Speak Up

Rebroadcast: Professional New Year’s resolutions SLSS2E3

Speak Up

Show Notes

This week on the Summer Listening Series Bea Staley from the Speak Up podcast reference group reflects on a 2023 episode about making professional new years resolutions. We hear from two speech pathologists who have had major changes in 2023. Kim took the leap and started her own business, and Jen is just finishing her first year as a graduate speech pathologist. Some of the themes that came up in these interviews were regarding wellbeing, so we have also spoken to Matthew Walter, from Acacia EAP about the challenges of setting professional boundaries.

Resources: 

If this episode has brought up any concerns for you please consider reaching out to one of the below resources for support:

Lifeline call: 13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Beyond blue call: 1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor

13YARN call: 13 92 76 https://www.13yarn.org.au/

Australian government list of mental health contacts: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention/mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-contacts?language=und

Australian Psychological Society- find a psychologist: https://psychology.org.au/find-a-psychologist

Jen’s earlier podcast: https://soundcloud.com/speechpathologyaustralia/transitioning-into-the-workforce-supporting-new-graduates-s05-e06?si=9e986af2a5844593b1f89d5152f9d48a&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Acacia EAP: https://www.eapcounselling.com.au/

SPA member resources:

Private practice essentials: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Members/Members/Professional-practice/Professional-Resources/PPR/PPE.aspx?hkey=c15d4d21-9327-478b-92fa-2ec4300060a5

Mental health and wellbeing support for members:

https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/Members/Members/Member-benefits/mental-health-wellbeing-support.aspx?hkey=41da9687-1b53-4de0-baa6-4641080d0667

Speech Pathology Australia acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pay respect to Elders past and present. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

Free access to transcripts for podcast episodes are available via the SPA Learning Hub (https://learninghub.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/),, you will need to sign in or create an account. For more information, please see our Bio or for further enquiries, email [email protected]

More from Speak Up

Oct 21, 2026

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Margaret Lehman Blake, Dr Ronelle Hewetson, and Dr Amanda Love about the hidden communication challenges that can follow a right hemisphere stroke. They discuss key research findings, the emerging framework of apragmatism, best-practice assessment approaches, and why greater awareness is needed to improve outcomes for individuals and their families.

Oct 14, 2026

In this week’s episode, SPA First Nations Lead Nikita and our guests discuss how we can improve speech, language, and communication outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the early years of language development. The panel of researchers and clinicians share practical tips and resources to support and improve culturally safe and responsive practice.

Oct 7, 2026

In this week’s episode, Jess speaks with Jenny Wills and Deb Cunningham about their research and work with people with facial palsy. They discuss the complexities of living with facial palsy and how speech pathologists interested in this practice area can upskill and provide comprehensive, person-centred support.

Sep 30, 2026

In this week’s episode, podcast producers Jess and Nadia are joined by national advisor MJ to discuss inclusive, accessible service design. We feature two recordings from the recent SPA 2026 conference and reflect on the way our services can be enhanced with systemic change focussed on equality.

Sep 23, 2026

In this week’s episode, Dr Ramas McRae joins us to recognise International Week of Deaf People and the International Day of Sign Languages. He explores how communication access and inclusion influence the wellbeing of Deaf people, and shares ways speech pathologists can support inclusion and be effective allies.

See all episodes →