Best TopClass Podcasts (2025)

1
Planning ahead: psychosocial safety in your practice S7E18 26:40

14h ago26:40

26:40

In this week's episode, we speak with Anna Pannuzzo, from WorkPlace PLUS, about creating policies to uphold everyone’s psychosocial safety at work. Anna speaks about how planning ahead can help to ensure that if something challenging and unexpected does happen, there is a prepared plan. Anna speaks about policies and processes for psychosocial haza…

1
Holding connections in speech pathology practice S7E17 20:35

8d ago20:35

20:35

In this week’s episode, we speak with Associate Professor Jade Cartwright. Jade is delivering the Elizabeth Usher Memorial Lecture at the 2025 SPA conference in Tarntanya | Adelaide on Sunday June 15th, 2025. Jade discusses the inspiration behind her plenary address, and reflects on the learnings we can achieve when we work to co-design with the pe…

1
Public funding models: Ethical challenges and practices S7E16 39:32

15d ago39:32

39:32

In this week’s episode, Dr Tristan Nickless explores ethical challenges and considerations that speech pathologists face when working with funding models like the NDIS and Medicare. He discusses ways practitioners can be ethical stewards of public funds in supporting equitable access, managing time requirements, aligning funded supports with eviden…

1
Neurodiversity affirming practice and disability justice S7E15 51:32

22d ago51:32

51:32

In this week’s episode, Professor Betty Yu of San Francisco State University provides a brief overview of the workshop on conversational analysis that she will co-present with Dr Vishnu Nair at the SPA Conference 2025. In this unscripted conversation she reflects on the nature of neurodiversity-affirming practice, whose experiences and communicatio…

1
Can apprenticeships solve the job skills gap? 40:52

22d ago40:52

40:52

Employers are struggling to find skilled workers. How can we fix the job skills gap? Apprenticeships are touted as one possible solution. They combine on-the-job training with classroom learning, allowing employers to recruit and train people to meet their skills needs. According to the OECD, there are huge opportunities for apprenticeships to expa…

1
People experiencing homelessness and speech pathology S7E14 42:00

29d ago42:00

42:00

In this week’s episode, Leigh Andrews from Change Communication in the UK and Lauren Gibbs from Launch Housing in Victoria, speak with Mary Woodward, SPA’s Senior Advisor, Justice. Leigh and Lauren tell Mary about the benefit speech pathologists can bring when supporting people who are experiencing homelessness, and some of the resources that suppo…

1
Celebrating one million listens! S7 bonus episode 12:17

1M ago12:17

12:17

In this bonus episode, we are celebrating the Speak Up podcast having been listened to one million times! Thank you to everyone who listens, every guest who has so generously shared learnings with us, guest interviewers who approach their role with curiosity and everyone else who supports the podcast in visible and invisible ways. Nathan and Nadia,…

1
Adopting a decolonial vision for the profession S7E13 33:29

1M ago33:29

33:29

In this week’s episode Dr Vishnu Nair lays groundwork for his keynote address at the SPA Conference on a Critical and Decolonial Vision for Speech and Language Therapy. He discusses communication as an embodied experience for - and the knowledge of - people who live with disability, critically examining historical and current power dynamics in the …

1
Inside the Justice Reform Initiative S7E12 39:36

1M ago39:36

39:36

In this week’s episode, Dr Mindy Sotiri, who is the Executive Director of the Justice Reform Initiative speaks with Mary Woodward, SPA’s senior advisor for justice. Mindy and Mary discuss the work that the Justice Reform Initiative do, some of the changes they are advocating for, and what role speech pathologists play when working in this space. Re…

1
Climate change: core concern of speech pathology S7E11 50:01

2M ago50:01

50:01

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Abby Foster and Suzanne Mungall, speech pathologists, about Earth Day, coming up on 22 April. Suzanne and Abby share their experiences about speech pathology and climate change, and why they feel the urgent need for health professionals to address the impacts of climate change on health and service delivery.…

