Shows
Speech TalkLemon SwabGet ready to brush up on your oral care knowledge! 🦷 In this episode, Emily and Eva explore the world of oral hygiene products in SNF care—what works, what doesn’t, and what might actually be harmful. Whether you're an SLP, nurse, OT, or just really into responsible toothbrushing, listen up because this was made for you!
We break down the findings of the article “Hospital Mouth: Dental Aids May Cause Dental Erosion” by Meurman et al., which tested the impact of common oral care tools on dental health. Spoiler: not all swabs are created equal. Learn what to wat...2025-08-1227 minSpeech TalkWhen to Phone a FriendIn this episode, we dive into the importance of interdisciplinary communication and how tools like SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can enhance patient safety and care quality. We explore findings from the research article "Impact of the communication and patient hand-off tool SBAR on patient safety: a systematic review" by Stock et al., and discuss how structured communication positively impacts teamwork, especially during handoffs and phone-based interactions.
We’ll also break down practical, real-world tips for clinicians to initiate referrals, recognize red flags, and collaborate more effectively across disciplines. If you’ve ever wondered when to phone a fr...2025-07-2934 minSpeech TalkSay AhhWhat does your oral mech exam really tell you? In this episode of Speech Talk, Eva and Emily get down and dirty (with tongue depressors, not drama) and explore why the phrase 'say ahh' is so iconic.
They cover what is a normal oral cavity for our geri crowd, how to link findings to clinical hypotheses, and how to improve your diagnostic skills even when patients can’t cooperate as much as you might like.Â
If you’ve ever opened someone's mouth and wondered “...Is that normal?” This one’s for you
You’ll learn:...2025-07-1526 min
Speech TalkMCIMild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): what it is, how it shows up, and what SLPs can actually do about it. In this episode, Emily and Eva break down how MCI differs from moderate and advanced dementia, how to approach screening, and how to design meaningful therapy when patients are still “too high” for traditional treatment plans.
They share practical ideas for early intervention, motivational interviewing, and supporting independence—all with their signature mix of science and sass.
This episode is your crash course on being a better advocate for patients who fall through the cracks.
You’...2025-07-0127 minSpeech TalkPEG
To PEG or not to PEG? In this episode of Speech Talk, Emily and Eva confront the clinical gray zones around percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placements in older adults.
They unpack what PEG tubes actually do (and don’t do), their potential impact on malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia, and how to talk to families and care teams when emotions and ethics collide. You’ll also learn how to interpret key research on PEG tube outcomes and what guidelines say about feeding tubes in dementia.
No guilt, no judgment—just smart, compassionate guidan...2025-06-1726 minSpeech TalkAphasia Month Bonus! QABIn honor of National Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re diving into a practical and research-supported tool that every clinician should know about—the Quick Aphasia Battery (QAB). If you’ve ever felt a little rusty when it comes to aphasia evaluation and treatment, this episode is for you. We break down the research by Lucanie et al., explain how the QAB can save you time while giving you a multidimensional view of language function, and discuss how to use it for goal writing and bridging the gap between screening and full evaluation. Plus, we reflect on why accessible, efficient tools...2025-06-1028 minSpeech TalkMedication ManagementEva and Emily dig into the intersection of cognitive impairment and medication management in older adults. Based on the study by Gorodesky et al., they explore how common cognitive errors—like perception failures and rule-based mistakes—impact a patient’s ability to read pill bottles, open containers, and organize medications.
With hilarious patient stories and a toolbox of clinical tips (including the infamous pill-sorting task), this episode delivers realistic strategies for assessing med adherence, involving caregivers, and preventing rehospitalization.
This one’s a must-listen for SLPs in skilled nursing, rehab, or any transitional care setting.
Yo...2025-06-0331 minSpeech TalkWhere Are My Teeth?Dentures, dysphagia, and swallowing safety — how do they all connect?
In this first episode of Speech Talk, speech-language pathologists Eva Johnson and Emily Brady dive deep into the world of speech therapy for older adults, focusing on oral phase dysphagia, denture fit, and swallowing disorders in medically complex patients. Perfect for SLPs, SLP grad students, and anyone interested in speech therapy, aging, and oral health, this episode sets the tone for a show that’s research-driven, patient-focused, and deeply relatable.
You’ll learn:
What current research says about removable dentures and swallowing efficiency
How dentur...2025-06-0324 minSpeech TalkWe Do the Research, You Do the RestTwo speech-language pathologists walk into a podcast. There’s no punchline, but for some reason we’re still laughing.Emily and Eva embark on reading the research so you don’t have to. If you’ve ever squinted at a pillbox, questioned your own functional goals, or wondered how to sneak more clinical education into your life without actually reading a journal article… we got ya!New episodes every other week-ish. Probably while you’re eating lunch in your car.—Get in Touch...2025-05-0602 min