Swallow the Gap
A pivotal podcast on a mission to improve medical intervention for patients with swallowing disorders (dysphagia). Primarily intended for medical speech-language pathologists (SLP) and also relevant for professionals and students involved in pulmonology, otolaryngology, gerontology, nutrition, rehabilitation sciences, and various other areas of healthcare. Join us as a force for change by inspiring critical thinking, facilitating discussion, and stimulating professional development for those involved in the evaluation and treatment of patients with aerodigestive disorders. For 2025, please keep your eyes peeled for monthly episode release!
https://www.swallowthegap.com (Gap Education, LLC)
Episodes
26 episodes
Elevating Research Standards in Dysphagia
Dr. Catriona Steele, president of the Dysphagia Research Society, discusses her journey in dysphagia research, including motivation from her pre-PhD days, and focuses on systematic reviews. She highlights the need for rigorous and transp...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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56:32
Special Edition: 150 Years of Experience, Behind Closed Doors
What happens when you get 6 speech pathologists with 150 years of collective experience stuck together in a room? You’ll have to listen to find out! Join Julie Blair, Laurie Sterling, Dr. Deb Suiter, Dr. Barbara Messing, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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40:56
Defining... Dysphagia?
Believe it or not, there is extensive variability in how dysphagia is defined. Listen in as Drs. Giselle Carnaby, Debra Suiter, and Martin Brodsky discuss challenges and importance of defining dysphagia. The discussion highlights variability in...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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35:54
Bridging the Gap: Advancing Education in Pediatric Feeding Disorders
Join us for an insightful discussion with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters, as we discuss the critical gaps in education for pediatric feeding disorders. Jaclyn sheds light on the challenges faced by clinicians, who often lack the specia...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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33:08
Getting More From Your Swallow Evaluation With Knowledge of Cranial Nerves
In this episode, we explore how a solid understanding of cranial nerves can make dysphagia evaluations more precise and guide treatment. By knowing which nerves impact each part of the swallow and how to interpret the oral mechanical exam, clin...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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41:53
Functional Swallowing
In this episode, we turn the tables as guest host Jeanette Benigas, PhD, interviews Tim on the concept of "functional" swallowing. They explore what truly defines functional swallowing by delving into its core impact on nutrition, hydration, qu...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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41:14
Exploring sEMG in Dysphagia Rehabilitation
Join Tim and Dr. Gabriela "Gabi" Constantinescu as they explore the use of surface electromyography (sEMG) in swallowing rehabilitation. Gabi, with her background as a clinician and PhD in Rehabilitation Medicine, shares insights on how sEMG bi...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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33:07
Paradigm Shifts in Neurogenic Dysphagia: Innovating Treatment with Physicians
We’re thrilled to have a neurology physician out of Düsseldorf, Germany join us to explore neurogenic dysphagia and the role of interdisciplinary treatments in its management. Dr. Bendix Labeit will introduce central compensatory mechanisms, br...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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33:07
Metrics that Matter: The Critical Role of RMST in Dysphagia Management
How can Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST) be integrated into your patient care? In this episode, we explore respiratory muscle strength training (RMST), with a specific focus on IMST—one of the less familiar tools for speech-language ...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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35:06
ICU Discussion Panel - Continuing Conversation from 'Dysphagia in Patients with Pulmonary Compromise (ICU & Beyond)
This episode continues the discussion from the April 20th, 2024 webinar "Dysphagia in Patients with Pulmonary Compromise: ICU and Beyond." It is a special release that falls between Season 1 and Season 2, covering topics related to dysphagia pr...
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Episode 17
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1:02:03
Season Finale: Moving Beyond Our Reflection
In a startling sample of patients, 67% of those with a modified diet and 61% of those with feeding tubes who were then assessed with FEES did not appear to even have dysphagia (Bice et al., 2024)! Soon to be Dr. Matthew Ward (🤞April 18t...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:01:33
Breath of Fresh Air: Uncovering the Impact of Oral Hygiene on Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia
How can you prevent ~40 pneumonia cases and save $1.5 million in 1 year? Listen to find out! Join us today with three doctorate-level healthcare providers and an advanced practice nurse as we unravel startling data on the effect of oral ...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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52:59
Beyond the Bedside: Humanizing Healthcare in the ICU
This episode is a must-listen for those who dream big about inspiring positive change and for clinicians who may need a boost in their motivation. Sam Walker, an SLP and business owner, shares transformative lessons from her mother's 72-day hos...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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57:25
Dysphagia in Patients With Dementia
In this episode, we discuss diagnosing and managing dysphagia in patients with dementia. Dr. Jeannette Benigas and Rinki Varindani Desai integrate various sources with their own professional experience to help better equip SLPs to partner with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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56:46
Practicing Research and Researching Practice: Interpreting Clinical Trials and Building the Foundations for Future Research
Corinne Jones, Ph.D., CCC-SLP delves into how SLPs can analyze and interpret clinical trials to facilitate translation of the science to our clinical practice. There is an emphasis on how clinicians form the foundations of research and how to b...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:05:56
Changing Tides in the World of SLP
From publication pushback to trailblazing in the continuing education world, Dr. Ianessa Humbert and Rinki Varindani Desai discuss challenges - and payoffs - of infusing new ideas into the field of speech-language pathology. Bi...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:05:50
Risk!
In perhaps the most laid back and chaotic episode ever, George and Tim discuss factors that influence clinical decision making. This episode discusses foundations to allow medical SLPs to be more empirical and evidence-based our decision making...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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49:56
Landing in the Same Location With Vastly Different Roles: Experiences of a Medical SLP Student, a Clinic Director, and an Associate Professor
In this episode we integrate the experiences of three unique individuals who all landed in the same program, but with vastly different roles: a student, director of clinical education, and an associate professor. Themes include– but aren’t limi...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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51:26
Beyond Fear to Find Your Bliss: Growing Yourself and Transforming SLP Education
Dr. Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer discusses the transformative impact of learning from failure, managing self-expectations, and imposter syndrome. She draws from her experience as a clinician, instructor, researcher, administrator, and more to provid...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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58:56
Being an SLP in the Real World... Where's the Disconnect?
This episode is essential for anyone struggling with conflicting expectations from their education, patients, administration, and personal goals. Our guest, Ed Bice, delves into how we can reconcile differences when we are faced with competing ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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56:34
Beyond Aspiration - Why Should We Care, and What Else Matters?
On today's episode, we scratch the surface on variables beyond aspiration that impact dysphagia-related pneumonia in our patients. Our guest, Dr. John R. Ashford, Ph.D., brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience in clinical practice, aca...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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49:49
Healthcare Disparities in Dysphagia: Parallels Between Our Bodies and Society
Raele Donetha Robison, PhD, CCC-SLP of University of Wisconsin-Madison offers her perspectives on healthcare inequities faced by individuals with dysphagia. With her rich understanding of complexities in patient care - such as the concep...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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44:02
Gaps: Where Are They... Really? Progression in Perspective and the Importance of Nuance.
Dr. Vose touches on the importance of nuance while reflecting on her 2018 paper, "A Survey of Clinician Decision Making When Identifying Swallowing Impairments and Determining Treatment," and why understanding the methodology in research is a k...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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1:12:04
Dysphagia Through Head and Neck Cancer: Personality and Perseverance
Dr. Carly Barbon from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) and Faith Hoelzel-Lemke from Huntsman Cancer Center (Salt Lake City, UT) provide a glimpse into specialized dysphagia care for patients with - and survivors of - cancers of the hea...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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58:48
