- 19
- Episodes
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Swallow Talk Series
Swallow Talk Series is a conversation-based platform focused on dysphagia, swallowing science, and clinical practice in speech-language pathology. Each episode features leading clinicians, researchers, and educators discussing evidence-based practice, innovation, and real-world challenges across acute care, post-acute care, and research settings. The goal is to bridge science and clinical practice while highlighting meaningful advances in swallowing rehabilitation, instrumental assessment, and patient-centered care.
- Publisher
- Sonal Pathak
- Category
- health & fitness
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 10 Nov 2026
- Latest episode
- 10 Nov 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
10 Nov 2026
Samantha Kuehner |Beyond the Scope: FEES, Clinical Insights & A Non-Traditional Career Pathway
Getting the scope in is one thing. Knowing what to look for, interpreting what you see, and translating those findings into clinical decisions is another. How confident are we in what we’re actually seeing during a FEES examination? In this episode of the Swallow Talk Series, I’m joined by Samantha Kuehner, Clinical Specialist with PatCom, for an engaging conversation about FEES, clinical reasoning, and the practical knowledge every SLP should continue developing when working with instrumental swallowing assessments. We also explore Samantha’s unique professional journey into clinical specialization and how career pathways in speech-language pathology can extend beyond traditional clinical settings. What we’ll discuss: 🎙️ Beyond the traditional clinical pathway: Samantha’s journey into clinical specialization and her role with PatCom. 🔎 Starting with the scope: What anatomical landmarks and structures should SLPs identify when advancing the scope? What should we be observing before introducing bolus trials? 🩻 FEES vs. VFSS: What does each instrumental assessment tell us? What are their strengths, limitations, and complementary roles? 🧠 Clinical interpretation: What are some common FEES findings that clinicians may overlook or misinterpret? 🎯 From visualization to clinical decisions: How can we use FEES findings to guide individualized treatment, improve clinical reasoning, and make meaningful recommendations for our patients? The bigger picture FEES is not simply about identifying penetration or aspiration. It is about understanding swallowing physiology, airway protection, secretion management, pharyngeal residue, and swallowing efficiency within the context of the individual patient. My goal with Swallow Talk Series is to bring research, experts, and clinical practice together so we can ask one important question: What does this mean at the bedside? A big thank you to Samantha for sharing her experience and contributing to our growing dysphagia community. If you’re an SLP working with dysphagia or developing your instrumental assessment skills, I hope this conversation offers something you can take back to your clinical practice. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation! Sonal Pathak, SLPD, CCC-SLP Swallow Talk Series Research → Experts → Bedside Instagram: @passionate_slp #FEES #Dysphagia #SpeechLanguagePathology #SwallowingDisorders #VFSS #SLP #SwallowTalkSeries
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Jennifer Rodney, MD, Laryngologist | SLP-ENT Collaboration: Voice, Airway & Swallowing. J BJ
Swallow Talk Series | SLP–ENT Collaboration: Connecting Voice, Airway & Swallowing What happens when speech-language pathology and otolaryngology work together to improve patient care? In this episode of the Swallow Talk Series, I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Jennifer Rodney, MD, a fellowship-trained laryngologist and otolaryngologist at Baylor Scott & White Health’s The Voice Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Rodney specializes in the medical and surgical management of voice, airway, and swallowing disorders, including vocal fold paralysis, laryngeal lesions, and neurolaryngological conditions. Her journey into laryngology was shaped in part by her experience singing professionally, bringing a unique perspective to the care of the larynx and its many functions. She completed medical school at the University of Florida College of Medicine, residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and fellowship training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. ✨ What we’ll explore in this conversation: 🔹 When should an SLP refer a patient to ENT? 🔹 What information from an SLP’s clinical evaluation, FEES, or VFSS is most valuable to an otolaryngologist? 🔹 When should swallowing symptoms prompt us to look beyond swallow mechanics and consider laryngeal, structural, or neurologic concerns? 🔹 How do FEES and an ENT laryngologic evaluation complement one another, and when should findings prompt further evaluation? 🔹 What does an effective SLP–ENT partnership look like in clinical practice? The goal is to move beyond professional silos and explore how collaboration can strengthen clinical reasoning, support timely referrals, and improve patient-centered care. Because swallowing, voice, and airway function are interconnected, understanding what each profession brings to the table can make a meaningful difference in how we evaluate and manage our patients. 🎙️About the Swallow Talk Series Conversations with leading dysphagia experts, bringing research and clinical expertise closer to the bedside. 🔬 Research → Experts → Bedside If you’re an SLP, ENT, or another clinician involved in swallowing and airway care, join the conversation! 💬 Discussion question: What makes collaboration between SLPs and ENTs most effective in your clinical setting? Subscribe for more conversations exploring dysphagia research, instrumental assessment, and evidence-informed clinical practice. #SwallowTalkSeries #Dysphagia #SpeechLanguagePathology #Otolaryngology #Laryngology #FEES #VFSS #SLP #SwallowingDisorders
