Swallow Talk Series

Sonal Pathak
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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.

  1. 2d ago

    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

  2. 2d ago

    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

  3. 2d ago

    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

  4. 2d ago

    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?

  5. 3d ago

    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.

  6. 3d ago

    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. ❤️

  7. 3d ago

    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

  8. 3d ago

    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

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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sonal Pathak
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sonal Pathak
  • Show Website
    Swallow Talk Series