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Artwork for De Facto Leaders

De Facto Leaders

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan
Executive Functioning
Language Therapy
Education
Edtech
Speech-Language Pathology
Literacy
Dyslexia
Educational Leadership
Self-Talk
Special Education
Speech Language Pathology
Time Perception
Vocabulary Development
Language Therapy Advance Foundations
ADHD
Episodic Memory
Better Speech
Literacy Skills
Middle Management
Syntax

On the De Facto Leaders podcast, host Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan helps pediatric therapists and educators become better leaders, so they can make a bigger impact with their services. With over 15 years of experience supporting school-age kids with diverse learning needs, Dr. Karen shares up-to-date evidence-based practices, her own experiences and guest interviews designed to help clinicians, teacher... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes263Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationCourses

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Artwork for De Facto Leaders

Latest Episodes

You’ve been told that social skills interventions are ableist.

But you’ve also been told that we need to prepare students for real-world expectations. You have teachers and administrators coming to you with concerns about behavior, participation, an... more

“Accommodation” is a loaded word. On one hand, we want to provide reasonable accommodations in K-12 so kids can access their education.

But determining what is “reasonable” accommodation or modification can be messy.

Both parents and educators can ... more

YouTube

Are we really “overteaching” phonics, or should there be a hard stopping point where it’s not taught past a certain grade?

Are current stories trending on popular news outlets aligned with best practices for supporting dyslexic learners?

Is the pub... more

If you’re an SLP who’s wondering how you can effectively address complex skills relating to both language and executive functioning in the school systems… 

The primary challenge is that BOTH language and executive functioning are incredibly complica... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Jill Fahy
Licensed speech-language pathologist and professor; Director of STEP program at Eastern Illinois University
Eastern Illinois University
Episode: The Impact of Overaccommodation in K–12 on Independence in College and Beyond (with Jill Fahy)
Lori Josephson
Dyslexia and education consultant; author; Orton-Gillingham Academy fellow
Florida, Author; Orton-Gillingham Academy fellow
Episode: Helping Kids and the Adults Supporting Them Understand How the Brain Learns to Read (with Lori Josephson)
Kim Jenkins
Private practice speech-language pathologist; Empowering Speech Services
Empowering Speech Services
Episode: AAC, Gestalts, and Literacy: Case Studies for Using the “Essential 5” (with Kimberly Jenkins)
Dr. Gene Kearns
Representative from Renaissance
Renaissance
Episode: Three Practices That Turn Language Therapy Into a Scalable System
Jethro Jones
Founder of the Bee Podcast Network
Bee Podcast Network
Episode: Three Practices That Turn Language Therapy Into a Scalable System
Lauren Porosoff
Educational consultant from The Teacher Nerd
The Teacher Nerd
Episode: Student Wellness Is a Design Decision, Not a Siloed Activity (with Lauren Porosoff)
Seth Fleischauer
President of Banyan Global Learning, he focuses on global learning and cultural competencies.
Banyan Global Learning
Episode: A Case for Well-Designed Virtual Field Trips (with Seth Fleischauer)
Maura Connor
Chief Operating Officer at Better Speech, with expertise in educational and healthcare technology.
Better Speech
Episode: Defining “EdTech” and the End User (with Maura Connor)
Jane Gebers
Speech pathologist and expert in narrative intervention
Episode: Narrative Intervention: Beyond "Cute" Stories and Lesson Plans (with Jane Gebers)

Host

Dr. Karen Dudek-Brannan
Host of the show who shares evidence-based practices for pediatric therapists and educators; focuses on leadership, collaboration, and scalable systems in education and clinical practice.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 79 ratings
  • Excellent

    This podcast is so informative!! I love listening to Dr. Karen! She’s helped me so much in my speech therapy sessions!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sean34514
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Podcast

    Karen is so knowledgeable! I recommend this podcast to other educators frequently. There are so many great conversations that benefit many educators.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Barb22222
    United States2 years ago
  • Excellent Podcast!

    As a Special Education teacher one of my life rules is - when you need help ask the SLP. From executive functioning, language concerns and navigating the complex school world with a complex kid- you get it! Love your guests and your well articulated insights. Thanks for opening your mind and raising your voice so that we can learn more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ReadingTeachersLounge
    United States2 years ago
  • Mom review

    I really enjoy the podcast, she articulates very well. Not all topics directly relate to my kids yet but it’s so great to hear her insight. She’s fantastic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    *momof6*
    United States3 years ago
  • Redefining leadership

    Leadership is an action, not a station. I love how Dr. Karen has redefined what we mean by leaders and empowered more voices in the conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rrpodnet
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Hosts are described as knowledgeable and insightful, with useful guest lineups.
Fans appreciate the focus on scalable education systems and real-world impact.
Audience finds bite-sized episodes helpful for busy professionals.
Listeners praise practical, actionable guidance for SLPs and educators.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Impact of Overaccommodation in K–12 on Independence in College and Beyond (with Jill Fahy)
Q: How do accommodations and modifications differ in college preparation, and what should families know?
They explained that postsecondary settings rarely offer the same kinds of modifications found in K–12; instead, students rely on universal supports like tutoring and writing centers, and there needs to be explicit communication about what supports will transfer and what will change.
The Impact of Overaccommodation in K–12 on Independence in College and Beyond (with Jill Fahy)
Q: What was your experience of transitioning from high school to college for students, particularly around executive functioning and independence?
The guest described how the shift from highly scaffolded high school supports to the relatively autonomous college environment creates a demanding transition, with increased expectations for independent problem-solving, planning, and self-regulation, and emphasized the need for deliberate practice and gradual fading of prompts.
Helping Kids and the Adults Supporting Them Understand How the Brain Learns to Read (with Lori Josephson)
Q: What other myths have you heard about reading and how have you shifted beliefs?
There are many myths, including the idea that dyslexics have gifts and that intelligence determines reading ability; the consensus now is that dyslexia is not about intelligence and that most people can learn to read with the right instruction, with emphasis on explicit, integrated approaches.
Helping Kids and the Adults Supporting Them Understand How the Brain Learns to Read (with Lori Josephson)
Q: What is the last book you read?
The Digital Delusion by Jared Horvath.
Student Wellness Is a Design Decision, Not a Siloed Activity (with Lauren Porosoff)
Q: How does compensatory programming fit into daily classroom design?
Compensatory programming should align with a school's stated values and be embedded in everyday instruction rather than serving as stand-alone wellness kits, ensuring students experience wellness through the design of interactions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About De Facto Leaders

What is De Facto Leaders about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on practical leadership and systems thinking for educators, clinicians, and school-based leaders who support students with diverse needs. Episodes consistently explore scalable practices, evidence-based language and literacy strategies, and the integration of technology to reduce admin burden while improving outcomes. Guests range from education researchers and clinicians to edtech leaders, with recurring emphasis on collaboration among teams, designing sustainable programs, and building capacity within schools. A standout theme is turning theory into repeatable, impact-focused workflows—whether through collaborative meeting structures, scalable therapy frameworks, or AI-enabled tools—and translating insights into real-worl... more

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How many episodes of De Facto Leaders are there?

De Facto Leaders launched 5 years ago and published 263 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on De Facto Leaders?

Recent guests on De Facto Leaders include:

1. Jill Fahy
2. Lori Josephson
3. Kim Jenkins
4. Dr. Gene Kearns
5. Jethro Jones
6. Lauren Porosoff
7. Seth Fleischauer
8. Maura Connor

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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