Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stephanie Michele Sweigart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Stephanie Michele thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about an important lesson you learned while working at a prior job?
How many of us go through our day-to-day lives picking ourselves apart, judging our every move, and wondering if we’re doing it right? It’s so very normal! One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned on the job is that I am enough. I AM ENOUGH. This realization has been a powerful anchor through the ups and downs of my career. There have been moments when I’ve doubted myself, made mistakes, or felt embarrassed by something I said or did. But I’ve come to understand that these experiences are part of my journey. I’ve also had times when I’ve excelled, built strong relationships, and grown both personally and professionally. What ties all of these experiences together is the knowledge that, no matter where I am on that continuum, I’m good right where I am. I am enough. I have to keep telling myself that at times when things feel low. I’m always learning, always growing, and I’ve learned to accept that my best will look different from day to day—and that’s okay. This understanding helps me approach each challenge and success with more confidence, knowing that I bring value just by being myself.
Stephanie Michele, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
What sets me apart in the field of speech-language pathology isn’t just the hard work I put into to mastering the technical skills of my trade, but my commitment to growing as a person. I’ve made it a priority to look inward, to find my growth edge, and to ask myself, “How can I support you?” It’s this journey of self-discovery and self-compassion that has allowed me to thrive in a demanding field. And, I do mean demanding!
Early in my career, it was like I was some kind of a wilting flower so-to-speak, not realizing that the resources I needed were within my reach. I discovered that strong inner resources—what I call my inner armor—are essential for thriving in this profession. I had to do the inner work, which isn’t easy. It’s a vulnerable process to look in the mirror and face yourself with compassion, to admit that you need more tools and strategies, not to fix yourself, but to support your growth.
This inner work isn’t for everyone. It’s challenging to prioritize yourself, to seek out new ideas, and to continue exploring when past efforts didn’t give you the results you hoped for. But I’ve committed to this path, and I see the ripple effects in every aspect of my life and work. It’s become a life practice—showing up for myself day after day.
Now, I share this practice with others. I teach the “medicine” of self-support, offering tools to strengthen our inner armor. I blend my skills as an SLP with my mindfulness certification to provide professional development that nurtures us before we even step into our sessions with clients. By using mindfulness and compassion-based practices, I help others navigate collaboration, conflict, and relationships with more ease and resilience. This is the work that makes a real difference, not just in our profession, but in our lives. That is why my professional development is taught as a “golden state of mind”. I love how my course participant Melonie, an SLP, put it: “It’s not always easy to learn about oneself and identify areas for growth, but I’ve come to realize that a person who is done learning is a person who is done living! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to keep learning and growing.”
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
What if we all approached our work with more empathy and less ego? How might that change our interactions? I’ve had to unlearn letting my ego take the wheel. When I first stepped out of my master’s program, degree in hand and full of confidence, I thought I had it all figured out. I had put in the hours, completed the externships, and was ready to launch my career. With a 26-year-old’s brain and all the energy that comes with it, I believed my experience made me an expert. But in reality, I was letting my ego drive my decisions, and it wasn’t serving me.
In the workplace, I used to think that being right meant holding my ground, especially when collaborating with professionals from other fields. My mindset was all about “power over”—I was convinced that my speech suggestions were the best strategies for the clients and I was the authority in the speech department. My focus was so narrow, centered on my needs and perspective, that I left little room for empathy or curiosity about what others had to say. If someone disagreed with me, I took it as a challenge to my speech pathology authority and dug in my heels, thinking I was asserting myself. But in reality, I was just building walls.
Let me tell you about one time when this approach backfired big time. At one school site, I was sure that a few of my students were ready to be dismissed from speech therapy. I had the data, the test results, and I was confident in my decision. So, I stood firm—maybe a little too firm—and pushed my opinion over others who believed the students should continue receiving services. I imagine that I gained a reputation as the clinician who was just looking to “dismiss students.”
Even though my intentions were good and I thought I was standing by best practices, I was missing something crucial: really hearing the other perspectives. Those viewpoints could have opened up possibilities I hadn’t even considered. Instead, our collaboration suffered. The team didn’t exactly enjoy having me around, and my well-being at that school took a hit. Eventually, the principal requested that I be moved to another school. Ouch! That was a tough pill to swallow, especially since I thought I always had the students’ best interests at heart.
