Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs

Speech Therapy PD

Join Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, and a variety of guests for this innovative podcast combining evidence-based practice with functional tasks for patients with various communication and cognitive-linguistic disorders. This is a Speech Therapy PD podcast, earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for each episode by completing the accompany course on www.speechtherapypd.com

  1. Botox’s Hidden Impact on Speech & Swallowing with Megan McCue

    Jun 4

    Botox’s Hidden Impact on Speech & Swallowing with Megan McCue

    Botulinum toxin is widely used to correct fine lines and wrinkles, but what happens when its effects extend beyond the intended target? Guest: Megan McCue, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this episode of Brainstorms: Functional Rehab for SLPs, Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Megan McCue, MS, CCC-SLP, to take a closer look at the mechanism of action behind Botox and how localized chemodenervation can, in some cases, lead to broader, systemic consequences. About the Guest: Megan McCue, MS, CCC-SLP, is a California-based home health speech-language pathologist and the author of Iatrogenic Botulism 101: A Guide for Doctors, Nurses, and Other Healthcare Providers. She is passionate about working with adults with neurodegenerative diseases and raising awareness among clinicians about the often-overlooked adverse effects of botulinum toxin injections. Show Notes: www.iatrogenicbotulism.com Book - Iatrogenic Botulism 101: A Guide for Doctors, Nurses, and Other Healthcare Providers

    1h 9m
  2. Hypervigilance, Sensory Processing & the Gut with Camille Thélin and Jaimie Anderson

    May 28

    Hypervigilance, Sensory Processing & the Gut with Camille Thélin and Jaimie Anderson

    Why is understanding the brain-gut connection important for SLPs? Guest: Dr. Camille Thélin, MD, MSc, and Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube Emerging evidence continues to highlight the complex, bidirectional relationship between the brain and the gastrointestinal system, with important implications for speech-language pathology practice. In this episode of Brainstorms, Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Dr. Camille Thélin, MD, MSc, and Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, to explore disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) through the lens of hypervigilance and sensory processing. About the Guests: Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, is a medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) board-certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (BC-ANCDS). She currently evaluates and treats complex, multiphase swallowing, voice, upper airway, and motor speech disorders as part of a multidisciplinary team at the University of South Florida Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing Disorders in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Camille Thélin, MD, MSc, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of South Florida (USF), where she has served on the faculty since 2019. She is the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the USF Neurogastroenterology & Motility Center, launched in 2024 to expand coordinated, multidisciplinary care for complex lower GI motility disorders. As part of this effort, she also helped establish USF’s in-house anorectal manometry program to improve access and continuity of care across the region. Show Notes: 3rd Annual Swallowing Symposium in honor of Dysphagia Awareness Month (June 2026)

    1h 7m
  3. From App to Action: Digital Tools for Neurorehab with Zach Smith

    May 21

    From App to Action: Digital Tools for Neurorehab with Zach Smith

    What happens between therapy sessions often determines whether progress carries over or fades. Guest: Zach Smith, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this episode of Brainstorms: Functional Neurorehab for SLPs, Zach Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, and Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, take a closer look at how app-enabled neurorehabilitation is reshaping the way clinicians support patients beyond the therapy room. As digital tools become more integrated into care, they are helping shift intervention from episodic sessions to more continuous, real-world practice. About the Guest: Zachary “Zach” Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, received training from both Boston University and the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and has been a practicing speech-language pathologist for the past decade. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of neurologically based communication and swallowing disorders and has experience across the medical continuity of care. Show Notes: Constant Therapy Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 5m
  4. It's Not Just Swallowing: Psychology and Dysphagia with Rebecca Klam and Jaimie Anderson

    May 19

    It's Not Just Swallowing: Psychology and Dysphagia with Rebecca Klam and Jaimie Anderson

    Guests: Rebecca Klam, PsyD, and Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube Functional dysphagia is often treated as a physical issue, but for many patients, swallowing is shaped just as much by the brain as it is by the body. In this episode, host Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Rebecca Klam, PsyD, and Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, to explore the psychological side of dysphagia and why perception, not just physiology, matters. About the Guests: Jaimie Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS, is a medical speech-language pathologist (SLP) board-certified by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (BC-ANCDS). She currently evaluates and treats complex, multiphase swallowing, voice, upper airway, and motor speech disorders as part of a multidisciplinary team at the University of South Florida Joy McCann Culverhouse Center for Swallowing Disorders in Tampa, Florida. Rebecca Klam, PsyD, serves as Section Chief of Psychology and the founder and Director of the Digestive Disease Behavioral Medicine Program at Tampa General Hospital, a leading academic medical center in Florida. A Clinical Health Psychologist by training, she specializes in eating disorders, obesity medicine, and complex digestive diseases, with advanced expertise in gastrointestinal (GI) psychology. Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 6m
  5. Building Community Through the SCALE Aphasia Program with Lisa Thornburg

