CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion of suicide and loss. Please take care while listening. Crisis resources are included below.

In this powerful Season 3 episode, Luba welcomes Mattie Murrey a former Speech-Language Pathologist and private practice owner of 30 years who traded speech drills for stages and story thrills. Now a keynote speaker, certified life coach, ghostwriter, and publisher, Mattie helps thought leaders turn their ideas into page-turning books.

This conversation goes deep. Mattie shares her journey from running a private practice to stepping into values-driven work, manifestation, vision boarding, and helping others find their voices. She talks about losing her husband to suicide, being shunned from her religious community, and the affirmation that got her through: "I am strong. I am me. And I am okay."

Today, her mantra is: "I am wild, beautiful, smart, and successful."

In this episode, Mattie shares:

• The moment she merged all her passions into one career (values, not just skills)
• The power of manifestation (she took a $15K vision boarding course)
• How to shift from "I'm stuck" to "This is where I'm going"
• Why limiting beliefs are handed to us and how to break them
• The 5-step process for writing a book (research, outline, write, edit, publish)
• Why everyone has a book inside them (writing is how your soul heals)
• The shift from client to author (your book isn't for you it's for the reader)
• Her affirmation practice: 30 seconds of mirror work every day
• How she talks to her 80-year-old self to get unstuck
• The "hero story": When the calling awakens, the hero within you wakes too
• Why she uses ChatGPT as "Barbara Corcoran" for business coaching

"If you're asking the question, you're ready right now. Don't wait."

Key Insights:

• Limiting beliefs: Recognize them, shift them, break them
• Vision boarding: Not a collage it's a "dare to declare"
• Manifestation works (wake up at 4am when there's more space)
• Transferable skills: Critical thinking, communication, resourcefulness
• Affirmations change lives (say your mantra daily in the mirror)
• Plateaus = end of a chapter (close it and write your brave new one)

Sensitive Content: Mattie shares her experience of losing her husband to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call/text 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

This episode is for SLPs feeling stuck, entrepreneurs holding back, anyone who wants to write a book, and people navigating grief or major life transitions.

📲 Connect with Mattie Murrey: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/myownghostwriter Instagram: @myownghostwriter | @freshslp Tagline: "Friends don't let friends write bad books."

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📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast

If you're listening to this late at night your house is quiet, your child is finally asleep, but you're on your phone wondering, "Is this normal?" this episode is for you.

Luba speaks directly to the parents Googling developmental milestones at 2AM, comparing their child to other kids, or feeling dismissed by "wait and see" advice. As a speech-language pathologist, myofunctional therapist, child developmental specialist, and mom of three, Luba knows what it's like to worry, advocate, and fight for your child when something feels off.

This episode tackles 3 questions parents Google at night:

1. Is my child behind?

• Development is patterns, not single skills
• Speech, feeding, sleep, breathing, behavior are all connected
• Why comparison steals your peace
• Why every child has a different childhood (even in the same home)

2. Why does everyone say "wait and see"?

• Why physicians say it (overloaded systems, milestones are averages)
• When waiting is appropriate vs. when it feels like abandonment
• Why you should NEVER wait if you're feeling dismissed
• The power of early intervention: "What's the worst that can happen? Your child gets ahead."

3. Why do I feel like something is off, but no one is listening?

• Parents see their children in motion not in a 30-minute snapshot
• How to advocate: Bring data, bring videos, bring your heartfelt explanation
• Subtle signs that matter: Mouth breathing, unclear speech, picky eating, poor sleep

Key Insights:

• Speech is never just speech. Behavior is often a communication issue.
• Poor sleep affects everything: learning, articulation, focus, mood.
• Oral posture and breathing affect development. Mouth breathing is NOT normal.
• Your child is not broken. When you support the body, the brain follows.

"You are not dramatic. You are not anxious. You are not imagining things. I'm here to guide you."

This episode is for parents feeling dismissed, noticing patterns, or wondering what to watch and when to act.

📲 Free Resources: Visit lubapatlakh.com for developmental checklists, language to use with providers, and early intervention guidance.

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📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast | @kidologyqueen

In this inspiring Season 3 episode, Luba welcomes Hallie Sherman, M.S. CCC-SLP the powerhouse behind Speech Time Fun, the SLP Elevate membership, and The Speech Retreat. With 16 years of school-based experience, Hallie built one of the most recognizable platforms in the SLP community while working full-time, raising kids, and learning business from scratch.

This isn't just a "how I built my business" story. It's a raw, honest conversation about imposter syndrome, taking chances, and realizing that validation from the outside world can spark something bigger than you imagined.

Hallie's Journey:

• Started as an anonymous blogger ("Miss Speechy") worried about being "Google-able"
• Created resources out of necessity—couldn't find materials for older speech students
• Turned a hobby blog into a business in 2016 during fertility struggles
• Built a 2,000-member SLP Elevate membership, 600+ TpT resources, and The Speech Retreat
• Left her school job after 13 years to run Speech Time Fun full-time
• Now impacts thousands of SLPs and millions of students worldwide

In this episode, Hallie shares:

• Why her Amazon account is still "Miss Speechy" (and her husband's Whole Foods pickup embarrassment)
• How Pinterest and early Instagram (before the algorithm!) helped her grow
• Why she hired business coaches for Instagram, Facebook ads, and leadership
• The moment she hit 10K followers: "10,000 people are following me?! That's crazy!"
• Learning to be a leader, build systems, and train a team (not just hire for skills)
• Her 10 worst-case scenarios list before leaving her school job
• Why imposter syndrome shows up every day: "Who am I to tell people how to be an SLP?"
• Her biggest strength: quick action taking ("I'd rather it be messy and fix it later")
• Her dream: getting districts to pay for SLP Elevate so therapists don't pay out of pocket
• What grad school didn't prepare her for: mixed groups, data reality, older students

"If I sat around and waited for it to be perfect, I would have never put it out there. What's the worst that happens? It flops? I've had many ideas flop."

This episode is for school-based SLPs feeling burnt out, therapists wanting to build online businesses, educators creating content, and anyone struggling with imposter syndrome while building something big.

📲 Connect with Hallie Sherman: Website: speechtimefun.com | Instagram: @speechtimefun Podcast: SLP Coffee Talk | Membership: SLP Elevate Conference: The Speech Retreat | Book: The Secondary SLP Roadmap

🎙️ Season 3 is here subscribe now!

📲 Follow us: @thegrowthlabpodcast