I am very excited to share with you my conversation with Dr. Angela Medina, an innovative clinician and researcher at Florida International University. I am sure all of us have felt the detrimental effects of stress to the therapeutic process, It can be within us, within those that we serve in the therapy room, and in the support system of individuals with communication challenges. That’s why I was really intrigued when I encountered Angela’s work on the intersection of mindfulness and communication disorders. I reached out to her and am so thankful she agreed to share her time with us. During our conversation Angela talks about her personal journey of integrating mindfulness into speech therapy, detailing its benefits not only for individuals with various communication challenges but also for clinicians. Angela gives us practical applications that can be seamlessly incorporated into therapy sessions.

She also helped me better understand the critical role of mindfulness in the personal and professional lives of speech-language pathologists and audiologists, offering strategies for self-regulation and stress management amidst the challenges of the profession. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in enriching our enjoyment of our clinical practice and enriching the lives of those we serve with the power of presence and awareness.

Resources from Dr. Medina and Our Discussion:

• https://www.waterford.org/resources/mindfulnes-activities-for-kids/
• Csikszentmihalyi, M. Flow: The psychology of happiness. (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• https://www.uclahealth.org/programs/marc/free-guided-meditations/guided-meditations
• Boyle, M. P. (2011). Mindfulness training in stuttering therapy: A tutorial for speech-language pathologists. Journal of fluency disorders, 36(2), 122-129.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfludis.2011.04.005
• Medina, A. M., & Mead, J. S. (2021). An exploration of mindfulness in speech-language pathology. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 42(4), 257-265.https://doi.org/10.1177/1525740120942141
• Medina, A. M., & Mead, J. S. (2023). SLPs’ Use of Mindfulness in Personal and Professional Contexts: A Follow-Up Study. Communication Disorders Quarterly, 15257401231169216.
• https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066585316/mindfulness-meditation-with-john-kabat-zinn
• Kabat-Zinn, Jon, and Thich Nhat Hanh. Full catastrophe living means using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• https://mindfulnessresearch.wixsite.com/the-mindfulness-rese

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I am excited to share with you my conversation with Dr. Jerry Hoepner from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Jerry is a leading voice in counseling within speech-language pathology and audiology. Dr. Hoepner's work offers a rich perspective on the significance of a holistic approach in our field, clarifying its role within our scope of practice. His commitment to enhancing the preparation of SLPs and audiologists through graduate programs and continuing education is both inspiring and essential. In our conversation, Dr. Hoepner serves as a practical guide, emphasizing the importance of addressing both the communication abilities and psychological well-being of those we serve. This episode is a must-listen for professionals dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of families, children, and adults in our care.

Resources From Our Conversation:

Hoepner, J. K. (2023). Counseling and Motivational Interviewing In Speech-Language Pathology. Slack Publishing. https://www.slackbooks.com/counseling-and-motivational-interviewing-in-speech-language-pathology/

1. Hoepner, J. K., & Townsend, A. K. (2023). Counseling practices of speech-language pathologists working with aphasia: "I did not have adequate training in actual counseling strategies." Aphasiology, 1-20. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02687038.2023.2262682
2. Doud, A. K., Hoepner, J. K., & Holland, A. L. (2020). A survey of counseling curricula among accredited communication sciences and disorders graduate student programs. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(2), 789-803. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2020_AJSLP-19-00042
3. Kneebone, I. I. (2016). Stepped psychological care after stroke. Disability and rehabilitation, 38(18), 1836-1843. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09638288.2015.1107764
4. Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Thomas, S., Barnard, R., Burns, K., Hirani, S. P., & Hilari, K. (2021). ”Now I am myself” Exploring how people with poststroke aphasia experienced solution-focused brief therapy within the SOFIA trial. Qualitative Health Research, 31(11), 2041-2055. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10497323211020290
5. Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Moss, B., Ahmed, N., & Hilari, K. (2018). Supporting people with aphasia: views on providing psychosocial support. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 53(1), 16-29.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12323
6. Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Moss, B., Ahmed, N., & Hilari, K. (2017). How do speech/language therapists address the psychosocial well-being of people with aphasia? Results of a UK online survey. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 52(3), 356-373.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1460-6984.12278
7. Sekhon, J. K., Oates, J., Kneebone, I., & Rose, M. L. (2023). A phase II randomised controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an education program on speech-language pathologist self-efficacy, and self-rated competency for counselling to support psy

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I am very excited to share my conversation with Dr. Chris Constantino of Florida State University. I invited Chris to the show because I found his work as an advocate for changing how we perceive and engage with stuttering to be extremely important and fascinating. As you'll hear, Chris challenges us to rethink stuttering, urging us to see it not just as a hardship to overcome but as a unique aspect of identity with unexpected benefits. He's been developing a groundbreaking treatment framework known as stutter-affirming therapy. His insights inspired me greatly, and I believe this episode is a must-listen for all SLPs. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Chris, and I'm confident you will too.

Links to the book: Stammering Pride and Prejudice: Difference Not Defect

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