1
Federal election: Standing up for speech pathology S7E10 18:10

2M ago18:10

18:10

In this week’s episode, we speak with SPA’s CEO, Lyn Brodie, and General Manager for Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations, Dr Jennifer O’Connor, about the upcoming federal election and speech pathology. They discuss “wins” from the federal budget, critical “asks” during the election and how these are determined, and ways that stakeholders can …

1
Primary progressive aphasia and speech pathology S7E09 44:06

2M ago44:06

44:06

In this week’s episode, we recognise the inaugural International Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Awareness Day 2025 coming up this Friday on 4 April 2025. Kym, Speech Pathology Australia’s Senior Advisor- Aged Care, speaks with Scott Cooper a dementia advocate living with PPA, and his speech pathologist Dr Penelope Monroe from FRONTIER's PPA Comm…

1
Beyond clinical learning, developing as professionals S7E08 55:56

3M ago55:56

55:56

In this week’s episode, Ishwari Samarakoon and Nisrine El-Choueifati speak about the role that professional support can play in managing challenging interactions and the stress that this can cause us to feel. Nisrine and Ish discuss wellbeing, values-based decision making, and the things they have learned when providing supervision following a brea…

1
Neurodiverse safe work initiative S7E07 53:21

3M ago53:21

53:21

In this week’s episode to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we speak with Catherine Lee from the Neurodiverse Safe Work Initiative, an organisation with a focus on creating an environment for neurodivergent workers to thrive. Catherine speaks about the role speech pathologists can play in supporting someone to advocate for their needs at school…

1
How to ensure quality early childhood education and care for all 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

The early years of a child's life are crucial for their development. Falling behind early can mean never catching up. How can countries ensure lasting benefits from early childhood education and care? In this episode of Top Class, Stephanie Jones, the Gerald S. Lesser Professor in Early Child Development at Harvard University, and Professor Henrik …

1
Rethinking thickened liquids S7E06 52:50

3M ago52:50

52:50

In this week’s episode SPA’s Jessica Kaplonyi speaks with Tracy Lazenby-Paterson from the National Health Service and Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists in the UK, and Dr Arlene McCurtin from the University of Limerick in Ireland, about research into thickened fluids and people living with dysphagia. They discuss misconceptions about thi…

1
Returning to practice: A new program S7E05 27:37

3M ago27:37

27:37

In this week’s episode we hear from Mary and Fiona from the Professional Recognition Team about the new program to enable speech pathologists to return to practice. Mary and Fiona speak about the new program having self-directed learning goals, and condensing the program to be completed in less time, so speech pathologists can safely and effectivel…

1
AI and Language Sample Analysis S7E04 58:15

4M ago58:15

58:15

In this week’s episode Dr Darin Woolpert and Dr Michael Cannizzaro discuss what Generative AI is (and is not) effective at when analysing language samples, and the importance of practitioner knowledge and critical thinking when using AI.Resources: A full list of resources / references for this podcast is available via the SPA Learning Hub. ChatGPT …

1
Advocacy updates and NDIS AT replacement supports S7E03 48:03

4M ago48:03

48:03

In this week’s episode, SPA’s Policy, Advocacy and Government Relations Team speak about the work they have been doing. Then we receive an update about changes in the NDIS that have occurred since 3 October 2024, including things to keep in mind when using the new AT pathway for replacement supports. Resources: Contact the Policy, Advocacy, and Gov…

1
How to help disengaged teenagers learn 31:14

4M ago31:14

31:14

How can you help disengaged teenagers rediscover their passion for learning? In this episode of Top Class, Rebecca Winthrop, a Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, discusses ideas from the new book she has co-authored called ‘The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and L…

