De Facto Leaders

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, teachers, and aspiring school leaders feel more confident in the way they serve their students and clients. She’ll cover a range of topics designed to help you support students' emotional and academic growth and set kids up for success in adulthood, including how to support language, literacy, executive functioning, and how to help IEP teams working together to support kids across the day. Whether you want to learn more effective strategies for your therapy session or classroom, be a more influential leader on your team, or find creative ways to use your skills to advance in your career, Dr. Karen has you covered.

Clinical Leadership Series Part 2: Scaling Your Expertise Beyond the Therapy Room
Jun 11, 2025 – 21:32
Clinical Leadership Series Part 1: Claiming Your Seat at the Table
Jun 4, 2025 – 31:36
Embracing Cross-Pollination, High-Quality Tutoring, and Agile Leadership for Student Success (with Dr. Kate Anderson Foley)
May 28, 2025 – 01:07:53
The School Leader's Guide to Executive Functioning Support
May 21, 2025 – 35:23
Executive Functioning Summer Camp (with Eric Smith)
May 14, 2025 – 55:33
A Speech Pathologist's Journey Through Brain Surgery and Recovery (with Ana Hernandez)
May 7, 2025 – 59:01
SEEing to Lead: Collaborating for Better Literacy (with Karen Dudek-Brannan)
Apr 30, 2025 – 43:29
Re-Release: ADHD and the Appeal to Nature Fallacy
Apr 23, 2025 – 43:08
The Art of Decluttering and Habit Stacking for Clinicians (with Marisha Mets)
Apr 16, 2025 – 01:04:45
Goals and Accommodations for Executive Functioning
Apr 9, 2025 – 35:44
FAQs: Task-based goals vs. strategy goals, scaffolding for semantics and syntax, and going from decontextualized to contextualized
Apr 2, 2025 – 01:02:41
Making professional development and programming goals meaningful (with John Mihalyo)
Mar 26, 2025 – 01:07:05
Failure to launch, screen addiction, and preparing kids for life after high school (with Michael McLeod)
Mar 19, 2025 – 01:00:03
FAQs: What if my district is still promoting three-cueing?
Mar 12, 2025 – 41:17
Using the essential 5 to build vocabulary and syntax in secondary school (with Amy Baugh)
Mar 5, 2025 – 57:17
Using digital resources to improve team collaboration and combat therapist burnout (with Dr. Karen Rose)
Feb 26, 2025 – 01:02:27
Frontloading, explicit instruction, and providing the “right” amount of support
Feb 19, 2025 – 01:09:25
Public perception of education, positive role models, and keeping good leaders in schools (featuring Dan Kelley, Dr. Joseph Williams, and Danny Bauer)
Feb 12, 2025 – 01:06:09
Swallowing and feeding intervention in the schools (with Carolyn Dolby)
Feb 5, 2025 – 01:13:11
Supporting underrepresented families with “Families and Educators Together” Teams (with Ari Gerzon-Kessler)
Jan 29, 2025 – 59:23
How to run a high-value, no-drama PTO (with Christina Hidek)
Jan 22, 2025 – 01:15:41
Empowering educators to support mental health at the Tier 1 level (with Dr. Hayley Watson)
Jan 15, 2025 – 01:04:05
Scaffolding, fading prompts, and the importance of parent and teacher coaching (with Rebecca Robbins)
Jan 8, 2025 – 55:52
FAQs: Language therapy goals and "observable behaviors" vs "strategy goals".
Jan 1, 2025 – 46:26
FAQs: Language evaluations, data, doctoral programs and expanding clinical career options.
Dec 25, 2024 – 47:40
Salary and caseload negotiations and expanding your career opportunities (with Rachel Archambault)
Dec 18, 2024 – 01:12:31
Using Distance Learning to Increase Access and Opportunity (with Seth Fleischauer)
Dec 11, 2024 – 59:29
Building confidence, positive self-talk, and strategic planning skills for writing (with Dr. Nelly Kaakaty)
Dec 4, 2024 – 01:01:38
High-impact tutoring and branding your academic coaching services (with David Schipper)
Nov 27, 2024 – 01:22:19
A behind-the-scenes look at EdTech startups and curriculum companies (with Ross Romano)
Nov 20, 2024 – 01:09:46
Reframing the purpose of social narratives, video modeling, and social skills lesson plans
Nov 13, 2024 – 48:04
Scaffolding syntax and semantics for non-readers and redefining life skills
Nov 6, 2024 – 38:30
Dynamic Assessment: Evaluations are a process, not a test (with Destiny Johnson)
Oct 30, 2024 – 51:50
Supporting multilingual students and taking part in state and national advocacy work (with Puja Goel and Prabhu Eswaran)
Oct 23, 2024 – 01:02:05
Is it a behavior issue or a language and literacy issue?
Oct 16, 2024 – 30:12
Defining educational technology and considering homework equity issues
Oct 9, 2024 – 36:40
Morphology hierarchies, etymology, and reframing the “joy” of reading.
Oct 2, 2024 – 22:49
Leveraging read-alouds to build language and getting started with advocacy work (with Dr. Molly Ness)
Sep 25, 2024 – 56:14
Developmental language disorder: Impacts on literacy and life beyond school (with Dr. Karla McGregor)
Sep 20, 2024 – 01:01:26
The relationship of literacy and language skills and involvement with the justice system (with Dr. Shameka Stewart)
Sep 18, 2024 – 01:00:33
Increasing book equity and fostering a love of reading (with Susan Brady)
Sep 13, 2024 – 01:02:45
Are we allowed to say “dyslexia” in the schools? (with Tom Parton)
Sep 11, 2024 – 01:08:12
Debunking reading myths and defining literacy buzzwords (with Anna Geiger)
Sep 6, 2024 – 53:47
Building the language skills for reading, writing, and spelling (with Dr. Jan Wasowicz)
Sep 4, 2024 – 01:03:15
Re-release: The impact of texting on literacy and the skills needed for effective word-reading
Aug 28, 2024 – 46:36
Creating a culture of collaboration on your school team (with Kurtis Hewson)
Aug 21, 2024 – 01:01:41
School leadership and middle management (with Chris Dodge and Dr. Chris Jones)
Aug 14, 2024 – 01:21:49
Increasing attendance with student engagement and connectedness (with Jen Perry)
Aug 7, 2024 – 54:48
Social-emotional learning for adults (featuring Crissy Mombela, Lisa Navarra, and Dr. Theresa Melito-Conners)
Jul 31, 2024 – 48:56
Making intentional decisions and leaning on the expertise of your team (with Dr. Jen Schwanke)
Jul 24, 2024 – 59:10