10 Nov 2026
Dr. John Ashford, PhD, CCC-SLP | Oral Care, Aspiration Pneumonia & Pneumonia Prevention
In this episode of Swallow Talk Series, I am honored to welcome Dr. John Ashford, PhD, CCC-SLP- Navy veteran, retired medical speech-language pathologist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and co-owner and Educational Director of SA Swallowing Services in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Ashford has had a distinguished career spanning clinical practice, academia, research, and FEES education. His work has focused extensively on the relationship between aspiration, oral health, and pneumonia, helping clinicians examine the multiple factors that contribute to pneumonia risk rather than viewing aspiration in isolation. A particularly memorable part of this conversation is the importance of oral care in dysphagia management. Even when we understand swallowing physiology, instrumental findings, and texture modification, are we giving oral health the attention it deserves? We explore the clinical implications of oral hygiene, pneumonia risk, and the importance of developing a more comprehensive approach to dysphagia care. 🎙️ In This Episode, We Discuss: • Why aspiration does not automatically mean aspiration pneumonia • The Three Pillars of Pneumonia and their clinical implications • Oral health and its role in pneumonia risk • Why oral care should be an integral part of dysphagia management • FEES education, clinical competency, and responsible interpretation • Lessons from decades of clinical practice, research, and teaching Dr. Ashford’s work is an important reminder that dysphagia management is not simply about what a patient eats or how they swallow. It is also about understanding the patient’s overall health, oral environment, and individual risk factors. Whether you are a speech-language pathologist, dysphagia clinician, researcher, student, or healthcare professional working with patients at risk for aspiration pneumonia, this conversation invites you to reflect on the evidence and its implications for everyday practice. A special thank-you to Dr. Ashford for sharing his knowledge and decades of experience with the Swallow Talk community. 💬 Join the conversation: How does your clinical setting integrate oral care into dysphagia management? Share your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoy evidence-informed conversations about swallowing science, instrumental assessment, and clinical practice, please like, subscribe, and share Swallow Talk Series. SWALLOW TALK SERIES Sonal Pathak, SLPD Research → Experts → Bedside Instagram: @passionate_slp YouTube: Swallow Talk Series #SwallowTalk #Dysphagia #AspirationPneumonia #OralCare #FEES #SpeechLanguagePathology #DysphagiaResearch #SwallowingDisorders #ClinicalEducation
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Kelly Salmon, PhD, SLPD |Dysphagia After Total Laryngectomy: Swallowing and NMES
🎙️Welcome to another episode of the Swallow Talk Series! Research → Experts → Bedside In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC, a speech-language pathologist, researcher, educator, and expert in adult dysphagia, head and neck cancer rehabilitation, total laryngectomy, alaryngeal communication, and head and neck lymphedema. Dr. Salmon is an Associate Teaching Professor at Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. She has been a Board-Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) since 2011 and earned her CLT-LANA certification in 2014, bringing specialized expertise in head and neck lymphedema. Her clinical and academic work also includes swallowing rehabilitation, NMES, sEMG/biofeedback, manual therapy, and care of individuals following total laryngectomy. Dr. Salmon has contributed to peer-reviewed research in dysphagia and head and neck cancer, including research examining swallowing outcomes following functional laryngectomy for end-stage dysphagia. In this episode, we discuss: 🔹 Dysphagia after total laryngectomy Why can swallowing still be impaired after the airway and digestive tract have been surgically separated? 🔹 What changes after total laryngectomy? We explore the anatomic and physiologic changes that can affect bolus propulsion, residue, and swallowing efficiency. 🔹 Instrumental assessment What should clinicians look for on VFSS and other instrumental assessments when evaluating a patient post-total laryngectomy? 🔹 Pressure-driven vs. resistance-driven swallowing problems Is the patient having difficulty generating and transmitting enough pressure to move the bolus through the neopharynx- or is increased resistance limiting bolus flow? 🔹 Why this distinction matters clinically How can understanding the underlying physiology help us determine whether rehabilitation, exercise-based treatment, medical intervention, or referral for additional evaluation is appropriate? 🔹 Swallowing exercises after total laryngectomy Which rehabilitation strategies may be considered, and how do we match treatment to the patient’s physiologic impairment? 🔹 NMES and dysphagia rehabilitation What are the potential treatment goals for NMES, and how should clinicians think about the evidence when considering its use in this population? 🔹 Pharyngoesophageal segment dysfunction, stenosis and narrowing When might swallowing therapy be appropriate, and when should clinicians consider structural or medical management such as dilation? 🔹 Head and neck lymphedema How can lymphedema affect swallowing, function, and quality of life- and what should SLPs recognize in their evaluation and treatment? 🔹 Clinical decision-making Ultimately, how do we move from an instrumental finding to a meaningful clinical decision?