1
Introducing CEO Lyn Brodie & looking forward to Season 7 S7E01 38:43

4M ago38:43

38:43

In this week’s episode the podcast production team, Nathan Cornish-Raley, Renae Hobson and Nadia Marussinszky, give a peek behind the curtain on the Speak Up podcast and what listeners can expect for Season 7. Nadia also chats to SPA’s new CEO, Lyn Brodie, about her vision for the Association and the profession.Resources: SPA Strategic Plan 2023-20…

1
LA wildfires: What educators can do when disaster strikes 37:47

5M ago37:47

37:47

Wildfires raging in Los Angeles have destroyed thousands of homes and forced the closure of hundreds of schools. As communities try to rebuild following the destruction, including the burning down of schools, what can teachers do to support students? In this episode of Top Class, Developmental-Behavioural Paediatrician David Schonfeld, Director of …

1
Inside the Food, Nutrition and Dining Unit S7E02 33:44

5M ago33:44

33:44

In this week’s episode, Jane Villari, Assistant Director in the Food, Nutrition and Dining Advisory Support Unit at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, speaks with Kym Torresi, SPA Senior Advisor Aged Care. Jane and Kym discuss the Food, Nutrition, and Dining Unit, and the supports that speech pathologists can access from the FNDU to suppo…

1
The Speech Pathology Role in Palliative Care SLS25E3 1:03:14

5M ago1:03:14

1:03:14

In our third instalment of the Summer Listening Series Connie Huang from the Early Career Reference Group offers her reflections on episode 31 from season 4 The Speech Pathology Role in Palliative Care. Lisa Terry and Samantha Bradley, Senior Speech Pathologists from Monash Health, speak with Dr Laura Chahda, from the University of Melbourne, and D…

1
AAC across the lifespan SLS25E2 44:23

6M ago44:23

44:23

In this week’s episode, speech pathologist Ashleigh Glover offers her reflections on AAC across the lifespan, a conversation between Kristen Potts and Amanda Hartmann. Kristen, a private speech pathologist, explores four AAC case studies across the lifespan with Amanda, an experienced speech pathologist and AAC enthusiast. Amanda is a lecturer at t…

1
Adult learning styles and supervision SLS25E4 38:42

6M ago38:42

38:42

In this final episode of the Summer Listening Series, speech pathologist Brittany Fong recommends a conversation from Season 5 with Nicola Dann about principles of adult learning and supervision. She discusses learning stages and styles, how supervisors can adapt their support, supervision at different career stages, and guidance for a supervisor’s…

1
A behind the scenes look at Maggie Beer’s Big Mission SLS25E1 38:32

6M ago38:32

38:32

In this first episode of the Summer Listening Series, Dr Rebecca Packer, Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland, reflects on her recommended listening from Season 6. She introduces this episode in which Associate Professor Jade Cartwright and Natalie O’Brien discuss their involvement in the ABC documentary Maggie Beer’s Big Mission. They d…

1
What skills are needed for the AI and green jobs era? 45:45

6M ago45:45

45:45

As technologies transform businesses, what critical skills are needed to succeed in the workforce of the future? With artificial intelligence, the green transition, globalisation and much more all impacting the world of work, there is an urgent need for policymakers, educators and businesses to respond. In this episode of Top Class, we explore what…

1
Why are adult literacy skills dropping? Insights from the OECD Survey of Adult Skills 32:41

6M ago32:41

32:41

Over the past decade, literacy and numeracy skills among adults have largely declined or stagnated in most OECD countries. This is the main finding from the second OECD Survey of Adult Skills, a once-in-a-decade assessment that measured the skills of adults across 31 countries and economies. Despite efforts to strengthen education and adult trainin…

1
Tired, stressed & burnt out: strategies to support teacher well-being & healthy working environments 36:11

6M ago36:11

36:11

Every year, countless teachers face stress-related illnesses and burnout. While some manage to keep going, often at a reduced capacity, others leave the profession entirely. In this episode of Top Class, we explore how policymakers and schools can better support teacher well-being and create healthy working environments to ensure educators remain h…

