First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP

Pediatric Feeding Disorders

Pediatric Feeding Disorder

Speech-Language Pathology

Neurodiversity

Trauma-Informed Care

Early Intervention

Feeding Therapy

Social Determinants Of Health

Pediatric Speech Therapy

Mental Health

Pediatric Dysphagia

Sensory Processing

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Advocacy

Autism

AAC

Interprofessional Practice

Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders

Brain Injury

Pediatric Feeding

First Bite is your go-to resource for all things pediatric speech therapy–covering pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, lactation, AAC, early language acquisition, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. Designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, the podcast brings functional, evidence-based insights straight to clinicians serving little ones and their caregiv... more

247 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	298	Founded	8 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	EducationCoursesCareersBusiness

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Strategies for Successful Supervision with Alice L. Williams

Approach supervision with greater clarity, intention, and sustainability.

Guest: Alice L. Williams, BA, SLPA

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

Th... more

Yesterday • 1 hr 8 min

Autism, GI, and Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Leena Sayed

Explore common GI challenges in autistic individuals, and how they impact feeding, behavior, and participation at mealtimes.

Guest: Leena Sayed, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

21 Apr 2026 • 1 hr 10 min

YouTube

Trauma and PFD Part 2: Evaluations and Treatment with Lauren Thompson

Create safe, supportive assessment experiences to guide trauma-sensitive care.

Guest: Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

14 Apr 2026 • 1 hr 32 min

YouTube

Infant Feeding: All Things Bottles, GIGER, and Allergies with Britt Pados

Practical insights into bottles, reflux, GI health, and the collaborative thinking needed to support safe, successful feeding.

Guest: Britt Pados, PhD, RN, NNP-BC, IBCLC, FAHA

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Yo... more

7 Apr 2026 • 1 hr 9 min

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Alice L. Williams

VA SLPA, creator of the SLPA Network

SLPA Network

Episode: Strategies for Successful Supervision with Alice L. Williams

Leena Sayed

Former graduate student turned pediatric feeding therapist focusing on GI and autism.

Tutts to Teens Therapy

Episode: Autism, GI, and Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Leena Sayed

Lauren Warren

Owner/clinician at Well Fed Feeding Therapy

Well Fed Feeding Therapy

Episode: Trauma and PFD Part 2: Evaluations and Treatment with Lauren Thompson

Britt Pados

Neonatal nurse practitioner, IBCLC, trauma-informed professional, AHA fellow

Episode: Infant Feeding: All Things Bottles, GIGER, and Allergies with Britt Pados

Emily Bromer

Owner of Hill City Speech Services; district/academic involvement; conference planning and CE

Hill City Speech VA; Lynchburg, Virginia

Episode: Embracing the Joy of Being a SLP "Jill of All Trades" with Emily Bromer

Kelly Kleinhans

Dr. Kelly Kleinhans, co-author and professor

University (Austin Peay State University referenced)

Episode: Mind Maps and Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)

Courtney Richards

Courtney Richards, co-author and lead feeding therapist

Private clinic; Austin Peay affiliate

Episode: Mind Maps and Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)

Belinda Daughrity

Bilingual speech-language pathologist; associate professor, CSULB

California State University, Long Beach

Episode: How to Mentor a Healthy Professional Identity in Future SLPs

Anita Fitzgerald

Associate professor, School of Nursing

California State University, Long Beach

Episode: How to Mentor a Healthy Professional Identity in Future SLPs

Host

Michelle Dawson

Host of the pediatric feeding and integrated therapy-focused show; author and advocate in pediatric SLP.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 247 ratings

