SLPAs are everywhere, but are states ready for them? From total chaos to silent overreach, this episode examines the regulatory mess that’s leaving clinicians confused and patients at risk. Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, question the shocking inconsistencies in SLPA and SLP aide requirements across the U.S.—from untrained aides treating medically fragile patients to CCC-tethered supervision rules that sneak ASHA back into the mix. We’re talking state policy, gatekeeping, and what happens when no one’s steering the ship. Whether you're supervising, working alongside, or are an SLPA, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s broken—and what Fix SLP suggests doing about it. You’ll also hear about our 50-state SLPA regulation spreadsheet and how you can help shape what’s next. This is the episode your licensing board hopes you never hear. Visit fixslp.com to access the SLPA regulation spreadsheet, or record your own Minivan Meltdown. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code FixSLP for 10% off every course—every time. Use code FIXSLP10 for a $10 discount coupon off the Professional level subscription at Speech Therapy PD (and set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker while you are there). Learn from Jeanette on Medbridge and use code BENIGAS to get over $100 off. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

What would you build if ASHA disappeared tomorrow? This week, we're rewriting the rules of our profession—from the dues to leadership to culture—with bold, unapologetic ideas for what a better SLP organization could look like. We're talking transparent budgets, free CEUs, mental health access, and an end to credential gatekeeping. Dr. Jeanette Benigas. SLP and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, pinpoint the flaws in the current system and lay out a vision for one that actually serves clinicians. From hilarious rants in nursing home closets to raw truths about burnout and bureaucracy, this episode is the rallying cry for every SLP who's ever thought, "There has to be a better way." If you're ready to burn it down and build it better, this is the episode you share. 💥 Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code FixSLP for 10% off every course—every time. Use code FIXSLP10 for a $10 discount coupon off the Professional level subscription at Speech Therapy PD (and set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker while you are there). Learn from Jeanette on Medbridge and use code BENIGAS to get over $100 off. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Your boss says taking sick leave is patient abandonment? Let’s talk about what’s actually legal — and what’s pure manipulation. This episode might just be the most important one you hear all year. In this fiery and deeply personal episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, expose the truth about patient abandonment—what it is, what it isn’t , and why so many SLPs are guilted into staying in toxic jobs. Jeanette shares her own story of walking away from a draining home health position and explains, step-by-step, how she protected her patients and her peace. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways: The legal definition of patient abandonment and how it applies to clinicians How to plan your exit without guilt Why protecting your mental health and income isn’t selfish — it’s survival How to handle retaliation, empty threats, and shady administration tactics If you’ve ever been told, “You can’t leave — that’s abandonment,” you must hear this. ✅ Subscribe ⭐️ Leave a 5-star rating 🗣 Share this episode with a friend who is ready to walk away from the BS. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code FixSLP for 10% off every course—every time. Use code FIXSLP10 for a $10 discount coupon off the Professional level subscription at Speech Therapy PD (and set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker while you are there). Learn from Jeanette on Medbridge and use code BENIGAS to get over $100 off. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, welcomes Candice Harrell, a North Carolina-based SLP and grassroots advocate, to chat about one of the most confusing—and potentially transformative—developments in the field: the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Together, they unravel what the Compact is, what it isn’t, and why it matters for your license, your wallet, and your autonomy. From the risks of tying the CCC to the Compact, to the surprising transparency of the Commission, to the complex web of fees, background checks, and state-specific regulations, this episode gives you the full picture. Whether you're wondering how the Compact will impact telepractice or school licensure or you just want to know if it’s worth it, this conversation cuts through the noise with facts, examples, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Fixers, this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. ASLP Compact Map ASLP FAQ Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code FixSLP for 10% off every course—every time. Use code FIXSLP10 for a $10 discount coupon off the Professional level subscription at Speech Therapy PD (and set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker while you are there). Learn from Jeanette on Medbridge and use code BENIGAS to get over $100 off. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