1
Implications of a systematic review into GLP S6E44 42:52

6M ago42:52

42:52

In this week’s episode Professor Bronwyn Hemsley and Dr Lucy Bryant from UTS speak about their soon to be published systematic review into GLP. Bronwyn and Lucy speak about how and why they started this research and some considerations they would like stakeholders to reflect upon.The systematic review is linked below.Speech Pathology Australia supp…

1
Self-care for health workers S6E45 54:44

6M ago54:44

54:44

In this week’s episode, members of SPA’s early career and podcast reference groups, Brittany Fong and Lauren Osborne, speak with Mental Health Occupational Therapist and Psychotherapist, Michelle Bihary, about the mental and emotional “wear and tear” that can occur in healthcare and how speech pathologists can manage this. They discuss the “4 Ps” o…

1
Dysphagia- updated guidance S6E43 34:04

6M ago34:04

34:04

In this week’s episode, Dr Jeanne Marshall and Dr Nicola Clayton both on the working party to update the SPA dysphagia guideline. Jeanne and Nicola speak about the changes to the field and how this has been reflected in the guideline. Resources: Paediatric feeding learning framework | Children's Health Queensland: https://www.childrens.health.qld.g…

1
Global professional learning S6E42 35:10

7M ago35:10

35:10

In this week’s episode, Churchill Fellowship UK recipient Anna Sowerbutts. Anna speaks with Jane Delaney, SPAs Senior Advisor Early Childhood and Education about her proposal to travel to Australia to learn about innovative ways of supporting children with DLD. Anna reflects on her work in this area and shares her insights into her experience with …

1
Multi-Modality Aphasia Treatment and Telepractice S6E41 38:02

7M ago38:02

38:02

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr John Pierce from the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Rehabilitation and Recovery at La Trobe University. He discusses what multi-modal treatment is, how it can be used as an aphasia treatment, and how it is being adapted for telepractice.Resources: Aphasia Therapy Finder: https://aphasiatherapyfind…

1
Forensicare: Mental health supports in the justice system S6E40 48:24

7M ago48:24

48:24

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Shelley Turner, Kate Fanning and Subah Ahmed from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health, or Forensicare. They discuss how speech pathologists contribute to interprofessional practice in the mental health space, with individuals who are involved in the justice system.Resources:Forensicare: https:/…

1
A behind the scenes look at First Nations Bedtime stories S6E39 22:14

7M ago22:14

22:14

In this week’s episode, Common Ground CEO Gemma Pol speaks about the project of sharing First Nations Bedtime stories. Gemma discusses the importance of preserving oral narratives in a way that is accessible now and into the future, and the rich learnings that come from reflecting on these stories. Resources: Common Ground: https://www.commonground…

1
SAY: Australia - Young people changing the stuttering narrative S6E38 49:20

7M ago49:20

49:20

In this week’s episode, we recognise International Stuttering Awareness Day (22 Oct) by speaking with Rich Stephens, President of SAY: AU – The Stuttering Association for the Young, and program participants Hollie, Fergus, and Leo. They discuss what they want speech pathologists and others to know about their communication, what people can learn ab…

1
How to close the STEM gender gap 31:27

7M ago31:27

31:27

Why is there a persistent gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects? Despite their growing importance for many future jobs, women make up only about a third of STEM graduates, with numbers dropping to as low as 20% in some OECD countries. This disparity is alarming to many policymakers, especially considering th…

1
Celebrating Global Ethics Day 2024 S6E37 34:57

8M ago34:57

34:57

In this week’s episode, the SPA ethics team celebrate Global Ethics Day by reflecting about how ethics can support everyday decision making, with Lisa Campbell, speech pathologist from Physio Inc, and student ethics essay competition winner, Katie Sanders. #GlobalEthicsDay #EthicsEmpoweredResources: Contact the SPA ethics team: ethics@speechpatholo…

