In this episode of 'Hear Me Out,' hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin speak with parent Brandon Benzer about his son Chet’s speech delays. Brandon describes how parent participation, themed play activities, sibling support, and field trips helped their family, and how Chet’s articulation and frustration improved over time. He encourages parents to seek evaluations early, get on wait lists while continuing other services, and avoid comparing journeys, while the hosts note the clinic’s free services and the importance of grants and donations.

In this episode, Steve Kaarbo discusses his work with Northwood Children's Services and the MNSWCA, a non-profit organization. He talks about the transition to community-based mental health support and the impact of COVID-19 on children's social skills. Steve explains how MNSWCA raises funds for the Masonic Children's Clinic through events like the Frozen Force Artist Showcase and Excalibur Con, blending nerd culture with philanthropy to support speech and mental health services for children.

In this episode of 'Hear Me Out,' hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin from the Masonic Children's Clinic for Communication Disorders sit down with retired speech-language pathologist Tahirih Bushy. They discuss Tahirih's impactful career, which has spanned public schools, outpatient healthcare, university teaching, and private practice. They share anecdotes about their past experiences working and learning from Tahirih, highlighting her innovative approach to communication therapy, including the development of the Autism Games website and programs like Buddy Group and Stage Play. Tahirih shares her philosophy on the importance of play, curiosity, and humility in therapy, as well as the significance of mentorship and continuous learning. Listen in for an inspiring conversation about the evolution and future of speech-language pathology.

In this podcast episode, hosts welcome back Jillian Little and her student intern, Jadyn Weckworth, to discuss the student intern experience in the field of speech-language pathology. The episode covers the journey aspiring speech pathologists undertake, including acquiring a master's degree and completing clinical hours. Jadyn shares her inspiration to join the profession, her experiences at different internships, and her growing interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Jillian and Jadyn reflect on the mentoring process and the importance of building clinical confidence and adapting to individual patient needs. The episode also delves into the collaborative experience of running the Buddy Group, a social language group for children, highlighting the importance of observational learning, scaffolding, and interdisciplinary collaboration in professional development.

In this episode of 'Hear Me Out,' hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin discuss the 'Stage Play' program with guest Kate Horvath. They explore how this acting class for neurodivergent children uses theater to enhance communication, social skills, and emotional awareness. The episode covers the program's origins, growth, and the impactful collaboration between the Masonic Children's Clinic and local theater professionals.

In this episode of 'Hear Me Out,' hosts Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin from the Masonic Children's Clinic for Communication Disorders discuss communication disorders with guest Alyssa Acker, a school speech language pathologist. Alyssa shares her personal journey into the field, inspired by her daughter's hearing issues. The discussion covers the Help Me Grow referral process in Minnesota, the importance of early childhood screenings, and how evaluations for communication issues are conducted in public schools. The team highlights the value of collaboration between professionals for the benefit of the child and their family. Tamara also shares tips for parents on managing activity transitions for children. The episode emphasizes the benefits of early intervention and support for children with communication disorders.

In this episode of 'Hear Me Out,' Niki Lampi and Tamara Pogin introduce Emily Wolf, office manager, and Andrea Thyen, therapy aide at the Masonic Children's Clinic. Emily discusses her career shift from hotel management and her dynamic role at the clinic. Andrea shares her journey from a communications degree to her current role, emphasizing her work with sibling childcare and creative projects. Both highlight their teamwork and commitment to providing a welcoming environment. The episode also explores special clinic events and personal anecdotes about engaging with the children, and is a LOT of fun!

This episode features Tristan Feld and Natalie Wark, speech language pathologists who work in both public schools and the Clinic. They discuss their journeys into the profession and the PACC program—Parents and Children Communicating—aimed at parent education. The program, originally developed in the 1990s, provides services to families with children facing communication challenges. It includes parent education sessions while providing childcare, focusing on strategies for better communication. The program accommodates various caregivers and has had a significant positive impact on numerous families over the years. Tristan and Natalie share the rewarding experiences and challenges of their roles in both settings and express the importance of flexibility and collaboration in their work.