Kate Reader joined me on this last episode of season 3.
Kate oozes love of her career and chatted in detail about her love of all things AAC and as well as the new job she started at AT Therapy in September this year.
Kate was also a recipient of an award through Communication Matter which she shares about, as well as her amazing scholarship opportunity coming up in 2026.
Have a listen to Kate, you'll not regret giving this half a hour of your time.
Follow Kate via at instagram handles as well as https://www.instagram.com/communi_k8/
Our first international guest!
Wow and thank you to Claire Allen for joining Ruth to chat all things SLP in Vancouver.
Claire discusses her journey as an SLP to date and how she went independent two years ago.
Claire focuses her practice on "less burnout and more joy" both for herself and the families she works with.
You can follow Claire via her instagram profile
Joined by Ruth Jones, Speech and Language, who talks all things career pathway post graduation to her present day working week.
Ruth is heavily promoting neurodiversity affirming practice and as a result wrote her book "Neurodiversity- Affirming Practice for Speech and Language Therapists: Supporting Curiosity, Compassion and Conversation" which hit the shops in September this year.
Ruth also talks about why she decided to study SLT at university and then opted not to go down the NHS route post qualification.
Open, honest and oozing a love of the profession, this is a must listen to episode.
In this episode I am join by Vanessa Woodall, Speech and Language Therapist & business owner.
Vanessa along with her husband Dave set up 'Symplify' to support SLTs when making resources. Vanessa talks me through the development of the business and how it all started out.
This is an open conversation about another string to the SLT skillset and how a small area of interest can develop into so much more.
You can find out more about Simplify and give their free trial a go via this link
You can also follow them on instagram and LinkedIn
Sophie Whitehead, Highly Specialist SLT in Palliative Care within the SHSCT spoke to Ruth about her current role and how this lead to a move across the Irish Sea!
Ruth also delved into finding out more about the Churchill Fellowship which funded Sophie to travel across the globe and keep a palliative care blog as she did.
Sophie is very passionate about what she does and shares this freely as we chatted.
Sophie can be contacted via her LinkedIn profile
Laura Keeling is chatting with me in this episode. She has continued to work with both adults and paediatric clients within her independent practice .She talks about why she loves both clients groups so much.
Laura also highlights the variety in her working week, and how she liaises with a wealthy of services to support the holistic needs of her caseload.
This is an insightful discussion into a busy SLT practice.
You can find out more about Laura via instagram , her website and linkedin
In this episode, Alison Ferris, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Consultant at Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland joined me for a chat.
Alison is 25 years qualified as an SLT and she talks honestly about all the roles that led her to take up a position within the PHA.
Alison shares about her working week and how two working weeks never look the same, but she loves that about her current role.
Alison has can access via LinkedIn and is always up for having a chat about the diversity of this profession.
Alison also talks about the RCSLT Hub of which she has been a member for 10[ish] years.
This episode's very much worth a listen.
In this episode I meet Rachel Cohen, who now describes herself as a register intermediary and intuitive coach.
Rachel qualified as an SLT and soon discovered a passion for criminal justice work. She set up a not for profit cooperative which is thriving - https://theintermediarycooperative.co.uk/conference/
Rachel is so open during our chat and provided top tips for any professionals interested in moving into criminal justice work.
Rachel can be follow on LinkedIn and Instagram
The IFJ website can be accessed here
Ruth had a good chat with Jan Baerselman in this latest episode.
Jan is a seasoned SLT who has specialised in supporting children with SLCN in education settings for most of her career – around 20 years in the NHS and 10 years in the independent sector. She spends half her working week providing professional supervision & support to Independent SLTs and specialist school staff.
The other half of her time is dedicated to voluntary, profession-supporting activities such as work for RCSLT, action research, providing workshops & webinars and her podcast series ‘SLT Stories’ available on Spotify. Launched in 2024, @SLTStories is where she downloads her wisdom and pivotal stories from her career into bite-sized, accessible, insightful podcasts - recently inviting ex-clients to talk about their SLT journey.
A pioneer in providing innovative practice education experiences for SLT students, she speaks nationally about encouraging Independent Practitioners to involve students in their practice to improve what they can offer to clients.
You can find out more about Jan, link in with her and follow her via:
- Direct link to SLT Stories podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6rpSPD3JdokHz8XIsaN7H3?si=c2b528ddf1d24fe0
- Instagram - @SLTStories Jan Baerselman (@sltstories) • Instagram photos and videos
- Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-baerselman-a3085b65
- Website: www.talkingoutcomes.co.uk
- Email: jan@talkingoutcomes.co.uk
Marissa Webb from The Orchid Practice joined me on this episode to discuss her move from the USA to the UK many years ago. Marissa talks about the change from her original post school plan of going into musical theatre and how that lead to her career as an SLT.
As you listen you will find out more about Marissa's passions throughout her working week, as she discusses her current campaign around ACC access for all in the UK, as well as her dream for writing children's books.
To find out more about Marissa you can follow her via:
You can also order Marissa's book via amazon
Ruth chatted with Charmaine Tearle from April Cottage Therapies in this latest episode.
Not only running her own therapy business, but Charmaine is also the current Treasurer in the ASLTIP Executive Board.
Charmaine shares much about her journey as an SLT thus far, and also highlights some aspirations she has over the next five years.
Such a lovely episode for anyone who is still curious about how much variety us SLTs can have in our working week.
You can follow Charmaine on instagram and linkedIn
Find our more about ASLTIP here too
We have reached a milestone!
The podcast is a year old, and to celebrate the microphone was flipped.