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Stephanie Watts, PhD, CCC-SLP | REST Protocol and Esophageal Screening
I am so excited about today’s conversation because it builds beautifully on our episode from last week. Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak with Dr. Reza Shaker, where we talked about esophageal dysphagia and the physiology of the esophagus- really laying the foundation for why the esophagus matters when we think about swallowing as a whole. And that conversation naturally leads us into today’s topic: How do we actually screen the esophagus during our clinical swallowing assessment? Today, I’m very excited to welcome Dr. Stephanie Watts, PhD, CCC-SLP. Dr. Watts is an SLP researcher whose work has made an important contribution to how we think about esophageal screening within the modified barium swallow study. Her research has focused on swallowing physiology, esophageal screening, and helping clinicians recognize when findings may warrant further evaluation. She is also a key researcher behind the Robust Esophageal Screening Test - REST, a standardized approach to esophageal screening during the MBSS. And I think this is such an important conversation for SLPs because we spend so much time analyzing the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing- but what happens after the bolus passes through the UES matters too. Dr. Watts and her colleagues have conducted important research examining how SLPs can incorporate standardized esophageal screening into the MBSS and how this information can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of swallowing dysfunction. We talk about: 🔹 Why SLPs should consider the esophagus as part of the swallowing continuum 🔹 Why esophageal screening matters during the MBSS/VFSS 🔹 The Robust Esophageal Screening Test (REST) and the importance of standardization 🔹 What SLPs should be looking for when screening esophageal bolus flow 🔹 How REST was developed and studied 🔹 What research tells us about the diagnostic accuracy of a standardized esophageal screen 🔹 Where esophageal screening fits within SLP clinical practice and scope of practice 🔹 When findings should prompt further evaluation or referral 🔹 How standardized screening can support multidisciplinary dysphagia care Dr. Watts’ research demonstrated that a systematic, multi-texture esophageal screening protocol interpreted by SLPs can identify patients who may have esophageal abnormalities and potentially facilitate appropriate multidisciplinary follow-up. Her subsequent work has also examined how REST can be implemented in clinical settings. (PubMed) Importantly, esophageal screening is not the same as diagnosing an esophageal disorder. The goal is to recognize potentially abnormal findings and communicate appropriate information to the broader medical team. This conversation is especially relevant for SLPs performing MBSS/VFSS who want to think beyond the oropharynx and consider the swallowing process as a whole. Research discussed: Watts, S., Gaziano, J., Jacobs, J., & Richter, J. (2019). Improving the diagnostic capability of the modified barium swallow study through standardization of an esophageal sweep protocol. Dysphagia, 34(1), 34–42. (PubMed) Watts, S., Gaziano, J., Kumar, A., & Richter, J. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy of an esophageal screening protocol interpreted by the speech-language pathologist. Dysphagia, 36(6), 1063–1071. (PubMed) Watts, S., Gaziano, J., Kumar, A., & Richter, J. (2023). The modified barium swallow study and esophageal screening: A survey of clinical practice patterns. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(3), 1065–1082. (PubMed) Gregor, J. W., & Watts, S. A. (2023). Implementation of esophageal screening in an outpatient hospital-based setting: A quality improvement project. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(6), 2603–2614. (PubMed) Disclaimer: This conversation is for professional education and discussion and is not intended to replace individual clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or medical evaluation.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Reza Shaker, MD, Gastroenterologist & Professor of Medicine| Esophageal component in Dysphagia
🎙️ THIS IS A MUST-WATCH CONVERSATION if you are passionate about dysphagia, swallowing science, or aspire to contribute to the field as a deglutologist. What if the pharyngeal and esophageal phases of swallowing aren’t as separate as we’ve traditionally been taught? In this episode of Swallow Talk Series, I sit down with Dr. Reza Shaker, MD - gastroenterologist, Professor of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Dysphagia. Dr. Shaker has authored more than 350 scientific publications and has spent his career unraveling the complex physiology of swallowing, including UES function, airway protection, pharyngeal and esophageal motor function, and the relationship between the pharyngeal and esophageal components of swallowing. For many SLPs, Dr. Shaker is best known as the researcher behind the Shaker Exercise, one of the most widely recognized rehabilitative approaches for impaired UES opening. But his work extends far beyond the exercise itself. In this conversation, we explore research that challenges us to think about swallowing as a dynamic, interconnected process rather than a series of isolated phases. 🔬 WHAT WE COVER 🔹 2024 Research — The Striated Esophagus & the Pharyngeal–Esophageal Connection We discuss Dr. Shaker’s research identifying four distinct periods of striated-esophagus motor function during swallowing and what this reveals about the relationship between pharyngeal and esophageal swallowing function. 