Diary of an SLT
Episodes
#38: "When I was 6 yrs old Helen Keller inspired me, that led me into this career!"
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Reader joined me on this last episode of season 3. Kate oozes love of her career and chatted in detail about her love of all things AAC and as we...
#37: "SLP in BC - Helping me thrive with less burnout and more joy"
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our first international guest! Wow and thank you to Claire Allen for joining Ruth to chat all things SLP in Vancouver.Claire discusses her journey as ...
#36: "Writing a book was never on my radar: then it just happened!"
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joined by Ruth Jones, Speech and Language, who talks all things career pathway post graduation to her present day working week. Ruth is heavily promot...
#35: "See you later laminator, the tag line that has taken off for our business"
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I am join by Vanessa Woodall, Speech and Language Therapist & business owner. Vanessa along with her husband Dave set up 'Symp...
#34: "The doors just opened so I moved to NI for my dream job!"
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie Whitehead, Highly Specialist SLT in Palliative Care within the SHSCT spoke to Ruth about her current role and how this lead to a move across th...
#33: My caseload still contains adults and paeds - I can't give either up!
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Keeling is chatting with me in this episode. She has continued to work with both adults and paediatric clients within her independent practice ....
#32: "Don't give Up! I interviewed 3 times for the PHA before I got the job I love!"
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Alison Ferris, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) Consultant at Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland joined me for a chat. A...
#31: Working within the Justice System isn't everyones cup of tea!
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I meet Rachel Cohen, who now describes herself as a register intermediary and intuitive coach. Rachel qualified as an SLT and soon dis...
#30: SLT Stories and years of experience to share!
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruth had a good chat with Jan Baerselman in this latest episode. Jan is a seasoned SLT who has specialised in supporting children with SLCN in educati...
#29: "SLT has enabled me to incorporate my love of musical theatre into my working week"
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marissa Webb from The Orchid Practice joined me on this episode to discuss her move from the USA to the UK many years ago. Marissa talks about the cha...
#28: "Variety in a working week is so achievable as an SLT!"
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruth chatted with Charmaine Tearle from April Cottage Therapies in this latest episode. Not only running her own therapy business, but Charmaine is al...
#27: "Constantly pushing myself to do more!"
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have reached a milestone! The podcast is a year old, and to celebrate the microphone was flipped. In this episode Ruth drafted in Ruth Sedgewick fr...
#26: "A seed was planted that led me into SLT"
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Ahern, owner of Zebra Therapy, joined Ruth for this latest episode and what a great chat they had!Emma was very open about her journey into SLT a...
#25: Speech Buddies: Building my Team
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Well this was a fun one! Ruth chats to Emma Harrison, Clinical Director at Speech Buddies in the North East of England. Emma talks about her love of b...
#24: Helping children find their voice!
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Burgess joined Ruth this week, but who is Kate? Owner of "we can commikate" and founder of "Pippin Speech" App, Kate talks ca...
#23: Living and breathing "STAMMA"
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kirsten Howells, SLT and Deputy CEO & Services Director at STAMMA joined Ruth this week. During this wholesome conversation between the pair, Kirs...
#22: SLT Apprenticeship - what is it all about?
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During this episode Ruth chats with Jessie Kinchin, who is currently in her second year of the apprenticeship degree programme through BCU. SLT appren...
#21: Encouraging Communication through Tummy Time!
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruth took a different direction on this weeks episode having a chat with Ashley Boal, Occupational Therapist and founder of Let's Talk Sensory in ...
#20 "Supporting Communication through Joy and Connection!"
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bryony Rust, Independent SLT and author of "How to Help Non Speaking Children in the Early Years" joined Ruth this episode. What a treat for...
#19: Diving into Independent Practice after a few years working in Australia.
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Sharrock, owner of Core Speech caught up with Ruth to explain why the move to Australia post Covid really inspired her to start her independent p...
#18: Bossing GLP and APD from my Speech Den!
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can we really say about Cathy Shilling? Owner of The Speech Den, proactive in her field at ensuring all SLTs know as much as possible about GLP, ...
#17 CEO of RCSLT and Striving to Ensure the Profession is taken Seriously
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruth had the opportunity to chat with Steve Jamieson, CEO at RCSLT last month. Steve is approaching his second year of being in post and it was an op...
#16: Bossing the Business World by Combining my SLT and Montessori Degrees!
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 16 gave Ruth the opportunity to chat with Sarah Kelly, Speech and Language Therapist and owner of Playeasy.ie. Sarah is combining her Montes...
#15: Let’s talk PhD as an SLT!
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the latest episode Ruth talks to Jodie Mills PhD researcher in Speech and Language Therapy at Ulster University.Jodie talks openly about her decisi...
#14 NI Fire and Rescue Service with Communication Access!
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week Ruth chats with Pete Bradley, Watch Commander with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Pete talks openly about his stammer, and w...
#13: Combining SLT and ACT [ Acceptance & Commitment Therapy] in my everyday practice.
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Maeve Lappin, Independent SLT and Clinical Behavioural Analyst chats with Ruth about her career journey. Maeve has done it all! From graduating in NI,...
#12: App developing and SLT = a good combination for me!
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lorraine Curran, SLT & Owner of Aptus Speech Therapy talks to Ruth about her journey from graduation. Lorraine started in an adult role, but upon ...
#11: From Undergraduate to NQP!
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dearbhla Taylor, newly qualified SLT, joins Ruth to talk all things university, placements and graduation. She is really open and honest throughout, ...
#10: Just 3 things..... why did I become a podcaster?
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charlotte Hall, fellow podcaster and speech & language therapist joined Ruth in this episode, to talk about her SLT journey to date. Charlotte...
#9: Taking SLT outside the UK
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Lyons, owner of SL Therapy London & Dubai, chats to Ruth in detail, about how her vision from 11 years ago came into fruition during lockdown in...
#8: Seeing things from the other side, my journey from clinician to mummy.
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Gemma McNally, SLT and mummy to Clara and Caleb chats to Ruth about her role in Surestart SEHSCT in NI, and their creation of an early intervention bo...
#7: My daughter lead to the creation of KINVA Health
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Connor from Kinva Health talks to Ruth about how her daughter's diagnosis of a rare genetic condition at 14 months lead her on a very differe...
#6: I'm on the RCSLT Board of Trustees, but I'm not an SLT!
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sundeep Sidhu, RCSLT Trustee, joins Ruth to chat about being involved with speech and language therapists at board level. New to his role in November ...
#5: Using AI to enhance my therapy session and enthuse others.
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you seen the hype about AI? Are you using it in your therapy? Well I guarantee after listening to Rachel Barton in the latest episode you'll be j...
#4: From NHS to IP, what a journey!
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cara Bethell, diver into the independent sector joins Ruth to share her journey to date. Cara explains that she started on a very different undergrad...
#3: AAC, Feeling enthusiastic!
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Alderman- Reilly joins Ruth to share her passion for Alternative, Augmentative Communication [ AAC ]. Sarah is encouraged by the new enthusiasm ...
#2: Mixing singing, signing and SLT!
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode Ruth chats with Alex McNeill, SLT and Sing & Sign Leader in NI. Alex talks about her decision to move from an NHS role into indepe...
#1: Leadership as an SLT!
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ruth Sedgewick from the RCSLT NI Office joins me to discuss all things leadership in the profession, starting a new role during the COVID pandemic and...
What is it all about? Why do a podcast?
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hi I’m Ruth - Speech & Language Therapist, Business owner, Board of Trustee member at RCSLT, Trainer, Supervisor, Runner and someone who likes to st...