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: [email protected]

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:

instagram and linkedin

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!

Ruth C can be contacted via both instagram and Linked In

Ruth S can be contacted via both instagram and Linked In

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/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-ahern-b0a2758a/

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:

https://www.wecancommunikate.co.uk/about-us

https://www.pippinspeech.com

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:

https://www.instagram.com/stammauk/

https://stamma.org

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/