🔹 2025 Research — Deglutitive Inhibition We explore the mechanisms of deglutitive inhibition and how this research further challenges the traditional concept of swallowing as completely separate phases. 🔹 Pharyngeal Residue & Residue Reduction Why reducing post-deglutitive residue can be an important component of dysphagia rehabilitation—and how clinicians should think about exercise selection based on the underlying physiologic impairment. 🔹 Suprahyoid Muscle Strengthening & UES Opening We discuss the role of the suprahyoid musculature, its contribution to hyolaryngeal movement and UES opening, and the principles behind the Shaker Exercise. 🔹 Preventive Approaches to Swallowing Decline Could muscle-strengthening exercises eventually play a role in maintaining swallowing function and preventing or delaying swallowing decline as we age? We explore this important area for future research. 🔹 Upstream & Downstream Reflexes How these reflexes contribute to the larger picture of swallowing physiology, airway protection, and swallow safety. 🔹 The Multidisciplinary Nature of Dysphagia One of my biggest takeaways from this conversation: dysphagia is inherently multidisciplinary. Dr. Shaker beautifully describes how everyone can contribute as a “deglutologist”—whether a dentist, radiologist, gastroenterologist, speech-language pathologist, rehabilitation physician, or another specialist—bringing their own area of expertise to a shared clinical problem. And his advice for researchers is equally powerful: use reductionism wisely. Go deep in your specific area of expertise while remaining connected to the larger multidisciplinary picture. 🕊️ A SPECIAL MOMENT While discussing his research on the striated esophagus, Dr. Shaker also reflected on the late Dr. Roberto Oliveira Dantas, whose work was connected to the study of the striated esophagus and Dr. Shaker’s research team in Wisconsin. Hearing him share those memories added a deeply personal dimension to this scientific conversation. ❤️ AND FULL DISCLOSURE… I was completely starstruck! 😊 There were moments when my mind was racing with questions faster than I could get the words out. When you’re sitting face-to-face with someone whose work has influenced the field you are so passionate about, sometimes the words simply don’t cooperate! So please forgive the occasional stumble, fumble, or word mix-up. ❤️
10 Nov 2026
Jo Puntil |Before & After Cardiac Surgery: The Hidden Risk of Dysphagia| Interdisciplinary team ICU
Jo Puntil joins the Swallow Talk Series to discuss one of the often-overlooked complications surrounding cardiovascular surgery: dysphagia and aspiration risk. Jo Puntil, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, F-ASHA, is an ASHA Fellow and board-certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders with more than 35 years of experience in acute and critical care. She has developed interdisciplinary dysphagia programs and has extensive experience working with medically complex, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurologic, and critically ill patients. In this episode, we take a closer look at Jo’s important work examining swallowing function before and after cardiovascular surgery and why dysphagia should not automatically be viewed as simply a postoperative complication. Jo and her colleagues evaluated 176 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, screening patients both before surgery and again after extubation. They found that 8.5% failed the preoperative swallow screen, while 21.6% failed postoperatively. Importantly, every patient who failed the preoperative screen also failed the postoperative screen- highlighting how previously unrecognized dysphagia may contribute substantially to what is identified as postoperative dysphagia. We’ll discuss: •Why cardiovascular patients may be at risk for dysphagia before surgery • The importance of preoperative and postoperative swallow screening • What Jo’s research tells us about aspiration risk after cardiac surgery • When a patient should move from screening to a comprehensive SLP evaluation • The role of the SLP within the cardiovascular and critical care team • How early identification can support safer swallowing and recovery • Practical strategies for developing a cardiovascular dysphagia screening program Jo has also continued to educate clinicians on implementing pre- and postoperative swallow screening and understanding the relationship between cardiac disease, cardiovascular procedures, and swallowing dysfunction. This conversation is a must-watch for SLPs, physicians, nurses, PTs, OTs, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals caring for cardiovascular and critically ill patients. 🎙️ Swallow Talk Series Where we talk about swallowing, critical care, evidence-based practice, and the people advancing dysphagia care. #Dysphagia #CardiacSurgery #CardiovascularSurgery #SwallowingDisorders #SpeechLanguagePathology #SLP #CriticalCare
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Martin Brodsky| Critical Care Dysphagia| Post-Extubation Dysphagia & ICU Recovery
