📌 Episode Summary:In this special episode of Bright Conversations, host Shontaye Glover Jones sits down with the founders of SLP Summit — Lisa Kathman and Sarah Bevier of SLP Toolkit and Marisha Mets of SLP Now. Together, they share how a simple idea to connect SLPs and provide accessible professional development grew into a beloved, career-sustaining event that’s been going strong for nine years. Listeners will hear the behind-the-scenes story of how the Summit began, how it’s evolved, and what continues to motivate these leaders to create meaningful, affordable, and community-centered learning experiences for SLPs worldwide.👤 Guest Bios:Lisa Kathman, M.S., CCC-SLPLisa is a school-based speech-language pathologist and co-founder of SLP Toolkit, a digital platform that helps SLPs streamline data collection, progress monitoring, and goal tracking. She’s passionate about making clinical work more efficient and empowering clinicians with practical tools that make their work more sustainable.Sarah Bevier, M.S., CCC-SLPSarah is a speech-language pathologist and co-founder of SLP Toolkit. She’s known for her humor, honesty, and deep understanding of what it means to juggle real-world SLP responsibilities. Sarah believes in supporting clinicians through transparency, collaboration, and fun.Marisha Mets, M.S., CCC-SLPMarisha is the founder of SLP Now, a membership platform designed to help SLPs plan, organize, and deliver evidence-based therapy with confidence. She blends her experience as a school-based SLP with a systems mindset, helping professionals work smarter, not harder.🗣️ Topics We Cover in This Episode:How SLP Summit began — the conversation that sparked an event now in its ninth yearWhy accessibility and affordability matter in professional developmentHow collaboration between SLP Toolkit and SLP Now built a movementThe evolution of the Summit from small beginnings to a global PD eventKeeping the focus on community, connection, and confidence over competitionFavorite moments, lessons learned, and behind-the-scenes memoriesWhat’s next for SLP Summit and how the team continues to innovate📚 Learning Objectives: By listening to this episode, you’ll be able to:✅ Describe the origin and evolution of SLP Summit and its impact on the SLP community✅ Identify the key values that guide the event’s continued success — accessibility, collaboration, and relevance✅ Reflect on how community-driven professional development sustains growth and engagement throughout an SLP’s career🔗 Resources & Links:SLP Summit – Register for the next event and learn from expert presentersSLP Toolkit – Streamline data collection and goal trackingSLP Now – Plan and organize therapy with evidence-based toolsBright Ideas Media – Your home for practical, accessible professional development

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