Recent Reviews

Sean34514

Excellent

This podcast is so informative!! I love listening to Dr. Karen! She’s helped me so much in my speech therapy sessions!
Barb22222

Great Podcast

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

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!
*momof6*

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.
rrpodnet

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.
tehjunction

Karen is so knowledgeable

I was a guest on her show and she taught me things. Great podcast.
Kerri at RISE

Great episode on Parents’ Self Care!

I’m excited for these conversations. Loved the episode with Katherine Endy on the importance of self care for parents. The emphasis on maintaining emotional connection over discipline is much needed. Raising teens is some tough work, but being a teen is even tougher. They deserve engaged and thoughtful parenting. I’m always looking for fresh ideas and reminders that I’m not “doing it wrong”, and it’s nice to be reminded that these struggles are universal.
don't date Edward

I’m a Fan

As a parent of a neurodiverse child and a SLP this podcast is a wealth of information for me. So useful and practical for BOTH my work and parenting. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us!
Munch1kin

Executive Functions

Clear, concise, informative, interesting. I especially enjoyed episode 5. I am so impressed with Olivia. Smart, well spoken, great self insights. Great parenting!
Lmag71

Lmag0831

Enjoying these podcasts so much so far. Very helpful and relatable to people in my personal life and in the workplace. Look forward to more !
NCJ Reviews

Very informative

Lots of practical information that’s easy to listen to and understand. First-hand experiences shared hit home. Thank you, Dr. Karen.
Kk09blue

Very informative

Great podcast for parenting and working with kids. It’s very informative and interesting. I like that each episode is less than an hour so it’s easy to find time to listen. Thank you Dr. Karen!
PodLaunchHQ.com

Got kids? Hit SUBSCRIBE!!

