Podcast · Learning

SLP Coffee Talk

by Hallie Sherman · English · Learning

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!

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 26 min
Latest: 12 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Oct 2026 · 18 minNew

4 Ways To Make Worksheets More Engaging For Older Speech Students

Do worksheets have to be boring? In this solo episode, Hallie shares four easy ways to make worksheets more engaging for older students without adding a ton of prep or turning every session into a game. She explains how to pair worksheets with simple games, choose high-interest topics that connect to students’ lives, give them more choice in how they complete the activity, and use a simple white colored pencil trick to add an element of surprise. Most importantly, she reminds SLPs that the go...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E348 · 5 Oct 2026 · 25 min
Why I Don't Write Following Directions Goals for Older Speech Students
Are you writing following directions goals straight from a CELF subtest score? In this solo episode, Hallie makes the case for asking "why" before you write another three-step directions goal for a middle or high schooler. She explains how to use item analysis to find what's really driving the difficulty, why compensatory strategies often serve older students better than more isolated drill, and how to build self-advocacy into the activities you're already doing. She also shares low-cost, tee...
28 Sep 2026 · 25 min
Principles of Motor Learning in Articulation Intervention
Tired of reaching for the same generic drills no matter what speech sound error walks through your door? In this episode, Hallie chats with Laura Rinella, MA, CCC-SLP, creator of Laura Teaches Speech and a pediatric specialist in speech sound disorders. Laura breaks down how she builds targeted, individualized treatment plans that move the needle on intelligibility, offers her take on telling articulation and phonological disorders apart in real sessions, and explains why she sees every kid's...
E346 · 21 Sep 2026 · 26 min
Documenting Strengths-Based Therapy in a Goal-Driven System
Struggling to know what "good" data collection actually looks like, especially with older students on your caseload? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Kayla Obenour, an SLP with over a decade of experience across schools, outpatient, home health, and private practice, to chat all about what real, useful data collection can look like. Kayla shares why she's always aimed to "practice what she preaches" as a clinician, how she helps new clinicians cut through the overwhelm of tracking every...
14 Sep 2026 · 16 min
Using One Activity With As Many Groups As Possible
In this solo episode, Hallie breaks down how to stop drowning in back-to-back groups with completely different goals. She covers why you don't need a separate activity for every student, how one resource — a video, book, article, or even a game — can hit multiple goals at once, and why mixed-goal groups can actually work in your favor instead of against you. If planning has been eating into time you don't have and you're tired of scrambling between sessions, this episode is for you. Bullet...
E344 · 7 Sep 2026 · 34 min
Do Not Fear The Vocalic R
Feeling stuck when it comes to that pesky vocalic R? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Karen Krogg of The Pedi Speechie, a school-based SLP with a serious R obsession, to talk through everything from tongue shape to carryover. Karen breaks down her hand gesture analogies, favorite tools, and how she keeps kids motivated through the long haul of R therapy. Bullet Points to Discuss: Determining when R work is warranted for older students in schoolsRetroflex R vs. bunched R, and ho...
E343 · 31 Aug 2026 · 37 min
How to Collect Data Without Stopping Therapy
Feeling like data collection is eating up all your therapy time? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Michele Rothstein of SLP Madness, a 26-year elementary school-based SLP, to talk all about how to make data collection clean, efficient, and legally defensible. Michele shares her 3:1 treatment-to-probe ratio, how she handles Medicaid billing without sacrificing real therapy time, and why she believes data is her favorite four-letter word. Bullet Points to Discuss: The difference b...
E342 · 24 Aug 2026 · 24 min
What Is Stutter-Affirming Care?
Struggling with how to support a student who stutters without falling into the “fix it” trap? In this episode, Hallie sits down with Wendy Dietz, an SLP and clinic owner in Colorado who specializes in stuttering therapy, to chat all about what an acceptance-based approach really looks like. Wendy shares how a moving college essay first sparked her interest in stuttering, how the CARE model she learned at UT Austin completely shifted her perspective, and how she helps parents let go of all-or-...
E341 · 17 Aug 2026 · 16 min
Why Word Webs Work: An Easy Vocabulary Strategy for Older Students
In this solo episode, Hallie unpacks one of her go-to therapy strategies for grades 4-12: word webs. She covers why this simple visual tool does so much heavy lifting in mixed therapy groups, how it hits multiple goals at once, and why it beats another boring vocabulary worksheet every time. If you've been looking for a way to teach vocabulary that actually sticks (and doesn't require a Pinterest-worthy setup), this episode is for you. Bullet Points to Discuss: What word webs are and...
E340 · 10 Aug 2026 · 20 min
AAC Support That Feels Less Overwhelming
Feeling unsure about AAC? You're not alone. In this episode, Hallie sits down with Cassidy, a speech therapist and owner of Around the Spectrum Therapy in Pennsylvania, to talk through what makes AAC feel so overwhelming and how to move past the "getting it right" mentality. Cassidy shares her journey from knowing next to nothing about AAC to building a robust vocabulary approach with clients from as young as 17 months, plus practical ways to coach parents and teachers who feel stuck. Bull...
