Hi everyone,

This week’s episode of Wine with Wita is a little different. It’s not about children. Or disability.

It’s about us.

Us as women.

Us as mothers.

Us as humans who spend so much time doing, we forget to be.

I sat down with my breath-work coach and dear friend, Nicola Laye. I first met Nicola when I was deep in transition, between phases of motherhood, between who I was and who I was becoming. I didn’t know it then, but I was holding my breath through it all.

In this episode, we talk about:

✨ How breathing, something so simple, can feel terrifying when we finally pause

✨ The hidden grief and guilt that lives in so many of us

✨ Why slowing down isn’t lazy or indulgent: it’s essential

✨ The connection between your breath and your inner voice

✨ My own journey of falling back in love with myself: slowly, gently, breath by breath

We also talk about parenting, the kind we do for our kids, and the kind we desperately need to do for ourselves. This is not a ‘how to fix your life in five steps’ conversation. It’s raw. It’s tender. It’s honest. And it’s one of the most beautiful episodes I’ve recorded.

For every mama who’s ever said "I’m fine" when you weren’t. For every woman who’s running on empty but can’t stop. This is for you.

With a full heart, Rita x

PS: Nicola is an angel disguised as a breathwork coach. She offers 1:1 sessions, birth and postpartum support, trauma release, and retreats, both online and on the Gold Coast. You can find her at  @nicola_laye  or  nicolalaye.com.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

This week on Wine with Wita, I sat down with someone many of you know – Ben, the friendly face behind the coffee machine at Wattle Grove. Beyond his great coffee and warm smile is a powerful story of resilience, fatherhood, and mental health.

Episode Highlights:

✨ Ben shares his journey with depression, anxiety, and self-harm starting from age 12.

✨ We discuss the stigma around men’s mental health and the need for open conversations.

✨ Ben reflects on becoming a father to baby Parker and how it’s shaped his outlook.

✨ We talk about the everyday importance of connection – sometimes over a simple cup of coffee.

Special Offer: Say ‘Wita’ at Ben’s Wattle Grove cafe for a free coffee on me.

It is our small way of celebrating community and connection.

Follow Ben on Instagram: @sippydaily

❕Mental Health Disclaimer: This episode discusses mental health and self-harm. If you need support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. You are not alone.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on ⁠@winewithwitapodcast⁠ for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

This week’s episode is so much more than just a conversation. It’s the story that started it all - from a bottle of wine to "Wine with Wita".

Episode 57 of Wine with Wita marks three beautiful, humbling, life-changing years since I opened the doors to RS Speech Pathology. And to honour that milestone, I’m sitting down with the person who made it all start: Nicky, the very first parent who took a chance on me.

Her son Serge was my first client. Her phone call, filled with emotion, confusion, and gut instinct, was the push I needed to say yes to building a business that supports families navigating speech and language challenges.

This episode is for every mum who’s ever felt unsure. Every parent who’s been told to “wait and see.” Every carer who knew, deep down, that something didn’t feel right.

What we covered:

✨ The real story behind RS Speech Pathology, and the powerful moment that sparked it

✨ What early signs of language delay actually looked like for Serge

✨ The heartbreak and hope of hearing a diagnosis

✨ How therapy looks beyond the bubble-blowing and LEGO, and why the bond between child and therapist matters

✨ Nicky’s raw, honest advice for any parent wondering “Should I be worried?”

And most of all… we celebrate progress.

Serge no longer presents in the delay/disorder range. He’s thriving, not just because of therapy, but because of the love, consistency, and fierce advocacy from his mum and dad.

Three years in, this episode is my reminder of why I do what I do. It’s not just a job. It’s a privilege.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.

Whether you’ve been here since the early days or just found the podcast recently, I’m so grateful you’re part of this growing community.

Here’s to three years of RS Speech Pathology, and everything still to come.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on @winewithwitapodcast for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

Hi everyone,

What would you do if two of your children needed more support than the system was designed to offer? In this week’s episode of Wine with Wita, I sit down with Crizli Martins, a mother of four, two of whom have additional needs.

What began as early signs with her son Frank evolved into years of advocacy, therapy, learning, and eventually, doing it all over again with her youngest daughter, Erica.

In this episode we explore:

💡 The early red flags Crizli noticed and how she trusted her instincts

🧠 What it’s like navigating two completely different neurodivergent profiles

💬 The reality of therapy - expectations vs. real life

❤️ Faith, family, guilt, and the juggle that comes with it all

🙏 The first word Erica ever spoke… and why it brought Crizli to tears.

Crizli doesn’t sugar-coat the hard stuff, but she also brings the kind of optimism, humour and heart that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

This one is for every parent doing their best, trusting their gut, and advocating fiercely for their kids, even when the system is slow to catch up.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on Instagram @winewithwitapodcast for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t care what you eat, just eat something…” this episode is for you.

This week on Wine with Wita, I’m joined by the incredible Rachel Zabel.

She’s a PhD-qualified clinical dietitian, neuro-affirming feeding therapist, and mum of four. We’re talking all things feeding and neurodivergence. Because as Rachel explains, feeding is never just about food. It’s about your child’s nervous system, their sensory profile, and whether they feel safe enough to explore what’s on their plate. Inside the episode:

What we covered:

🥦 Why your child might be stuck on a “beige diet”

🧠 How screen time and stress impact their willingness to eat

💡 What’s actually behind picky eating (and why the usual advice doesn’t work)

🤝 The power of play, co-regulation, and slowing things down at the table

👩‍👧 Rachel’s lived experience as both a mum and therapist

She’s also shared some helpful free tools to support you at home. You’ll find those in the show notes. This conversation is honest, practical and reassuring. Whether your child has ARFID, autism or just a really narrow food range, I hope this one brings you new insight and a little more ease at the dinner table.