1
An introduction to Gestalt Language Processing S6E36 40:39

8M ago40:39

40:39

In this week’s episode, Christina Schmidt from Free to be Me Speech Therapy discusses Gestalt Language Processing (GLP), and Natural Language Aquisition (NLA). Christina discusses what GLP is, how to implement it, and who can benefit from this approach. Christina also discusses how GLP and NLA intersect with neurodiversity affirming practices and t…

1
New resource: Student placements in private practice S6E35 35:48

8M ago35:48

35:48

In this week’s episode Queensland Branch Co-Chair, Dr Shaun Ziegenfusz, speaks with Kate O’Leary, Project Officer for SPA’s new resource: Practice education in private practice. They discuss ways that workplaces can participate in student placements, models of supervision, practice education skills, and how speech pathologists can expand their supe…

1
Celebrating International Week of Deaf People S06 E34 37:14

8M ago37:14

37:14

In this week’s episode, Erin West speaks about her PhD research relating to phonology in Auslan, the sign language in Australia. Erin talks about her research and the steps we still need to take for language equity. Resources:  Sign bank- https://auslan.org.au/ ASL users How Many People Use ASL in the United States? https://gallaudet.edu/wp-content…

1
Overseas qualified speech pathologists in Australia S6E33 27:47

9M ago27:47

27:47

In this week’s episode, Anna Pannuzzo from WorkPlacePLUS and Dr Mary Claessen, SPA’s Senior Advisor Professional Standards, discuss how speech pathologists who are trained overseas prepare to work in Australia. They review legal considerations, skills assessment, and various working arrangements for speech pathologists who migrate to Australia or p…

1
How the WorldSkills ‘Olympics’ is breaking the vocational taboo 29:24

9M ago29:24

29:24

Many countries are experiencing a growing skills gap – what can be done to address the issue? WorldSkills, the largest international skills competition, aims to help. Held every two years, it sees more than 1,400 talented young people compete in 62 different technical disciplines, from Cloud Computing and 3D Game Design to Plumbing and Floristry. T…

1
Videofluoroscopic swallow studies: A new guideline S6E32 41:56

9M ago41:56

41:56

In this week’s episode Professional Practice Advisor, Jess Kaplonyi, speaks with Dr Shana Taubert about Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies (VFSS) and SPA’s newly published guideline. They discuss speech pathologist-led VFSS, the shortage of contrast agents, culturally safe studies, and the future of videofluoroscopy.Resources: SPA Practice Guideline…

1
Disability, sex education, and the speech pathologist- what's our role? S06 E31 41:48

9M ago41:48

41:48

In this week’s episode we speak with Kardie Whelan (she/her), from Sexual Health Victoria about the role of a speech pathologist in supporting our disabled clients to access sex education from a communication access lens. Kardie speaks about how to prepare for questions that might make us feel uncomfortable, and what resources exist. Please note th…

1
How to improve science teaching with Nobel Prize winner Carl Wieman 27:20

9M ago27:20

27:20

On average, science scores have been falling globally for over a decade. What can be done to improve the quality of science teaching? In this episode of Top Class, Nobel Prize winning physicist Carl Wieman, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Education at Stanford University, and Yidan Prize winner, tells OECD Editor Duncan Crawford that current scie…

1
Speech Pathology Week: Speech pathologists communicating their way S6E30 1:01:05

9M ago1:01:05

1:01:05

In this week’s episode we explore Speech Pathology Week’s theme, “Communicate YOUR way.” We speak with speech pathologists Janelle Sampson (she/her), Cicely Binford (she/her), Niall Taylor (he/she) and Subha Mohan (she/her). They discuss and celebrate Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), neurodivergent and gender affirming communicatio…

1
Rebroadcast: Enabling counselling practice in aphasia S6E29 57:24

10M ago57:24

57:24

This week, we rebroadcast an episode from Season 4. Maire MacCana, community-based Speech Pathologist with the Tasmanian Health Service, chats with Dr Jasvinder Sekhon, speech pathologist, research affiliate and community of practice member at the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation. Jas explores research into coun…

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