Show Notes
Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com. 📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Jones sits down with Marni Kammersell, a neurodivergent researcher, consultant, and advocate who helps families build neuroaffirming learning environments. Drawing from her doctoral research and lived experience, Marni shares how autonomy-supportive practices foster resilience, growth, and well-being for children and families. Together, they explore the unique challenges and strengths of families raising neurodivergent children, with a special focus on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), unschooling/self-directed education, and low-demand approaches to support authentic learning. Listeners will walk away with practical, strengths-based strategies and a deeper understanding of how to create inclusive, affirming, and supportive spaces for children and families. 👤 Guest Bio: Marni Kammersell is a neurodivergent researcher, consultant, and advocate dedicated to supporting families and educators in creating environments where neurodivergent children can thrive. Through her work, Marni integrates lived experience with research to highlight the importance of autonomy, family resilience, and inclusive approaches to education and therapy. She is passionate about helping professionals partner with families to better understand and support children with complex needs, including those with PDA, giftedness, and multiple neurodivergent profiles. 🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode: Marni’s journey from homeschooling parent to researcher and consultant
What it means to create neuroaffirming learning environments
Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and why low-demand approaches matter
Supporting parents navigating the challenges of school systems and IEP processes
The role of autonomy and resilience in thriving beyond traditional education models
Giftedness and neurodivergence: unique barriers and opportunities What SLPs and educators should know about partnering with parents of PDA children
📚 Learning Objectives: By listening to this episode, you’ll be able to: ✅ Define “neuroaffirming learning” and explain its importance ✅ Identify strategies to support families of children with PDA and other neurodivergent profiles ✅ Apply autonomy-supportive practices to foster resilience in both students and families ✅ Recognize how strengths-based approaches can transform educational and therapeutic experiences 🔗 Learn more about Marni’s work: WanderingBrightly.com 📩 Follow Bright Ideas Media: bethebrightest.com Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com.
More from Bright Conversations
Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com. 📌 Episode Summary:In this episode of Bright Conversations, Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan, founder of Dr. Karen LLC, host of the DeFacto Leaders Podcast, and July 2026 SLP Summit presenter, joins us to rethink what executive function support can look like beyond planners, checklists, and isolated social skills groups. Dr. Karen breaks executive functioning into five core areas: time perception, self-talk, future pacing, episodic memory, and encoding. She explains how these underlying skills influence a student’s ability to plan, initiate, self-regulate, problem-solve, and follow through, and why behaviors often labeled as “non-compliance” or “defiance” may signal something very different beneath the surface. From explicit instruction and cognitive flexibility to assessment, IEP documentation, and team collaboration, this conversation offers practical ways to identify what students actually need, prioritize intervention targets, and build supports that can generalize beyond the therapy room. 👤 Guest Bio: Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan is the founder of Dr. Karen LLC and host of the DeFacto Leaders Podcast. Her work helps SLPs and other related service providers strengthen clinical practice, leadership, and executive function support within real-world school systems. Through her programs and resources, she focuses on helping clinicians build scalable frameworks that support students while strengthening collaboration across school teams. 💬 Quotable Moments: “The observable behaviors might be ‘non-compliance’... but those are the external things you're seeing. It's why are they doing it?” “It's really about changing the model.” 🔗 Resources & Links: School of Clinical Leadership: drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership Language Therapy Advance Foundations: drkarenspeech.com/languagetherapy Task Execution and Planning Protocol: drkarendudekbrannan.com/taskexecution DeFacto Leaders Podcast: drkarendudekbrannan.com/blog Dr. Karen Executive Functioning Systems: YouTube Additional resources mentioned: Jill Fahy, Sarah Ward, Russell Barkley, TILLS, Test of Problem Solving, Social Language Development Test, and BRIEF Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com.
Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com. 📌 Episode Summary: In this After SLP Summit episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with Rachel Madel, speech-language pathologist and AAC advocate, to continue the conversation sparked by her SLP Summit presentation. Together, they explore the role of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) in supporting nonspeaking and minimally speaking individuals. Rachel shares the story of how she first encountered AAC as a graduate student—and how that experience reshaped her understanding of communication, language development, and what meaningful support looks like for students with complex communication needs. From visual supports and communication devices to shifting mindsets around speech and language, this conversation highlights the importance of meeting students where they are and honoring all forms of communication. Whether you're new to AAC or looking to strengthen your clinical approach, this episode offers insight, reflection, and practical encouragement for supporting communicators in more inclusive and empowering ways. 👤 Guest Bio: Rachel Madel, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She is passionate about helping clinicians and families better understand how to support nonspeaking communicators through visual supports, communication systems, and accessible language opportunities. Through her clinical work and online education, Rachel empowers professionals to rethink communication and build inclusive environments where all voices are valued. 🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode: What AAC really means and who it supports
📌 Episode Summary: This episode of Bright Conversations is sponsored by BIZCon, the premier continuing education experience by Bright Ideas Media for aspiring and growing entrepreneurs. Host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with Ebony Greene and Sarah Breshears, two inspiring speech-language pathologists who expanded their clinical expertise into thriving businesses. Ebony and Sarah share their journeys from traditional clinical roles into entrepreneurship. They discuss what motivated them to step outside of conventional career paths, the challenges they faced while building businesses, and the lessons they learned along the way. From launching private practices to mentoring other clinicians, this conversation highlights how SLPs can use their expertise in innovative ways. Ebony and Sarah talk about the realities of running a business, balancing leadership with clinical work, and the importance of community and mentorship in the profession. Whether you're curious about entrepreneurship, looking to grow an existing business, or simply interested in hearing how clinicians are expanding the impact of their work, this episode offers inspiration and resources to help you get started. 👤 Guest Bios Sarah BreshearsAt the height of the COVID pandemic, Sarah Breshears transitioned from clinical work in schools and hospitals to founding Social Moguls, where she helps female health and wellness professionals build businesses and systems for success. Ebony Greene, MS, CCC-SLPEbony Greene is a private practice owner, founder, business consultant, and online course creator. After leaving the classroom in 2011, Ebony pursued speech-language pathology and later expanded into entrepreneurship. Through The SLP Business Suite and her signature events, she teaches clinicians how to stop trading time for dollars and build scalable businesses. 🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode How speech-language pathologists can transition from clinician to entrepreneur
Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com. 📌 Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with educator and advocate Germaine Graham to explore what meaningful inclusion truly looks like for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) individuals. From early intervention and communication access to representation and self-advocacy, Germaine shares insights grounded in both personal experience and professional practice. Together, they unpack how educators, therapists, and families can move beyond surface-level awareness toward everyday actions that promote accessibility, belonging, and empowerment. This conversation challenges listeners to rethink inclusion—not as a checklist, but as a commitment to honoring communication diversity and identity. 👤 Guest Bio: Germaine Graham is an educator, advocate, and community leader dedicated to improving access, representation, and equity for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. With a strong focus on communication rights and inclusive education, Germaine works with schools, families, and professionals to build environments where DHH individuals are seen, heard, and valued for who they are. 🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode: Understanding social and educational barriers faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals
Earn ASHA CEUs for listening to this episode and learn more at www.bethebrightest.com. 📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Bright Conversations, host Lisa Kathman welcomes school-based speech-language pathologist and creator of Panda Speech Publishing, Amanda Schaumburg, for a refreshingly honest discussion on real-world case management. From managing hundreds of IEPs to deciding when to dismiss a student, Amanda shares practical strategies that help SLPs work smarter—not harder. Together, they explore how to streamline data collection, make ethical and confident dismissal decisions, and set healthy boundaries to prevent burnout. This episode is equal parts practical guidance and encouragement for every SLP navigating the demands of school-based work. 👤 Guest Bio: Amanda Schaumburg, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a school-based speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, and founder of Panda Speech Publishing. With extensive experience in case management, Medicaid billing, and resource creation, she trains districts nationwide on efficient IEP documentation and eligibility processes. Amanda is also a children’s book author and a passionate advocate for supporting busy SLPs through realistic tools and empowering professional boundaries. 🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode: Real-world case management: balancing high caseloads and leadership roles