Welcome to another episode of Swallow Talk Series! In this episode, I’m honored to interview Dr. Martin Brodsky, an internationally recognized clinician-scientist and leader in medical speech-language pathology, critical care dysphagia, and swallowing disorders. Together, we discuss one of the most important and often requiring attention of dysphagia care: swallowing disorders in critically ill patients. We explore the impact of prolonged endotracheal intubation, laryngeal injury, post-extubation dysphagia, and why early identification, multidisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based management are essential to improving patient outcomes. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Dr. Brodsky’s discussion of where the field needs to go next. He identifies important research gaps in critical care dysphagia and highlights opportunities for future investigators to advance the science through well-designed randomized controlled trials. As it’s one of the most complex research designs and doing research in one of the most challenging settings (ICU) can be understandingly hard. If you are a researcher, doctoral student, or clinician interested in research, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. His insights provide a roadmap for the next generation of research in ICU dysphagia and swallowing rehabilitation. We also discuss Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and the often-overlooked challenges patients face long after they leave the ICU. Equally important, Dr. Brodsky reminds us not to forget PICS-Family (PICS-F)- the physical, and cognitive and psychological and emotional , and social burden experienced by family members and caregivers, who are an essential part of the recovery journey but frequently receive far less attention than they deserve. Whether you’re a speech-language pathologist, physician, intensivist, nurse, respiratory therapist, researcher, student, or other healthcare professional, this episode offers practical clinical pearls, research inspiration, and valuable perspectives on improving outcomes for critically ill patients. Topics Covered * Post-extubation dysphagia * Laryngeal injury after intubation * Critical care dysphagia * ICU rehabilitation * Swallowing recovery after critical illness * Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) * PICS-Family (PICS-F) * Research gaps in ICU dysphagia * Future directions and randomized controlled trials * Multidisciplinary critical care
10 Nov 2026
Renee Garrett,MS, CCC-SLP,CBIS | Cognitive-Communication Disorders After TBI & Acquired Brain Injury
Although the Swallow Talk Series is centered around dysphagia, this special episode highlights another essential area of speech-language pathology that deserves greater attention: cognitive-communication disorders following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acquired brain injury. I am honored to welcome Renee Garrett, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, Founder and Owner of BrainBridge Connect, LLC, a private practice specializing in brain injury rehabilitation and cognitive-communication intervention. Renee is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with advanced expertise in cognitive retraining following acquired brain injury, including traumatic brain injury and concussion. She holds the Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential through the Brain Injury Association of America, is a nationally recognized presenter on neurorehabilitation and cognitive-communication disorders, and is the host of the podcast Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs. In this insightful conversation, Renee discusses the critical role SLPs play in identifying and treating cognitive-communication deficits across settings. We explore important questions that impact clinical practice, patient outcomes, and advocacy. 🧠 1. Why Cognitive-Communication Evaluations Matter Why are cognitive-communication evaluations essential, and why should they be considered a vital part of comprehensive patient care? Renee discusses the importance of identifying deficits that may impact safety, independence, communication, and quality of life. 🧠 2. Cognitive-Communication Assessment in Acute Care In acute care settings, cognitive-communication evaluations may sometimes be overlooked when other medical priorities take precedence. Renee shares why these assessments are critical and how SLPs can advocate for patients whose cognitive deficits may otherwise remain unrecognized. 🧠 3. Discourse and Narrative Assessment Renee highlights the importance of assessing functional communication through discourse and narrative tasks. These assessments provide valuable insight into how patients communicate in real-world situations beyond traditional testing. 🧠 4. The Impact of Cognitive-Communication Deficits on Dysphagia Management Cognition plays an important role in swallowing safety, learning and carrying over strategies, following recommendations, self-monitoring, and participating in rehabilitation. Renee discusses why understanding cognitive-communication abilities is essential for effective dysphagia management. 🧠 5. TBI and “Invisible Disabilities” Many individuals with mild-to-moderate TBI may appear conversationally appropriate while experiencing challenges with executive functioning, emotional regulation, organization, self-awareness, and returning to work or daily activities. Renee explains how SLPs can recognize these subtle but impactful impairments. This episode is a powerful reminder that our role as SLPs extends beyond individual impairments—we advocate for the whole person. Whether you work in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, home health, or post-acute care, this conversation provides valuable clinical insights and practical pearls to enhance patient-centered care. 🎙️ Thank you, Renee Garrett, for sharing your expertise and helping elevate awareness of cognitive-communication disorders within our profession. Subscribe to the Swallow Talk Series for more conversations focused on dysphagia, neurorehabilitation, evidence-based practice, and advancing the role of speech-language pathology. #SpeechLanguagePathology #SLP #CognitiveCommunication #BrainInjury #TBI #AcquiredBrainInjury #CBIS #NeuroRehabilitation #Dysphagia #AcuteCareSLP #PatientAdvocacy #SwallowTalkSeries
