SLP Coffee Talk

Hallie Sherman
  • 4.8 (107)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A speech and language podcast to motivate and inspire school-based SLPs. Get the tips, strategies, and low-prep therapy ideas you need to confidently walk into your therapy room and plan with ease. Learn and hear stories from an SLP in the trenches just like you!

  1. Making AAC More Accessible for Communication Partners

    1D AGO

    Making AAC More Accessible for Communication Partners

    Hallie chats with Malka Arnstein about making AAC more accessible for communication partners. In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Malka Arnstein — SLP, private practice owner, and AAC specialist on a mission to make AAC less intimidating and way more accessible. Malka gets real about the judgment that can creep into AAC work, why reframing it as just another communication tool changes everything, and how modeling for adults (not just kids) is where the magic happens. She talks about working with dysregulated students, pushing into classrooms instead of pulling out, and why showing up with fun and connection beats perfect data every time. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by AAC or like you're just winging it, this episode is packed with practical tips and plenty of "just do it and you'll be great" vibes. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Why AAC is just a communication tool — and reframing it that way makes all the difference How to make AAC accessible for SLPs, teachers, paras, and parents (not just users) The power of modeling for adults, not just kids — show, don't tell What it looks like to work with dysregulated students and build trust from a distance Why pushing into classrooms instead of pulling out changes everything How to ditch the data obsession for a minute and focus on fun and connection What "modeling without expectations" actually means in practice Here’s what we learned:  AAC isn't scary—it's just a tool, and reframing it that way changes everything. Accessibility isn't just for users; teachers, paras, and parents need it to be usable too. Model for the adults, not just the kids—show them how it's done in real time. Push into classrooms instead of pulling out—let the team see AAC in action. With dysregulated students, start from a distance and let trust build slowly. Ditch the data sheets for a minute—fun and connection come first. If it's not joyful, take a step back and adjust your approach. Learn more about Malka Arnstein:  Website: http://www.speakingaac.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakingaac/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/973643611365308 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Speaking-AAC/61568405591784/ Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/speakingaac-llc AAC Information Card Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    25 min
  2. CFs and Supervisors - You are Going To Need To Hear This!

    JAN 12

    CFs and Supervisors - You are Going To Need To Hear This!

    Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Hylan Noble Landthorn and Nikki Rosner Jacobs, the powerhouse duo behind The Mentorship Collective! With over 24 years of combined experience as speech and language pathologists, they’re on a mission to support and empower the next generation of SLPs. As the founders of WordsMyWay, a play-based, child-led speech therapy practice, Hylan and Nikki believe in connection, creativity, and personalized care. After years of mentoring clinicians through fellowships and daily practice, they saw the need for deeper support—and that’s how The Mentorship Collective was born. In this episode, they share how they’re redefining mentorship to help new SLPs grow with confidence, professionalism, and purpose—so they don’t just survive their fellowships, but truly thrive. Bullet Points to Discuss The gap between grad school and real-world CF workWhy mentorship matters beyond supervisionBuilding clinical confidence and critical thinkingPreventing burnout in early-career SLPsMindset shifts for CFs and supervisors Here’s what we learned:  Grad school teaches theory, but CFs need help translating it into flexible, real-time decision-makingSupervision ≠ mentorship; CFs need space for questions, reflection, and growthConfidence grows through guided problem-solving, not having all the answersStrong mentorship reduces stress, overwhelm, and early burnoutAn open, growth-oriented mindset helps CFs learn faster and thrive long-term Learn more about The Mentorship Collective: Website https://www.mentorshipcollective.com/ Social Media Links Facebook Instagram Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book  Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    26 min
  3. New Year, New Vibes: Rebooting Speech After the Break Without Losing Your Mind

    JAN 5

    New Year, New Vibes: Rebooting Speech After the Break Without Losing Your Mind

    In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie tackles the chaos of returning to work in January. If you're feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation, this one's for you. She's dishing out practical strategies for easing back into therapy mode, getting your students re-engaged (even when they'd rather be literally anywhere else), and turning that New Year energy into actual buy-in. Hallie also shares how one simple activity can hit multiple goals across your entire caseload—because who has time to prep five different things? It's all about working smarter, not harder, and remembering that relationships matter just as much as data. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Starting light: connection before data collection Quick check-ins and warmup games for the first week back Getting student buy-in through goal-setting conversations New Year's themed activities across all goal areas One activity, multiple goals: the SLP magic formula Why student voice and choice matter The secret sauce: creativity, adaptability, and compassion Here’s what we learned:  Stretching before the sprint—ease into the first week instead of going full throttle. Your students are coming back just as tired and unmotivated as you are (totally normal!).Asking "what would make speech more useful or fun for you?" is a game changer. One activity can work for your entire caseload when you know how to adapt it. Show students their voice matters, and they'll actually want to show up. You don't need to be perfect—just present, creative, and compassionate. Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    13 min
  4. Reflecting on 2025