3 Aug 2026 · 29 min
The Role of SLPs in 5th-Year Transition Programming
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie's back with returning guest Shelby Davis, a school-based SLP at Community High School in Teaneck, NJ, and a doctoral candidate at Monmouth University. Shelby's diving into the 5th-year transition program she's helping build for students on the spectrum and others with complex learning needs — designed to bridge the gap between high school and real independence. From vocational skill-building to community partnerships, Shelby walks through how the pro...
E338 · 27 Jul 2026 · 27 min
Motivation in Secondary-Age Students with Speech Sound Disorders
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie sits down with researchers Klaire Brumbaugh and Katy Cabbage, who are part of a team building a nationwide study around something secondary SLPs know all too well: the older student still working on that R who has zero interest in being in the speech room. They're developing tools to actually measure student motivation—so SLPs have real data behind decisions like when to keep kids on, when to discharge, and how to catch that window when a student is ...
E337 · 20 Jul 2026 · 22 min
Keeping Clients Engaged Between Sessions
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Alyssa Antcliff—SLP and founder of IndiAide—about what's actually happening with your clients between sessions, and how technology can finally give you the full picture. Alyssa shares how her frustration with paper handouts and vague "it went fine" updates led her to build a between-session therapy management platform, and why remote therapeutic monitoring might be the reimbursement pathway you didn't know existed. If you've ever wished yo...
E336 · 13 Jul 2026 · 33 min
A Human Approach to Stuttering and Neurodiversity
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Ana Hernandez—SLP and founder of Adult Stuttering—about why she ditched fluency therapy and never looked back. Ana breaks down the adaptation effect, why you can’t sit in the middle ground, and what it actually looks like to run an affirming stuttering session from start to finish. If stuttering has always felt like uncharted territory, this one’s your map. Bullet Points to Discuss: Why the middle ground between fluency and accept...
E334 · 6 Jul 2026 · 21 min
Wondering how it all began?
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie finally tells her own story. From an undecided freshman at University of Buffalo to accidentally falling in love with speech pathology through a friend doing phonetics homework in the library, to getting peed on the morning of her one job interview in 2009 — yeah, that happened. If you’ve been listening for a while and always wondered how Speech Time Fun actually started, this one’s for you. Bullet Points to Discuss: How Hallie stumbled in...
E334 · 29 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Stop Guessing With Stuttering Therapy
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Victoria Dertouzos—SLP and founder of Speech and Stuttering Therapy of New Jersey—about why stuttering therapy looks so different than it used to, and why that’s a good thing. Victoria breaks down what a modern, neurodiversity-affirming approach to stuttering actually looks like in practice, how to assess what you’ve been missing, and what to say to students who’ve never felt heard in a therapy room. If stuttering therapy isn’t your jam, t...
E333 · 22 Jun 2026 · 40 min
Trauma-Informed Practice: Why It Matters for Every SLP
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Mary Woodward—speech-language therapist, justice and mental health specialist, and university lecturer based in Sydney—about why trauma-informed care belongs in every SLP’s toolkit, no matter where you practice. Mary shares what trauma actually means clinically, how it shows up in communication and behavior, and the core principles that can shift your sessions from unintentionally harmful to genuinely healing. This one’s for every SLP who’...
E331 · 15 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Rethinking “Following Directions” Goals in Speech Therapy
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Emily Byers Chaney—pediatric SLP, private practice owner, and neurodiversity affirming advocate—about why following directions goals might not be telling you what you think they are. Emily shares how working alongside Jessie Ginsburg shifted her entire clinical lens, what’s really happening when a child doesn’t follow a direction, and how to build therapy that’s meaningful, motivating, and actually carries over. This one’s for every SLP wh...
E332 · 8 Jun 2026 · 27 min
Hallie chats with Sarah Bishop about being a generalist SLP
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Sarah Bishop—14-year school-based SLP, California Speech-Hearing Association president, and union rep—about why being a generalist is actually your biggest flex. Sarah shares her winding path to the field (spoiler: it starts with an art history degree and museum tours), why school-based SLPs need to stop apologizing for knowing a little of everything, and how to keep growing without losing your mind. This one’s for every SLP who’s ever fel...
E330 · 1 Jun 2026 · 16 min
What If I Have No Idea What I’m Doing?!" Real Talk for CFs & New Grad SLPs Entering the Schools
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie gets honest with new grads and CFs who are quietly wondering if they’re already behind. She talks through what imposter syndrome actually looks and feels like in those early weeks — the brain-blank first session, the late-night Google spiral — and why all of it is completely normal. If you’re a new SLP asking “what if I can’t do this?”, this one was made for you. Bullet Points to Discuss: Why imposter syndrome hits hardest when no one’s wa...
E329 · 25 May 2026 · 16 min
New SLP Survival Kit: What You ACTUALLY Need (and What to Skip) Your First Year in Schools