Looking back, I realize I was too forceful in my approach, and the impact wasn’t pretty. I missed out on building key relationships with teachers and considering more diverse perspectives when evaluating my students. Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you were doing the right thing, only to find yourself more isolated? It was a hard lesson, but I learned that it’s not just about my views or even just about the child’s needs; it’s about everyone’s needs when you’re working as a team. This experience has completely changed how I approach my work and relationships now, and I’m growing more from having experienced it.
When it came to feedback in the past, I took everything personally. Instead of seeing constructive criticism as an opportunity to grow, I internalized it, becoming defensive and reactive. I lacked the skills of active listening, empathy, and genuine curiosity about others’ feelings and needs. I wasn’t equipped with these tools, and I didn’t even realize how much I was missing out on.
I can see the impact this had on my career, my relationships, and my overall work environment. It’s clear to me now how much I was holding myself back. Thankfully, I came across some resources and experiences that helped me transition from where I was then to where I am today—a more compassionate, forgiving, and empathetic SLP. I’ve learned to ask more questions, to truly listen to others, and to create a space where everyone feels heard and valued. I learned to resource the seeds, plant them, nurture them, and watch them grow. Do I still make mistakes? Yes. And, I am enough.
I love how my teacher Tara Brach said, “There is so much division in this world. So what is really the path of healing? It can begin in this moment, by embracing the life that’s here.” I needed to learn how to be in my life- in my ups and my downs. I needed to learn how to show up in this space in a way that was authentic and connected. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but the journey has been worth it. I now bring a different energy to the table—one that’s collaborative, open, and curious. I’ve discovered that when I let go of my ego and embrace empathy, I’m not just a more skilled professional; I’m a happier person. And that, to me, is what makes this work truly fulfilling.
Tired of feeling overwhelmed and isolated in your role? I sincerely suggest learning some simple mindfulness and compassionate communication strategies that can change the way you handle stress. This can make your daily challenges feel like opportunities for growth.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ve had to pivot in my career, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. Starting in 2006, I worked full-time as an SLP, supporting school districts and helping students find their voice. But as I grew both personally and professionally, discovering the transformative power of nonviolent communication and mindfulness, I felt a calling to bring these learn more about these tools and how they blended into the SLP world around 2011-2012.
With this newfound passion, I eventually reached out to SpeechTherapyPD.com, a professional development company, and proposed sharing these resources with the speech community. I believed deeply in the impact this work had on my own resilience, communication, relationships, and overall well-being, and I knew others could benefit too. Whether clinicians were familiar with these concepts or not, I saw an opportunity to support them, especially those just starting their careers. I started to imagine how these tools could help them navigate the inevitable hurdles and challenges with greater ease and how their future selves would thank them for it. Knowing I did not have these resources early on in my career, and the difference it would have made, I just had to get the word out to new clinicians.
My own personal work in this space has been guided by my incredible teachers like Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Ruth King, Eric Huang and many others from the mindfulness and nonviolent communication communities in Southern California. Slowly but surely, I began creating courses that SpeechTherapyPD.com graciously allowed me to share, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Therapists were hungry for this style of professional development and grateful for access to it. This led me to speak on many different podcasts, create my own digital courses for the special education community, and gradually shift more of my focus to supporting professionals in the SLP space and special education communities.
While I still practice in schools, my direct work with students has significantly decreased as I’ve pivoted toward a top-down model, supporting the professionals who support the students. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share this life-changing work, and I feel incredibly blessed and motivated to be an SLP who’s passionate about showing others a new way to approach the challenges in our field. This pivot has allowed me to blend my experience as an SLP with my commitment to mindfulness and compassionate communication, and it’s a privilege to guide others on their own journeys of growth and transformation.
Imagine a future where Speech-Language Pathologists move from burnout and overwhelm to a world where we get back to more joy and laughter and connection. By choosing to practice mindfulness and compassion, we can change our field into one where happiness and fulfillment are the norm. In the words of my favorite school janitor, Joe: “Make it a great day or not. The choice is yours!”
Ready to bring a little more mindfulness, empathy, and good vibes into your work? I’ve got some awesome free resources to help you get started! Whether you’re just dipping your toes in or ready to dive deep, these tools are here to support you on your own path. Head over to my website and let’s make your practice (and your life) a little more joyful. Come join me—because when you’re thriving, everyone around you feels it too!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldenstateofmindpd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/golden.state.slp/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-sweigart013080/
- Other: https://gssps.com
Image Credits
Stephanie Michele Sweigart