    May 7

    Building Community Through the SCALE Aphasia Program with Lisa Thornburg

    Guest: Lisa Thornburg, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this episode of Brainstorms, Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Lisa Thornburg, MS, CCC-SLP, to explore how rehabilitation can extend beyond the clinic to support connection, identity, and meaningful participation for individuals living with aphasia. About the Guest: Lisa Thornburg, MS., CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language pathologist for over 30 years, working at every level of care in adult neurorehabilitation, including acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, and home health care. Lisa is the Director of the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement (SCALE) and the Multiple Sclerosis Day Program at the League for People with Disabilities Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 5m
  6. REWIND: Mental Health in Education and Rehabilitation with Jaime Bauer Malandraki

    Apr 30

    REWIND: Mental Health in Education and Rehabilitation with Jaime Bauer Malandraki

    *****Originally Aired: October 16, 2025***** How do emotional well-being and psychological safety influence communication recovery? Guest: Jaime Bauer Malandraki, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD In this episode of Brainstorms, we look at the often-overlooked role of mental health in education and rehabilitation. Guest Jaime Bauer Malandraki, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, and host Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, explore the emotional toll of mental health challenges faced by students and patients, as well as the role of SLPs and teachers in creating trauma-informed, empathetic environments. About the Guest: Jaime Bauer Malandraki, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at Purdue University. She received her bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and her master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her primary clinical and research interests lie in the evaluation and management of swallowing disorders across the lifespan, with a special emphasis on neurodegenerative conditions and head and neck cancer. Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 6m
  7. Healing Out Loud with Jesse Aron, Ken Bernson, and Melissa Capo

    Apr 23

    Healing Out Loud with Jesse Aron, Ken Bernson, and Melissa Capo

    What happens when brain injury survivors don’t just rebuild their lives, but pick up a microphone and invite others into the journey? Guests: Jesse Aron, Ken Bernson, and Melissa Capo, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this powerful episode, Jesse Aron, an anoxic brain injury survivor, and Ken Bernson, a stroke survivor and peer advocate, join Renee alongside Melissa Capo, MS, CCC-SLP. Together, they share how their lived experiences led them to create a podcast that centers on connection, perspective, and life after injury. Through their conversation, Jesse and Ken reflect on what it means to build a meaningful life years after a brain injury and why sharing that journey matters. They discuss identity shifts, navigating communication and cognition, and the confidence it takes to show up in a public space. They also speak to the responsibility and vulnerability that come with telling your story and how survivor-led platforms are creating community where isolation is still common About the Guests: Jesse Aron sustained an anoxic Brain Injury 17 years ago in his early 20s and enjoys talking with Ken about his perspectives on putting together a meaningful life post-injury. Ken Bernson is a 16-year stroke survivor who likes sharing his experiences to help others in similar situations. Ken is a participant in the New York State TBI Medicaid Waiver program. He is employed as a peer advocate at The Center for Independent Living in Schenectady, NY. Melissa Capo, M.S., CCC/SLP, is an SLP in Albany, NY, and a Clinical Education Support Specialist in the online Speech@Emerson program at Emerson College. She has over 25 years of experience working with adults with Acquired Brain Injury and co-occurring disabilities, including substance abuse and mental health disorders. Her work is heavily influenced by Dr. Mark Ylvisaker and his person-driven, collaborative approach to improving the quality of life for individuals following ABI. Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 8m
  8. The Silent Side of Parkinson's with Samantha Elandary

    Apr 16

    The Silent Side of Parkinson's with Samantha Elandary

    How does Parkinson’s disease alter communication beyond movement? Guest: Samantha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this episode of Brainstorms, Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, is joined by Samantha Elandary, MA, CCC-SLP, to explore the neurological changes that impact communication and engagement in individuals living with Parkinson’s. Together, they unpack how declining dopamine levels influence more than motor function, shaping sensory processing, motivation, and overall participation. The conversation also examines how sensory changes can affect a person’s awareness of their own speech and movement, leading to unique communication challenges that are often misunderstood or overlooked. About the Guest: Samantha Elandary is the Founder and CEO of Parkinson Voice Project. She has devoted her life to making quality speech therapy accessible to individuals with Parkinson’s disease and related neurological conditions. Under her leadership, Parkinson Voice Project developed the SPEAK OUT!® Therapy Program, an effective, comprehensive speech therapy program for treating motor speech deficits associated with Parkinson’s. Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Aphasia Discourse Conference on June 7

    1h 5m
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Join Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS, and a variety of guests for this innovative podcast combining evidence-based practice with functional tasks for patients with various communication and cognitive-linguistic disorders. This is a Speech Therapy PD podcast, earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for each episode by completing the accompany course on www.speechtherapypd.com

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