Dr. Karen is a wealth of knowledge! Her no-nonsense approach to raising well-adjusted kids is both practical and actionable. If you’re a parent who wants to raise healthy, successful kids who contribute to making the world a better place, hit subscribe and listen in — you’ll be glad you did!
@FartyMeldmanEyz (Twitter)

Highly recommended

As fellow SLP, I highly recommend Dr. Karen. Not only is she is clear, concise and gives great practicals, She breaks information down to make it easy to understand & implement!
SLP Forever

SLP

For 2 hours worth, I think the information was quite repetitive. I felt like concrete suggestions to help students was always talked about, but not really ever delivered. As a busy professional, I don't hours to get to the point. I did enjoy hearing about Dr. Karen's husband as a successful adult now reflecting back on his youth.
JHCC3

Dr. Karen is a wealth of knowledge!

I have known Dr. Karen for years. She is an incredibly accomplished speech-language pathologist and academic BUT also very practical and full of good advice.
Rajel7

Great Podcast!

Great information for all parents and those that work with children and adolescents!
DinaLk

So far, so good

I just listened to her first two episodes. I am excited to hear what she has to offer.
KatieMargaretH

Great!

This podcast was wonderful! Great advice without going on and on. I can’t wait for next weeks episode!
mdesiderta1480

Awesome

She’s truly very informative. I enjoyed listening to the podcast and look forward to hearing more from her
Schrodinger's Other Cat

Great information for parents

Loved binging on these episodes, esp the ones about improving your kids attention and focus!
LSheppard04

Great listen!!

This podcast is wonderful for both parents and SLPs! I highly recommend to give it a listen.
Mkallison41

Interesting and engaging

Thanks for all the good insight. Very thought provoking.
Sound Speech Therapy

Deborah Cooper, MS CCC-SLP

This is a long overdo podcast and Karen does it effortlessly.
BaconRobot

Love me some Dr. Karen!

This lady is the real deal! I am a school-based SLP, with a son recently diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive type). I am so worried about his performance once he goes out on his own. Her practical approach and advice is really helpful.
bbbohach

:)

Dr. Karen knows her stuff!
Harprd

Great listen

Excited about this podcast! As a mother of 3 and fellow slp I am excited about this resource. A great listen for any parent- thanks Karen!
Charlie Hoffmeister

Great reminders! Love the bite size content

As an SLP it is amazing to have this resource to offer parents. As a mom I love these bite size reminders for myself. My favorite thing about this content is the actionable, shame free, information.
lellalopez

Real EBP advice and life insights

Dr. Karen does such a good job of addressing common parent and clinician concerns in a relatable way while also providing hope and strategies true to evidence based practice! Thank you for these insights!
M-Eileen

Interesting and helpful info

I am so glad Dr. Karen is sharing this insight! It’s always so hard to know if you are doing the right thing as a parent, so having this resource to help us navigate it is great!
Royandi

Dr. Karen’s Podcasts

I am excited to have access to Dr. Karen’s podcast episodes. As a speech-language pathologist having two teenage children, I want to prepare my students and my own children for success in the work force. Dr. Karen is very relatable to parents and professionals. Dr. Karen encourages us through her personal experiences, both with her students and her own family. Keep up the great work Dr. Brannon.
Viking 66

Are they eighteen yet?

Easy to relate to. Real life situations
jessoconnell

Informative and empowering!

I love this podcast!! Dr. Karen is knowledgeable, informative and very down to earth with her teaching! She helps you feel empowered as a parent without feeling judged. The tools I’ve learned are invaluable and I can’t wait to learn more!
Mikenflfanjiangs

Excellent and informative

Loved it and learned so much