How do outdated myths continue to hold SLPs back? From false claims about state licensing boards to misleading job postings and the ASHA NOMs fiasco, it’s time to set the record straight. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, take on the repeated misinformation that keeps circulating in the field—and why they refuse to let it shape the future of speech-language pathology. They’re exposing the reality behind deceptive job listings, calling out the legal issues surrounding ASHA NOMs, and questioning why some SLPs still push unnecessary treatments. What happens when we stop challenging the status quo? And who benefits when we don’t? No fluff, no sugarcoating—just the truth you need to take back control of your career. Listen and subscribe now because fixing SLP starts with facts. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code FixSLP for 10% off every course—every time.' Use code FIXSLP10 for a $10 discount coupon off the Professional level subscription at Speech Therapy PD (and set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker while you are there). Learn from Jeanette on Medbridge and use code BENIGAS to get over $100 off. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, discusses the challenges and myths of the hustle culture in the field of speech-language pathology. She reflects on her own burnout and the need for SLPs to reassess their priorities and workloads. Dr. Benigas criticizes ASHA’s role in perpetuating overwork and emphasizes that SLPs’ value is not solely determined by credentials or CEUs. She calls for SLPs to set boundaries, advocate for themselves, and consider the impact of unpaid work. She also shares her realization that it’s time to take her own advice—setting boundaries, working smarter, and making strategic decisions about where to focus her time and energy. As Fix SLP continues to grow, she’s exploring ways to streamline podcast production and ensure sustainability without compromising the movement’s momentum. If you’re feeling stretched too thin or questioning the never-ending grind, this episode is for you. Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code fixslp for 10% off every course—every time. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and Dr. Tim Stockdale, SLPD, review ASHA’s Call for Peer Review of Proposed Changes to ASHA’s Speech-Language Pathology Certification Standards and explain what these revisions could mean for the field's future. They critically examine proposed changes such as removing undergraduate coursework, adding competencies at the graduate level, and adjusting clinical practicum guidelines. They raise concerns about reducing in-person experience, the risks of allowing fully remote mentorship and fully remote first-time jobs, and the potential consequences for new graduates entering the field. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of maintaining rigorous training standards to ensure that SLPs are well-prepared for real-world practice. With real-world experience and strong opinions, they challenge assumptions and highlight what’s at stake for the next-generation clinicians. Get affordable, expert-led continuing education with Med SLP Gap ! Use code fixslp for 10% off every course—every time. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

In this episode, host Dr. Jeanette Benigas is joined by Australian speech pathologist Niall Taylor for a powerful discussion that draws striking parallels between the musical production Wicked and the current state of the speech-language pathology profession. Together, they unpack the themes of control, self-liberation, and the fight against restrictive systems—whether it's ASHA in the U.S. or Speech Pathology Australia (SPA) down under. From the illusion of authority to the struggles of those challenging the status quo, this episode dives deep into what it means to defy gravity in a profession that resists change. Whether you’re an Elphaba fighting for reform or a Glinda navigating within the system, this conversation will make you reflect on your role in shaping the future of SLP. Listen in, and don’t forget to leave a five-star rating and review to help others find the show! Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Are you working extra hours off the clock? Feeling the squeeze from unrealistic productivity quotas? You’re not alone—and it’s time to fight back. In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, uncover the legal battle that shook the rehab industry. Loy v. Rehab Synergies was a landmark case where clinicians fought back against wage theft—and won. Find out what this case means for you, how to protect yourself from unethical workplace demands, and why keeping good records and a time audit might be your strongest defenses. If you’re tired of being overworked and undervalued, this episode is a must-listen. If you’ve ever felt trapped by industry norms or scared to speak up, this episode is your rallying cry. You deserve better. Find out how to stand up, document everything, and reclaim your worth. It’s time to fix this broken system—together. Check out last week's episode: Patients or Profits? Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner to support our work . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Preston Lewis talk with "Polly" (not her real name), a seasoned speech-language pathologist working in a skilled nursing facility who bravely shares her experiences with unethical workplace practices. Polly sheds light on the troubling realities many clinicians face daily, from excessive productivity demands to profit-driven care models that compromise patient outcomes. The conversation highlights the pressures of maintaining 85% productivity, the challenges of being denied resources like instrumental swallow assessments, and the ethical dilemmas of working within a system prioritizing profit over patient care. Polly discusses her efforts to advocate for herself and her patients while navigating a workplace culture of intimidation and fear of reprisal. Listeners will learn practical strategies to protect themselves, such as conducting time audits, ensuring proper documentation, and securing private liability insurance. This episode is a powerful call to action for SLPs and healthcare professionals committed to challenging the status quo and fighting for meaningful change. Listen to Tiffany Moniz's episode Therapists for Change Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