10 Nov 2026
Dr.Anadee Nikte, OTD, OTR/L| Interdisciplinary Team as a OT and SLP|Stroke Survivor| Rehab Manager
In this episode of the Swallow Talk Series, I am joined by Dr. Anadee Nikte, OTD, OTR/L- an occupational therapist, rehabilitation leader, and stroke survivor with over 15 years of experience in post-acute and acute rehabilitation. Together, we discuss the complementary roles of the speech-language pathologist (SLP) and occupational therapist (OT) in dysphagia management, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize swallowing safety, functional feeding, and patient-centered outcomes. While SLPs evaluate and treat swallowing disorders, OTs focus on functional feeding, including self-feeding skills, positioning, adaptive equipment, and maximizing independence during meals. Dr. Nikte also shares her unique perspective as a stroke survivor, therapist, and rehabilitation leader, highlighting the challenges many individuals face after hospital discharge, including limited access to outpatient rehabilitation and the impact this has on continuity of care. She discusses how her personal experience inspired the creation of Rehab Knect, a community initiative dedicated to supporting stroke survivors and caregivers beyond the hospital setting. Finally, we explore why stroke recovery is a lifelong journey. Beyond the visible physical impairments, stroke can result in cognitive fatigue, reduced attention, impaired cognitive endurance, dysarthria, and communication challenges that profoundly affect employment, confidence, relationships, and quality of life. Meaningful rehabilitation extends far beyond the acute care setting and requires ongoing therapy, education, and interdisciplinary support to help individuals achieve their fullest recovery. Please note that the term “speech therapist” is mentioned during the interview. We recognize and advocate for the professional title speech-language pathologist (SLP), which accurately reflects the education, expertise, and scope of practice of our profession. Thank you for watching the Swallow Talk Series. If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share to support education and advocacy in dysphagia and stroke rehabilitation.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Mallory Moore-SLPD, LANA Certified| Head & Neck Lymphedema
Head and neck lymphedema is one of the most underrecognized contributors to dysphagia following head and neck cancer treatment. In this episode of Swallow Talk, I sit down with Dr. Mallory Moore, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CLT-LANA, to discuss why speech-language pathologists play such a vital role in the identification, assessment, and management of this complex patient population. Throughout our conversation, we explore: • The pathophysiology of head and neck lymphedema • How lymphedema impacts swallowing physiology and swallowing efficiency • Comprehensive assessment strategies, including clinical evaluation and patient education • The importance of oral care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and individualized dysphagia management • Practical clinical pearls that every medical SLP should know when caring for patients with head and neck cancer Whether you’re an SLP, graduate student, physician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, dietitian, or other healthcare professional, this episode offers evidence-informed insights that can immediately enhance your clinical practice. About Our Guest Dr. Mallory Moore, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CLT-LANA, is a speech-language pathologist and Certified Lymphedema Therapist specializing in the care of individuals with head and neck cancer. Her clinical expertise includes dysphagia, head and neck lymphedema, trismus, and cancer rehabilitation. She is passionate about advancing education, promoting evidence-based practice, and improving interdisciplinary care for head and neck cancer survivors. If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to Swallow Talk for expert interviews and clinical discussions on dysphagia, FEES, VFSS, head and neck cancer, and the latest evidence shaping medical speech-language pathology.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Bonnie Martin-Harris on MBSImP & Clinical Impact| Why Dysphagia Care Starts at the Bedside |
Happy National Speech-Language-Hearing Month 🤍 Dr. Martin-Harris is a leading researcher, clinician, and professor at Northwestern University, internationally known for her groundbreaking work in respiratory-swallow coordination and dysphagia assessment. She is one of the key developers of the MBSImP (Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile)- a standardized and widely used tool that has transformed how we assess swallowing function across clinical settings worldwide. In this episode of Swallow Talk Series, she shares her journey from clinician to researcher and back again, emphasizing a powerful message: the most meaningful research is the kind that directly improves patient care at the bedside. We also discuss how tools like the MBSImP were built through the strong integration of clinical insight and scientific research-bridging the gap between evidence and real-world practice in dysphagia care. Most importantly, Dr. Martin-Harris offers a message that deeply resonated: “We are a tight-knit SLP community, and supporting one another isn’t optional-it’s essential. If we don’t support each other, who will?” This conversation is a reminder that mentorship, collaboration, and community are at the heart of who we are as SLPs. Grateful to Dr. Bonnie Martin-Harris for sharing her time, wisdom, and perspective during this important month.