    12/29/2025

    Reflecting on 2025

    In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie wraps up 2025 by reflecting on an incredible year — from presenting at conferences across the country to becoming a New York City approved vendor, publishing the Secondary SLP Roadmap, and meeting thousands of SLPs along the way. She celebrates the impact of SLP Elevate, the success of three Speech Retreat conferences, the launch of a merch store, and all the ways she's been able to support SLPs working with older students. Most importantly, Hallie takes a moment to celebrate you — the SLPs who show up every day for their students. If you're looking for a feel-good year-end recap full of gratitude, excitement, and a couple of truly terrible dad jokes, this episode is your perfect holiday listen. Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    13 min
  5. Beyond the Myth: Socioeconomic Status and Language Development

    12/22/2025

    Beyond the Myth: Socioeconomic Status and Language Development

    In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Kylie Helm — school SLP, private practice owner, and PhD student who’s doing the research we all desperately need. Kylie shares how growing up low-SES herself and then working in a Title I school opened her eyes to the massive disconnect between what grad school teaches us and what these kids actually need. She gets real about the dangerous assumptions SLPs make (spoiler: poverty ≠ language disorder), why standardized vocabulary tests are basically useless for this population, and how syntax is actually the diagnostic hero we’ve been ignoring. If you’ve ever felt pressured to qualify a student just because they’re from a low-income family or wondered how to write a report that says “they bombed the test but don’t need services,” this conversation is packed with research-backed truth bombs and practical ways to do better. Bullet Points to Discuss:  The myth that every low-SES kid has “bad language” and automatically needs servicesWhy we need to stop using vocabulary scores as our diagnostic smoking gunLanguage samples and test-teach-retest: where the real answers actually liveHow to tell teachers the difference between functional communication gaps and academic language concernsWhen low vocabulary + low syntax = actual red flag vs. just environmental difference Here’s what we learned:  Stop assuming multilingual + immigrant + low-SES + busy parents = needs speech therapy.Syntax is ability-based, vocabulary is environment-based—that changes everything about diagnosis.Dynamic assessment (test-teach-retest) shows learning ability, not just current knowledge.Strong syntax + weak vocabulary? Probably environmental. Weak syntax + weak vocabulary? Now we’re concerned.Teachers need to step outside their comfort zone too—it’s not all on us to adapt.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Learn more about Kylie Helm:   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylietheslp Study: https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2024_PERSP-23-00299  Developing Cross-Cultural Competence Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    22 min
  6. Helping Families Navigate the IFSP to IEP Transition at 3

    12/15/2025

    Helping Families Navigate the IFSP to IEP Transition at 3

    Hallie chats with Colleen Ashford of Ashford Speech and Advocacy P.C. about navigating transition process from an IFSP to IEP. In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Colleen Ashford — bilingual SLP, private practice owner, and the special education advocate we all need. Colleen shares how she went from planning to be a school SLP forever to accidentally falling in love with advocacy work when families kept asking her IEP questions she couldn’t half-answer. She gets real about taking a special education law course on Saturdays, why we need to stop treating parent rights like secret information, and how she now runs her own practice doing both speech therapy and advocacy. If you’ve ever felt stuck answering parent questions or wondered how to actually support families navigating the IEP maze, this conversation is packed with real talk and “yes, you can totally do this” energy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Bullet Points to Discuss:  Why families in private practice were totally lost about basic IEP stuffThe difference between school speech services and what happens in clinicsWhy SLPs need to stop being scared of “getting in trouble” for educating parentsParent education vs. parent advocacy—and when it becomes a whole new serviceWhen to hand families a community resource list (and how to build one that actually helps) Here’s what we learned:  You’ll never get in trouble for objectively explaining educational rights to families.IEP meetings are collaborative—not presentations parents just stamp “yes” on.Early intervention families need extra support understanding what happens at age three.Translation services aren’t optional—parents have the right to understand in their native language.Building a resource list takes time, but tackle it during cancellations and it’s golden.Parent education is valuable, billable work—don’t downplay what you know.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Learn more about Colleen Ashford:  Website: www.ashfordspeechandadvocacy.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadvocate.slp  Unfiltered IEPs: Apple | Spotify  Right to Translation Freebie: https://theadvocateslp.myflodesk.com/kp4nh8184r  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    26 min
  7. Helping Parents Navigate IEP Meetings