In this episode, special guest Ruchi Kapila, MS/SLP, joins Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, to share their powerful mental health journey, openly discussing life with ADHD, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. They emphasize the transformative importance of self-care, finding joy in one's work, and leaning on community support. Beyond personal reflections, this episode explores the need for sustainable practices in the SLP field, the value of mentorship, and the community's power in fostering professional development. Whether you're a seasoned clinician, a new graduate, or someone invested in the future of speech-language pathology, this episode offers insights, inspiration, and a call to action for a better, more supportive future. Listen to AC Goldberg's episode, I'm Not Dropping the CCC, and Here's Why Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

In this episode of the Fix SLP podcast, Dr. Jeanette Benigas and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, are joined by Jessica, a parent and advocate, to discuss Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and its impact on autistic individuals. The conversation highlights the transformative nature of GLP, the challenges families face in accessing meaningful support, and the systemic barriers posed by outdated practices in speech-language pathology. Jessica shares her concerns about a controversial ASHA convention presentation that disparaged GLP. Jessica reached out to ASHA to share her perspective as a parent, emphasizing the life-changing outcomes of GLP for her child and raising concerns about ASHA’s dismissive response to advocacy efforts from families and clinicians alike. The conversation emphasizes the need for ASHA to address these issues and better support SLPs and their clients. The three examine ASHA’s role in perpetuating these challenges by failing to prioritize evidence-based practices and the lived experiences of clinicians, families, and autistic individuals. They critique the exclusion of GLP from ASHA’s Practice Portal and explore the broader implications for professional transparency, autonomy, and accountability. This episode underscores the need for modernization in the field and calls for grassroots advocacy to ensure clinicians and families have access to diverse, evidence-informed approaches. It’s a candid discussion that reflects Fix SLP’s mission to challenge the status quo and push for meaningful change in speech-language pathology. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the movement by sharing the episode, submitting feedback to ASHA’s board , and supporting sustained advocacy for a more inclusive and equitable future in the field. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription! Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Dr. Jeanette Benigas and cohost Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, are joined by Mikayla Treynor, MA/SLP, to discuss the vital work being done by Fix SLP’s state teams, from addressing Medicaid CCC requirements to educating legislators on the impact of outdated policies. The team emphasizes the importance of persistence, collaboration, and education in driving meaningful change at both state and national levels. Looking ahead to 2025, Fix SLP has set ambitious goals to expand its efforts, target key states, and continue advocating for systemic reforms that empower clinicians. With updates on current projects and a call for volunteers to join the movement, this episode provides valuable insights and practical steps for those looking to make a difference in the field. Whether you’re an experienced advocate or just starting to explore these issues, this episode offers a compelling look at how Fix SLP is reshaping the future of SLP, one state at a time. Want to lead or join your state team? Email your name and state to states@fixslp.com. Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription! Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

As 2024 comes to a close, join Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MA/SLP, as they celebrate Fix SLP’s remarkable achievements and share their vision for an empowering 2025. From significant Medicaid credentialing changes to progress in eliminating barriers like the CCC requirement, they reflect on the year’s milestones and discuss their excitement for the road ahead. This episode features heartfelt wishes from listeners for the future of the field, actionable advice for clinicians at all career stages, and an inspiring call to elevate SLP voices, advocate for autonomy, and foster community. Jeanette and Preston discuss plans for a revamped website, a growing team, and expanded volunteer engagement, emphasizing the importance of resilience, collaboration, and meaningful change. Whether you’re a seasoned SLP or just starting your journey, this episode will leave you energized and ready to help shape the future of the profession. Let’s fix SLP—together. Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription! Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Leave a message on our Minivan Meltdown line! ★ Support this podcast ★…

Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, and Elizabeth Nielsen, MA/SLP, examine the financial landscape of speech-language pathology, highlighting ASHA's $65 million in cash reserves and $71 million in investments. They critique ASHA's spending priorities, including minimal investment in lobbying, and question how these funds could better support clinicians and the profession. Jeanette provides updates on the Fix SLP team's CCC and ASHA membership status, illustrating the team's commitment to autonomy and professional choice. This episode emphasizes the importance of systemic change, transparency, and grassroots advocacy to build a stronger future for SLPs. Set up a FREE account to begin using the CU tracker. Want to earn some PDHs or CEUs? Use code FIXSLP58 to get a $20 discount coupon off any subscription! Become a sustaining partner . Follow us on Instagram . Find all our information at fixslp.com and sign up for our email list to be alerted to new episodes and content. Email us at team@fixslp.com. Share your New Year's wish for the profession or Fix SLP for our next episode! ★ Support this podcast ★…