10 Nov 2026
Brooke McGivern | TIMS Medical | Leadership in Dysphagia Care & Clinical Growth
Today’s guest, Brooke McGivern, MS, CCC-SLP is the Director of Marketing Communications at TIMS Medical and a member of the leadership team. She also serves as an adjunct professor and practices across acute care, inpatient, and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Brooke is a three-time ASHA ACE Award recipient and holds the ASHA Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate. She is a graduate of the ASHA Leadership Development Program and is currently pursuing her clinical doctorate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, expected in 2026. Her work is focused on advancing evidence-based practice, clinician access to resources, and leadership development in healthcare. Brooke is redefining what it means to step beyond the traditional clinical pathway in speech-language pathology. Instead of staying within conventional clinical roles, she expanded into the leadership team with TIMS Medical and TIMS University, actively shaping interprofessional care and leadership in dysphagia management. In this conversation, Brooke also breaks down what real leadership looks like in our field and why being intentional and critical about CEU selection matters more than ever. She also shares insights into the strong clinical training environment at Timmons University and how it shapes competent, forward-thinking clinicians.
10 Nov 2026
Simply Thick John (STJ)| John Holahan| Bringing Dysphagia Recommendations Into Real Life|
🎙️ Swallow Talk Series | National Dysphagia Awareness Month In recognition of National Dysphagia Awareness Month, I am honored to welcome John Holahan, President of SimplyThick and a pioneer in dysphagia nutrition and thickened liquids, to Swallow Talk Series. As speech-language pathologists, we spend countless hours assessing, diagnosing, and managing dysphagia. Yet the true impact of our work extends far beyond the evaluation, instrumental assessment, or treatment plan. It ultimately depends on how our recommendations are implemented by patients and caregivers in their daily lives. We often focus on the science of dysphagia, but successful management requires solutions that patients can realistically embrace and incorporate into their routines. Food and beverages are more than nutrition and hydration. They are culture, connection, comfort, and quality of life. For many of our patients, the loss of a favorite drink is not simply a dietary change- it can represent the loss of a cherished ritual, social connection, or part of their identity. SimplyThick started with a phone call. A woman told John Holahan that thickening her mother’s drinks with xanthan gum had given her more time with her mom while she was in hospice. John, an engineer with deep expertise in thickeners and xanthan gum, transformed that experience into a mission that has impacted countless individuals living with dysphagia. Over the past two decades, John has helped bridge the gap between clinical recommendations and real-world implementation, improving the experience of thickened liquids for patients and caregivers across the country. He helped found the U.S. IDDSI Reference Group, has trained more than 4,000 professionals on IDDSI implementation, and is an inaugural member of the IDDSI Hall of Appreciation. As John likes to say, “If it’s aqueous, I’ll thicken it.” Join us for a thoughtful conversation about dysphagia, innovation, quality of life, patient-centered care, and the profound impact that one idea can have on the lives of patients and families.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Catriona Steele, PhD, The Brains Behind the IDDSI Framework
June is Dysphagia Awareness Month! 🎉 I had the incredible honor of speaking with Dr. Catriona Steele, one of the world’s leading voices in dysphagia research, with over 220 peer-reviewed publications advancing our understanding of swallowing disorders. In this conversation, Dr. Steele shares the story behind the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI)- a global framework created to standardize diet textures and liquid consistencies across healthcare settings. Long before its launch in 2015, she identified a critical patient safety issue caused by inconsistent terminology worldwide. Her landmark 2013 work helped spark this movement, and as a founding member of the IDDSI committee, she played a key role in bringing this vision to life. We also discuss her influential research in long-term care, where findings showed that dysphagia often coexists with poor oral intake, positioning challenges, and behavioral concerns; highlighting the need for holistic, patient-centered care. Dr. Steele also breaks down one of the most debated topics in dysphagia management: thickened liquids. While small increases in viscosity can improve swallowing safety and reduce aspiration risk, they may also increase pharyngeal residue. This creates a clinical balancing act between safety, efficiency, and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of individualized, evidence-based decision-making. A major highlight of this discussion is her groundbreaking research on tongue function and swallowing physiology, which began during her doctoral journey and has significantly advanced our understanding of how the tongue and hyoid work together for safe and efficient swallowing. Finally, Dr. Steele shares invaluable advice for the next generation of SLPs: stay curious, keep learning, ask questions, and always let evidence guide your practice. A special thank you to the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) for continuing to support innovation, collaboration, and excellence in dysphagia research. Thank you, Dr. Catriona Steele, for your extraordinary contributions and for inspiring clinicians and researchers around the world.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Theresa Richard, PhD, Leadership, Vision & Innovation in Dysphagia Care.
