Therapod Podcast
The Therapod podcast is a valuable resource created by a team of experienced clinicians- Hosted by Banu Balaji, an experienced occupational therapist. Joining us as Co-host this season we have Georgie Cooney, dedicated teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with years of experience supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties. This podcast aims to provide accessible and practical information for parents, caregivers, and professionals working with children, especially those with additional needs. Banu and her seasoned colleagues share their insights on various topics such as sensory strategies, communication, neurodevelopmental assessments, and promoting both physical and mental health in children and adolescents. They br...
Uncomfortably Curious Aidan
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Al on Adoption, Fostering, and Staying Connected as a Dad
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Young people and their identity in their communities
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The Connection Key
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The Neurospicy Entreprenuer
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The Neurospicy Therapist
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Timmy Long: Reformer and Craftsman
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Healing Myself: A Fathers Journey
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The Weight Men Don't Talk About: Vikrant on Stress, Caregiving, and Peace
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The Superpower of Sensitivity: Processing Baggage to Move Forward
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Breaking the Cycle: Navigating Intergenerational and cultural Patterns of Fatherhood
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The Barriers: Strength, Logic, and Surface Level Talk
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Power of Games
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Childhood apraxia of speech, screentime and lifestyle
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Why is Teletherapy more than just an Alternative?
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The Oral Sensory Motor system and Speech
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Moving the spotlight towards FASD
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Bridging the Silence: Transforming Hearing Healthcare
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The Speech and Language Connection to Mental Health
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Beyond Speech: A Holistic Path to Communication
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In this episode, we explore a holistic and parent-centered approach to speech and language therapy with Zainab Millwala, Chennai-based Speech-Language Pathologist who brings a wealth of experience from both India and the US
. We dive into how communication is much more than just the spoken word and why we must look at the "roots" of a child’s development to see real progress.
Our guest introduces her "Tree Model" of intervention, where the foundation of learning isn't speech, but rather sleep, gut health, and regulation
The Flexible Seating Revolution: Reimagining the Modern Classroom
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“What works for a few children usually works for all. Why have special seats for special children when we can have a range of seats for everyone?”
In this inspiring episode of the Therapod Podcast, host Carolyn Gelenter sits down with Heba Al-Jayoosi, the SENCO and Assistant Head at Mayflower Primary School in East London. Heba shares the journey of their "Flexible Seating Revolution"—a radical shift in classroom design that replaces rigid rows with a menu of choices, including rockin...
Beyond Phonics: The Auditory Foundation of Literacy
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“Teaching phonics before a child is ready is like taking a student driver on the motorway in their second lesson.”
In this episode of the Therapod Podcast, host Carolyn Gelenter sits down with Professor Helen Stringer from Newcastle University to explore the fundamental power of phonological awareness. While the education system often pushes formal phonics at age four, Professor Stringer explains that many children lack the underlying auditory skills needed to succeed, which can turn reading into a "trial" rath...
Let’s Stop Pathologizing: Moving Towards a Needs Based Future
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"If we could get away from diagnosis and think about a child's needs, that might make a big difference."
In this insightful episode of the Therapod Podcast: More Than Words, host Carolyn Gelenter is joined by Alison, a Speech and Language Therapist, Psychologist, and Deputy Director of Children’s Services, to explore the evolving landscape of autism and communication.
Together, they dive into the complexities of identifying and supporting neurodivergent children in 2025. Key topics include:
Differentiating DL...
More than a Label : A story of resilience and determination
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In this incredibly moving episode of the Therapod Podcast, host Carolyn Gelenter sits down with Robyn Lascelles, a 37-year-old restaurant manager and barista who shares her lived experience with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)
Robyn takes us on a journey through her educational path-from a small speech and language unit to a massive 2,000-student mainstream secondary school
She provides a rare and vital perspective on what support actually feels like for a student, explaining why she preferred "invisible" support from her teaching assistant to avoid the stigma of being "different"...
The Life Skills Revolution: Beyond the Classroom with Dr Victoria Joffee
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Deaf Education: Language, Identity and Inclusive Classrooms
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Welcome to Season 6 of Therapod Podcast: Beyond Words, where we explore how communication and language shape our lives from childhood through adulthood.
Hosted by Carolyn Gelenter, on this episode we are joined by Kathryn Gilgallon, Lead Teacher of the Deaf with over 20 years of experience. Kathryn shares her fascinating journey from studying marine biology to falling in love with Deaf culture, eventually moving from California to the UK to advocate for deaf children and their families.
A central theme of this episode is the critical...
Reframing the Language of Disorders
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Welcome to Season 6 of Therapod Podcast: Beyond Words.
This season continues our deep dive into how communication and language affect every part of our lives, from education to our internal sense of safety. I am joined by co-host Carolyn Gelenter, an advisory teacher for speech, language, and communication needs.
Our guest for this episode is Jamie Galpin, a developmental psychologist and researcher who is challenging the way we view "disorders". Jamie works to move education systems away from a "barrage of acronyms" and toward a model of inclusive design...
