This discussion explores what cognitive communication therapy can look like when it moves beyond worksheets and test scores. Guest Lauren Schwabish, an SLP with more than two decades of experience, explains how shifting into community-based practice allowed her to engage patients in more meaningful, real-life problem solving. She describes using self-anchored rating scales, functional observation, and collaborative strategies rather than relying solely on impairment-based models. The episode also touches on managing cognitive fatigue, reframing therapy goals, and addressing persistent myths about neuroplasticity. Listeners will hear practical examples of how SLPs can adapt interventions to match the demands of everyday life. Lauren’s enthusiasm for her work is matched by a thoughtful examination of how clinicians can avoid burnout and rediscover purpose.

Find Lauren at neurospeechservices.com or Instagram @neurospeechservices

https://brainfatigue.se/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/MFS-English.pdf

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Three head and neck cancer specialists from coast-to-coast share insights that may challenge some traditional dysphagia management approaches. Dr. Carly Barbon (MD Anderson), Dr. Mario Landera (University of Miami), and Dr. Heather Starmer (Stanford) discuss why functional goals are important with this population, the critical importance of shared decision-making, and how quality of life factors like depression and mental health should weigh in for clinical decisions. Through powerful patient stories and practical advice, these expert clinicians reveal what it really means to be a "battle buddy" for head and neck cancer patients.

Thanks to financial sponsorship from BRACCO Diagnostics, Inc, access to the post-test and reporting for ASHA CEUs is offered at no cost to our learners for a limited time. More Info: https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncpod2025 (Oct 25, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025 only)

Live Webinar:

Interested in a deep dive into HNC? Join us for a six hour, advanced-level course, The Head and Neck Cancer Speech-Language Pathology Clinic​, on January 31, 2026. Details: https://www.swallowthegap.com/hncwebinar

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The BOLUS framework helps clinicians move beyond the idea that aspiration always translates to pneumonia by encouraging a critical, multi-factor approach to dysphagia care. Designed for use before, during, and after patient encounters, the framework supports more comprehensive assessment, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary communication.

In this episode, Dr. Phyllis Palmer and Aaron Padilla explore the clinical application of the BOLUS framework. Together, we discuss how clinicians can think critically about the many factors influencing dysphagia management, anticipate challenges before meeting the patient, and apply practical strategies to strengthen interdisciplinary communication and provide more individualized treatment.

This episode is eligible for 0.1 ASHA CEUs through Nov. 30, 2025. No partial CE credit is provided. Fee waived thanks for a donation from Bracco Diagnostics

Learn More: https://www.swallowthegap.com/boluspodcast

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We bring attention to a widespread challenge in clinical care: decisions and recommendation that don’t follow the patient. Whether it’s missing imaging, undocumented rationale, or unclear explanations, these breakdowns in continuity disrupt care, bias clinical judgment, and strip patients of informed choice.

Explore what happens when information isn’t transferred in a usable, human-centered way—and how clinicians can bridge the gaps with clearer communication, defensible rationale, and simple tools that empower both patients and providers.

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This episode explores the concepts of patient centric care and research—does intervention matter if your patient doesn’t care about it? With insights from decades of clinical practice and research, the guests share strategies for therapy that actually fits real lives.

Guests:

Dr. Giselle Carnaby, MPH, PhD, CCC-SLP, F-ASHA

Dr. Michael Crary, PhD, F-ASHA

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With our dedication to our patients, we've gained a deeper understanding of the complexity of swallowing and dysphagia. How can we use these insights to advance SLP education and our own professional growth?

Guest: Nicole Wiksten, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

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What does pre-stroke neurological health have to do with swallowing prognosis, post stroke?

In this episode, Dr. Janina Wilmskoetter, Assistant Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, discusses her recent publication, Cerebral Small Vessel Disease is an Independent Determinant of Dysphagia After Acute Stroke. Join us for insights into clinical implications for patients with dysphagia!

For questions, reach out to Dr. Wilmskoetter at wilmskoe@musc.edu, and access the article via https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158224001517

Episode Sponsor: Bracco Diagnostics, the manufacturer of Varibar barium sulfate products. The only FDA-approved products for the Modified Barium Swallow Study Learn more at https://bracco.com or https://varibarmbs.com

Upcoming Live Webinar (2/23/25):

Don’t forget to check out Swallowing Cinema, a long-standing MBS case study event at ASHA, now hosted by Gap Education Access at https://gap.learnworlds.com/course/cinema1

https://www.swallowthegap.com/livecourses

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Dr. Catriona Steele, president of the Dysphagia Research Society, discusses her journey in dysphagia research, including motivation from her pre-PhD days, and focuses on systematic reviews. She highlights the need for rigorous and transparent methodologies in evaluating research quality, introduces the FRONTIERS framework, and underscores the importance of continual learning and questioning in the field.

Episode Resources from Dr. Steele:
PRISMA guideline: Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & Group, P. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264-269, W264. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135

Prospero: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/

Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/

Cochrane Collaboration: https://www.cochrane.org/

EQUATOR Network: https://www.equator-network.org

Covidence: https://www.covidence.org/

Rayyan: https://www.rayyan.ai/

Clinical Trials dot gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov

Frontiers Framework: https://www.frontiersframework.com

Episode Sponsorship:
The TIMS Medical team is excited to announce that ASPEKT-C will be included in upcoming releases of TIMS MVP in 2025, following close collaboration with The Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory.

The team at TIMS (www.tims.com) is honored to support the implementation of ASPEKT-C which assists clinicians in identifying the underlying mechanisms of impaired swallowing safety and efficiency. Additionally, the ASPEKT-C Method also enables clinicians to compare swallowing parameters to reference values in healthy individuals, offering valuable insights for improved care.

To learn more about ASPEKT-C, visit The Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Lab website. For updates on upcoming TIMS MVP releases, follow TIMS Medical on social media or sign up for email notifications at www.tims.com.

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