In this episode, we explore leadership, vision, and what it means to build ideas that push beyond comfort zones in clinical practice and professional growth. Dream bigger than feels comfortable ✨ One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation with Theresa Richard was simple: dream big, then dream even bigger. Real change in healthcare rarely starts with “safe” ideas- it starts with bold thinking, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge what already exists. Just as important is who you surround yourself with. The right people expand your thinking, support your vision, and help you keep going when doubt shows up. This episode is a reminder that impact isn’t created by titles—it’s created by people who are willing to think differently and take action. A conversation on leadership, purpose, and pushing the boundaries of dysphagia care.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Megan Crowford, PhD,Inside Acute Stroke Dysphagia Care,Oropharyngeal Dysphagia post Acute Stroke
In this episode of the Swallow Talk Series, I’m joined by Dr. Megan Crawford, PhD, CCC-SLP, a medical speech-language pathologist and researcher whose work bridges acute care practice and dysphagia science. Dr. Crawford brings a unique dual perspective- continuing clinical work in acute care while actively advancing research in swallowing disorders, with a focus on acute stroke, airway protection, swallowing imaging, and patient outcomes. She completed her PhD in Health-Related Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University, where her dissertation explored clinical decision-making and imaging in acute stroke dysphagia. We discuss how evidence and bedside care intersect in real time, and how clinical decisions are shaped in complex hospital settings. A key theme of this conversation is patient-centered care; Dr. Crawford reminds us: “You are the captain of your ship.” Clinicians guide, support, and provide expertise, but patients remain at the center of all decisions. We also explore shared decision-making in dysphagia care, the importance of patient education, and how clinical practice evolves through experience, reflection, and ongoing learning. Another powerful takeaway is the role of curiosity in clinical growth. Dr. Crawford encourages clinicians to think like “dysphagia detectives”- asking better questions, following clinical clues, and staying curious at the bedside. You don’t need a PhD to engage in research thinking; curiosity itself drives better practice and better patient outcomes. Join us for a thoughtful conversation on acute stroke dysphagia, swallowing science, and the connection between research, clinical reasoning, and patient-centered care.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Jennifer Kizner, SLPD, Head and Neck Cancer| Stanford Health | Dysphagia Awareness Month
To celebrate Dysphagia Awareness Month, I’m honored to speak with Dr. Jennifer Kizner, a renowned speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience specializing in head and neck cancer and dysphagia management at Stanford Health Care. Dr. Kizner holds a clinical doctorate with research focused on post–head and neck cancer rehabilitation, including laryngectomy care, swallowing efficiency, and home-based lingual strengthening programs to improve palatal and lingual pressures. In addition to her clinical and research work, she is actively involved with the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association through advocacy initiatives supporting medical SLPs and addressing ongoing challenges in our field. She also serves as a clinical instructor for the FEES program at Stanford, helping train clinicians in instrumental swallowing assessment. In this conversation, we explore post–head and neck cancer dysphagia management and the critical role of multidisciplinary care in supporting safety, function, and quality of life. Grateful to Dr. Kizner for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing our profession and improving patient outcomes.
10 Nov 2026
Dr. Giselle Carnaby, PhD, ASHA Honors on MASA, FOIS & MDTP | The Science Behind Swallowing Rehab
In this episode of Swallow Talk Series, I sit down with Dr. Giselle Carnaby to explore MASA, FOIS, spontaneous swallowing frequency, and MDTP- key concepts shaping modern dysphagia assessment and rehabilitation. About Dr. Giselle Carnaby. Dr. Giselle Carnaby, MPH, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an internationally recognized dysphagia researcher, clinician, educator, and innovator whose work has significantly influenced modern swallowing assessment and rehabilitation. She is widely known for her contributions to the development of the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA), one of the most widely used clinical swallowing assessment tools. Dr. Carnaby was also closely involved in the development and validation of the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), a standardized measure that is used globally to describe a patient’s level of oral intake. In addition, Dr. Carnaby is a co-developer of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), a highly structured swallowing rehabilitation approach based on principles of neuroplasticity and exercise science. MDTP has helped advance the field’s understanding of intensive, task-specific swallowing therapy and its role in improving functional swallowing outcomes. In this episode of Swallow Talk Series, I have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Giselle Carnaby about her remarkable journey in dysphagia research and clinical innovation. We discuss the development of the MASA and FOIS, the origins and principles of the McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), and how neuroplasticity has shaped modern swallowing rehabilitation. Dr. Carnaby also shares insights from decades of research, mentorship, and leadership that continue to influence dysphagia care around the world. Whether you are a speech-language pathologist, student, researcher, or healthcare professional with an interest in swallowing disorders, this conversation offers valuable perspectives from one of the field’s most influential voices.
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