In this episode Ruth drafted in Ruth Sedgewick from RCSLTNI and episode 1 fame, to ask the questions and find out more about our usual host!
Over the last two seasons many guests have asked Ruth C when she would be a guest on her own podcast, so we thought the start of season 3 was the perfect spot to meet their requests.
Ruth C has plenty to share and Ruth S had plenty of questions to ask…so have a listen and see what you think about this comedy double act!
Emma Ahern, owner of Zebra Therapy, joined Ruth for this latest episode and what a great chat they had!
Emma was very open about her journey into SLT and how it was her initial plan, after starting a degree in animal studies at Queen's University….however thanks to an opportune moment with a colleague in a care home she explore the SLT profession and finally completed her Masters at Essex University.
In 2016 Emma then began working in an independent practice and the rest as they say, is history.
She is all over instagram with her honest reels and neuro affirming posts about the passionate works that now fills her week.
To follow Emma and find more about all the amazing project ideas she has, as well as how her ECG rosource develops, you can find her via:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeebratherapy/
Well this was a fun one!
Ruth chats to Emma Harrison, Clinical Director at Speech Buddies in the North East of England.
Emma talks about her love of building her team over the last 5 years, and how she started working as an assistant on a speech therapy team before plunging into the speech therapy degree.
Emma is also very much into mindfulness as she works, allowing time for herself, while building her brand.
Have a listen to her honest insight into everything she has achieved over the last 20 years.
You can also follow Emma on social media via:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speechbuddiesuk/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-harrison-ba-hons-msc-rcslt-hpcp-asltip-81185243/
Kate Burgess joined Ruth this week, but who is Kate?
Owner of "we can commikate" and founder of "Pippin Speech" App, Kate talks candidly to Ruth about why she set up her independent practice post lockdown, and then how this lead to the creation of her app to support parents and caregivers with key tools to develop communication at home.
During this conversation Kate is open about how she is constantly learning and developing her skillset, also that her business will grow as children's needs develop. She wants to be that voice of "early intervention" for so many families.
Kate is a busy bee, due to juggling both these businesses alongside being a mummy of two!
To find out more about Kate you can follow her on instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pippinspeech/
https://www.instagram.com/wecancommunikate/
As well as LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-burgess-7a7973144/
You can also check out her websites:
Kirsten Howells, SLT and Deputy CEO & Services Director at STAMMA joined Ruth this week.
During this wholesome conversation between the pair, Kirsten opens about about her personal experience of stammering, and how this lead her to train as an SLT.
Training as an SLT then opened a huge number of opportunities for her, and she talks about her work other part of the world one the years.
Kirsten is so passionate about her current role, and this comes across through her chat with Ruth.
You can following Kirsten via her LinkedIn profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirsten-howells-787ba7b/
You can find out more about STAMMA via:
During this episode Ruth chats with Jessie Kinchin, who is currently in her second year of the apprenticeship degree programme through BCU.
SLT apprenticeship programme are currently only available in England, however it is hoped these will roll out across the country in the next number of years.
Jessie talks openly about her path into the programme and how she has found the balance between studying, being on placement and also holding down a job to pay her way throughout the week.
You can follow Jessie on her instagram handle: https://www.instagram.com/jkinchin/
You can also find out more about SLT apprenticeship programmes via https://www.rcslt.org/speech-and-language-therapy/become-a-speech-and-language-therapist/apprenticeships/
Ruth took a different direction on this weeks episode having a chat with Ashley Boal, Occupational Therapist and founder of Let's Talk Sensory in NI.
Ashley made a decision during her maternity leave to set you a parents group called "Tummy Timers" to encourage parents about the huge benefits of tummy time with their newborns.
Ashley opens up about how OT wasn't her initial pathway but that she soon knew it was her calling.
Ruth and Ashley have an honest conversation in this episode so why not have a listen....
Ashley can be followed via her social media accounts:
- instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tummytimersballymena/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-boal-647384bb/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/people/Lets-Talk-Sensory-NI/61558928881855/
Bryony Rust, Independent SLT and author of "How to Help Non Speaking Children in the Early Years" joined Ruth this episode.
What a treat for Ruth!
Ruth has been a huge fan of Bryony since Covid in 2020 - Bryony was bossing teletherapy through the pandemic ensuring families across the country had support when they most needed it.
In this episode Bryony chats about her journey into SLT and how she has always been fascinated about "communication". She also provides insight into the paths she took to write her first book which is now on sale.
Have a listen as Bryony tells all....
Bryony's website can be accessed via https://www.saltbythesea.com
She can be found on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/salt_bythesea/ and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryonyrust/
For anyone wanting to purchase her book you can find it on https://www.amazon.co.uk/Help-Non-Speaking-Children-Early-Years/dp/1032295198/ref=sr_1_1?crid=O11IYUBV7HKW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mmrs9yIKr7JsageESvBguVylppDgyvY3OrRhy8ErdfGHVtaGW80QLp2HgEdpJf-E.vsK9JPm_UUBWTfXVPG5oUfr4DxYUcumqtkZbtXtjyIA&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+help+non-speaking+children+in+the+early+years&qid=1743344821&sprefix=how+to+help+non%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1
Emma Sharrock, owner of Core Speech caught up with Ruth to explain why the move to Australia post Covid really inspired her to start her independent practice when she returned home.
Emma is a force in the field of AAC and has set up a shop element to her website so that anyone can give AAC a go at minimal expense.
Have a listen as Emma explains all.
Emma's website can be accessed via this link
Follow Emma's instagram page here
She can also be found on linkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-sharrock/