In this episode of Swallow Your Pride, Theresa sits down with Dr. Rabab Rangwala, PhD, CCC-SLP, to explore the science behind respiratory–swallow coordination in Parkinson’s disease and what it means for clinical practice.

They dive into how breathing patterns can influence swallowing safety, why patients with Parkinson’s may not fully perceive their swallowing impairments, and what recent research reveals about the relationship between patient-reported symptoms and instrumental findings. Dr. Rangwala also shares how her clinical experience shaped her research questions and why instrumental assessment plays a critical role, while still recognizing real-world access barriers.

This conversation bridges neuroscience and bedside care, offering practical insights to help medical SLPs strengthen their clinical clarity and better serve individuals with neurologic disease.

Get the references and special links to articles mentioned here: https://syppodcast.com/389

Dr. Rabab Rangwala is a speech-language pathologist and postdoctoral scholar at University of California, San Francisco. Her research focuses on the neural and behavioral control of swallowing and speech across healthy and clinical populations. Her work in dysphagia examines respiratory–swallow coordination, and objective assessment of swallowing impairments using wearable sensors, particularly in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and other neurologic conditions. In parallel, she conducts speech neuroscience research using neuroimaging, psychophysics, and computational modeling to understand how the brain supports complex motor behaviors such as speech production.
By integrating clinical insight with neuroscience and quantitative methods, Dr. Rangwala’s work seeks to improve our understanding of speech and swallowing disorders, with the goal of informing healthcare delivery, guiding treatment decisions, and ultimately improving patient quality of life.

The post 389 – Respiratory–Swallow Coordination in Parkinson’s: What the Research Actually Shows appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

Dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease is not one-size-fits-all, and treatment decisions shouldn’t be either.In this episode of Swallow Your Pride, Theresa is joined by PD Dr. Bendix Labeit, MBA, neurologist and clinician-scientist, and Jule Hofacker, MSc, speech-language pathologist and PhD student in neurogenic dysphagia, to explore how Parkinson’s treatments impact swallowing. They discuss how dopaminergic medication […]

The post 388 – Parkinson’s, Swallowing, and Deep Brain Stimulation: What Clinicians Need to Know appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of the "Swallow Your Pride" podcast, bilingual SLP Margaryta Kuzman shares her expertise on pediatric feeding disorders in early intervention. She discusses the vital role of SLPs, the importance of early identification, and practical steps—ensuring safety, functional feeding observation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Margaryta emphasizes family-centered care, the need for more specialized training, and offers resources for clinicians. She also introduces her platform, Kuzmin SLP, dedicated to empowering providers with evidence-based tools. The conversation highlights the challenges families face and the importance of empathy and teamwork in supporting children with feeding difficulties.

Get the show notes at: https://syppodcast.com/387

Margaryta Kuzmin, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, BCS-S is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in New York City with over 15 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and school-age children with complex communication, feeding, and developmental needs. She specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, AAC, and working with medically complex populations. Margaryta is the founder of KuzminSLP, a professional education platform dedicated to empowering Early Intervention providers (SLPs, OTs, SI, PTs) with practical, evidence-based tools for real-world practice. Her work bridges feeding, language, literacy, and behavior, with a strong emphasis on functional outcomes for children ages birth to three. She is an award-winning clinician, published author, and frequent national and international speaker, and has received multiple awards throughout her career for her contributions to the field.

LINKS:

https://KuzminSLP.com

Instagram: @kuzminSLP

The post 387 – From Picky Eaters to Happy Eaters: Strategies for Pediatric Feeding Success appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this powerful episode of Swallow Your Pride, caregiver and author Diane Wolff shares the real-life journey that transformed her mother’s dysphagia diagnosis into a mission to empower millions of families. Diane reveals the practical, step-by-step systems she created to help caregivers feel confident feeding their loved ones safely, from setting up a dysphagia-friendly kitchen, to batch cooking with dignity in mind, to bringing joy and variety back to mealtimes.

Get the show notes: https://syppodcast.com/386

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3KC6q8O
Visit the website: https://www.cookingfordysphagia.com

The post 386 – Empowering Caregivers: Practical Solutions for Managing Dysphagia at Home appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of "Swallow Your Pride," host Theresa Richard brings together a panel of NIH-funded researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to unpack the complexity of diagnosing and treating motor speech disorders after left-hemisphere stroke. Theresa Richard guides a conversation that demystifies the overlap between apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and aphasia, highlights the challenges clinicians face in acute and subacute care, and introduces innovative assessment tools designed to bring more objectivity and clarity to real-world practice. The team shares emerging findings, practical insights for SLPs across the continuum of care, and a look at how new perceptual and acoustic measures may shape the future of stroke-related speech assessment.

Links mentioned in the show:

UNC Center for Aphasia and Related Disorder's Lab website (includes information on our research and helpful therapy resources regarding aphasia, communication partner training, and aphasia-friendly print materials): https://www.med.unc.edu/healthsciences/sphs/card/
Tools Available for Speech Therapists for Assessment...
Word Information Measure and Moving Average Type Token Ratio (Shiny App): https://unccard.shinyapps.io/WIM_MATTR/
Word Complexity Measure (Shiny App): https://unccard.shinyapps.io/shiny-woRdcomplex-2/
Word Complexity Measure Ratio (Shiny App): https://unccard.shinyapps.io/shiny-wcmRatio/

The post 385 – Navigating the Complexities of Speech Disorders After Stroke: A Deep Dive into Current Research and Practices appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this “Swallow Your Pride” episode, host Theresa Richard and Shayne Reid from Reflux Gourmet discuss innovative, all-natural solutions for managing acid reflux, including their alginate therapy and new functional chewing gum. They explore the science, safety, and practical use of these products for adults, children, and special populations, sharing personal stories and clinical tips. […]

The post 384 – The Ultimate Guide to Reflux Relief: Combining Lifestyle Changes with Innovative Products appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of “Swallow Your Pride,” host Theresa Richard speaks with George Barnes MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Ross Dunbar from Progia Medical about innovative technologies for dysphagia care. They discuss the Swallow Therapy System (STS) and Insta device, which provide objective, quantifiable data for tongue strength assessment and therapy. The conversation highlights the importance […]

The post 383 – From Research to Reality: The Innovative Devices Revolutionizing Swallowing Therapy appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.

In this episode of “Swallow Your Pride,” host Theresa Richard interviews Beth McHose, a seasoned speech-language pathologist and AAC specialist. They discuss the importance of early AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) introduction for adults in acute and inpatient care, addressing common misconceptions and resistance from families and staff. Beth shares practical strategies for implementing AAC […]

The post 382 – Bridging the Communication Gap: Effective Strategies for Early AAC Use in Adult Care Settings appeared first on Swallow Your Pride Podcast.