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie breaks down the realistic SLP toolkit that no grad program actually prepares you for. She walks through what new grads really need before stepping into their CF year — from skipping the summer shopping spree to treating week one like a recon mission. If you’re a brand new SLP wondering where to even begin, this one’s for you. Bullet Points to Discuss: Don’t buy everything this summer — wait until you know your caseloadTreat your first week l...
E328 · 18 May 2026 · 30 min
Starting the AAC Conversation with Caregivers
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Daj Mitchell—school-based SLP, online educator, and Illinois State University graduate—about getting everyone on board with AAC. With over six years of experience serving pediatric and adult clients across settings, Daj breaks down her buy-in stair step framework and explains why many SLPs accidentally skip to the last step. She shares practical strategies for coaching parents and staff, building real collaboration, and improving carryover...
E327 · 11 May 2026 · 19 min
5 Signs Your Speech Goals Aren’t Clicking (And How to Get Middle & High Schoolers to Actually Care)
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie tackles the real reason your middle and high school students check out the moment you explain the session goal — and it’s not the goal itself. She walks through five signs your explanation isn’t clicking and how to flip each one so students actually get it. If your students would rather do anything but be in your session, this one’s for you. Bullet Points to Discuss: Sign #1: Your goal explanation is landing like broccoli — r...
4 May 2026 · 29 min
Play-Based Therapy Fun
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie Sherman chats with Bradi O’Rourke, owner of Braxy Speech Therapy, all about the magic of play-based, child-led therapy. Bradi breaks down how ditching rigid, drill-heavy sessions and leaning into connection, creativity, and a little bit of mess can lead to more meaningful communication. She shares how meeting kids where they are, following their lead, and making therapy feel natural (and actually fun!) can create real progress that carries over beyon...
27 Apr 2026 · 25 min
Remembering Your Why for Grad Students & Beyond
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Cary—school SLP, private practice clinician, and creator of the SLP Grad Student Instagram page—about finding your why and holding onto it when things get hard. Cary gets honest about the rejection letters, Praxis failures, and imposter syndrome she pushed through on her way to the field, and shares what the CF year really feels like when you're suddenly on your own. This one's for any SLP questioning whether they belong here. Bullet Po...
20 Apr 2026 · 21 min
How to Get Buy-In from Resistant Middle & High School Speech Students
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie gets real about one of the biggest challenges with older students—resistance. From crossed arms to "I'm only here because my mom made me," she breaks down why grades 4–12 students push back in the first place—it's not laziness—and walks through five practical steps for building genuine buy-in. This episode is full of compassion-first strategies, reframable language, and low-prep activity ideas that actually meet students where they are. Bullet Poin...
E322 · 13 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Managing Two Jobs as an SLP
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Allison Carpenter—elementary school SLP by day and telehealth provider by night—about what it actually looks like to work two jobs without running yourself into the ground. Allison traces her path from a private practice CF in small-town Texas to a school SLP in Dallas, and gets real about why burnout pushed her to make the switch. She breaks down exactly how she landed a part-time telehealth gig, how she structured her schedule to protect...
E321 · 6 Apr 2026 · 29 min
From SLP to CEO
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Ebony Green—speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, and founder of a thriving multidisciplinary clinic, The SPEAK Center for Language and Learning—about what it really takes to bet on yourself and build a business from scratch. Ebony shares her winding path from Teach for America teacher to SLP to CEO, gets real about the fears that almost kept her playing small, and breaks down how she diversified her income, built her team, ...
E320 · 30 Mar 2026 · 28 min
How the 3:1 Model Supports School-Based SLP Burnout
Hallie chats with Lauren Catellier about how the 3:1 model supports school-based SLPs in managing burnout In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Lauren Cattelier—school-based SLP, mom of two boys, and co-instructor and owner of Therapy Advanced Courses—about a model every overwhelmed SLP needs to know: The 3:1 Model. Lauren shares her experience using this workload approach in her former district, gets real about the difference she felt when she stopped using it, and breaks dow...
E319 · 23 Mar 2026 · 33 min
Advocating Without Burning Out
In this episode of SLP Coffee Talk, Hallie chats with Renee Brown—school-based SLP, mom of two teenagers, and the voice behind @TheBusySpeechMom on Instagram—about a topic every SLP needs to hear: how to advocate for yourself so you don't burn out. Renee shares her unexpected journey from elementary education teacher to medical SLP to school-based clinician, and gets real about what it actually takes to push back on impossible caseloads, have hard conversations with admin, and still show up f...

About SLP Coffee Talk

SLP Coffee Talk is a English learning podcast from Hallie Sherman. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Hallie Sherman
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 26 min
Latest episode: 12 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1497341007

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