-SLP , sits down with colleague Treasyri Williams Wood, SLPD, C...

Dr. Nina Lu, MD , facial plastic surgeon and director of the Facial Nerve Center at the University of Washington (UW), and Emily Wilson, MS, CCC-SLP , a facial therapist and lecturer at UW, join host Sarah Baar for an eye-opening look at interdisciplinary care for facial nerve paralysis. Sarah dives into this underexplored topic with curiosity, asking how therapists and surgeons can truly partner...

Rinki Varindani Desai, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S —a multilingual medical SLP, board-certified swallowing specialist, and digital health entrepreneur—joins host Sarah Baar for a timely conversation on the evolving role of technology in clinical care. Together, they explore how AI, digital therapeutics, and remote monitoring are already shaping speech-language pathology and how you can take part in the c...

Vanessa Abraham, MS, CCC-SLP , author and ICU survivor, joins host Sarah Baar for a powerful conversation that bridges clinical practice with lived experience. Together, they explore how communication access in the ICU can shape recovery and why trauma-informed care is essential across all rehab disciplines. Vanessa shares her personal journey with Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Post-Intensive Care S...

Dr. Marion Leaman, PhD, CCC-SLP —an experienced clinician and leading researcher in conversation-level aphasia therapy—joins host Sarah Baar to share the story behind ECoLoGiC-Tx, the spontaneous, conversation-based treatment she developed with her PhD mentor, Dr. Lisa Edmonds. Sarah and Marion examine how this evidence-based approach facilitates language recovery in individuals with moderate to s...

Lauren Schwabish, MS, CCC-SLP , a person-centered neuro SLP and private practice owner, joins host Sarah Baar at the 2025 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention to unpack one of the trickiest topics in cognitive rehab—executive functions. With real questions and reflections from fellow SLPs, Sarah and Lauren delve into what executive functions truly are and how to discuss t...

Allison Mezo, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST , returns to join host Sarah Baar for part 2 of their deep dive into anosognosia, this time focusing on what SLPs can actually do in treatment. Drawing from extensive research and clinical experience, Allison and Sarah explore how to meet clients where they are on the awareness continuum and use therapy time meaningfully—even when insight is limited. You’ll walk aw...

Allison Mezo , MA, CCC-SLP, CBIST, a medical SLP, clinical educator, and brain injury survivor, joins host Sarah Baar to unpack the complex clinical picture of anosognosia after acquired brain injury. Sarah and Allison explore how SLPs can confidently identify awareness impairments using a structured, patient-centered assessment process. Together, they walk through real-world examples, including a...

Dr. Phyllis M. Palmer , a leading voice in dysphagia research, and Aaron H. Padilla , a practicing clinical SLP, join host Sarah Baar to explore how dysphagia management is evolving and why that matters for your daily practice. Together, they dig into clinical gray areas, from navigating thickened liquids to balancing patient safety with quality of life. The discussion also highlights how the BOLU...

Allison Hilger, PhD, CCC-SLP , joins host Sarah Baar to explore the Colorado Motor Speech Framework—a free, easy-to-use tool for assessing motor speech disorders. Together, they discuss how it supports clinical decision-making and simplifies dysarthria diagnosis. Tune in for practical tips you can bring to your next evaluation. Learning Objectives Analyze the evidence around motor speech/dysarthri...

Brooke McGivern, MS, CCC-SLP , joins host Sarah Baar to explore the power of proactive dysphagia intervention for individuals with head and neck cancer. Together, they break down key strategies for supporting swallowing function before, during, and after treatment. Tune in to learn how you can implement evidence-based care that empowers your patients and improves long-term outcomes. Learning Objec...

Marta Kazandjian, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, NBC-HWC, F-ASHA , and Dr. Cynthia X. Pan, MD, FACP, AGSF , join host Sarah Baar to explore why swallowing and communication are critical components of quality palliative care. Together, they share how speech-language pathologists can lead early conversations, align care with patient values, and make a bigger impact on interdisciplinary teams. Join us to learn...