Find Rachel at @foodtherapydietitian  or funfamilyfood.com.au

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on $ Instagram$  for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

This week on Wine with Wita, I’m sharing a solo episode that’s very close to my heart.

As a speech pathologist, I’ve spent the past 15 years supporting children with communication disorders. What I’ve seen, time and time again, is how often these children (and their families) are misunderstood, judged, or dismissed simply because their challenges aren’t visible.

We don’t talk enough about the invisible disability that is a communication disorder.

In this episode, I explore:

🧠 Why society is quicker to empathise with physical disabilities than with speech or language challenges

💬 The real impact of comments like “He’ll grow out of it” or “You’re overreacting”

🤝 What families actually need from those around them, and how we can show up better

🌱 Simple ways to support children with communication needs in public spaces and social settings

Sometimes, just asking “How can I support you?” is enough to change someone’s day, and their entire experience of being seen and included.

Let’s talk about invisible disability with the empathy it deserves.

I hope you enjoy this episode.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Don’t forget to follow the new Instagram page: @winewithwitapodcast . I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories! 🥂

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

In this surprise follow-up, Fatima Tomoum returns to share more of her powerful journey through motherhood, advocacy, and raising neurodivergent children.

We delve deeper into the emotional side of parenting, navigating early diagnoses, and using your voice when it matters most. 

There was more to share, and this episode holds some of the most powerful moments yet.

Listen now and connect with us on Instagram @winewithwitapodcast or visit www.rsspeechpathology.com.au.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

This week on Wine with Wita, I sat down with Fatima Tomoum, a woman whose story crosses countries, careers, and incredible challenges.

Born in New York, raised in Brisbane, and now living in the UAE, Fatima built a stellar international career across Japan, China, France, the UK, India and beyond.

But behind the success, she faced a deeply personal battle: ten rounds of IVF before welcoming her boy-boy-girl triplets, born at just 26 weeks.

Fatima opens up about what it took to keep going, her strong faith, the importance of community, and the realities of raising three children who defied every prediction, while living far from home.

This episode is an honest look at the highs and lows of chasing dreams, building a life across borders, and surviving the hardest seasons with courage and heart.

What we talked about:

❤️‍🩹 The emotional cost of infertility and premature birth

❤️‍🩹 The hard realities of life in the NICU

❤️‍🩹 Starting again in a new country without a roadmap

❤️‍🩹 Why early intervention and advocacy change lives

This episode shows just how much strength it takes for families to keep moving forward, especially when the support they need isn’t always there.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on @winewithwitapodcast for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

When I first received Jenny’s email, I honestly felt like acelebrity.

She found Wine With Wita after watching my BizCover grant video and reached out with a simple message: “I’d love toshare my story.” What unfolded from there felt like a love story between two women passionate about supporting families navigating the world of disability.

Jenny is an Early Childhood Teacher with over 30 years of experience, a mother to three children (including twin sonswith level 3 autism), and the founder of two businesses dedicated to helping families thrive.

Her lived experience is matched only by her drive to makethe path easier for others.

What We Discussed:

💬 Jenny’s raw, honest account of denial, grief and acceptance following her sons’ diagnosis

📘 Why she wrote Embracing Disability in Early Childhood — a must-read for both parents and educators

🤝 The importance of partnership between families and professionals

💡 Practical advice for parents navigating NDIS, communication devices, and emotional overwhelm

🌱 How Jenny helps other families through her two businesses and the Autism Families Thriving community

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, allied health professional, or simply someone who cares — this episode is a gentleand deeply insightful reminder that acceptance doesn’t happen overnight… and no one should walk this road alone.

🎧 Listen now:

Resource links from this episode:

📘 Jenny’s book EmbracingDisability in Early Childhood — $ Availableon Amazon$ 

🌐 Jenny’s $ website &services$ 

📸 Follow Jenny on $ Instagram$ 

This conversation filled my heart. Jenny, thank you forbeing the fairy godmother so many families didn’t know they needed.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S. Follow me on $ Instagram$  for more tips, insights and updates.

 Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

Hi everyone,

 What happens when you’re five years old, and your baby brother is diagnosed with autism?

In this episode of Wine with Wita, I sat down with Emily Hanlon, a Clinical Psychologist, mum of three, and the proud big sister of Richard, who was diagnosed with autism as a baby.

Emily shares her powerful story of growing up as a sibling to someone with high support needs, from the guilt she carried for decades, to the deep love and responsibility she still feels today.

Her honesty is raw, her humour refreshing, and her message clear: we cannot support autistic children without supporting the village around them.

What we covered:

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 What it’s really like growing up with an autistic sibling

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 The emotional toll on families that no one sees

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Why siblings need just as much support as the child

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 How her family helped her brother build his own business

This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every child with a diagnosis, there’s a family learning how to cope, support, and survive.

Emily’s honesty will resonate with any parent wondering how to balance their time, emotions, and energy between multiple children – especially when the support needs are different.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

 🍫 Emily’s brother’s chocolate business: Freckly Faces

 📘 Sibling support resource: Understanding & Supporting Siblings of Neurodivergent Children

📸 Follow Emily on Instagram at @theplayfulpsychologist

Lots of love,

 Rita

P.S. Follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. Y

You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.