Faith isn’t meant to stay inside a building.In this episode of Real Work, Paul Sanftner reflects on the real work of ministry and fellowship—not only within church walls, but in everyday life and professional environments. He shares how service, encouragement, and intentional community shape both personal growth and workplace culture.Paul discusses what it means to live out your faith consistently, how fellowship strengthens leadership, and why helping others is not a side activity—but central to a meaningful life.This conversation explores:Fellowship inside and outside of workServing others through everyday leadershipFaith as a lived practice, not just a beliefBuilding authentic community in professional spacesThis isn’t about titles or positions.It’s about showing up for others, living with integrity, and doing the real work of service wherever you are.🎙️ Part of the Real Work podcast📺 Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts

What if the most powerful speech therapy doesn’t happen in a clinic but at home, during everyday life?In this episode of Real Work, Jennifer Tarle sits down with Michael Neary, a speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience and the founder of Chattertots, LLC. Together, they explore early communication, parent coaching, and why early intervention is less about “fixing” children and more about empowering families.Michael shares his journey through public schools, hospitals, early intervention, and private practice. Then discusses why he chose to step away from traditional therapy models to focus on caregiver coaching. Drawing on his background in theater and music, he brings creativity, flexibility, and joy into communication work with young children and their families.In this conversation, we discuss:-What Birth-to-Three and early intervention really look like-Early communication red flags parents shouldn’t ignore-Why parent coaching creates better outcomes than weekly therapy alone-How play, music, and following a child’s lead support language growth-Navigating waitlists, burnout, and broken systems in healthcare and education-Why asking questions early is not panic—it’s powerThis episode is for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone interested in meaningful work that supports children, families, and real connection.🔗 Learn more / connect with Michael🌐 Website: https://www.chattertotsllc.com📸 Instagram: @chattertotsllc📘 Facebook: Chattertots, LLC💼 LinkedIn: Chattertots, LLC

What does inclusion really look like inside today’s school systems—and what kind of leadership does it demand?In this episode of Real Work, host Jennifer Tarle sits down with Mitch Atkin, Senior Director of Specialized Services at Regeneron Schools, to talk candidly about disability advocacy, special education leadership, and what it takes to build systems where students truly belong.With over two decades of experience across Chicago, New Orleans, and San Antonio, Mitch has led large-scale special education systems serving nearly 60 schools across multiple states. His work spans IDEA, Section 504 compliance, dyslexia and tiered supports, restorative practices, and measurable outcomes—including literacy gains and reduced disciplinary actions.In this conversation, we explore:What “disability” really means in schools—and why many disabilities are invisibleThe difference between public, charter, and private schools (and the myths around charter schools)How compliance, IEPs, and service tracking connect directly to student successWhy inclusive mindsets matter as much as instructional strategiesLeadership lessons from working across cultures and statesHow trust, presence, and saying “I don’t know” make stronger teamsThe human side of leadership—music, mentorship, and sustaining purpose over timeMitch also shares insight into his doctoral research on professional development and inclusive mindsets, examining how changing adult beliefs is essential for real inclusion to work.This episode is for educators, leaders, parents, and anyone interested in meaningful work that blends policy, people, and purpose—without losing the humanity at the center.🔗 Learn more / connect with Mitch➡️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelatkin/