Germaine Graham, an advocate and educator passionate about supporting the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community joins us on this episode. She explores what true inclusion looks like — from early intervention and communication access to building environments where DHH individuals are seen, heard, and valued.
From IEP overload to burnout prevention, Amanda Schaumburg of Panda Speech shares honest, real-world advice for school-based SLPs navigating data collection, dismissal decisions, and setting boundaries. A practical and empowering conversation hosted by Lisa Kathman.
In this special SLP Summit edition of Bright Conversations, host Lisa Kathman sits down with Lauren Kline and Shelby Ford—two dynamic SLPs whose courses lit up the Summit stage. Together, they explore the practical strategies behind their presentations: From Sounds to Sentences and S Sound Solutions.
In this After SLP Summit episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover Jones reconnects with Angeal Evenich to continue an important conversation sparked during her SLP Summit presentation, Anti-Ableist Care: A Disabled Clinician’s Perspective.
In this SLP Summit sponsored episode, “power SLP couple” Jessie Ginsburg and Chris Wenger about what neurodiversity-affirming practice really looks like—in early intervention, in school-based IEPs, and at home with their five boys. They unpack identity-first language, the hidden cost of compliance-based goals, and practical ways SLPs can support autistic kids without asking them to be someone they’re not.
In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover-Jones sits down with Sarah Little, a bilingual speech-language pathologist and advocate for culturally responsive practice. Together, they explore how identity, culture, and personal narratives shape the ways we communicate, connect, and grow—both as professionals and as individuals.
In this SLP Summit sponsored episode of Bright Conversations, SLP graduate student and founder of The Speech Shelf, Sophia Ermmarino, discusses affordability, access, and the hidden financial realities within speech-language pathology. They explore the challenges students and early-career clinicians face—from graduate school debt to buying therapy materials—and how greater transparency and community-driven resources can build a more equitable field.
In this special episode, host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with the founders of SLP Summit — Lisa Kathman and Sarah Bevier of SLP Toolkit and Marisha Mets of SLP Now. Together, they share how a simple idea to connect SLPs and provide accessible professional development grew into a beloved, career-sustaining event that’s been going strong for nine years.
In this special Bright Conversations episode, host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with Dr. Kelly Farquharson, professor at Florida State University and director of the Children’s Literacy and Speech Sound (CLaSS) Lab, to talk all things speech sound disorders—and why the /r/ sound is such a notorious challenge.
Dr. Dionna Latimer Hearn discussed African American English (AAE) as a rule-governed language and how it intersects with educational equity. The course explored what it means to respect dialects other than Standard American English and offered a roadmap for unlearning deficit-based frameworks. Participants were given resources to embrace culturally and linguistically affirming practices.
In this inspiring episode, Shontaye and Sarah sit down with Alice Williams, a nationally recognized Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLPA), entrepreneur, and founder of The SLPA Network. With over seven years in the field, Alice has become a driving force for leadership, equity, and professional development for support personnel in speech-language pathology.
In this episode of Bright Conversations, hosts Shontaye Glover Jones and Sarah Bevier sit down with Krystal Ash of K Altman Law, to continue a powerful conversation that began at the July 2025 SLP Summit. Krystal’s course on advocacy and special education law drew overwhelming feedback from participants who wanted even more time to dive into the complexities of how legal frameworks impact our work as SLPs.
New setting, new caseload, new title… and suddenly everyone calls you the “expert.”
Speech sound expert Lindsey Hockel joins us to break down her favorite tools, techniques, and mindset shifts for teaching the /r/ sound. From biofeedback to self-rating strategies, she offers evidence-based ways to engage students and make meaningful, measurable progress.
In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Jones sits down with Marni Kammersell, a neurodivergent researcher, consultant, and advocate who helps families build neuroaffirming learning environments. Drawing from her doctoral research and lived experience, Marni shares insights on how autonomy-supportive practices foster resilience, growth, and well-being for children and families.
SLPs Prabhu Ashwaran and Puja Goel join us to discuss culturally responsive assessment strategies for students who speak South Asian languages. Learn how to honor linguistic diversity and improve outcomes through more inclusive, informed practices. Topics discussed include recommendations for modifying standardized tests and using dynamic assessment, caregiver interviews, and barriers in school-based practice.
Therapist and advocate Dr. Destiny Huff shares her late-diagnosed journey with autism and ADHD, as well as the duality of being neurodivergent and parenting a neurodivergent child. Dr. Huff discusses navigating the special education system to support neurodivergent learners and the intersection of her personal and professional experience. Finally, Dr. Huff offers insights into how educators and families can advocate and embrace neuroaffirming practices to support diverse learners. *This content satisfies ASHA’s Cultural Competence, Cultural Humility, Culturally Responsive Practice, and/or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (CC/DEI) requirement.
In this insightful episode, Sarah sits down with Christian Hancock to explore a topic that is unfamiliar to many professionals in the field—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Together, they discuss what FASD is, the challenges individuals with FASD face, and how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other professionals can provide strength-based support. Christian shares her expertise, experiences, and practical guidance to help providers recognize and respond to FASD in a compassionate and effective way.
Emily Laracy, a school-based speech-language pathologist who specializes in selective mutism, joins us for a powerful and informative conversation that explores what selective mutism is, how it typically develops, and most importantly, how SLPs and other professionals can provide meaningful, evidence-based support.
In this engaging episode of Bright Conversations, Sarah sits down with Erik Raj to discuss how Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can use video games as a legitimate and effective therapy tool. Erik, a well-known advocate for innovative therapy strategies, shares insights on how video games can increase engagement, improve communication, and provide meaningful interactions for clients.
In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye sits down with Dr. Kelli Uitenham, a medical Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), to discuss Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and the critical role that SLPs play in raising awareness and supporting affected individuals.
In this heartfelt conversation, Shontaye Glover-Jones is joined by pediatric speech-language pathologist Desiree Rusch to explore the deep value of human connection in therapeutic practice. With over 20 years of experience in early intervention, schools, hospitals, and private settings, Desiree reflects on how intentional relationship-building is the key to long-lasting success in therapy. From practical approaches to play-based therapy to navigating challenging environments with empathy, this episode is a powerful reminder that therapy is not just about techniques—it's about trust.
In this insightful episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover Jones welcomes Polina Shkadron, a trauma-certified Speech-Language Pathologist, to explore the power of play, relationships, and brain-based strategies in supporting neurodivergent children.
In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Sarah sits down with two inspiring female entrepreneurs, Meredith Harold and Megan Sutton, to explore how they turned their passion into thriving businesses. They share their journeys from identifying gaps in the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) field to creating impactful solutions, all while navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
In this inaugural episode, hosts Sarah Bevier and Shontaye Glover Jones introduce Bright Conversations, a podcast created for Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and the broader Special Education (SPED) community. Tune in to hear what inspired the podcast, who it's for, and what listeners can expect in future episodes.
Join us for insightful discussions with industry experts on topics related to speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and special education.