    12/08/2025

    Helping Parents Navigate IEP Meetings

    Hallie chats with Luba about how to help parents navigate IEP meetings. In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Luba — SLP, bilingual private practice founder, and the brain behind Kidology and The Confident IEP Parent. They dive into the real challenges parents face when navigating IEPs, why so many feel lost (and sometimes overwhelmed), and how Luba helps families show up to meetings with confidence instead of confusion. Along the way, she shares her journey from aspiring broadcast journalist to running a thriving clinic, plus tips for SLPs thinking about private practice or looking to grow their own niche. If you’ve ever wished you could hand parents a “how-to” guide for IEPs, or you’re curious about juggling business, therapy, and advocacy, this episode is full of practical advice, inspiration, and plenty of real talk moments you won’t want to miss. Bullet Points to Discuss:  Luba’s journey from broadcast journalism to running a bilingual private practiceWhy parents often feel totally lost in the IEP process—and how she guides them step by stepThe story behind The Confident IEP Parent and how it helps families show up to meetings with confidenceTips for SLPs on working with parents, starting a practice, and growing your niche without losing your sanity Here’s what we learned:  Parents need clear, simple explanations to feel confident in IEP meetings (no jargon, promise!)You can start a private practice with just a few clients—no fancy clinic requiredGrowing your practice means evolving with your clients and building trust over timeThere are so many ways to make an impact as an SLP—therapy, advocacy, content creation, coaching, and more Learn more about Luba Patlakh-Kaplun:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lubapatlakh  Website Kidology Inc.: https://kidologyinc.com The Confident IEP Parent: https://confidentiepparents.com Instagram @kidologyinc: https://www.instagram.com/kidologyinc @kidologyqueen: https://www.instagram.com/kidologyqueen @theconfidenteipparent: https://www.instagram.com/theconfidentiepparent @kidologyplayspacesouthampton: https://www.instagram.com/kidologyplayspacesouthampton@thegrowthlabpodcast: https://www.instagram.com/thegrowthlabpodcast TikTok @kidologyinc: https://www.tiktok.com/@kidologyinc@thegrowthlabpodcast: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrowthlabpodcast  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    22 min
  8. Private Practice and YouTube

    12/01/2025

    Private Practice and YouTube

    Hallie and Bria Gibson chat about running a private practice and YouTube channel. In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with Bria — SLP, private practice owner, and the creative mind behind Speech Up TV. Bria shares how she stumbled into the profession, rediscovered her passion while working with high schoolers, and eventually made the leap to a fully virtual practice after becoming a new mom. She walks us through the behind the scenes of Speech Up TV, from green screens to editing marathons to creating custom videos for her clients — and why YouTube has become such a powerful tool for language learning. If you’re curious about private practice, virtual therapy, or carving out your own path as an SLP, this episode is packed with honesty, inspiration, and plenty of “you can totally do this” moments.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Bullet Points to Discuss:  How switching from elementary to high school brought back her love for speechWhy Facebook mom groups were the key to growing her private practiceThe role representation played in connecting with familiesWhat the transition from mobile therapy to virtual sessions actually looked likeHow Speech Up TV started—and how her husband became the behind-the-scenes tech wizardWays SLPs can use her YouTube videos during sessions or for home practiceIdeas for avoiding burnout by exploring different settings or roles Here’s what we learned:  Burnout doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong field—sometimes it’s the wrong setting.You don’t need a clinic to start a private practice; start with your community.Virtual therapy can work surprisingly well when you already have strong rapport.YouTube can extend your reach far beyond your caseload (hello, Australia!).Custom, language-focused videos can support both kids and caregivers.There are so many ways to be an SLP—therapy, advocacy, content creation, coaching, and more. Learn more about Bria Gibson:  Website: www.myspeechup.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechuptv  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@speechuptv   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speechuptv  Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:   📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/ 🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup 📘✨ Grab your copy of The Secondary SLP Roadmap here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/stf-book Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets

    25 min
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4.8
out of 5
107 Ratings

About

A speech and language podcast to motivate and inspire school-based SLPs. Get the tips, strategies, and low-prep therapy ideas you need to confidently walk into your therapy room and plan with ease. Learn and hear stories from an SLP in the trenches just like you!

Information

  • Creator
    Hallie Sherman
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    319
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SLP Coffee Talk
  • Show Website
    SLP Coffee Talk

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