Love this podcast!! 🥰
So grateful for the knowledge and expertise in this podcast!! Thank you for your kindness, generosity and willingness to help families, children and SLPs!
Apple Podcasts
5
Megfay220
United States3 years ago
Worth the listen
A wonderful, free resource for feeding therapists!!
Apple Podcasts
5
Carroll_nat
United States3 years ago
Amazing and heartfelt!
These podcasts are so inspiring. I love the work that Michelle is doing and her episodes can make you laugh, cry and learn all at once.
Apple Podcasts
5
Stephanie Michele Sweigart
United States3 years ago
Incredible Podcast
Hi Michelle and Erin!! I absolutely LOVE your podcast! My name is Julia and I’m an SLP, I met you back at ASHA New Orleans with my SLP mom! I listen to your podcast every week and even go back and listen to older episodes I haven’t heard! I’m an early intervention SLP in Washington State. You have both inspired me so much to continue my lifelong journey of learning! Some of the passions that you have helped me foster are around AAC, neurodiversity, floortime, pediatric feeding, parent coaching, ... more
Apple Podcasts
5
Julia McMichael, SLP
United States3 years ago
Gives the Knowledge to Confidently Switch Settings
Hi Michelle and Erin! I just want to thank you so much for sharing your joy and information with SLPs all over the world. In the last year, I switched from skilled nursing to EI, and with the help of your podcasts and resources, I’ve felt confident in my transition. It’s because of you I know of neurodiversity affirming care, as this was not even discussed when I was in grad school. It’s because of you I have 8 kids on my caseload who are getting AAC device trials or are ready to receive their o... more
Apple Podcasts
5
lostvegas533
United States3 years ago

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Listeners Say

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

Fans praise guest variety and actionable therapy ideas.

Listener feedback highlights practical, evidence-based, and approachable discussions.

Audience appreciates the hosts' warmth and real-world experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#102	United States/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#180	Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#184	Australia/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#34	Norway/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#39	Finland/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#40	Ireland/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Autism, GI, and Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Leena Sayed

Q: How can clinicians better advocate for patients in a system where GI concerns are not always taken seriously?

Build trust with families, present clear education on the gut-brain axis, use objective observations (meal patterns, sleep, bowel routine), and engage with professional bodies (e.g., American Academy of Pediatrics) to advocate for multidisciplinary pathways and timely referrals.

Autism, GI, and Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Leena Sayed

Q: What are the essential first steps when evaluating a child with autism who may have GI concerns?

Begin with a thorough medical history, assess sleep and feeding routines, gather details on dietary intake and fiber, and screen for reflux. Acknowledge caregiver perspectives, identify potential co-occurring GI disorders, and plan interprofessional referrals (GI, dietitian, OT, pelvic floor PT) to address the medical, feeding skills, and psychosocial aspects of PFD.

"Initiation" with Filmmaker and SLP Joshua Shah

Q: How did you ensure authentic representation of communication differences on screen, and were you on set to coach the lead actor?

He discusses collaboration with the community, consulting stakeholders and cast members who stutter, and the iterative process of ensuring characters feel real and respectful, including ongoing dialogue with performers and consultants on set.

"Initiation" with Filmmaker and SLP Joshua Shah

Q: Take me from the beginning. How did you get involved in this work and what inspired Initiation?

Josh explains his background as a speech-language pathologist and a filmmaker, how he became inspired by the patient stories he encountered in grad school, and how that led to writing Initiation as a drama grounded in real experiences with stuttering and disability.

#BlackSLPMagic Part 1: Paving the Way for the Future

Q: How did mentorship become a key aspect of your work?

Jordyn shared that mentorship is important as it allows representation and support for upcoming SLPs, reflecting on her own experiences and social media efforts to connect with others.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on pediatric speech-language pathology with a strong emphasis on feeding and swallowing disorders, lactation, AAC, early language development, and interprofessional collaboration. Episodes feature practicing SLPs who share practical, evidence-based strategies, real-world case insights, and advocacy discussions that help families and professionals navigate care, education, and healthcare systems. A notable strength is its blend of clinical expertise with lived experience, guest voices from diverse backgrounds, and a clear commitment to accessibility, equity, and caregiver coaching, making it a practical resource for clinicians, students, and admins seeking applicable takeaways. Listener engagement appears high due to tangibl... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. All Things Sensory by Harkla
2. The Untethered Podcast™
3. The Next Right Thing
4. Feeding Does Matter
5. Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 298 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Alice L. Williams
2. Leena Sayed
3. Lauren Warren
4. Britt Pados
5. Emily Bromer
6. Kelly Kleinhans
7. Courtney Richards
8. Belinda Daughrity

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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