Dr. Carolyn Baylor, PhD, CCC-SLP —creator of the Framework for Participation-Focused Intervention and expert in motor speech disorders—joins host Sarah Baar to explore how clinicians can prioritize life participation in dysarthria intervention. Together, they unpack how to set meaningful goals, measure real-world outcomes, and move beyond the drill-and-repeat rut. If you’re ready to help clients r...

Dr. Peter Meulenbroek, PhD, MSCI, CCC-SLP , joins host Sarah Baar to explore how SLPs can help patients with TBI return to work. They discuss assessment, intervention, and workplace advocacy, sharing practical strategies for supporting cognitive-communication and social skills on the job. Tune in for actionable takeaways to help your clients succeed. Learning Objectives Analyze the evidence around...

Dr. Nina Benway, PhD, CCC-SLP , an expert in artificial intelligence (AI) and speech therapy, joins host Sarah Baar, MA, CCC-SLP , to explore AI’s role in treating speech sound disorders. AI is rapidly transforming healthcare, but what does that mean for speech-language pathologists? Together, Sarah and Nina discuss the latest research, ethical considerations, and practical strategies for evaluati...

Brooke Richardson, MS, CCC-SLP , medical SLP, and founder of Breathehab, joins host Sarah Baar, MA, CCC-SLP , to discuss respiratory muscle training (RMT) for neurodegenerative conditions. They explore evidence-based strategies, recent research, and practical tools to improve outcomes like swallowing, speech, and exercise. Learning Objectives Interpret the evidence around respiratory muscle traini...

Join host Sarah Baar as she welcomes Dr. Adam T. Lloyd , a clinical assistant professor in otolaryngology and vocal performance at the University of Miami Health System. With his unique background as a professional singer and expert in voice disorders, Adam shares his passion for helping individuals with functional voice disorders regain their voice and confidence. Together, we explore the latest...

Join host Sarah Baar as we welcome Dr. Tabia Pope , an expert in the areas of athlete brain health and sports concussion management. In this episode, Dr. Pope shares with us her journey from collegiate sports to spearheading interprofessional education through her nonprofit, Head to Speech, which emphasizes the critical role of SLPs in concussion care. The discussion delves into essential strategi...

Join host Sarah Baar as she welcomes Dr. Patricia (Trish) Geels , an expert clinician and researcher in the area of cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Trish and Sarah delve into this emerging area in speech-language pathology, breaking down how SLPs like you can support oncology patients facing cognitive-communication challenges. Together, we explore the prevalence of CRCI, common deficit...

Lauren Schwabish, MS, CCC-SLP , joins Sarah Baar to discuss working memory in brain injury treatment. With more than 24 years of experience, Lauren shares key insights from research and practical strategies for clinicians. Learn how to make working memory treatment more meaningful and effective in everyday practice. Learning Objectives Interpret the evidence around treatment of working memory defi...

Sarah E. Wallace , a recognized expert in aphasia treatment, joins host Sarah Baar to delve into the complexities of designing aphasia-friendly home programs. Together, they discuss how clinicians can implement the latest research into practical, patient-centered strategies. In this episode, you'll discover actionable insights on modifying written materials to support individuals with aphasia...

In this episode, Sarah Baar will be joined by Lisa Wauters , an expert in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) research and treatment and the first author on a recent systematic review on treatment for PPA. Discover Lisa’s journey into working with PPA, and gain insights into effective treatment approaches. Get ready to delve into the most up-to-date research on PPA for actionable takeaways you can i...

Join us as Tim Stockdale , a leading voice in dysphagia management and critical thinking, sits down with Sarah Baar to discuss how expanding your clinical perspectives and asking “why” can elevate your patient care. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to deepen your understanding and broaden your clinical reasoning when it comes to dysphagia management. Interpret factors among patients with dysphag...

Join Alyssa Lanzi , a seasoned clinical researcher, as she talks with Sarah Baar about tackling the sticky situation of word-finding challenges in older adults with and without a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this insightful conversation about aging, they explore strategies for organizing thoughts around vague client language complaints and gain valuable insights into assessment and treatme...