Fix SLP: Advocacy & Accountability in Speech-Language Pathology

New SLPs are burning out—and it’s not their fault.
In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP talks with Nikki Rosner, MA/SLP and Hylan Noble, MS/SLP from The Mentorship Collective about the growing mentorship crisis in speech-language pathology. Together, they unpack why so many new grads feel overwhelmed, unsupported, and unprepared in their first year—and what can be done to fix it.

We talk about the problems with tr...

Are staffing agencies and investor-backed companies pocketing the profits while you do the work? In this episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP sit down with Elise Mitchell, MS/SLP, founder of The Therapist Support Network, to expose how contracting puts the power—and the paycheck—back in your hands. Whether you're in schools, hospitals, or private practice, learn how SLPs are building income, autono...

Ready to finally understand what you’re really getting paid—and what’s being kept from you in SLP job listings? In this jaw-dropping episode, Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP sit down with Dr. Meredith Harold, SLP, founder of The Informed SLP and Informed Jobs, to expose the hidden red flags in speech-language pathology job postings, the illusion of hourly pay, and the myth of wage transparency in our fi...

ASHA’s fingerprints are all over a sneaky new Texas bill—and the receipts are here. This episode exposes how ASHA is quietly pushing policies that keep SLPs trapped in their CCC web, fueling fear and gatekeeping in the profession.

Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, break down Texas SB 905, revealing the hidden clause that inflates ASHA’s influence (and profits) and perpetuates its gatekeeping at the s...

Change doesn’t come by asking nicely—it comes by saying NO when it matters most. In this episode, we’re taking a hard look at boundaries, advocacy, and why protecting yourself is non-negotiable.
 
Dr. Jeanette Benigas, SLP, and Preston Lewis, MS/SLP, listen to real-world stories from clinicians who stood their ground against unsafe workplaces, unethical demands, and toxic cultures. From walking away from dangerous jo...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 t...

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 themselve...

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 guid...

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 (S...

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...

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 conversa...

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 v...

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 pathol...

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, ...

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 fro...