So How Can We Help Children Communicate?
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Welcome to Season 6 of Therapod Podcast: Beyond Words.
This season continues to explore how speech, language, and communication are the foundation for every aspect of our lives, from mental health to personal safety. Hosted by Carolyn Gelenter, an advisory teacher for speech, language, and communication needs, as we speak with experts who are bridging the gap between language and emotional wellbeing.
Our latest guest? Rachel Bailey, a freelance education consultant and former primary teacher who has spent her career advocating for "pupil voice" a...
Exploring Developmental Language Disorder
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Impact of Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties
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Welcome to Season 6 of Therapod Podcast: More Than Words.
This season dives deep into speech and language - not just therapy, but how communication shapes our entire lives. From education to employment, from childhood through adulthood.
I'm joined by co-host Carolyn Gelenter, an advisory teacher for speech, language and communication needs, and we're bringing you world-class researchers and practitioners who are transforming how we understand language disorders.
Our next guest? Dr. Courtenay Norbury Speech and Language Therapist and - the researcher behind the groundbreaking Surrey study that s...
Developmental Language Disorder
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🎙️ Just dropped Season 6 of Therapod Podcast - "More Than Words" - and I'm excited to share what we're exploring.
This season dives deep into speech and language development across the lifespan. Not just therapy techniques, but how communication shapes education, work, and daily life.
I'm joined by co-host Carolyn Galler, an advisory teacher for speech, language and communication needs, bringing a fresh perspective to our conversations.
Our latest episode features Amanda Finder, who's developed something remarkable - the "DLD Me" program. It helps children and teens understand their...
More than Words: Get to know your host!
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With the start of the new season we have our host Georgie Cooney introduce and interview new host for this season Carolyn Gelenter, an Advisory Teacher for speech, language and communication! Together they explore why speech, language, and communication are fundamental issues of social justice. Carolyn challenges the "one-size-fits-all" approach to teaching, arguing that children are often pushed into complex reading tasks before they have the vocabulary or life experiences to understand them. From the impact of COVID-19 to the link between poverty and communication, Carolyn explains why we must prioritize "listening and...
Season 5 - wrap up
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Navigating Awetism
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The Neuropsychology of Learning ft Leo Thompson
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In this episode of the Therapod Podcast, Banu chats with educator and CEO of Edsplorer- Leo Thompson to explore what it truly means to unlock human potential in schools. From the neuroscience of learning and the role of emotional regulation to the challenges of curriculum relevance and exam pressure, this conversation dives deep into how children learn—and why many struggle. Leo shares insights from his work across international schools, including India, highlighting the importance of inclusion, learner agency, and teaching students how to learn, not just what to learn.Â
Wh...
ADHD, menstrual cycle and emotional regulation
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In this episode, Banu and Aofie highlight the significant and often under-recognized challenges faced by neurodivergent women, particularly those with ADHD, due to the intense impact of hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives. The core idea is that the already difficult nature of living with ADHD is magnified by the cycle of hormones, which dramatically affects emotional regulation and executive functions. By using simplified frameworks, like the "Four Seasons" model (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn) instead of complex medical jargon, the focus shifts from self-blame ("What's wrong with me?"...
A glimpse into Talk Therapy
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In this episode we explore the world of Talk Therapies and the role they play different settings. We chat with Dr Victoria Page- a psychologist, Emily Murphy- a nurse and psychotherapist and Aofie McCormack- a family therapist to view how talk therapy works in their practices!
Supporting neurodivergent young people access to education ft Elisha Caulfield
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In this episode, Banu and Elisha explore neurodiversity, the challenges within traditional education, and why systemic reform is essential for both students and teachers. They discuss how purpose and genuine interest — the “why” — are powerful motivators for learning, especially for neurodivergent minds, and how behaviors often seen as “problems” are really responses to unmet needs. Alicia also shares a compassionate low-demand, connection-first approach for supporting kids experiencing “school-can’t,” emphasizing safety, trust, and emotional well-being over attendance and performance.
What is Occupational Therapy?
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Happy OT week! In this episode of the Theropod podcast, we welcome Aislinn Pierse, a pediatric occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience. Aislinn discusses the nuances of pediatric occupational therapy, emphasizing the importance of understanding a child's unique context and building strong therapeutic relationships. She explores common reasons for referrals, such as handwriting issues and emotional dysregulation, while highlighting that these often mask deeper challenges. Aislinn also shares her approach to assessments, advocating for qualitative observations over standardized scores to truly capture a child's needs. Join us for a thoughtful conversation that...
Lets Talk about Dyslexia
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Banu Balaji, the host and an occupational Therapist chats with Georgie Coney , a dedicated and fully qualified teacher, author, and dyslexia specialist with over two decades of experience. She is passionate about fostering positive learning environments for all children, with a deep understanding of learners with specific learning difficulties.
As a qualified diagnostic assessor of specific learning difficulties in the UK and a specialist teacher, Georgie brings a wealth of expertise to her practice. She serves as a coordinator and dyslexia tutor at the Dyslexia Association of Ireland...
